The answer to that question would be in Hockley, Texas, home of longhorns and "howdy, partner." I've been visiting my parents on their farm, Daire Calgaigh, which is Gaelic for "Place of the Oaks."
(That's Guinness the pony, and the goats are Duncan and McLeod)
I know it's been a looooong time since you all have been updated on my whereabouts and happenings. Actually, some of you are probably wondering the opposite. If you're asking, "Why am I getting this blog update?", it's because I was sneaky and entered your email address to receive updates when I post a blog. I figured you wouldn't mind. 🙂 Anyway, for the rest of you who've been wondering if I fell of the face of the earth, I owe you an apology for taking so long. The Lord has done some AMAZING things in my life as I have been preparing to launch, and I have robbed you of being blessed by seeing His awesomeness in my life.
So, we're going back in time….
I finished camp in October. During training camp, I found out that I am on a team with six other beautiful souls.
Meet Team CHERISHED~
(L to R: Katie, Katie, Jen, Jill, Julie, Misty, and Kate. This is my family for the next 11 months!)
If you want to know Team Cherished up close and personal, and follow my journey from different perspectives, you can follow their blogs as well as mine!
http://www.katiehoward.theworldrace.org; http://www.katiewinistorfer.theworldrace.org; http://www.jenlanges.theworldrace.org
;http://www.jillschulenberg.theworldrace.org; http://www.juliekolins.theworldrace.org; http://www.mistycurry.theworldrace.org
Camp was amazing and oh-so-brief! I've had two months since training camp to process what was taught, to live what was experienced, and to understand that this is not going to be an easy journey.
Since training camp was in the mountains of North Georgia so I got the chance to see my best friends in Atlanta! 🙂
After a day of visiting I headed back to Williamsburg and immediately got sick. This was perfectly timed because I also immediately began working on preparing for my BBQ and Silent Auction to raise money for the race, which by the way, took place a couple of days after I arrived home. Thankfully, I had a brilliant group of friends who were helping me plan the benefit, willing to donate their time, cooking talents, and amazing skill to craft items for the Silent Auction. I was so incredibly humbled by the sacrifice so many people made on my behalf, and for the benefit of this mission.
The space for the auction was donated by Bruton Parish Church (I'm not even a member of their Parish) with so much graciousness. They were the very spirit of charity in their kindness. It always makes me joyful seeing the body of Christ serving in such love!
I had a team of expert chefs who made the best barbeque plate in the world!
(Spatula and Ladle crafter by Shel Browder and Child's Wheelbarrow by Paul Zelesnikar)
The caliber of craftsmanship was exceptional, and I had lovely friends who donated items without even being asked! The silent auction had everything from a cigarbox guitar to masterfully decorated cakes.
(Cake created by Marty Razzano)
And so many kind and dear friends volunteered to make this night a success!
And it was SUCH a success. No really, the Lord hath GREATLY blessed! That night I received $1000.00 donation from a couple who have been very instrumental in my spiritual growth the past year, and I also received an amazingly generous pledge of $1200 from a benevolent, anonymous donor in the event that we could feed 100 homeless souls with the food made for the BBQ. So in total over $5000.00 was raised that night!!! That's 1/3 of the total needed for The World Race! Christ never ceases to amaze me with His provision. He is most definitely Jehovah Jirah, and to Him be all the glory!
I also have to thank all of the lovely people who helped with this event. I couldn't have asked for a better team, and I couldn't have been blessed with better friends.
With the money raised at the benefit, funds raised by selling Threads of Hope bracelets, and the funds donated since then, once I deposit it all into my World Race account, I should be at around $12,000.00 That's beyond my third deadline which is due by March. My personal goal is to be fully funded by then. Hey, miracles can happen… I've seen then with my own eyes.
Speaking of which, that's what my next blog is about. Stay tuned!
Love and lassos,
Kate
P.S. I forgot to tell you, I leave for Ft. Lauderdale on Monday morning, January 9. I will be there to train at launch for a few days and then we'll launch to Guatemala. I should start packing, don't you think? Sleep now, more later…
