Well here it is friends, my first blog. I’ve always been afraid to write one because, well, I’m not the most eloquent with words, nor do I really have a great handle on punctuation (even after 5 yrs of University). I can’t seem to think of the right words or the big and unique words to go with my thoughts and descriptions of situations and so I’ve limited myself to big long Facebook status updates ;). Aside from that, I’ve never really felt that my stories needed to be read by the world or that people would have the desire to read about my adventures. But that’s all changing now for I am taking off on the adventure of a lifetime! This is my official announcement to you all that this September I am leaving to travel to 11 countries in 11 months! I will be joining a mission trip called the World Race… and I’m kind of freaking out! I found out I was accepted while at placement (at Big Brothers Big Sisters) and I ran back into the office doing my “excitement dance”. Haha, the ladies there quite enjoyed it J.
Most of you who really know me, know that I live my life appreciating and recognizing how incredibly blessed I am! Every day I am thankful for everything I have, big and small. I feel that now is the time for me to really give back. Now is the time to go out and spread the blessings that I have been given. Matthew 10:8 says “Freely you have received so freely give.” And that is precisely what I am going to do.
What many of you don’t know, and something I’m ashamed to say I haven’t been very open about, is that I am Christian. This past summer I was baptized and on that day, I truly felt the presence of God for the first time. I felt his love fill my heart and body. I felt that it was radiating out of me. I could not wipe the smile off of my face. There I was leading the BBQ team feeding hundreds of people who had arrived to be publicly baptized in Harmony Square. They were all there to declare that they have Jesus in their hearts and had come to have their sins washed cleaned. I was passing along hotdog buns to be filled and handed out to the growing line all while singing along to our worship team praising God with Jesus Cultures’ Your love never fails.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_2qG22SPwU.
I couldn’t stand still, I couldn’t stay where I was in that moment. I kept brushing off the feeling, convincing myself that I was just feeling very loved and happy in that moment with my family, church family and friends surrounding me and sharing in this perfect day. You know that tingly goose-bump feeling you get when you witness something beautiful or when something really special happens? It was like that, but exponentially bigger. It just continued to grow and grow until I could no longer push it off. As much as I tried to tell myself, “it’s nothing Katie, keep handing out the buns”, I just couldn’t wipe the grin off of my face. I was singing my heart out, and knowing with every inch of my being that I was feeling God’s love. It was not only inside of me but it was pouring out. I couldn’t stand still. I had to do something.
So, I walked over to one of my closest friends, Amanda, and I took her hand and said, “this is happening” with a bit of a “?” at the end. As I said it, tears poured out. The hugest grin I have ever seen filled her face and tears filled her eyes. She grabbed my hand tightly and together we made our way to the middle of the square where the pools were. As my church family and actual family saw me walking toward them hand-in-hand with Amanda, tears streaming, they immediately knew. None of them could hold in their excitement and each hugged me before I climbed into the pool where my two cousins Sarah and Trevor baptized me.
Since this day I have been able to feel God’s presence in this way, never as strong as that moment but I always know it’s Him. I know he is ever-present and guiding me. That single moment has changed me forever. There is now a courage that was missing. There is a faith stronger than I ever imagined, and there is a passion to do more, to pursue my relationship with God and to serve his will. For the first time I feel called to bring His kingdom to earth.
A great man and friend of mine once said; “Freedom isn’t being able to go and do whatever you want, freedom is having the courage to go and do what God has called you to do” ~ Dave Carrol. I found my freedom that day and now I’m going to do something with it!
So today, not only am I announcing to you that I am off on the journey of a lifetime, but, I am announcing to you that the light that I shine, the love that I give, the time that I put into my city and the people around me, it now comes from a new place. It comes not just from the goodness of my own soul, the love and passion that my family and close friends instilled in me, but from a newly lit desire that is burning bright. This desire is to bring others to feel the abundant love of God that I felt on that day, and its also a desire to live out God’s will, to love others, and to serve in His name.
In September 2013 I am embarking on a walk with God to serve His kingdom. I know His hand is on it, but I am asking for your prayers and support on this journey.
God Bless,
~ Katie
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Galatians 5:13-14 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
