Loud Latin and disco music. An assortment of cookies. Colorful flags. A happy bulldog. Hugs, laughter, and “see you later”s on our lips.
That’s a snapshot of this past Saturday at my Zumba Going Away party.
Thanks to:
- my mom & dad, Lonna & Dan, Karen & Aaron for a lovely farewell party. My family is so essential to this whole thing.
Favorite bro-in-law (and Schrott Center Master), most organized sister, cutest bulldog in Indy– Penny 🙂
- all of you who danced, gave money, listened, or sent me well wishes even though you couldn’t make it. Thanks for your encouragement, time, hugs, and notes! 🙂 I’m sorry we didn’t get more pictures!
- the leaders at Traders Point Christian Church for praying over me! Thanks for sharing my story and sending me off with prayer support and heartfelt encouragement.
All of your words and your time are precious to me!
Especially because last week, I mostly just felt sad.
I’ve been grieving this next year before it has even begun.
I mean, I could’ve had a fancy birthday party, an American Thanksgiving, Christmas reunions, or a New Year’s in Chicago. It’s the little things, too… Thinking about the Colts’ season or wearing boots in the fall. Missing Nora’s 5th grade graduation and seeing those kids grow & learn. Homecoming at Illinois Wesleyan or trying out new restaurants in Indy. Lunches after church or girly dates with my sister. Laughing with my parents or making slush with my grandma. What am I gonna be missing? WHO am I going to be missing?
Wait… WHY AM I EVEN DOING THIS??
So instead of avoiding the sadness, I just felt it. I felt sad. And I talked to God about it.
The Lord responded softly, “My daughter, I’ve called you to freedom and love, remember? Remember the butterflies you felt when you heard about the World Race? Felt the call? Remember all the times I’ve carried you through fear, how much you’ve grown out of challenges? Remember the feeling in your gut when you think of the lost, broken, sick, forgotten, hungry, and poor?”?
“Yes, I remember now.”
“Now, Kathy, do you trust me?”
“Yes, God. I trust you.”
“Then trust that I’m already ahead of you this year! That there are people waiting for you all! How well I can work people together! That I will show you your role in my Kingdom.”
“I guess I forgot how big you are.”?
“Kathy, Am I Lord of your life?”
“Yeah, I call you Lord all the time!”
“Then surrender the control of all your ‘other’ plans and the things you ‘could’ve done’… because I’m calling you to MORE. It’s worth it. Remember your calling! Go bring my Kingdom to Earth! Here is the real FREEDOM you so desire! Here is LOVE that will carry you through anything! Keep saying ‘YES’ to me, to freedom, to love, to the Cross. Trust me.”
That reminder got me right back into JOY, PEACE, and FREEDOM. I mean, I’m still riding an emotional roller coaster, but overall: I am so darn excited to serve the nations and to be with L Squad/Team Teleo again.
Let’s recap:
Why AM I doing this, and leaving things that are so precious & good here in the U.S?
Because of FREEDOM
Because of LOVE
Because of Jesus
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-15
Where are you serving this week? Are you struggling to sacrifice? Find your WHY, give it to God, and keep coming back to it.
Here’s to ONE WEEK until Launch!
Using these 7 days to drink deeply of the Love, Freedom, & Peace I have here & now 🙂
??
Support Update
Praise the Lord for INSANE FUNDRAISING!! We are so close, guys! Blown away.
However, I’m still not quite fully funded. We have $3,358 to go.
1. First, my little car Lolita (2001 Honda Accord. About 150,000 miles, in great working condition) is up for sale!
Email me at [email protected] or comment below if interested. Very reasonable pricing 🙂
2. Still not on the team? You can join by:
Monthly Sponsorship Online
Go to to the following website https://www.adventures.org/dynapay & complete the required fields. Donations are withdrawn on either the 3rd or the 18th of the month. Set up an end date reminder— February 18th. Monthly donations do NOT happen automatically.
One-Time Sponsorship Online
Click on “Support Me!” at the top of the screen. Follow the on-screen instructions and enter “Kathy Woods” when it asks for participant’s name.
Monthly or One-time Sponsorship by Check
Send a check on or before the 15th of each month, September through March to Adventures in Missions. (see below)
Checks can be made payable to Adventures in Missions. (Please include a Fundraising/Support card if possible; I can provide these!)
Written on the memo line of every check:
Appealed by Katherine (Kathy) Woods?Checks can be mailed to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
Prayer Partnership
Contact me at [email protected] and request to be put on the prayer partnership e-mail list. I would love to personally talk to you ASAP about this vitally important, faithful partnership!
3. Finally, I’m still about $450 away from meeting my goal to be funded with gear! You can send personal checks made out to “Kathy Woods” with “World Race Gear” in the memo line to: 5526 Pilgrim Dr., Indianapolis, IN, 46254.
Current needs are:
Kindle & iTunes gift cards
Mosquito net
DEET lotion
Travel contact solution
Pepto Bismol tablets
Monthly spending money
2 tank tops
Water proof watch
Baby wipes
1 small water sprayer
Essential oils
SPF 30 BB Cream and lip balm
2 tubes mascara
3 packing cubes
2 mini pillow-cases
3 lightweight journals
THANK YOU, TEAM! Let’s finish the Race & do incredible things with all that God has provided!
