Wow has time flown by! I have been on the race for seven months now and have more time behind me than I have ahead of me. As I reflect on what the year 2015 brought, I can not help but smile at all of the amazing people that I have spent this year with, all of the new people that I have gotten to meet along the way, and all of the new experiences that this year has brought.
For the first time in a long time I feel another year older and you know what, I even feel another year wiser. 2015 was an amazing year that brought a lot of great memories, and if 2016 is anything like the dance party that we had in the middle of the street of Penang Malaysia bringing in the New Year, than it is going to be a great year.
My prayer for you this new year is to take a step out of your comfort zone. To challenge yourself and instead of just dreaming, make your dream a reality. I did that this year and my life will never be the same. I look forward to what this new year will bring and I am excited to spend it with some pretty incredible people.
Here are some of my favorite moments from 2015 and some of my favorite people that I got to share those moments with.
Enjoy!
Happy 2016!
This year started off in the best way! On January 2nd, two of my best friends got married. I loved being apart of their day. Being with this group of influential woman taught me so much in such short amount of time. I was challenged by the way they live their life, and by their immeasurable faith. Being with them made me want to dream bigger, knowing that our God has something so much bigger for all of us.
Seeing these people for the first time in over a year was definitely a high light. I love looking at all of them and knowing that no matter where I am in life I have them and so many memories of college include them. Team Work Makes the Dream Work.
Before I left for the race I got the blessing of working at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. This view will never get old. If you ever get a chance to visit the mountain top as we call it, make sure that you find a woman name Shirleen. Tell her Katie sent you. She is the crown jewel of the Monticello. You’ll understand why.
After my internship in Oregon, I knew that I was going to return home to Charlottesville. I was really excited to be home but, I was also I little nervous because that meant that I would be leaving my new and wonderful community out west. Before I left the ranch I prayed that the Lord would bless me with a new community and for people that were chasing after the Lord and a mission that I could join. Little did I know that the Lord had so much more for me. (You would think that I would know by now.) Once returning home I got a chance to work and do life with the amazing people at Meadows Presbyterian Church. These three in particular, taught me so much about believing in the power and promise of the Lord. They believed in me and made me feel like I was an equal and that my thoughts mattered. I was not at Meadows for very long but in the short amount of time that I was I felt home.
One of the best moments of this year was celebrating the marriage of two of my other great friends, Jenn and Flo. I met these two remarkable people in Oregon and from the moment I was tackled into the mud by Jenn I knew that life would never be the same, and it never was. These two love fiercely and are two of the most selfless people I have ever met. It was an honor to stand by there side. Jenn and Flo also know how to pick friends. I think the longest time Beth and I have ever spent with each other is just three days and that was all it took to make a life long friend. Beth thanks for being such a wonderful gift and surprise this year. I look forward to many more years with you.
I love these three. Life with them has been a blast. This year brought a lot of changes for all of us. I am so grateful I got one more weekend with them before, marriages, moving, new jobs and traveling happened for all of us. Raleigh you were good to us. Needtobreathe you were even better.
This is my Ellen. If you dont know her you should. She was actually the first person to tell me about the race and was the one who planted the seed in my head that has now grown into a life changing journey. Before I left for the race, we got a chance to visit our favorite, explore new things and get lost in the Park. Love you long time my friend.
Albania: Month one of the race was full of growth, hot days, tomatoes,cucumbers, and goat cheese, a lot of laugher, learning how to live overseas, and the newness of stepping into the unknown. We spent our month teaching at a local school and living life with our students and host. It was the perfect start.
Romania: During month 2 of the race, my team got the opportunity to attend this little white church. The people inside made me fall in love with the simple yet powerful way the church worshiped. In this church I got the opportunity to stand up and share a part of my own story and encourage the members that were there, but I think that I left more encouraged.
Malawi: Month three of the race brought a lot of thinking on your feet, long days, home cooked meals from our mom, and children that it was so hard to say goodbye too. This little boy being one of them. This is Togo. He is full of mischief and coming home to his mischievous smiles was one of the best parts of my day.
My beautiful friend Unis. The moment I met her I was struck by her beauty but more than that I was blown away by her kindness. She was always the first one to make room for others and invite people to join. I miss her kindness and joy filled smile.
Zambia: During month 4 our team partnered with a local preschool and got a chance to do sports ministry. We also got the opportunity to love on the locals and meet some pretty incredible people. If you ever go to Livingstone Zambia, go to Cafe Zambezi and ask for Kate. She makes the best sweet tea.
Getting to meet Jeff was such a blessing. The Lord used him to teach me that we may not always get to see the fruits of our labor, but when we leave the Lord has a bigger plan and will have someone come behind us that will pick up right where we left off.
Meeting my Temwani, a sweet friendship that came at the perfect time.
The end of our time in Africa brought a lot of changes. Our squad went through team changes, we traveled to Asia, and I was asked to be a squad leader. It has been such a gift to go through all of these changes with my new teammates, Stacey and Drew. The Lord continues to blown me away with their steadiness, wisdom and desire for more.
Cambodia: (Month 5) was my first month of squad leading and was full of long days of training getting to know my teammates and visiting teams all over the country. I got to work in an orphanage, go on long walks in a rice field and see so much of this beautiful country that is aching for truth and hope.
Thailand: (Month 6) At the beginning of Thailand our squad got to spend Thanksgiving together in Bangkok. After our time together I stayed in the city with an amazing group of women. We had the opportunity to volunteer at The Sanitisuk English Center, that teaches English to the working professionals and University students of the city of Bangkok. The staff at school was one of the best parts of our month. They made us feel more than at home during the holidays.
As the year has come to a close and the holidays have come and gone, it has been so fun to look back on the year that I have had, and the people that made it more than I could ever imagine. Thank you for continuing to inspire me to strive for more and for all of your encouragement. As I prayed for this new year, I was overwhelmed with excitement for whats to come. The Lord has continued to tell me to keep my eyes open, to take in everything around me, and to always be in a posture to receive what he has. I hope and pray that same for you.
Happy New Year!
KT
