Hey friends! It feels like forever since I’ve had enough time to sit down and chat with you all. Life has been crazy recently, and I also couldn’t think of anything to write – so here is a little life update (:
I graduated high school!! I am officially done – WOW! This past semester flew by and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to graduate early.
I am now an official COLLEGE student at Illinois Central College and I’ll be taking a few courses this semester that I hope will help me while I’m on the race (including a child development class and my favorite – geography of developing countries!!).
I just got a new job at the local coffee shop, Eli’s! I had orientation this past week and I’ll begin training shifts soon before I am an official barista – one of my life long dreams (:
However, in the midst of all this great news, my family has been hit hard with grief. My grandpa passed away over Christmas break and it has added a lot of stress and lack of relaxation to our break. BUT we know that he is heaven – probably fishing with Jesus – and that makes my heart smile(: If you could keep my family in your prayers it would mean so much to me.
This past month has been full of celebration, especially because after a month and half of fundraising I am 23% funded for world race, which is about $4,000!! WOW!! I am so thankful for all the support and encouragement you have all given me, so THANK YOU!!!
I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t come across something world race related. I get a text in my gap year’s group chat, check another item off the packing list, or I see a picture from a current racer. I have a constant list of everything I have left to do. While I am so excited for the race, when I see blogs, updates, and posts from current racers I begin to live in expectation. I start to compare myself to them and their lives. Comparison is something that I have ALWAYS struggled with. It is so hard to live without expectations of who you want to be or what you want your life to look like. I find always myself daydreaming about what my race may look like. While that is so fun to do, I shouldn’t place an expectation on those daydreams.
A missionary I know in Liberia once told me, “Even if you don’t think you have expectations, you do.” Well, okay. That just slapped me across the face. How do you give up something you don’t know you have? Give it to the Father.
When we are seeking Him with our whole heart, we don’t have to worry about expectation. Our lives won’t be consumed with comparison that stems from expectation. Our lives will be filled with joy that comes from God’s fulfillment of HIS PROMISES!! Instead of setting expectations on our lives, we should live with expectancy of everything God will do.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:31
I constantly have to remind myself that God chose me to go on this crazy, beautiful mission. I need to be expectant of what God will do, not fill my mind with my own expectations. God will fulfill all that he has promised because He is the Great I AM. Live with expectancy of HIM because He is gonna move((:
The mountains shake before Him.
The demons run and flee at the mention of your name, King of Majesty.
He’s the Great I Am!!
Thanks for reading friends! I am in awe of all of the support you have given me so far and I am expectant to see God move.
With love, Kate
ALSO I am about to send out my second round of support letters so let me know if you want one!! No commitment is necessary and it would mean so much to me if you got one! I will also be sending out the electronic version… sorry to those of you that asked for one via email and didn’t get one yet! I promise they are coming!!
Kate, we knew your parents before you were born and after. Your parents will always have a special place in my heart. Please add me to your mailing list.
I would like an email fundraising letter.
The Lord has blessed you with much wisdom at an early age, Kate. I love to see you challenging yourself to grow more and more. Keep growing, girl!