Our ministry hosts surprised us with a trip to Durban, South Africa to debrief with them about three weeks ago. We went for just a couple days, but there was worship and teachings and sweet time with our squad. It was just an intentional time of getting filled up before our last few weeks of ministry.
anyways!
This might go down as one of my favorite mornings of my entire life. just sweet sweet time with the Father. what a dream!!
With a 4:15 am wake up call, I joined my team to do something extra special. we ran up the sand dune outside of our camp to the beautiful view of the sun rising over the Indian ocean.
One of my team mates, Lauren, had asked our entire team to baptize her as the sun was rising. I literally was given the opportunity to BAPTIZE one of my sweetest friends!! What a special experience to be a part of as she begins to walk in her clean and pure identity in the Lord. new life & new beginnings! amen amen amen!! Oh victory in Jesus!
As we were celebrating afterwards, our entire team ended up jumping and swimming together in the ocean as we watched the sun rise above the water. I’ve never had more fun being completely trampled by the waves and sand and almost throwing up all the salt water that was thrown into my mouth before 6 am.
What a time!!
What a morning!!
We went for a walk down the beach. We explored on the rocks barefoot. We admired the Lord’s hand as we watched the crashing waves. We danced in the waves as we worshipped to the Father.
After most of my team had left around 6, I stayed in the water. I worshipped my heart out with the Lord by myself. just singing to Him as the waves swept over my feet. In awe. IN AWE!! what a God we serve!!!
I physically felt like I was at Jesus’ feet. Like I was just worshipping, looking up at His face & just being with my Heavenly Father. Nothing more special. Nothing could compare.
I was able to spend some time reflecting on the song oceans, as the last time I lead in church to singing it out in South Africa maybe a year apart. WHAT A LIFE!! Never could I have imagined that this is where the Lord would have my feet at this time.
Abba I never wanna stop doing this with you. more & more & more! What an adventure life is with you. I always want to live my life like this – just looking for more opportunities to praise you and grow from you and love you.
I was asking the Lord for a word that summed up what we had walked through since the race started, and He gave me the word “shattered”. Everything that I thought having a relationship with Him looked like was shattered. My view of intimacy with Him was shattered. My heart posture was shattered. All in the best way. He so gently shattered so many things that I thought I was ok with and is slowly bringing me closer to Him.
Revealing more & more of what freedom tastes like. Dancing & jumping & singing in His presence! It’s been the highlight of my race so far, just waiting and basking in the freedom I keep receiving.
all my love, Kate
Oh, Katie, thank you for sharing your awesome experience with our Lord!! What joy!! ??
What a beautiful morning! I am so happy that you are having this opportunity to grow in Christ and serve Him as well. These moments will always be with you, and are a blessing to you and those who learn of them. Praise our Lord for the time HE enjoys spending with us!
?? I don’t have words to express how beautiful this post is and how happy it makes me! The joy of the Lord is leaping from your words! It makes me think of the traditional doxology … Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Keep sharing my dear, we need to hear your words!
Kate thank you so much for sharing your precious moments with Our Lord with us! Moved to tears of joy! Oh what a beautiful Savior!!
So excited to see what God is doing in your life and ours as we learn from you and your experiences. God is so good!
Kate! What an amazing and beautiful expression of your heart! Thank you for allowing me to feel your joy. It has renewed me and given me strength in a time when I am not feeling very strong! Thankful for your heart and our amazing Savior! ???????
Oh Kate. Love being able to see part of your heart. Thank you for sharing it with us. And praising God for what HE is doing in your life.
Kate, your cup overflows with Gods glory. Thanks for overflowing into me. Awesome!
What a beautiful way to describe you and God and your walk with Him. It is wonderful to hear how God is working with and through you! God Bless!!!!
Kate-
There are adult, life-long Christians who don’t ever have an experience that you just had. SO grateful for God’s complete takeover of your heart – what a privilege and what a calling!
Kate, my heart just thrilled when I read your column this morning. Keep that love for the Lord in your heart. Blessings as you continue on this journey with your little group, and may God wrap his protective arms around each of you.
wow, kate. i’m so proud of you and the leap of faith you took to be on this journey with Christ; you are bold and the Spirit in you is evident! keep on living fully for Him even in the trials during this adventure. in puerto viejo, we also had so many opportunities to simply worship in the grandness of the ocean– there’s truly nothing quite like it when you’re in the bigness of God’s creation. never lose that awe of our Savior!! even when you return home to “normal” life! i’ll be praying for you and your squad as you guys are traveling to Myanmar soon. miss your face and can’t wait to squeeze you in a hug!
Beautiful day!