Bitter Sweet

Hi everyone,
Well, here I am, sitting at home in my Honduras soccer jersey (they play Puerto Rico tonight). It feels a bit strange to be honest. I'm sitting here thinking about the path I have chosen and the paths I could have chosen. I could have spent my summer here in Gridley, working at the pool and reconnecting with old high school friends whom I love dearly but have not seen in a very long time. They have moved on with their lives, as they should, and I am no longer really a part of them. Our lives are each very different now than when we all graduated together.
I could have spent my summer working at Miracle Camp, as a couselor. That is what I have been planning on doing since I first went to camp in third grade. I started praying for my future campers when I was 16 years old. I loved working at camp last summer and met wonderful people who have become very close friends of mine. They now have another summer together under their belts, this time without me. They will have memories together that I will never have.

All of this got me thinking about future choices I will make. I feel called to missions. I felt in my element while working in the mountains handing out food and clothing and sharing God's love with a group of hurting people. This is what I want to do with my life. What other sacrifices will I have to make? What other opportunities will I lose out on because of taking this path?

Now I say all of this knowing it is worth it. I would not change a single thing about this summer. I feel a little bit wiser, a little bit older, and a lot more in love with my Lord who has the perfect plan for my life. I have no idea where I will be in ten years, or even a year for that matter, but I will continue to pray and be sensitive to the Spirit's leading in my life. I hope to have many more adventures in the years to come.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of you faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
-James 1:2-4

I want to thank you all for your prayers and support throughout the summer. I loved all of the emails and messages and words of encouragement you would tell my parents to pass along to me. If you are interested, I will be speaking at church (First United) this Sunday. I will be sharing pictures and stories and answering some questions. The church service is at 9 and I will be speaking directly after it.

God bless you all and I can't wait to see everyone!

The Feelings are Mutual

Hi Friends,

Once again, I apologize for the long break between blogs. Internet has been a little tough to get a hold of lately.

Well I am down to my last week in Honduras. I am incredibly sad. Although I am ready to get back to school and see friends, the thought of not knowing when I'm going to see my new friends here again depresses me. Unfortunately, this has been a trying couple days for me for other reasons as well.

Pastor Guy and Angie (the director and his wife) are gone right now on the Mosquito Coast leading a Medical team on a trip. That's great for them and I ask that you keep them in your prayers, but this leaves me with their two kids, ages 6 and 9. I have moved into thier house and become mom for 11 days. Because of this, I can no longer hang out with friends at night or go on mountain trips. This makes me a little sad since it is my last week. I feel like I've already had to say goodbye to everyone and now I'm just trapped in a house waiting to leave.

Now don't get me wrong, the kids are great and I'm doing alright, it's just different. If anything, this experience reinforces my thoughts on settling down at a young age and how I just don't think it's for me right now. I enjoy my freedom.

You're probably confused by the title of this blog. What feelings am I speaking of? Well poor Dakota and Jewlisa (the kids) miss their parents terribly and I've realized I could feed them cake and ice cream for every meal and allow them to watch tv all day and they would still not be happy with me, I'm not their mom. I can respect that. So here we are, three people stuck in a house all wishing to be somewhere else. Awesome.

I will be with the kids until the night before I leave. I ask for prayer. We all need patience and understanding of where the other one is coming from. I would also ask for some kind of chance to fellowship with a few friends before I leave. Since moving into their house I have had two girl students I have gotten to know come up to me in tears needing help. I can't give them my full attention and that kills me. keep them in your prayers as well.

I look forward to seeing a lot of you in about a week. I love you all! God bless!

-Katelyn