A Lesson From Katie: Thankfulness for God’s blessings

I’ve been reading a book: Kisses from Katie. It is about Katie Davis, a young single woman serving God in Uganda. Katie visited Uganda in High School and returned to live the following year. Since she first went to Uganda, Katie has adopted 14 girls, started a sponsorship program for kids who can’t afford school, etc. and provides meals for starving family on a regular basis. Katie, in a sense, is doing what I’ve dreamed of doing my whole life: serving God in a third world country and caring for the motherless, widows, and the least. Every ounce of my being aches in longing as I read Katie’s story. I am happy for her and for the Ugandan lives she has touched. I rejoice that God has used her to literally save lives and to love His children with His love. And yet I couldn’t help envying her. I envied her of her life of simplicity, her closeness to God through carrying for the dying, the joy of seeing empty eyes restored to life, hearing the words “mommy” uttered by the most unlikely of children. But through reading this book, I have begun to see my current life differently. I have often wondered what would have happened had I not returned to the U.S. 6 years ago. Who would I be? Would I be much different than I am now? Would I be stronger, more in love with God, more mature? Would I be less so? I’ve wondered what life I missed out on by not being in Thailand, what people I missed meeting, what lessons I missed learning. What I forgot about, though, was all the blessings, the lessons, and the friends I have received here in the U.S.

What if I had never lived in Lemoore? I would never have met two of my closest friends; Brittany and Cori. Those two girls have inspired me in so many ways. Given the choice again, I would choose to move to Lemoore, just so I could meet them.

If I hadn’t lived in Lemoore, I would have never met some of my favorite families: The Buus’s, the Poppy’s, the Ladd’s, the Fraley’s, the Green’s, and my list goes on. Each child in those families has found a way to nestle into my heart. There is no way I would change that. And I have learned so many lessons from the parents of those wonderful kids!

If I hadn’t lived in Lemoore, I would not have met the LaPierre’s.  Scott and Katie have taught me so much and inspired me beyond belief. I am so thankful to have met them and been privileged to spend time with them and be taught by them. No, I would not change that either.

And then there is the Perkins. Probably one of the coolest families I’ve ever met. Mrs. Perkins is the sweetest woman I know. I will be forever thankful for the friend she has been to my Mom.

My list could go on. All the way from the friends I have made (Lauren Momberger, the Felix’s, etc) to the experiences I have had. I would not change any of it.

And then I think about what would have happened had I not moved to San Jose.

I would have never met Arielle, Katherine, Carissa, Audrey, Danielle, Steven, or Erynn (and many, many other wonderful people). Friends are wonderful things, especially when they share the same vision and passions, and, ultimately, the same love for God. These are friendships I would not wish to lose.

If I’d never moved to San Jose, I would not have volunteered at the Venture Jr. High and met the many amazing students that come to Venture. I would not have had the chance to learn from the girls in my small group. I would not have been offered an internship and would not have had the opportunity to serve under the most amazing youth pastor I could ever ask to serve under.

If I had not moved to San Jose, I would not have led a mission’s trip to Thailand this last August. I would not have seen the impact of Thailand on my friends and my friends on Thailand.

If I had not moved to San Jose, I would not have had the joy of serving food to the homeless, packing 50 Operation Christmas Child boxes with fellow college students and 63 boxes with sweet Jr. High students. I would not see what it is like to minister and serve in a U.S city.

If I had not moved to the U.S I would have missed out on many lessons, blessings, and beautiful relationships. I don’t know fully know what I would have had if I had been able to stay in Thailand, but I know that even in a “strange” land I was giving many beautiful blessings for which I am thankful.

My time will come. I will return home, or go wherever else God may call me. But my time for leaving has not yet arrived. I am thankful for what I have.

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