Hello everyone!
Just wanted to come on here to give you a quick update (maybe a scatterbrained update, given it’s currently 1 AM right now) on how things have been going down here in Atlanta, GA as Parent Launch has begun!
The last couple days have been so refreshing, as I spent them with my friend Rachael who lives down here. It’s beautiful when we as humans can have such restful, purpose-filled friendships that breathe life into our relationship with God! “For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.” (Ecclesiastes 5:20). I had such a wonderful time with her and I look forward to seeing how God writes our stories in the upcoming next year!
*Note: Try and surround yourself today with someone in your life who will push you to reflect on the goodness of Jesus and who will walk/pray with you through the changing seasons!
This Saturday morning, I arrived early to the area where my squad (P-Squad) and I were to meet. I was able to spend time with my sister, Cheryl, who drove a few hours to meet me here and spend the Parent Launch with me. I then got to bond with some of the girls on the squad, which was so sweet! We all had a beautiful time of fellowship together and later in the night, had a much-needed time of teaching from the Adventures in Mission (AIM) staff, worship, and one-on-one prayer time with our own family. Cheryl has played such a major role in pushing me to acknowledge the call on my life for overseas missions, so having her here has been more than incredible. And, of course, it is a “parent launch” so rightfully, she took notes like a parent and relayed them to me as if she was my guardian!
There has been SO much good in the last few weeks leading up to the WR! And, in the abundance of good, the enemy has tried multiple times to get a foothold in my life. There has been much spiritual warfare at play already but at the same time, God is beginning to show me the tactics that the enemy uses to distract the people of God from being fully effective in their callings. Acknowledgment of the enemy’s strategies has allowed me to specifically address them with the power of Scripture and prayer, which automatically allows LIFE to flourish.
It has truly been SURREAL to meet the very people who I’ve heard about and talked with over the last nine or so months! I’ve had some wonderful conversations, laughs, and moments of intentional friendship building. Moments I never want to forget! These people are some special ones; and my prayer is that I can cherish their hearts and serve them over the next 11 months- just as Christ has cherished my heart and served me with the upmost servitude.
With that sentiment of not wanting to forget anything, I just want to say that my Youtube channel is up and running (below)!! I have posted two videos so far, one focused on my testimony and the other on the topic of packing. It would mean so much to me if you would check it out and subscribe by clicking the red subscribe button on YouTube! I hope to post throughout the whole year, as I don’t want to forget ANYTHING that the Lord does in us and also in the lives we meet.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXjXvWvRVXvwfleLNQxdliA
I apologize if reading this blog was a wild ride! I am not sure how much time I will have to write a blog post in the coming days, as training camp is approaching tomorrow (well, I guess today since this is the AM…) and I assume we will be very occupied. But, I hope to hop back on here soon to update you on what happens over training camp. My squad and I would SO appreciate prayer for peace, mental/physical/spiritual strength, and unity during training camp as I hear the next couple of weeks can be pretty difficult.
Thank you for your continued prayers. YOU, are a huge part of this story that God is writing and I can’t thank you enough for your love and support. May God fill you with all you need to accomplish His assignments that He has for you today! I am praying for you!
In Christ,
Katherine
It’s so great to hear you doing well so far. You’re gonna do a great job at training camp. I’ll be praying that you and your squad will be able to work together well in order to bring glory to God even further!
Verse of the Day:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
-Romans 8:28
Amen, thank you so much for that encouragement Alex!
So special to read about your time leading up to launch, and praying that the Lord will provide in ways that you can’t even imagine! So excited to get to know your heart even more in the coming weeks and months 🙂
Amen, thank you Samantha! ??
Hi Katherine! My name is Kristen Ockrin and my son, Josh Ockrin, is in Squad K (9month program) down in GA with you now. I was looking through the list of where different Racers are from and we are from Rochester, NY as well! It was fun to read through your blog (my husband is in the medical field here in Rochester also), and looking forward to hearing how God keeps using your experiences these next 11 months!
Hi Kristen!! It’s so wonderful of you to reach out. Funny enough, I think I met your son as I overheard him talking about the ADKs while washing dishes the other day! That’s so cool that there are at least two of us representing rochester 🙂 Thank you for following along my journey as well, it is so good to be used by the Lord- all glory to the King! So exciting to know that your son will be used for great and mighty things for God in this upcoming year, and for years to come!