Well, it is hard to believe, but the time has come that our
daughter, Katie, is graduating from high school. It doesn’t seem that long ago,
as we were renovating the church auditorium – fastening down the last few
church pews to finish – that on the next Sunday morning, Sandra would give
birth to our second child, a little girl we named Katelyn Nicole.
So many events have filled the time between that Sunday in
1996 and the Spring of 2014 – many great times, many fun times, many happy
times, and a few hard times. I’m thankful that Katie has some great memories of
big events as well as small ones. Small
things like the foam disc wars our family would have with those battery-operated
shooters, the rubber band fights in the living room, running cars down the
basement steps on the home-made ramps or the hot wheel tracks. She had just as
much interest and just as much fun as her big brother, Michael. Of course none of us will ever forget the good times we had with Buddy, our Black Lab.
And none of our family members will ever forget the development of a star softball pitcher or the lightening serve of a volleyball.
It was exciting to see an 8th grader pitch a 45 mph “drop ball” (equivalent to 60 mph in baseball) on the varsity team to help bring home the regional trophy...
then do it again the following year, only as a 9th grader, bringing the heat with a 55 mph pitch (80 mph in baseball).
Our elation was equally matched with sadness for her high school career to be cut short due to having MDI (multi-directional instability) – a fancy name for a loose shoulder. With hopes of diminishing the pain, she chose to try surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery didn’t help. A surgery that paled in comparison to what she experienced through her journey and God-given victory over a brain tumor at the age of 10 (http://www.katiehealth.blogspot.com). Thankfully, she doesn’t remember most of the details surrounding that event. However, she does know that the Lord worked a mighty miracle in her body and she gives Him the glory for that victory.
And none of our family members will ever forget the development of a star softball pitcher or the lightening serve of a volleyball.
It was exciting to see an 8th grader pitch a 45 mph “drop ball” (equivalent to 60 mph in baseball) on the varsity team to help bring home the regional trophy...
then do it again the following year, only as a 9th grader, bringing the heat with a 55 mph pitch (80 mph in baseball).
Our elation was equally matched with sadness for her high school career to be cut short due to having MDI (multi-directional instability) – a fancy name for a loose shoulder. With hopes of diminishing the pain, she chose to try surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery didn’t help. A surgery that paled in comparison to what she experienced through her journey and God-given victory over a brain tumor at the age of 10 (http://www.katiehealth.blogspot.com). Thankfully, she doesn’t remember most of the details surrounding that event. However, she does know that the Lord worked a mighty miracle in her body and she gives Him the glory for that victory.
Now she has come to the end of this segment in her life’s
journey, with the eagerness as well as the excitement of the unknown details of
the segment to come. I pray that as she enters this portion of her life that
she keeps in mind: #1-She is loved eternally by her Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ and that He has a perfect plan for her life. I pray that she will love
Him with all her heart and soul and mind, and that she will serve Him with her
whole heart her entire life. #2-The love her mom and dad have for her is second
only to the love God has for her, and we are here for her to give her continued
love, support, encouragement, and Biblical counsel. We look forward to sharing in the joy of God’s
future blessings. #3-Her big brother, setting aside the entire “big brother” nuance,
loves her and will always be willing to step into the role of “body guard” and/or
confidant. #4-We owe Katie much thanks for being a fantastic big sister to God’s
extra gift to our family, Abbie.
And yes, Michael has been an awesome big brother. We know those two wanted another dog, but we have to admit, this was another one of those times that the Lord exceeded – WAY EXCEEDED our expectations! And the Lord used Katie’s experience with being a BIG help with Abbie to turn her to a desire to care for children. As soon as Katie graduates, she will begin working as a full time Nanny; caring for the children of a very nice family. I know she will do well.
And yes, Michael has been an awesome big brother. We know those two wanted another dog, but we have to admit, this was another one of those times that the Lord exceeded – WAY EXCEEDED our expectations! And the Lord used Katie’s experience with being a BIG help with Abbie to turn her to a desire to care for children. As soon as Katie graduates, she will begin working as a full time Nanny; caring for the children of a very nice family. I know she will do well.
Of course, Katie will continue to live here at home for as
long as the Lord wills. In fact, her mother and I will be fine with her living
at home until the Lord brings her to the place where she gets married. Of course that will happen after her and her fiancé
receive a few years of pre-marital counseling. (JK) Well, after the Lord reveals who that fiancé is, then a courting period, then
the pre-marital counseling (really it only lasts a few months). In the mean
time, she will continue to serve the Lord here in our church family at FRMBC
through music and singing, as well as prayerfully developing other gifts and
abilities the Lord has blessed her with.
Katie – we love you and we are so thankful for the young
lady you have become. Keep growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. Our prayer and desire for you is found in two Scripture passages:
Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with
all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In
all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Romans 12:1-2 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren [Katie], by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies [body] a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(bold = my emphasis)We love you Katie, and we are very proud of you!
