I’m sitting here with my second cup of coffee on a Friday afternoon, trying to control the tears welling up as I sit and marvel at what God has done in my life (and what I know He can do in yours, too).
This isn’t a story about how I, a west coast native, begrudgingly gave away my surfboard & left my job in Hollywood right before the World Race. Nor is it the story about how I somehow ended up in a lil’ town in Northern Georgia working at a ministry. Instead, this is the unorthodox, unraveling of a story parading the redemptive power of God and how He brings us from glory to glory.
This last season of my life has been characterized, more than anything else, by change. Hard, ground-shaking, one-after-another, change. And while I thought the Lord was disciplining me, I now know He was spoiling me. From this vantage point, I can see the makings of a slow miracle. This is what it looks like now:
I serve as the Storytelling Manager at Adventures in Missions.
I get the honor of teaching, equipping and empowering missionaries to tell the stories of what God is doing in the world. When the world is often so dark, confusing and grim, we have been entrusted with light, hope and Jesus. It’s our responsibility and privilege to steward that story well (and that’s exactly what my job is dedicated to doing)!
Last month, we launched 295 World Racers to partner with our ministry hosts in Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and South Africa. It was a huge feat and an answered prayer to many. At one point or another, I got to teach on why & how storytelling is ministry to each of those 295 missionaries. I still can’t believe I get to do this as my job.
For more information about how AIM is safely addressing COVID-19, click here.
Also, I wash the dishes at Harvest, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Gainesville.
I actually love it. Honest to Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love it. I love getting to step away from emails, calls, Zooms, and all the things, and just get my hands dirty (literally). It got God out of my head and into my hands.
When we take Jesus’ words literally and do what the Bible says to do, God does what He promises to do, too.
He said take the lowest, the least and the last place (Mark 9:35ish). And here, in Jesus’ zip code, is where all the beauty happens. In the upside-down Kingdom of God, it makes perfect sense. Here in the dish pit, Jesus is showing me patience & grit in cleaning up messes, how to prepare the table for others, and deep humility in serving. The back kitchen is basically the Church of the Misfits and I love it (even though they pick on me like siblings).
(Photos from Sue & Caleb Pauls)
Lastly, I volunteer on the Creative Team at Christ Fellowship Church in Dawsonville.
We don’t have a word for the opposite of loneliness, but it’s surely what I feel here (& the title of a great book by Marina Keegan). This is a gathering where no one leaves a stranger.
Our local church has been hosting the North Georgia Revival and I get to take photos and videos documenting history of restoration, freedom, healing, miracles, and the story of the Gospel again & again & again. I get to be a small part of a big move of God, ushering people into His presence while linked arm-in-arm with like minded creatives.
In the photo on the right, sweet lil’ Reed arose from the baptismal waters being able to see for the first time. I had a front row seat to the miracle working God.
So, I suppose this is a love letter of sorts to change. Though oftentimes fruitful, change is painful, exponentially more so if you fight it. And still, it has the potential to open us up and deliver us right into the palm of God’s hand. This is, of course, where we wanted to be all along, but we were too busy pushing and pulling our lives into what WE thought they should be. I hate to admit that I’ve learned change is not a function of life’s cruelty but instead a function of God’s graciousness (thanks, Shauna Niequist).
And honestly, our biggest preoccupation isn’t what we do but is this downright obsession with Jesus. We shift from exertion to exaltation because wherever we are, our marching orders are the same: love & serve your neighbors.
How will you love your neighbors today?
Join me in prayer: Lord, help us to stay hungry & stay small. Help us to go smaller so you can be amplified. Thank you for weaving your redemptive power and restorative grace throughout our lives, showing us what it means to live like you and love like you. May our lives continue to be a reflection of all you are.
If you’d like to know more about my ministry or are interested in partnering with me (in any capacity!), please let me know! I am currently looking for monthly financial partners to come alongside me in what God is doing through Adventures in Missions.
I feel especially privileged to have gotten a day in the life of Kati and am excited over here saying ‘hey I know her she’s my best friend’! Even more proud of you as I watch you reframe your view of the Father, He’s drunk in love with you and it’s sooo obvious in the way He takes cares of you. Love you big!
It’s great to have you here, Kati. You are a wonderful addition to the team!
Kati,
Thanks so much for your refreshing passion and joyous perspective on the everyday. You take your three (!) jobs and make them sound like the perfect parts of the puzzle that God is putting together in your life, drawing you closer to Him, and enabling you to glorify Him. What an inspiring picture you paint – and it encourages me to look anew at my own puzzle, at each of the pieces that I may have been viewing as dull, tired or unwelcome. Thank you for all you are writing and reimagining – thank you, most of all, for your own vulnerability that speaks straight to my heart, and to so many others, I know. You are a light not only in Georgia, but across the country and around the world!!!
WOOHOO!!! Go Kati!!! What a stinking season, eh??? I hope you feel known and loved!!
And I helped you learn how to clear an iced window. Lolol??????
Grateful beyond belief you’ve been trekking with me through this entire journey. Love you more than you could imagine 🙂
Pastor Kelly – what sweet words from the woman who helped shape my very perspective on serving. Thank you for being a part of this journey!
Kati!!! I am so beyond blessed to learn from you during his season. Your heart for the Lord is SO evident in many aspects! God works in mighty ways and it’s incredible viewing how He has worked in your life (especially within this past year). Sending lots of love and prayers your way. You are a STAR!
You make me so very WEEPY, sweet Paula! Thank you for your kindness and the way you continuously show up for your people.
Counting down the days until you come back, but holding down the fort until you do. Love you long time. 🙂