Finally I have an update for you...

Hey guys, 
Well I am safely here in Mexico.  It's weird to think this has been in the works for the past 18 months of my life and now I'm finally here.  I want to apologize for the absence of blog updates but here they go.  This next one is one that I wrote while waiting in the airport to catch the last let of my flight into Mexico.  I wrote it three days ago but this is the first chance I had to upload it.  Here it goes:

Here goes... well, everything...

This past week has been super busy so apologies for not posting any news but here goes: 

Since my trip was postponed I was able to attend the annual Josh Hancock Golf Tournament in Birmingham last Friday.  This was a very special opportunity for my family and I to pack up and head over to visit with old friends of Josh, my oldest brother who passed away four years ago.  Josh was, among other things, a baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals and a somewhat avid golfer.  


His closest friends got together about four years ago and put together what has become an annual event.  I was fortunate enough to be able to attend and play (if we call it that) with my other brother Jon Jon and some friends of ours in the scramble.  I was also able to see some of you, my supporters, there.  For the record, I think we should all keep our day jobs.  I wanted you all to know how special it was to see Josh’s friends continue to remember him with such an amazing tournament and turnout.  There was a lot of hard work that went into it and I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of our family- it was obvious that Josh was dearly loved by you all.  

My sweet family after the tournament

My dad spoke on behalf of the family at the tournament and told a story about me that occurred this summer when I got to attend the Cardinals game when the guys presented a check to Cardinals Care, an organization created by the team benefitting children, as a result of last year’s tournament.  So many amazing things happened on that trip for me, but one stood out and I wanted to share it with you.  After the pre-game presentation of the check, the guys, my best friend and I were walking off the field when Joe, our host told me that some of the Cardinal players had requested to see me before the game started  So he escorts me and my friend to the locker room area where Chris, a player, comes out to give me a hug and ask about the family.  He and Josh were good friends and he wanted to check on us and see how everything was going. 


After he returned to the locker room, Adam Wainwright, also a great friend of Josh’s came out.  He commented on the Dreamland Ribs our family sent the team and how much he enjoyed them and we continued to small talk for five or so minutes.  And then it was time for him to get ready for the game, so he turned and left.  Meanwhile we just stood in the waiting area and continued to chat with Joe and then something happened that I will never forget.  The door opened back up and Adam stuck his head back out and said, “Hey Katie, there’s one more thing.  I wanted to let you know that Josh use to sit right next to me on the bus and plane when we would travel with the team.  That seat remains open to this day because I feel like occasionally Josh likes to come back and sit with us.  I just wanted to tell you that.”  Well of course I am about to start crying like a small child, but somehow remain collected and give him what I’m sure appeared to be a goofy little grin and thanked him for the story.  It was one that I honestly do not think I’ll ever forget.  I believe that was some closure that the Lord thought I needed and it did more to ease my heart than any one thing has since the day we lost Josh.  God is good. 

How precious are mom and papi?

As if the tournament wasn’t enough excitement for one weekend, the next day I was lucky enough to attend this little football game.  Some of you might have heard about it- LSU v. Alabama.  The weekend was filled with uncontrollable laughter and a house full of great girlfriends.  I will say that the outcome was less than desirable, but I think it was the experience that really matters.  I remember sitting on the Quad tailgating with this big group of girls thinking that it was really amazing how the Lord has blessed me with the people He surrounded me with.  I could not have asked for any more support, enthusiasm for my upcoming mission, or unconditional love than I received from both he and the friends I have.  I recalled a favorite verse of mine at that point and quietly smirked at my surroundings; “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”  I live a pretty blessed life.

We might have lost but we went out in style

For my grand send-off, I got to meet up with my family and best friend for dinner where we laughed over good food and funny memories. The next morning I woke up, got packed up, said my tearful goobyes and headed to the airport only to find... that I missed my fight.  And it only makes sense since those of you who know me well know that I am physically incapable of sticking to a plan.  So I got delayed another day, got to spend some more time with great friends, woke this morning and caught my plane.  

I guess that about gets me to here: the Houston International Airport where I’m currently waiting to catch the last leg of my flight to Puebla, Mexico and where the next chapter of my life will take place.  I hope you stay tuned, I’m sure it will be, well.. interesting.  

So this is my absolute favorite place in the world and I was lucky enough to have some time my last week to revisit the Cliffs and meet with God.

How could you not love it up here? Here's to getting back there soon.


I love ya'll!