tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post7851984833589100435..comments2023-10-22T02:25:48.115-07:00Comments on on earth as it is in heaven: my heart spilled...katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426837041067362644noreply@blogger.comBlogger362125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-22495418431762486582014-03-17T21:17:31.563-07:002014-03-17T21:17:31.563-07:00Dear Katie, I am a 13 year old girl and I have rea...Dear Katie, I am a 13 year old girl and I have read your book and blog so many times. They make me laugh and cry and long for a closer relationship with God. You are such an encouragement for me. You were willing to go through so much pain to follow Jesus but instead of pain all I see is Joy. You are a living example that you will be happiest only doing what God's purpose for you is. I hope I will be able to find mine. I am beginning to feel that I would like to go on a mission trip someday, but I'm not sure where or when or even why. Please pray for me. I will pray for you and all of your children.<br />Thanks for being such an encouragement.<br />sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-34316641593534982732013-08-29T06:23:44.376-07:002013-08-29T06:23:44.376-07:00Katie thank you so much for this post. God works i...Katie thank you so much for this post. God works in some amazing ways for my heart because last night I was struggling intensely with thinking about how I had to let go of one who I loved and adored dearly.. and all of the thoughts and emotions that come along with that. It's so encouraging to hear about how intense your story is, with having to have let your man go in a severe way, in order to follow what you knew God wanted you to do. For me, I knew I had to let go because I had to grow as a person and to learn how to be satisfied with only God. It's been a year and I am still struggling and growing in that, in fully be satiated by God and his adoration for me. I connect SO much with your anxiety of feeling that you may not ever be able to experience a connection with someone that lovely and adoring again. And the way that you have discovered that affection and adoration in God, and speak of it in such a raw and open manner, means so much to me.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-86157064360678738912013-06-19T20:11:23.552-07:002013-06-19T20:11:23.552-07:00np
np<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09206931463483192735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-26467321370236055362012-09-27T15:39:47.000-07:002012-09-27T15:39:47.000-07:00Hi Katie,
I am impressed about what are you doing...Hi Katie,<br /><br />I am impressed about what are you doing. Thank you for all the love you are giving to your new family there. God bless you with strength and patient!<br />You are a light for these people and people like me hearing about your story.<br /><br />Thank you,<br />ChristianWollehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08833478816785655062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-5499584840610642292012-07-23T17:01:07.352-07:002012-07-23T17:01:07.352-07:00I got an assignment to read your book for a class....I got an assignment to read your book for a class. I had to read 2 books this summer, one for English, and then this one, for Bible. I do admit I procrastinated reading yours, but now that I have, I really do think I've changed. This particular blog post really went deep. Since I was little, I had fantasies of Prince Charming and a fantastic career. That's been really the thing I've been concerned about. Its as if I'm in college(theoretically, I'm only 13) I'm majoring in the idea of a career, putting most of myself in it. After that, I'm minoring in preparing myself for Love. My life with Prince Charming. I haven't done much for that, but it occupied my mind most of the time. I have been in Christ, absolutely. But it's been more of a college activity. Something I have and drip a little of myself into, but I haven't done anything much with it. I'm not dead in my sleep, but I certainly not been awake. Thank you for your inspiring words.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-5134206109226497572012-07-05T20:42:32.480-07:002012-07-05T20:42:32.480-07:00Thank you Katie!Thank you Katie!Anonymoushttp://facebook.com/wendy.warren2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-62528908927617234512011-08-08T12:46:05.744-07:002011-08-08T12:46:05.744-07:00Tears stream down my face as I type. My mouth open...Tears stream down my face as I type. My mouth open aghast as I read the words on your blog post that are directly from my own heart - the thoughts I've never given voice to written right on the screen in front of me.<br /><br />He's the only one I've ever loved these past seven years beginning when I was a junior in high school. Being with him is perfect - his encouragement, love, laugh, character - I can't imagine a better match. My heart overflows when he walks into the room. My laughter never ending when he's in my presence. How could it not be perfectly planned by the Lord? <br /><br />Yet I lived in Northern Iraq for six months after college and my heart changed - my soul changed. There's no way I could go back to being the same. No way to go on pretending. No way to be ignorant again.<br /><br />The Lord has been nudging my heart in a direction. Making me realize I can't live the life I might have wanted before Iraq. I'm suffocating here in suburbia. My heart drawn to a country I don't yet know the name of - a void in me wanting to love the unloved and care for the forgotten in some distant land. He's stirring my heart. <br /><br />"But what about him?!?" I ask the Lord. "What about this God-fearing wonderful man you've placed in my life?" Knowing full and well it could mean choosing to follow the Lord's plan for my life or being with the man I love. Knowing it might not be one and the same. <br /><br />How could I choose anything over the plan of my Maker? He's whispering, "Trust Me... Trust, my daughter". And how could I not? <br /><br />Katie, I don't know if you will even read this comment seeing as this post is over a year old. But I just wanted to thank you for writing it. I know it must have seemed impossible to pour out for all to see, but reading this, knowing that someone else has felt that same ache, felt the knot her throat that constantly threatens to give way to a waterfall of tears. It somehow makes it seem like a less lonely road - knowing someone else has traveled the same one. Thank you for your realness, your openness and your painful honesty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-81447152432553956442011-08-03T09:48:14.031-07:002011-08-03T09:48:14.031-07:00I REALLY HOPE THIS comment gets to be posted. I wa...I REALLY HOPE THIS comment gets to be posted. I was REALLY touched by your story. BUT, I came to a point in your story that said, and I am quoting this, cause I wrote it down so I would not forget. It said...In Luke 14:25, if you DO NOT HATE your Father-Mother, or Wife-Children, or Brother-Sister, and yes, YOUR OWN LIFE, you cannot be my disciple. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??? You have to hate your family before you can be a disciple, what kind of person could HATE their entirely family?? I for one, LOVE MY FAMILY, and could NEVER hate my children OR my MOTHER, because my Mother and I are THE BEST OF FRIENDS, and that will NEVER CHANGE!! SO, will you PLEASE help me understand what this means??<br />Sincerely,<br />Rita Emmons BudlongRita Emmons Budlongnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-8980607940632415532011-07-14T19:05:26.335-07:002011-07-14T19:05:26.335-07:00When I started reading the comments I imagined you...When I started reading the comments I imagined you reading them, and wondered if you said aloud to yourself "aw, that's nice." <br /><br />I feel so much love and anger towards you right now Katie. The whole way through I was thinking "please don't be saying what I think your saying." <br /><br />Anyone who reads this please say a prayer for me! If God is telling me to tell him goodbye I'm going to need strength...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-61047348823109883072011-04-03T16:46:06.156-07:002011-04-03T16:46:06.156-07:00God bless you and your work and your family! May ...God bless you and your work and your family! May it please Him to raise up many more obedient and available Katies to mother these precious children.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05582612707538412006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-76090231136454088692011-02-07T20:57:02.073-08:002011-02-07T20:57:02.073-08:00(Part 2)
The main thing I want you to know- is you...(Part 2)<br />The main thing I want you to know- is you are so NOT alone. I won't put you on a pedestal, because I don't believe that's where you want to be, and also because Jesus has some pretty harsh words for those on pedestals. (Even if you don't put yourself there, from one missionary to another, I warn you, "Run for your life from such idolization." God kind of gets jealous about that position.)<br /> <br />Another reason I won't put you on a pedestal but I want to encourage you with- is know that there are THOUSANDS of people like you out there serving God. This is actually one of the biggest gifts God's given me the last 25 years of serving Him amongst the poor: to see and work with some amazing women and men of God who are the 'Mother and Father Teresa's' of our day, but they are off the radar screen of most of the world. <br /><br />So my unseen compatriot, keep journeying on deeper into His heart, hunger for humility, and keep loving those orphans. They are His treasures, and He is sharing them with you.<br /><br />Melinda Nelsonmelindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725501368382765340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-68517078102741175052011-02-07T20:55:58.363-08:002011-02-07T20:55:58.363-08:00Hey Katie,
I've posted once or twice before, a...Hey Katie,<br />I've posted once or twice before, and I don't imagine with the ministry you do you'll have time to read through the 350+ comments anytime soon, but in case you get down here to comment # 353, I wanted to encourage you. I've been living and ministering amongst the poor for more than 25 years now. When I left all; family, friends, the comfort of S CA...everyone thought I was SOO radical. They tried to either put me up on a pedestal or convince me why I didn't need to go live amongst the poor- because, hey, after all, didn't Jesus say 'the poor you'll always have with you.' It was like people wanted to either make me a saint or tear me down for the foolishness of actually thinking Jesus meant what He said about caring for the poor. <br /><br />I have no regrets. Sure, there have been costs- and those costs include having my heart shattered at times, but Romans 8:18,19 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 really are true!<br /><br />Romans 8:18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.<br /><br />2 Corinth 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.<br /><br />Sometimes I wish I was starting out now because it is almost 'cool' and the 'in thing' to be concerned about issues of injustice and poverty. There is so much more support out there now for this sort of thing. But when I started out, I got my least encouragement from the church. Yet when I think about it, I'm glad it happened that way as it was pure Jesus that I went the direction I did. I think your call is pure Jesus, so be thankful for that.<br /><br />I too, like you, have had lots and lots of opportunities to laugh at the foolishness of Americans and their comments in 25 years. But hey, I'm one of them and can make foolish comments too, so I don't exclude myself. But having lived in a garbage dump and ministered in war zones and suffered through malaria too many times to count and not having 25 cents to give someone in the village to take the bus to her mom's funeral...well, it gives you a different and I hope wise and more eternal perspective.<br /><br />So when someone who comes on a 1 week mission trip starts making sweeping assessments about an entire nation, I either have to laugh or cry. The arrogance of Americans is quite amazing at times. I don't usually share this freely as to not alienate, but I'm writing to you, so I think I can be blunt and honest and you can take it and relate to it.<br /><br />I have heard some crazy things from people who have been short-term missionaries for 1 month and almost feel like they're experts after that. They may have spent their time in one small area of a nation, but they can then come up with grand sweeping generalizations that they try to apply to an entire nation they really know little about. They go on radio shows and speak at churches and write blogs- but their vision is so limited. I mean, it's one thing to share what you experience, but it's another to set yourself up as some sort of 'wise' one from a week or a summer of service. But patience is a virtue, so I pray, and where I can, try to input with those who seek it.<br /><br />(Part 2 continued in next comment)melindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725501368382765340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-85053127241652893592010-12-08T15:19:11.352-08:002010-12-08T15:19:11.352-08:00thank you Katie for reminding me what Jesus meant ...thank you Katie for reminding me what Jesus meant when he said Matthew 10:37, 38<br />“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me."<br /><br />And in Matthew 19: 29 of His hundredfold promise when we leave those things.<br /><br />Thank you Jesus, for speaking clearly to me, for showing me Your will, which I knew all along. <br /><br />blessings sister, praying for you from NicaraguaSarah Amadorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06628199623206299940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-25171011146448897502010-11-09T12:27:55.158-08:002010-11-09T12:27:55.158-08:00Katie~
14/13: # of kids you have
0: minutes you ...Katie~<br /> 14/13: # of kids you have<br /> 0: minutes you have to read this, to be sure<br /> 1,000,000+: tears I felt streaming while I read your post.<br /> 350: comments so far on this post alone by people who are being CHANGED by your thoughts about Jesus and His transforming love<br /> 1: Tennessee boy you left behind who is MISSING OUT, Baby Girl<br /> ?: children we are out to find in my family, to add to the 3 already here. Starting now.<br /><br />I love you, sister. Fight on. You are loved big time. xxxxxooothe_blissful_mommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07484017172281666019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-22007014060329053542010-11-03T21:59:15.284-07:002010-11-03T21:59:15.284-07:00I don't have the words to describe. But I wan...I don't have the words to describe. But I wanted to leave a comment because i'm just so touched. I've tasted some of what you describe, but only the smallest part. May we all live lives that call us to truly lay down everything for Him. Thank you for the reminder. You inspire me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-7952966454920494342010-11-03T13:47:46.074-07:002010-11-03T13:47:46.074-07:00What you wrote may just have changed my life and p...What you wrote may just have changed my life and possibly the life of others around us.<br /><br />Thank you for your obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ.<br /><br />God bless you!stephanie j.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10662172569685694865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-62052059836177670702010-10-16T20:24:05.261-07:002010-10-16T20:24:05.261-07:00Your heart it set above! Love it and love you! Wil...Your heart it set above! Love it and love you! Will be praying for you sister!BrittanyDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-40234380513442871272010-09-09T23:20:07.097-07:002010-09-09T23:20:07.097-07:00Katie ~ I was directed to your blog by a friend wh...Katie ~ I was directed to your blog by a friend who knows I'm struggling; with a broken body that's just not giving me the dream I've held on to for my entire life. I'm having a hard time placing my faith in God in this... I know it's what I'm supposed to do, but I'm struggling to maintain control. I'm struggling.<br /><br />All of this to say; I needed to read this today. So thank you.S.I.F.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15037271343194689612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-86402148732258509632010-09-05T01:45:21.811-07:002010-09-05T01:45:21.811-07:00You have the heart of Christ and it is beautiful. ...You have the heart of Christ and it is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us.G.M.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02733996002340283765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-28355393255911433042010-09-04T21:33:44.412-07:002010-09-04T21:33:44.412-07:00This is the second time I have read this particula...This is the second time I have read this particular post. It points out the cost that we often forget to count when we say "oh how cool, I wish I could do that" about the real sacrifices that others only guess at that you have made and most likely make as you follow God's commands and walk in His joy. May God continue to bless you in His work that you do everyday. Thank-you for sharing your story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-65891520653480666822010-07-21T20:09:02.740-07:002010-07-21T20:09:02.740-07:00Is. 58:10-11Is. 58:10-11Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-12310475443985607042010-07-14T00:03:13.302-07:002010-07-14T00:03:13.302-07:00Katie, you are so special. I know it's not wha...Katie, you are so special. I know it's not what you're asking to hear, but you will have so many jewels on your crown in Heaven! I have heard no story more humbling or more powerful than yours. Know that you are changing not only the lives of your children and those around you in Uganda but other hearts all over the world through your example. Thank you, thank you, thank you.Kelseynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-12552255148790608022010-07-04T08:56:43.284-07:002010-07-04T08:56:43.284-07:00I can hardly type this for all the tears streaming...I can hardly type this for all the tears streaming my face...<br /><br /><br />THANK YOU.<br /><br />I want to write more, but nothing seems appropriate. <br /><br />I love you and I am praying for you and I believe we will meet in person some day.Mardihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17522952628831269036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-18497646164106227412010-06-01T07:51:54.147-07:002010-06-01T07:51:54.147-07:00"For the word of God is living and active. Sh..."For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12<br /><br />Thanks for sharing that scripture! I'm praying for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695840511970883220.post-22332937155210325222010-05-21T20:30:26.322-07:002010-05-21T20:30:26.322-07:00Katie, I want to come. I'll do whatever is nee...Katie, I want to come. I'll do whatever is needed. I know God wants me there, so you tell me when, and I'll be there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com