REJOICING IN KATIE’S LIFE We received word this morning that one of our graduates, Katie passed to her eternal home this morning after a battling a brain injury following a car accident on July 26th. There were so many people praying for her to recover but God had other plans and called her to Him. Katie was a treasure to those who knew her – she was loving, kind, energetic, helpful – she was about 6 weeks away from graduating from nursing school because of her desire to take care of people. She will be missed! Please continue to pray for her family as they will be going through some difficult days ahead. Katie’s smile was contagious! Here is Katie’s story in April, 2005 and the wonderful way He changed her life while at the Walter Hoving Home: My name is Katie. I am 22 years old and have two younger brothers. At the age of 14, I started digging my hole. I was drinking, drugging, clubbing, and being with men. Throughout those years I always achieved highly at sports, but never in the classroom. At 18, I gave into crack cocaine. In the beginning I didn’t think I had a problem but all the while I was stealing from family, friends, and out of every store to get money. It didn’t take long before I was living on the streets. I was robbing people, manipulating people, and living in abandoned apartment buildings. By this time, I was so numb inside I didn’t care who I hurt, because I didn’t love myself. On my last run, two cops found me in a bar. I had two warrants in two different states. I remember when the cop put the handcuffs on me, I felt so relieved that I didn’t have to scheme for my next hit. I was also grateful to not have to live that lifestyle for that moment. While locked up in Maryland, Jan and Ashley from the Walter Hoving Home came to give their testimonies about how Jesus made them new. They gave out ‘One Lady at a Time’ books. I took one and read it. I knew for a long time that God was the only way to end my destructive cycle. I called the 1-800 # in the book and was accepted. Today, I know I will have a better future because I want God to be involved. Today, God is breaking me down and piecing me back together for his purposes and not mine. Today, my family is proud, supportive, and encouraging me to seek that relationship with the Lord. Today, I am not on an emotion rollercoaster or giving into impulses, Jesus is my balance. Today, I am one step closer to loving myself. My future plans are to finish the 12 months at the Home and hopefully, soon after, get into ministry work here in New York or over seas. Eventually, I want to go back to the streets of Baltimore to make a difference. I would also like to go to a Christian or Bible college. But whatever my future holds, it will turn out because it is in His hands. The verse I leave you with is Psalm 3:2-3: Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver her.” But you are a shield around me, O lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. As we watched Katie struggle to survive in the last week through the family updates – it was clear by the comments of friends and family that Katie continued to serve Christ and be a vessel of His grace and love to others. Katie, you will be missed but we know as the family of God we will see you again.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Aug 2013 21:11:52 +0000
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