just live

9,603 feet above sea level. M83 and the Naked and Famous on repeat. Fresh powder and 5 or 6 beautiful ski resorts within 30 minutes of each other. It definitely has been a dream this past week in Breck. Being able to worship God everyday, while being fully immersed in His creation and building relationships with his people has been an amazing yet humbling experience so far. We packed up and left the Springs about a week ago, stepping into the unknown. No place to call home except our Honda CRV and no promise of jobs or an income. Jenny, Alyssa and I are solely resting on the promises of the Lord and His divine confirmation that we are supposed to be in Breckenridge this season. The joy and happiness the Lord is blessing us with is insane. Everyday, we laugh at our current situation and await what God has for us soon with joy. Although tough sometimes not knowing or understanding, we take joy in the fact that our understanding ends where faith begins. Last week consisted of job searching, home hunting, prayer walking and snowboarding. 

Let’s back up a second though. Since coming to Colorado, the Lord has been growing a desire in us for a place of our own, to house, feed and disciple those we meet snowboarding, working or ones just passing through, in need of a temporary home. Breckenridge is a melting pot of different cultures and people. I’ve sensed a huge spirit of searching since being here. Breckenridge is home to many young adults who disagree with the “American Dream” bringing them happiness. Young adults whom are questioning what “success” really is, and are seeking something greater than themselves. What better place to go? Completely secluded, absolutely breathtaking and a snowboarding culture that is known for its laid back, “chill” attitude, Breck seems to be the answer. The problem arises when searching young adults meet this endeavor with things that will leave them unsatisfied and broken, that sadly have become a huge part of the mountain culture. I absolutely love the snowboarding attitude though; the don’t care, risk it to get the biscuit, living for the next timeless moment that cannot be defined by any material valuable. The moments where time seems to stand still and you are captivated by the sheer beauty and thrill of it all.  Our hearts are so much for these people. God is continuing to break our hearts for young adults here, who are searching in all the wrong places.  

With that said, we want so much for wherever we live to be a safe and inviting place for young people to come stay. Since living out of cars, and being completely financially broke is not a rare occurrence in Breck, I know God will bring the right people to us. We have a few pending places to live in, and have faith we will be moved in somewhere by the first of February. Summit county’s SFC (Snowboarders For Christ) organization is thriving everywhere in Summit and we are extremely excited to work along side and serve their ministry. We were blessed so much this past week with couches to sleep on, food and encouragement from SFC and the local churches in Summit County. Man, is God faithful or what! What an amazing Father... 

Through this time God has been showing me, we all have a bit of searching in us, but why? Did Jesus not take ALL of our sin, flesh and old self to the cross? It was a one time, done deal. We have found it! We have found what we have been looking for! The moment we said yes we received complete freedom from the bondage of sin. We are not sinners. We are children receiving more revelation of the fullness of God in us. So why do we continue to search for something to “fix” ourselves, or strive to make ourselves better people, creating a weird form of religion? It was done on the cross. Let us enjoy God in us and embrace the union we have with the Creator Himself.        

      Thank you for all your prayers! Thank you for being amazing friends and family and walking with us on this journey. Please continue to life up the city of Breck in your prayers. God is moving and working through the people here and we are blessed to have the opportunity to serve along side the people here. 

transition.

Hope this finds everyone enjoying the new year. This past week was the transitional week from California to Colorado for Alyssa, Jenny and I. As we prayed over which route the Lord would have us on, we had an immense amount of peace about taking the northern route, and visiting Bethel church on our way out to Breckenridge, Colorado. Not knowing where we would sleep, how we would eat or what God had up His sleeve, Alyssa, Jenny, Cheyne and I set out for Bethel church. The amount of blessing we received on our journey north, brings me to tears. God provided warm places to sleep, food and He even blessed us with extra gas money. We were able to pray for people and be encouraged in our faith trip out to Colorado. We are now in Colorado Springs, safe and sound, and plan on moving up to Breckenridge tomorrow!  

As I sit now, looking out over the Rocky Mountains in beautiful Colorado Springs, I cannot help but ponder the immense blessing I received and am receiving being here in Colorado. It is so easy to let our flesh control us. To let those thoughts of not being provided for or not being secure, take over our ability to live. Since my DTS in New Zealand, the Lord has been letting me experience being a daughter of the Most High King. So many times I get caught up in the “do” mentality. What do I have to do? How am I going to be productive today? It seems as though I always need to be doing something. In the middle of my doing, the Lord spoke to me, Kathryn, I just want you to live. God does not want workers, he wants friends. He wants relationship. He wants intimacy. He has been showing me lately that as I step out in faith, knowing my Father WILL and DOES provide for His children, He will meet me in that. Nothing I do or do not do will separate me from the love of God. He wants to bless me. That thought blows my mind because despite anything, despite my brokeness, despite my doubt, He still wants to bless me. Even that word bless has been wooing me lately. Bless...meaning what? I heard somewhere that whatever we fathom as blessing, God has exponentially more for us. This has reigned true for me regardless of my doubting thoughts and fleshly desires. 

I think the most profound revelation God has given me thus far in my walk, that has changed my life is that God doesn’t need me, but He wants me. Therefore, He wants me to access all that He has for me, grace, intimacy, adventure and most importantly love. And still then, I find myself not accessing the free gift that my Father in heaven has for me. This is the captivating part: I am on an adventure with my Father in heaven. Not just today, this month or this year, but my entire life. A whole life of being blessed and walking in God’s grace. 

Thank you everyone for your prayer and financial support! Thank you for supporting me and walking with me in this. Please continue to pray as Alyssa, Jenny and I look for a place to stay and our ministry in Breck! Will keep you updated! Blessings and may His grace be with you.   

joy.

It’s funny to think about the modern day perspective, we Westerners, have about what the word joy means. The world that we live in, tells us that joy is merely an emotion related to happenings or significant events that take place in our lives. The feeling of being invincible, that nothing could hurt you. We’ve all been there, those mountain top experiences, so hard just to catch your breath. Butterflies with extremely large wings flapping against the inside of your tummy, and a smile no one can seem to shake. But, I cannot help to ask, what happens next? After those mountain top experiences, after the butterflies have faded, and you have definitely caught your breath. What is left?

The Lord has really been letting me experience real joy. I am learning that joy is more of a state of being, rather than a constant smile, or contagious laugh. It is a knowing of what you is promised to you. When we are taken off that mountain top, and life seems confusing and difficult, we have joy. We know there is something greater! We know the hope and the life God has promised us through His one and only son Jesus. We have joy. No matter the circumstance, we have joy. We look ahead and forget what is behind, pressing toward our prize. When we feel alone, when we feel misunderstood, when we feel anxious, we have joy. Joy, because we have a creator who wants intimacy with us! A creator who wants to romance and pursue us. 

This morning, as I was praying about where Jenny, Alyssa and I were going to live in Colorado, the Lord spoke to me John 4, the story where Jesus heals the official’s son. The Official pleads with Jesus to heal his ill son. Jesus simply replies, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders.” Jesus then tells the Official, his son is healed and to go back home. As the Centurion returns home, he is greeted with the news that his son is in fact healed. After reading this passage, the Lord spoke to me and I realized I do not need a blue print from God for my future. God challenged me in my faith, and gave me revelation about what real trust looks like. We do not know much about what Colorado has in store for us, but I stand in faith knowing my Father will provide for me, as I continue to step out in faith. 

Again thank you for your prayers and support! I am so blessed to have such amazing support. Please continue to pray as Jenny, Alyssa, Cheyne and myself head out tonight! Please pray for boldness imparted in all of our hearts, as we step out in faith. 

Veritas.

A few months ago, the Lord challenged me with the idea of keeping a blog that all of my friends, family and supporters could read every so often. It was one of those things that you tell yourself you will do eventually, but often throw around the “I’m too busy” or “No one will like it” excuses. Well, after some divine slapping in the face from God, I have decided to begin communicating my adventures with Jesus through writing. Although having a busy lifestyle does make it difficult to sit down, process and write, I have found that this is more important than other things that would be filling my time and to be quite honest I don’t care if you are not fond of what I write, this is my adventure with the creator of the universe and would be selfish of me not to share it with those I love. 

Now, as I find myself gazing over the Pacific, here is my sad attempt at catching quite a few of you of you up on what has went on the past 7 months. About a month ago, I arrived home from my 6 month excursion with Jesus, over seas in New Zealand, Costa Rica and Australia ( and sort of Panama...illegally...but shhh). I studied the first 3 months in New Zealand, learning about God’s character and evangelism. It was more of a time of intense heart transformation and the soft gentle movement of the Holy Spirit, solidifying my identity as a woman and daughter of the most high King. After three amazing, months in the magical land of New Zealand. Myself and 6 others headed off to Costa Rica for our “outreach” phase. It was a time to let the Father’s love freely flow through us to anyone we were in contact with. We came along side a few ministries such as Freedom Streets, a ministry successfully ministering to prostitutes, pimps and drug dealers, essentially getting them off the streets. After two months there, I graduated (woohoo!) and shortly after, began traveling in Australia and basically all of New Zealand. My friends and I who traveled together had little to no money, but God immensely blessed us with shelters and food. I’m now home in sunny California, getting ready for the next place the Lord has sent me…Breckenridge, Colorado. 

A few months into my DTS, I began wondering what I was put on this earth to do. I dreaded the thought of coming home to California, going back to my full time job, making minimum wage, and just settling back into the securities and comforts of well...money. I began praying about what is next. Asking the Lord to nurture my adventurous soul with more adventure. How blessed are we that we serve a wild, adventurous and fiercely loving God? Nothing boring about that...But, somehow, the Lord brought myself, my friend Jenny from England, and Swissa from Colorado Springs together. We all had an itching desire to do ministry in Colorado. After some sweet confirmation from God, we knew we were supposed to be in Breckenridge this winter. Did not know what we would do, where we would live or if we could even get jobs...we still don’t know that...BUT when the peace of the Lord comes, the peace of the Lord comes. God has broken my heart for the snowboarding culture. My heart has broken for those that don’t know Him. For those that are searching and hurting. For those that want a Father. I want so badly, to share this love. To share this love that my Father in heaven so freely gives me. Our vision for this season is to see God move So, that is where my heart is found right now. I recently picked up my friend Jenny and now we are waiting for our third amigo, alyssa to get to California. She arrives Thursday, and then we will pray, pack my little houptie up and head out to Breckenridge to see what the Lord has for us. 

I am so unbelievable excited for what 2013 holds. My biggest request is that you will come along side me in this journey keeping Jenny, Alyssa and myself (pictured above) in your prayers. We are not made to walk this life on our own and we need as much prayer as possible. On my DTS, I experienced the power of prayer and the authority we carry in the name of Jesus. I ask all of you to please pray, pray, pray for us and come along side us as we venture into unknown lands. It is so encouraging to know there is an army of prayer warriors behind you, supporting you as you walk. I’m also asking that as you come along side us in our mission, please prayerfully consider financially supporting us. This is not just a request for money. No, I believe there is something much more spiritual about money that we often look over. I believe this money symbolizes the joining of a church body. It is saying, “I want to come along side you in this mission, and I support what you are doing.” If you feel led to give financially, send any checks to my house 5207 Silver Bluff Dr. Oceanside, CA, 92057. I’m working on putting a donating thing on my blog, but I’m a little challenged when it comes to this stuff. Thanks to all you beautiful people that encourage and support me so much. I am so overwhelmingly blessed to have you in my life. I will blog as much as I possibly can, God has been redeeming writing in my life and I absolutely love it. God bless you! 

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. he cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; you must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:1-5