Saturday, February 27, 2010

She Loves Africa

This beautiful girl fell in love with Africa last summer. 

katelyn6

She is Katelyn and she is currently a Freshman in college.  She went to Uganda last summer on a mission trip and plans on going back this coming summer.

It encourages me to know someone so young can be passionate about something so important. 

Katelyn5 Katelyn3 Katelyn4

When I asked if I could blog about her, she was excited “to get the kids’ stories out there”.  She also asked, “also include if they would like to donate or help Village of Hope, we're in the process of moving our first set of kids to the village.. We just don't have enough funds right now to be able to do it by April, we need a miracle!”

Please take a few minutes and check out the link above.  God may move on your heart to help.

I’ve known Katelyn since she was very young.  I don’t see her very often, but I keep up with her on Facebook.  The other day her “status” was a couple of lines from the Faith Hill song, There You’ll Be, with Peyton’s initials after it.  That touched my heart and brought to my mind a Peyton story that includes Katelyn.

Katelyn and Peyton went to the same “day school”. 

Mrs. Howes

There she is on the top row, 2nd from the right.  (Click on the picture to get the full effect of her lovely locks.)  One day as I was dropping Peyton off, Katelyn’s car was directly in front of us.  Katelyn was getting out of the car and she had her hair in a ponytail pretty much the way it is in this picture.  Peyton turned to me and said, “I love her ponytail”  I’ll never forget that; he was so serious.

I relayed this story to Katelyn on Facebook.  She said it made her day.  Then she told me about a time they roasted marshmallows over a heater in her garage.

Missing Peyton always, but stories like that make me smile.  The fact that people are remembering him along with me makes me smile more.

Thank you Katelyn.  You are a Godly woman with many ordained adventures ahead of you.  Love Africa and follow your heart.  Blessings to you sweet girl.

5 comments:

MarshaMarshaMarsha said...

such sweet moments to remember. and even better when you don't have to remember them by yourself.

off to check out that link!

i am glad you write so much not only of peyton, but of his friends. it encourages me to see teens in a positive light. it seems that the negative is all anyone ever wants to talk about.

Janet said...

Katelyn is a beautiful girl and seems she has a beautiful heart too. I'm glad that she is remembering Peyton and that you got to share stories with each other. I know how much it means to have someone let me know that they have not forgotten about Zachary. It is a blessing to have people in our lives that aren't afraid to talk about our sons. Thanks for letting me share your stories too!

Empty Nest Full Life said...

Thanks for sharing her story. What a godly young lady. Jackie

Kelley said...

I can't believe I missed reading this earlier. What a wonderful young lady! What a great Peyton story! He looks so adorable in his day school photo.

Jennifer said...

LOVE this story - so glad to have stumbled onto your blog! I just love your blog title...as a grieving mom myself, I also want to rise above and be all that Christ can do through me - even through this grief.

I, too, am missing my precious red-headed boy!! Hugs, Jennifer