Katee Smith
Hey Y'all!
I thought I should jump on the bandwagon and post a sort of introductory blog. :)
You already know about my plans for 09-10, so I’ll just tell you a few basics about myself. I’m Katee (obviously). I’m from Texas (which is why I get to say “y’all”), and graduated high school in 2007. I spent the fall of 2007 at a small school in a small town in Colorado, with the intent of pursuing my BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) with an emphasis on Studio Art. Specifically, Photography. The small town ultimately drove me nuts (I’m from Houston… the small town was a bit of a culture shock), so I moved back home. I spent the first half of 2008 being thoroughly unproductive and halfheartedly looking for a job. In August, I finally landed a job. I figured once I saved up some money, I’d go back to school, move out on my own again…
Then Hurricane Ike hit, and everything changed.
In the midst of our 9 day power outtage (much shorter than we thought it would be), I ended up going to an outlet mall. Normally I avoid such places, but the stir-craze makes you do strange things. I had already seen the destruction Ike had caused- the eye of the storm went right over my neighborhood- and now I was seeing the other side of things. People unphased, because they still had spending money. People throwing away hundreds of dollars for clothes, shoes, purses… because they had designer labels. And I was sickened by what I saw. Peoples lives had been destroyed, and no one seemed to care.
Which is what led me to Mission Year.
So here I am!
I can’t wait for August to roll around! :)
About Mission Year
Mission Year is a year long urban ministry program focused on Christian service and discipleship. We take teams of young people, place them in an area of need, and help them to serve people and create community. We are committed to the command of Jesus to “love God and love people,” by placing the needs of our neighbors first and developing committed disciples of Christ with a heart for the poor. Learn more about our first year program…
Katee Smith's Blog
Nothing. / Jun 28, 04:40 PM
My parents just got back from Kenya.
More specifically, they just returned from a mission trip to Kenya, with a group of 9 other people from our church.
I’m still in shock because… My parents went on a mission trip. To a place without air conditioning… where running water isn’t/wasn’t always available. I’m sure that sounds terrible. But I promise, my parents do not strike anyone as the “missionary” types. This could have something to do with their 3000 square foot house. The pool in their backyard. The 4 cars they own. The RV. The plasma TV. The trips to places like Beijing, London, Hong Kong, Ireland, Cancun, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Bermuda… You get the picture.
So I wasn’t surprised when I picked them up from the airport, and the entire 30 minute drive home they started and ended everything with, “they have NOTHING,” and throwing in phrases like, “they know how to worship!”… “They’re so joyful!” “… “When they pray, they really expect things to happen!”
Which brings up a few questions.
First, and most important (at least, I think it’s most important): When did material stuff start getting in the way of our connection with God? And why the heck do we let it?
Second: How is acknowleding the other side of that (Mission Year, anyone?) going to change the way we live?
Third: How far are you willing to go to fix the problems you see? How far SHOULD you go the fix the problem?
Fourth: Are you going to do anything?
I think one of our biggest problems is comfort. People are creatures of comfort, when it comes down to it. And no matter where we may be in life, we get comfortable where we are. We get comfortable with what we have. Then God comes along, and tells us we need to change something. And we’re like, “hey man, back off. I’m perfectly comfortable with complacency.”
Fifth: Is complacency REALLY ok?
Do you think God is ok with our complacency?
I think not. I think if He were, there wouldn’t be missionaries. There wouldn’t even be short-term missions. There probably wouldn’t even be churches, because there would be no one to lead them.
At some point, you have to decide that something is worth moving forward for.
Something is worth changing.
Something is worth YOU changing.
Real. / May 7, 11:04 AM
Like everyone else who has been committed to Mission Year 09-10 for some time, I got my city assignment last week.
I’m going to Chicago.
Fortunately, Chicago was my top choice— I showed outward signs of enthusiasm when I read the email, which probably doesn’t mean much to you unless you know me.
Don’t get me wrong— I’m thrilled to go there, and I know without a doubt that this is what I need to do…
…but it’s all very REAL now. And it’s freakin’ me out a little.
This is normal, right?
In other news, I’ve found some pretty cool verses I’m not going to post on here, so that you have to actually pull out your bible and find them. It’s good for you. :)
Psalm 118:22-23
2 Corinthians (I’ve been reading this a lot, so there are a lot of verses from it) 1:10-11; 2:14-15; 3:5; 4:8-10, 16-18
This one, I’ll actually hand to you… because it seems to fit so well with Mission Year:
“If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us.”
2 Corinthians 5:13-14a (NLT)
Stay tuned…
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