Changed, for the better

When people use to ask me the common question, “Who are you most like, your Dad or your Mom?” while growing up, I would almost always say, “The perfect mix of both!” No, not meaning I’m perfect, I just thought I was lucky enough to learn how to act and learn who to be from the best! Despite whatever ups and downs or disagreements we have shared over the years, I couldn’t have handpicked better parents for myself! My Mom is the most honest (sometimes a little bit too honest, if you know what I mean! ;)) and loyal person I know! She is the most hospitable and gracious host to anyone who walks through the doors of our home! She is encouraging; she is kind, and she is loving. She is strong and selfless. She has the sweetest spirit and smile. She is the best friend I’ve ever had or will ever have! My dad, on the other hand, is adventures and brave. He is hard working and thrives at whatever he does in life! He is driven and self motivated. He is the provider, often peace maker, and sustainer of our family! He is the most generous giver and asks for nothing in return! I have watched and witnessed true love at first hand! No, they are not perfect people, who is?, but together they make the perfect team! God has been the glue that has held my family together throughout all the years. I will be forever grateful for every trip that we took, every church, school, and sporting event they attended, and every memory we’ve made! They are truly the two greatest people I know!

I always knew that I possessed my Mom’s outgoing personality. However, I am just like my Dad in the sense that we share the same characteristic traits. My Mom and I enjoy meeting and getting to know new people and we try to make each person we come in contact with feel special in some way. My Dad hates to be late, as do I. My Dad is a planner, as well as I. My Dad is a germ phobia, just like me. My Dad is much more cautious when it comes to safety, that's me! My Dad likes to stay busy, is always on the go, and loves to travel, yep; you guessed it, just like me! However, since spreading my wings, and leaving home, I have noticed that some of those qualities I use to posses, have flown out the window, and no longer exist.

No worries, I am still the same sometimes awkward, always corky, Katyn, but I have learned how to live a different type of lifestyle, and in the process, I’ve changed, naturally, without any warning or notice. I no longer take certain things for granted and on the flip side I care much more about other things. I now have a thankful heart for simple things, such as; food, power, electricity, internet, and hot water. Before I came to Kenya, I would have been scared to death to go anywhere alone. It’s now, safe to say, that I’m BRAVE!! (Hooray) God is teaching me to set my fears aside cause the safest place to be is in his will! I’m pretty sure I could face any fear of mine because I have conquered some of the scariest situations in my life! Traveling across the world alone and walking miles to and from work each day down dirty and dusty slum streets aren’t exactly my idea of fun. Any chance of being a germ freak is gone. I am trying (the key word here is trying) new foods from different families and homes. There is no sense of time here, which took awhile for my type A self to adjust to. My outfit for the day isn’t the first thing I think about when I wake up in the mornings. My makeup is minimum and I’m not even going to mention the hair. The list goes on and on. What use to be important, I now consider insignificant. I have come to know and love the people I am serving as family. I’m learning the importance of being independent more and more every day. Christ is challenging my life and changing my heart from the inside out and did I mention that I love each and every minute of it?

I knew that I would come back from Kenya with a different outlook on life, but I didn’t realize just how big of an impact Africa would have on me and the person I am! I am not the same. As Rascal Flatts say, “I’m changed, for the better!” Africa has changed me! God is changing me!