Hows the wedding planning goin???

Getting Married...

So as of March 2014 it became official... I'm engaged to marry the sweetest man I know. At 24 I've pursued a nice portion of my dreams for this system and now to embark on the rest with my lifetime partner. Marriage is a beautiful arrangement from Jehovah and I truly feel blessed be able to experience it. It's a bond Ive always admired, but the trend of my love life seemed as if it wouldn't be my reality anytime soon. Which I had accepted and was ready to expend my energies in other avenues... Until it hit me that companion I had been looking to share my adventures with was already by my side, and had proved to be a great friend to me for quite some time now. Yet like anything of value time allowed a good friendship to radiate to the happiest and healthiest relationship I could every ask for. The sky is the limit when it comes to a partnership fueled by love for each other and more importantly love for Jehovah.

Planning A Wedding...

-_- I don't like it (period). I dreamt of wedding planning since I was a small child. Watched all the bridal reality shows a girl could watch, and couldn't wait to brainstorm and execute my own big day! Now it's here... And the Courthouse never looked so sweet. What changed? I guess I did, being raised in a single parent household and living the pioneer simple life as an adult doesn't leave much room for self indulgence. So the though of spending thousands of dollars for an event lasting a small portion of one day gives me absolute anxiety. #alliseeisdollarsigns Nonetheless it's inevitable, and I just have to take my time, keep it simple, and not have a heart attack from every price tag. (Or run to the courthouse) ;)

The other part that gives me anxiety is being center stage for 3-4 hrs. *_*  Like seriously... Even sharing the attention with him, that's still a lot of attention. My hearts gonna be in my throat all day, and I will sweat all my make up off in the first hour... I'm sure this isn't what most brides think about, this one does though. When your personality leans toward introversion (Although I really try to fight it) you have these thoughts and Any public display requires lots of planning and forethought hence, the April 2015 date. However, I  admit, having Mr. Cool Calm and Collected to help me while wearing that contagious Kool-Aid smile makes it all a lot less intimidating. 

The Blessings....

I must say being in love with someone who genuinely loves me for who I am is a blessing in itself, but since we've began this journey together the blessings have poured upon us.... Too many to name really but the two I'm most proud of are... Pioneering and our new abode. This is my sixth year with my first love, and that's pioneering, there's nothing in this world that I enjoy more than sharing full-time in the ministry. It gives me purpose and joy to help others, but most importantly it pleases the Only Father I've had for 20 yrs now, Jehovah. It's been my way of thanking Him for letting me be his friend and giving me the hope to keep this bond forever. Like any good relationship you want to share what you're most passionate about with the person you're most passionate about. So pioneering with my future husband was certainly a goal of mine, just wasn't sure when exactly it would be realized. After gradually increasing his share in the ministry I could see an addiction growing in him :) Back to back auxiliary, discussion about scheduling, and future goals all led up to him getting permission to reduce working hours on a full time only position and a goal to join the ranks in Sept! The best news ever really!!! I'm so excited and proud and anxious. There's a possibility on attending pioneer school together as well. It's only June though, so prayers are still in full effect that things go smoothly!

The second fav blessing is our new place! July we get to move in our dream apt! A compromise between the VA tradition of a house he's always imagined and the apt life that this Brooklyn girl is used too. We got to name our price, and will actually be getting a sweeter deal than that! all thanks to a sweet couple that have been enjoying life in full-time service and pursue the goals we're striving after now! We're both sooooooo very thankful and still in awe of the love Jehovah has shown us through these two.  

So many adventures!

I've seen so many beautiful sights! My favorite has been Multanomah Falls :) I got to go twice and the second time we hiked to the top! This place and it's view can really bring you closer to Jehovah. His creation is so vast and majestic you can just stare at it forever. It's one of those experiences you cant put into words. And pictures don't do it justice either but ill share some anyway!

I'm here! 5/1/2013

So I arrived yesterday! Jet lag certainly has gotten the best of me but I'm adjusting. Last night was the Cong. Bible Study and school, which meant I had to get my act together rather quickly. The friends were awesome at the hall, very warm and sincere. Especially this one sister named Abby! She's from Hawaii and is full of love. I had the pleasure of working with her in the ministry and she's too cute with her little blue flower in her hair. ( last night she wore a yellow one, and I saw a red one in the car. She just may have one for every outfit ) Later we should be doing some sight seeing! Pics on the way :)

When Kat's fly...

It's almost 5 am, and I board the plane to Minneapolis shortly. This departure wasn't nearly as dramatic as I thought it would be... No tears, no sad faces, my mom and I were big girls about it all. Well not exactly, I was an over excited 5 year old, and she... she was my mom. A nervous wreck yet trying to hold it all in for my sake. She did good though! I'll miss my favorite lady for the next two weeks but I'm happy that she's supporting my trip :) l
Adios Richmond! I'll see you soon! Take care of my mama please & thank you!

Allow me to reintroduce myself....

How on earth did you end up here? Chances are if you're reading this we are some what acquainted already. In the rare chance that you stumbled upon this randomly I will take a moment to introduce myself..... HI! My name is Katrina 👋! Here's ten facts about me that should sum things up. 
1. I'm one of Jehovahs Witnesses est.1999 (which is the most awesomest fact about me)
2. I'm 23 years old
3. A resident of Virginia currently, but I was born and raised in BROOKLYN,NY (the caps are necessary)
4. I love art and animals and occasionally hug trees
5. As the youngest of my siblings I'm the sweetest spoiled brat you'll ever know (and modest too)
6. I tend to be extremely sarcastic whenever I'm not asleep. (I'm working on it though)
7. It's been my mom and I since 1994 and I love her to pieces she's my superhero!
8. I have the greatest friends anyone can ask for, and I try to keep em by being a good listener when I need to be.
9. The full time ministry is my first love ❤ (four years in with no plans on stopping) 
10. I tend to not finish things...... ;)

Call me 'Queen Duckface' (no dont call me that)

I'm normal, but it's a well kept secret.

Ok but seriously why are you here?

On to the purpose of this thing. I made this blog really for selfish reasons. I want to keep a diary/record of the things I get myself into incase I ever get amnesia or something...
Well actually I wanted to document my next mini adventure... You see last year I made a new friend :) Her name is Liz!
It was a typical Friday like any other hot muggy day in June and I met the group for service, and saw an unfamiliar face.
The sister who's home we meet at on Fridays introduced her as Liz, she was visiting from Oregon to see some family in VA and was staying with the sister for the night until her family came to get her.
I got the opportunity to work with her in the ministry that day and it was the best day ever.
We had so much in common and it felt like we were old friends :)
However what impressed me the most about her, was her zeal for the ministry, and the big steps she had taken already at 20 to expand her ministry, and her even bigger plans that she was working towards!
I always had similar goals of serving where the need is greater or possibly foreign language territory, but they seemed to be more distant dreams than tangible goals, until we worked together that day!
Since then I've been more motivated and have really put my goals first, asking Jehovah to help me be balanced and yet trust in him enough not to shy away from things that seem may impossible at present.
Seeing how so many, like Liz, have been able to rely on Him and pursue goals that further His will, big and small, encourages me to "taste and see" for myself.
So for the next two weeks I'll about 3,000 mi away from home with my dear friend Liz, and working in new territory, and getting a taste of what the ministry is like in the Purepecha language! This is exciting to me for many reasons but to name a couple: this is the longest I've been away from home; I've never been to the west coast; and I get to be with Liz again :)

The coolest girl on the west coast :D Check Out her amazing adventures in the full time ministry!