Purple for a Purpose...

     These past two weeks have been the two hardest weeks of my life. With just one instant, one phone call, and a few words spoken, my world was flipped upside down.
      As many of you know, Katlyn Graham was in a very serious ATV accident, along with Annalyn Bradshaw on Wednesday, May 30th. Annalyn was very fortunate and was not physically hurt other than some obvious soreness and scratches. Praise God!! But, Katlyn, however, was not so fortunate. The Gator that they were riding had flipped over on Katlyn, cutting off her oxygen. To make a very long story shorter, she ended up being airlifted to Jackson and is currently in UMC'S children's ICU. Katlyn is in a severe coma in critical condition.. Recently, though, after MANY prayers, Katlyn has made great progress, along with a few setbacks. She is being kept sedated until her lungs can heal, but the other night she actually opened her eyes! How exciting! Now we are just playing the waiting game.. waiting to see what comes next.
       I can't even begin to describe the insane roller coaster that we have all been on these past two weeks. Ups, and downs, downs and ups.. I can't even begin to imagine how Mrs. Tasha and Mr. Trae feel and what they have been through these past two weeks. I just can't wait until I can see Katlyn, awake, and I can tell her all about what this situation has done in my life and how God has used her as such an awesome witness for Him.
      My relationship with God has been stronger these past two weeks than it ever has been. I have learned more how to rely on God for EVERYTHING. I have learned more how to put every single drop of my faith and trust in Christ. It is so easy to trust God when things are going great, but when he trows in a curve ball once in a while, trust me, your faith is tested. It is important to always remember that God has the power to do anything  His will WILL be done.
       It's also important to remember that when things get better, when Katlyn is awake, doing good and at home, that this close walk that we have all had with God these past few weeks does not need to fade! The prayer life that we have all built up does not need to fade. God lets things happen sometimes to bring us closer to him or to give us all a wake up call- and this definitely was one of those times. If you live in Ellisville, you know that the entire town is purple. Purple everywhere! It's amazing how our town has been touched by this and I feel like it has brought us all together. There aren't many times when I think "I love living in such a small town", but when I drive through Ellisville and see all of the purple...my heart skips a beat.
      I truly believe that God is trying to get our attention. These are just a few things he has showed me through all of this-

1. Life is so very short. As teenagers, sometimes we think we are invincible and untouchable.. But the truth is, we aren't. We are fragile, and we are only making it by the grace of God! It's time to wake up and stop living for ourselves, and live for God.
2. God has POWER. He can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants.
3. God knows what he is doing. He has his hands on Katlyn and the doctors.
4. When you put ALL of your trust, worries, and faith in God's hands, you feel SO much better. I have such a peace about all of this now. I know that anything could happen, but I trust that God knows what he is doing and in the end, everything will be okay.

There are so many things I wish I could tell Katlyn right now. I wish i could see her smiling face right now and just be able to hug her. I miss her more than I ever thought imaginable. Our youth group isn't the same without her. It's too... quiet! Haha, Katlyn is always the sunshine of our youth group- the bright, loud one!


Katlyn,
     You have no idea the impact you have made on my life and many others. You are SUCH  testimony, and you don't even know it yet! I haven't passed one purple ribbon without praying for you, and we pray for you constantly. I miss you so much. I can't wait to see you able to be goofy again. I need some sunshine in my life! Guess what? We had a prayer vigil for you at church Thursday night after your accident. There were so many students there and I know you would be proud! (finally the "cool church"...Hahah). Through all of this, my faith and trust in God has grown more than I ever thought was possible. I love you so much and I can't wait for you to get better!

 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD." John 16:33

Our youth went and visited Katlyn's family at the hospital last Sunday

This was from a day during Spring Break when the youth was working concessions at Jones. Crazy Katlyn!

Purple everywhere!