I think we can all agree that sometimes life is just no fun. Hurricane Harvey has absolutely devastated my beloved home state this past week, and the destruction has been hard to watch. I’m thankful that my sister, soon-to-be brother-in-law, and dear friends are safe, but many have not been as fortunate.
Still, I have been encouraged by the ways people have come together to help. And if you’re looking for a way to pitch in, below are some donation links:
- Donate to the Salvation Army by visiting https://give.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
- Text HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the American Red Cross or visit https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.
- Donate to Samaritan’s Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org/disaster/hurricane-harvey/.
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The last few weeks have been a trip. I’m not even sure where to start, so without further ado: the highlights…
- Lest you call the underside of a rock your home, I’m sure you heard about the solar eclipse last Monday. Yes, it happened and yes, it was pretty darn cool. This solar eclipse coincided with the first day a youth staff retreat, and let me tell you: the best people to be around during a natural phenomenon are folks who work in youth ministry. A fun time was had by all.I forgot to take pictures, so here are some that I stole from other people…
- As mentioned above, the youth staff retreated for a few days last week. We spent our time at a spot called Fin and Feather, which is about 25 minutes outside of Dallas. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the people I work with are the coolest. My love for them is no joke.
Oddly, the only two pictures I could find from the retreat feature myself and John, whom I lovingly call “the little brother I never wanted.” I joke a lot about John (and give him the side eye—see above—on regular occasions), but the honest truth is that he’s one of my closest friends and I do love the fool (even though I spent over an hour searching for him when he got lost in the woods on a 4-wheeler). 
Team Kohn/Jat doing something weird per the usual. - The command to “love thy neighbor” is truly exemplified through my next door neighbor, Richard. Richard is a retired man who brings me food at least once a week, including the pasta pictured below. I’m not sure he knows how much it means to me, but his kindness has been a gift.
- My friend Kara got married this past weekend in Nebraska, and I was honored to stand beside her as a bridesmaid.
Somewhere over the midwest. 
I arrived in Nebraska on a beautiful Thursday, and though Omaha is gorgeous and seriously underrated, I still couldn’t help but laugh at the skyline. Sometimes I forget what a beast of a city Dallas is. 
Nearly a decade of friendship and we still struggle in the picture-taking department. For those who don’t know, the girls in this picture were some of my closest friends in college…and all three have gotten married in the past 10 months! Phew! It’s been fun to see them as brides and wives. Those girls are good as gold. 
The Queen herself with a mini-fan and an extra application of deodorant from her saintly mother. KAT
Currently listening to “There Will Be Time” by Mumford & Sons
katwilliamson.com 