Today, on Katie's birthday, I want to share two things with you. I used to tease Katie and tell her we should write a book together. She thought I was crazy, but I told her it would be easy because we both had so many things that God had taught us and we could just write out our own journals to share with others. Well, I have prayed a lot about this and have decided this is something I still want to do. I plan to write a book (that's a little daunting to say) that includes Katie's story from my perspective and hers, using writings from our journals. It won't be right away, but God is guiding me to make that happen. Second, I want to share something below that Katie wrote. This was written at the beginning of 2017 as an 8th grade class assignment to choose a word that would guide her coming year. For perspective, this was during the time she was still finishing her first round of chemotherapy. She was missing the interactions of friends and activities, having been out of school for a few months already. She bounced around in her beanie, covering that bald head as if it wasn't even there. Notice what she focuses on and what she doesn't focus on in her writing. It's incredible. I did not even find this until several months after her death. Katie has a story and I hope to be able to share it. Blessings, Sarah FAITH
I chose this word because it is something I've pushed away for awhile. It's always been there but my faith has been pushed into the background for far too long now. In 2017, I really want to bring my faith into the foreground. This year, my God time will become daily and I will really develop my life around my faith. It will become what it should've become years ago, my true rock and foundation for my life. I will find a time to spend time in the Word and talking to God, as well as just making time to listen daily. I'll never truly hear God if I don't make time to just listen for him. I need to make time to just rest and rejoice in His amazing creation. I want to slow down my life and look around. I want to thank Him and praise Him for how blessed I am. In the past, I have only spent time with God if I felt like it and to be honest, that wasn't very often. Maybe twice a week on a good week, which is absolutely not enough. I think and hope to see a difference in my attitude towards life and others. I hope to just overall mend my relationship with God. It's like a bridge with some pieces missing and in 2017, I want to put all of the pieces back in place. There were many other words that I could've chose, but I felt that this word encompassed all of them. Wisdom, joy, patience, and love to name a few. Growing my faith will bring me more of all of these. I'm going to fight back with joy. I will make laughter, smiling, dancing, and singing a normal thing to do. I'm going to appreciate the joy bombs that life brings. I don't want them to go unnoticed and unappreciated any longer. In the past, I've thought that joy and happiness were the same thing. However, recently I've realized they are definitely not. I cannot be happy and sad at the same time, but I can be joyful and sad at the same time. Regardless of my circumstances or how I feel, I can choose to act and respond in joy. As I read through the Bible, I want to not just read but devour the words on the page. As I sing on Sunday mornings, I want to not just sing the words on the screen but worship God through song. As I go through life, I want to not just go through life but go through life spreading God's love and joy for us. 2017 will be my year to remember. In the future when I give my testimony, I want to be able to say that this was the year my faith grew stronger than ever before. This is not a New Year's Resolution, this is a New Life Resolution. And it all starts, now!
25 Comments
Angie
8/28/2018 08:04:05 am
Wow, what a witness! God is still using her to transform lives. What a remarkable person she was.
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Amanda
8/28/2018 08:05:12 am
Remarkable. Thank you for sharing. Only hope that others can read/hear this and want the same new life resolution. This world needs more of that. Prayers for the Cobb/Raynes families today.
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Gypsy
8/28/2018 08:34:52 am
Such a joy. Blessings and love to all.
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Debbie B.
8/28/2018 09:02:36 am
Happy Birthday , in heaven , Katie . I’m sure you are dancing on God’s great dance floor !!Thank you Sarah for sharing your beautiful daughters Faith!
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Jamie Cox
8/28/2018 09:13:44 am
Such an inspiration to so many not only in Putnam Co. but all over the state & outside WV as well. Her legacy will live in our hearts forever!!!!!
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Darlene Geyer
8/28/2018 09:20:26 am
Thank you for sharing Katie’s words of faith on her day of birth. 💜
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Tuanya
8/28/2018 09:22:07 am
Beautifully written from a precious tender heart. Wise beyond her years. May we take heed to the message, chose joy and always faith. Continued Prayers for the family.
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Patricia Stover
8/28/2018 09:22:30 am
I never met Katie but know she was an amazing young lady. We need more of that in this world. Happy heavenly Birthday Katie! Thinking of her entire family today...may your memories comfort you. ❤ Thank you for sharing your beautiful girl Sarah. I will buy your book when you get it written.
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Michelle Garnes
8/28/2018 09:51:27 am
Sarah, I thinking about you and your family all the time. I pray for your guys daily. This was beautiful!! Thank you for sharing. When you write the book I want one.
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Cathy Raye Johnston
8/28/2018 10:11:27 am
Happy Birthday Katie 💜
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Becky Shamblin
8/28/2018 10:38:29 am
Wow!! That is how I remember you Katie, a girl full of faith that not even the troubles/diseases of this world could stop you. Your testimony will continue to carry on ❤️ and people will see God because of it.
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Helen
8/28/2018 11:07:09 am
Happy Birthday in heaven Katie. It is true she is still sharing her life and god is sending her to be an inspiration to us all. I was feeling down when I ran across this, but after reading this my heart is uplifted. Thank you Katie.
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Susie Cunningham
8/28/2018 11:34:38 am
Happy birthday Katie! What a joy it must be to be in Jesus presence. Many God richly bless your family.
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Ruth Bailes
8/28/2018 11:43:53 am
I never met Katie but it is amazing that one so young could have so much faith. Many of us go through life and never have that much faith. Mrs . Cobb you had an amazing daughter... God Bless and remember that God is always on time.
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Jackie Sweeley
8/28/2018 12:15:09 pm
Such a wonderful mature proclamation for a young girl! Her life and witness will live forever. Thank you for sharing this beautiful testimony from your beautiful daughter.
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Bethany Mahan (Sturm)
8/28/2018 12:23:51 pm
I was so sad to hear of Katie's home-going, but I am so happy to share in celebrating her life on this day, her birthday! She was my camper at Alpine two years ago, and such a sweet, happy girl to be around! We shared several walks and talks around the pond during that week, and I grew to love her instantly! Her genuine love for the Lord and pleasing Him above all was something I will never forget! Praying for her dear family during this difficult day! <3
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LISA NEASE
8/28/2018 12:39:14 pm
Happy Birthday, Katie!! God has Blessed this world because of you!!!
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Summer Bailey
8/28/2018 01:53:05 pm
Katie was way beyond her years. Happy Birthday Katie!
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Christi
8/28/2018 02:31:25 pm
Katie is so profoundly spreading Joy and was so mature in her walk with God more than she realized. Her words - Her story - Her testimony - blessing so many people. Thank you Cobb family for sharing Katie and touching us and blessing us.
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Martha
8/28/2018 05:26:01 pm
What a blessing this child has been. May God Bless your family. This was a real eye opener for me. Thank you Katie!
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Karen
8/28/2018 06:24:22 pm
Thank you for sharing Katie's writing as well as your own. What a testimony!!! Such insight, wisdom and faith your Katie displayed. Her faith is a blessing to us! Through the way Katie chose to live and through her written words, she continues to be a "blessing!"
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Mary
8/28/2018 06:28:40 pm
What a beautiful testimony from a beautiful young lady..wisdom & grace flowed through her words...what a lucky family you are to have called her your own...
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Jennifer
8/28/2018 10:24:31 pm
Her words are such an inspiration and I admire her for her faith and strength! Thank you most of all for sharing her love and faith with us. She’s such an encouragement and example to have faith and more desire to grow closer to God. 💜
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Tina
8/29/2018 02:50:47 am
Thank you so much for sharing. Your Katie was wise beyond her years and a beautiful person inside and out. Her words are humbling and inspiring. Thank you for blessing us with her words. Happy Birthday. Katie!
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Whitney Cox
8/29/2018 09:31:23 pm
Wow. This is incredible! Her heart was so in tune with God! 💜 Precious! Her words have touched so many hearts already. I love this! 💜
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