One of six children, she and her youngest sibling, Olivia, just two years younger, were adopted together when Katie was three. Katie remembers caring for her little sister before being adopted – sneaking into the kitchen and taking food to their bedroom – making sure she and Olivia were safe, even at a tender ago of two. Their biological mother had a drug problem and the six children were often left to fend for themselves. This is probably why Katie has such a strong instinct and drive to survive – she’s been doing it since she was born.
Fast forward to her senior year at Half Moon Bay High School when Katie went to Hume Lake that summer after graduation and dedicated herself to God. Katie says Hume was more than just camp – there were services three times a day – heart-touching services. They also had fun and played games. Katie felt accepted.
It wasn’t always that way for Katie. Despite being adopted into a better situation, when Katie was six, her adoptive parents divorced and the split was not easy. Her parents were fighting a lot and Katie felt she was back in a situation of having to care for Olivia. The two girls shuttled back and forth between homes and were being raised as Jehovah Witnesses. As Katie got older, combined with stress of the family conflict and adolescence, the tenets of the Jehovah Witness faith did not resonate with her. Without another option for her faith, Katie found herself drifting through middle school and high school.
Katie experienced several serious periods of depression throughout her high school years. Her mom remarried and Olivia moved to Los Angeles, with their dad. Katie found herself alone, figuring out everything in life on her own – from cooking for herself, getting her first job, and making her way to college by taking three buses while working. Katie admits she was rebellious throughout high school, and that she was fortunate to find a good therapist to help her. Katie was also fortunate that a neighbor and friend of her mom’s brought Katie to Mariners Community Church. Gayle Conklin prayed with and for Katie during a crisis, and right after that is when Katie started coming to MCC regularly.
Katie says MCC helps renew her faith in God and keep her accountable to herself. She serves in the children’s programs and loves helping kids in their relationships with one another. She learns from them and they learn from her. It reminds her a lot of when she and Olivia were younger, taking care of one another.
Katie’s faith and attendance at MCC help her be consistent in her prayers and at every service she says she finds at least one small thing and takes that with her throughout her week. Katie has been attending MCC for three years. The connection to people her are close to God in her life saved her life – they remind her every day to aspire to their level of commitment and faith. Through their prayers, Katie knows God has a plan and he’s there to take care of her.
By Laura McHugh, Volunteer Storyteller
