 by Kelly Johnston Katie has brought her daughter, Izzy, and her son, Joey, to Lakeland while she shares her story with us. Her love for her children is evident in the joy in her eyes as she watches them. “It’s just amazing to me to see how their minds are soaking up what they’re learning at church, the people they’re connecting with.” Her smile widens. “They’re connecting with people I may have gone to church with and are connecting more with them than I did in the past 20 years. For a long time before small groups, I was Joey’s mom, which was nice to get away from my teenage persona.” Izzy looks up from her spot on the couch for a moment, a charming young girl clad in her St. Patrick’s Day regalia. Joey continues to play nearby, a boy with boundless energy and an impish grin. “It’s fun listening to what they learned from their perspective in Sunday school and how they’re processing their understanding of God. Sometimes their questions aren’t easy to answer, like where is Heaven.” She smiles again as she reflects on her children’s spiritual journeys so far. “We worked through the story of Jesus for Easter. Izzy really likes Noah’s Ark and Jesus and Mary, because of animals and because of babies. Joey is fascinated by Noah’s Ark because he built a boat and he loves boats. He also really enjoys David and Goliath.” “And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:16  ABOUT MY STORIES
Every month Pastor Marta Gillilan and members of the Lakeland Social Media Team interview an individual, couple or family. From struggles in faith to joyful events, Lakelanders are sharing their stories through the “Humans of Lakeland” blog series. Get to know the people who call Lakeland home.
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Katie sinks back into the couch and reflects on her involvement at Lakeland, an experience that started when she was a child.
“I’ve been involved in two small groups, one for two or three years and the other one for it’s second season. My small groups were perfect for me and the time of my life that I was in.” A quick smile flashes across her face. “It’s hard to be an adult in a church you were a kid in, not that you’re not treated as one but it’s hard.” She smiles at her son and daughter, who are playing nearby. “Having kids myself now, and networking with other people, helped force me to be more social. My small group treated me like a human. I needed to be around people that did have their feet firmly in the ground with church but also didn’t know my history. I was able to share my life and where I was currently at. I could work my way back versus them knowing everything and having their own view of it. That was very helpful.” Her smile grows wider. “And then just through the divorce I found a new job through my small groups, one I feel like I’m supposed to be at. I feel like right now I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be and I haven’t felt like that in a long time.” “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” -Psalms 20:4 ABOUT MY STORIES Every month Pastor Marta Gillilan and members of the Lakeland Social Media Team interview an individual, couple or family. From struggles in faith to joyful events, Lakelanders are sharing their stories through the “Humans of Lakeland” blog series. Get to know the people who call Lakeland home. by Kelly Johnston
Katie Gentile is a young mother with bright golden hair and a calm demeanor that instantly makes you feel at ease. On the day we meet with her, she’d just come from the Lee’s Summit St. Patrick’s Day parade. Her daughter, Izzy, is decked out in green, including a fluffy skirt, jewelry and a giant bow in her hair. Katie’s son, Joey, is sporting a St. Patrick’s Day shirt. Katie herself got into the spirit, each of her fingers painted a different shade of green. She sits down in the Lakeland lobby, a place she’s been coming to for close to 20 years. Her children sit down to play with assorted toys and books, although Katie’s eyes never stray far, her love for her children is evident in her words and actions. When asked about some of her most difficult challenges, Katie reflects back to her first years after graduating from high school. “I got married, moved away, did internships in college and came back. I was pretty much coming by myself and kind of went off and on. Having two young kids made it challenging, but it’s become easier the older they get and they love coming here.” She smiles, her gaze drifting to Izzy sitting on the couch opposite reading. “It’s awesome having them want to talk to me about God.” She pauses and glances away, thinking about everything that’s happened in the past few years. “A friend who was like a little brother to me passed away while I was in college. He was the perfect Christian and I didn’t understand that, why God would take him and not anyone else. I would come back to Lakeland for Christmas Eve, which was always special, but it was a detour. I didn’t stop being a Christian during that time but I definitely didn’t practice my faith. But I think it also helped me to be a better Christian as an adult because all of that stuff happened in my youth. The main reason I didn’t come back when I was younger was it felt like reopening old wounds and I had a hard time picturing that not ever getting better.” Katie breathes deeply. “I had no choice but to lean on God. I was out of options, I just remember sitting in church and crying when my divorce happened and knowing something was terribly wrong and I didn’t know how to fix it.” Her hands drift up, emphasizing her words and the pain she experienced. “But my small groups, worship and prayer were essential to me holding on to something during that time. Having something to grasp, it felt like I was grasping at straws and I was angry and upset but it helped wrap up old wounds from my youth.” “Instead of being upset about the past I was focused on the people who had been there and the people who were there now and were supporting me, even when I didn’t ask. It was helpful and it was essential.” She shrugs her shoulders and smiles. “Sometimes it’s one step forward, two steps back.” “Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 ABOUT MY STORIES Every month Pastor Marta Gillilan and members of the Lakeland Social Media Team interview an individual, couple or family. From struggles in faith to joyful events, Lakelanders are sharing their stories through the “Humans of Lakeland” blog series. Get to know the people who call Lakeland home. |
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