Here we go!

Yay thanks for being here! Im Katie Sladek and have no idea what Im doing! Ive been encouraged to write a blog a few times over the years and I cant imagine why anyone would want or be interested in reading anything I have to say. And its scary, and it takes time and attention to detail- which is a very big shortcoming of mine! However, here I am!

Ive been married to Tommy for almost 20 years!! Wow! And we have 3 children, all boys, and 3 babes in heaven we will meet one day! Thomas is 16, Cade is 14 and Gage is 9! They are the most amazing kids! Parenting has been all the things and thats a whole separate blog in itself! For another day for sure! Tennessee Tech University is where our journey began and I must be the luckiest girl in the world for him to have chosen me. Word is is that before we met he did see me on campus sporting my L.L. Bean backpack stitched with my initials (you know you had one of those) and tried to look me up in the student directory by guessing my name! Maybe hes the lucky one, hahaha!! I think we both are!

Basically I believe we are all born with gifts and talents that we have been given by the One Great Almighty God above and we each have a purpose. Figuring out those gifts is always a journey and looks different for everyone. I dont know all of mine. Of course I know what Im not good at bc how easy it is to say and recognize all the negative things about us. We are our own worst critic, no doubt (again, an entire other blogpost can be done on this, too!) I do know, without a doubt, that I am an encourager by nature and it comes very easy for me. It fills me up with joy when Im able to use this gift. I also believe it is our duty to use these gifts for the good of our community because we are a part of a whole. This is the reason for starting this blog. If only one person is encouraged by anything I say, then praise God.

For all of you who have figured out one of your many talents and gifts and dare to use it in a new way, please know this. I am scared, I feel stupid, I have no idea what Im gonna say and 100 percent sure Im gonna word vomit on you with all the wrong quotations and wrong words- I apologize in advance! So read at your own risk and I am praying you are lifted and encouraged by what will come.

Peace and Love-Katie