I was born in the year 2001 to my Mum and Dad, who called me Kate. A few years later my brother Matthew was born. We have a very close bond and do just about everything together. 

 

 When we were quite young, our parents decided to shift into the country about 40 minutes from Palmerston North. While we were living there, we got three cats and we still have two of them today. Matthew and I made some of our best memories in the 5 years that we lived there. In 2011 we shifted to the Wairarapa. We found the perfect house and the perfect landlords, even better than what we had before! They let us walk over their farm that we lived on whenever we wanted to, and because of that, we had some of the greatest adventures there and discovered new things every time. 

 

 Being homeschooled, my brother and I have made many great memories that would’ve not been possible had we been in a public school. We learn new things everyday and enjoy being at home with our family instead of in a classroom.

 

 In the summer of 2013, I was baptised in a river not far from where we lived. I treasure the memory very much and daily strive to honour my commitment to God. My brother and I were brought up Seventh Day Adventist's and are very grateful for it.

 

When I was 11, my father got diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was fairly easy managing it at the start, but in March 2014, we found out that it had gone to his bones. He went to hospital on two occasions and suffered with bad pain most of the time. The nurses from the Hospice were really supportive to our whole family. 

 

We had lots of big get-togethers with church friends on Sabbaths, as Dad could no longer go to church. On one occasion we had about 30 people in our house!

 

 In November he took a turn for the worse and deteriorated quite rapidly. He started to lose his mind and as a result, he was sort of unaware what was happening around him which was good and bad.

 

 On the morning of the 3rd of December 2016, he passed away in his sleep, so peaceful and contented with Mum by his side. It was very hard to bear but also a relief in a way as all those months of suffering were over. I was jealous in a way as I knew that the next thing he would know is Jesus shaking him awake to life everlasting, meanwhile I still had to battle on in this deep, dark world. 

 

 A few weeks later, we got an offer to move up to Dannevirke along with a notice from the farmer that he needed the house back! God is good. We shifted a few weeks after that and began our new life up here. We visited some friends in Australia at the beginning of this year and then settled into life back at home. 

 

Some of our good friends happened to live at the end of the road so we have all spent a lot of time with them, swimming in their creek, riding motorbikes, and enjoying meals together. 

 

I started doing schoolwork with The Correspondence School for a few months, but I decided to quit and focus on living my life, enjoying my friends, and having amazing experiences. I haven’t looked back!

 

In March 2019, Matthew and I came to live with some of our really good friends, the McDees, who have 9 children! Matthew spends his days helping out with building projects, while I help out in the kitchen and spend time with the girls. 

 

The oldest two girls and I have been having horse riding lessons once a week, which have been amazing for our confidence. We have so much fun!

 

It’s been such a blessing living here. We also have a Bible study once a week with some of our friends from down the road which I really enjoy. We are learning so much great stuff!

 

Currently I’m thinking and praying about the plans for my future. I know God has something just perfect planned for me and I can’t wait to find out what it is!

 

I know God has led in my life so far and I know that He is still leading. I can trust in Him.