Kisses From Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption – by Katie J. Davis.
Here’s a warning: this book will mess you up. Seriously. I mean, I’ve been reading Katie’s blog for years so I went into the book thinking I knew what to expect. I was familiar with her ministry, her writing style, her ability to make me see beyond myself. I truly only bought the book because purchasing it was another way to support her ministry. I thought it would just be an extension of what I’ve read on her blog. But it was so much more.
I think of all the people who I admire that I’ve never met, Katie tops the list. A homecoming queen from an affluent town in Tennessee, she left home at eighteen not to attend college but to move to Uganda and teach kindergarten. By herself. And then after that? She decided to stay there. And adopt fourteen orphan girls. What? Yes, like really, legally adopt them. Forever. Which meant giving up her life of comfort here in the States. And the man she loved. And, well, a LOT of things.
And then she went and started a ministry. She feeds over 1200 children every day. But it isn’t what she’s accomplished that impresses me, although it’s an impressive list. It’s what she’s taught me. It’s how she lives out a life of service and grace. It’s how she genuinely loves her neighbor as herself, or maybe more. It’s how she gives. Her life is hard but amazing. Her story is beautiful but messy.
It’s beautiful because it’s right. It’s right for us to reach out our hands and serve. It’s messy because here is this 21 year old girl feeding 1200 starving children each week and what am I doing? It’s messy because it isn’t a story you can read and move on from. It’s beautiful because it isn’t a story you can read and move on from.
And aside from all that? Katie is a compelling writer and the glimpse into her life and the stories she has to tell are fascinating. It’s completely worth a read. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.
About Kayla Aimee
I put in a new commenting-reply-by-email system. This is the test
this is a test. this is only a test
I just love all your book reviews. They pretty much all go right onto my amazon wish list, and this one is no exception. Based on some of your previous posts, I would say that we have very similar taste in books–BSC and Lurlene McDaniels were two of my very favorites growing up! I’ve yet to try any Amish fiction, but maybe it will be next.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to review the books you read.
Thanks! BSC and Lurlene McDaniels are the best
Do you have a kindle? If so some of my amish fiction is lend-able on there, I’d be happy to send it to you if you want, just LMK!
Wow, the reply email thing is pretty cool! I don’t have a kindle, but I did just get an ipad for my birthday (yay!) and I have the kindle app. Does the lending thing work between ipad and kindle, or just kindle to kindle?
I’m not sure. It says you can check out e-books from the library on your kindle app so I would think it would work. We can try it if you want to email me the email address you kindle app is set up for- then I can try to send you one and see if it works
Can I be honest and tell you I am terrified to read Katie’s book? I know it will speak to me and I’m afraid of what I might hear when it does. I pray I have the strength to listen to what God tells me to do and to follow through with it. Thanks for your book reviews!! Love them!!
I agree, Katie’s book was awesome. I loved it.
It really was. Also, I love your email address. It’s like I’m talking to Katniss Everdeen
Random…but how did you set up your blog so that your responses were emailed to the person?? I tried looking around on typepad and failed miserably!
Thanks!!
I’m using a wordpress plugin called ReplyMe – I don’t think there is any way to do it on typepad- I remember looking when I was hosting there and never found anything. Sorry
I am happy to see your review. I am want to read Katie’s book but I am hesitant because my husband is Ugandan and I feel like it will be particularly emotional for me. Although, maybe that is exactly why I do need to read it.
I just started reading Katie’s blog and felt like I had to buy to book. She is amazing! Thank you for the review.
Kayla,
), but I’ve been following your blog for a long time. Once I stumbled upon this post on Saturday, I could not pull myself away from her blog until I had read every.single.entry. How incredibly humbling, inspiring, convicting and faithful her example is. I could only hope to strive for that level of faith. I cannot wait to get this book. I know it’s going to rock my world, and I’m okay with that! I can’t wait to begin supporting her ministry, and I never would have found this without you, your blog, and your taking the time to review this book. Thank you for that, and I look forward to your entries every day for laughter and sometimes even for tears!
You don’t know me from Adam (or Eve
THanks so much for the kind words! I did the SAME thing when I found her blog a couple of years ago. I read every single entry that same day. I am so happy to point people to it and grow the support for her ministry. I’m so moved by her heart and the work that she does. You’ll love the book if you like the blog- there’s a lot of detail about their daily lives in the book that I think is really interesting.
Ok now I’m going to have to break down and buy her book. I found her blog a month ago or so and was so moved by her story.
I’m coming out of lurking to comment on an old post but it’s such a good one – Katie is amazing. I met her in Uganda last fall (we were there for two months trying to adopt our sons) and she is truly just as sweet and kind and wonderful as she seems.
This book will mess you up though. I’m glad it did it to someone else too. I read it, even in the middle of our Ugandan adoption that will.NEVER.end (Lord please make it end amen) and thought “Well Lord, if you’re going to call us again I guess I really don’t have a choice now do I?” Katie is wonderful, her ministry is amazing, and I’m honored to have met her even though the circumstances stunk.