Kate Allen
Kate with Frank and their kids.
What’s your name?
Kate Allen
How do you spend your days? (family, work, hobbies)
This year, I teach preschool three days a week, and I tutor children who struggle with reading. I have three children who have been doing virtual school, so on the days that I am home, I coordinate snacks, lunches, homework, and how much is too much screen time. I am an avid reader and have loved the extra time the pandemic has given me for reading.
What part of town do you live in?
We live in Henrico County, close to the University of Richmond.
How long have you been going to City Church?
We have been attending City Church for eight years.
How are you attending City Church these days?
We are mostly attending church online right now, with an occasional Sunday in person.
What did you expect from 2020 when it started?
I was looking forward to 2020 being an easy year. All three of my children were at the same school for one last year together. I loved my job and enjoyed the balance of work and family. We were in a comfortable routine.
If you could describe 2020 in three words, what words would you choose?
Patience, family, time
The Allens on an adventure.
What did the events of 2020 reveal to you about yourself and about Jesus?
I am an introvert. Staying home and hanging out with my people was a dream come true. We took walks, listened to music, and baked new recipes. Towards the end of the summer, I realized this pandemic wasn’t ending anytime soon, and I started getting worried. I loved being home with my family, but I didn’t love how all of the time away from our normal routine was affecting my children and our relationships. Months later, as I continued to struggle with this, I realized it is about control. I am a list-maker, and I feel most accomplished when I can check things off my list. It seemed like some parts of our lives were spiraling out of control, and I was just standing by helplessly watching. Things were not getting done on my list. The more I thought about my lack of control, the more I thought about Who is in control. The Lord is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The Lord is in control of each moment of the day. I do not need to fear that I can’t control my life because that is not what I am called to do. I am learning to remember that the Lord is with us and giving us grace to get through each new day.
How have the events of 2020 pushed you to reimagine your story? How have they pushed you to reimagine your faith?
2020 is another reminder that the perfect story of life that I play out in my mind is not reality. But as my story unfolds, I can see pieces coming together that weren’t in the version in my head. I am continually thankful that God orchestrates all the details and doesn’t leave that up to me with my finite grasp of life. I am continually learning that God in His infinite wisdom continues to shape me and gently reminds me that His ways are best, and I can rely on Him for my every need.
What is your biggest hope for 2021?
My biggest hope for 2021 is that I will remember to rely on the Lord for each new day and circumstance. I don’t want life to become easy and comfortable and to think that all of that is because of what I am doing. The Lord is who sustains me.