http://katiescomfort.org/blog/archive/ en brian@katiescomfort.org Copyright 2009 2009-11-14T21:02:00-05:00 http://katiescomfort.org/site/katies-cd/ http://katiescomfort.org/site/katies-cd/#When:21:02:00Z Our family recently created a CD/20-page booklet that contains some of Katie's writings and songs, which she composed while on this earth. Her writings reveal her teenage battle with depression and her victory over it. They also show her heart for God and her desire to be with Him. This is especially true in her "Heaven" letter, which she wrote near the end of her life. Her two songs, "I Am Changed" and "Remembering the Persecuted," reveal her heart for worship and her concern for others in persecuted areas. This booklet also contains personal reflections from Katie's parents. We are happy to report that this CD/booklet is now available for purchase! If you look at the sidebar to the right of this page, you will see a graphic of it. Click on it, and you will be able to buy a CD/booklet for you or for the other people in your lives. We are currently offering 1 for $12, 2 for $20, or 3 for $27. (This price includes shipping and handling. For bulk orders, please contact us for special pricing.) We know that you will be blessed by it! Finally, we would like to thank the graphic designers who helped us with this project, Joe Dascenzo and Joe Gonzalez. Without their help and input, this project would not have have been possible. (If you would like to find out more about these men and their work, you can click on the "Links" tab at the top of this page, and there you will find their names and websites in our listing.) 2009-11-14T21:02:00-05:00 http://katiescomfort.org/site/joy-in-the-mourning/ http://katiescomfort.org/site/joy-in-the-mourning/#When:23:46:00Z My daughter Laura recently wrote a story about how God has brought her through her sister's death. It was submitted at a Fine Arts Festival held this summer in Orlando. The category was to write a First Person Essay with the topic to be about the word "Extraordinary." It is my hope and prayer that this story will help you in whatever you are facing and that God will do an extraordinary work in your life! P.s. This story was selected as the 3rd best in the nation for this category. I am very thankful, not so much for the placement, but for having been blessed to be the father of Katie and my two other children, Brian and Laura. They have, and continue to be, extraordinary examples to me, as day by day we continue our journey together in this ministry He has ordained for us. Laura's Writings 2009-09-10T23:46:00-05:00 http://katiescomfort.org/site/baskets/ http://katiescomfort.org/site/baskets/#When:20:15:00Z After experiencing the loss of Katie, I felt such a deep sadness. As a mother, the loss of a child is the most difficult thing to go through in one's life. I began to feel a compassion for other mothers (and grandmothers) who have lost a child and I wanted to do something that could ease their pain, if only a little bit. After prayer, I felt the Lord's clear direction to assemble comfort baskets. In the basket, I put a beautiful china tea cup with saucer, tea bag, journal, devotional, candle, photo album, and some goodies. For a little while, I would like the mom (or grandma) to sit back and reflect on God's grace and sustaining strength, even at a time like this. I would invite them to write down their thoughts or memories of their precious child, or perhaps place some special pictures in the photo album. The love and memories of their child will forever be in their hearts and can never be taken away. Because of all of the comfort I have received from the Lord and from other people, I want to give comfort to others. As the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." If you know of anyone suffering a loss of a child or grandchild, please contact me at pat@katiescomfort.org. I would be happy to get a basket to you or send one to the right place. A Mother's Reflections, Family 2009-05-15T20:15:00-05:00 http://katiescomfort.org/site/lets-go-for-a-picnic1/ http://katiescomfort.org/site/lets-go-for-a-picnic1/#When:16:00:00Z 10 days before Katie went to be with Jesus we had the opportunity to go visit her in Rockford, IL where she was enrolled in the Masters Commission. My younger daughter Laura had advanced to a regional spelling bee and the district finals were in of all places Rockford! We had not seen Katie since Christmas break and were excited to not only be part of Laura's upcoming bee but also to again see Katie. She called before we drove up there and requested for us to bring 5 items. They were her pogo stick, electric guitar, amplifier, a childhood banner that read God is Love (which she made when she was 6 years old) and a Picnic Basket. The Picnic Basket was purchased by Katie earlier that summer at a thrift store. When we arrived in Rockford hugs abounded and then we opened the trunk of the car. Katie grabbed her pogo stick and in front of many of her fellow students who were nearby started jumping up and down! Other students then attempted to do the same on the pogo stick only to fall off balance which led to laughter by all who were present. I then pulled the basket out of the trunk and asked Katie why she wanted the Picnic Basket with but a couple months left and the weather quite cool that time of the year. She smiled and said "Daddy I want to go on a picnic with some friends!" I was just so happy to see her I didn't pursue any other reason nor did I want to discourage her by questioning any further. Upon Katie's home-going with the Lord the Masters students and leaders so kindly packaged her belongings and returned them back to us. Katie's mom Pat found in her writings a letter she wrote 5 months prior about Heaven and what she thought it would be like. (Please see Heaven 2005 below to view and download copy) When she found it and brought it downstairs to me to read needless to say it was quite an emotional time for both of us. It was the last sentence that really had an impact on me. Katie ended this beautiful description of Heaven with "Let's Go For A Picnic." I looked up and there tucked in the corner along with so many boxes of her belongings staring at me was the Picnic Basket! It was a couple days later that I knew what the Lord wanted us to do. He told me to take the letter about Heaven and literally have picnics with family and friends. We are to share this letter with them and let them know what Katie is experiencing, and ask them if they too would like to receive the free gift of eternal life. The picnics we have had so far have borne much fruit and suffice to say friends and relatives of Katie who she had prayed for years have come to know about eternal life at these picnics. Please, I encourage you to have your own picnics by taking Katie's letter about Heaven and sharing with your loved ones and friends. My family and I anxiously look forward to spending eternity with the Lord, Katie and you! Heaven 2005 Master's Commission 2009-02-10T16:00:00-05:00 http://katiescomfort.org/site/a-testimonial-of-katie-prosapio/ http://katiescomfort.org/site/a-testimonial-of-katie-prosapio/#When:16:00:00Z I first met Katie Prosapio when she was only 9 months old. Her family began attending the church where my husband Phil was Senior Pastor. Katie embodied a parent's dream of hope, vision, and spiritual awareness. She was so in love with Jesus and so vivacious in her demeanor, you could not help but embrace her every wish. She stood for principles, morals and had a standard of beliefs, paralleled by few adults. Her gifts took her far beyond the norm of a "Christian young lady". She was joy, holiness, and wisdom personified. Her love for God and the people He created was profoundly exhibited in her short tenure on earth. Few people like Katie rarely pass by you in life. She loved, she lived, and she died for the Christ of her salvation! In loving memory of a great prophetic voice for Christ! Vicki Epperson The following is a letter that Pastor Jeremy DeWeerdt (Katie's Master's Commission Director) read at Katie's would-be graduation ceremony. It is from the truck driver involved in the car accident: William_Testimony.doc The following is a reflection that was also read at Katie's would-be graduation ceremony: Memories.doc The following is a letter from the director of a retirement center that Katie volunteered at while at Rockford: Linda_Johnson_Testimony.doc The following is a letter written by Katie's eighth grade teacher: Mr._Clifton_Testimony.doc The following is a letter written by one of Katie's high school teachers: Mr._Deines_Testimony.doc The following is a letter written by one of Katie's music directors: Phil_Wieneke_Testimony.doc The following is a letter written by one of Katie's friends: Merrill_Testimony.doc The following is a letter written by another one of Katie's friends: Melisa_Testimony.doc The following is a letter written by another one of Katie's friends: Jakob_Testimony.doc Testimonials 2008-06-19T16:00:00-05:00 http://katiescomfort.org/site/katies-first-journal/ http://katiescomfort.org/site/katies-first-journal/#When:16:00:00Z Katie's first journal writing was when she was 8 years old. She got a heart shaped Diary and on the inside cover she wrote a BIG warning to her older brother Brian. Don't even think about it Brian, was her message, just in case a curious older brother tried to read her entries to follow. Her first writing was dated March 28th 1995 which happens to be the same date 11 years later she would go to be with the Lord. Katie wrote: Dear God, I love you very much. You are very, nice, nice, nice, nice, good and all those things. Her next entry later that year was: Dear God, thank you for Jesus for dying on the cross for me your great. I enjoyed going to church today. Thank you for everything, for the gift of LIFE. You are my favorite person in the world. I love you so, so, so, so much. You know all about my life. I hope I can live for you every day of my life. I like the world. But you know I can't wait to get to heaven. I hope I continue to live for you Lord. Please! Guide me through the troubles of the world. The only heart I want to have is a heart that helps others. I love chapel and I think it brings me closer to you! I love singing praises. You are number one in my life. I can have joy, love Jesus-others-and you. Well Katie signing off Bye. Katie's Journal 2008-06-18T16:00:00-05:00 http://katiescomfort.org/site/remembering-the-persecuted/ http://katiescomfort.org/site/remembering-the-persecuted/#When:16:00:00Z September 18, 2005 Hi! My name is Katie Prosapio, and I am 18 years old. I would like to share this song that I wrote with you. It is called "Remembering the Persecuted." I was deeply moved after hearing stories about the persecuted church all over the world and felt inspired to write a song about what they go through. These stories gripped my heart and challenged me to look at the Christian walk in a new way. I realized how important it is to remember our Christian brothers and sisters and the sufferings they go through, as well as pray that God will give them strength to endure the trials many of them face daily. One verse that comes to mind for me is Hebrews 13:3, which says "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." God has given me a heart for missions, and I know that He has called me to one day go to India and eventually join the persecuted church. In the meantime, I hope that this song inspires people to stop whatever they are doing, if only for a moment, and pray for their brothers and sisters. I hope it encourages Christians to make an even stronger stand for God when faced with their own types of persecution, such as co-workers, family members, and society in general when confronted with the stand many of their brothers and sisters overseas make every day, sometimes even to the point of death. God Bless You! Katie Prosapio Songs 2008-06-17T16:00:00-05:00 http://katiescomfort.org/site/to-the-persecuted-church/ http://katiescomfort.org/site/to-the-persecuted-church/#When:16:00:00Z Artist: Katie Prosapio Title: "Remembering the Persecuted" Recorded: August 2, 2005 at the National Fine Arts Festival in Denver, CO God sees everything you do And you're not fighting this battle alone Each day hope he spreads anew He brings joy along with pain And your sufferings are not in vain So we'll keep you in our prayers And know that Jesus cried blood mixed with tears For the persecuted church This song goes out to you Light a candle in the wind Burn with passion for our King Love him like you've always known how And keep up the faith We're here behind you Starving, knocking on secret doors to pray Hiding places, impressions that will never fade Blood, sweat, and tears, imprisoned for years Seeing loved ones die Right before your eyes So this song goes out to every secret church You'll never renounce His Name Dear God, make my faith like the persecuted church Bring peace to every cry in silence Every wound by a gunman share a crown God, one day I know that I'll be the persecuted church May I never renounce your Name May I never be ashamed Light a candle in the wind Burn with passion for our King Love him like you've always known how And keep up the faith We're here behind you now Songs 2008-06-16T16:00:00-05:00 http://katiescomfort.org/site/i-am-changed/ http://katiescomfort.org/site/i-am-changed/#When:16:00:00Z Artist: Katie Prosapio Title: "I Am Changed" Recorded: February 2006 at Rockford Master's Commission -- 1 Month before going to be with Jesus in eternity And all of my longings turn for you. The sky is white and everything is calm. And every prayer I whisper reaches straight to your heart. And my song is like a million different symphonies in your soul. And I am changed by being where the angels walked. Singing holy is your name, holy is your name. And I believe that you are as real as the wind, That brushes up against my heart, And I know that your gaze is on me, And you are smiling. And right now in this moment, With the trees as my witness, I choose to give up my life to find yours. Catches my breath is a passion for you, Is like a torrent that can't be held back. The words you speak electrify my senses, Vibrate in my ears, and capture all consciousness. And I am changed by being where the angels walked. Singing holy is your name, holy is your name. And I believe you are as real as the wind, That brushes up against my heart, And I know that your gaze is on me, And you are smiling. And right now in this moment, With the trees as my witness, I choose to give up my life to find yours. And nothing is the same since you resided in my heart. (x4) And I am changed by being where the angels walked. Singing holy is your name, holy is your name. And I believe you are as real as the wind, That brushes up against my heart, And I know that your gaze is on me, And you are smiling. And right now in this moment, I give up my life to find yours. And I am changed by being where the angels walked. Singing holy is your name, holy is your name. And I believe you are as real as the wind, That brushes up against my heart, And I know that your gaze is on me, And you are smiling. And right now in this moment I choose To give up my life to find yours. (x2) Songs 2008-06-15T16:00:00-05:00 http://katiescomfort.org/site/rockford-masters-commission/ http://katiescomfort.org/site/rockford-masters-commission/#When:16:00:00Z Rockford Master's Commission is a nine-month discipleship program for students recently out of high school who are seeking God's guidance and direction for their lives. Students take part in worship services, Bible studies, and community service in an effort to reach out to their community. Katie knew what she wanted to do with her life, to be a missionary to India, but she went to Master's Commission to first get closer to Jesus. And indeed she did! Although Katie did not complete the program, we were invited to her graduation and received a diploma in her name. We also met the family of the other girl (Wendi Watson) who lost her life in the car accident and embraced them at that moment. We, as a family, highly encourage any young person to look into this life-changing program! If you would like to find out more about Rockford Master's Commission, please visit: http://www.rmconline.net. Master's Commission 2008-06-14T16:00:00-05:00