Katy Simnitt

Day one when I first met Katy at YLV church I fell in love with her. We hit it off. We both had a love for Tea Time, everything England and Real Simple magazine and of course a deep love for Jesus. She understood that tea time was a time to open our hearts and share. When she told me that she was leaving to England for ministry I knew immediately I had to host a TEA fundraiser for her. She sang a few beautiful songs. We had a good group of ladies show up. My two sisters and nieces were there. First time they met her and they all loved her. My beloved sister Chachie (Linda) fell in love with her, there was something special there. Chach comes up to me and tells me "I love that girl" and hands me $200 to give to her. We made our goal plus some.
When Katy went to England she kept me posted with emails, fb messenger. I'll always treasure the time she sent me a message telling me that I was on her mind and started praying for me and gave me a scripture and oh my goodness God sent that to me just when I needed it. She had know idea what I was going through. She had such a beautiful intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit and obedient heart. I told her she was a teapot pouring into all those empty tea cups.
Yuup she sure was pretty special to me.
So the day came when
Jesus excitedly whispered in Katy's ear "Katy, The mansion I’ve been preparing for you is finally ready! I can’t wait for you to see it!” And with joy and relief she replied “I’ve been waiting for this day - let’s go!” And in a heartbeat, they set off together for Home and the life that is Truly Life. The journey through cancer is over. You were strong and kind through it all, and Jesus was on your lips until words could no longer be formed. I will love you forever my friend. Goodbye for now, beloved daughter of the King and my brave friend. I’ll see you in just a little while.

Gary, Melissa you both did an amazing job raising Katy and I thank you both for sharing her with us.

Baby sister Grace, you know how much she loved and adored you. She was so proud of you. You filled her life with your love.
Hugs and prayers for you all.

As I spoke at the life celebration, this is more of a cognizant depiction of what I intended to say about Katy. I met the Simnitts’ decades ago while being a part of a start up church in the Antelope Valley of California. Being a part of a start up church, everybody has their part to do…one of mine was to set up the chairs in rows. One of the first mornings of setting up chairs, Katy (being under the age of 10) was running around with her cousins. I distinctly recall that she stopped dead in her tracks in front of me and said, “Hi! I am Katy and I am a Christian…are you one?” I said “Yes, little one” and she had an expression of disappointment on her face. I believed that she wanted to share the gospel with me…evangelize me if you will. As I think back, this was a child that knew the gospel and wanted to share it without inhibition. Prime example of the heart of God and the Great Commission in practice.

As the years and distance accumulated, I barely kept in contact with Katy through Facebook. Then came this message over Facebook and Katy had gone on to glory. What do I know about Katy who I had not seen in decades? I look at the fruits of her life that I saw in Facebook and whatever artifacts that I could come across. Here is what I found:

1. She had grown and gone to college.
2. She spent time overseas and grew up into a dynamic young woman.
3. She was involved in music ministry that took her around the world.

Here is what I realized being a part of her life celebration:

1. Her life touched many, as people gathered to honor her life it was evident. We were all there for many reasons…but we were there out of our own free will...to honor a beautiful life.
2. She lived her life honoring the gifts that God had given her and people were witnessed to such a blessing of gifts. Wow!!!
3. She lived a life of a disciple of Christ…which I was a witness to at her very young age.

To Gary, Melissa and Grace…I pray the peace of God upon your lives. Know that God has His ways and sometimes it is not for us to know why, rather to trust that God does things out of His love for us. Love you!!!

To those that were touched by the life of Katy, know that God blessed us with her and that there is much that needs to be done in the will of God. We are to move in life as Katy has shown us... honoring God with the gifts and the love that His has given us.

Katy, you will be missed…but we will be with you in glory when the Lord deems it. Till then, Little One be among the heavenly host worshipping our Lord God.