Farewell, Nashville... and some hard news

Hello friends! It's been a while and... in one week - we're moving!

(If you don't have the time to read- please scroll down for urgent news and a way to help.)

As we wrap up a little over a decade in Nashville, I’m feeling deeply grateful. It’s hard to put all that this decade + has meant into a few lines, but it has shaped us in lasting ways.We’re heading to Spartanburg, South Carolina and are excited to be close to family—just 10 minutes from Bastian’s cousins and 2 minutes from my parents' spot there. We’re looking forward to a larger yard, a great neighborhood, and a slower rhythm. I can’t wait to start painting and get my hands in the dirt.

Speaking of Bastian—he’s turning two at the end of April! My, oh my. His favorite things right now are books and more books, stepping on every water meter as we walk the neighborhood, and touching every sign he sees.

As we settle in, I’ll be reconnecting with the acting community (it may take me a little time), working on a creative project for Camp Swamp, and helping care for my nephew in the afternoons—so the two littles can grow up side by side. A new season as a part-time gardener/artist/freelancer… and part-time daycare operator (still workshopping that title ;). 

Some good news—you can see me at the top of Episode 6 of Scarpetta on Amazon Prime playing Nicole Kidman's husband's mom, which just released. Heads up, it's good- but pretty dark. Not for everyone.

Thank you for staying connected.

With love,

Katie

P.S. If you'd like to read a fuller reflection on what this past decade in Nashville has taught me—about art, faith, marriage, and learning my limits - scroll all the way down. :)

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Please Help!

Nic and Alyssa Crews

On a heavier note, T.J.'s old college friend, Nic Crews, was recently shot and killed at the VA clinic where he worked, by someone he was trying to help. He leaves behind his wife Alyssa, two children, and a baby girl on the way. It’s a tragedy that’s hard to comprehend.If you’re able, please pray for the Cruz family (and everyone involved in this event) and consider supporting them through their GoFundMe. Already the outpouring has been tremendous- but it will never match was has been lost.For us, this loss is a sobering reminder that darkness touches every life. And yet, I hold onto Jesus’ words—that He has overcome the world. Darkness will not have the final word.

In the last couple weeks, my acting community also bade farewell to our coach, Corey Parker, whose battle with cancer I shared with all of you. His perspective and insistence on seeing the good throughout his journey is admirable. If you'd like to read an update about him and his obituary, you can find them here.

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A fuller farewell to Nashville

We’ve spent a little over ten years in Nashville, and in many ways, this is where I grew up into adulthood. When I arrived, I had one one-woman show. Now there are four—two of which have also become films, and all of them have taken on lives I never could have planned, including two movies and two interactive stage versions. Along the way, I’ve made sketches, written poetry, taught middle school, tour guided, designed—tried my hand at so many things.

But the most important things I’ve learned aren’t about output.

I’ve learned how to be a better friend—and how to recognize better friends. I’ve learned how to be a more intentional leader. I’ve learned, slowly, how to ask for help (still working on that one).

I’ve learned that the solo business model doesn’t work for me. And that it’s not a failure that I can’t do the hundred million things required to hustle, hustle, hustle and “succeed” in this industry. I’ve had to redefine success- multiple times.

For me, success is this: that people would be drawn to the truth about Jesus’s love through anything I do or say or create.

That the attention of others would move through me and not to me - like the way the beautiful design of the tabernacle was intended to remind the community about the garden they were made for - and ultimately the God who made them for it.

I’m also at the very beginning of learning how to be a mom. And over these ten years with TJ, I’ve certainly learned some things about how to be a good wife—and I’m very aware I have more to learn. I’m grateful that we get to keep learning that together as we step into this next season.

And somewhere along the way, I’ve learned this simple but difficult truth: there is God’s part, and there is my part. I want to do my part. Thanks, Matt Brown, for that one.

I’ve also learned that I want to enjoy the process. Even though everything in me still wants to rush ahead, to get there faster, to arrive—I want to be someone who notices the small victories, who pays attention, who rests in the beautiful things as they come. I don’t do that perfectly. Not even close. But I want to practice.

This season has formed me. This place has held me for a time. I don’t leave it the same person who arrived...And I’m grateful.