My journey to a healthy lifestyle...

  Throughout the years I've always struggled with my weight. I would lose a few pounds here and there but was never really able to keep it off. I would gain it back plus some.. During my senior year of high school I went through a few things in my personal life. And would turn to food when I was depressed. 

   In 2013, I found myself in a place of embarrassment to be around people. I didn't like going places or even dressing cute. I literary wore sweat pants and big shirts everyday. In July '13, someone I follow on Instagram was having an Advocare Mixer in our area and invited me. I blew her off because I didn't want to be involved in the whole "advocare fad" everyone seemed to be doing. But she kept reaching out to me and gave me a few samples of Spark. Even tho I liked it, I still wasn't for it. But after 2 months of thinking about it and researching about it, I figured I would give it a try. 

  So in September '13 my mom, dad, and myself started our journey with Advocare and started the 24 day challenge. It was amazing! I had a TON of energy, lost 7.5 pounds and 10 inches! Over the next few months I was able to keep the pounds off and even lose a few more, and yes even through the holiday season! ;)

  Fast forward to March '14, me along with my parents and two of my neighbors did a group challenge. I was SO pumped going into my second challenge. Through the cleanse phase I found myself hungrier than the last time, but I felt amazing. This challenge I didn't lose as much as I hoped too but I'll take the 5 pounds lol.

 Today I am so thankful I tried Advocare. I feel the best I've felt in years! The products are amazing and super yummy! And trust me I wouldn't advertise a product I didn't believe in. I know how to eat healthier and that a cheat day here and there is okay. Oh and I'm not addicted to Dr. pepper anymore.. Since my first challenge I've lost 18 pounds total!! Which is a huge deal for me! I'm so excited to finish my journey to a healthier lifestyle. If you have any questions about advocare please feel free to email me at: kalin.cates[at]yahoo[dot]com. I would love to help you. And remember Advocare isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle. 

                          Below are pictures from my challenge:

                     First challenge-Sept 2013

             Second challenge-March 2014

                    2012 vs 2014

                                              Be a champion. 

A year ago today...

A year ago today, I was sitting in an airport trying to figure out what I was about to experience. I was putting myself way out of my comfort zone to do what God has called me to do. I boarded a plane for the first time ever and traveled 1,000's of miles across the world to an amazing country called, Swaziland. 

      My life was turned upside down...for the better that is. I went into this journey "thinking" about what I was about to see and experience. But the facts that I tried to prepare myself with wasn't enough. God broke me in so many ways as soon as I stepped on that red dirt.

      I never cried so much in my life than I did in my short time there. I now know the true meaning of life. I've learned not to sweat the small things. I know my purpose in life. I discovered that I felt more at home there than back here in the states. 

       I miss the people. I miss the relationships that were developed with the people on my team/people who live there. I miss the mountain view every where I look. I miss the coffee(best ever!!). I miss the random TIA moments that will make no since to anyone. I miss worshiping in another language. I miss the simpleness of things. 

                                     I. Miss. Everything!

     I never understood the passion that God gave me for Africa until I got there. I never thought I could fall more in love with the place and the people but I did. It is so beautiful and all of the people I came in contact with were amazing and so sweet. I didn't want to leave. Like I cried and cried and cried some more. No matter where I go or live, Africa will always be my home.

    I am so thankful that God allowed me to live out a dream He gave me when I was 14, a dream that I never ever thought would come true. God is soooo good and beyond faithful. I am so excited to be headed back to Africa in 2014. It can't get here fast enough.

   There's a saying by Dave Ohlerking, who is the founder of children's cup-

                   "Once you go to Africa, you will go back in your mind 

                                           everyday the rest of your life." 

      

And it is so true, theres not a day that goes by that goes by that I don't think about my time there.

           My heart longs to be back there.....

                                Xoxo,

                          Kalin Renée 

Africa 2013 Update...

As many of you know I was offered an amazing opportunity to go back to Africa this coming December for 20 days. But unfortunately I had to turn the offer down. I was so excited at first but after thinking and praying about it, I don't think this is the right trip for me..

To every single person who already started donating to me, please know that all of money WILL be kept on the side for my trip some time next year. Y'all are all so awesome and you will never understand how thankful I am for the support.

I will continue to have fundraisers through this year. And will kept everyone posted on everything.

                                                    XOXO,
                                               Kalin Renee`

Where has the time gone???

I can't believe this day finally came.

Zoe's JR Prom!

Where has the time gone??

Seems like just yesterday we were kids up to no good.

I had the honor to take some pictures of her getting ready 

and of her with her date before they left.

I am soo proud of the woman she has become.

Keep up all the hard work, I know God has big things planed for you!

Thank you for always being there when I need you.

 Hope you had an amazing night, you looked beautiful!

Love,

Your Big Sis.

*and yes Z and her date are jumping in a inflatable in the last picture, they are just cool like that ;) *

Sweet memories..

It's been 124 days since I came back from Africa.

I never understood my passion for a place I've never been

until I stepped on that red dirt on a cool September evening,

being welcomed with open arms and smiles from ear to ear.

It still feels like a dream that I am going to wake up from 

at any moment.

But I have to remind myself that I was there.

Africa has been extra heavy on my heart the past few days.

I literally fell in love with every. single. thing.

in my short time there.

I miss everything and everyone so much.

I wanted to share a story that has been "flashing" through my mind.

On Thursday and Friday of my trip we spent our time at the

Mbekelweni Care Point.

I loved all the kids there, but sweet Nona stole my heart.

She was attached to my side the two days there.

On the Thursday we got to know all of them

see how they did school

and

we dished their lunch.

After that we went on with our day and went back later that evening

and gave them sweeties and stickers.

Friday we only spent maybe an hour or so with them that morning then went to GLA, ect..

As we were driving up at the care point that evening 

all the kids were running up to the van to greet us.

I will never ever forget Nona's face when she spotted me

through the window.

Her face lit up with an overwhelming joy

and the biggest smile you will ever see.

It was like I couldn't get out the van fast enough.

Once I got out she jumped into my arms to give me

a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek.

After that she said the words

"I love you!"

in clear english.

It kinda reminded me of the Fathers love for us.

He has an overwhelming love for us.

No matter how often we may fail Him,

His love never changes.

Here lately I've been going through some personal things in my life.

So thankful that God can remind me of His love for us through the

little things.

Heres a picture of me and sweet Nona<3

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

So thankful for Martin Luther King Jr.

Spent my Friday night taking these crazies pictures.

It is SO hard to believe that Ry bug is almost two!

Time goes by soo fast.

Heres one of their photos :)

More coming soon!

                                                <3 kalin