Meet Kate

Introduction and Dedication

My mother was an educator, an English teacher, a writer, and a devout follower of Jesus Christ. Her dream was to retire, continue writing, and publish a book. God had other plans, though, as he called her home on April 20, 2020, leaving behind her husband of fifty-four years, five children, and fourteen grandchildren. She was a force, and her death left me searching, questioning, and missing her guidance. I turned to God and started trying to read the Bible. I would just open it up and ask God to speak to me, yet sometimes I felt more confused after reading the verses as I had never read it from cover to cover. It was now the fall of 2020 and a high school friend of mine, Michael Troth, had posted a Bible reading plan from his church from beginning to end. I hadn’t spoken to Michael since high school, but the day he made his post was the day my journey through the Bible began.

Three years later, I realized that my “Prayers to Papa,” my journey through the Bible, was a book that needed to be shared. It had taken me on a spiritual journey and become my favorite time of the day. I would read the verses for the day, write my prayer to God, and listen to music that connected the verses to my prayer as I journaled my thanksgivings, my prayer requests, and my answered prayers. I shared it with my sister, Kerry McKinney, who opened my eyes to the fact that our mom had written her book through me. Kerry read and edited each page and encouraged me to add the music as it had brought us all so much closer to God, to our mom, and to each other.

God had this plan and wanted this book written and used so many different people to get it done. I believe this book makes reading the Bible a less daunting task and turns it into a beautiful, prayerful journey connecting us to God’s plan from the very beginning of time. The word journey was given to me many times throughout this process. Some days, the journey was hard, and other times seemed like a vacation. There were days in between when I was stuck, tired, depressed, lonely, rushing, confused, and even ecstatic. Every day, though, God showed up. He gave me my prayer, gave me my song, heard my intentions, answered me, and became my closest, most cherished friend.

I want to thank my mom, Judy Krueger; my sister, Kerry McKinney; and my friend Michael Troth for leading me to and through God’s glorious plan of writing this devotional journey through the Bible. It has comforted me, educated me, and inspired me, but most of all, it has brought me into such a special relationship with God, my Papa. I hope this journey does the same for you.