Katy Harlan
Katy joined our staff in January of 2021. She has previously served as summer staff and volunteer during our summer camp season for multiple years, as well as a few years as the housekeeper. Currently, Katy serves in the Programming department. Her principle focuses are helping to plan and host retreats, assisting in the hiring process of our summer staff along with other administrative duties, and direct one on one ministry with our students and summer staff.
Katy’s Newsletter
January 2026 Newsletter
Hello, dear friends and family!
I hope you have had a wonderful year so far, and are enjoying the winter season! I have finally gotten around to writing my update letter (thank you for your patience with me!). It has been a great year, and I’m excited to share some of the highlights with you!
Early this past year, MMR was invited to set up a booth at Grace College for their Camp Chaos event- a recruiting opportunity for summer camps and other ministries. It was a lot of fun to connect with the students and I even had some friends drop by the booth!
Spring was wonderful and BUSY. All of our spring retreats went well, and I had the joy of visiting with my Dad and two of my sisters as they were attending the Father & Daughter retreat in May. Early summer was spent preparing and starting up summer camp. Every June we host an online school (The Potter School) for a week of summer camp before our staff training even begins. It’s a great way to get warmed up for the summer! They hold a graduation ceremony for their senior students at the end of the week, and I have had the privilege of helping to run sound & media for their ceremony. It’s fun to have a chance to use some of the things I’ve learned while in the Programming Department!
Staff training went smoothly, and God was so gracious to give us a wonderful group of young people for our team this summer. It was truly a blessing to see God use each of them throughout the summer, and I am so thankful for the memories that were made. I particularly enjoyed getting to mentor three young ladies that served as counselors, as well as five young ladies in our counselor in training program. Our hope is that we can serve our summer staff and encourage them as they are working with the kids (which is often exhausting), so they are not only refreshed but also being equipped to grow in their own faith.
Girl’s Wilderness camp was awesome, and though we had a few unexpected adventures, it was a lot of fun! Spending a week out in the woods is a lovely way to be (forcefully) reminded to slow down and enjoy what the Lord has created. I often struggle with that over the summer- it always seems like something needs to be done and slowing down enough to appreciate what is happening is an afterthought. Being separated from the regular camp schedule for a few days (and only having a radio for communication) was very refreshing. We also enjoy fireside chapels at wilderness camp, and occasionally songs if we find a guitar. One day I was returning from a trip to get supplies and feeling a bit weary. As I came through the trees towards base camp, I heard the girls singing. I don’t remember which hymn it was, but their voices were clear and hopeful, even rising above the loud engine of the mule I drove. As I listened, I was reminded of God’s goodness and provision in every circumstance. Their joyful praise helped me to rejoice despite my feelings of weariness. I am so thankful for the young ladies that attended and helped with wilderness camp!
Another thing I really appreciated this year was networking with some local businesses and organizations that help get summer camp running. Since I do a lot of behind-the-scenes paperwork and such, I get the opportunity to work with a lot of the people such as the agents that help get our staff their background checks, the administration at our local school district that help with work permits, and even the postal workers who deliver our summer staff support letters! It’s really amazing to think about all the hands involved in making camp happen, and many likely do not realize their impact! I am so grateful that I have had the chance to meet some of them, and I hope that I can continue to make those connections.
This summer honestly felt like the fastest one yet, even though some days felt long. It seemed like I blinked and it was over! I am so grateful to all those that worked alongside me and encouraged me this summer- family and friends, you are all a tremendous blessing to me!
The fall retreat season went well, and in between retreats I had the opportunity to visit my family and we travelled through part of Colorado. It was stunning, and I hope to go back and visit again someday!
Lately I have been doing a lot of preparation for the coming year- we are already gearing up for summer camp 2026! I have also had a lovely time celebrating Christmas with my family, and I am so excited to see what this coming year will bring! Thank you for taking the time to read my update letter, I truly appreciate it. If you have any questions or would like to connect further, please reach out! I would love to chat with you. 🙂
In Christ, Katy Harlan
Prayer Requests:
- That I would work to the Glory of God and be a blessing to those around me.
- For the health and safety of everyone at MMR.
- That the Lord would grant me wisdom as I make decisions about my future. At this point I am planning to stay at least another summer at MMR, but beyond that I do not yet know. It is not an easy thing to think about, as I love this ministry and people here so dearly and dislike the thought of change. That being said, I would really appreciate prayer for wisdom and discernment, and that I would desire to glorify God over anything else.
Praises:
- In the next few months, I will be moving to a place that has an oven and stovetop! I am so excited to bake things again.
- Health! I haven’t been sick very much this year, for which I am thankful.
- My supporters! I am so thankful for you all. I have always been able to get what I needed this year, thanks to your prayers, kindness, and generosity. Thank you so much for being a part of my ministry here at Miracle Mountain Ranch!
- For my churches and the leadership within, both at home in Indiana and Pennsylvania. They have been such a blessing to me, and to my family and friends.