Author bio...................about Kathleen McAnear Smith

Education:
BA Politcal Science
High School Social Studies Teacher
Masters in Social Policy
School of Urban Mission

Speaking:
Families in Global Transition
Peace Corps
Christian Ministry Events
One of the most fun: love speaking in Florida, whether at Fisherman's Net Ladies Group, or First Baptist Church class or Northport women's event!

First Job: Disney World 5 o'clock parade! Still a Disney fan!

Favourite verses:
John 10:10
Ezekiel 34- whole chapter!

One of those inspiring iBloom team members once asked me, "Whom do you serve?" I love this question! I know whom I USED to serve! I was an HR consultant for the financial community in New York and London. I and my little team helped just about 1,000 families over the course of ten years, to move from New York to London and find schools for the kids. We did all we could to make sure the parents had a great relocation survey trip and successfully enrolled in cross culturally supportive schools. We shared our school teacher knowledge of both education systems, and assisted with cultural transition for the whole family. We loved our work

​Writing

Parents on the Move! which is a great how-to book for anyone moving across town or around the world. (£10.00 plus postage)

Beyond Broken Families, which is my vision for whole-family recovery after the damage of divorce. This book is quite a surprise to many, and a great start to your healing journey. Often purchased for extended family and friends, it is a book of realised hope. (£10.00 plus postage)

The Miracles of Pierrepont: This is Jill Southern-Jones's story of establishing Ellel Ministry's Pierrepont location in Surrey, England. Many times Jill was asked to write her story but as she was always flying and preaching and teaching, I got to write it! If you are someone who a new ministry, this book will inspire you with practical steps forward. (£10.00 plus postage)

Speaking
It is with great joy that I get to speak at several churches and Christian bookstores on subjects such as planning the year ahead, or whole-family recovery. When you read Parents on the Move! (which is useful to singles as well!), you will know that I am one of those awkward Level 4 People. We love cross-cultural family life, and relocating, and while we pray for many countries we can't stand to hear another nation ridiculed.

Life
Born in Washington, DC and raised in the metropolitan area, I am inspired and intrigued by exploring cities as well as countryside. Most weeks I take the commuter train up to London to meet up with the next generation of family. Whenever I get a moment, my grandson and I explore the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square or have a run through the Transport Museum with our One Year Pass.

Then there are the grown-up places which include the music of St Martins in the Fields which, compel me to quiet my soul. I love finding sacred spaces in the middle of the hustle and bustle of cities, especially if there is a café with great coffee, tea and cake!

Favourite things? My grandsons!
​And coffee, especially independent Italian coffee cafes. Tea in the afternoon with a daughter or daughter in law or a friend is pure bliss. Films/Movies. Riding the motorbike with my husband. Seeing my son any chance I get! The beach and Disney World, Florida. Do ask me about my very first job ever! And walking. And Zumba.

My husband is English and I am American. In the wider family we have about five passports, several languages and we like to grandparent in London, in Italy and Yorkshire and Farnham, UK. I get to be an aunt in Atlanta, Georgia and a niece in San Antonio and El Paso, Texas. We are a family made up of missionaries, military service men and women, NGO's (I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica), government, educators and corporate industrialists. When we get around a dinner table we can have some heated and healthy discussions!

Latest Fun News: I am a member of the Wey Community Gospel Choir. This Easter we sang at the Guildford Cathedral in England, and have performed at G-Live with Gareth Malone.


Vision verse for this blog in this season: Ruth 2:12
May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.

If you would like me to come and speak to your group or event, or simple purchase one of my three books please do email me: Kathleen@relocationmentor.co.uk