Kara's Collection

Kara’s Collection: Life without a Bucket List

Kara’s Collection: Life without a Bucket List

From an article originally posted September 20, 2013…

I can confidently say I don’t live with a long list of things I want to do, see, complete before I’m done in this place. I carried a dream for years of having a farm. I was in love with all things Wendell Berry and my grandparents. I could picture it—I wanted the life of routine created by the land, but beyond that I have never longed for checking off and conquering a list. I’m happy with my old cars, my simple wardrobe, my lack of fancy things and vacations. I love a good concert, but I also love an organic dance party in my kitchen. I love great food, but I also love a hot dog over the fire in my back yard. I love a hike in the mountains, but I also love a walk around the block with my people.

Kara’s Collection: My Dirty Secret

Kara’s Collection: My Dirty Secret

From an article originally posted September 9, 2013…

I have a weakness, a terrible weakness that regularly shows its ugly head. At the heart of this ugly secret is a struggle with wanting my own plan. I struggle when God interrupts my plans with His plans. This typically shows up in small, mundane situations. Most often, it shows up when an illness enters our home. Oh my soul, I’m the worst when it comes to taking pain and sickness seriously. Isn’t that funny? Someone who spent a year sick, interrupting everyone’s life with her illness, doesn’t show up when sickness happens in her own home. It’s true. It’s terrible. I do a lot of, “Oh, you’re fine, go sit on the potty and drink some water.” Or, like last night, “You didn’t hurt your knee, you’re fine.”

Kara’s Collection: Laundry Love Unfolded

Kara’s Collection: Laundry Love Unfolded

From an article originally posted August 30, 2013…

I’m not sure I know many people who love doing laundry; I certainly don’t. I was given the task of my own laundry at a rather young age, which meant that I mostly wore dirty clothes. As I entered domestic life, I knew this was an area I wanted to love my family. I will not mind if I have to teach my children to do laundry as they leave for college. I feel this is an area I’m happy to love them. Not simple love, but love that pushes through a task I don’t really love. Shoot, I can snuggle-love all day, but laundry love, that costs.

Kara’s Collection: When Helping Helps: Part 2

Kara’s Collection: When Helping Helps: Part 2

From an article originally posted August 14, 2013…

This post is going to focus on helping a family with young children. Specifically, what one does when the mama—the glue, the go-to—is sick, but these principals can translate to any family with small children struggling with disease. Part One focused on the local support of our community; this focuses on the help we asked for within our home.

Kara’s Collection: When Helping Helps! Series: Part 1

Kara’s Collection: When Helping Helps! Series: Part 1

From an article originally posted August 8, 2013…

I have had a few requests to write on the subject of how to help as well as how to avoid hurting someone facing cancer. I will be writing personally, specifically to cancer, but I feel these principals can help in many areas of life as it pertains to entering hard with another. I also intend to write about when helping hurts. That will be a difficult post to write.