Kara's Collection

Kara’s Collection: Happy Mother’s Day 

Kara’s Collection: Happy Mother’s Day 

from an article originally posted May 11, 2014…

Oh my soul, I do not need a day to mark the joy that meets me every day, but I will certainly embrace the extra snuggles, homemade treasures, and sweet love on this day. The year has been full of kisses, bedtime heart sharing, hand holding, kindness, and love, and I am unbelievably grateful to have been present in this year. It is my great privilege to meet my children in all of life. When we meet the edges of one another, it is my high calling to press into their hearts and love them in the hard places of life. When they are struggling, fighting, angry, I get to meet their heart, show them the neediness of their hearts for a Savior. I get to share my own struggles with anger, frustration, unkindness and whisper to them my own great need for Jesus. Together, we walk, we stumble, we seek grace, forgiveness, and a softened heart together. A mother is the platform from which their children shine the best of love. A mother is the base from which children begin to feel their own value and worth. The love of a mother builds confidence in their little loves to face the troubles and joys in life.

Kara’s Collection: Battling What If and If Only

Kara’s Collection: Battling What If and If Only

We are in the final days of the school year. It is our great privilege to attend performances, speeches, special moments for our children. Behind closed doors it’s a mad scramble to find the appropriate attire. Children are attending most events in capri pants that were once long pants at the beginning of the school year. We are delighting in their music, their friends, and their hearts that long to share their accomplishments. I am desperately in the audience beaming upon the faces of my children. My heart is screaming, I’m here, do you see me, I’m here, and I love you.

Kara’s Collection: Grace and Compassion

Kara’s Collection: Grace and Compassion

from an article originally posted May 6, 2014...

I have been struggling with this post; I feel a bit wrung out by our week and the waiting, waiting, waiting for results. After I had the results that breast cancer wasn’t found, and more tests are going to be performed, I simply sighed.

I’m tired, I’m weary, I’m getting exhausted from the ups and downs. I want to rejoice in good news, I want to celebrate, but this journey has me very wearied.

Kara’s Collection: Unbalanced

Kara’s Collection: Unbalanced

from an article originally posted May 5, 2014...

My dear sister in law brought me an essential oil after I had my double mastectomy. It’s called balance. She would put in on the bottom of my feet at night to help calm me before bed after my horrible surgery. Last night, I nearly bathed in the stuff. I see the word balance, and I feel like I need this magic potion. Except I know it isn’t magic, I know it can’t change my story. But I felt so very unsteady last night. I nearly drained the little bottle of calming oil.

Kara’s Collection: 20 Years Ago

Kara’s Collection: 20 Years Ago

from an article originally posted May 4, 2014...

May 4, 1994, I was a struggling high school senior. Struggling with life, struggling with drugs and drinking, struggling to find my footing in life. I was sitting beside a zealous convert in German class, Michele Pribble, who was excited to share her faith with me. She pleaded with me to come to her youth group with her. I was curious. I agreed to go. Once I arrived, I was met by kindness, amazing kindness. The youth group at Grace Community Church was a new land of kindness, warmth, and unity. Then the pastor, Rod Vansolkema, spoke on forgiveness. To top it all off, my dear friend Jenny Gates Fitzgerald came and explained to me who Jesus was and why he came to love me, rescue me, offer me new life. That very night I asked God to forgive me for my many sins, I prayed that He would enter my life, and I learned forgiveness for the first time in my life. It was an amazing night.