Kara's Collection

Kara’s Collection: Determined

Kara’s Collection: Determined

from an article originally posted July 17, 2014...

Last night two different friends asked me how I was doing. I gave a limp reply but they are the friends that ask: REALLY Kara, how are you REALLY? A few things have happened this week that have changed my perspective a bit.

First, someone was coming to visit me for my birthday day, and they were asked, Oh, are you going to the hospital to see her? Then as I was planning a retreat for this fall, one woman said she expected to find me very sick. More than that, a lot of people have commented on the change of tone in this place, in my writing, in my perspective. Nothing negative, just a change. I would agree; where we once held a bit of confidence in a cure, we now hold onto something much different. Those words are reflected in this place.

Kara’s Collection: Inevitable Pain, Stunning Grace

Kara’s Collection: Inevitable Pain, Stunning Grace

from an article originally posted July 15, 2014...

We had a big day full of celebration yesterday that left us all full and a bit ragged. Jason only woke one for VBS this morning. Our oldest had responsibility, so she needed to show up, even if she was a bit party worn.

I had a sweet morning talking through retreat planning and speaking engagements, and the kids slowly made their way down the stairs into the bright day. One even slept all the way to 11. It was unbelievable—especially since my road is currently being torn up by giant earth movers. In the loud, they slept on in response to the amazing night with friends we enjoyed last night.

Kara’s Collection: July 14

Kara’s Collection: July 14

from an article originally posted July 14, 2014…

That’s my day. July 14 is the day I came to be a part of this world. This past week I have thought much on this simple day and found myself in tears. I’m not exactly sure where the tears come from, but I will simply try let my fingers explain it to me here, tonight after I have kissed the heads of my children, read the books, said the prayers; I simply want to come here to write.

Kara’s Collection: Taking Thoughts Captive

Kara’s Collection: Taking Thoughts Captive

from an article originally posted July 12, 2014...

There is an impossibility to our story that often seeps into the cracks of my going. There are thoughts that can destroy peace and steal the very best of a moment. This morning a little one came to me on the front porch, tear-stained for not getting her way. She knew I would not get her her way, but she knew something else—that maybe just time in my arms would lessen the hold that want had on her. She knew that quietly rocking next to my heart would soften her heart in a way nothing else could. I grabbed her up, held her close, and rocked and kissed the top of her head. We did not speak of the offending sibling or the things that didn’t go her way, we just rocked. My coffee hot beside me, my books on the ground, and the beautiful burned mountains on the horizon.

Kara’s Collection: The Power of Community

Kara’s Collection: The Power of Community

from an article originally posted July 11, 2014...

This week has been full, unbelievably full of emotion. So much so that I can hardly handle it all. Today Jason has noticed a quiet in me, and I knew I simply need to come to this place of words and process it all. After months—I mean months—of waiting and prayer, my dear friend Shellie returned from the DRC with her beloved husband and son. Home at last! I can hardly believe they are home at last. The homecoming was unbelievable—tears, joy, laughter. I came home snuggled in bed and looked over and over at the picture of the amazing moment mama and baby boy walked around the corner. I simply stood and cried seeing her beautiful face walk around the corner. It was the moment where you realize God is able, able to do more than we can think or imagine. The moment where you see God’s hand making a way where there seemed to be no way.