The Hardest Peace

Kara’s Collection: Love Intentional, Love Maturing, Love Exceptional

Kara’s Collection: Love Intentional, Love Maturing, Love Exceptional

from an article originally posted December 22, 2014…

Forgive me for being so absent recently. I have been in the hospital longer than I can remember. So many have given so much to protect, enjoy, and embrace my family. I have this one story about Eleanor, full of Grace, I want to share before I let myself sleep again and the story fades with all the medications I’m taking to get through each painful moment well. It is a story I will never forget, but I want it to be documented here to let her know how stunning the love in her life is to so many—especially this mama of hers.

Kara’s Collection: Jealousy—the longing for normal

Kara’s Collection: Jealousy—the longing for normal

from an article originally posted December 3, 2014…

Oh, my heart. Oh, my sad and covetous and jealous heart. I have recently been in so many interviews, and I am often asked if I struggle feeling angry over the path we find ourselves walking. My answer is typically the same: I have fought to be broken instead of bitter and angry. It’s not a simple journey.

Kara’s Collection: Today, few words are necessary

Kara’s Collection: Today, few words are necessary

from an article originally posted December 2, 2014…

I am a rock star at packing the basket. I fill my basket with comforts: blanket, magazine, essential oil to help avoid the awful of my port being flushed, music, lotions. My nurse and I know this dance, we have danced this dance for a long time. She and I banter, we do what we have to do, and I’m callous about it all. Then as I turn to put my head down I see Jen is crying. She hates to see this dance. She hates to see me suffer. It’s good to be reminded of heart in the midst of doing the next thing. It’s good to see tenderness, brokenness when my own heart is callused to these ugly dance moves that I’m dancing to live. I simply do them. I have forgotten how sad they are. It was good to be reminded by the cherished and kept tears of my friend Jen.

Kara’s Collection: I’m No Hero

Kara’s Collection: I’m No Hero

from an article originally posted November 24, 2014…

I have this story, I have this one story to live and to share. It’s my great privilege to share the grace I know. It is my honor to share who Jesus is with anyone who will listen. But I’m no hero. I’m simply one fighting to live well in the midst of pain—and oh, my goodness, I can blow it so big.

Kara’s Collection: The Hard Journey of Chemo by Jill Buteyn

Kara’s Collection: The Hard Journey of Chemo by Jill Buteyn

from an article originally posted November 19, 2014…

Yesterday was my first day going to chemo with Kara. The day started out rough—the trouble sliding over from the day before. Kara posted this update on her personal Facebook page: Life is hard.

She deserves to post that update a million times a day.