The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

Throughout her life, Karen had been interested in sports. When we graduated from high school, she was voted the most athletic of the gals of our senior class. She was good in every sport. Her favorite was basketball. I’m not surprised that I found a brief note written to herself at Hebrews 12:1-2.

I discovered something that Karen wrote on or around Christmas several years ago. She was reading in John 1 and was so blessed by the incredible verse, “And the WORD was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). I am so blessed to be able to share this with my family and friends today.

As I read through one of Karen’s Bible Study journals, I came across a little note that she wrote to herself. Some of what I have read in her journals is too personal, and I cannot share those with anyone. It will be mine to cherish. However, I know that my Karen would not mind me sharing some of her writings with you. What she wrote about how she’d like to be remembered is powerful and so encouraging

Karen was serious in her encouragement to the ladies to adopt these few principles in daily living. When the life-changing diagnosis came, she responded with these principles in mind. In fact, she became known as the “win-win” lady.

It caused me to smile today. At the time, I don’t think I smiled. In fact, I am quite sure I wasn’t smiling. I have some notes that Karen wrote when she was a speaker at a ladies’ conference twenty years ago. The theme was “Handmade by Design.” She used the illustration of Jeremy’s swing set. I’ll tell you about it at the end of this little article.