Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day. It will be an emotional day no doubt.

For some full of joy. Maybe their first with arms full of babe and hearts overwhelmed by wonder.

Sadness will mark the day for others. Disappointment. Barren wombs. Tiny coffins. Estranged hearts.

For most a mix. Surprises, unmet expectations. Trepidatious husbands trying their best to not disappoint. To express somehow appreciation for what they could never give. Giddy children with humble gifts, burnt toast, and kisses. 

Or maybe they'll forget. It happens.

I've known twenty-three Mothers Days. Some I love to remember. Others I'd rather not.

The best are the ones I turned into . . 

THANKSGIVING

My own personal feast of faces, smiles. Six pairs of eyes . . blue, brown, and green . . looking at mine with love.

They call me Mom.

What's not to celebrate?!

My babes fifteen years ago. Sammy is missing, but he's up top with the strawberry!

And more recently . . so blessed!

edited repost

Yes, Comfort

I wasn't sure I'd join up today. I'm not even sure I'll post as I write this. 

I just finished reposting a tribute I wrote to my son's friend a few months ago as he was fighting for his life. He has been for a long time. His short little life.

Shaun is 23 months old today, and his family is gathering at a hospital in Virginia to say goodbye to him.

Comfort. Comfort? 

It seems the antithesis of their circumstance.

Is there comfort enough for a mother . . just days before we celebrate all she is . . to find comfort in the impending death of her son? A mother who has said goodbye once before to an infant child. I can't imagine, fathom enough comfort.

Yet she claims it. Through tears proclaims it. Offers scripture to those around her who mourn. 

She comforts! 

How?

Because she has the Comforter. The one who faced death and overcame, so she could have hope. She surrenders in her pain to the incredible discomfort of death, loss and sorrow with the hope that in her tomorrow there will be comfort enough for the day. 

And the amazing hope of her precious son being embraced in the very arms of comfort.

(Please pray for my friend Denise, her son Shaun, and her family. You can read Shaun's story here)

STILL My Hero!

Three months ago I wrote the tribute below to my hero, Shaun Steyaert.

Would you please say a prayer for Shaun and his family today?

They're spending their last precious hours together. In the words of his brave mom, Denise, "Our little champion is done fighting this battle."

You can read their story on Shaun's blog here.

Shaun is still my hero.

Shaun Steyaert is my hero.

He's only 1 1/2 years old, but he is the sweetest soul I've ever known. The kind that just emanates love when you are near. I've never experienced anything like it.

Shaun was born with an as yet undiagnosed genetic defect. He has two older brothers and an older sister who is in Heaven. She was born with the same defect that Shaun is now courageously fighting with his daddy, momma, and big brothers right by his side.

For the last couple months Shaun has been in and out of the emergency room weekly with extended stays. 

The requests for prayers and support come daily via email, Facebook and Shaun's blog, Shaun's Story. 

Shaun is surrounded by heroes . . 

A church family that has surrounded Shaun's family with love, meals, childcare, hugs, and prayer.

One family in particular . . the Wallaces. They opened their home and lives to their friends a month ago when the Steyaert's pellet stove malfunctioned and caused extensive smoke damage in the midst of all these hospital visits. The Steyaerts have lived with the Wallaces throughout this last month.

The Steyaert boys and Wallace girls


His big brothers. Oh, how these precious little boys love their little brother! They have been brave through the pain of being parted from their momma and Shaun.

Shaun's daddy. He has carried the burden of continuing to work, support his family, and be there when he can.

Denise. Shaun's momma. My friend. A ROCK. She has continued to keep a gratitude list . . a running list of the things she is thankful for throughout her trial, in the face of her fears, and in her weariness. She still smiles and laughs. And when she can make it to our Sunday school class, she humbles us all with her relentless faith.

Shaun was scheduled for a tracheotomy surgery yesterday. One of his many issues has been repeated pneumonia and congestion that his body just can't handle. He needs to breathe, and as difficult as the decision is, a tracheotomy will enable him to do that. 

But on Sunday he experienced two neurological episodes, and the doctors have postponed his surgery until they can assess what is going on.

Even as I type, I know my grasp and explanation of Shaun's medical situation is highly incomplete. I'm unsure what's going on much less how to describe it.

But what I am 100% sure of is this . . the whole Steyaert family is amazing.

And Shaun Steyaert is my hero.

Come Dream With Me!

Do you have a dream that could use some encouragement?

Last week I posted the letter below, and this week I am having a blast with some AMAZING dreamers on Facebook!

It's not too late to join us! Read on . . 

Hey Friends,

I'm starting a Facebook Book Study of one of my favorite books . . "You're Made for a God-Sized Dream" by my friend and life-coach Holley Gerth. This book was very instrumental in helping me bring to life one of my God-sized dreams, Winsome, the women's retreat I founded and hosted just four weeks ago! I'm so excited to share this life-changing message with you and walk with you on your journey to see your dreams come true!

The book study will begin next Monday, May 6. 

This is how it will work:

• send me an email, comment here, or message me on Facebook, and I will add you to our private group
• get a copy of the book here
• each week we will cover one chapter
• on Mondays I will post questions, and you can comment as you like anytime through the week

Together we will cheer each other on toward the dreams God has planted in our hearts. It's going to be amazing!!!

Love,

Kim

Be Brave

It's Five Minute Friday. And these are the rules . . 

Write for 5 minutes flat - no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. Then hit publish (it's not for the faint of heart)!

Today's word is BRAVE

Ready, set, GO . . 

 

The times I thought I'd need it have come.

And gone.

And while I'm sure they'll come again, it's surprised me that I need it here.

The calendar of life events has never, EVER been as full as it is today.

In just two weeks, the week long celebration of our oldest's graduation from the Naval Academy begins.

We'll come home for a few days and then pack up for a trek halfway across the country to the wedding of our second son in South Dakota.

Headed home we will put the final plans together on my one and only daughter's wedding scheduled for 4 weeks later.

Throw into this mix a whole lot of celebrating with showers, lunches, balls, relatives and the rest of life with a family of eight, and I'm going to need it in droves . . . 

Bravery.

My head LITERALLY spins with the kajillion details, and if I'm not careful my brow furrows, my shoulders tighten, and my pulse races. 

THIS IS GOOD, I remind myself. 

Be BRAVE. 

Be GRATEFUL. 

ENJOY your harvest.

STOP

Read more 5 min Friday posts by clicking the button below.

God & Me In My Hotel Room

He'd whispered to my spirit that this would be sacred time.

A time to rest, pray and hear His voice after a beautiful weekend full of the voices of His daughters.

I figured I would need to put away the computer, turn on praise music, read the Word . . that's what you do in sacred places.

But to do so would deny my heart and head that really wanted to process their bursting thoughts.

I needed someone to talk to.

I needed a bath.

And a bed.

So we talked as I slipped into the warmth of the tub.

And I listened to worship music.

And I prayed.

I climbed in bed and wrote the words that had filled my heart.

I read scriptures that come to mind.

And He met me . . 

Right in the MIDDLE of my reality, of who I am, and how I felt.

I remembered my daughters's fiancé who has proven his love to her by asking her, "How are you?"

He won't take shallow words for an answer.

He wants to know because he loves her.

He wants to know her.

In my hotel room the greatest lover and first romantic met me.

We talked.

While I bathed, flipped channels (He met me in the end of a movie and caught my heart so strong and by such surprise I sobbed), on the web, on Facebook.

I know there's a time to be still, quiet, and unplug.

But I discovered a truth that blew wide the potential for my relationship with Him.

He is everywhere, and if I don't shut him out of my ordinary . .

He will meet me there.

Joining Emily Wierenga & Imperfect Prose community

An Open Letter to My Friends & Their Dreams

Dear Dreamer,

I'm writing to you to say thank you for believing in my dream. For showing up, supporting, and walking with me into the reality of my dream come true.

Now I want to do the same for you. I want to hear your dream. Maybe even help you find words to bring it into being.

And I want to tell you some things I've learned about dreams.

They're kind of like babies. You've seen mine birthed, but that doesn't make yours any less real. Yours may be gestating still. It may not have even been conceived yet, just a hope or plan. But whatever stage your dream is at, it's just as real as a dream that's already been born.

Another thing I've learned is that the dream is wonderful, but it's real too. Real like real life. Real in the since that it doesn't make you immune from real life and the doubts that come, even after it's come true. 

It's an incredible affirmation, but no dream, no matter how wonderful, is strong enough to carry your identity. Only ONE can tell you who you are and what you're worth.

I want you to know that dreams are messy. And awesome. Some nights I can't wait to wake up the next morning, so I can get busy on my dream again. And some mornings, I can't wait to go to bed again that night, because my dream has me so scared, worn out, or even numb. Dreams are scary. And being afraid is okay if it doesn't stop you. If it makes you lean in to the strength that never fails. 

And then that feeling when you realize the dream is really happening . . there's nothing like it!

And finally, probably the most important and most freeing thing I've learned about dreams is this . . they were His before they were mine. I'm not asking Him to join me in my dream come true. He's asking me to join Him in being a part of His dream come true (thanks Lisa-Jo). That makes it eternal. That makes my part just that . . a part. I'm a steward of my part, but ultimately He is responsible for the dream coming true. 

And that makes this whole thing a party!

So lets dream, friend . . brave, faithful, and together.

Love you,

Kim

P.S. Read below for a special invitation just for you!

Hey Friends,

I'm starting a Facebook Book Study of one of my favorite books . . "You're Made for a God-Sized Dream" by my friend and life-coach Holley Gerth. This book was very instrumental in helping me bring to life one of my God-sized dreams, Winsome, the women's retreat I founded and hosted just four weeks ago! I'm so excited to share this life-changing message with you and walk with you on your journey to see your dreams come true!

The book study will begin next Monday, May 6. 

This is how it will work:

• send me an email, comment here, or message me on Facebook, and I will add you to our private group
• get a copy of the book here
• each week we will cover one chapter
• on Mondays I will post questions, and you can comment as you like anytime through the week

Together we will cheer each other on toward the dreams God has planted in our hearts. It's going to be amazing!!!

Love,

Kim