Thank you all for continually checking our blog. Time goes so fast-I can't believe it's been over a month since I last updated.
Well the weather is not as warm as it was a month ago-although it is still very nice. Our little container garden that Aaron faithfully works on is beautiful. We have several trees-including a lime tree!-that are five or 6 feet tall. We have two beautiful flowering vines and two hydrangeas that are blooming bright pink and a purpley-blue. We also have a hummingbird feeder that is drained every day by these hungry little birds. They are so fun to watch. Sometimes when I sit out there, they will land just inches from me. Aaron was actually able to touch one the other day. But I don't think this bird was doing very well; we haven't seen him for a few days. We also have lizards that love the warm stucco of our patio walls. I think the hummingbirds feel threatened by them as they dive bomb their heads whenever they come around! Tulip and Edi, our cats, sit at the door all the time and watch what happens on the other side of the screen just out of their reach. I think it must be torture for them!
I don't think that before I got hurt I would really have taken the time to watch hummingbirds and lizards! Sometimes I feel like I'm wasting my time when I find myself just staring at them and laughing at them. But there's something very peaceful about taking the time to watch God's creation-even if it's only on our apartment patio.
As of last night, April 17, 2007 at 9 p.m. Pacific standard Time, I have completed all the requirements for my Masters of Divinity! I was very excited and relieved to finally be done. Graduation is the first weekend of May. Even though this is a big accomplishment for me, it feels so anti-climatic in light of everything that has happened. I originally planned on graduating in December 2005. Then our accident happened. I then planned on graduating in December 2006. Then we lost our dear Bryan. Now that I'm graduating in May, my parents are not able to come because of my dad's health. So in a sense, I don't really care about the ceremony. I suppose I will go, but mostly I'm glad I don't have to worry about doing homework anymore.
People always ask me what do I plan on doing now. I really don't plan on doing anything much differently except try to become more involved in church. We don't plan on moving, and I have no big career plans. We are content where we are and still trying to figure out a few things.
My dad's health is not very good. He just completed his third round of chemotherapy. He has not showed much improvement. Please continue to pray for him and my mom as they struggle through this. Aaron and I and John and Cyndi (my sister and brother-in-law) plan on going to Omaha this summer.
My brother, Dustin, is still in Iraq. We know very little about his situation there and unfortunately do not hear from him very much. But we always think that 'no news is good news'. Please continue to pray for his safety and also his spirits as I'm sure it can be very discouraging and lonely. Also pray for his children, Colton-10, Sierra-7 and Savannah-5 as they are without their dad for so long. I know he misses them terriblyand I'm sure they miss him too.
Aaron is still plugging through his last eight weeks of school. This has been a very challenging year for Aaron. Pray for his strength to finish well.
Aaron's brothers, Dan and Rick and Rick's wife Desiree, are planning on going to Rwanda this summer! Rick and Desiree were able to go last summer as well. Please pray for their safety and fund-raising efforts. This is a mission trip through their church. Rick and Desiree have a refugee foundation that reunites war refugees with their families. Many of the refugee families are from Africa, so being able to go to Africa is very important and special to them. If any of you are interested in their refugee foundation they have a web site: www.trafonline.com -- there is also a link on their web site for Bryan House. This is a plan to buy a house, in Bryan's name and memory, to house refugees.
Also many of you have asked about my new caretaker. Her name is Anna-she has been with me almost 3 months. She is doing a fantastic job! It was difficult to see Sarah go-but I am thankful that we were able to get such a great replacement.
I guess that's it for now-please pray for our families as we persevere through so much loss and illness. Thank you everyone for loving and supporting us! We could never do this alone.
Love, Kari
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8 comments:
Thank you bunches for continuing the updates!
It is so wonderful to hear you are doing well!!!
Your family will be in my prayers!
God Bless You!
Hi Kari and Aaron,
Just a quick note to say hi and let you know we still check the web site regularly. It's great to hear how the both of you are doing. We will certainly keep your dad and brother in our prayers. Is there an address we could send things to your brother? With Memorial day coming up one of the local banks is collecting items to send to the troops and while I am buying things I would love to include him. Let me know. Keep the updates coming.
Rod and Cathy
Kari:) I always look forward to checking yours and Amy's site for updates. My church in Hermosa Beach, CA and I are praying for both of your families. I'm so glad God has brought His wonderful nature right to you on your apt. patio! I know the feeling, it is amazingly sad how we initially think we are wasting time, when we take time to just sit, observe, process and relax. He teaches us so much through His nature. I read that you say you don't have any career plans but I would love and I know many women would, if you would pray about being a Christian event/retreat/etc. speaker in the future! I know you give sermons now, so it wouldn't be that out of the the ordinary for you:) I would love to come and hear you speak and watch and feel you inspire folks with the strength of Holy Spirit. I hope this doesn't sound too naive or narrow-minded, but have you ever tried to contact Joni Eareckson Tada? Here's a link I found from her one of her sites: www.joniandfriends.org/contact_us.php
Bless you and yours-
Wendy:)
Hallelujah!!! You're DONE!!! :-) That must be a HUGE relief! I'm really thankful that Anna has worked out so well for you...although jealous we couldn't be out there to help out too :-) Aiden is growing like a weed...almost 7 months already! He's a really good sleeper and he LOVES food (not hard to imagine if you know us!) :-) Sorry to hear about your dad's health - we'll keep them in our thoughts and prayers too. Hopefully we'll make it out sooner rather than later to see your hummingbirds :-) I still can't believe it's been what? 4 years since Carrie and I came out? Wow! I'm sure it will be nice for Aaron to get done with school so you can enjoy the outdoors together again... Sorry this note jumped around a thousand different places... :-) We love you and think about you constantly!
Much love,
Joy, Nate, and Aiden
hey, Kari~
I can picture you laughing at those hummingbirds and lizards as you sit there and watch.. it's a beautiful thing in my mind.
As always, my prayers and heart are with you and your family!!
love you much,
Heather
Warm congratulations to you, my dear. I will pray for your father and husband especially. I smiled, thinking of you taking pleasure in the nature around you. I like hearing about those moments in your life especially.
Much love,
Cerise
Hi, Kari & Aaron! Thanks for the update. Congratulations on finishing your school work. Continuing to pray for Kari's dad's health and Dustin's safety. ---Diane Brodeen
Thanks for your occasional updates, Kari and Aaron. Thanks, too, for the link to Trafonline. That is a challenging and important ministry. We spent time surfing TRAF and are very interested in that work. You are both so encouraging as you move ahead with your lives. Congratulations on your MDiv, Kari.
The Hirschys
Wisconsin
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