Archive for the ‘Hope’ Category

The little Red Sweater

Posted: April 16, 2015 in Hope
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She knew she was supposed to be here. Just sitting on this bench, knitting a tiny red sweater. She knew what her work was. She had been on this mission a very long time. Every since the day her handsome, loving, precious husband had left this world, she had come here. First to remember the days they had sat upon this bench, but then later as she prayed for “her” purpose in life, and why she was left alone with no one, but her beloved Jesus, who would never leave her or reject her. Her time on the bench became a time of renewal. With each stitch she would pray for those who came down the path. Perhaps they would say “hello,” or perhaps not. It didn’t matter. She was not alone. Jesus was with her, and she talked to him.

She talked about those who came by. It was her mission to change the world and she could only do that through prayer.

Today it was a young couple, hand in hand…strolling quietly. Not whispering like so many other young lovers, just walking, looking around, watching, listening to the chirps of birds and sounds of spring.

“Lord,” she whispered, “touch their lives, and let them know you.” Send your angels to heal the brokenness that is within them…the kind of brokenness that exists in each of us. Heal the sorrows, and remove the pain. She had learned so long ago, that there were no perfect lives. Each person suffers something. She would pray for those people, because perhaps, they had never in their lives had anyone who cared enough, or understood the importance of prayer. Her mission in these, her last days on earth, was to open the doorway for others to know her Savior. She continued her heartfelt and vibrant petition to her Jesus.

As the young couple approached the old woman, the young woman spoke to the man she loved so deeply. “Look,” she said. “Isn’t she beautiful?” “Oh Yes,” he replied. “I wonder,” if I will be that beautiful when I am that age,” she chuckled, knowing full well, with the cancer eating away at her body, she would never be that old. Her love, knowing she was just playing this game of life, held her hand tighter, and spoke those words of endearment that just made her love him more. “Sweetheart, you are that beautiful and you will always be!” “Nothing can change how glorious you are.”

“Reality, is strange,” she whispered. “I don’t want reality.” “I want to dream of a life with you, holding you, loving you, believing that one day I will be totally healed, and perhaps, just perhaps, I will be that old woman sitting, knitting….a snuggly little sweater for my grandchild!”

He held her hand with renewed strength, but his heart was tortured, tears welling up… “Oh, God…if you exist.” “Help my beautiful bride…and show us how to get through this.”

The forth, unseen person, smiled…”Yes, he whispered to the old woman…I love your heart, and I have heard your prayer…”I am the way, I am the truth…and I am the life!” “Be it unto them as you have prayed.”

The old woman heard his voice…nodding she replied…”I love you Jesus!” “Thank You!”

Uncomfortable…revealing…wordless

Posted: April 11, 2015 in Hope
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No assignment to handle today. I am enjoying this blogging challenge. Each day, except weekends an assignment comes. The purpose? Well….I believe the purpose is to get bloggers to interact with each other, and to help us develop our skills. The assignments require thought, and no thought…just do it! I always liked that ad that Nike put out years ago. I have been trying to “just do it!”

Since this is not an assignment, I get to say what I want, with no feedback, and that is OK. What I really want to discuss is what to do and say when someone says something or writes something that makes you uncomfortable.

A couple of the articles I have written have been gut-wrenching. I find myself pouring out my soul on this blog, and revealing things long hidden. Some of the people who read my blog know nothing of my history. They weren’t around when, what they are reading, happened. Because the words and emotions are so raw, they just don’t know what to say. What are you supposed to do when someone shares something so personal. Do you remark on the quality of the writing? Do you say, oh wow, I am sorry you had to go through that? Is it better to just say nothing?

The first thing you must recognize is that the person revealing their stories, would not have revealed those things unless it was time for the world to know. The hurt and the pain have been dealt with, and life has gone on. There is a reason why these things are being shared, at least it is in my case, and that reason is so others know that no matter what happens in their life, they too can have the hope of an end to the pain, and the hope of moving forward.

If I could make it through the traumas in my life, then you can get through the traumas in your life, whatever they might be.

Each person has a different and difficult walk through life. There are incredibly sad and devastating stories in our world that have happened to people. It is part of life. The Bible tells us that in this world there will be trouble. Boy is that an understatement if there ever was one. I look around and I see the horror, the disgrace, the sorrow, the pain, the loss, the emptiness.

I also see the hope! My hope came from Jesus. He is the rescuer. He is the one who will always be there if you call on him. He is the one who can turn your life around. To those who call out to him, the future is better than the past, and there is a reason. This is truly the potter’s wheel that we all sit upon. The master potter can make us into anything, but sometimes we have to go through the fire in order to become who we are supposed to be. It is not pleasant, but in the end it is better. If it is not better yet, then it is not yet the end.

If you are struggling with life….know that you can do this. You can get through this. You can come out better than you were.

There are so very many people who have lost loved ones. Some unexpectedly. It seems so totally unfair. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. It was too soon. Someone else caused this. It should not have been.

Why do those things happen? Why is it my lot to lose so much? Such a great love? Why? We all ask the same questions. We all go through the same stuff, only different. Our part in this is to “check” ourselves. The question we need to ask is, “am I building walls that keep people out?” “Am I becoming bitter?” “Am I holding grudges, or hatred or shame?” Whatever comes…we must try and get better.

Nothing in the past can be changed. It is what it is. It happened. We can only go from here. Will today be better than yesterday? YES…It will if we choose. But we must choose to let the past be the past and accept today as a new day. Each day God has given us a new sunrise. It is a new day…Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come.

The importance of today cannot be over-stated. You have today…I have today! Look for the good things that bring you peace, that make your heart warm inside. It may be as small as petting a dog, or watching a sunrise, or laughing at a joke. Happiness is only found in today, in the NOW. You can’t plan it, You can’t hide it away, and you can’t save it for tomorrow. Happiness only occurs in the “NOW!” Contentment may be held. Peace can be held. Joy can be held….but happiness cannot. Happiness is fleeting. You have it only for a brief moment here and there. Enjoy it….but whatever you do recognize it and remember it. Secure that moment of happiness by writing it down or sharing it with someone. You can hold the memory of the happiness, but you cannot hold happiness.

Today…RIGHT NOW…say the things you want to say(preferably words you will not regret)…Laugh at what you want to laugh at. Ask questions about what you want to know. Don’t worry about commenting on something you have learned about another. If they don’t want to discuss it, they will tell you. What you may learn is that they do want to talk about it, that they do want to tell you their story of hope. They may want to explain why they did what they did, OR what led them to where they are. Just be real.

People will never remember what you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Work at making those memories for yourself and for those around you. It is actually called “LOVE!”

You have today…Live it with love, hope, anticipation, appreciation, happiness….Just breathe…go for it….LIVE Life!

Blessings to you all,
Prayyior

Weeping endures for the night….but….

Posted: April 10, 2015 in Hope
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A deep sadness was in my heart. They would be better off without me…even my 5 year old. They would be OK. The tub was ready..the razor blade in my hand. Bathroom door locked.. Oh God…I cried out…If you will show me just one reason to stay….nothing..I waited…nothing..OK it’s time. Stepping into the tub, I heard his voice…quiet…reassuring..”go to bed, it will be better in the morning.”

I awoke to the sun shining in my window. On my bed table was a little piece of paper. It said…”mourning endures for a night, but JOY comes in the morning!

The message was for me.

We aren’t who we sometimes think we are….or aren’t.

Posted: November 12, 2014 in Favorite Scriptures, Finding a way through the fog, Hope
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We aren’t who we sometimes think we are….

It seems sometimes, that as Christians….Christ Followers, we forget who we are because of who we know. One day we will fully understand but until then we need to continue to remind ourselves of who JESUS says we are. Believe it…because it is true! Here are a few of the things /character/ people, we are according to Jesus…

1. We are the salt of the earth. (Food without salt is very bland. Sometimes so bland you don’t want to even eat it. Add a little salt and it become yummy!) We are called to add “flavor” to the lives of people around us.

~~~~~~~Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

2. We are the light of the world…Because we are in Jesus (who is the light) we contain that light, and it is designed to send the darkness scurrying away. Let your light shine in your family, workplaces, in the Walmarts of the world…You make a huge difference because the Light of Christ shines forth with brightness. Make someone’s day….SHINE!

~~~~~~~Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

3. We are children of God! What a profound announcement….God is my Father…Your Father…Our Father. Perhaps a father we never had in the physical, or one we lost early, or never knew. Our real Dad is God, provided we have asked him to be. He forgives our sin when we ask, He loves us unconditionally, He smiles when he thinks of us, and he laughs out loud as He watches us grow strong and mighty in Him. We are who he came to earth and died for…so we could always be with him in this world and His Kingdom to come…Kids of the KING….with all rights of the “family.”

~~~~~~~Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Joh 1:14 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.

4. We are part of the true vine and Christ’s life flows through us. Jesus is the root in our life, he brings food, nourishment, allows our leaves to absorb sonshine. Without the root, we couldn’t live.

~~~~~~Joh 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing

5. We are His Friends! A true friend is one who knows our secrets, has seen us fail, has seen us struggle, has seen our bleakest moment, and our greatest triumph…We are chosen to know His secrets, though he will never fail, if he did, we would know, we have seen him struggle with the heartache of his “friend.” We know of his pain and suffering on earth…and we KNOW of his Great Victory over death and sin and hell…There is no better friend to have than Jesus!

~~~~~Joh 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Jesus also says…

6. I am chosen by Christ to bear fruit….and so you think of this correctly…remember when in past games that sides were chosen as to who would play against who…In my day and age it was “Red Rover”…Well You were the FIRST person chosen…not the middle or the last…and you were chosen because of Jesus Love for you and that you would be successful in bringing forth fruit…You are productive member …so believe it!

Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

7. You are Christ’s personal witness sent out to tell everybody about him So our job is to get out there and brag about Jesus! Put your Holy Spirit swagger on…You may be the only Jesus someone will ever meet….what you say and do will determine where THEY spend eternity!

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Post Midterm Election comments and Prayer2014

Posted: November 6, 2014 in Hope, Prayers
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He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13,14

Luke 18:14 …….for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

It seems appropriate that we should be praising God for what has occurred at the midterm elections. We prayed and we watched as God moved in a way seemingly impossible. The entire structure of the Congress and Senate was changed in a day. Our God has given us one last chance to proclaim the Name of Jesus throughout the land. If we fail to do that, we will be worse off than what we would have been without the election miracle.

Don’t lie to yourself….God and God alone did this. He brought forth deliverance because his people called out to him…They humbled themselves and prayed and sought him, and turned from their wicked ways. They prayed again and again and they fasted, they watched as God went to battle for America.

I thought back to the Democratic convention and remembered how there was a major call for God to be added to the platform and it was voted down, and voted down and then forced into acceptance. The hearts of those who booed the addition of God to their platform…..Well, It was a sad day for America, when part of the nation turned away from him….officially!

Today we have a new group of people who will be taking their place in the halls of congress…but it will not officially occur until January. Between now and then especially we are in a very dangerous time. It is the time when those who have lost their foothold will be in utter rebellion to the wishes of the American people who voted to stop the fiasco that is Washington DC. It is a time where anger and vengeance will rise and whatever can be done to undermine the action of God and the people will be done. It may be an “in your face” rebellion or it may come more in stealth…but it will come.

Our job as Christians, is to not allow the rebellion to destroy our nation. We must pray all the more for God to intervene in the lives of the leaders; both those who will leave office, those who have been defeated and those who will take their rightful places in January. This will be a dangerous time because those who have suffered this defeat will be more vengeful than ever before. This is the spirit of antichrist who came to kill, steal and destroy.

We can see clearly that God is on the side of America…He has given us one last chance to proclaim the Name of Jesus in our land. Failure to do so will bring destruction to our nation. We must pray that the name of Jesus is proclaimed across Capitol Hill and in the White House. There is no other name given, by which salvation comes.

Today, we must declare in our own lives that we will pray for the lawmakers, the leaders, the justice department, the president and vice president and their advisors. We must pray that their eyes will be opened and their hearts softened so that we have a future nation of freedom for our children and generations to come.

We must also go to battle against the powers of darkness which seek to destroy this nation. What an affront to those powers to see their power slipping away. Satan fights all the harder when he knows his time is short.

Today, I ask you to Pray for America…Thank God first for the battle he waged on our behalf on election day and continues to wage. The Battle is the Lord’s. Praise him for the people he has chosen to represent us. Pray they will be full of honor, truth, justice, compassion and character that honors God.

Stand your ground. Declare victory over the powers of darkness. Declare that evil will not prevail. Declare that God is in control even over Washington DC, the Congress, the government, the leaders, the white house.

Use your authority to bind and loose….Use your authority to cancel the enemy’s plans and reveal those plans in the light so that everyone can see. Pray that people will awaken to what is happening in our nation and will not be so focused on their own issues but will hear of, and see, the actions of those who seek to destroy. Pray for Wisdom from God that we may see and know what is coming and Wisdom to know how to pray. I am reminded that when WE DON”T KNOW HOW TO PRAY, we can ask the HOLY SPIRIT to pray for us.

So many times, I have no clue how I should be praying…I am guessing you struggle with that too. I do know that God gave us his Word, and praying what HE says is effective, and Trusting him to keep his Word, may be difficult for us (don’t we all want to call the shots?) God knows what we need, how we should pray, when we should pray and what the outcome of our prayers will be.

As Frank Peretti infers in his book…”This Present Darkness”…the darkness is real, and the prayers of the saints hold back that darkness.

Let us stand in the gap for America, and hold back the darkness by hearing and praying and doing what God instructs us to.

Here is my prayer for today….Join me if you choose, but it is always your choice.

Lord Jesus…Oh Most Holy God…How we thank you for intervening in our nation’s election. We sought you and prayed and fasted and asked forgiveness for our sin, and turned from our wicked ways, and you heard from heaven and forgave our sin and are healing our land. We give you all the praise and all the glory for this mighty move. We are not deceived! YOU and only YOU accomplished this action.

Father, we stand in the gap for America, for our Children and Grandchildren and generations far off, we stand for the hope in You. We stand that the mighty Name of Jesus…that NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES will be proclaimed throughout the land. We stand lord, when the powers of darkness try to kill us, to steal from us and destroy us. We stand with our armor on…fully clothed in your Word and protected by the blood of Christ which was shed for us. We stand with the Word of God as our Sword of the Spirit and we stand with our Shield of faith, wearing shoes of peace, a belt of truth, a helmet of salvation and a breastplate of your righteousness. We stand unafraid….courageous in this battle over right and wrong.

We ask for you protection in this battle. We ask for your protection over our families, our homes, our animal and pets, and all the “stuff” you have given us. We ask for protection over our nation, from any person or persons, terrorist groups, false religions, evildoers, liars and cheats, deceivers, revenge seekers and any other evil entity.

We declare and decree that America is one Nation belonging to YOU, and YOU are our strength and our future. YOU are our hope, YOU are our help in times of need, YOU are our giver of Wisdom, and YOU provide knowledge to those who seek it. Father we pray that we will ALL seek your wisdom and knowledge and we will ALL seek YOU.

In that Name above all Names, JESUS, we cancel all the plans of the enemy to destroy us. We declare that no weapon formed against us (Ourselves and our nation) shall prosper or prevail. And we sing praises to you Lord God.

In the words of Psalms 149, we are filled with joy in knowing you, and we take the authority you have given us to execute repayment upon the heathen and to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron. We stand in the gap…We declare it accomplished…We give you all praise and declare your Glory to the Nation! We pray that your TRUTH will rise, and your GLORY fall upon us!

We pray these prayers for Israel…Oh Lord let there be peace in Jerusalem…and Father we pray for our brothers and sisters in foreign lands who are being killed all the day long in the most horrific of ways. We pray for your courage to fill them, fear to be far from them, and your witness to touch the hearts and souls of those who take their lives. We proclaim the Great and Mighty Name of Jesus…Amen and AMEN

Psa 149:1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
Psa 149:2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Psa 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
Psa 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Psa 149:5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Psa 149:6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
Psa 149:7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
Psa 149:8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
Psa 149:9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

My Prayer for this election day!

Posted: November 4, 2014 in Hope, Prayers
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This is my prayer for today…you may join or not…your choice.

Heavenly Father, Oh Glorious Lord…How we praise you for this nation called America. You know the heaviness of my heart over what has become of her. You know my desire to keep her alive for our children and grandchildren and future generations.

Lord, I look at the lies that have been spoken, and repeated to deceive people into thinking “all is well.” I so disagree with that…All is not well, and without you at the heart and head of this nation, it never will be.

Lord you have heard my prayers, you have heard the battle cry of my heart and the words from YOUR WORD that I have prayed. You know I have stood against the evil, and called out those who pray, to pray fervently for your protection for our citizens, for the safety of the children, for the defeat of the powers of darkness which seek to kill us and destroy our peace.

Today, is the day we vote…I want to call out to you, and beg you to save us, but I know you have heard our prayers, and I know that since you have heard, it is now time to trust you. It is time to watch as you fight this battle that has to be won in order for us to keep Liberty in our land. It is only You who can sabotage the voter fraud that is going on all over the country, and the back door sneaky illegal actions that are designed to destroy the freedoms of the people. It is only YOU who can heal this land and today I praise you for doing that. I expect to see the elections pronounce hope. However, I bow to your plan…your direction and your future. I know that above all that you will turn to good anything that comes against your people. I am reminded of 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says that IF your people will humble themselves and pray and seek you and turn from OUR WICKED WAYS, then YOU will hear from heaven, will forgive our sin and will HEAL OUR LAND. Father…I certainly do not sit on your throne, or know if enough of us have done as you directed, to affect change in this nation. I don’t know if enough of your people have prayed, have sought you, have sought forgiveness. I don’t know your plans…but I trust you. I will fight the fight of faith to trust you through this election. I pray that none of the plans of the enemy will come to pass. I pray that you will intervene, that you will save us.

My heart breaks with the possible loss of more freedom, my heart breaks that against your word our president tries to make peace with our enemy. I long for your Kingdom to come…On earth as it is in heaven….

I long that Christians will not be persecuted(such a sanitary word)…when what I mean is that…I long and my heart breaks that children are being murdered, beheaded, raped, married to muslim men when they are as young as infants….I am horrified that muslims are not OK with vaginally raping babies, but it is OK to sodomize them…I am heartbroken that Mother’s and Father’s are killed, and their children kidnapped for evil purposes. I hate that evil exists in our world…Horrified. I so long for your children to be at peace. I thank you that you care for them, and in my heart I know that even as they are called into death, you are there and you are protecting them and providing all they need at that moment. Yes, Lord, I trust you.

I will watch tonight as election results come in…I will praise you today…I will step back and watch as you fight the battle…The battle is yours Lord. Thank you that tonight that your children get to rest and watch you in action! You are such an awesome God…We are so thankful for the Beautiful and Powerful name of Jesus…There is so much POWER in his name….THANK YOU…

I ask you to place your peace in my heart and head as we watch the battle. I pray that should you request us to pray, that I will hear you and understand exactly what and how I am to pray. I am here Lord…if you can..Use me…and the the Glorious Name of Jesus be Praised! I am reminded that is not by power or might but by YOUR SPIRIT…says the Lord…

Amen and AMEN

If it weren’t for Jesus…I would totally hate Christmas…

Posted: December 19, 2012 in Christmas, Hope
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I am so glad that we celebrate Christmas because of Jesus…because without him and his story, I would not make it through. What does it take to bring happiness at Christmas time? (more…)

Christian Women failing God by not voting….

Posted: October 25, 2012 in Hope, Prayers
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So what is the answer? Why do women and Mother’s decide NOT to vote, when their Children’s futures are at stake? I hear…well I don’t like either of them…but I have to ask…Do you want your children growing up under communism? (more…)

No FEAR….Trepidation

Posted: September 3, 2012 in Hope, Prayers
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I refuse to be afraid….how many words are there that describe fear…Lots and Lots…..“Trepidation” is one I seem to be experiencing. It has nothing to do with God…for His Word says to not be afraid….Do not fear….

Yet I look at our Nation, this Nation that was formed because our God brought it into existence through the hearts and minds of men and women who loved him and sought a place of refuge and strength. Formed through prayers to, and direct leading from a God that loved us, and desired for us a place that was blessed and full of PEACE!

What has happened to America? How in the world have people failed to recognize what they have been given and think it will just go on forever without their help?

I am concerned for the younger generation when I see that their lives revolve around the games they play. Every minute that is available is spent playing games. Few of them watch the news or analyze the activities of the government. A dumbed down generation cannot conceivably (more…)

In honor of a Gift From God…..

Posted: June 4, 2012 in Hope, Prayers
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June 5th, it will be 2 years since beautiful Karen left the constraints of earth, and went to join her Lord, and Family…I share this Eulogy because we always need to remember those who have brought joy, hope, and peace into our lives.  I miss my dear Cousin, Karen.   I hope you will enjoy hearing of who she is.

 

Karen Rosalie Cox Johnson
by Lloyd Ann Caston

I am here today to tell you a little about the Life of Karen Rosalie Cox Johnson. Some of you will know some of what I have to tell you and some of you will leave here knowing more about her than you ever did. Others of you will have unique memories of her, that I never knew of, or that were just between the two of you or that time will not allow me to mention.

Karen has affected each of our lives in so many different ways, it is difficult even knowing where to start, so I will start with my first real memory of her….

When Karen was just a kid, She was definitely a Daddy’s girl and a little spoiled. She was used to being (more…)

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