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By kcharles, September 1, 2010 9:49 pm

This God that I love.
He has challenged me to wear compassion.  

Compassion does not suit me well, friends.  I am a comfort girl.  Running shorts, track pants, favorite jeans, hair in a pony.  I look crazy awkward in anything else. 

He didn’t ask me to clothe myself in comfort. 
He said to wear compassion.

I’ve heard it said that compassion is a deep awareness of some one’s suffering. 
I’m learning that this means…

Listening.  Crying out.  Asking questions.  Being still.  Sitting by the bed.  Praying.  Hoping.

Being together, so as not to be alone. 

I stink at compassion.  I don’t want to.

Compassion seeks to understand.  Compassion seeks to relieve.
Compassion is discomfort. 

It’s awkward, like ill fitting shoes giving you blisters.  Or those pants that you snake yourself into.  (That happened to me today…. Too many bagels, too few runs.  Oh the agony!)

Compassion hurts and heals. 
The compassion of those closest to me has been unending. 
The compassion of God has risen me from a sure death.

God, clothe me in compassion.  Clothe us in Your beauty.
Love never fails.

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By kcharles, August 26, 2010 7:32 am

1.  Remodeling our living room and dining room… painting, chair rail, coordinating.  So excited to post pictures when we’re done!  If I really had the courage, you would see what it looks like now.  Insane!  Lots of picnics on princess blankets lately.

2.  Running in the Great Race in a month… need to have more motivation to get these legs moving again.  Ice cream is not so much doing the trick.  The fabulous Amy G is running with me.  Anyone else in?

3.  Teaching the kids this coming year through charter school curriculum… blown away by free materials received… computer, picture books, science & art supplies, manipulatives.  Psyched to learn with them!  Kindermusic, art classes, ballet included… crazy too good to be true!

4.  Reading The Hole in the Gospel has kicked me hard.  Still in process.  I have needed to be humbled, made grateful, informed.  If anything breaks my heart, it’s the American church’s apathy towards the world.  It’s my apathy. 

“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.”  – Martin Luther King Jr. 

5.  Preparing the kids’ clothes, toys, and left limbs  for consignment.  Paul buys high end stuff at yard sales for pennies and when the kids grow out of stuff, we re-sell by consignment.  Usually we break even.  It’s how we get by and look cute doing it:)   So much fun!

Anyway, there’s a quick update of life.  Praying that you are well and enjoying these last few bits of summer!  We are headed to the park today to walk, feed the ducks, and climb.  I love being outside.  Or maybe I just love escaping from this mess!

Much Love,
Kristin

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By kcharles, July 17, 2010 10:57 pm

God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone,
but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars. 
~Martin Luther

We happened upon that gospel in fields of green

With tart berries red

With sweeter berries blue
And we again fell in love.

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By kcharles, July 15, 2010 9:49 pm

Paul and the team returned from the Dominican and Haiti on Monday.  Their trip was amazing.  So many stories of hope and healing.  And so many more to tell.  I look forward to hearing more:) 

For now, check out Paul’s photo blog to see his photographs.  They are incredible!

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By kcharles, April 8, 2010 7:48 pm

If I were to sit down with postcard and pen in hand, I would say…

the croissants are incredible
there is deep history and beauty here
my favorite thing is spending time with my brother and mom

The last two days have been a whirlwind of subway trains, decadent food, incredible sights, much learning, and time spent together. 

We have visited a history museum, Notre Dame, and the Museum D’Orsay.  We have made memorable scenes, of which I will never forget:  feeding the birds along the Seine, taking a French cuisine cooking class, learning how to make chocolate, and splitting one sandwich on the 58th floor overlooking the entire city of Paris. 

I have always thought that I have known my mom and brother well.  Yet, somehow this country has allowed me to develop a deeper love and gratitude for them.  I have always loved Dan’s pursuit of life, yet France has taught me to also respect his quest for continual knowledge.  As for my mom, she has always been a strong and independent woman.  Yet her resilience, flexibility, and courage to even make this trip has been unparallelled. 

I guess I’m trying to say that I am grateful.  For:

my mom and brother (and an incredible dad at home)
Paul for encouraging me to come here
the kids whom I also miss like crazy
Paul’s parents for loving our kids in my absence
my grandfather, whose generosity has made this all possible

There is much more to unpack than this.  Like the beggars and thieves, God’s Word draped in architecture, the big-bellied Italian waiter with three girlfriends, and how Monet was only good at two things. 

But the crew is asleep and I better get there too. 

Much Love and God’s Peace, 
Kristin 

PS  I would treasure your prayers for continual safety on this trip, both in Paris and in Tournes, where we will be spending  the weekend with an old friend.  Also for Selah and Adden to have peace while I’m gone.  Thank you!

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By kcharles, April 7, 2010 4:25 am

We’ve made it!  I’m sitting here now in a little Parisian hotel, typing out this message while my mom gets ready.   My brother sits next to me, map in hand, planning out our ventures for the day. 

Yesterday was insane, but we made it.  A long flight with awful turbulence, not being able to find my brother from the get-go (and no way to communicate with him), 33 hours without sleep, and a trek to our hotel complete with three subways, miles of walking, 27 or so flights of stairs with bags in hand:)  We had to laugh!

But we are here.  And yesterday was like a dream.  So far, we’ve hiked the L’Arc de Triumphe to witness an incredible view of Paris.  As I rounded the top of the monument, the Eiffel Tower caught me off guard.  I had to catch my breath.  It is more astounding than I ever fathomed. 

My brother looks good.  Actually, he looks French to me.  And his French is amazing!  I am so impressed!  He is getting us around the city with ease.  He is more fluent than I had anticipated.  More fluent than I ever was after three years in Korea.  We couldn’t be more proud. 

Well, we are ready to explore.  Museums are in the plans for today.  More updates to follow!

Au revoir!

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By kcharles, March 31, 2010 8:36 pm

I never thought I’d be running in my first 5K at 35.  It makes me giggle.  I’m by no means a runner.  I’ve got an awkward stride.  My arms do weird stuff.  And I’m not dainty when I huff.  

Plus I’m slow as all get-up. 

But I love it.  It’s much harder than I thought it would be and yet so much more rewarding.  My legs feel less likely to collapse all the time.  And something in me is more resolved, determined, resolute.  It’s been good.

With it being my first race, I’m pursuing realistic goals:

To break 30 minutes (my best so far is 31:40)
To have fun
To raise money for a cure

Proceeds from the race fund education, screening and treatment programs for local women affected by breast cancer and also go to support the national search for a cure.

I’m running for many women affected by this diagnosis, but close to my heart are two. 

I’m running in memory of Carol and in honor of Gail.  And of course, their daughters, friends, and family members that have been rocked by this illness. 

If you would like to support me in this run, please donate online here.  I’m hoping to raise $100, but anything would be incredible.

 Thanks, friends.

With much love,
Kristin

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By kcharles, March 10, 2010 8:39 pm

My incredible husband has recently started a blog of his own, but he would never tell anyone that.  So I’ll do it for him.

Check out www.pbcphotos.com

He’s a great photographer (claiming that he doesn’t know what he’s doing – humble, too.)  Any jammin photos you see on here are thanks to him.  I can’t take a picture for the life of me. 

Enjoy!

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By kcharles, February 4, 2010 2:58 pm

So far in the history of me I have won 4 tickets to Kennywood, a couple of cheeseburgers, a frosty, and a small Pampered Chef recipe book. 

I am a sucker for all things free, so I sign up to win everything.  And I always think I’m going to win.  This week I dropped my name in to win a free night at the orchestra and 10 days with a personal trainer.  Wouldn’t spot the crazy cash for either, but if it’s free…

Because of said tendency to register for everything, my name is on every mailing list.  You should see our mailbox. 

I always wonder if the mail carrier wants to hunt me down or if he relishes the challenge of stuffing all the junk into that little box. 

Anyway, I shall not complain about junk, nor about the hundreds of times I haven’t won.  Instead, I shall freak out that I won a 3 Month Family Membership to the Y!  Such a win calls for excessive screaming and jumping and scaring the small children.  AHHHHHHH!!!!!!

On Tuesday, we officially paraded in with our prize.  I’ve logged in miles since then, swam with the kiddos in the pool, and am still freaked out by the free weights. 

One day I will brave the mass of buff people and figure things out, or at least look like a skinny fool. 

Till then, I’m enjoying lapping everyone on the track.  I am so not competitive on the treadmill in our basement, but tracks are another story.  I’ve already bragged to Paul that I’m the fastest human on that thing.  (I’m also the youngest by about 20 years – this fastest human thing won’t last long.) 

Anyway, I am very excited.   This is the best win ever! 

Here’s to free stuff, three months of burning legs, and playing with the kiddos!  Yeah!

What is the best thing you’ve ever won?

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By kcharles, February 3, 2010 4:06 pm

Here are some of my favorites (not included in the sidebar):

(Mind you following them is a bit like stalking strangers.)

For Thoughts on Faith:  Winn Collier

For Your Next Meal:  My Kitchen Cafe and Pioneer Woman

For an Honest Community & Social Justice:  Anne Jackson

Got any favorites of your own?