My "blonde" blessing!

Okay, lest you think I am using "blonde" as a derogatory compliment ~ I want to set it straight! My "Blonde" is a blessing!! And those of you who recognize the picture - will know who I am talking about. And Karis, yes, I know you read this - and it is you that I want to bless today! Why? because yesterday, you blessed me!

Let me tell you about my "blonde blessing!" First of all, Karis and I joke about blonde moments! I laughed about having some blonde highlights, so I can use the expression too!

Yesterday I sat with Karis - in her living room - with a cup of coffee in hand, and the time went all too quickly. I also sat with Karis a couple times while I was off. You see, Karis and I are "family" through our marriages to "step cousins" ...
We are "family" through our love for Jesus Christ! We are "sisters". But more than that, Karis speaks into my life. She "loves on" me with absolutely no strings attached, and she lets me "love on" her!

Shortly after I began ministry here at McIvor, Karis came through my office door to talk about what God was calling her too! She said it was to "ministry with women" ~ yep, you know me ~ this call on her life, resonated with the call on mine! Shortly after that she ran the first ever Beth Moore Bible Study at McIvor... and since has run more, and more, and offered other women's ministry things! The last bible study saw (I think it was) about 90 women coming together to get into the word of God. Now really!! How exciting is that!

Karis often tells me that I was a mentor to her... that always humbles me. Thing is, I believe we have been peer mentors to one another. Her love for Jesus spills out of her and tumbles and splashes on everyone that crosses her path! INCLUDING ME!!

I have been blessed by watching Karis as a wife and as a mom to three children. I have been blessed as I have watched Karis figure out how to parent their little guy Evan, who has autism. Karis, thank you for teaching ME!

I love that when we get together, we can sit crosslegged on couches and just share our hearts! No strings attached! I love that when she says "Joy I am praying for you" ~ I know she means it! I love that when we talk, we can both cry - and that's okay. I love that when I walk into Reyn and Karis' home, I feel genuinely "at home" - and I hope that our retreat ministry will have such a feeling!

I love that we can laugh ~ about things that were just plain silly or "blonde" as Karis calls it! (again, I don't mean that as an offense!) I love knowing that women at McIvor will continue to find blessing in the months to come ~ and years.

I see how Karis has just grown so much - in her love for Jesus! It is contagious. Karis, you are my "blonde blessing" ~ thank you for blessing me! Thank you for praying for me! Thank you for really "knowing" me and loving me regardless!

Karis ~ you show me how to just go with the flow that Jesus has for you! You dare to speak and ask and comment on my life ~ often when others are too nervous to "stir up the pot" or too scared to ask how I am doing. You are so perceptive and with love and gentlesness, you dare to ask what others may be thinking. You have often brought a "healing balm" to my life - to the frayed and tattered edges. You did that yesterday! Thanks.

I just love that Karis can just be "real" ~ what you see at Bible Study is what you see when you bump into her at the grocery store, or sit crosslegged on a couch in her house.

Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to work with Karis - to be not only family, but friends. To be mentors one to another. I thank you for the love and call that you have placed within Karis, and ask that you would continue to give her strength, energy and joy in serving YOU Jesus! Continue to bless her, as a wife, a mom, a daughter, a friend, a neighbor, a minister ~ O Lord, hear our prayers! Amen.

PS - sorry, it's not the greatest picture but it was all I had!! And I didn't ask for permission either. Hope that's okay!