Kara's Soft Words

As much as I try to show compassion and concern for others. . . there are times when I feel that I have "selfish" moments. While I love to work behind-the-scenes, I often find myself wondering, "Is what I'm doing making an impact?" "Does anyone care?" "Am I making difference?" I feel like a lot of you may feel the same way. I'm praying that as you read this post, you will be encouraged to keep doing what you're doing- whether or not the acknowledgements or accolades come. I'm pretty sure that most of us have heard or used the term {underdog} before. Basically, it's the person who is less likely to be successful at achieving something. Maybe people think that this person doesn't possess enough strength, knowledge, or notoriety. For whatever reason, the idea is that they have set themselves up for failure by even/just deciding to go after a particular goal. Oftentimes, this title of "underdog" comes as a...

This weekend, I had a couple of seemingly insignificant experiences that actually really made me think. . . On Friday, I was driving to work (at the speed limit) when it appeared that everyone and their mother was passing me and speeding down the highway. For a minute, I was really bothered and considered picking up my speed but I changed my mind. It's funny. I thought about parents who tell their children, "Just because ' everybody else'  may be doing something, that doesn't make it right." That is the absolute truth! As a young person- especially as a young Christian, it can be discouraging to feel like other people are passing you or leaving you in the dust. It may seem like they're progressing faster than you. (Things aren't always what they seem.) Be encouraged! In my case, plenty of people were driving faster than me and maybe they reached their destinations before me but that doesn't mean that they went about things the right way...

I almost always start my blog posts with the title. . . So, when this one came to me, I knew I had to get on it (quickly) but it almost made me laugh. I've been saying for the last few months that I am at my heaviest weight ever- right now. It's actually been really annoying and upsetting for me. I started running out of clothes to wear but I didn't want to face reality and buy clothes in larger sizes either. Ugh! Common sense tells us that if we don't like the way things are, we probably need to change our behaviors. In this case, I needed (and have started) to examine what I'm eating, make wiser choices and implement more physical activities. In case you didn't know, excess weight can cause a variety of complications when it comes down to your health. This article offers a comprehensive list.   One of the most significant risks that we hear about has to do with the condition of the heart. "As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual....

*This is the discussion outline from the L.O.V.E. {Ladies of Virtue. . . Empowered!} Meeting entitled "I Know My Worth." To learn more about L.O.V.E., click here .* Ladies of Virtue. . . Empowered! I Know My Worth I. Intro- What is L.O.V.E.? 1. Lady - a woman or female of refinement and gentle manner 2. Virtue - strength; conformity to a standard of “right” ; moral excellence 3. Empower - to give authority or power; enable; to promote self-actualization It is my hope and prayer that through studying the Word and our discussions, we will be strengthened and encouraged to love God, ourselves and others more than we already do! II . How do you see yourself? A. What are strengths or qualities that you like? B. What are areas or traits that you could improve upon? C. Do you think. . . the way that you perceive yourself affects how people treat you? -> The consensus to this question was “YES!” -> Realize that people will feed you things/adjectiv...

I usually don't like questions like this because I don't like to sound like I'm bragging. However, I am extremely happy to be able to answer this question!  Without a doubt, I feel like my proudest accomplishment (so far) is Ladies of Virtue. . . Empowered aka L.O.V.E. !!!  Years ago, I probably would not have believed you if you told me that I would be doing something like this-> working to encourage women (young and older ) in their walk with God, leading discussions and bonding with so many ladies from a variety of backgrounds!  I am grateful for this opportunity and I don't take it for granted. You may already know that originally, my mother was told that she would not be able to have children and if she did happen to become pregnant, the baby would not be expected to survive the full pregnancy.  Thankfully, God proved the doctors wrong! While she dealt with some complications, she says that God gave her an extra miracle by not only blessing me to mak...

This is an interesting quote but I don't believe that it's 100% true. I know that not every woman has the love life that they want. Some feel hopeless. They may become desperate and try to fill the "void" they believe is in their life with anything they can find or with people who seem to express the smallest amount of interest in them. Personally, I do understand the point of this statement. We all have the ability to frame our lives-> what we want to accomplish, where we want to go, etc.  And as with any process, it is very possible to redefine things as we see fit. Right now,  I am  enjoying my life.  It mainly consists of church, work, family/friends and L.O.V.E.   As busy as I am- sometimes I just like to do nothing haha!  I like being able to decide to jump up and go or just relax at home with a good book or movie. In general, I believe that we show others how to treat us. (Of course, some people will just do whatever they want but any...

Wow. . . this is something.  I honestly think my biggest fear is settling .  The first thing I thought of was simply settling when it comes down to the guy that I would be with.  As I mentioned in Day 1's post , I don't want to be with someone. . . just for the sake of being 'in a relationship.' I would hope that he and I would be able to bring out the best in each other, support one another's endeavors and grow together. Recently, I've been thinking about how people- especially females are guilty of  voluntarily handicapping themselves  (yes- I made that up lol). In reality, they are in denial. It's like you hear what the person is telling you; you see what they're doing but you want to pretend that their words and actions have alternative meanings. "They don't really mean that. . .  They just don't know. . . They'll change. . ." I love the way that Trent Shelton addresses this: Something that I really try t...

Okay. . . my answer may sound corny or cliche but I'm so serious when I say. . . Right Now!   Most people know that I'm very serious about my relationship with God and I love being able to help others.  In the last few months, I've really been trying to focus on whatever I can do to make a difference and draw people to Him.  When I first began Ladies of Virtue. . . Empowered! or L.O.V.E. , I was hosting meetings with a few girls- about 20 minutes away from my house (on MD's Eastern Shore).  I went on an unofficial break for about a year but later found out that there was interest in Pennsylvania.  So about this time last year (October 2012), I hosted the first PA L.O.V.E. Meeting.  In recent months, the meetings have been taking place in both Maryland and Pennsylvania.  However, people have been asking me to take it to additional locations. The fact that I am single makes it easier for me to focus on L.O.V.E.! The time that I spend wit...

Apparently, I like a good challenge. . . a good writing challenge ;-). In May of 2012, I began a Journal Challenge that I read about on  Heather Lindsey's blog .  And today, I decided to get back on track with my blog & start "The Single Woman's 30-Day Blogging Challenge" by Mandy Hale . I kind of debated about doing this but I'm a fairly open book so here goes. . . Day 1: And Why Are You Still Single? As I type this, I'm laughing to myself for a couple of reasons. 1) I don't really get asked this a lot (I think people know better lol). 2) I don't think I've really thought about an answer to this question until now. Anyway, I guess my super-deep (yet not-so-deep) answer could be-> because I'm supposed to be [single] at the moment. I understand that God has a plan for all of our lives and we learn/grow from every situation that we experience. I think everything I've dealt with will simply prepare me for what's to co...

*The topic of the most recent L.O.V.E. Meeting was "Powerful Women. . . Powerful Words!" so I decided to write an affirmation for my L.O.V.E.ly Ladies.  Sometimes we need reminders. . .*  I Am Loved   I have been wonderfully and fearfully made !  I can walk in confidence because God has created me for a reason!  He will equip me for every assignment that I am meant to accomplish.  Even when I face challenges, I will not give up .   God holds my world!   He has a plan for my life and will be with me- every step of the way.   I will Rejoice in the Lord and remember that His Joy is My Strength!   As each day goes by, I will not sweat the small stuff.   I’ll focus on those things that are important to me and pray for wisdom when dealing with difficult situations.   I will not be bound by fear, guilt or pressure from other people’s expectations or opinions of me.   I will live by faith!   All things are po...

My friends tell me (all the time) that I need to give myself credit so through this post, I'll attempt to do just that (haha). A few weeks ago, I was thinking about Mary Mary's song Ordinary People  and how I feel like it describes me- especially right now.   My favorite lines in the song say. . . "I looked in the mirror. I saw average .  You looked down from Heaven.  You saw a gift. Still can't figure out why You love me so... but that's what makes You GOD- I guess I'll never know."  And of course the chorus. . . "I'm just ordinary people who found extraordinary love.  Sometimes it's hard to believe that God keeps loving me so much." Reflecting on my life causes me to remain in awe of God's unfailing grace, mercy and love.  To think that I wasn't even expected to survive my mother's pregnancy but now I've been blessed to graduate from Hood College (where I served in some awesome student organizations- ...