Karen Dawkins

The Runaway Mom

2013-05-20T10:54:00.001-04:00

Brenda Heist, the runaway mom... People ask why? how? How could a mother possibly abandon her children for 11 years with no explanation? How? How could she just disappear? What could she be thinking? Nuts, right? Maybe not... I understand. Brenda, I understand. Twelve years ago, our family moved from Ohio to North Carolina. I was overwhelmed by the circumstances... not normal, perhaps, but true

Where has the time gone?

2013-05-02T12:29:00.000-04:00

Hello friends... or anyone who still stops by now and then. It's been a crazy year! I still can't believe the journey God has chosen for me. Though, I do love it. About a year ago, I started a travel blog. For friends. At their request. Then a funny thing happened. It took off! WHAM! You know what? God had a plan... and it involved that little blog. It grew and grew... and now it's my business.

"Click"

2012-10-30T11:30:00.000-04:00

When I listen for God, I hear Him. Sometimes, His voice is loud and clear. Sometimes, He speaks in the softest whisper. When I don't listen for Him, I don't hear. To be more honest, I hear, but I ignore His voice. It's easy to ignore God. Of course, it leads to disaster which is not so easy... but the ignoring part. Piece. Of. Cake. The past few days, I've noticed something about our dog...

Do not grow weary

2012-10-12T09:53:00.003-04:00

Growing weary.... that's me. Why? To be honest, I don't know. That's the hardest part. I'm in one of those valleys that makes no sense. Nothing is wrong at home. I have three fabulous kids. I am blessed with a wonderful life. I read my Bible. I pray. I talk with God. Though I can't figure out why I'm so tired, I know one thing to be true. GOD hasn't changed. He hasn't moved. He hasn't stopped.

Wisdom from a Ninth Grader

2012-09-27T10:15:00.000-04:00

We're a month into our new lives -- and Ben is flourishing in ninth grade. While I knew that God had worked with us to prepare him for high school, I still doubted. WHY? I know that God answers the prayers of those who love Him. Anyway.... This post is not about my doubt. This post is about Ben's wisdom! May it bless you -- perhaps challenge you -- as it has me. Our school system sends progress

Let's Get Organized

2012-09-13T08:43:00.000-04:00

Hello my sweet friends, I am wrapping up WEEK THREE of our new reality. Life with the college kid is going well. Our newly public schooled high schooler's time and homework management are improving. The little one is flourishing in second grade -- and enrolled in her beloved ballet. The only one floundering is me! Yep! It seems that six hours of complete freedom is more than I can handle. I

Eleven Years

2012-09-11T15:44:00.000-04:00

Eleven years. Immediately after 9.11.2001, we vowed never to forget. We haven't. Eleven years. We promised ourselves to change. To live by faith. Eleven years. Have you changed? Have I?

The journey to college -- for students and mamas

2012-09-04T09:19:00.001-04:00

Hello my friends, Today I'm guest blogging at a wonderful "e-zine," Bonbon Break. I've written for them before, offering travel and packing tips that I share at the travel blog (Family Travels on a Budget). This post is more about the student's journey through senior year of high school and freshman year of college -- and about the mama's journey of the heart. Stop by Bonbon Break and let me

Changes... and how I'm doing.

2012-08-31T11:22:00.002-04:00

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to

Movin' on up!

2012-08-28T14:25:00.000-04:00

"Movin' on UP" might be a stretch. No dorm room is ever as cozy as HOME! Nathan traded in his queen size bed for the traditional, lumpy dorm twin XL. He traded a fully equipped kitchen, open 24/7 for meals in the "caf." "UP" is his first step toward independence. He decides if he gets up with the alarm or sleeps through class (Nathan, if you're reading this... GO TO CLASS!). He decides when --

First Day of School: Twisted!

2012-08-27T14:45:00.000-04:00

For the first time in 18 years, 3 months and 29 days, I am home alone -- today, tomorrow, and every day through the school year. Not only that, but one of my three is at college -- all by himself! I won't be there to wake him when he sleeps through the alarm or to pray with him before he heads off to class or to make sure he eats his veggies! Thanks to lots of wonderful, praying friends I am

Change affects everyone!

2012-08-21T11:51:00.001-04:00

Hey my bloggy friends, I'm sure you've clued in to the fact that I'm suffering through sending our first "off to college." I tell myself it's so hard because he will be nine hours away from home, but the truth is, it will be hard because I love having him around. Trying to fall asleep last night, and failing again, my mind raced through memories. Nathan at eight months, propped up on the

Tick! Tock! Clock

2012-08-20T10:33:00.000-04:00

Oh my dear friends, I haven't fallen off the planet. PROMISE! I am, however, a little busy at home. Our firstborn leaves for college Thursday... and we're getting ready. Nathan meets Ellie for the first time. His stuff is all packed. He is most definitely ready -- he even read ahead for one of his classes (maybe he learned a lesson or two in high school?) Nathan and Ben hamming it up

Hold My Tongue! An Update

2012-08-02T13:32:00.000-04:00

Holding my tongue... Ohhhh.... It has always been a battle. (My family will shout AMEN! when they read this!) This week's challenge was really tough. I tried. I failed. I apologized. I tried. I failed. I apologized. Then I prayed. And begged my prayer warrior friends to join me. I tried again. I did better. I must say it helped a lot that the person at the other end of the frustration was kind,

Hold my tongue!

2012-07-31T10:36:00.000-04:00

Today's verse is James 3:7-8, "All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by human beings, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." It came to me by text, as it does every day. Ironically, I am festering with anger today. Unexpected, unpleasant news came our way and I. AM. MAD! Take a distrustful mama bear,

Cheap textbooks..... well, cheaper anyway.

2012-07-27T10:33:00.000-04:00

Hello friends, This is a practical post for college students and the parents who pay for it... If your kids are in high school, consider bookmarking this page or pinning it to your pinterest college board for quick access later! Most universities make schedules and book requirements available online a month or two before classes start. While I really don't want to think ahead all that far, the

My heart...

2012-07-24T10:21:00.000-04:00

I've been mom for 18 years. I'm learning to let go, here at the far end of the mommyhood journey. I know I'll always be "Mom," but "mama" and all the associated needs, wants, demands, and daily interaction that go with it are about to end. It's transition time... Last night, he asked, "Will we still see each other a lot when I'm an adult?" I love that he thinks about such things. We talked some

Predestination or Free Will

2012-07-16T08:40:00.003-04:00

He flopped down on the couch across the room, propping his feet on the coffee table and asked, non-chalantly, "Mom, do you believe in predestination or free will? There I was, working on a travel blog post when his question crashed over my head. Ohhh, God, I don't know this answer to this one. I prayed quietly for instant wisdom on the question of the ages, "Which is it: predestination or free

Humpty Dumpty

2012-07-10T13:00:00.000-04:00

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.All the king's horses and all the king's menCouldn't put Humpty together again. What if Humpty Dumpty had asked the KING instead? Thank you, Pastor Clay NeSmith of Barefoot Churchin North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,for sharing this profound thought with us last weekend. Who do you trust? God's power or man's?

Happy Birthday, America!

2012-07-04T09:19:00.000-04:00

If you love something

2012-07-02T09:55:00.000-04:00

If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it's yours. If it doesn't, it was never meant to be. In high school or college, maybe that was true when it came to boys. You know, smother him and he will run. Give him space to be a guy and maybe... or maybe not... With our kids, it's much the same. Except maybe I'd rewrite it: If you love something, set it free.Gradually, over time,

Parenting tip via A. W. Tozer

2012-06-29T08:34:00.000-04:00

Everything is safe which we commit to Him,and nothing is really safewhich is not so committed.A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God Do you worry about your kids? OR do you trust that God, our Creator and Father, holds them safely in the palm of His hand? The rudiments of parenting include: Trusting God with our kids' lives Praying for Him to stretch their hearts for the plan He has for them Knowing

The Rudiments

2012-06-28T11:57:00.000-04:00

Sounds great! Getting a head start on college, Nathan spends 30 minutes each morning practicing the rudiments, scales: major, minor and harmonic. His fingers race up and down the keyboard, faster. Faster. Once in a while he fumbles a transition and starts over. Slowly. Then he builds up the speed again. Boring! Very, very, very boring! And then... he plays one of the masters: Beethoven,

Huh? (part two)

2012-06-27T10:49:00.000-04:00

You know how I am -- always trying to learn. As I reflected on my child's inattention-masked-as-severe-hearing-loss, I realized I act the same way. Except for me, I choose not to hear God. I know it's how I am. Even though I know that listening to God leads to my best, I still find myself ignoring Him. I remember when God whispered his plan to adopt into my heart. For months, I pretended it

Huh?

2012-06-25T08:38:00.000-04:00

This past week, one of my kids developed the incredibly lazy "huh" habit. No matter what I say -- or the hubby for that matter -- the response is "Huh?" Every time. ANNOYING! Wondering if said child might be suffering a build up of ear wax or perhaps an ear infection, I tested the "Huh"-giver with a quietly whispered, "Would you like a donut?" Instantly, the response was "YES!" So... it's not a