Fabulous Day 1

When I decided to blog about my experience in Italy, I knew it would be hard to select the best highlights.   That proven true on this beautiful day 1.  Wow!

I could talk about the smooth flight and friendly people who got us here.  I could talk about the extreme fatigue we felt, but also the determination to stay up all day so we get on local time.  Then there was a wonderful walk to St. Peter's Square.  Oh my.  We didn't go in today, but just wanted to see it briefly.  Soooooo beautiful!  The walk/ride back took extra long as we had to avoid one corner(no curb cuts) and we went way out of our way!  I could tell you about the charming courtyard of our hotel where we had a wonderful afternoon snack or the cozy pizzeria where we enjoyed dinner outside.  There were street performers and vendors around Trestavere fountain, outside St. Mary's...and precious children at play.  And St Mary's was beyond description!  Going to Mass there in the morning.

But truly the best highlight was to do this all with my husband!  Bruce got a serious work out today, pushing me over the cobblestone roads for several miles today!  And he did it so lovingly.   God truly knew the kind of man I needed 20 years ago!  And God knows Bruce is still the right man for me!

Can't figure out how to move pics in a blog post on my tablet.  Just keep scrolling down.

It's late in Italy now...good night!

Ciao!
Kim

On our way!

Well, after 20 months of planning,  Bruce and I are finally on our way to ITALY!! I can hardly believe it is happening!  I am in an airport restaurant now, waiting for the flight from Charlotte to Rome.  Somebody, pinch me!

Our good friends, Jack and Jody, brought us to the Indy airport early this morning.  The second leg of the trip is starting 45 minutes later than expected,  but that gives me time to stop by here.  (I still need to figure out this tablet, too!)

I hope to share many beautiful experiences while we are traveling.   But I won't be here too much.   After all, I am just going to enjoy this wonderful anniversary trip with the love of my life!

Ciao!
Kim

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord; "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  

This is a very popular verse in Scripture...and for good reason.  Our daily lives can often seem out of sync with our dreams.  We may ask ourselves "When will I ever get myself in gear?  When will these big dreams come true...if ever?  Are these my dreams or God's dreams for me?"

Oh wait.  That's me.  Ummm...anyone else think like this?

This last week, I have had major affirmation that some of my dreams are not just mine, but indeed plans from God.  I realize as I type that, it can sound rather arrogant...who can truly know the mind of God?  But "for those who see with eyes of faith, the Lord is ever near."  There is an intangible sense, a deep knowing that this is from God.

I have spent more than a quarter of my life in pro-life work.  I didn't plan on it.  I didn't study it in school.  I was going to be a music therapist, and open a creative arts therapy clinic, serving people in need.  Well, I did music therapy for 5 years before having Gabriel.  It was challenging and fulfilling in its own way.  But after losing Gabriel, and after being encouraged by some medical people to abort him, I knew I wanted to do something, anything to stop abortion.  I joined HELP Ministries (now Women's Care Clinic) as a board member, then a Bridges volunteer, then Executive Director.  This ministry has changed so much over the years!  I have seen months where payroll was hard to meet, when pipes burst in the kitchen, when team "chemistry" was far from ideal.  But I have also witnessed women come in with plans to abort...then change their hearts and minds right before my eyes!  I have heard clients say they would not have finished school without our encouragement.  Grandparents come up to me with tears of joy,  grateful that their grandbabies are ALIVE!  Post-abortive women had shared their grief and regret, and  I have witnessed their healing!  I have sat in small prayer groups and big church services with people praying in many ways but all to the same One True God!  This is truly where I need to be and what I need to be doing.  And it is a blessing to know that.

I write this because the ministry of Women's Care Clinic is preparing for a major transition into a much larger building.  We have been praying for 3 years...and tomorrow papers will be signed for a building we acquired through an auction just one week ago!  A process that seemed terribly long and wrought with complications came to a dramatic and quick resolution.  We have a bigger building!  Not that this building is move-in ready.  Not even close!  It needs a lot of love, a lot of work, and frankly, a lot of money.  I asked myself, "Am I up for that?  Can I handle it?"  I want to write more, I want to do more public speaking.  Where do I go?

But as I shared the good news about this building with our supporters through email, and some by phone, I got excited again.  Not just an adrenaline rush, but a "Okay team...let's do this!"  It NEEDS to be done!  What is "it?" Expanding the ministry to reach more women in need...helping women and men choose LIFE for their babies...empowering parents to be the best parents possible...bringing wholeness to post-abortive women and men...and sharing the love of Christ with everyone who walks through our doors!  To Create a Culture of Life!   This must be done!!

I didn't plan on working in the pro-life world...but this is the plan God had for me all along!  I didn't plan on the ministry moving into an old vacant grocery store...but this is the plan God had for Women's Care Clinic all along!  There were reasons for the delays.  And, perhaps, even reasons for my doubts. They caused me to truly seek the will of God in a way I had not done for a while.  Funny thing is, staying right here doesn't mean I cannot write (this is a blog, after all!) and it doesn't mean I won't do more speaking events (like anyone could shut me up!).  These dreams and visions all work well together.  I knew that in my head...now I know it in my heart.  What a blessing to know God was right there the whole time waiting for me to figure things out!  He is SO patient!  Yes...He knew the plans for me and this ministry...and He knows the plans for you!...plans for good, not harm...for a hope and a future.  To Him be all Glory and Honor...forever and ever...AMEN!!


Kim

Top 10 List...WooHoo!

Hello Friends!

Just a reminder... I am moving my stamping projects to a new blog.  If you want to check that out, go to the new address for Stamping for LIFE!  I have several posts in my drafts...so hang in there, if you do not see them right away.

Today has been quite busy... Lots of big announcements for the ministry at Women's Care Clinic!  Each year, we hold our Walk for Life fund raiser in September, and after pledges are entered into the computer, I announce the Top 10 Churches, and walkers (adults and youth).  Even though I am thrilled at how well churches work together to support our life-saving efforts, this is the one time we take jabs at each other and get a bit competitive!  We started this approach in 2005, after some training in fund raising...and after churches saw where they ranked, they got motivated!  Now, years later, we still have fun with it!  Small churches don't expect to be at the top...but they try hard to make the list.  Big churches try to stay at, or near, the top...which brings generous funds in.

Why do we do this?  Is it that important that St. Paul's and Catlin Church of Christ have been flip-flopping the #2 and #3 spots for years?  Not in the big scheme of things...and certainly not in terms of saving babies.  But it does offer a little external motivation for people to be generous.  We're human...we often think about giving, but it is easy to put it off.  After all, there are many worthy causes, and no one can support them all.

When I started my job as Executive Director, I was terrified of asking for money.  I was timid, hesitant.  I felt bad. Now, I confidently tell people that God could provide everything for us out of an ATM...but He allows us to participate in Kingdom building!  Yep.  We won't need money in heaven, but we need it here...and God knows that.  He just wants us to reach out of our own lives and share the gifts He has given us with the people around us, or even across the world...to be good stewards.

So today...if anyone out there is actually reading this new blog...I encourage you to GIVE.  I know times are tough.  Jobs are hard to find...hours are being cut.  But think about one less trip to a drive-up fast food window, and offer your treasure to a cause near to your heart.  Perhaps it is an orphanage in central Africa, or a homeless shelter in your community...just try giving a little bit...and some day, maybe a bit more.  It will help others, and it will help you.  If pro-life work is important to you, as it is to me, send me a message and I will get you connected to a ministry in your area.

Wow... I did not intend on writing this!  Strange, I guess.  But this blog is about my own pursuit of holiness.  I have found over the years that when I give of my time and talent and treasure, I am becoming more of the person God created me to be.  I still have a long way to go.  But it will be worth it in the end!

Kim

I will always be Gabriel's Mom

Today, October 15th, is National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Tonight, here in Danville, Sunset Funeral Homes hosted a memorial service for families that have lost tiny, precious babies.  I was blessed to share my testimony, as I have done for several years now.

The service was brief, solemn, and bittersweet.  There were parents and grandparents, even young siblings.  Some families have been there before, showing that it takes time to heal from the loss of a child.  My son, Gabriel, would be 19 years old if he was still alive on this earth.  He would be a freshman in college...or perhaps he would have joined the Navy like his dad and grandfather.

Every child conceived is very real, made in the likeness and image of God.  I believe these innocent babies have souls which now reside in heaven, eternally alive!  But while there is great joy in this realization for me, I know that many families are facing their grief with fresh tears.  Even when we say good-bye to adults, even when we trust they are in "a better place," there is a natural feeling of loss.  Whether someone lives for 33 weeks in the womb, like Gabriel, or for 101 years, each life impacts someone!  That is because every person matters!  Every life matters! Oh, that our culture would believe this to be true!!

As I was getting ready to leave, a young dad came up to me, to thank me for sharing my story.  His wife had twins, born prematurely.  One is still surviving, the other one is gone.  I could tell the grief is still very raw, so I hope I offered just the right words...whatever those are.  Yep, 19 years of sharing my story...but everyone's story is different.  The "right words" are hard to find.  But trust me.  The presence of a friend, the hugs from family, the permission to grieve can make a huge difference.

If you have lost a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death, or abortion, please know that it is okay to feel sadness and emptiness.  I encourage you to name your child.  Remember your child.  Count your child.  Every child matters.

After all, as I often say... Gabriel is the little boy who made me a mommy."  
And his mommy, I'll always be.


Kim

MAJOR Changes coming to my blog!

Hello Stamping friends!

I realize I have not posted much this year, but I still enjoy stamping.  But I also enjoy keynote speaking and writing, and those things will be taking more of my time in the coming months.

Because the url for this blog is my actual name, and because my colleagues recognize it, I am changing this blog to reflections and thoughts on the Culture of Life.  It will definitely be a switch from my current crafty posts!

If you still want to see my cards and other stamping projects, you can check out the new address... kapstamps.blogspot.com

No cards there yet...but stayed tuned!

In the meantime... I will be posting reflections on my upcoming vacation to Italy!!  My hubby and I will be enjoying nearly 3 weeks in that beautiful country, and I want to share some pictures and thoughts with you!

Before I post anything from Italy, I still have a lot to do for work...board meeting tomorrow...Walk for Life announcements... Pastor Appreciation stuff...

But I will be back soon!

Ciao!  
Kim

Dare to Play with Paper!

Hello Stamping Friends!

I am WAKING UP this tired blog!  I said that in June too, but it didn't work!  Ha!  Well, last weekend, I played along with the fabulous Dare to Get Dirty challenges over in stamping heaven (aka Splitcoaststampers).  My intention was to actually keep up with the challenges each day, maybe just fall a day behind. Well, I did 2 days and came to a screeching halt!  I'll be busy this weekend!

I was also going to catch up on blogging.  Thankfully, one of my cards has a deadline, so here I am!  I combined a DTGD challenge (can't say which one...you gotta join the Fan Club!) with this week's Paper Players sketch challenge.  I am really pleased with the final result!  

My card features the retired SU In-Color Poppy Parade; in the base, the ink, and the pattern paper from a hostess stack.  The image and sentiment are both from SU's "Just Believe".  I embossed the whisper white layer after stamping the sentiment.  The image layer is trimmed by using the poppy parade marker.  Instead of 3 small brads, I used one extra large white brad...fun!

This card was so quick and simple and fun!  I really should make more, in lots of colors!

Now...I better start blogging the rest of my DTGD cards!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim