God Had A Surprise For Me
Dear Karen,I have been reading Christian fiction since my grandmother gave me a Janet Oake series when I was in high school twenty years ago. In that time, I have read many of your books. I have laughed and cried and done much soul searching and character building along the way, but none have touched me as deeply as Between Sundays. I have never posted on a website or written to an author, but felt compelled to do so now.
I am the mother of two beautiful boys who were both high risk pregnancies and a true gift from God, the wife of a very loving man, and the sister of a drug addict. Three years ago, my sister’s children were finally taken into State’s custody. Being the only other sibling, my husband and I made the decision to take all three children into our home and raise them as our own.
I had no idea how physically, emotionally, and financially demanding answering that call would be. I have asked God “Why Me?.....Why have you called me to do this, it is just too much.” And I have pleaded with God to show me another way. I felt there was no way I could shoulder this responsibility any more; the cost was just too great.
When I checked out Between Sundays from our local library, I had no idea what it was about, it was just another Karen Kingsbury book that I hadn’t read and a great find since I can no longer afford the luxury of spending money on books. Well, God sure had a surprise for me! After reading this book, I will be forever grateful to Him and the God given gift of Karen Kingsbury for showing me just how blessed and wealthy I truly am. I know I have forever moved to a place in my heart where these children are truly mine and I will no longer question the burdens, but instead be forever grateful for the gifts. Thank you so much.
In Christ’s Love, Holly M.
Holding On to Precious Lasts
Dear Karen,I am writing to extend my heartfelt thanks for the beautiful book you donated to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke in August 2007.
You sent this book at the request of Fran Hanley whose son Brian was a patient here. Brian died at the age of 21 years from a brain tumor. Fran, her husband Jim, and son Tim have donated books to Duke Children's Health Center in memory of Brian many times over the past several years.
I have worked as a child life specialist at Duke for over 20 years. For the first 11 years I worked with pediatric patients of all ages who were living with a wide range of illnesses or injuries. Since 1996 I have worked with The Brain Tumor Center. Since 2003 I have worked exclusively with adults diagnosed with a brain tumor.
I provide information and support regarding the children and teenagers in their lives who are impacted by this difficult disease. I work with many parents who struggle with the likelihood that they will not live to see their children grow up. I am also the mother of an 8-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl.
Let Me Hold You Longer is one of the most moving and thought provoking books I have read since having my children.
How true it is that we celebrate so many "firsts" and let the "lasts" slip through our fingers with barely a thought. So many of our patients and family members are acutely aware of the ever present question, "Will this be our last Christmas, trip to the beach, hug?"
The presence of illness moves them to pay attention to and appreciate each moment with their loved one. With loving sensitivity you bring to the consciousness of EVERY parent the importance of paying attention to and cherishing the precious moments we have with our children - the first tooth, the hugs, the messy rooms (Oh yes!), and the "I love you's".
You take the reader to a place of joy and appreciation without the heart wrenching presence of illness or injury. Thank you so much for sharing this book with our patients and families. It is a treasure.
And because of your generosity I also benefited personally by becoming aware of this wonderful book. I appreciate the gift you have shared with our families. Sincerely, Jean Hartford-Todd
A Weight Lifted
Karen,I have to let you know how much your books have meant to me, but one, in particular, has changed my life. I give glory to my Father for showing it to me in my local library.
The book is Where Yesterday Lives. I found this book to be so insightful regarding sibling rivalry and relationships. Many times throughout my reading it, I was brought to tears because God was working a miracle in my life.
I am the middle daughter of three. My older sister is not a born again Christian; my younger sister is. Not to bore you with the details, but I have been estranged from my older sister for five years.
I was hurt by her actions and could not forgive her. While reading your book, I realized that my sister and I were much like the Barretts... headstrong, opinionated, and unforgiving.
I used the fact that my older sister is not a born again Christian to keep my distance from her and her family. On Friday night, while nearing the end of the book, I told my husband that this book spoke to me in so many ways and reminded me of my family.
I finished the book on Saturday morning (in tears, of course) and an hour later my younger sister called me to tell me that our mother passed away in her sleep that morning. My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and although she was a pure delight to be with, she did not know anyone anymore.
I can't tell you how many times I thought about having to deal with my sister when it was time for my mom's funeral. I know now that God was preparing my heart for this moment.
I told my younger sister about how the book and God changed my heart, and she broke down in tears of joy. I haven't spoken to my older sister yet, but I will embrace her and tell her how sorry I am for all the years apart.
Such a weight has been lifted from me and I am free! Thank you and Christ's blessing on you and your family. Sincerely, Karen W.
A Mother's Love
If being a Christian means I am nuts, well at least I am screwed to the right bolt!!!!Dear Karen,
I have been a fan of yours for some time now. I have probably read just about everything you have ever written.
The book of yours that changed my life was Like Dandelion Dust.
You see I was trying to get my children back after placing them up for adoption more than just a few years ago. I knew it wasn't right and I still pursued it. When I read your book, I sat down and cried and cried and cried, even worse than when I placed my beautiful babies so long ago.
I realized that there was no way I could take them out of a loving home and put them with me. There was just no way. Thank you for writing Like Dandelion Dust. It not only brought me to the Lord, but it made me see that I was still worth something even when I failed at being a mother.
God Bless you Karen
Sincerely, Tina L.
No Longer Addicted
Hi, my name is Chris and I am a 16 year old boy with a second chance. For years now I've been struggling with pronography addiction. Looking for the answers, but only getting frustrated. Then I read Ocean's Apart and the part where Connor realizes what the preacher said about "it will start with you" and how he was to blame.For years I blamed God for allowing it to cross my path, then I blamed the devil, then I blamed my brother (it started on his computer), then the world. But Connor (the character in your book) helped me to realize that it was all my fault.
My fault that I alone chose to look at them. Now seeing what can happen when one realizes it was their fault, it brought me to my knees and I asked God to forgive me and for a second chance, and guess what HE DID! Now I'm no longer addicted to that awful sin. Thank you so much for writing this book, I feel it was written to me from God. It helped me in more ways than just this. If you don't mind I would like to use the butterfly story as a tool for witnessing.
Keep allowing God to use you and you will never falter, I'm praying for you and your family, thank you Karen. -Chris R.
Transformed Lives
I just wanted to tell you about my wife. Brenda works for Boys and Girls Town here in Omaha, Nebraska as a Behavior Technician/ Teachers Aide.She has been working in the lock down facility there for over two years now helping the troubled children that cannot be sent to the foster system or the Boystown family campus. I have seen her transform lives because of your books.
I am forever amazed at the lives that she has changed because of your books. Brenda works with the young teenage girls, many of whom are drug users, sexually active with multiple partners for years, and violently temperamental.
She, through the use of your books, has been able to show many of these girls a better path. After their treatment is complete, they must say goodbye to Brenda and move out the Boystown campus.
I have read the letters that these girls write to Brenda. They are the most heart wrenching, soul gripping letters I have ever read. Many claim that Brenda is the first person who ever cared enough or trusted them enough to loan them anything as valuable as a book.
Many of these girls, through Brenda and your books, vow to become better Christians, knowing that hope is not lost. In fact many of these girls have told Brenda that they are requesting that your books be put into the library.
However Brenda says that probably will not happen as many of these children will just damage any new books that the library purchases.
I just wanted to thank you and let you know that my wife is able to transform lives because of the work that you do.
She is a wonderful woman who honestly believes that through your books, Christ is giving her the chance to prove to these girls that they are not lost souls without a home.
It is because of her work at Boystown treatment facility that Brenda has become my hero, she has touched so many lives on a daily basis. It is possible because of the lessons that you teach in your books.
God Bless you and the work you are doing. -Jason I.
A Marriage Saved
After reading A Time To Dance, I spontaneously flew to London, surprising my husband during his business trip, to tell him that I chose us and committed myself to saving our marriage. I suggested that he MUST read your book; you wrote it specifically for us.We did not fly home together, however, he took the book and said he'd read it. I just got off the phone with my husband who elatedly called from the Kansas City Airport, choked up and near tears because he finished your entire book without stopping the whole flight, except for bathroom breaks, and realized the blessed relationship that we nearly lost.
Thanking you doesn't convey my heart's gratitude. However, I want to commend you for your obedience to the Lord for clarifying to readers that God doesn't let go even when we do.
As John and Abby nearly threw in the matrimony towel, so did my husband and I. Your characters marriage paralleled mine to a tee, except my husband is a pilot and not a football coach.
Otherwise, the coincidences of my life as a writer, having two sons and one daughter, experiencing the loss of a child, possessing a seemingly perfect marriage externally, one spouse faced with the possibility of choosing an affair, and the wounds that are inflicted through relationship neglect, stemming from the busyness of raising children and providing for a family, were utterly uncanny.
You did write this about us! Your God given gift to write impacts lives.
It saved mine.
Faith Restored
My sister-in-law gave me One Tuesday Morning and it changed my life. I had turned my back on God for many years due to beliefs I had from a former religion. I believed that if I were not part of their religion I would not ever have Gods favor again.After reading One Tuesday Morning I started questioning what I believed in my heart all those years. By the time I was done with the book I sat down and prayed to God for the first time, honestly knowing he was really with me.
She knew what your books would do for me. You have given me my faith and my love of God back and I can not thank you and my sister-in-law enough no matter how long I live. -Cheryl H.
Overcoming Obstacles
Dear Karen, I am writing to thank you for sharing your wonderful God given gift with the world. I have thanked God for sending your inspiring books to my life. I've always felt I was a Christian, but your books and the friendship of a strong Christian mom in our neighborhood have brought me so much deeper in faith.Now that I am so much closer to God, I have never felt such peace in my life even though we are going through the turbulence of a move for my husband's career out of state. The five of us have been living in a two bedroom apartment for a couple months now as we wait for our home to sell.
My husband moved a couple months before us, and we've been met with many challenges lately, but I started reading your books about 1 1/2 years ago, and I have never been so inspired and motivated to be a better Christian, parent, wife, and friend.
Your books bring out the best in me, and I have built quite a library of them so that I can pass them on to my family and friends and pray that they bring them closer to the Lord as they have me. I don't know what else I can say, to explain my gratitude.
I have become particularly attached to the Baxters and am anxiously awaiting your next books in the Sunrise Series. I feel like these books are not just fiction, but manuals for overcoming obstacles in faith. The Baxters have become role models for me.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I have loved every book of yours I have ever read and will continue to share your titles with my friends and family. I actually have to go buy new books of A Time to Dance and a Time to Embrace, because mine got lent so far out, it appears I may never find them again. I don't mind though, because I feel that everyone that reads them is bound to pick up more of your books, and learn more about the power of prayer and the love of God. -Trista, An Adoring Fan