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Dear One in the sky and in my heart, What is your plan? I would really like to know. The thing is, it’s hard work trusting you right now. Why that is, I’m not sure. Probably because I am a tiny speck and I never really understand what’s going on. It’s not like you’ve EVER…
These are images from my solo-me-o trip to the USA with my oldest boy. You can read more about WHY we went HERE. I am so glad that I chose perspective and to journey forward DIFFERENTLY. I really was at a “breaking point” and I think often, when we humans are participating in a crazy…
We go home to Algeria once a year. There is magic to bringing your children back to where you came from. It is such a special moment for us.
I love how you captured your stay
@Sev bahahaha! Don’t let a cool mid-western type hear you say that 
Love it!
It’s funny, those pics remind me of the movie “Fargo” – it looks like such a different world than the one i’m used to seeing you in and i love it x
I think you really captured it in these images. And you still came back after all that! amazing.
Love these! Thanks for sharing … so glad you went! I look forward to hearing about more of the changes of the past 6 weeks and their effects.
I’m about to say “felt like I was gonna die.” What I mean is operating at my very highest pain tolerance. VERY highest. Not drama queen highest. Although, maybe I’m just a wimp. ON MONDAY I was praying to just pass out. With my stomach cramping and my head in a toilet bowl. Amoebas. Parasites. SOMETHING. Really,…
Thanks all! I love knowing I am not alone… it’s like a virtual hug!
So sorry for the issue. Praying for better days!
you weren’t alone….about 30 other Knutsons got hit by some sort of nasty stomach virus following Grandmas funeral…Sunday night through Monday and Tuesday was not a very good day for all the victims. I was spared…
It used to be said that people who got ball bladder attacks were forty, fat, and fair. You don’t qualify for any of those! Sure it’s your gall bladder?
Love to you and yours!
I made a choice recently. A choice I don’t regret at all. I left my two year old baby boy and my husband in Burundi and BOLTED with my biggest little, Myles, to the United States. I had reached a point. A bad point. The kind of point that had me saying things like, “I…
Thank you everyone for all the support and encouragement. What an amazing bunch you are!
You guys are so AWESOME!!! Living your dreams and following your heart takes a lot of courage, inner strength & fortitude that most of us don’t have. we can only dream about doing what your doing. I think it’s better to TRY NOW than to have the REGRET LATER !!! You both are truly inspiring. Your children have amazing role models–You! and will benefit a huge amount in ways they can’t comprehend right now. Hang in there. Your doing Great.I will keep checking in on your journey. Good Luck.All the Best from New Jersey.
Hey Gorgeous Lady – love you lots! Thanks for being real! Glad you have a husband who understands what it is to really love his wife and lay down his life for her…men like that are very rare. Looking forward to tomorrow morning (says she through gritted teeth). For all the days that you are here, I am very thankful, and for all the days you will kick my a*#e at the gym I thank Jesus. Huge hugs XXX
Again, a post that resonates so much. You are brave and should be proud of yourself – it’s all about little steps, but sometimes it’s hard to feel like that when those little steps are going backwards
KJ Chomi, I love you and you inspire me. I am amazed that even while working through a really rough time and feeling at a low you can still give so…. much. I wish I could hang with you, hug you and laugh with you. Today I will celebrate your awesomeness… So proud of you!
KJ chomi, I love you and you inspire me. I am amazed that even at what you consider a low point you are still giving so… much. I wish I could just hang with you, hug you and laugh with you. Today I will celebrate your awsomeness! Much love always
How grateful I am that you allow us such ‘peeks’ into your heart and life. You are an incredible woman. Thanks for sharing, Kristy – I look forward to hearing more about the changes you will make and the good results of them. I’m so thankful that you had the courage to admit that you couldn’t do things as they currently are … you are brave and that encourages me to be brave as well.
DONE! It is a good word.
You are a great communicator.
You sound like you are at peace now. Is that why you looked so good today? Maybe it shows.
Looking forward to more conversations….with you too, Ruth!
“My husband said: “I choose you.”" Powerful words in response to your needs.
We have met only a few times but your words and photos reach into me. Keep up the good work caring for yourself and your dear ones.
May you feel safe, healthy and loved. now.
NB from MN
You’re incredible, Kristy. Thank you for this post.
I LOVE you. I am PROUD of you. I am in your corner praying hard. You AMAZE me. And I an thankful to call you friend. Look up a book called The Cause Within You by Matthew Barnett. He’s got some good stuff going on. When ever i want to quit ( which has been every day for a while now) I pick up his book and read a chapter. I then feel recharged.
You’ve got this. and you’ve got an amazing man standing with you. Im here if you need to vent.
love you dearly my friend.
xxxxx
Deeply moving, thank you for sharing. Being DONE doesn’t make you weak or a failure or anything of that sort. Being DONE can merely mean NEXT please or THANK YOU VERY MUCH and now things are different or NOW THAT I KNOW MYSELF BETTER I am…
Being DONE means you are listening to your deepest heart’s longing, being vulnerable and honoring yourself. Thank you for being so authentic with us.
At this moment in time I just want to hug you my dear friend. Not out of pity, or sadness, but out of pure pride that brought me to tears. You put your awesome pants on – again, when you actually had the option to go back to a life so much more comfortable. What a Shero!
I’ve never met you or your family, but I love you all very dearly. Thank you for remaining honest and open throughout the struggles. Take care of yourself and your family. Remember there are people(even strangers like me) that love you and want you to succeed. In the deepest hurts, God is good.
Your honesty is always so valuable to hear. Your strength is amazing and as Sarah said, live is too short. You need to be happy. You are an outstanding person. I hope the changes you are making in your Burundi home will give you the push to feel as wonderful as you are. <3
Your honesty is so refreshing. Don’t stop sharing! I was a little confused at the end of the blog – are you staying in Burundi for now, then, but just changing where you live and a couple of other lifestyle things? Or are you planning to leave Burundi and revisit how you want to help that country?
I’ve been there… the depths of despair one can fall to due to a stressful living environment is so much further than any of us ever wants to admit when we sign up for the hard places we hope to change! Trust me. In the almost 8 years that we have lived outside the US I have seen a LOT of people go home… most of which are surprised by how hard it is and can never forgive themselves for not being strong enough to stick it out. You have to be kind to yourself! Think of all the things you are facing, the obstacles you have overcome, the words you have pronounced correctly… and the things you have done right… Then just let go of the expectations you have put on yourself… because some days are just plain hard and you shouldn’t expect yourself to dance around and call them great.
You are amazing and you are changing the world! Be encouraged and know that you have a lot of fans cheering for you!
You are truly inspirational. Thank you for always sharing
Xox
Thanks for sharing your heart and struggles. Your honesty is so refreshing.
Just wanted to say that I LOVE you guys.
I am glad you physical was OK… No cancer. I am also happy you are doing what feels right to you… Life is too short.
Hi,
We cross each other almost every day at school. And we hardly talk, except for “ça va?”. But I do read your blog from time to time.
Today you made me cry with your story. I recognize so much.
Thank you, for writing down your feelings and make me feel less lonely with mine.
I see you soon at Laura’s coffee.
Greetings,
Ruth (mom of Olivia & Florien – 2 little blond girls who are really happy in Burundi – my drive to continue here).
My oldest and I are in the USA for a “blink and we’re gone” kind of trip, which is why we’ve been less in the blog-o-sphere and more in the northern hemisphere. We are soaking up a few days of much needed family time and school supply shopping before jumping back into another school year…
by longmilescoffee
longmilescoffee - Tracy, thank you for the encouraging thoughts! We love Berean (I grew up going to church there)!
Tracy Willaiams - Hi. I found your link on our church website – Berean Baptist in Burnsville Minnesota, while looking for a missionary for my son’s Sparks homework. I love reading about your life & have begun praying for you, your family & your ministry. Thank you for your service to our Lord Jesus Christ!
Sincerely,
Tracy Williams
Apple Valley, MN
Janette Miller - Thanks for helping us feel it. All grace, all truth.
Thanks for sharing in a way that makes us stop and reflect and realize again, “thank you is never going to be enough.”
Thanks for not giving up.
Thanks for hitting publish.
Amy Paulson - You’ve had my heart and prayers since reading this 4 days ago. Oh that you would keep falling forward into each step. And that you would know how very loved you are with each step.