Hello, hello, hello,
I know, its been too long between blogs. Its a good thing. I’ve been busy. I have been enjoying the last bit of our summer and of course, my lil guys. I’m not supposed to pick them up, which is complete torture. I’m not supposed to even carry a purse with my right arm. There is this possibility that I could develop what is called lymphedema. It is a side effect from having the lymph nodes removed. What happens is the vessels that drain lymphatic fluid from the arm back into the general circulation, are disrupted and the fluid becomes backed up in the arm, creating permanent swelling termed lymphedema. A little info for you all (I love learning about medical stuff).
I have been called the “donut lady” lately. I have always brought donuts to different meetings just because I love to spoil everybody. Plus it makes the meeting more fun. Well, I started bringing donuts to my radiation clinic (lots of people waiting for their turn to get zapped). And to my chemo clinic. Its amazing what a donut can do. It puts a smile on their face and it is such an open door. I have been going to get chemo done for quite a while now, but the day I brought donuts, was the day that the secretary pulled me aside and asked for help. With tears in her eyes, she began to tell me about her teenage son and the trouble she has had being a single mom. I felt honored that she felt she could trust me and ask for my council. I think its pretty amazing that a simple act of kindness could provoke such a profound moment. She knew I was a pastor from the beginning of my treatment, but maybe it was too awkward for her to ask for help out of the blue. So hey, do not underestimate a simple smile, or a donut. What’s priceless is the look on peoples faces when you do something nice for nothing in return.
My dear friend Judith from Australia read my twitter inputs about bringing donuts to these places and she asked me who was going to bring ME a donut. I told her she could come all the way from Australia just to bring me a donut if she wanted to (joking) and guess what she did?! She got Taylor (my son) to buy me a donut and give it to me from her…that was so nice of her…she made me laugh out loud. So here is a picture of me we sent to her showing that I got the donut. Now I love donuts but the pink one was just for the photo…chocolate is my preferred choice (smile). Hey who knows, maybe we’ll start a donut revolution and shock a few people along the way…how fun!
I love you all soo much! I pray for everyone of you who write on my blog. You have touched my life profoundly and I will always be filled with overwhelming gratitude for your beautiful words of encouragement and love.
Big hugs… Karyn
18 Comments
MI pas linda, que bueno que escriba la extraño mucho cuando no lo hace, siempre reviso este blog y y cuando no hay algun post nuevo igual en un rato vuelvo a entrar por si acaso, hoy me tomo un poco mas de tiempo y esfuerzo leerla, ya que esta en ingles asi que tuve que pasarlo a un traductor en google (q no traducen tan bien) pero me ayuda a practicar mi lectura en ingles y eso es bueno. Siempre dare gracias a Dios por la inspiración que es para muchas personas, para mi es una inspiración que nunca pense tener en fisico, es tan espectacular encontrar personas apasionadas por DIos por su iglesia que me asombra y me motiva a seguir su ejemplo cada dia, es buenisimo saber de usted, y saber que no hay montaña que Dios no la pueda hacer pasar, se que este tiempo no ha sido facil y talvez siempre he visto a usted con una sonrisa, tan linda como siempre con o sin pañuelo y eso es tan bello mi pas, porque no ha dejado en ningun momento de mostrar su fe en DIos, ha guardado las lagrimas para su lugar secreto y eso la hace aun mas linda, por que no piensa en como se siente sino en como mostrar el corazon de DIos, sabe mi pas, la amo tanto, a veces no me explico por que, pues talvez no tengo el privilegio de conocerla mas de cerca, pero es el amor de DIos el que me hace amarla tanto, y yo imagino a Dios con una bella sonrisa, mirandola a usted y abrazandola, riendo con las donas y diciendo Esta es mi hija amada, gracias por complacer el corazon de nuestro DIos, su vida es trascendente totalmente. Gracias por su bello corazon mi pas….usted tiene un corazon bello y cautivante que se refleja en cada acto de bondad. gracias mi pasita….la quiero infinidades…un fuerte abrazo…..su Jenny
Oh Karyn - You are too funny. It reminds me that the simple things in life bring such joy and put a smile on everyones face! I will think of you the next time I eat
a donut.
My sons church in Cincinnati does a lot of servant evangelism, standing on street corners and going into stores, etc and handing out free bottles of water, coke, or even donuts! Just to tell people that God loves them, no strings attached. What fun that is.
Love to you today….you are in my prayers.
Donna
WELL FINALLY!!! LOL Really, it’s always great to hear about your life and your attitude - good or bad, cause it ministers to people and lets those who love you feel like we are a part. Great new look Donut Lady! You will always be beautiful - it’s a gift hahaha - Lord, help me if I ever have to do the bald, short hair thing, cause I DO NOT have a good head! You, on the other hand…You are blessed, lady! :-) There was something else I wanted to say and now I forgot!!! ARGGGGGGGGh! hate it when that happens…anyway, I LOOOVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEE YOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU Karyn Barriger! hugs & kisses! ~J
I learn about you through Joyce Meyer ministries, I am happy about to hear about the church and all the activities you do . I love your attitude about life it is an inspiration. I will be in Peru my homeland next month I hope I meet you in person. you are in my prayers.
Pat from New Jersey
Don,t ever let anyone say bald is not beautiful. You look absolutely gorgeous. Sending much love your way and you are in my prayers everyday. Now I need to go find a donut.
I agree with Jo Anne, you look beautiful. :) I am thinking of buying donuts to my housemate and his girlfriend. Let’s start a donuts revolution. I love you Karyn.
Happy Mother’s Day!!!! xxxxxxxxooooooooooooo Here in Australia it is almost Sunday.
Vanessa
I’m very happy to see you in this blog .
Se le ve muy bien ( I don’t known how to say that)
It’s the first time that I open the Camino de Vida page.
I don’t know why it’s the first time , because in Perú frecuently I went with my kids to the church.
My english is not well. I’m from Perú and I’ve been living in Africa with my family since january 14th.
Thank you for share your experiences with us.
Happy Mother’s Day!
God bless you and all Camino de Vida’s family
Sandra
Hi Karyn, (the donut lady), wow I love those stories!! I love your thoughtfulness and the kindness of your heart. Jesus loves just oozes out of you. It is an awesome thing that even though you could be having a pity party and feeling “woe is me”, you are thinking outside yourself and ministering to and blessing others. You are an inspiration and a perfect example of Jesus’ love!
By the way you look REALLY GOOD! I mean one HOT grandma!!! (You look to young to be a grandma by the way!)
I love you and miss you!
Love Cathy x x
The love u show dear Karyn is what our God set in ur heart!! He loves U and we love U too!!! U R ALIVE AND WILL BE!!! always doing ur very BEST.
GREAT SUPER D.Lady
te quiero mucho ..que bueno verte bien y comiendo rico….espero verte pronto, sigues en nuestras oraciones…
Karyn,
God bless you we think of you often, and you are in our prayers.
Manny / Christy / Madi’ Blue
Hey Karyn.
I have just been thinking about you guys heaps, and really pray that you are doing good. We miss you guys so much. Everything here is going really well, our new church is fantastic (although it aint no CdV!!), i’m playing on the worship team heaps and loving it, and we have so many great friends around us. Our little girl is amazing, such a blessing and we are so thankful for God’s faithfulness for giving us a perfect little angel. God has been so good.
Anyway, we love you guys, big hug to you and Ps Robert, and everyone, miss you so much, say hi to the team for me.
Big love, Garrick.
Karen, I am so sorry to enter into your blog with my question but wasn´t sure who to talk to. I would very much be interested in facilitating a widows´group. I don´t believe there is one right now. Again, sorry to bother you with this. If you could just steer me in the right direction of who I should talk to….telephone or email. Thanks so much and you look beautiful!!! Edie (Leah´s mom)
Donut lady! i like that!! LOVE YOU!!!!
Karyn we have been praying for you,Robert and family! we miss you and even though it took this breast cancer that we’ve both been going through (3+yr survivor of Inflametory breast cancer and ductal carcinoma 2kinds growing on chemo!) the Lord has been so Great to heal me (completly minus both breasts)and let me be an encouragement to you!! I so believe with every fiber of me that you are healed in Jesus’s name! For this very hour and …”for such a time as this”… to extend the reach of your ministry and to bring Glory to His name Amen! Love to hear from any old time “BMT ers”! We have a ranch in Julian and a guest house for any that call us 760-765-2033 We are going to Foothills now in ElCajon love it long trek compared to calvary chapel Julian but it is worth it! Karyn you are so fun you make me smile just thinking about you and so glad you look so amazing! Maybe you’ll do the redhead thing with henna and switch from blond like me Ha! Well I am fasting for you and another one like us ,this week her name is Marilyn DeCarlo and her sister goes to Jim and Naomies church and also Finn and Anne go there … be praying she has IB like I did and it went to her organs ,brain and now her spine. so please pray for her ok .I hope all can join and ask the lord for a miracle! Love Brenda
Hello Karyn
It is good to see your wonderful smile and those beautiful eyes again. I like the chocolate donuts too.
Your life has been a testamony to me of the Lords grace and provision. He will nerver give up on us.
Your brother Linn.
Hello Mrs. Karyn!I am not sure if you remember me or not, but your family helped mine out when we first went to Peru, 18 or 19 years ago. I remember I worked with the mimes there at Camino de Vida. I have such wonderful memories of your beautiful family. I have been married and working here in Mexico with my husband for almost 17 years now. We are blessed with a son and daughter. I just want you to know that I have been praying for you all year, since learning of your health. I was thinking of you tonight and found your website. You are still beautiful and I am so happy to know you are recuperating and still pressin into Jesus!! Please tell your family I miss them.
Love, Nicole Mason Fitzpatrick
Hi Karyn,
I needed to read something positive in the midst of pain today so I thought I’d pop onto your blog. I was not disappointed. Your story is so uplifting and relevant just in the time of my own need. Josh (yes Robin and Ron Lyttle’s son) has been in and out of the hospital over the past 3 weeeks, diagnosed with a rare muscular disease called polymyositis. It’s an inflamatory disease that has taken all of his strength. My 32-year-old hubby can barely move his arms and is troubled breathing just to feed himself. The prednisone is not working and the docs are considering doing a second byopsy and possibly chemo to get his immune system in check. I’ve been praying everday for God’s healing and strength but I found myself really struggling the last few days. Reading your blog was exactly what I needed. Please keep our family in your prayers. With love, Melissa Lyttle