2019 ACFW Carol Award WinnerWe’ve had a lot of tough years. Raising kids, health concerns, finances, etc. I’m sure every single one of you have had the same.
But this past year–since September of 2022–has now taken the title of “Hardest” year of my life.
It’s been all I can do at times to take one more breath… one more step.
Not only have I dealt with some of the worst respiratory illnesses my poor scarred lungs have ever dealt with (including the not-so-lovely “C” twice within 10 months which plummeted my oxygen levels into the 80s for weeks on end), but I lost my sweet Dad, had to deal with all the paperwork for that in the midst of grieving (those poor people that had to spend hours on the phone with me and heard me blubber – sigh), and then also downsized by more than half and moved to be with family.
All of the above are just the big things. All of which caused me to get seriously behind on my full-time job–my books. My publishers (Huge shoutout to Bethany House and Kregel) were incredibly gracious and loving and understanding through it all. But the stress of catching up has been almost as bad as grief. And that’s saying a lot.
What’s funny is that we’d had a wonderful new program in the works in the background. My web peeps (give a round of applause to Jones House Creative!!!!) made a special site for me so I could launch A MILLION MILES WITH KIM. We had geared up for the launch and were SO EXCITED to start the new journey.
Wouldn’t you know, as soon as we launched, I got sick. For three months, I battled illness after illness and struggled to breathe. It was brutal. But the loyal peeps kept it going. When my Dad was hospitalized in January–the world basically had to stop for me. He passed away in February and then it took time… lots of time to not only handle things, but to grieve.
We are now moved and settled and I’m catching up on all my deadlines. As I write this, I’m walking on my treadmill at my standing desk. I’m way behind in logging my miles, but I’ll get them caught up. At least my conqueror app keeps track of all that for me. 😉
As the one year anniversary of A Million Miles With Kim approaches, I’m hoping that we can all get a new and refreshed spirit. If you’re like me, you need the encouragement to keep going. If you’re going through a lot of junk right now (everyone I know seems to be struggling in one way or another), then I hope and pray that this can be something new and different for you.
I love writing stories. I love reading. But this new journey is just me being real with you. I’d love for you to join me.
If you haven’t registered on the site yet to log your miles, here’s your invitation. If you need a “restart” like me – feel free to jump right in. This is a free opportunity for you. Simply for us to encourage each other along the journey. We’d love for you to join the Facebook group too – it’s private and is a safe place.
In the coming weeks and months, we’re going to post blogs with interviews from members of AMMWK to encourage you. I’m also going to give away SIX conqueror challenge codes by the end of the year. (All you have to do to enter is be a member on the site and log your miles.) There will be other prizes along the way. Simply to encourage us to keep moving. We’ve conquered almost 16,000 miles together so far. SIXTEEN THOUSAND MILES. That’s two-thirds of the way around the Earth!!!!!! More than four times back and forth across the US!!!!
I’d love for you to join us.
For those of you who are in one of the hardest years of your lives, please know that you’re not alone. We can be here for one another.
As my Dad always used to say, “Keep on Keepin’ On…”
Until next time,
Kimberley
Comments 10
Kimberly,
Truly sorry for all you’ve dealt with this past year. I hear renewed strength and purpose in your post. Hope this encourages you to the moon and back: it’s your books that got me through some challenging emotional and physical times in my life over the past couple of years. I wait with baited breath for each new release. After reading, they are shared with other friends to bless. Your stories alway have gold nuggets of God’s truth in them that seem to apply to me at just the right moment. Truly a gift from our Lord!
Be blessed, and thank you for sharing your incredible gift with all of us!
Big hugs,
Mary
Oh, Kimberly, I am so sorry over the loss of your dad. The past 2 1/2 years have been the hardest of my life, with being hospitalized with “C” myself, the death of my father last October, and the death of my mother this past March…and still sorting through the paperwork, etc. In April a biopsy from my uterus came back precancerous, so I’m having a hysterectomy the end of the month. Only through prayers from my prayer warrior friends am I able to keep on moving, breathing…
I want to repeat my condolences on your loss. We lost Mom in February, 2020 after a five year long valiant struggle with dementia. We were blessed to have her here at home for the majority of that time. I am thankful that you are feeling better and look forward to reading your new series.
I’m so sorry to hear about all of this! Sending hugs and prayers! Glad you are back on the treadmill.
So sorry you had such a rough year, but know you are not alone. Trust in the Lord and he will never leave you. I pray that 2023 will be much better and you will emerge out of the wilderness a better, healthier person.
Thanks for sharing, Kimberley. This is the hardest year for me too. I lost my mom and husband in a 10-month period. Life as I knew it is gone. I must now try to find what God wants me to do with my life. I have three grown children that are great, two live away. They have their own lives though. I will consider the logging the miles. I am 16 weeks out from my husband passing and need some time to get a bit more motivated. Prayers for you with your grief process and your health. Much love, Terry
My dad used to say: “throw it in the mystery bag” and go on.
Covid is not fun. I had it in Feb and still suffer from shortness of breath and low oxygen levels and they still don’t know the cause.
I’m sorry for the loss of your dad.
Thank you for your newsletters.
I like all your books.
I am so thrilled to find this. I can relate to Kim in so many ways and on so many levels. My heart is shattered this year, too. I signed Hospice paperwork and faced the incredibly hard reality that my precious, dearly loved mother will not be on this terrestrial ball much longer, unless God intervenes with a miracle for His purposes. My heart breaks more and more each day and I did not think it was possible.
I am praying for Kim as I write this. Asking God to continue to be with her moment-by-moment in a mighty way.
I am a huge fan of CC. I have several medals and continue to earn “the next one” each time I complete a challenge. I do it all, every step, for God’s glory and praise.
I started bookstagram several months ago. It is the first place I actually felt like I belonged. Now, finding this community — it is as if I feel like I am being wrapped in a warm blanket sitting around a campfire with likeminded friends. I sure hope I contribute in meaningful ways that brings honor and praise to Him.
I really feel for you. I am glad to hear about how God has brought you through all of this. I too have had a hard six months. Dad’s death, probate, going down to one income, going back to work after 5 years as a caregiver, car break downs again and again, house break downs again and again, having to have a loan to fix the roof, another contractor yet again taking advantage of me. People all around me with illnesses and newly diagnosed diseases. Living alone and dealing with that.
But God brings us through all of that. And gives us so many blessings that we might temporaily forget about. I have some awesome Christian coworkers and two church families now. I am so blessed that I feel spoiled. A lovely property with fields of soy and corn around me. Relief from my asthma and allergies through medication so I can open the windows or go outside. A good growing garden. The wind brings the mild smell of the lovely Cedar trees into my home. I feel like I am living in an air freshner. A good neighbor that knows how to fix cars and his wife that likes to trade plant starts and stories. And I hope your heavenly Father makes you feel the same way. **Hugs** and encouragement my friend. Let us continue to lean on Jesus and remind ourselves of all of our blessings in these times of trouble.
But I also have to remember that I am now here for Him. I have a coworker who went to my school, is my age (plus two years) and is the same white background. We are customer service reps and I had a customer wish me Happy Good Friday. To which I replied back, “I do celebrate it. To you as well.” She looked over at my Christian coworker and muttered, “What is Good Friday?” That floored me. I thought everyone knew what Good Friday was. So, this is my lesson. And I realized my calling better. Why we are sent out into the world. To connect with those who are lost in everday situations. I could have worked anywhere. But God sent me here (I did what He asked when I accepted the job) so that these moments would arrive. And I hope that I have done what He has asked and expected me to do.
And I hope you receive the encouragement and strength to get back to witnessing through your work as well.