Merry CHRISTmas!

Jeff and the kids are hanging out at home. Noah woke them up at 6AM - true to Noah's form. They unwrapped presents and cried a little. All good stuff. Salina and Jeff bought presents to fill Karin's stocking. Isn't that the sweetest thing? I love that new tradition. They got her a box of Hot Tamales, some of her Luna bars, a couple of Starbucks ornaments and a few other things that Salina was going to use. What a great way to celebrate her.

Your babies are good, Karin. You would be proud.

Tom & Terry and Jeff sent this to me. Karin is having the best Christmas ever!
Merry Christmas From Heaven

I still hear the songs
I still see the lights
I still feel your love
on cold winterey nights

I still share your hopes
and all of your cares
I'll even remind you
to please say your prayers

I just want to tell you
you still make me proud
You stand head and shoulders
above the crowd

Keep trying each moment
to stay in his grace
I came here before you
to help set your place

You don't have to be
perfect all of the time
He forgives you the slip
If you continue the climb

To my family and friends
please be thankful today
I'm still close beside you
in a new special way

I love you all dearly
now don't shed a tear
cause I'm spending my
Christmas with Jesus this year

Please keep Jeff, the kids and Karin's extended family in your prayers.

This is for Your glory

Jeff just forwarded this to me. It it too good to not post.
MATTHEW 6:34 That last phrase is worthy of your highlighter: “when the time comes.” “I don’t know what I will if my husband dies.” You will, when the time comes. “When my children leave the house, I don’t think I can take it.’ It won’t be easy, but strength will arrive when the time comes. “I could never lead a church. There is too much I don’t know.” You may be right. Or you may be wanting to know everything too soon. Could it be that God will reveal answers to you when the time comes?
The key is this: Meet today’s problems with today’s strength. Don’t start tackling tomorrow’s problems until tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow’s strength yet. You simply have enough for today.

Oh my gosh! I can't believe it! I forgot to remind everyone (including myself!) that today is PINK day! I feel horrible. I feel like I have forgotten Karin's birthday. Please forgive me (esp. you Jeff!). If it makes you feel better I feel extremely guilty. So, run back home and put on your pink shirt.

Happy Birthday Jeff!!! (early). Jeff's birthday is tomorrow, Sunday, December 16. Please pray for him tomorrow as I am sure it will be a rough one. We love you Jeff. Wish there was something I could do to make this time easier. Just think, we get to see Karin again and the time you spent with her on Earth is just a blink compared to the time you will spend with her in Heaven. Here is your fav. picture to stare at on your birthday.

Karin brother, Jonathan, and sister, Katie, running in her honor at the Nike Run this past October. She'd be proud.

Oh, Holy Cow. How did you guys let me go so long with out a post? I am sorry. It has been since Nov. 25th!

Noah had a good birthday. He took his friends to Chuck E. Cheese and then a few of his friends spent the night. I did not hear from Jeff the following AM and was concerned that those boys duct taped Jeff to the trampoline or something. Jeff said that the party was good, but he was exhausted from the sleepover part. ;) Can't blame him.

Last weekend they put up all the Christmas decorations. Jeff said that was AWFUL. Enola ended up coming over and helping him. He said he spent most of the time in tears.

Jeff asked me to post that for those of you still "blogging" he is still reading. He feels encouraged that people are still reading and likes to read the comments. It is painful for him to even click on the link but once he gets there is touching to him. I will not lie, he is at times, a mess, but he has good days (or maybe I should say "hours") too. He is tired of faking that everything is OK, when in fact, it is not. The kids are hanging in there. I would encourage you to post comments for him. It is therapy for him. He also needs to know that people have not forgotten him and the kids.

I have to share this story that Noah's teacher told me. I asked her if I could post it and she said I could.

"The other day I wore a ponco. Noah asked me---- Did my mom give that to you? I told him no and asked him why he wondered if his mom gave it to me. He told me it just looks like something my mom would wear. He also told me --- I like that sweater because it reminds me of my mom! Wear it alot---- Mrs. Boice!!! Its pretty on you!!
I wanted to cry. Each time I wear it Noah comes up and just smiles and rubs the arm of the poncho!!!"

Is that the sweetest (but heartbreaking) thing you have ever heard?

Please, please, please, pray for Jeff & the kids. This time of year will be the hardest, I am sure. I make it part of my kids' bedtime to pray for them. As I go around and tuck in my kids and pray for them I add Salina and Noah in there as well. They need it & ,frankly, God is the only one that can make this situation livable.

I have some pics that Karin's Aunt Teresa sent me from the Nike Run. I do not have them organized yet but as soon as I do I will add them here.

Tomorrow is Sweet Noah's birthday!! Happy Birthday Little Prince! Don't order the girls around too much on your day! XOXOX

Jeff & the kids spent Thanksgiving at George & Cathy's cabin. Jeff said he did good until they sat down to dinner and then he lost it. Another major accomplishment is done! Jeff came home early to coach basketball and the kids came home last night.

So, I clipped this article out of a magazine. Don't remember which one. It brought up something I had never thought of. Read it and pass along.

My glass is half full.

Okay, not really but for today (I can't make promises for tomorrow) I will be THANKFUL! for the brief time I shared with BFF. Here are a few of my thankful memories I have of Karin:

The one that comes to my mind first is us in the car at the DT at Starbucks, her ordering her high maintenance drink (3 times she had to repeat it) and laughing so hard my sides hurt. I just have to flash back to that day and I get a smile on my face. Thus, the name for the Blog.

Next thing I think about is the day "Jack Jack" (now almost 3) was born. Karin stayed up ALL night to watch him come into the world. Part of the time she waited in her car in the parking lot on a cold February morning. Only a good friend would do that.

While I am on the subject of the very spoiled Jackson, one of my favorite things (I sound like Oprah) is a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l Moses basket that she bought me as a shower gift. I have always wanted one but would have never bought it for myself. Boy, was I surprised when she showed up at my shower with it full of more gifts. I still treasure it now. I told her about a year ago I would save it forever and I meant it.

My son Cole (whom Noah calls his brother, and means it) loved to spend the night at the Carters. He loves Jeff because he is such a crazy fun dad (remember the sleeping bags down the stairs, Jeff?) but he loved Karin because she let him eat chips, and only chips, the entire time he was there. Is that like a fun Aunt or what?

Here is another sleepover memory for you. Once, Cole packed the kitchen sink to spend the night at Noah's, including his Playstation and all the games. When it was time to come home he mistakenly left it at Noah's. Karin, in one of her clean-up binges, thought it was theirs and THREW it in the garbage. A couple weeks go by before we realize Cole left it at their house. Karin starts looking through the house for it and then she remembers throwing it away. So funny. I have a couple stories like this one!

I have lots more where these came from but I need to save some for later. My kid's favorite memory of Karin is the time we all went to Disneyland. That was fun. She got me at 5 months pregnant to ride Indiana Jones. She could talk me into things. ;)

While our time with her was not enough, for today I want to remember the times I had. I look FORWARD to seeing her again in Heaven. No disease can take that from me.

Today is PINK Day!

Please keep praying for Jeff and the kids. Everyone is missing Karin and it looks different to each person. Tom and Terry have moved into their new home - around a mile from Jeff and Karin's house. The house is now more quiet. Jeff says it is okay for the first 5 minutes he is there and after that it stinks. Thankfully, he has started the coaching season so that fills some time.

Monday the 19th will mark 4 months since Karin started running marathons for the Lord on Heaven's streets. I declare it a PINK day! In fact, I am going to declare every 19th of every month a PINK day! I KNOW Jeff likes to see people wearing pink those days, so don't think he does not notice! Don't worry, I'll remind you when the days get close. It is a small thing you can do to show the family you have not forgotten!

Thank you Lord, that Karin is in better hands now.

The headstone on Karin's grave (I hate even writing that) came in. Jeff went and checked it out this past week. He figured he was already having a hard day so why not go when he was already down. This is a picture he sent me. For some reason seeing the stone makes it all the more real. I guess I am still waiting for her to pick up the phone and call me and tell me trivial stuff. No chance in that.

Salina had a great birthday involving trips to Justice, a sleepover for 17!! (yikes), pizza for her classmates, etc. It was a week long party. :) They made the best of it.

Happy Birthday Sweet Salina! We LOVE You!!!!

Did any of you catch Oprah yesterday? We usually record it and watch it later so we watched it late last night. Oprah had Dr. Oz on and they were doing "Medical Interventions". They showed a lady who visits the tanning salon a lot and has been doing so for 23 years. It was very good and educational. Every time I think I know most everything there is to know about melanoma, I learn something new. Did you know most skin cancers occur on the left side of your body? Or how about that light colored people with light colored eyes are more likely to get skin cancer? Cut and paste this link in your browser to view the segment. http://www2.oprah.com/health/oz/slide/20071029/oz_20071029_350_105.jhtml?promocode=HP23
Let's be more educated so our children will not have to have a birthday without their mother like Salina will this week.

Here is a tear-jerker for you. This is a banner that was in Niketown in SF on the day of the Marathon. Everyone who signed up for the marathon had their name on the banner within Niketown. :(

This one is for you Jeff! ;)

Happy Birthday BFF! All over the world today people have been celebrating you! Your Mom baked your fav cake, your sweet husband took the kids to the cemetery, I wore my pink shirt and my Life is Good necklace. :) Katie, Jonathan and Mary ran the NIKE marathon in your honor. Jamie ran it too! Just to name a few. We miss you dearly.

Thank you Lord that we were able to spend part of our lives with Karin. It was not near long enough, but I trust You. So glad that You have given us eternal life and that we get to see her again. Not everyone gets that and I can't imagine what it would be like to not have that assurance.

"Lordy be", as Karin would say. Sure do miss that girl.
Terry just sent me an email saying that Karin's brother, Jonathan, and sister, Katie, are running the Nike Marathon this weekend in her place. I think that is AWESOME. You go! I can't think of a better way to honor her memory on her birthday.

Also, Terry sent me this cool link to a You Tube video. Totally unrelated, but I thought it was cool. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7x3VnrqbA

This week is going to be a rough week and there is no getting around it. Friday will be the 3 month anniversary. In case that was not enough for us, Sunday will be her 41st birthday. Yippee! But wait, there is more! Karin had signed up for the Nike Marathon which takes place on Sunday in SF. I was just brainstorming with Jeff as to some things that he could do with the kids to help the day pass. I wish we could just erase the day off the calendar. It is what it is. Please keep the family in prayer over the weekend. Jeff said he wants to get the point where he can laugh again about her. Think that may be a ways off. So, in light of Karin's birthday, I declare Sunday to be a PINK day! I just told Jeff we need to start new traditions, so PINK is my contribution to new traditions.

Protect, Detect & Love The Skin You Are In.

Yesterday I went to get my hair done. As I was sitting there waiting on the color I came across this article in an old magazine. I had a big lump in my throat reading it. We all know what skin cancer can take. Do what you can to prevent it happening to you and your children. Double click on the second picture if you are blind like me to enlarge it.

Jeff & the kids are doing good. Noah got his Character Trait award at school last week. This is a big deal and I can only think of one time she was not there. The teacher picks the trait that she wants to recognize in that child and invites the child up during chapel to recognize him/her. So, it was hard for Jeff, he said he was "tore up". Noah got the trait of "Determination". Yep, that is Noah. ;)

The kids have part of next week off so Jeff is taking them to Monterey.

Starbucks has gone back to their Fall menu. Why is this worth mentioning? Karin was a big Starbucks girl - thus the Blog name. Her fav Starbucks drink was a Fall drink. She had this looong old Starbucks order. To stand next to her while ordering it was one of the funniest things ever, and, if she had to repeat it because they did not understand? Even funnier. Months before she got sick I had Karin email it to me in hopes to add it to a scrapbook page. I love to read it. It makes me smile. I am going to copy it on here and it is word for word her. Makes me think of "When Harry Met Sally".

"I'd like a venti, non-fat, decaf pumpkin spice latte
extra pump of pumpkin
2 pumps of Cinnamon
heated to 180
no foam and no whip
talk about HIGH maintenance, scary!"

With that you also get my fav. picture.

Jeff and the kids are hanging in there. Jeff has gone back to work but is still able to be flexible with his schedule. He is able to volunteer in the kids classroom. I am sure he had his required volunteer hours under his belt the first week. :) Thank you so much for your prayers for them. One thing is for sure, we could not have done any of this without the Heavenly Father.

Jeff has declared tomorrow a PINK DAY! :)

Is it me or does it seem like life is not as fun these days? Struggling to figure out how this could happen to such wonderful people. I am still in shock. I know God will catch me when it settles in. He is there waiting . . .

The two month anniversary will be this Wednesday. Please keep Jeff in prayer. Not sure the kids know what day is what and they all need prayer all day every day. Times are hard for Jeff and Salina especially. Again, I know God is ready to catch them.

Here is a pic to get you through the week. HE has already caught her!

Sure do miss this girl!

It has been requested that I post the pictures from PhotoBucket from the Run in May. That is what this big picture is below.

Karin's Run

Photobucket Album

My husband just informed me that we needed a new post. ;) Well, then. The kids and Jeff made it through the first week of school. Over the weekend Johanna and her husband came so that was good for moral support. I spoke with Jeff this morning and he is hanging in there. It is hard for him to be home without the kids. Coming home to an empty house is awful for him. Please continue to lift him and the kids up in prayer.

My kids are right now watching a DVD that has Karin on it (from the night Jackson was born). I can barely be in the same room. As I stare at it it is hard to believe she is not going to call me later and tell me the days happenings.

When I was at Jeff's last week he asked me to look at something in their walk in closet. When we got in there I told him, "When Karin and I used to talk on the phone, she would sometimes hide in the closet." I will let your mind wander about what we talked about ;) but Jeff said, "I know." We thought we were being sly about it, but apparently not. The other day when I called to check on Jeff we started talking about the kids. Next thing I know Jeff says, "Guess where I am?" "The closet." Brought a smile to my face.

Here is a picture of Jeff and Noah from the first day of school. The second is a picture of Salina, Noah and my daughter, Morgan, in the hot tub. I don't have a good one of Salina on the first day of school. ;(

He might not be able to make rice but Jeff can make a goooood Lemon Drop. Yummmy. And, he does nails!!! ;)

Good Lord, what a morning. We got the kids off to school this morning. I took lots of pictures that I can post once I get them downloaded. Tears, tears and more tears. Another first under our belt.

Going, going, gone. I have just a few shirts here that are to go to people that attended the Run. If you got a call and did not call Jamie back, email me and we will work out getting it to you. Come Wednesday, we are closing the door on this one and moving on.

The picture of Karin with the sunglasses is my new fav. I made a copy and put it up in my office. It is Jeff's fav. too. He pulls it up and just stares at it.

Below is a post from Tom & Terry Marshall (Karin's Mom & Step-Dad):

"We are just awestruck and humbled at the outpouring of love in the Brentwood community. The Bible tells us to love one another and it very evident in Brentwood that people truly love their neighbors. We are thankful for all the support from all the many friends and family that have been incredibly supportive and have been there to meet all the needs at this most difficult time. We praise God for each of you who have taken this journey with us all. A Venti Miracle Extra Hot which lives on in our hearts for eternity."

Here is another good picture for you. This was sent to me by Karin's friend Lori Hunt and was taken by Lori's husband as Karin was just outside of the finish line of the Big Sur Marathon. Thanks Lori. Keep them coming, guys. I have not gotten that many. What's the deal?

Below is a post from Jeff's Mom & Dad, Chuck and Enola Carter:

"The overwhelming feeling of love and support all of you have for Karin, Jeff, Salina and Noah is amazing! I have lived long enough to experience much in life, but nothing has ever been this awesome and powerful. All of you have blessed us so much that it will never be possible to thank you enough, or to express our gratitude to you for you! The care and concern for every thing that could and would affect Jeff, Karin and the kids, during these past four months, you took care of. As parents, what can we say? This, is a humbling experience and no expression can convey our gratefulness. Truly God met every need and it came through you. Therefore openly before all who may read this, we boast in the proof of God's love and our reason for boasting is based on your love. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift, you!

Blessing to you and yours,Chuck and Enola Carter"

Also, a good friend of Jeff & Karin's, Stacey Judson, suggested that we should share pictures of Karin that maybe others have not seen. You can email them to me and I will put them up over time. The above picture is the first one. Thanks for the great idea, Stacey.

Couple of things to mention today:
IF you have been called about your t-shirt being in and have not arranged to pick it up, you have until next Friday, August 24th to pick it up. You can email me at bethey12@yahoo.com or you can call Jamie at 925-642-5444. If we don't hear from you by the 24th we will assume you do not need the t-shirt.

For those of you that gave on behalf of Salina and Noah to Gateway Christian School - THANK YOU!! It helps a lot! Karin loved having her kids at Gateway so know that you have given where her heart is. Salina and Noah are well taken care of there. It was our intent to write each and everyone of you that gave a note of thanks but that is just not going to be possible. Due to privacy laws the school is unable to give a lot of information out concerning these gift. That is why you will not receive a personal note from the Carters. Please know that you gift is appreciated. Jeff is very grateful.

Finally, please keep the family in prayer this weekend. It will be a month on Sunday since Karin has gone home. That is sure to be another tough milestone for the family.

I wanted to share this post with you that Amy posted earlier today. The song really spoke to me heart.

The weekend of the walk, I met a woman named Jana Alayra who sang a song she referred to as "The Coffee Song" It just seems to fit Karin and all of her friends. On the same CD (No place like home) is a song she wrote after losing her 4 year old daughter. Its been on my heart for awhile to share some lyrics with you. I hope you find some comfort in them. Here are a few lines:

...Many say your days with us were too few; But they were numbered by the Lord for you. A message of your life remains through time; Jesus gave you everlasting life.Every time I hear you in my mindthough my heart weaps, my soul takes flight to the place where you are; Somewhere far beyond the farthest star...Now every minute that I breathe, You live what I believe. One day I will see Jesus come for me, No one knows the hour He will come. I will fall at His feet for all He's done for me; then straight into your arms I'll run...

Thank you, Amy!

Ignorance is bliss!
I was just talking to a friend's teenage daughter. Wonderful girl, whom we love dearly. She looked very pink (bordering on sunburned) so I asked if she wore sunscreen. She said she did not because if she wears sunscreen she does not tan. I asked her which would she rather have a tan or skin cancer? (I am bold, I know). She is a teenager so she said the tan. I remember being the same way when I was in high school. We just did not know what we know now. I know I have said this before but it is one of those things that needs repeating. WEAR SUNSCREEN! ALL DAY, EVERYDAY. Anyone that knows Karin & Jeff knows that their kids have a "glow" about them all the time from the sunscreen they put on everyday. My kids even complain about being "white". Who cares??? Get a good sunscreen. Trader Joes has a very good one that has zinc in it. Even better, there is a product that Karin's Aunt Teresa turned me onto. It is called Anthelois. You can get it from canadadrugs.com. I have done research and the one from Canada drugs is one of the best that money can buy. It will set you back a bit, but is cheaper than skin cancer. It is about $20 for 3 ounces.
I will get off my soapbox now.

I have been trying to figure out for several weeks now what to do with this Blog. Do I end it, do I keep it going? There is not much new happening at the Carters house to report on. I was talking with Jeff last night on the phone. He was sharing about the rough place he is in. (By the way, I think Jeff might be part girl because he is so good at talking on the phone :) ) Anyway, the Blog came up. He told me to post the truth. He said, "You have posted to truth all along. Don't stop now." Well, there is my answer to prayer. Jeff himself told me to keep it going. So the truth is, it is awful. For me, what is more awful than missing Karin is the hurt that Jeff, the kids and the extended family are working through. Knowing that there is NOTHING I can say that will take the hurt away. It is awful. Now that I have said that, I know it is normal. In fact, there would be something wrong with us if we did not feel the deep hurt we are feeling. The hurt is a testimony to how much we love and adore Karin. That will not go away and it can't be taken from us. The only thing we can do is pray. God will never lead us where His grace can't keep us. Pray, pray, pray.

Tomorrow would have been Jeff & Karin's 14th wedding anniversary. I have been trying to think of what I can do that might make tomorrow more bearable. In light of that, I am declaring tomorrow PINK day! So, go get the shirt you wore to the Celebration Service, get it all ironed and set it out for tomorrow. Alrighty?

Say a special prayer for the family tomorrow. Pray that they would feel comforted.

Certainly Karin has already worn out a pair of running shoes running around Heaven. Do you think they have Starbucks in Heaven?

I love being able to post Good News!

Last night was the Comedy for a Cause event at Tommy T's. As Martha (the event planner) was heading up to the table to pay for what she owed to Tommy's, a lady ran up and started whispering to the manager. Martha was in shock that this lady was whispering to the Manager just was she was about to have her turn to pay. She had her money all counted out and everything. The girl walks away and the Manager tells Martha that her tab is covered and that she owed nothing. Martha found the lady and that lady said she did not know Karin but that Martha had done a wonderful thing by planning this event and she enjoyed just sitting back and watching all the love in the room last night. Isn't that cool!

Martha asked me to post that evening was fun. ALL the money went towards Salina and Noah. She also asked me to post a special "thank you" to her Special Secret Angel. You know who you are and may God bless you mightily for the lives you have touched.

Tonight is COMEDY FOR A CAUSE!!!!
Call Martha at 925-314-2432 for all the last minute info!

I know people are wondering about Jeff & the kids. I have been lost as to what to write. It is a long road ahead of them, but thank God He is by their side.
Jeff has taken the kids on a bit of a vacation. They have been in LA since Sunday, visiting family and then to Disneyland. I think that has been good for them, although, it is hard being at one of Karin's fav. places. Can't imagine. They will be coming home tomorrow.
Please continue to pray and lift them up.

Comedy for a Cause!
This is your final opportunity to get in on the fun at Tommy T's. ALL proceeds go directly to the Karin L. Carter Hope Fund, which directly benefits Karin's children. This event has been planned for a couple of weeks, but Thursday night is the big event. It will be at 8pm. Do NOT purchase tickets at the door. You can call Martha at 925-314-2432 to get more info and to purchase tickets. Come on out and have a laugh in Karin's honor. She would like that. Let's sell out the place!

A little birdie told me that people have been thinking about taking off their bumper stickers. Pleeeease don't do that! :) Jeff, Salina and Noah need our support now more than ever. The sticker is just a simple way to show support for the family. If you don't have one, email me and I will get one to you. :)

Just a little note to say thank you for all of you that have emailed me to help out with meals. Because of the overwhelming response (as usual ;) ) most of you will not be called to prepare a meal. We are only going to do meals for a few more days (at Jeff's request) and I have WAY many more people than days. Thank you for your willingness.

Jeff posted this last night and I want to make sure everyone gets to read it. Grab the tissues.

"This is a tough one and I do it with an extremely heavy heart. I lost my wife, mother of our children and best friend on July 19th. The turn out for Karins services just confirms to me that I truly am the luckiest man alive being able to spend most of my life with her. You all have made this process a bit easier and I can never thank you enough so I simply but sincerely say...THANK YOU!I have truly been blessed... "

IF you registered for the Run that took place in May and either sent me an email or put your name on a list to receive the Run t-shirt, please call Jamie at 925-642-5444. Please do not call Jamie if you did not register for the Run as we have no extra t-shirts. If you give Jamie your name we can check it to our list and then we can arrange you getting your shirt. I apologize for the delay in these shirts, it is a long story. :) Please accept our apologies.

Jeff and the kids are hanging in there, trying to stay busy. It is a long road ahead of them, and God is faithful.

I keep forgetting to post to say a big "Thank You" to all those that prepared food for the Celebration service. Even though there were 1700 people in attendance, we still had plenty of food. Thank you!!! I would love to write each of you a personal note. I can't imagine how long that would take me! Know that you are appreciated.

We are starting a new meals list for the Carters. If you are interested in preparing a meal for them, please email me your name and phone number and you will be added to the list. If you were on the list previously please email me again, and let me know you want to be on the list again. If you emailed me in the last couple of days asking about meals, email me again. I have received about 300 emails in the last week, so please forgive me for asking you to email me again. :) My email is bethey12@yahoo.com. Thank you sooooooo much for helping.

Also, I want to say a BIG THANK YOU!! to everyone for coming today and celebrating Karin's life! Jeff said that the head count was 1700!!! He also added that the pastor said he had never done a service with that high of a turnout. That makes the Run look like a small gathering! Thank you so much. Jeff and the entire family feel the support! You guys are awesome!

Just a quick reminder about the Comedy for a Cause Night at Tommy T's. It is still happening! Karin loved to laugh and have fun, so we can do it in her honor! All proceeds go to the Karin L. Carter Hope Fund. Here is the orginal post:

Fun News!A friend of Jeff & Karin's, Martha, is planning a Comedy for a Cause night on August 9th at 8pm at Tommy T's in Pleasanton. Dinner can be purchased for an add'l charge, and that would be at 6pm. Tickets must be purchased through Martha & 100% of the profits will go directly to the Karin L. Carter Hope Fund. Do NOT purchase your tickets through the club, as the money will go to the Club and not the Hope Fund. Each ticket is $30. There are a limited amount of tickets so act quickly! You can contact Martha for more information at (925)314-2432

Thank you everyone for the support that you have shown Jeff and the family over the last couple days. Please continue to pray for them as they adjust to life without Karin. It is hard to even write that sentence.

Tomorrow is Pink Day!!!!! Karin would love that. She would probably be fussing over all the attention we are giving her but she would have to get over that! ;)

If you want to make a donation to Gateway Christian School (in lieu of flowers) please put in the memo line, "Salina and Noah Carter Tuiton". You may also make a donation to the Karin L. Carter Hope Fund. Please email me at bethey12@yahoo.com or call Jamie at 925-642-5444.

I spoke with Jeff a little while ago and he said that the whole town of Brentwood is sold out of pink shirts! :)

If you still want to bring food for the Celebration service, that is great. The only thing we still need is vegetable platters or deviled eggs (why do they call them that?). No need to let us know you are bringing it, just bring it with you when you come to the church.

Also, originally we had been told to bring food to the church at 10AM on the morning of the service, however, we have just learned that 10:30AM is a better time for the people organizing the food.

Don't forget - Wednesday is wear pink day!!

Just a reminder:
Please do not send anything to the Carter house, other than cards. Please, no flowers, no food. In lieu of flowers you can make a donation to the Karin L. Carter Hope Fund or to Gateway Christian School, either of which will benefit the Carter children. If you would like to make a donation to Gateway you may mail a check to GCS, 2401 Shady Willow Lane, Brentwood, CA 94513. Please write in the memo section, "in celebration of Karin Carter". If you would like to make a donation to the Karin L. Carter Hope Fund you may send it to Karin L. Carter Hope Fund, Bank of America, 241 Oak Street, Brentwood, CA 94513.

Romans 8:28. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

We are good on salads for the Celebration. We still need rolls, meat platters & cheese platters. Please email me if you would like to help.
In case I forgot to tell you via email, food should be dropped off at the church by 10AM on the morning of the service.
Please continue to pray for Jeff, Salina, Noah and the entire extended family. They still need covering.

The Celebration Service for the life of Karin Carter will be held on Wednesday, July 25th at 11:00 am at Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood. The address of the church is 2401 Shady Willow Lane. Reception to follow within the church.

Please do not send anything to the Carter house, other than cards. Please, no flowers, no food. In lieu of flowers you can make a donation to the Karin L. Carter Hope Fund or to Gateway Christian School, either of which will benefit the Carter children. If you would like to make a donation to Gateway you may mail a check to GCS, 2401 Shady Willow Lane, Brentwood, CA 94513. Please write in the memo section, "in celebration of Karin Carter". If you would like to make a donation to the Karin L. Carter Hope Fund you may send it to Karin L. Carter Hope Fund, Bank of America, 241 Oak Street, Brentwood, CA 94513.

If you would like to prepare food for the reception following the service, we would love that! You may email me at bethey12@yahoo.com or you may call Jamie at 925-642-5444. Specifically, we need meat & cheese platters, salads & sandwiches.

Karin's favorite color was pink. In keeping with celebrating her and her life, I would love to have as many people as possible wearing pink for the service. I think she would love that.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 115:15

Karin went to be with her Heavenly father this morning. Let me share something with you about Karin, in case you do not know. Every day Karin woke up early. Her normal waking time was in between 4 and 4:30 am. Ugh! Even when sick, she still got up at that time. This morning was no different. At 4:25am Karin "put on her running shoes" and is now running around Heaven, CANCER FREE. She is healed! She was surrounded by her family and was very peaceful as she left her earthly home.

We are waiting to hear confirmation of the date of a memorial service. That information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

Please do not send flowers to the Carter house. I will have more information on an alternative when I post about the service.

All you have to do is read the comments on this blog to know that Karin has touched so many people her whole life, and especially in her journey over the last 4 months. Karin loved the Lord. Even in the midst of a storm, she loved Him no less. The same Heavenly Father that she loved, and is with right now, died on a cross for you and me also, so that we could one day see Karin again and spend an eternity with our Heavenly Father. It is free! And it is priceless. Read John 3:16. If you want me to pray with you about how to come into God's Kingdom, email me at bethey12@yahoo.com.

I know that people have been wondering what is going on in the hospital.
I just spoke with Enola who is at the hospital. After talking with pastors, doctors and parents, Jeff has made the difficult decision to remove Karin from life support. Karin has been unresponsive for almost 48 hours. Karin is in no pain and she has been very peaceful. Man has done everything that can be done for Karin, God is in control. For this we can be thankful. However this situation ends up, to God be the glory, great things He has done.
Please, please keep the family in prayer. Pray for God to comfort Salina and Noah and that He would make himself known to them. Please pray for Jeff. He is at peace but it is a hard situation.
When more information becomes available I will post it as soon as possible. The number one priority here is the children and so if information comes a little more slowly, know that that is the reason why.
I have a big, okay, giant platter on display in my kitchen. Karin bought it for me several years ago for my birthday. It has this verse on it: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6. I love the platter, always have. It reminds me of Karin. Being far away from her & her family has been hard, but seeing the platter makes me think of her. She loves that verse too. If she could I am sure she would remind us of that verse. It is our job to trust God, and acknowledge Him, everything else will fall into place.
Please respect the family's need for some alone time now. Cards and notes of encouragement are always welcome. If you need their address, please email me.

Jeff posted this comment late last week. I wanted to put it out for everyone to see, in case you don't check the comment section of the blog.

"Thanks to all of you and I mean all of you! Those that cook, cut the grass, donate to the Karin Carter Hope Fund, prayer warriors, cleaners, friends, relatives, brothers, sisters, cousins, moms and dads and tons of people I don't even know. I cannot express my appreciation! May God abundantly bless all of you, in Jesus' name.

Your my hero Karin!All the love in my heart."

Enola sent me this scripture this morning and I love it.

Ps. 138:7-8 says " Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You revive me; You stretched out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. The Lord will accomplish that which concerns me; Your loving-kindness, O Lord, is everlasting, do not forsake the works of your hands!"

God is faithful. No dramatic changes to report as of right now. If more information becomes available I will post it.

The last 36 hours have been rough. I spoke with Enola about an hour ago and she said Karin has stabilized. God is faithful and He is doing amazing things in Karin and for Karin. He has provided Christian doctors and nurses. He has given her favor with the ICU staff. He has gone before her. Praise the Lord for his provision. Karin had a great visit with her children today. They were allowed to come in and out of the ICU and felt a part of their mother's care. Any of you that know anything about ICU know this does not happen. Children aren't even allowed, much less told they could come and go and come and go. That is the favor of the Lord.

Karin was put on a ventilator early this morning. The ventilator was originally set on 100% (meaning Karin is not doing any breathing on her own) when Enola left the hospital the ventilator was set on 55%. That is improvement and we'll take it!!!!

Please continue to pray for 100% physical healing of Karin's body. Pray for Jeff to get some good rest tonight. Pray that Salina and Noah would be at peace and feel the love of the Heavenly Father.

We continue to wait on the Lord and ask Him for MORE that we can think or imagine! We don't want Karin to just get over pneumonia, we want her healed of cancer too!

Karin continues to be stable. Please continue to hold her and her family up in prayer. God is BIG and He is in control.

Quick update: Last night Karin had a seizure around 6pm. Her heart rate was highly elevated. They did get her stablized and she was resting.

Please continue to pray for a miracle from God for Karin. Please also pray for the children and Jeff.

A couple of new developments. . .
Presently, Karin is at Kaiser Walnut Creek. This morning when she woke she had a fever and was unable to talk. She wanted to talk but her brain was not allowing her. Dr. Sattar hold told them if anything suddenly changed they should call 911 ASAP. That is exactly what they did. The ambulance came and picked her up at 7AM this morning. Jeff & Enola rode in the car behind the ambulance. Salina is in San Diego and Noah was home at the time and Chuck came to stay with him until Karin's sister came to pick him up.
At this point, they have confirmed she has pneumonia and had just left the room for a scan. They are giving her oxygen. They have also done blood work.
Also, another thing. At this point, Kaiser is unwilling to pay for Karin to have the Gamma Knife procedure at WA Hosp. I am not sure what the cost of having this procedure, and frankly, it does not matter. Jeff & Karin still want this procedure at WA Hosp. If you have considered giving to the Karin L. Carter Hope Fund, there is no time like the present. If you want to know more how to do that you can email me at bethey12@yahoo.com or call Jamie at 925-642-5444.

Please pray, pray, pray!!!!!!!!!! Pray for clear scans, pray for clean lungs, pray for a supernatural touch of the Heavenly Father.

PLEASE NO visitors!!!!

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40: 31

Please pray for God's strength for Karin today, both physically and mentally.

You guys are amazing! I just checked my email and Valerie has emailed me saying she only needs 7 hours filled for the 24/7 prayer!! AND, she has multiple people on several hours. Thank you!

Our resident Prayer Warrior, Valerie, wanted me to post that she is in need of 19 people to fill the rest of her spots for our 24/7 prayer. Again, you can email her at promises101@ comcast.net .

I spoke with Karin a little while ago and she said, "Did I tell you what Sattar (Oncologist) said yesterday while he was examining me?" She started crying and said, "He was feeling and pushing hard on my spine. When he was done he said, 'I can't find any nodules in your body.'" Karin told him that was all baby steps (to our miracle)!!! Now that is exciting. Thank you Lord!

For all you prayer warriors out there - we have an opportunity for you to use your gifting! Valerie, Karin's sister in law (Mark's wife) is putting together round the clock prayer for Karin. If you would like to be apart of this, you can email Valerie at promises101@comcast.net. You can work with Valerie to get a time for you to pray so we have 24 hour coverage. How awesome!
WA Hosp. called late last night to tell Karin that they had met about her case. Karin will go next Tuesday to meet Dr. Larsen and get all the information needed and then return on the 18th for the procedure.

Karin had an appointment today to see Dr. Sattar, her oncologist in Walnut Creek. That appointment was at 10:20 this morning. That appointment went well. Actually, Jeff said it was the best one yet. Amazing. The doctor gave Karin a nebulizer. This is a machine used to give asthma patients treatment while at home, this should help with the build up of mucous in the lungs that she is experiencing. Dr. Sattar said that he could not personally order the referral for Karin to go to WA. Hosp. next week but that a doctor (forgot his name) at Kaiser Sacramento could and he would start the ball rolling on that. Please pray that would happen. Also discussed was when Karin would be able to start taking chemo again. As it looks now, about a week after the Gamma is performed they will do blood work and, provided that all looks normal, she can do it at that time.
Jeff and Karin both sounded good today and in good spirits. Still waiting on Karin's strength to come around again. God is always on time though.
Again, WA Hosp. is meeting tonight at 5pm PST to discuss Karin's case, we are already in, but continue to pray that God would give the doctors wisdom when planning her treatment plan. Hopefully, we will hear more about the details of that tomorrow.

I got word a little while ago that Karin is officially accepted in the WA Hosp. Gamma Knife!! :) Her appointment for the procedure will be July 18th. Praise the Lord! The brain surgery appt. is officially canceled.

Fun News!
A friend of Jeff & Karin's, Martha, is planning a Comedy for a Cause night on August 9th at 8pm at Tommy T's in Pleasanton. Dinner can be purchased for an add'l charge, and that would be at 6pm. Tickets must be purchased through Martha & 100% of the profits will go directly to the Karin L. Carter Hope Fund. Do NOT purchase your tickets through the club, as the money will go to the Club and not the Hope Fund. Each ticket is $30. There are a limited amount of tickets so act quickly! You can contact Martha for more information at (925)314-2432

God is good!
I received an email early this morning (I live on the East Coast) from Jeff saying that he and Karin went to the Emergency room because she was short of breath. I had no idea what time they went to the hospital but I started to pray that it was nothing. About an hour later Jeff sent another email saying they were still there and Karin was asleep and they had done an MRI & CT Scan and were awaiting the results. I got on the phone and started calling people that I knew were awake at 6AM PST and getting them to pray for her. I just heard from Terri and Jeff & Karin just returned home and it is NOTHING. To be exact, it is build-up of mucus, not pneumonia or a tumor or anything. Praise the Lord! They do not know what has caused it but she has had a frog in her throat for some time know - mostly when I talk to her in the AM. Thank you Lord for the good report! When I told my 10 year old that Mrs. Carter was okay and the doctor said it was nothing, she said, "Hooray! That is better than what we prayed for!"
That is because of Eph 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us."

More good news on the horizon!
I have been hesitant to give any information about the upcoming brain surgery. As soon as it was decided that it was the route that they were going to take we were notified about Washington Hospital's new Gamma Knife machine. It is one of three machines in the world and it seems as though God is leading us there. Unofficially, they said that Karin is a candidate for treatment there but all the doctors meet on Weds. to discuss each patient. They will be meeting tomorrow at 5pm to discuss Karin. There are 9 tumors on her brain and the only one that is "borderline" is the large one on the top of her head that is causing the problems with the right side of her body. It may be too large to shrink, but if it is then later we can have it surgically removed. We are working with Kaiser to get them to refer Karin there. I don't think that will be a problem, but make it a matter of prayer. Also, it is a good possibility that they could treat Karin this week. It is outpatient and the procedure takes a couple of hours. I will attach an article about the machine at the end of this post. Also, UCSF would like to treat her as well with their Gamma Knife. That would be another good option but the equipment at Fremont is better. If Karin chooses to do Gamma this week, we will not do the brain surgery this week.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=drive_to_discover&id=5394114

Sorry. I know this is a lot of information in one post. Please just keep praying that God would go before them and they would have His favor with the doctors. Please also pray that they get some good sleep this afternoon. They were at the emergency room since 9pm last night and Jeff has not slept at all.

Just a quick praise report - Karin has been reading!!! Karin has not been able to read since the first radiation appointment. She said it made her head "rock". Anyway, yesterday she read some from the "Blessed Journey" book and today she was reading information about Gamma Knife that Jeff and I have collected. Thank you Lord!

I spoke with Karin and Jeff a little bit again and Karin is sounding well today. Last night, with Jeff's help she was able to walk around the house twice!! Praise the Lord! She said today she is getting walker and is going to walk again tonight. That is her spunk kicking back in!! God is good.
Please keep praying for her strength. The days go much better when she is able to be up and active. If you know Karin, you know she does not like any grass growing under her feet so for her to be immobile hurts.
Also, please, PLEASE, keep praying about the decisions being made for Karin's further treatment. We wait on the Lord for our Venti Miracle and at the same time pursue what medicine has to offer. Pray for wisdom.

Things have been quiet around the Carter's house. Karin and the gang made it to church today. Jeff is holding an open house at Tom and Terri's.
Please, please, continue to pray for Karin's strength. She is having a hard time doing a lot of things. Please also pray for her spirits. Pray that God would encourage her today. It has been a hard couple of weeks. Lastly, please continue to pray about/for the neurosurgeons and brain surgery & gamma knife.

This verse is for you Karin!
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40: 31

Are you still praying for Karin to get her strength back???? We still need those prayers going up for her.

Several of us are reading this book about a woman named Cindy who was HEALED from stage 4 Melanoma. It is such an awesome book and an easy read. Here is her website: http://www.ablessedjourney.com/ Get a copy of this book and check it out for yourself!

Opps. I have to correct myself. I said that Karin had a 6 week recovery after the surgery. What I meant to write was that Dr. Sattar said that it would be 6 weeks before Karin could no Chemo again.
The surgery itself is said to be very simple. Two hour surgery, with 2 days in the hospital and up and around at home within 2-4 days. Of course, we have a big God so we can pray differently! I know it sounds very scary to have brain surgery, but the doctor said that is really not the case anymore and the one tumor that they will be removing is easily accessible.
Sorry for the confusion.

Just a short post as not much is going on in the Carter's house. Johanna left on the 4th. Karin had a busy day on the 3rd. They went to Costco, Jamba Juice, Justice and one other place all in one afternoon. Karin said yesterday she was tired, probably from all the activity the day before.

We are still headed to brain surgery on the 13th of July. Pre-Op will be the 11th. Everything is looking good on that end. Continue to pray for peace as that day gets closer. Also, pray for a quick recovery. The doctor says about 6 weeks, so I say we ask for 3 weeks!!

Karin was able to make it to church yesterday, Praise the Lord! She took a good nap when she got home and felt well rested afterwards.

Johanna is staying with the Carters until the 4th. She and Salina and Karin all went for a pedicure today. Out two days in a row!!

Please keep praying for strength for Karin. Also pray for peace with the upcoming surgery & wisdom for Dr. Sheridan (the neurosurgeon). Continue to lift up the children. Pray for peace in their home and peace for the children.

Here is a prayer that Karin's cousin prayed for our friend:

Invitation to Pray
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (Jeremiah 33:3)
God encourages us to pray. They tell us that prayer is a pious exercise which has no influence except upon the mind engaged in it. We know better. Here Jehovah, the living God, distinctly promises to answer the prayer of His servant. Let us call upon Him again and admit no doubt upon the question of His hearing us and answering us. He that made the ear, shall He not hear? He that gave parents a love to their children, will He not listen to the cries of His own sons and daughters! God will answer His pleading people in their anguish. He has wonders in store for them. What they have never seen, heard of, or dreamed of, He will do for them. He will invent new blessings if needful. He will ransack sea and land to feed them. He will send every angel out of heaven to succor them if their distress requires it. He will surround us with His grace and make us feel that it was never before done in this fashion. All He asks of us is that we will call upon Him. He cannot ask less of us. Let us cheerfully render Him our prayers at once.

I just spoke with Karin a few minutes ago. Several days ago Jeff told me that if we could get 2 doctors to agree on the next treatment step for Karin we would take that as a sign from God which door we should go into. We have left messages for 6 or 7 doctors, waiting to hear 2 of them say the same thing. This afternoon we got that. And, because we have God Hook Up ;), Jeff actually just spoke with the doctor. You know how hard it is to get a doctor on the phone, LET ALONE a doctor that has never met you!!! I want to stress how BIG this is. Jeff spoke with the doctor just minutes after his nurse told him, "He will never give you a recommendation over the phone." After much prayer, MUCH prayer, Jeff & Karin believe God would have them do brain surgery. God's fingerprint is all over this situation.
Karin just told me that she "felt people praying for her today".
Keep on praying. Pray for continued peace. It would be just like the devil to spoil this with a little worry, doubt or anxiety. Please pray for overwhelming peace. A peace that surpasses understanding. We serve an awesome God.

Good Morning! (depending on where you are ;) )
I just spoke with Jeff and Karin and today is a good day. The last couple (since the trip to Kaiser Redwood City) have been difficult and exhausting. Karin is requesting special prayer for some strength for her to be able to get up on her own again. She has not gotten up on her own since Monday and she fell when that happened. Not a bad fall, but hurt her emotionally. Anyway, we have been spending a lot of time praying and reading scriptures and today she sounds much better. Still tired, but more up. Praise the Lord! His mercies are new every morning.
We still need clarity on the situation with the doctor. We have narrowed it down to two procedures and need wisdom on which do to first. Please continue to pray about that.

Nothing much new to report. Please continue to pray for wisdom for Jeff & Karin about the decisions being made. Pray that God would guide them through the doors. God is very faithful to have given us so many options and we are being diligent to check them all out.

Please pray for Karin to be encouraged today. Pray that God would lighten her load and that she would be surrounded by His presence. Get out the Bible ad pray Ephs. 3:20 over Karin & Jeff.

Follow the link below to Karin's fav song (next to the "J, You Got Your J" song that many were introduced to at the Run).

http://www.klove.com/lyrics/lyrics.asp?2323

Melanoma is the giant in our lives right now. Please keep lifting the Carter's up in prayer.

Jeff, Karin and Enola went to see Dr. Sheridan today at Kaiser Redwood City to discuss the option of brain surgery on two of the tumors within the brain - the two that are causing the trouble with the mobility of the right side. The appt. was for 11:45. Jeff just emailed me some brief information about the appt. and said Karin was napping. The doctor said the surgery would be relatively easy to perform, would take about 2 hours and require a 2 day hospital stay. He said she would feel weaker for about a month and then should gain mobility of her right side again. Jeff said the appt. was like all the rest where the bad news gets brought up to the surface again and they have to hear it again. That is hard for them to endure and is exhausting. In all, I think it went well and we will continue to open the other doors that the Lord set before us last week. Please continue to pray for wisdom for the Carters.

OPTIONS! We've got options!!! A lot has taken place today. This is going to be a long post, so grab your Starbucks and read on. Thank the LORD for opened doors. We have been praying that God would open doors that should be open and close those that should be closed. Today, HE opened several.
Last night, Jeff got a call from Stanford. Dr Alder believes that Karin should have the two larger tumors on her brain surgically removed. These two tumors are next to her left ear and they are the ones that are causing the right side of her body to not work (dragging of the leg and loss of movement of her arm). Dr. Sattar made a referral for Karin to be seen at the Kaiser Redwood City Neurosurgery Unit. The four doctors there have all been trained at Stanford and Dr. Alder said any of them he would trust. By afternoon we had an appointment for Monday for Karin to be seen by a neurosurgeon at Kaiser Redwood City. When Karin found out that Alder suggested brain surgery to remove the tumors she told Jeff "I am ready, let's go right now!"
Then along comes Dr. O'Day who has a clinical trial of chemotherapy that he felt was suitable for Karin. I can't remember the name of the drug. He is option number 2.
Then Jeff gets a call from Dr. Wolf at Doctor's Hospital, Miami. We sent him the scans yesterday and he got them today and called right away. He would like to do the Gamma Knife procedure on all the tumors in Karin's brain. He has very high success rates and believes Karin's situation is workable. If the tumors in the brain are gone we can more aggressively deal with the tumors in the body. This is option number 3.
And then there is option number 4. UCSF has received Karin's file and has scheduled her an appointment to see Dr. Kashani on July 2. I am not 100% sure on this but from the research I have done I believe what they will offer is a clinical trial also. They have about 165 of them going on there, of which, Karin qualifies for 2. Not a typo. 2.
And then the best option we got is God. We still wait on God for a big supernatural miracle. While we do that we know that God can use many means to heal Karin. It just may be one of the above doors that He has opened for us just in the last 24 hours.
Now, here is where Jeff and Karin have asked for prayer. Where do we go from here?? Please pray that Jeff and Karin would have wisdom in knowing where to go from here. Pray that God would direct them and put people into their path that would speak to their hearts and guide them. Pray for wisdom for the doctors.
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" James 1:5

Karin had a great day yesterday. She sounded good when I spoke with her in the morning. They were headed out the door so that the house cleaner could clean. They ended up at Old Navy, and Jeff said that was my fault. :) I was just keeping my friend informed about sales, and such. :)
Right now Karin is at the alternative doctor in SF. They spent the night in CV so they could get there early thing morning. After she is done getting her "cocktail" they will head home for a nap.
We are still working with 4 other facilities and trying to get some possible treatment for Karin. Please pray that doors that are supposed to open, and those that are to close, close.

Today's trip to the doctor has shown that there is a few tumors in Karin's brain that have grown. There are others there also, but there are 2-3 that are causing problems. Dr. Sattar has agreed to send Karin where she needs to go to get treated. Jeff has left messages for Dr. O'Day, Dr. Alder (Stanford) and we are also working on pulling together the needed reports to get an appointment at UCSF. Oh, I am also working on Doctors Hospital in FL.
They are holding off on giving Karin anymore chemo in the hopes that she will get into Stanford for their Gamma Knife procedure (not really a knife, but radiation). Gamma Knife has shown to be successful because they are able to pinpoint the exact location of the tumor, unlike in whole brain radiation (WBR). The drawback with the Gamma Knife is that they can only pinpoint 2-3 tumors because it does damage the brain tissue.
Jeff asks for your prayers. As I am sure you can image, we all grow weary and they are no exception.
We will continue to wait upon the Lord. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40: 31
I know I have written that scripture before but I think it fits well here.

I had thought Karin's appointment with the Onc. was later this week but as it turns out it is today at 9AM. Please pray as Jeff and Karin go to this appointment. Pray for some good news. Pray for peace.
Karin has the blood work on Friday so that she can start the Chemo again on Friday.

I talked with Karin a little while ago while she was on her way back from the doctor in SF. She sounded GREAT. For her sound as great as she sounded it can only mean that God is doing great things!! She said the doctor appointment went well and she had a good weekend.

Kids are off to VBS this week & Jeff is home now.

I have not actually spoken with Karin this weekend but I have heard from several people she had a great weekend. Yesterday, Karin made it out to Noah's soccer game. . .and stayed for the whole thing. This afternoon her brother took her to her Dad's and then they were all going to go for dinner and then Karin would go to Tom and Terry's for the night. Karin has a appointment in SF with alternative doctor in the morning to get another "cocktail", as Enola called it. :)

Next week Karin starts the 5 days of intense chemo again. Can't remember which day that is supposed to happen though. They also have a dr. appt. with Dr. Sattar, the Onc., on Tuesday.

Jeff was on his way home from Redding when I spoke to him earlier.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Eph 3:20

I always go back to this scripture for this situation. God is faithful. We just need to keep asking. He is not deaf! He hears us. Keep praying!

Remember the last time I posted I said that Karin was going to the Dr. in SF? He is the "alternative" doctor. I had said that both Jeff and I expected that she would be wiped out when she got home. Jeff told me yesterday that she WALKED in the door, was chipper and stayed up for another 2-3 hours before she took a nap. On the way home from SF she requested to run into Costco and do a little shopping. Even that did not wipe her out. Small miracle but we will take it! While she was at Costco she ran into a guy who's wife was doing the same treatment as Karin. Isn't it amazing how God always puts in where we are supposed to be when we are supposed to be there?? He is good.

When I called yesterday Karin was up making her own breakfast. These are all little baby steps but I am grateful that she is able to do somethings on her own.

I talked with Karin this morning and she was getting ready to send Jeff out the door. We are just about forcing him to go to Redding this weekend for an annual golf tournament that he does. I think the R&R will be good for him and you know Karin, she told him to go. Pray that he is able to rest a little and gain some more energy for the fight that lies ahead of us. That being said, Jonathan is coming for the weekend to help Karin out. Salina is coming home tonight from her little trip to Mexico. ;)

The scans came back yesterday and there was no real improvement to mention. God is still in the miracle business and we will continue to wait on Him! Please keep praying for our miracle. Pray that Jeff and Karin are able to stay strong to fight the fight.

Karin had a GREAT day yesterday. She felt good and was able to go to Baja Fresh with her Mom. Karin, her Mom and Tom went and spent the night at her Mom's in CV and then this morning headed to SF to visit the alternative medicine doctor. She said she slept great last night, even though she was not in her own space. Thank you God that Karin has had a couple of good days. Keep it up! Karin does seem to be coming down with a cold. We were thinking it was allergies but her and I just talked about it again and she now thinks it is a cold. Can you believe this is her first illness since February? That is very good for someone with a compromised immune system. I am expecting her to be wiped out the rest of today and possibly tomorrow due to the activity level of the last couple of days.

Karin is doing well this morning. She said going to the movies on Saturday really wiped her out so yesterday she did nothing but sleep other than going to the 8AM service. So, today she feels caught up but is planning on laying low today.
As it stands right now Karin's next appointment will be June 19th with the onc. I think we have determined that we can't change this appointment because of the blood work that has to be done for the next round of chemo.

I spoke with Karin earlier this morning and she sounded great. Better than she has sounded in several days, if not weeks. She was hoping to get out to a movie today - something she has not done in months! She said the scans went well and now comes the waiting to see the results.

One last thing. Hoping this Blog will turn over 30,000 this weekend. Isn't that cool??

Have not had much time to post today. Kids are out of school and I have my full time job as their "recreation coordinator". ;)
I got an email from Jeff late last night saying that Kaiser called them last night to cancel their MRI appointment for today, which was supposed to take place at noon. Something about contracts and equipment. Please, this is not a broken arm that we are dealing with!! Anyway, Jeff called early this morning and was able to get an appointment for today at 2pm. All of you that have ever dealt with Kaiser know that this does not happen!! Thank you, Lord! His favor went before Jeff and got them this appointment!
So, today's appointment was just for the MRI and not to have the scans read. The next appointment Karin has is on the 19th with the new oncologist. Jeff will also be getting copies of the scans to Stanford and John Wayne. At last, Jeff was going to try to get that appointment moved up. Please pray for some good news on those scans.
Jeff and Karin made it out to Costco today with Enola and that wiped out Karin. Salina is off with a friend to Mexico and Noah is gone for the weekend with Jonathan to a wedding in SLO. Should make for a nice quiet weekend for them.

My mailbox is overflowing with email from people wanting to bring meals for the Carters! Thank you! All your names are being added to the list and when your name gets to the top you will be called by Julie Garcia for the details.
Jeff just told me that Karin is off having breakfast with her Dad and they did not even take the wheelchair! Yeah! You go, Karin!
Please be praying tomorrow for the Carters as they go in for those scans. Please pray not only for the scans but for peace for the family.

If you are interested in being on the list to make a meal for the Carters, we want to hear from you! You can email me at bethey12@yahoo.com and I will get your info to Julie, who is coordinating their meals.

We still have some of those cute bumper stickers. Jamie keeps a stash at Celebration or you can email me at bethey12@yahoo.com and we can work out getting one for you. They are available for a donation.

Karin is feeling good and sounding like herself today. The two nights prior to last night she has been up most of the night. Then added to that she did not sleep during the day either. Today is a new day!
Jeff is off to a field trip with Noah & Karin is hanging out at home with her Mom.

Just spoke with Jeff on the phone and he wanted to say thank you to everyone for all their love & support. He said he does not even know how to begin to say thank you for everything that has been done for them. Words can not express their gratitude. They feel your support & prayers. Thank you for all you have done, whether that be bringing a meal, cleaning their house, taking care of the children, being taxi service for the children, sending a card and/or gift, donating money to the Karin L. Carter fund . . .EVERYTHING. There are no words.

Please pray for Karin this morning at 11:10 PST. Karin & Jeff are meeting together with the Elders of Golden Hills to pray for Karin's healing.

For all of you waiting for your Run t-shirt, thank you for being patient! We are still trying to get them donated. As soon as they become available I will let you know.
Since we have less and less happening in the Carter house I will go to posting every other day. If something comes up in between that time I will always pass along the information. Please continue to pray for Karin's miracle!! Our God is faithful!

I never talked with Karin myself yesterday and I was waiting to talk to her to get all the info, BUT I heard from people at the kids school & Tom and Terry that she went to the kids school during lunch!!! Wow! You go!! That is walking in faith! So proud! This morning Terry called me and told me that Karin sent Salina and Jeff off to a movie last night. These are all miracles! Thank you Lord. He is faithful!
I talked with Jeff this morning and he said Karin did not sleep well last night and as a result has been asleep most of the morning.

I keep forgetting to add this picture that I took while at Karin's last month. Look at all those cards! Cole and Noah helped me hang them all on the wall. She had already filled up 2 bulletin boards! Keep 'em coming. Email me at bethey12@yahoo.com if you want her address.

I talked to Jeff around 9Am this morning and Karin was already asleep. Jeff was getting a little work done while she is sleeping. Karin has been really tired. Please pray that she is feeling less exhausted and not nauseous.

James 5:16 "That the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." Keep praying for Karin's complete 100% healing!

I talked with Karin earlier this morning around 8:30am. She was sitting on the swing with her Mom. She was a tired and getting ready to nap. She doesn't have any plans to make it out today. Yesterday must have wore her out!

Yeah!!!!!! Karin made it out today. She and Jeff went to Costco & she felt good while out!! Thank you Lord that she was well enough to get out today. Baby steps, girl!

Thanks Nicole for these great scriptures!
Lam 3:22-23,25"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions will never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him."

Spoke with Karin earlier this morning and she was sounding a little more chipper today. She slept okay and was eating breakfast when I talked to her. She is hoping to make it out of the house today, so we'll see. She asked that we pray for her not to be so tired and nauseous. Consider it done!
Jeff got an appointment for the MRI on June 8. Major God thing there. When Jeff first called the first available appointment was July 21!! Can you believe that? When Jeff explained the situation they came back with July 8! Finally he was able to get June 8 in Martinez, which is better anyway because it is not as far. We'll take it!

Just spoke with Karin and they were just finishing up dinner. Jeff said they may try to get her out in a bit. I told her that if she got out of the house I would buy her a prize from her fav. store. ;) She got in a good nap this afternoon. Jeff was going to take Noah to his soccer game.

"Since you can't imagine a place where HE isn't, you might as well imagine Him with you." Love that.