FEAR

FEAR...the days following 9-11, the unknowns of moving, the safety of loved ones, and ????.  Fear all around. What do you fear?

My dear daughter-in-law, Lauren, addresses this in a post on her new
blog  I encourage you to read it, and also share her blog with other "20 something" year old people.
https://musingsofthe20s.blogspot.com/2019/10/inaugural.html?m=0

The passage, John 14:27, was my theme verse in high school!  My ANTI-FEAR verse: "I leave peace with you, I give you My peace. I don't give it to you as the world gives it. Don't feel troubled or afraid." John 14:27, Beck, An American Translation, the version of Bible I was reading then.

May you know God's peace amidst the inevitable fears!

God is Bigger Than the Hot Mess

I'm a hot mess of a hurting momma. My kids hurt, I hurt. What to say? What not to say? What to do? What not to do?

And it is constantly changing.  As a parent, just when you get something figured out, it changes. Then they grow up and everything is different again. My kids, but their journey. With 2 of my children  already married, (a grandbaby on the way-how did I get this old so fast???), and my youngest a senior in high school, my life is really changing. My friend, Julie, texted me: The book we really needed was "What to Expect 17 Years After You Were Expecting".  So true.

A mentor friend, Lois, told me to keep praying and journaling; keep seeking God's guidance! (I love the comfort of my journal- soft leather tactile comfort!! Thank you Murdy Creative Co ) As I was praying for God's presence & guidance, here are the bits and pieces from my devotion readings that really spoke to my heart one day last week.  My journal entry:

Devotions today exactly what I need-

from Portals of Prayer 9/19/19 by Bryan Hopfensperger

"What is God's will for you? That you would be saved! That you would hear His Word & have forgiveness of your sins. That you would be washed in Baptism's waters & be fed the bread of Heaven-body and blood of Jesus for your forgiveness and salvation.  

This is God's desire for ME!! (Very comforting and and puts into perspective all the mom stuff-God is bigger!)

Redeemer devotions from Daily Bread by Kirsten Holmberg, 

From Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

A Fitting Time "a time for everything, & a season for every activity under heaven" v.1

In seasons of heartache, we can trust God to bring something good from this time. Our comforts & joys may come & go, but God's works "will endure forever" v.11. We may not relish every season-some are quite painful-yet He can bring beauty to them all. 

Father, You have permitted this season in my life. Help me to be content in the midst of it & to recognize Your power & might are at work. 

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them                     

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up, 

a time to keep and a time to throw away, 

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak.” Ecclesiastes 3

And wow I guess God really wanted me to read this part of His word today... Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 is also the Hinz family verse for today chosen by Markus & Lauren!

I pray that YOU, like me, are blessed with God's truth. In the midst of the hot mess hurting momma moments, God is bigger!! In the midst of hot mess hurting momma moments, God is comforting. In the hot mess hurting momma moments, God is guiding.

Lake Powell to WI to TX....Over 3000 Miles All in ONE Wild Week

One year ago this week, it was crunch time. Not as in “I have to study for a test”, “school starts tomorrow”, or “quick get the trash out as the trash man is driving up the street", but as in “we are moving to TX and we leave in a few days”. If you have ever moved, you probably understand the myriad of feelings and activities that engulf you. My last relocation had been to Jaesville, WI from Alabama in February of 1988 and my most recent move had been from the farm house in Janesville to Linden Ave in Janesville in December of 1996. Leaving WI after thirty years in the same town and 22 years in the same home resulted in a lot of root pulling, both physically and emotionally.

“I remember You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the watches of the night; for You have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:6-8

Last night as I lay in bed, I realized last year at this time was the week of leaving. My mind replayed the week and I meditated on how God has continually been our help!

Organizing and planning the 1st week of August 2018 was brain maximizing. Starting in Lake Powell, Utah on Saturday, we went to NE on to WI back to NE and finally to TX arriving the following Saturday. Good thing I like to travel. But I must admit after that trip, even I was tired of traveling. And so thankful that God’s right hand upholds me. 

On August 3, 2018, we returned from our annual family vacation at Lake Powell in Utah. (Our Lake Powell vacation included all 4 of our sons & their 2 girls- we were singing for joy that we were all able to gather together before the BIG MOVE for an incredibly special vacation.) We traveled across UT and CO to NE and on Sunday morning, we worshipped with our dear friends, the Burmas. After unhooking our red boat, which we had taken to Lake Powell, and leaving it with the Burmas to “boat sit”, we headed to University of NE in Lincoln to drop #3 son off for RA training. On Monday we completed our trip back to Janesville, after stopping in Rock Island, IL to visit the cemetery where David’s parents and sister are buried and going to Whiteys, a delicious local ice cream store. (Chocolate chip cookie dough is my favorite -lots of extra chocolate chips in addition to the chocolate chip cookie dough.) https://www.whiteysicecream.com/menu/

Monday evening, Tuesday, and Wednesday were supposed to be more packing time. However as often happens in life, the days were filled with a multitude of interruptions. Wonderful interruptions of friends and patients stopping by our home to say good-bye, of bon-fires encircled with friends as we shared memories and prayers, and of many tears and lots of laughter. Particularly I remember one of my son’s friends praying that our home in Texas would be filled with friends and laughter, just as it was in Wisconsin. Every time our Texas home is filled with laughter and friends, I remember God’s yes answer of that prayer and I sing for joy.

We needed to leave Thursday morning. Wednesday night about 10 pm the doorbell rang. I emphatically pronounced to my husband, “We have to be packed! Whoever it is at the door will just have to come to our bedroom so we can finish getting our clothes packed for Texas! (Once we got to Texas, we were planning to stay at my brother’s home until we bought our home, so by this point we had given up on trying to get everything in the house packed and were frantically just trying to get packed what we would need for a few months, knowing I was going to have to come back to finish packing up the rest before the movers arrived.) At the door stood one of our best friends, who came for one last goodbye, and thankfully didn’t mind finding a place to sit in our bedroom amidst all the stuff while we finished loading our suitcases. 

Thursday morning, we left on our big adventure. Excited. Tired. Scared. God's right hand upholds us. God had guided us to this point and we all were blessed with peace knowing that He was leading the way! Our little expedition included my husband and #4 son in our very full suburban pulling a

U-Haul car trailer loaded up with Grandpa’s pick-up truck (David’s dad’s old 1979 Dodge pick-up) which was loaded up with Grandma’s furniture. I followed in my little filled to the brim red car. We arrived in Perry, IA, to drop the pick-up truck with dear friends, the Bice family, who were storing our pick-up in their barn. Grandma’s furniture was wrangled, tied and duct taped to the car trailer. (We prayed for no rain, until we could get the furniture safely delivered to #3 son at UNL that evening.) After dinner at Lucky Pig with our friends, we continued safely on to Lincoln, NE. No rain!

Friday morning, we spent some time helping our college son get a little more settled-hunted for a room rug and a few more college essentials-and delivered the U-Haul trailer to the drop off location. After a walk and lunch at Cane’s, we said our sad good-byes, driving back the 80 miles to the Burmas to hitch up our red boat to pull to Texas. 

Saturday was a long driving day of anticipation and reflection. Finally, we crossed the Texas border! After about 4 more hours, we arrived at my brother’s home. Many times in the past we had been at his house for vacation. It was hard to imagine that now when we arrived we were actually staying in Texas! We were lovingly greeted by my brother and his wife, my niece, her husband and 2 sweet kids. And some of us might have even kissed the ground!

“I remember You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the watches of the night; for You have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:6-8

Now a year later, we are mostly settled into our own home. Our year has been filled with many blessings of extended family and friends, laughter, Concordia High School, fulfilling work, and so much more. I sing for joy in thanksgiving to God as His right hand upholds me. I remember His help.

Difficult Boss? Difficult Dad (or Other Family Member)? Difficult_______?

Everyone has THAT someone-that difficult person.
As I think about Father's Day quickly approaching, I am so thankful for my kind and wise father who died in 2006. I was so blessed to have a loving father.
But I know some people have a different story- a "Difficult Dad". Or some difficult relationship. Click on this link for a blog post I wrote for Women's Leadership Institute about difficult relationships.
http://wlicuw.org/difficult-boss/

Hope this is helpful for you in dealing with that difficult person in your life.

http://wlicuw.org/profile/speaker-karen-sue-hinz-murdy/


The Women's Leadership Institute educates, encourages, and emboldens Christian women for exemplary leadership. I am thankful for the many ways WLI has educated, encouraged, and emboldened me through conferences, workshops, interactions with inspirational leaders, and their website.
Check out more information about Women's Leadership Institute http://wlicuw.org/

Arbor Light: Mission-Minded

I am so honored to be featured in the Arbor Light magazine. Click here for the link from the magazine http://blog.cuaa.edu/mission-minded-karen-murdy/

This story first appeared in the spring 2019 issue of the Arbor Light, the official magazine of Concordia University Ann Arbor.

The best way to catch up with Karen Sue (Hinz) Murdy is by walking alongside the blogger, writer, motivational coach, wife, and busy mom of four boys. No matter what’s on her packed calendar, she always makes time for the Lord, her family, and for exercise. Oftentimes, all at once. And she uses her gifts and training to help others keep God, relationships, and movement into their own daily lives.

As a student at Concordia University Ann Arbor, Murdy took full advantage of the beautiful campus to walk out her stresses, a daily habit she learned from her parents growing up in Reese, Michigan.

“There are so many decisions to make as a college student, so I walked a lot when I was at Concordia,” says Murdy. “I prayed for guidance along the river bank and remember knowing a profound sense of peace during my time there.”

Not all of Murdy’s movements on campus were solitary, however. She laughingly recalls leading her friends in aerobic-type exercises in the ballroom of the Manor. In between dance moves, they would talk about their favorite subject, the New Testament. She didn’t know it at the time, but her impromptu “Manor-obics” would be a precursor to an impressive career as a motivational speaker who gets people moving and fired up for our Savior.

The pastor’s daughter would go on to earn her degree in exercise physiology, start a cardiac rehabilitation program, marry an internal medicine physician who shares her passion for the Lord and healthy living, and design a multidisciplinary weight management program that would help people lose weight and shift priorities in their lives. Murdy’s enthusiastic personality and positive approach to Christian wellness have helped her to become a vivacious motivational speaker.

Lent...No Fear

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent...NO FEAR

This week as I was thinking about the upcoming Lenten season, my mind turned to a blog post I wrote for Concordia Publishing House a few years ago...


It starts out with "My friend bought an old, but low mileage, cute Volkswagen Bug. But this car had sat immobile for too long. Almost immediately, the car’s fuel pump failed... 
Keep reading here https://blog.cph.org/read/everyday-faith/exercising-eating-stewardship-lent-related
This article first appeared on the CPH Blog March 9, 2017.

If I can encourage you in any way with "No Fear" or your healthy exercise & eating lifestyle, please feel free to contact me at ksmurdy@gmail.com

No Ornaments

No ornaments. This year there were no ornaments on our Christmas tree, except the 6 ornaments we received as presents eventually we did hang on the tree.  This summer as we were packing up for a cross country move, I gave away 4 artificial trees- 2 little ones, 2 big ones (3 inherited ones, 1 that we bought).  As December rolled around, I was wondering why in the world I gave away ALL our trees. In early December whenever I was in a store, I would glance at the trees, but really just felt overwhelmed trying to decide what to buy and trying to think about where I would eventually store this tree in my basement-less house. A new friend suggested we buy a real tree for this Christmas and then buy an artificial tree on after-Christmas sales. We liked that plan. Since we had put up an artificial tree in the recent years, our youngest son, never having had a real tree, excitedly anticipated this tree. On a very sunny warmish delightful December 15th, we trekked to a Christmas tree farm.  "We hope you are looking for a small tree because that's all we have left," the tree farm worker warned us. On December 15th, we just wanted a tree-any tree! The skinny trunk was easy to cut. The light weight tree was easy to carry into the house. The small tree was easy to set up. We dubbed our tree "our Charlie Brown Christmas tree". And we loved it! Covered in multi-colored lights, it was beautiful in our eyes, and the fresh evergreen aroma filled our new home.

We decided to wait for "the boys" to arrive home to decorate the tree with ornaments.  Our tradition has been all of us working together to put up the tree-usually the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend- and each boy would hang his special ornaments-ones we bought each year to commemorate a highlight of that year. This year the boys arrived on a staggered schedule. One of few days before Christmas; one on Christmas Eve day, and one, with his wonderful wife, a few days after Christmas. The time with the boys (& girls) home quickly filled-worshiping with special church services, visiting with extended family, exploring throughout our new city, etc. And so there never was really a good time to put up the ornaments. But our ornament-less Charlie Brown Christmas tree lighted up our house and filled it with a delightful scent. (In fact after we got the Christmas tree our newly acquired house stopped smelling like "their house" and began to smell like "our house"!) Every time I walked by our special little tree, I thought about Christmas. I was challenged to think about what Christmas really is about-the coming of our Savior as a baby...Emmanuel-"God with us".

Christmas came and went, even without ornaments.  And it was truly a special December for us. Now in January, I am reaping the benefit of EASY Christmas tear down and put away. But the message of Christmas is NOT put away. The message changes our hearts every day. "Do not be afraid...good news...for ALL (this means you) people...a Savior, Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10 With or without the ornaments!