My plan vs. God's plan

From time to time, God thumps me on the head. Almost as if to say "I'm here, are you aware of me?"

Last night was one of those nights.

I'd been up late the last week or so doing different projects, etc. The bridal fair was complete and I.just.needed.sleep.NOW. But ... as life goes, I was distracted. Puttering around for no good reason.

My Facebook status went as follows:

8:38 p.m. : Karen is resting after an awesome bridal show today!
10:17 p.m. : Karen is going to sleep ... I mean it this time!
10:25 p.m. : Karen is REALLY going to bed this time. I MEAN IT NOW!!!!!
10:27 p.m. : Karen should give up and admit she's too distracted to sleep
10:42 p.m. : Karen is wasting perfectly good sleeping time. WHY AM I STILL UP PUTZING AROUND ON THE COMPUTER?!!!?

The answer to that last question came a few minutes later ... when I wandered out into the living room to ... well, I don't know why I did, but I did. And there was dad, having a less than wonderful low bloodsugar. :-( Mom was asleep and I was the only person around. Thankfully, some juice did the trick and all was well in the Mikols house ...

I certainly hope my family doesn't mind me sharing this. I don't do so to embarras anyone. It's just part of life and happens from time to time. This time was my turn to pitch in, and I'm glad to do so.

And it was God's chance to tap me on the shoulder and say "Hey you, you have a purpose. You have a meaning. Even when things aren't going according to YOUR plan, *I* have a plan. And know what? It's way better than anything you could come up with, Karen."

So, I share the same with you, blog readers.

YOU have a purpose
GOD has a plan.
It's probably not your plan, but know what? It's *far better* than anything you could ever come up with.

Have a glorious Monday and Blessed New Year.

Reflections on tornadoes

Watching the news coverage, reading the stories, and especially looking at the still photos from the tornadoes over the last few days is more than a little difficult.

I found myself in tears over this morning's paper, barely able to read.

I've never been in a tornado. I've never lost life nor limb to a tornado, but I'm still deeply moved by the people and places who are in the path of these storms ...

About a year ago, I headed to Greensburg with EMS responders from Hays to help in the aftermath (the Greensburg link is photos from the Wichita Eagle; I didn't take those images). Words will never to justice to the experience, nor will the images I captured. To write the story, a few of my coworkers had to get me liquored up. The story won several big awards in my news organization, but truthfully, I wish I never had to write that kind of story.


The most unreal aspect of a tornado's aftermath (at least in my opinion) is the trees. Their bare limbs seem to reach and grasp at the sky, begging for mercy. It totally unnerves me to see them, and in the coverage from this week's storms, they're all over. From Greensburg in 2007:


Lastly, a self-portrait of me and the Big Well. Kristine, Robin, Chris and I stayed in a bed and breakfast right across the street in 2006 when we went to Story Corps (I'll post about that a week from today, so check back!)


It's also crazy to think Erik and I stopped in Manhattan for a few hours on Wednesday ... how crazy life is.

Oh, and if you'd like to offer assistance, here is how you may do so (according to the
Salina Journal):

• Donations may be sent to the North Central Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross, 145 S. Broadway, P.O. Box 1633, Salina 67401. If you want the donation to be used for local storm victims, write that on the "memo" line of your check. Otherwise, donations will be used nationwide. To donate by credit card, call the local office, (785) 827-3644. Astra Banks in the cities of Chapman, Abilene, Scandia and Belleville also are accepting donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund.

• To donate to the Salvation Army's emergency disaster efforts, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769), or donate online at www.armykettle.com. Checks may be mailed to The Salvation Army, 3637 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111. Donations may be earmarked for a specific use.

• People who are not Red Cross volunteers may offer their assistance by calling The Volunteer Center, (785) 823-3128.