Family

family (noun) – a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not

Our family

I just love and am forever grateful for my family! I am also incredibly grateful for Paul’s & my families of origin, our bonus family members, and close friends who are as family to us. But here on this page, I am speaking about our intimate family – my husband Paul & me, and the six amazing children God gave us. Although our children are now grown and no longer completely dependent on us, we are interdependent on one another in numerous ways and will be forever connected in ever-changing ways as our relationships continue to grow and develop. Simply put, my family is the best gift God has given me, and each person in my family is the delight of my heart! You’ll meet each of us in various ways on this website. I share openly on this blog, in the hope that our authentic-and-often-messy journey will encourage you in some way, whether our paths are similar or vastly different. I pray that in your own journey of life, you will know and experience the transforming love of God, so that you can be and do all that God created you to be and do (The Father’s Love Letter does a good job of explaining this further)! This blog is a continual work in progress, as we are, so please bear with me and check back from time to time 🙂 Let me know how I may encourage you in your family journey!

Paul

Paul has spent most of his adult life working as a computer programmer, mostly in business for himself as a consultant through our family company, Solid Rock Solutions. Since the mid-2010’s he has been working as an independent portfolio manager. Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Queensland (Australia). Paul & Karen recently celebrated 33 years of marriage and enjoy being best friends and constant companions. They serve together on the leadership team of the Liberty Vineyard Church in Lilburn / Tucker. Paul enjoys managing the finances of the church, serving as Sunday School director / teacher, teaching in Awana Club, and helping tech things go smoothly. Our whole family lived as missionaries in Russia for almost 2 years before our children began their college studies.

Karen

Karen is a wife, mother, pastor, teacher, leader, musician, webmaster, extravert, nature lover, computer programmer, and creative eclectic! She looks forward to whatever new adventures God has in store! More than anything, she enjoys connecting with her adult children, elderly parents, and extended family members (all over the world). Her day-to-day life is filled with connecting relationally, serving her local church & community, and creating YouTube tracks. Karen earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Queensland (Australia). Karen also studied piano to the highest level under the Australian Music Examinations Board, and completed two years of training in spiritual direction. She was ordained and installed as Pastor of Liberty Vineyard Church in 2023 (Associate Pastor in 2022), after serving on church leadership / staff for 20+ years. Karen is so grateful she gets to do the stuff she gets to do! She lived in Australia from age 7 to 25, we all lived in Russia for 1.5 years, and she greatly enjoys staying connected with loved ones all over the world. She is passionate about helping people of all ages find God`s direction for their life and teaching them how to think with discernment in order to impact our culture for Christ. More than anything, she desires to glorify God with her life as she equips, encourages, and empowers others to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and love God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Our children

God has blessed us with six wonderful children and three daughters-in-love & sons-in-love, all of whom are grown up and living their adult lives. We are immensely grateful for each one – they have their own stories to tell now. We are so proud of each of our amazing children – they are each completely different, but we truly enjoy each one with their unique gifts and personalities. We continue to pray for each one, as we have since before they were born, that they will be and do all that God created them to be and do, for His glory!

Interesting links for family / extended family

Click here for interesting links for our family / extended family.

Scriptures about family

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3, NLT)

How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! . . . Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life.” (Psalm 133, The Message)

God settles the solitary in a home” (Psalm 68:6, ESV).

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NLT)

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (Colossians 3:13-15, NLT)

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18, ESV)

A friend is there to help, in any situation, and relatives are born to share our troubles.” (Proverbs 17:17, CEV)

The LORD watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight.” [Mizpah] (Genesis 31:49, ESV)