IN HONOR OF
Karen Ronning
"Keren LeKaren"

August 8, 1971 to  March 5, 2000

During Karen's long months of hospitalization, her friends made journal entries in a unique and spiritually touching memory book.

Check back as we continue to add excerpts and pictures from this loving book, telling the story of the five-month vigil kept by friends and family at Karen's beside.

Just remember Karen...not that I haven't reminded you in your ear enough these weeks...

If I were in your shoes, you would be standing, sitting, praying, singing, dancing, teasing, practicing guitar and working on some craft project... all at my bedside ... 24 hours a day!!! You'd be the most persistent friend around. You should be thankful I am not as stubborn as you!!

 Sometimes you look like you want to punch me in the face...but just know I love you so much that I just can't give up on you. You mean too much to me.

So, I'll finish for now. I seem to be singing a song all the time now...always thinking of you. Maybe that's God's grace to get me through this. I'll end with the song we sang together on graduation day.

I love you sweet Karen.

"And Friends are friends forever. 
If the Lord's the Lord of them. And a friend will not say never, cause the welcome will not end. Though it's hard to let you go. In the Father's Hands, we know that a lifetime's not too long to live as Friends --M.W. Smith

All My Prayers,
Sharona 

December 23, 1999

Dearest Karen, 

How beautiful to come into the sanctuary of your hospital room and spend time with you and God. He is here. His peace is here.

I wish you could have been with us this past Sabbath to hear your parents share from their hearts with the congregation. How they comforted us with their candid expressions of God's presence and power in their lives through it all. Their honesty challenged us all. You would have been proud.

Your mother asked me to write the words of the chorus we sang at the close:

"Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace,
Coming down from the Father above.
Sweep over my spirit forever I pray
In fathomless billows of Love."

Sweet Karen, your silent lips are a persistent reminder of God's still small voice powerfully reminding us all "in quietness and confidence is our strength".

We love you,

Liz

October 21, 1999

Dear Karen, 
When I think of you I think of springtime in the Galil…beautiful flowers in the open fields, laughing as we swim in the Kinneret, lazing around the campfire and singing songs together.

When I think of you, I’m reminded of sunshine and smiles, a compassionate heart, and a creative and free spirit.

There is so much I could learn from you…and I look forward to it. There is joy in the journey as we make it in friendship together. Thanks for being so real and for being you. You are truly a gift to us all.

I’m praying for you and thinking of you always. Its such  a privilege to know you and I’m so glad you are still with us.

I keep thinking of Ps. 139 for you and pray it over you. Rest and get well soon.

Know you are very loved,
Nicole 

Dear Kay Kay,
Words can’t express what you mean to me. A part of you lives inside of my heart and always will. I love the connection we have and I can’t wait till we can talk again, goon a crazy trip, laugh, dance in the rain, play in the mud, just enjoying each other’s presence. I love you so much. I need you here. Karen, you are the most special person I ever met. Anyway, get better. That is an order.
I love you,
Mike

P.S. By the way I’m really praying for you, yes me, so that means something. 

Dear Karen, Saturday Evening, 23 Oct ‘99
……God has given you the ability to love and care for everyone irrespective of who they   are………………
Love, Dorothy

“Tell Karen our best regards from Africa. Tell her thatthere is a network of prayers by friends who love her so much, and this network stretches throughout at least three continents – from America to Finland-Sweden-Norway and the rest of Europe via Africa and to Israel!"

With love from Anne Sophie,
Moshi, Tanzania 
October, 1999

Karen,
….You are so special and God has given you so many gifts. I knew from the beginning of our friendship that God had plans for you. That He had some special things for you to do. I still believe that……

With all my love, Julie Foster

Dear, dear Karen,
You are a ray of sunshine! I have never known anyone as kind and sweet and considerate as you. We’ve had so much fun together and much much more awaits us! I can think of so many “remember when…” and I want to share them all with you. I am so glad that we both know the same God and are His most precious children. God takes care of us. He knows. I love you so much. I’m not so far away.

Lots of love, Pinky

My dearest Karen,
…What an impact you have had on all of us. Your caring nature, your willingness to lend an ear, to spend quality time with people is so appreciated. You are a one in a million girl….. 

Dalia

Our beloved Karen,
….You are such a giving person. You always take time to give to others….

Love forever, Rickey and Sarah 

1 November 1999
Karen, 
….You always were all heart. Your heart was always with God and those hurting which makes this situation all the more ironic. Karen, we love you…..I want you to know that you are one of the handful of people where I felt free enough to let everything out. There is something in your eyes –- the window of the soul. You have always been a free wind blowing through the trees. Nobody could tie you down. 

… Gary

November 5, 1999
Dearest Karen, 
Nicole and I are here – you are resting peacefully. Just playing some Geoff Bullock music in the background to encourage your soul….

Karen, here’s your theme song for this time in your life: Power of your love 

Lord I come to you.
Let my heart be changed renewed
Flowing from the grace that I found in you.
Lord I’ve come to know the weakness I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of your love.

Chorus: Hold me close. Let you love
Surround me
Bring me near. Draw me to your side
And as I wait (Wake!) I will rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with you
Your spirit leads me on
In the power of your love

Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see you face to face
The knowledge of your love
As you live in me

Lord renew my mind

As your will unfolds in my life.
Been living everyday by the power of your love.
My prayer for you! 

Dear Karen
….an affinity to you seems natural. I bet that’s how most people feel you emanate a feeling of warmth & caring to all that you’ve come across. That’s your beauty. A quality so rare even among family or friends. Every day that you’re here now we all feel this loss of missing the special spirit you gave to us.

The last 2 times we met was at my place after Narkiss Church and the famous square-dancing night where we both were partners. There’s another evening of square-dancing being planned & I hope you’ll want to be my partner again…

Love, Vera 

Trip to the Gilboa Mountains
….I just want to say ‘kol hakavod’ (“all honor” to you) for always trying to enjoy life in the midst of the struggles! 

Nili 

Love you!

Dearest Karen, Nov.22, ‘99
…You are one of the few friends who can totally relate. I guess growing up together has caused that connection between us. I’ve always appreciated your openness and honesty… and how open and free I could be with you too. My earliest childhood memories are spending time with you – playing in that sand box in front of your house, collecting tad-poles at the secher [dam], helping the ants along their trail; and later at grade school –showing you the ropes. You had your pig-tails and were so sweet – I told you to call me if anyone were to mess with you, and I’d take care of them!

Sharona 

December 12 , 1999
Dear Karen, 
… I want to talk to you to continue to discuss with you the subject of how the strong can help the weak. Last time you carried my basket from the bus to my house and I invited you to come in. I cannot forget how impressed I was from your words. Always smiling, always saluting the old…

Mazal Elboher 

Jan.6, 2000

Dear Karen, 
We’re herewith your parents at a get together (for the 2nd time), and once again I’m being so encouraged and cheered in everyone’s testimonies about you and how you’ve touched so many lives. I want you to know that the more I hear about you and your love for people the more I am inspired and grow to appreciate you. I am so proud that you are my sister in the Lord. Your real concern for what people are going through has been used by God to teach me to start doing the same. You are going to be so astounded when you get up to see how many people love, care and have been deeply touched by you. 
Hugs & kisses,
Shoshi

Karen, 
We love you, we need you. You are the heart of all our ties and friendships. Without you we would all be scattered.

 
Tova 

[Tova, written by Karen, August 6, ’99, the night before Tova’s wedding - just two months before Karen’s tragedy on Oct. 5th]

Dear Tova! 

… Just wanted you to know I love you and always wish the best for you.

Psalm139: My wish you know this – God close always.
“ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go to the heavens, You are there
If I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn or 
Settle on the far side of the sea
Even there Your right hand will guide me
Your hand will hold me close.” 

“And Friends are friends forever, 
If the Lord’s the Lord of them.
And a friend will not say never,
Cause the welcome will not end.
Though it’s hard to let you go,
In the Father’s Hands we know
That a life time’s not too long,
To live as Friends.”-- M.W.Smith

All my prayers,
Sharona K.