if you knew me a long time ago, say high school or even early college, you would never believe what i did last night. I’m not sure what got me thinking about it, let alone actually doing it. in fact, my husband had been requesting that i be okay with him doing it sometime, and that had left me feeling nauseaus. and yet, i beat him to the punch.
perhaps it has something to do with the fact that my little sister wanted to do it, or maybe it has more to do with my faint rebellious streak that comes out every few years. But i’m assuming it had more to do with the painful events of 2007 and the journey i’ve been on ever since january 22nd 2007.
the word “hope” has become a thing for me. hope is an interesting concept. to have hope that something will happen sets a person up for disappointment. i had almost given up even having hope, because hope lets you down. and i was tired of being let down. somewhere though, early this year, i determined deep in my soul to hope yet again. perhaps it was the answers we received, or a deep sense of optimism that i’m often unaware of. either way, hope has been rising in my soul yet again.
and so, it is hope that i chose to have tattooed on my skin. hope (in hebrew) as an ever present reminder to persevere in hope, to live with hope, to never forget that in Christ, there is hope–not disappointment.
not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the holy spirit, whom he has given us. ~romans 5:3
Glimpses of Me: Choosing Motherhood 
jaw dropped open. then i realized, kristin would do something like get a tattoo with her little sister. but truly, the symbolism is beautiful and couldn’t be more perfect.
What? A tattoo? I really like it. The Kelly’s keep vacilating between getting a family tattoo or not – it’s an “all or none” thought. We’ve all decided what it will be, most have decided where they will do it, but 1 or 2 are still not sure they’re up for it. I’ll leave you to guessing who’s game and who’s considered lame currently by the rest of the gang. 🙂
Uh… (that’s me, dumbfounded!) ;)I showed Troy the picture and he said, “Well, she is dating a rockstar.” Ha! Seriously, though, God says to write His word on our foreheads, so I guess your wrist isn’t so bad … okay, now actually seriously, though …hope is so unbelievably critical to me right now, too, that I am deeply encouraged by your radical display of it! Love you always, roommate. 🙂
What a cool idea for a tattoo! I wish I would have done something like that for mine — then it would mean something rather than just something on my ankle.
Thanks for your comment on my blog…I’m so glad someone else can relate! It is wonderful! I’ve thought and prayed for you from time to time and this post was a wonderful reminder that whenever something difficult happens to keep hoping, keep trusting that God has it planned out! I will continue to keep you in my prayers 🙂
I can’t believe you got a tatoo! What a beautiful reason to do so and I can’t wait to see it. Stop by the campus when you have a moment. You are always an inspiration to me. 🙂
I cried as I read this. Especially as you described yourself. You are an amazing person and an inspiration to so many people including me. I love you. MTBFFNAANMWOW.
This is beautiful, Kristin…can’t wait to see your tattoo when you come! (Did it hurt??)We stand in prayer with you and Erik every day with the HOPE you hold on to and we also hold on to!