Karen Gempel

My name is Karen Gempel. My parents moved us to Texas when I was 14 and I’ve lived here ever since. I’m a second-generation American, granddaughter of Polish Catholic grandparents who immigrated to Chicago in 1914. I met my precious husband at work, well after college, and we had five lovely daughters in quick succession, just like a fairy tale. When our youngest turned two, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and brain aneurysm. The surgeries and recovery during that epic time gave me a renewed and unabashed love for Jesus, Mary, and all the saints. Today, we are grandparents to nine sweet grandchildren. It is through this lens that I want to write plainly about my faith journey. Sometimes, just sometimes, I can be quiet enough to really hear what God has to say.