by Vella Karman | May 14, 2025 | Uncategorized
When there’s a parade of stupid stuff I’ve said and done, ways I’ve hurt people, and rampant memories of sin dancing across my mental landscape…it’s easy to hate myself. Or even just a few things about myself. But as I’ve wrestled with this lately, I...
by Vella Karman | Apr 30, 2025 | Soli Deo Gloria
I didn’t expect to go from a homeschooled wannabe writer to an author whose writing has been read in almost fifty countries before I’ve even graduated college. I didn’t plan to go straight from my high school graduation to two years of a rigorous college-level writing...
by Vella Karman | Apr 9, 2025 | Fear
When you’re afraid of failure, it makes sense to not even try. I used to do this all the time. When I was eleven, I wanted to be Clara in the Nutcracker. I’d just finished playing a “cavalry soldier” in the Ballet Arkansas presentation of Nutcracker and I knew I...
by Vella Karman | Apr 2, 2025 | Belonging, Bonfires & Stars
I grew up with an intense fear of abandonment. I was one of those kids who clung to my mom when she wanted to walk out the door, especially if it involved a weekend away. And that was because when I was little, I was in some unsafe situations that weren’t great...
by Vella Karman | Mar 26, 2025 | Soli Deo Gloria
Last night, I felt devoid of emotions. I’m not depressed. But I felt emptiness under the lamplight of my living room at 11 PM. So I prayed about it. And I felt God leading me to pick up a book called “Untangle Your Emotions” by Jennie Allen. This book revealed a fear...
by Vella Karman | Mar 19, 2025 | aWkwaRd, Belonging, Bonfires & Stars
Jesus died so you’d never have to feel rejection again. Before you tell me I’m crazy, hear me out. He died so that we could be accepted by God. The cross means you’re accepted in heaven, you’re part of the church, and you’re adopted as a child of God. These are...
by Vella Karman | Mar 12, 2025 | Belonging, Soli Deo Gloria
A few months ago, I started praying a new prayer. I don’t know why, actually. The prayer wasn’t supposed to ease anxiety. But that’s what happened. It’s slowed my racing heart, increased my joy, and…believe it or not…started making it easier to...
by Vella Karman | Mar 5, 2025 | Author News, Belonging, Book Reviews
My friend stole my birthday. I met Noah about a year and a half ago now. We’re in an apprenticeship program together. We’re the kind of friends and classmates that don’t say much, but know we care about each other. We’re kinda like siblings. You see,...
by Vella Karman | Feb 26, 2025 | aWkwaRd, Belonging, Soli Deo Gloria, Uncategorized
Time to get real: I still keep my safety blanket on my bed. Yeah, I turn 20 next Monday and the tiny blanket my grandparents gave me as a toddler still graces my pillow. It’s soft. It’s familiar. It’s comforting. And it’s wildly unpopular....
by Vella Karman | Feb 19, 2025 | Belonging, Bonfires & Stars, Soli Deo Gloria
On Sunday, my pastor talked about real relationship with God versus religion. He put it this way: religion is a relationship with rules. Faith is a relationship with God. (Those weren’t his exact words, but they’re close enough.) It’s so easy to trade a...
