Young couple on a mission sharing the gospel stops in Sidney

SIDNEY -- They are a family of three crossing the country from coast to coast relying on their Catholic faith and support. 

They are both writers of different disciplines with the common goal of sharing their relationship with God and how it changes lives.

Bernadette Burnette studied acting, and consequently her writing style is of a script. 

"So my book is called 'Meet Karen: The Friend That Nobody Likes “BFF4L” Part I' The BFF4L stands for Best Friends Forever For Life. The book first began, or the story of Karen first began back on July 12, 2017. I had just graduated from Regent University down in Virginia Beach, Va., with my MFA in Acting degree," Burnette said.

She said she finished school feeling burned out and exhausted. She recalled a standup comedian she saw during her undergraduate studies who inspired her book.

"The joke is in every group of friends there's always a 'Karen,' and Karen is the friend that nobody likes. Behind her back you'll go 'Oh Karen! We can't stand Karen! Ugh! Here comes Karen!' And the minute she gets there 'What's up Karen?'" she said.

She recalls the comedian saying "if you can't recall who the Karen is (in your group of friends), you're the Karen. She added her husband Stephen has said "there's a Karen inside of all of us."

In the book, Karen's dream is to become a famous television host. She is also a doll collector. The dolls are as unique as she is. 

The story includes life-lessons as well as recognizable storylines. Her husband Stephen says the book contains a lot of real-life issues and lessons.

Stephen is an author and has a non-profit organization that combines fitness and studies in scripture. He has a Masters in Divinity and an undergraduate degree in health, physical education and sports studies. Soul Fitness Ministries is a way to combine both disciplines, he said. His program can be found online at https://www.soulfitnessministries.com.

Bernadette's website is https://www.sayrefidei.com/

In their journey of several weeks, they have met people who understand faith, and those who do not.

"I think when we talk with different people the approach we take makes a big difference. I tend to be an observer, and just gentle with situations. I met somebody from Turkey, that was in a predicament, that I graciously shared that the way that they are going to see change is through The Lord. Because of the gentleness I think she was more receptive," he said.