Karla's Korner

Snowy Days

The snow has melted away already but I still wanted to share with you a savored moment of blissful beauty! This is the view from my studio window... a view I won't have much longer so I am savoring these kind of moments with mixed emotions. The quiet calm of this landscape is what I seek for my heart daily as we continue to prepare for our move... for the day when this view will be only a memory that I will forever cherish. The truth is that even though we look forward to whatever God has for us in the days ahead... there is still a piece of our hearts that will always reside here at Grace Acres.

I love this little plant. I don't remember what it's called but I bought it for it's a winter beauty and it is that for sure with its red fringed leaves and delicate bright berries. The snow added a touch of whimsy that was truly a delight to the eye and a smile to my face for having chosen well.

As I walked around outside clicking snow covered snapshots of time to hide in my heart... I could not help but think of that moment in time recorded in the snapshot of eternity when Christ died on the cross so that our sins could be washed whiter than snow. As my singing filled the crisp cold air of the morning I not only delighted in living somewhere where no one could hear me sing aloud outside... but more importantly I was reminded of what matters the most in life and so I sang... and we can sing together...

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh Lord... let me not get so caught up in the things of this world... that I lose sight of Yours. May Your Kingdom come on earth... and in my heart... as it is in heaven. Amen.

I know it's been a long time since I've posted. You don't know how many times I've sat down and even started to write but gotten interrupted either by a legitimate need or by the wanderings of my own mind... which have been very challenging during this season of transition and transformation. There is so much to do and so much to think about.

One of the things I've been having to do, of course, is cleaning out every nook and cranny... and having to decide what to keep and what not to keep. I have to admit I don't own a lot of earthly treasures in terms of material possessions and I'm not real sentimental beyond my photos and certain Christmas decorations, so it's probably easier for me to toss than it would be for many of you. But it's still challenging... especially knowing we're downsizing but not sure just how far down in size we're going yet!!

I couldn't help but think of the verse, "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" as I looked at these before and after photos of my closet. The before is full of clutter and stuff I've outgrown or simply don't need any more. Some of it looks good hidden in my closet on a hanger but it would not look so good if I were to wear it out into the world. And some things might not look so good on me but might look great on you so I'll be giving them away. And then there are those things I've held onto that may be comfortable but are now totally out of style or ragged beyond repair and simply need to be discarded. Oh my... can you see how much this parallels our lives and our thinking.

God knows we need to clean out the closets of our minds every day... to get rid of the clutter that keeps us confused or conformed to the ways of this world, tossing out ways of thinking that are outdated and don't line up with God's Word, or thinking that is simply comfortable but not good for us. And God knows that the best way to clean out the clutter of our minds is by replacing the old thoughts with His thoughts... and as we do the "before" is gone and there is a sense of order to our thinking that brings peace and hope and a confidence... not in the ways of the world but in the ways of God.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind... then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is... His good and pleasing and perfect will."  Roman 12:2

Heavenly Father, I know I'm not alone in confessing that the clutter in my mind is a battle I face daily. I ask that as You continue the work You've begun in me... and I continue to be in Your Word... that You would replace my wrong thinking with thinking that brings glory to Your Name and peace to my heart.

Celebrating my sister Margie's 60th birthday with a surprise visit was a fantastic way to start the New Year! I flew in the night before and stayed with Matt and Melissa... her son and daughter-in-love... who made the trip possible. The party was planned for New Year's Eve at her house so we arrived early to help with the finishing preparations only I stayed behind in the car for a few extra minutes while Matt and Melissa went in to prepare my way. After about five minutes, I walked around the block in 18 degree freezing cold windy weather so I could ring the doorbell to surprise her. Well, her surprise... that would be me... almost froze because right before I got to the door she went in to change her clothes!!  As I waited for the signal to ring the bell, I was thanking God for my husband who convinced me to take my long wool coat instead of just a jacket!!  Even though she was surprised and blessed to see me, she did confess she had an inkling I might come since she had come out here to surprise me for my 50th!

Another highlight of my visit and Margie's birthday, was spending an afternoon visiting with our oldest sister Ruth (in the back with Margie) and our two cousins from Hannibal... Linda (center) who is the same age as Ruth, and Maribeth (right) who is my age. We told stories and shared memories, laughter and tears as we reminsced about our childhoods and the times we spent at each others houses two weeks every summer. It was a roller coaster of emotion but an afternoon I will cherish forever!

The greatest blessing was knowing Margie's son, Matt, and his wife, Melissa, love my sister so much that they made all the arrangements and gave up their own mileage to fly me back there.  They are the best! Thank you to both of you! Melissa and I laughed hysterically as we played the video game Frogger... and I just want her to know she will not be the Frogger Queen forever... her sweet aunt be back!

And now I am back home... ready to walk into the New Year with faith and confidence and joyful expectation to see what God... who is able to do so much more than we can ask or imagine... has in store for us in the days ahead!

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.  Psalm 5:3

O Lord, I praise You and thank You for hearing the cries of my heart... for being a God who is not far off but so close I can lay my requests at your feet and trust You with them... stir up a sense of joyful expectation in my heart every morning to look to and for You and for the evidences of Your love all around me. And may my life bring you greater blessing and glory this year than ever before. Amen.

Transition and Transformation!

I know it's been a long time since I've posted. You don't know how many times I've sat down and even started to write but gotten interrupted either by a legitimate need or by the wanderings of my own mind... which have been very challenging during this season of transition and transformation. There is so much to do and so much to think about.

One of the things I've been having to do, of course, is cleaning out every nook and cranny... and having to decide what to keep and what not to keep. I have to admit I don't own a lot of earthly treasures in terms of material possessions and I'm not real sentimental beyond my photos and certain Christmas decorations, so it's probably easier for me to toss than it would be for many of you. But it's still challenging... especially knowing we're downsizing but not sure just how far down in size we're going yet!!

I couldn't help but think of the verse, "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" as I looked at these before and after photos of my closet. The before is full of clutter and stuff I've outgrown or simply don't need any more. Some of it looks good hidden in my closet on a hanger but it would not look so good if I were to wear it out into the world. And some things might not look so good on me but might look great on you so I'll be giving them away. And then there are those things I've held onto that may be comfortable but are now totally out of style or ragged beyond repair and simply need to be discarded. Oh my... can you see how much this parallels our lives and our thinking.

God knows we need to clean out the closets of our minds every day... to get rid of the clutter that keeps us confused or conformed to the ways of this world, tossing out ways of thinking that are outdated and don't line up with God's Word, or thinking that is simply comfortable but not good for us. And God knows that the best way to clean out the clutter of our minds is by replacing the old thoughts with His thoughts... and as we do the "before" is gone and there is a sense of order to our thinking that brings peace and hope and a confidence... not in the ways of the world but in the ways of God.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind... then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is... His good and pleasing and perfect will."  Roman 12:2

Heavenly Father, I know I'm not alone in confessing that the clutter in my mind is a battle I face daily. I ask that as You continue the work You've begun in me... and I continue to be in Your Word... that You would replace my wrong thinking with thinking that brings glory to Your Name and peace to my heart.

A Great Way to Start the New Year!

Celebrating my sister Margie's 60th birthday with a surprise visit was a fantastic way to start the New Year! I flew in the night before and stayed with Matt and Melissa... her son and daughter-in-love... who made the trip possible. The party was planned for New Year's Eve at her house so we arrived early to help with the finishing preparations only I stayed behind in the car for a few extra minutes while Matt and Melissa went in to prepare my way. After about five minutes, I walked around the block in 18 degree freezing cold windy weather so I could ring the doorbell to surprise her. Well, her surprise... that would be me... almost froze because right before I got to the door she went in to change her clothes!!  As I waited for the signal to ring the bell, I was thanking God for my husband who convinced me to take my long wool coat instead of just a jacket!!  Even though she was surprised and blessed to see me, she did confess she had an inkling I might come since she had come out here to surprise me for my 50th!

Another highlight of my visit and Margie's birthday, was spending an afternoon visiting with our oldest sister Ruth (in the back with Margie) and our two cousins from Hannibal... Linda (center) who is the same age as Ruth, and Maribeth (right) who is my age. We told stories and shared memories, laughter and tears as we reminsced about our childhoods and the times we spent at each others houses two weeks every summer. It was a roller coaster of emotion but an afternoon I will cherish forever!

The greatest blessing was knowing Margie's son, Matt, and his wife, Melissa, love my sister so much that they made all the arrangements and gave up their own mileage to fly me back there.  They are the best! Thank you to both of you! Melissa and I laughed hysterically as we played the video game Frogger... and I just want her to know she will not be the Frogger Queen forever... her sweet aunt be back!

And now I am back home... ready to walk into the New Year with faith and confidence and joyful expectation to see what God... who is able to do so much more than we can ask or imagine... has in store for us in the days ahead!

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.  Psalm 5:3

O Lord, I praise You and thank You for hearing the cries of my heart... for being a God who is not far off but so close I can lay my requests at your feet and trust You with them... stir up a sense of joyful expectation in my heart every morning to look to and for You and for the evidences of Your love all around me. And may my life bring you greater blessing and glory this year than ever before. Amen.