Karla's Korner

Beyond THE BOOK... Part 4

Today I want to share about what we've done so far for Outreach Night
and then tomorrow... to keep this from being waayyyy too long... 
I'll offer some other options, ideas and suggestions.

Again... one of the most wonderful aspects of this new format was the desire each woman had to take ownership and that has been most evident in the Outreach. I think that happened for a couple of reasons... one being because when God has given us a heart for a certain cause or area of serving, it's a beautiful blessing to share that joy with others. The other is that sometimes we WANT to step out of our comfort zones to volunteer somewhere or help out in some capacity... but the fear of the unknown keeps us trapped in our homes... but there is strength in numbers so going with the group gives us the courage and this new Bible Study format gives us the reason. Oh yes... and one other... we can accomplish in a group things that we could never accomplish alone as you can see from our first Outreach Night together....

This is sweet Brenda... it was her night and she chose to have us paint
the living room of a single mom... how cool is that? 

This opportunity took the meaning of Outreach to new heights!

We got lots of exercise that night as well as lots of laughter...
and we even had a couple of other gals come join in the fun!

And at the end of the evening... here we are...
a little paint in our hair but a lot of joy in our hearts...
the joy that comes from serving others... and being blessed because of it!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Our second Outreach evening was Deb's and we spent it cleaning
and helping to organize a new facility for Options 360...

What I found amazing about that night was that Caryl Ann (2nd from the right) already knew what she needed done and each job was a perfect fit for the variety of personalities in our group.  It was like God had gone before us and prepared the roster so each woman could operate in her strength... it was sweet. Again... here we are at the end of the evening... weary but full of the joy of serving God by serving others.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Novembers Outreach didn't take us to anywhere local but it did take us around the world to Iraq. Dottie has a heart for those serving in the military and because one of the gals in our group has a son in Iraq... she chose Iraq as the destination.

To make this work, she gave us each lists of items she had found of things our young men and women in the military need as well as things that would bring a smile to their hearts. We agreed on 5 boxes so each woman bought 5 each of several items on the list and... as we did... we emailed everybody else what we got so they wouldn't duplicate. We met at another woman's home to pack the boxes... wrapping most of the items individually so it would be more fun for them to unwrap and the last item in each box was a Christmas card we each signed with blessings... thanking them for their service to us and our country.

We couldn't help smiling when we discovered that together we had the absolute perfect number of items to fill the boxes... not another thing would have fit!!!  Again... a God moment... knowing His blessing was on us and that blessing would travel half way around the world to someone we didn't know who definitely needed and deserved a special touch from the Lord.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We missed January's because of circumstances beyond our control but I forgot to tell you that the very first night we met and talked about this new format, I shared with them an easy outreach idea I had read somewhere on the internet (and now can't remember where)... but it was called B.A.G.S. which stands for Be A Good Samaritan.  It's simple... you fill a gallon ziplock bag with bottled water, granola bars, cheese crackers, candies, toothbrush, toothpaste, new testament or devotional book, gloves, socks, scarf... all those kind of things.  Carry the bags in your car and when you see those folks on the street corners or others in need... you have something to give them along with your prayers... and make sure you tell them you will be praying for them and then do.

I know I shared a lot for one sitting... but I hope you were encouraged and inspired to reach out Beyond the Book and beyond yourself to give a blessing to someone in need... and it's one thing to think about but it's a whole other thing to put feet to your faith and do it... to be the heart and hands of Jesus in a hurting world! So until tomorrow...

xoxoxo
Karla

Beyond THE BOOK... Part 3

For some reason my TypePad wouldn't work yesterday and I only have a few minutes this morning to share so here's some suggestions for group "Fellowship and Fun" so that we can...


So here's what we have done so far...

Dessert or Potluck Dinner... we did a dessert night in one of the women's home.  She had some questions prepared that were designed to help us know one another better... very fun.

And speaking of that... I once heard... a long time ago... that you can't really know a woman until you've been to her home... and I so agree with that.  For instance... when I walked into the home of one of the new women in our group and discovered that she did wood carving it gave me a whole new perspective of who she is. You can tell so much about a woman by the photos or art that she has on her walls, the colors she decorates with, and definitely by any craftiness that might be on display. I know it's not always possible to meet at a woman's home but I think for me... that's at the top of my places to fellowship.

The Theatre... we've been to the theatre... sorry... can't remember the name of the play... but one of the gals in our group is a wonderful actress and is involved in the local theatre so going to the theatre was more than going to a play... it was entering into her life and who she is.


Craft Night... we did the craft night here in December and I taught the women how to make the little paper mache snowman head ornaments and they each got to take one home. Maybe someone in your group does cake decorating, crochet, jewelry making, scrapbooking or art journaling.... the list goes on and on.  Or, if not, you could consider having someone from outside the group... maybe a group members mom or daughter... wouldn't that be fun? Are your creative wheels turning yet?

Dessert or Dinner out... that's what we just did last night...my suggestion would be to go somewhere you wouldn't normally go or someone's favorite or someplace with special meaning.  We went to a little ice cream shoppe owned by a couple of young men in our church... sweet... literally sweet... very sweet!! I would also suggest using conversation cards or questions to help focus your group on getting to know each other better.  I took my camera last night wanting to post FUN pictures this morning but my camera was dead... bummer!  Next time... I promise!!

Other ideas might include some of the following depending on the ages of the women in your group... but there's certainly something for everyone.  I know this list is not exhaustive so please comment with any other suggestions you have... or small group fellowship and fun activities you've been part of! 
Birthday Party
Game Night with Finger Food
Chick Flick and Popcorn Party
Craft Night with everyone bringing wahtever they're working on
Hiking
Shopping somewhere fun
Tea Party
Spa Night - giving each other pedicures, manicures, and/or faciials
Make your own card party and then send to the military, nursing homes, etc
Wii Night
Karoake Party
Music Concert
Easter Pageant or Christmas Event
Girl's Football

Tomorrow will talk about Outreach... stay tuned!
Love you my friends...
Karla

Beyond THE BOOK... Part 2

I loved reading all your comments on Part 1... thank you.  I know this format will not work for every Bible Study group but maybe it will inspire you to try something new... to step out of the box... beyond your or your groups comfort zone... even it's only once a quarter.  It's worth praying about for sure!
Here's a little more about it...

Bible Study
Bible Study is foundational to everything else of course. So again... we meet the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month for Bible Study. You can use this small group format with any Bible study you choose... except, I imagine, with highly structured weekly studies like Precepts or BSF. Our group is doing a verse by verse study of the book of Ephesians and we're loving it. It's giving us the opportunity to dig deep, move at our own speed,
and allows time to pray for each other.

But it's not so much what Bible study format or book you use
as long as you're learning the Word of God...
learning more about who He is and who you are in Him because...

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Romans 10:7

Fellowship and Fun

I have to admit that I felt like I had to super justify "Fellowship and Fun" when I gave my workshop. How can we can call having fun together spiritual? And is it really that important? The reality is that Love shared, not only warms the heart, but when it's God's love we're sharing, it nourishes the soul
and has the potential to change a life!

The truth is there are a lot of women in the world and in our churches whose lives are filled with fear and anxiety, heartache and loneliness... women who are living in seriously challenging circumstances who have very little to smile about. That has certainly been me at times in my life and maybe that even describes you or someone you know today. Depression and anxiety are at an all time high... even amongst our sisters in Christ. 
Listen to what God says about this...

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
but a good word makes it glad.
Proverbs 12:25

Women need good words... God's good Word through Bible Study for sure... but also the encouraging words of other women... words that build us up not tear us down... words of acceptance, affection, and affirmation... cheerful words that give us a break from the heaviness of the world we live in. In the old days women shared their lives with one another when they gathered for quilting bees or to can their food for winter. We don't have those kind of opportunities...
so we need to create new ones!

By having a "Fellowship and Fun" time together,
we provide an opportunity for women to...
LIVE, LOVE & LAUGH together
beyond the four walls of Bible Study and God knows that...

"A merry heart does good like a medicine"
Proverbs 17:22

The scientific community has discovered what God has known all along...
laughing out loud is good for our physical, mental, emotional,
and spiritual well-being!!  We need to laugh more!

I thought about what James says in Chapter 2... verses 14-26... where he's talking about faith and deeds. He says in v.15-17... "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."  I thought what if we replaced "clothes and food" with loneliness?  You see a sister in Christ who is lonely with no friends and is having a hard time connecting in the church and do nothing about... what good is it? 
The "Fellowship and Fun" time is a way to put feet to our faith
by giving an opportunity for women to experience
the friendship of Christ through fellowship.

Okay... sorry I was so wordy!  I think I justified "Fellowship and Fun" quite enough... what do you think?  Tomorrow I shall give you my list of "Fellowship and Fun" suggestions which is by no means exhaustive... and I'll share with you what we've done so far this year... and I'll look forward to adding your suggestions to mine!!

xoxoxo
Karla

Heavenly Father... Thank You that You don't call us to do anything that You won't enable us to do. If you are stirring the heart of woman who is reading this to reach out in or for fellowship, but she's wondering how she could ever make it happen... would You assure her that as she seeks You, You will show her how and that You will prepare her way. And Jesus,there may be a woman reading this right now who is lonely and in need of fellowship and some "merry heart" time with Sisters in Christ... would You comfort and encourage her right now as only You can... remind her, that first and foremost, that You are her very best friend of all... but I also pray that You would begin to open doors and lead her to have the kind of girlfriends/Sisters in Christ you desire for her... and if it means her having to step out of her comfort zone Lord... give her the heart to do it... in Your love and for Your glory! Amen

Beyond THE BOOK... Part 1

I shared a few days ago that I was preparing a workshop presentation called "Beyond the Book... A New Approach to Bible Study" and a few of you were interested to know more... so while it's fresh on my mind... I want to do that.  But really... when I stopped to think about it... it's not so much a new approach to Bible Study itself as it is a fresh approach to the small group format. 

Mid-summer I was talking to God about my own women's Bible Study group and to be honest, I love my gals but I was tired and wanted out.  I was telling the Lord I needed something new... something different.  What I thought I wanted was to simply sit in on someone's else's group for a while instead of leading one but... as I sought the Lord... instead of a new group... I began to picture this new format... a way of giving us opportunity to put feet to our faith... to be doers of the Word and not hearers only! It was like a breath of fresh air.

The concept is not profound... it's really quite simple. Typically, we've all done Bible Study one day or evening a week every week. With this new format, we now get together to study the Bible the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month, the second week is for fellowship and fun, and the 4th week is for serving and outreach. It has infused our group with new life and the women love it. We have taken the commands to love one another... and serve those in need... off the pages and into real life!


(our group after an evening of painting a living room for a single mom)

One of the things that excited me most, was when I thought about the women in my existing group and their personalities, I realized that I have some very relational women, some zealous do-gooders, and some serious Bible studiers... myself included in the latter which I'm sure you would have never guessed!  But what excited me was to see how this new format ministered to each woman's personality... affirming how God made her, meeting her needs in a new way, and stretching the others of us in the process.

I knew that it was going to be a stretch for me because even though I love my friends... I am by nature a loner, a mouse in the corner kind of girl... not naturally relational and being social has never come easy so I knew the intentional fellowship and fun night was going to be a challenge. And although I love outreach, I'm not highly administrative except when I have to be, so organizing any kind of outreach would not my strength.

As I prayed about it, I knew I couldn't do it by myself... it would have to be a team effort so I called up two gals in my group... one highly relational to head up the fellowship and fun and another who has a huge heart for outreach to head that up and they both said yes. But... what was awesome... was when we had our first group meeting... it became obvious that the "team" the Lord had in mind was the entire group!  They all got so excited about the concept and format and each woman wanted ownership!!!  I knew God had to be smiling... I sure was!

I love God! I wanted a new group and He gave me a new way of doing group!
His ways are so much higher than our ways!

I want to share more with you about how our group is working and offer some of the suggestions for fellowship and outreach that I shared at my workshop.  I'll do that tomorrow.

Until then... Lord bless you and keep you...
In His love and for His glory... xoxoxo
Karla

A Little Bit of Catching Up...

I can't believe it's been so long since I have a chance to visit with you...
lot's going on for sure.

Thought I'd give you a quick recap of a few of them...
1. I finished my family of Snowy Folks...
all bearing a message of blessing and cheer
to warm your heart any day of the year...

I'm working with a company so you'll see these little guys on greeting cards
in 2011. Doesn't that just seem too far away?  It sometimes takes that long
to see something from concept to reality... it's wild!

2. I've been playing with some design concepts to submit to other
companies... what do you think?

3. I'm taking an online Photoshop Class from DJ Pettit...
I've worked with Photoshop for years but you can never learn it all!
I'm way behind in the class but I've learned a couple of very valuable things!

4. I've been preparing my own workshop for the Leadership Training Day we
are having at Summit View... my church... this Saturday.  I'll be talking about
a new Bible Study format my group has been using this year.  I'm calling it
"Beyond the Book" because we're in THE BOOK two weeks out of the month
and then we put into practice the other two weeks... one in fellowship and
the other in outreach... it's been good.

5. I've been making more crosses and just added them to my etsy store...
I had to experiment with different colored bases... check 'em out.


6. I had the girls overnight and all day last Wednesday... and Alexis is still
rubbing it in that she beat me at UpWords... she beat me bad!!


7. I spent some fun-time with Michelle which I've loved... last Friday we
hung at Borders bookstore for a couple of hours... one of our favorite places
and just yesterday we went clothes shopping... which we NEVER do...
it was fun... thanks Shell!!

8. I've been playing with some ideas to submit to one of the Stampington
magazines when they're finished... I love the idea of turning to trash...

to treasure...


9. watching more news than normal... praying and grieving over Haiti
10. filling orders and shipping
11.getting further and further behind answering emails...
sorry if you're one of them... I'll be catching up soon... very soon
12. Bible Study
13. church
14. Keeping the house spiffy clean JUST IN CASE someone wants to buy it!
15. tried a new recipe for spicy garlic chicken... yummy!

Wow... when I write it down like that I realize what a good week I've had!!
Thank You Lord!

I hope you've had a good week too...
I've missed you... hope to hear from you soon!

Father God... we continue to seek Your face for the people of Haiti Lord.
The one thing we do know is that You love them and long for them.
We know You're heart must be grieving for them more than ours does and
so we ask that You would continue to send provisions to them
and make crooked places straight for them to be able to receive it soon. 
Comfort them Lord... and pour out Your Spirit in that land... deliver them
out of darkness and into Your glorious Light that they might know You and
love You. Glorify Yourself there Lord... Amen.

xoxoxo
Karla

Doubling the Fun with Two Winners...

First of all... THANK YOU to everyone who shared!
Sometimes we just need a prompt to get our creative juices flowing, don't we? 
I know I do. And I did... when I asked you what you would do with
the House Tags I was prompted to play myself and this is what I came up with...
mini plaques...

and they are so cute with little beaded wire hangers!

I used the Random Generator to choose two winners from all your comments
on Facebook and on the two blog posts and each winner will receive two of 
my handmade Mini Plaques... one "As for me and my house"...


and one "Love"...


Drum roll please.... the first winner is Kathy... this is what she shared...
Awesome. first thing that comes to me is to use them in a wedding gift, then scrapbook, with my preschool Mission Friends group and of course Mothers Day. They are so great there are endless opportunities and ways to use them. thank you for sharing the talent God has blessed you with.
Kathy

And our second winner is Barbie... here are her ideas...
What lovely tags. I would use these to give out to friends as a reminder that they are loved, not only by me, but by God as well, and that His blanket of love is draped over their homes. I may even make the Love and Peace homes tags bigger and frame them for wall art. I would choose a pretty ribbon to connect them vertically. 

I am thinking of using the pink border card to use as a generic card that I would hand write "hope you have a better than average full of God's blessing kind of a day" ~ a phrase I came up with years ago :o) Then I would give it to customers at work that seem like they could use a day brightener.

Thanks for the beautiful artwork. Love, Barbie

I will email you each individually to let you know you are winners!

Here's a peek at the others...

I'm thinking I might put some of them
on Etsy for some of you not so crafty friends...

or for those of you who just don't have time.



I think they will make great little "thinking of you" gifts...
reminders that the foundation of our homes are found in Jesus...
the Author and Finisher of our faith
and the One who fills our hearts with love, hope, peace and joy!

Bless you my friends...
xoxoxo
Karla

An Oldie but Goodie...

 

I continue to clean out closets and drawers and was surprised and blessed
to come across this print... and a few others from days gone by.
I decided to add this one to my Etsy store for your pleasure and blessing!

This image is from an original watercolor that I painted for my first book,
"Love In Every Room".  I have to wonder how many of you own that book??? 


I thought with this month's theme being about the home...
how appropriate the timing.

The blessing reads,
"Bless this Home as we come and go, Bless this Home as the children grow,
Bless this Home as we enter in, Bless this Home with love and friends."


And isn't that our hearts desire? We long for God's favor and blessing
on our homes, our families, and our friends. We long for our homes to be
filled with love and laughter and the joy of the Lord... a place where people
will know that they are loved, cherished and valued for who they are.


We work hard to create a spirit of peace within the walls of our homes...
a shelter from the storms of the world... a place where people can come to
and find rest for the souls and hope to keep on believing God for better days.

I am thankful that God has called me to be a "keeper of my home"... not
because I love to cook and clean... though I do love to decorate and make my
home pretty... but more importantly, I know my role, as keeper of my home,
is to love my family and my friends and all who enter in...
with the heart of God! To watch over and guard their spiritual well-being...
to nurture them with God's Word and pray for them with faith.

And I know that as I spend time with Him... allowing Him to continue the
work He's begun in me... transforming my mind and my life to His will and
purposes... the more I will be able to be His hands, His heart, and His voice
to influence those within my home... and beyond...
to know, love and follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior!

Father God... in Titus 2, You tell us to be "keepers at home" and I love how
that word keeper means guard or watchman... you call us to watch over our
home and families like a mother hen Lord!  Yes, You want us to be good
house keepers but, more importantly, to be good heart keepers... help us
to watch over the hearts of our brood Lord and always guide them to know,
love and trust You. Enable us and empower us to do this well...
for your glory. Amen

xoxoxo
Karla

Only 3 Days Left...

Only 3 DAYS LEFT...  to comment with your ideas
on how you might use the FREE downloadable
OH SO CUTE House Tags and Labels on my blog.
If you would use them in scrapbooking... what kind of page?
If the gift tags... what kind of gift and to who?
If a card or project... describe it and who would you give it to?
If you've used them already... I want to hear how!!


On Wednesday I'll choose 2 winners to receive a SURPRISE PRIZE...
one from my Facebook FANS and one from my BLOG...
and I know you're going to LOVE the OH SO CUTE prize!!

So... if you're a FAN... you might want to pop over to my
FanPage and add your ideas to the post there to get a second chance!
And if you're not a Fan yet... I'd love to have you join me there!

Thank you to those who have already shared... love your ideas!

Bless you my friends...
with God hugs and lots of Love...
Karla

Snowy Joy's New Friend...

Remember Snowy Joy?

Well, he has a new friend.... and I thought you might enjoy
seeing how he came to life.

Just a couple of days ago he appeared as a light sketch on canvas...


and the sky lit up with a brilliant glory...


snowflakes began to dance with delight...


and our new friend donned a top hat and a bright red jacket
as the air grew chilly... the message he wants to share
is beginning to take form...

brrrrr... he needed his scarf... now he's all cozy and warm...

His twiggy arms appear.. perfect to hold his sweet and simple message...
LOVE...

LOVE God...LOVE one another...
LOVE the unkind... the unlovely... the unlovable...
LOVE at Christmas time... LOVE all year long!

His face beams with expression... his eyes twinkle...
his mouth smiles... now that he has something to say...

he wants you to know God LOVES you...
more than you can even imagine... unconditionally and forever...

and he wants you to believe it...
because it's only God's LOVE that can truly transform your life...

bringing joy to your heart, peace to your mind,
health to your body and hope to your soul...

SWEET SWEET LOVE!
I hope my Snowy Joy's new friend has made you smile as much as he has me...

bountiful blessings and hugs to you my friends...
xoxoxo
Karla

Free January Color Page...

There is a huge difference between the home I grew up in and the home
my granddaughters are growing up in. Why? Because of the blessings of
the Lord... His love, His grace, His wisdom, His Word,
His peace, His joy... and the list goes on.

What a great way to remind the children... and us too... that God truly
does bless the home of the righteous... the dwelling place of those
who know Him, love Him and follow His ways!

Download this FREE COLORING PAGE and print it as many times as you like!
Use it to bless your own kids, the neighbors, your Sunday School class...
share it with other moms or Christian teachers by posting it to your own blog
and providing a link back here.  Let's share the GOOD NEWS together...

God blesses the home of the righteous
Proverbs 3:33

Thank You Father for Your favor on us as bellievers in Christ Jesus. We may not
be rich by the world's standards but we are rich in the blessings of Your love
as we seek to live obedient lives that are pleasing to You and life-giving to us!
May our children and our children's children know the joy of what it means to
follow You and may we never take Your blessings for granted. Amen.

xoxoxo
Karla

Free House Tags & Labels Download...

I love themes... and my theme for January is HOUSES!

The verse, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" came to my mind
just before the first of the year and dwelt there. It just kept popping into my
thoughts randomly so as I meditated on what it meant to me, I decided
to make it my theme for this month. I will share more on my musings later...
but for now I have a free gift for you...
a page of downloadable HOUSE themed TAGS & LABELS...

I love them... too cute!
I have not had time to play with them yet but I see lots of possibilities...
how about you?  How might you use them? Be creative... and have fun!!
In fact, if you'll leave a comment with your suggestions...
from the simplest to the most imaginative...
I will randomly choose one of them to receive a special little gift...
can't tell you what it is but guaranteed it will be something FUN for sure!!

I can hardly wait to hear from you!!
xoxoxo
Karla

New Inspirational Wall Cross

My publisher's wife... and my good friend... Marsha, collects crosses
so I painted this cross for her and Jack for Christmas this year.
I love it so much I decided to make a few more and offer them on Etsy.


Now Marsha is a glitter lover... and so am I... so I added a touch of red glitter
to the flowers on hers.  If you decide to buy one and want me to add a bit
of glitter to yours just let me know in the comments section of Paypal.


The cross is a symbol of what Christ has done for us... and this cross
with the vine flowering its way upward and outward illustrates the potential
we have to grow, blossom and bear fruit in His love...


and the message in the center... "Give Thanks to the Lord" is a reminder
to thank God for the sacrifice of His Son and all the blessings He has given us
in Him and through Him.

Oh yes... Michael made the wood cross in his shop for me
which makes it even more special! I love it...
and I knew you would love it too!

...being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name...
Phillipians 2:7,8

Heavenly Father... thank You for sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for
our sins... let us never forget or take it for granted. And Lord... may this year
be a year of growing closer to You, blossoming in Your love, and bearing fruit
that will bring You great glory to Your Name! Amen.

Handmade Happiness

It's funny how we've progressed.
Long ago, we all gave gifts to everybody... children and adults.
Then at some point in time,the adults in the family
started doing a gift exchange... drawing names at Thanksgiving.
Then a few years ago we decided to make it easier and the guys began
exchanging gifts amongst themselves and the girls the same. Until the year
the guys all sat around exchanging gift cards to Lowe's and Home Depot...
everyone cracked up! So today the guys are happy to just hang out while us
girls do our own gift exchange and this year it was all handmade happiness.

Since there were only four of us for this Christmas, we each made something
for the other three... the same gift but with a personal touch for each one...

Michelle made decorated headbands... oh so cute...


Cindy made pillows... my colors and she knows I love dangly beads...


Monica made sculpted birds...love his feathery tail...


and I made fabric flower corsages... I loved the loose weave fabric...

 the felt and using vintage beads and trims... so much fun...

I've even thought about doing a workshop on how to make these...
anyone want to come?

I know we don't always have time to make our gifts but when we do
it is so much more fun, meaningful, and frugal...
and they are gifts of heartfelt love and handmade happiness.

Did you make any of your gifts this year? I'd love to hear about what you made?
I'd love to offer more suggestions about handmade gift-giving in the days
to come so your ideas will be so inspiring!

Thanks again for letting me share my Christmas Memories with you!
I promise... as of tomorrow... I'm on to new things...
like a January coloring page... free tag downloads... and new Etsy stuff.
Yes I've been quiet... because I've been busy making fun things for you!!

xoxoxo
Karla

Happy New Year!

 
I love walking into a fresh new year...
it's like turning the page and stepping into a new chapter of our lives
yet unwritten except in the heart of God.
It's like making footprints in the newly fallen snow..
a new beginning.
As I enter this new year... as always... I do so with great expectation
to see what God has in store for me in the days ahead...
especially knowing Him better, loving Him more,
and following Him more faithfully.

I hope the same is true for you!

And I want to THANK YOU my friend for being my part of my journey...
THANK YOU for your words of blessing and encouragement...
and THANK YOU for sharing bits and pieces of your life with me.
I can only hope I've been an encouragement to you and
maybe even inspired you a bit along the way as well!

So in remembrance of another year gone by, I want to celebrate
the highlights of 2009 and God's goodness and grace...
 for it was in just the last year that I...

• wrote and illustrated "Give Thanks" and met the deadline!

• shared my heart and God's Word with some fabulous women
at the HeartSeekers Retreat, a Mother's Day Brunch, Family Bible
Church Retreat and a Precepts Season Kick-Off

• celebrated mom's day with a art day at Michelle's with the girls

• celebrated our 38th Anniversary... Wow!

• lost my mother to a stroke

• hugged family members I hadn't seen in years

• caught my first mackinaw on a trip to Montana
to visit friends Del & Susan

• loved seeing old friends at our 40th Class Reunion

• ate great seafood with Cindy at the beach

• was geatly blessed by a mini-retreat with Sandi

• transformed my studio with a bit of bling

• redesigned and rebuilt my website

• walked my very first Girlfriends Half-Marathon... unbelievable!

• celebrated my granddaughters turning 9 and 14... oh my!

• with mixed emotions, we put our house on the market... keep praying!

• opened my Etsy store

• was treated to an amazingly artsy day on the town for my 58th

• ended the year with a memorable Christmas of family LOVE

• was blessed beyond measure by all of you...
whether you've ever taken the time to comment or not...
THANK YOU for your LOVE
and for being a special part of my life and letting me be a part of yours!

God bless you and may He reveal Himself to you more
in 2010 then ever before!!!
xoxoxo
Karla