Karla's Korner

Learning to Let Go...

Michelle and Gary are having a gloriously great time in Italy...
and Michael and I are having a gloriously great time here with the girls!


We have had the honor of sending them off on their first day of school...

and being there for Jessica's first soccer game of the season.

We all had a fun time at the Vancouver Sausage Festival...

and last night, sitting around the dinner table, we picked random letters of
the alphabet and started listing all the things we were thankful for that
began with that letter. Somehow we got to cracking up and we were laughing
so hard I cried!!  I haven't done that in so long... and it felt so good.
I am blessed.

This morning Jessica asked me if I was missing our old house.  I realized in
that moment that I truly am not. I am learning... all over again... how to let
go and let God have His way in every area of my life.
I know His plans for me, for us, and for you... are all good.

As I was praying this morning and thanking Him for what He's doing
in our lives, I journaled what I heard God saying to my heart
and wanted to share it with you...

Today is a new day of unexplored territory… never-before-lived moments…
uncharted oceans of opportunity. But every moment you spend dwelling on
the past… longing for what was or wondering about what could have been…
is a moment you’re missing out on the blessings I have in store for you for
today… moments designed especially for you to discover Me in your midst
and delight in My Presence.  Keep learning to let go of what lies behind you
so that you can stay focused forward with a sense of exploration and joyful
expectation of what is yet to come.

My heart is encouraged by God's grace and sovereignty...  hope yours is too.
Love and hugs...
Karla

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12)

The Beginning of the New Chapter

My last post marked the closing of the last chapter of our God story...
saying goodbye to the home and lifestyle we had known for nine years...
and looking forward to the unknown.

Today... much to my surprise... this post marks the beginning of the new!! 
WE JUST FOUND OUT THIS MORNING... OUR OFFER WAS ACCEPTED...
AND WE HAVE A NEW HOUSE ALREADY!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???

I LOVE this house! It's a mixture of cottage, complete with original wood
floors and character, and fixer, with lots of room for Michael's and my
creativity and craftsmanship. I look forward to sharing a few before and
after photos as we begin our new adventure of making this house our own.



We had originally wanted a tiny bungalow but we also needed a huge parking
lot for Michael's work trailers, fishing boat and the camper... and shop space
for Michael as well. The only bungalows that fit our needs did not fit
our budget so... when we found this house with a four car garage... we knew
it had our name written all over it.

And at some point in this house's history, someone added on a ridiculously
huge master bedroom... plenty of room to wall off a studio for me even
larger than my last one... I'm excited.  And... I'm even dreaming about some
day having studio sales once again!

You may recall from earlier posts that I was ready to just pack the camper
and head down the road (I think there is a a bit of bohemian in my blood)
but obviously God has other plans!
Sometimes first things must come first... His timing versus mine. So rather
than throw away our money on a storage unit while we travel... we will now
have a place near the kids to come home to when we we're not on the road!

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,"
declares the LORD.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways
higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8

Heavenly Father... so often I know what I desire... but what I want and what
I need are not always the same. And even though I may not get my way, it
comforts me to know that because I belong to You, I can always trust Your
perfect and righteous way being worked out in my life...
for my best and for Your glory! Amen.