Karla's Korner

Walk With Me Wednesday...

I took my camera out on my walk this morning... and I thought
you might enjoy seeing a bit of the beauty that brought me joy...

I love it when I give myself time to delight in the beauty of a rose...

and this variegated variety brought the greatest joy to my heart!

The fragrance of this Stargazer Lily was almost intoxicating...


and it's so stately and majestic! Love the dotted pattern on it's petals!

I'm not sure if this is a Rose of Sharon but it's color against the brilliant
blue sky was dazzlling!

And this sweet little rose, bursting with color, grows forgotten and almost
unseen in front of an abandoned rundown house... it's beauty in stark
contrast to the harsh realities of the world around it. 

And I thought... O Lord... that's how I want to be!  Despite my circumstances
and the struggles I face, despite the loneliness and rejection I feel at times,
even in the midst of the darkness of this world... I want to blossom for You! 
I long to be that flower in the garden of life that brings a smile to someone
else's heart... and maybe even makes them wonder what it is that makes me
able to thrive in the darkness.  And then I can tell them all about You... the
Sonshine of my life and the Master Gardener of my heart!

And I pray this for you too!
xoxoxo
Karla

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly...

 
When we look back through the scrapbooks of our lives, we all have a
mixture of memories... some filled with laughter... some with pain.

That's why I am so thankful that we believe in a God who is able to take all
the days of our lives... the good, the bad, and the ugly...
and turn them into something beautiful. He is able to heal our broken and
battered hearts... and then use us as a vessel to pour out a drink of love and
grace into the lives of others. I hope you believe that for yourself!

And we each have our own story... a unique God-written novel of our days
that was penned before we were even born, an eternal scrapbook, so to speak,
created and kept by our heavenly Father... of our story... written for His glory!
So don't try to be someone you're not... but embrace your own story and live it!

"Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them."
Psalm 139:16

Heavenly Father... amazing to consider that You knew us before we were even
born! And how blessed we are to know that You not only created us but that
You are always at work... healing the wounds of our past, filling us with your
love, molding and shaping our characters... so that our life stories will bring
great glory to You and be a blessing to others. Thank You Lord Jesus.

The Sweet Taste of Friendship...

Surprise!  I have another new book out!

With an apple theme, perfect for fall, this sweet little gift book uses a few
ingredients from earlier books, combined with a measure of new, to stir up a
batch of friendship blessings for you to share with the girlfriends in your life.



It includes scripture, poems, prayers and words of affirmation, as well as
a collection of apple recipes and apple gift ideas.
It also includes a few journal pages, perfect for writing down some sweet
friendship memories to make this book a very personal from-your-heart gift.

You can check out just a couple of other pages and purchase it here!




Dear God... thank You for my friend! She is such an incredible blessing in
my life. I am so glad that You made her just the way You did... right down
to the number of hairs on her head... and the color of them too! She truly
is fearfully and wonderfully made - one of a kind by Your creative design!

I pray for my friend today that You will always enable her to see herself
through Your loving eyes... not her own or the world's. Remind her how
there is only one of her and only she can fulfill that perfect plan that You
have designed especially for her.

Bless her today with confidence in who You'e made her to be. Amen.
(an excerpt for The Sweet Taste of Friendship)

Set Free... New Painting

Here is my newest painting... appropriately titled... "Set Free"
What better way to imagine being free then a bird being released from
its cage on a beautiful spring day... allowed to spread it's wings and fly...
to fly as high and far as it likes... to soar with the eagles... to ride the wind...
to fully experience the life it was created to live!

I thought you might enjoy a few photos of the process. I wanted to create a
very airy springtime feeling... the season where new life buds and blossoms.
So very happy with the colors I chose.

Loved using the leaf cutouts from a vintage music book...
reminds me that the more freedom we walk in, the sweeter our song.

I'm guessing this looks like no other bird you've ever seen before.
Oh the joy of being able to create whatever bird I so desire...
and I chose this little lady because she's bright and cheerful and so very
excited about her new life beyond her captive past.

Jesus said, "you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
Not a freedom to do whatever, whenever and with whomever...
but a freedom from the lies that hold us captive and keep us becoming all
God designed us to be and living the life He died for us to experience.

Oh spread your wings of faith little bird... soar on the wings of the Spirit.

Thank You Father God for opening the prison doors of our hearts and setting
us free from the captivity of lies, sin and death. Give us ears to hear the Truth
of Your Word... and hearts to receive it, believe it and be changed by it for
Your glory... may we spread our wings of faith new every morning and fly!
Amen.

Love and God-hugs...
Karla

And yes... "Set Free" will be in Etsy soon!

What • So • Ever • Things...

What have you been thinking on lately?  Lovely thoughts I hope.

But there are times when our minds are like a battlefield, aren't they?
And battles are NOT lovely.
Lies waging war against the truth. Imaginings luring us to lose hope.
When we yield to the darkness... whatever the cause...
we lose sight of the light... and can't even see the lovely.
I know you can relate... we all go there.  Some just more than others.

That's why I am so thankful for this verse... Philippians 4:8...
because it helps me stop and examine what I'm thinking about
and invites me to refocus on God and all that is good.


There are several other attributes God tells us to think on in this verse but
for today I just wanted to share this one... think on what is LOVELY...
and just look at how the word lovely is defined...

love·ly  (lvl)

adj. love·li·er, love·li·est

1. Full of love; loving.

2. Inspiring love or affection.

3. Having beauty that appeals to the emotions as well as to the eye.

4. Enjoyable; delightful.

n. pl. love·lies

1. A beautiful person, especially a woman.

2. A lovely object.



So take a moment to...
1. Just think on all the lovely people God has brought into your life...
not perfect people... but kind, caring, loving people...
whether for just a moment in time or a lifetime!
2. Think on all the lovely people who have encouraged you along
the way and have inspired you to be a better you.
3. Think on all God's gloriously lovely creation that makes your heart
sing with awe and wonder!
4. Think on the lovely moments in life that have brought you
such joy and delight... savored moments that captured your heart.

1. And above all... think of the most beautiful person to have ever
lived and loved... above all else... think on Jesus...
the Most Lovely above all lovelies!
2. Think on how God has gifted us to create lovely things...
whether lovely works of art and music or lovely meals or lovely homes.

Oh so much loveliness... oh so much to grateful for!

And I must say... you my friend... are LOVELY! You make me smile!
Thank you for sharing this life's journey with me!
In His love and for His glory... xoxoxo... Karla

Seed Sowers...

Have you ever thought of yourself as a seed sower? You are you know...
whether you've ever thought about it or not.

Take a moment to imagine yourself as a maidservant of the Lord.
He has given you a beautiful snow white apron with large deep
pockets and wherever you are and wherever you go...
with each prayer you offer, every act of kindness you render,
every word of blessing, encouragement or comfort you speak...
to your children, your husband, friends or total strangers...
you are, in a spiritual sense, reaching into the pockets of God's love
and sowing seeds of His goodness and grace into their lives.

Aware of it or not... you are sowing seeds... good or not so good..
through your words and your deeds throughout the day. 
So you can see why it's so important to put on God's love every
morning and have your pockets full of His goodness ready to give away?

...as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience....
and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together
in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

Lord bless the hands that scatter seeds of blessing today! Thank You
that Your seed never runs out and always yields a harvest of
eternal blessing... in Your time... in Your love and for Your glory...
xoxoxo
Karla

The Fragrance Filled the Air...

I just came back from the most fragrant walk I think I've ever taken! I love
that my new neighborhood LOVES their flowers!!
And, of course, it made me think of how the Bible says...
we are to God the fragrance of Christ!


Then as soon as I got back... I added three new prints to Etsy... this one...
Delight Yourself in the Lord... in two sizes... square and 5x7...



and this one... In the Shadow of His Wings... in a 5x7.

Hmmm... I guess that's my way of sharing the sweet aroma of Christ
with you today!  Can you smell it?

For we are to God the aroma of Christ
among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
2 Corinthians 2:15

Heavenly Father... we so long to be women who are sweet smelling
for You!  We want the knowledge of You Lord to be so sweet in us... that it
just naturally seeps through the pores of our being and out into the world! 
We want how we live and how we love to produce a holy fragrance
wheverever we go... a fragrance that will cause others to want to know
where it comes from... so we can tell them about You! 
Let Your will be done in us and through us Lord... for Your glory!

The Vine and The Branches...

Don't you just love how Jesus used such strong visual imagery as He taught?

As I sat in church this past Sunday... listening to a message on this verse...
all I could see were heavy clusters of lush ripe plum-purple grapes ripening
on the vine to the glory of the Vinedresser... and I knew... come Monday...
that I wanted to create a new art print to remind myself that I cannot bear
fruit that is pleasing to the Vinedresser unless I stay connected to the Vine!

I do want to be more and more fruitful for the Lord in the days to come and
I know you do too! This verse tells us that the only way to do that
is to stay connected to Jesus... to spend time with Him...
allowing His Word and Spirit to flow in us...
transforming our lives and our thoughts and our attitudes.
And we need to be willing to let Him prune away every thing that does
not line up with His Word and His calling on our lives... even if it hurts.

We were created to bear fruit my friends... and much fruit...
so let's do it for the glory of the Lord!!  Amen.

xoxoxo
Karla

New Mirrors in Etsy!

I've had so much fun formatting some of my art into the round
to make more mirrors for Etsy!


There's just something about hands-on making it yourself
that makes one's heart smile and soul thankful... don't you agree?


I loved seeing the Shadow of His Wings become something gift-worthy!
I'll be adding the print of this one to Etsy soon just in case you're wondering.


As I was making these, I thought about how I want to carry a couple in my
purse to have with me just in case I have a God-moment with someone
who could use a Good Word of Hope in the Lord to hold onto.


I want to be the walking-talking-loving version of this design...
does that make sense to anyone else?
To me this image just speaks of delight and joy and blessing...
and that's what I want my life to exude as I journey through this world!


But I know I can't be that person unless I'm connected to God daily...
knowing and believing in the depth of my being that He is God...
and I am not... because only then can I say that all is well with my soul.

 
And I leave you with this one because my friend...you are a Precious One...
to me and to the Lord!

May we glorify His Name together...
every day and in every way!

xoxoxo
Karla

A New Design...

I've been working on some new designs and this is one of my favorites!
I love the colors... the tulip... I've always loved polka dots... and the swirls...
but most of all... I LOVE God's Word!

I love how He promises to give us the desires of our heart...
but only as we delight in Him.

I remember several years ago when I was going through a very difficult season,
the Lord clearly said to me that if I would delight myself in Him, and Him alone,
He would give me the desires of my heart... desires I didn't even know I had!

I love the  part about "desires I didn't even know I had" because
the truth isI had gotten so caught up in comparing myself to other women
and trying to be like them, that I didn't even know who I was anymore
or what my heart really wanted, needed, or desired.

You see, the reality is that it is only as we delight in Him...
getting to know Him... love Him... trust Him... and follow Him
that we can truly discover who we really are...
who He uniquely created us and designed us to be.

And the really cool thing is that as we do delight in Him our desires shift
from being all about what I want... to all about what He wants...
and those are the desires that will bring us the greatest pleasure and joy!

So I'm praying for God to give you the desires of your heart my friend...
so go delight yourself in Him and be glad!

Love & God-hugs...
Karla

 

100 Favorite Bible Verses...

I got my sample book in the mail just yesterday!

It's always a delight to have and hold a finished book
that you've been a part of... and this one is as beautiful as can be!

This is one of my favorite pages... favorite verses... and favorite flowers.


Just lovely.

The author of the devotionals is Lisa Guest and above is part of what she has
to say about this Favorite Bible Verse.

Yes Lord... thank You for the gift of this day...
give us eyes to see You and ears to hear You
so that we may rejoice in it and give You glory!

Oh yes... I will let you know as soon as the books arrive!!

Sneak Peek...

I'm excited...
I've been working lots of long hours on a new project.
I still have much to do before it's ready
but I can't help myself...
I have to show you a sneak peek at what's coming!!


Soon... there will be a place where you can find
necklaces with God's Word and my art on them...

t-shirts with God's Word and my art on them...

 super cute baby stuff with God's Word and my art on them...

and lots and lots of other inspirational gifts and goodies...
and go figure... all with my art on them!!

The exciting part is that I have prayed for a new way
to share my love for God and His Word through my art...
and I believe He has opened this door for me.
And soon... very soon... I will be opening the door to you too...
and inviting you to be a part of this new creative adventure with me.

Love you my friends... and may we always
"stir up one another to love and good work..."
Hebrews 10:24

Sharing a Little Love...

Here's my pretty little bouquet of posy bracelets I told you about yesterday!

The painted fabric base makes them so cheerful, don't you think?
I love tulle... and oh my... the beads... very sweet.

Did you go check out the Craft Hope website?
It's a great feeling to make gifts for the peope we know and love...
but there's something special knowing it's for someone who has so little.

I'm having some friends over next week to make a few more...
wanna come?

In fact, I think these are so fun, I may just have to make more...
gotta make one for me... and then my friends... and maybe even for Etsy...
what do you think?

 

Keep creating and crafting my friends... whatever your craft is...
and ask God to show you where and how you might be able to share your craft
with those less fortunate than you who just need a little love.

Love and God-hugs...
Karla

Where in the World Was I???

So sorry I left you in suspense for so long...
but I've been trying to play catch up these last few days!!


So where in the world was I for five long days last week?
Sitting on a jury with 11 other people deciding the fate of another person.

Interesting that it was the week before Easter and I kept thinking of Jesus
being on trial and about Him being wrongly accused and convicted.
It's a huge responsibility to listen and discern what is true and what is not...
and then decide where a man will spend the next several years of his life!

Deliberations began Friday mid-afternoon and though heated from the start...
after about five hours... we ended up with four guilty verdicts.

It was a tiring and tedious five days... but still an amazing experience...
especially of watching twelve unique individuals, with their own perspectives,
wrestle with an extremely difficult set of truths, half-truths and potential lies
and, one by one, come to a unanimous decision on, not just one, but four
counts.  My heart still aches for the young man... more than I even realized as
tears are filling my eyes as I write this. 

God loves even the most guilty among us.

40 Years and Still Counting!

Will you take a moment to rejoice with us...
sing a happy song... dance a little jig... lift your eyes to heaven
and give our God thanks... for today...
Michael and I celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary!


Can you believe it?
We were not believers when we were married...
and several times came soooo close to not making it...
in fact, in our early 20's, we were voted among our friends
to be the first couple to divorce!!
But here we are today...
40 YEARS LATER... with HAPPY HEARTS...
for God has been good to us!

And we both agree... He gets all the glory... amen and amen!

Friends Are Like Flowers...

It's so true... and last weekend
I cultivated my friendships with these four beautiful blossoms...

  
(Sandi  •  Joan  •  Nona  •  Pat  •  Me)
Our time together was filled with love, laughter, tears and blessing...
as we shared our lives together... past and present...
feasted on God's Word through devotions and Bible meditation...
and prayed for one another with faith and joyful expection!
For me... it was life-changing and I am thankful to have been among them...
and thankful to the Lord who brought us together for such a time as this!

I've been thinking a lot lately about how important our friendships are...
how fragile our girlfriend relationships can be...
and how I want and need to be more diligent to cultivate them in my life!

I thought I'd share with you a devotion from one of my earlier books,
"The Blessing of Friendship"
as it expresses my heart's desire for myself and for you too...

The tending of a friendship garden is no small matter
and not to be taken lightly. Many a beautiful garden
has gone to ruin for lack of proper care.

Here are some tips that may prove helpful in
cultivating your own friendship garden...



Prepare the soil by tilling it with God's unconditional love.

Remove any rocks of judgement or critical attitudes.

Pull out any roots of fear and jealousy.

Destroy the seeds of gossip before they can even take root.

Seeds of friendship may be found most anywhere.

Plant with care, kind words and a listening heart.

Germination is usually spontaneous so be watchful.

To ensure growth...
water with kind deeds and a generous heart.

 

Make sure you give each friend plenty of room to grow.

Be realistic... don't expect a marigold to smell like a rose.

Fertilize generously with laughter and joy.

Water deeply with tears of empathy and prayer...
to develop healthy roots and a stronger, more stable friendship.

 


Father God... sometimes we forget how important our friendships
are to You for they are represent some of the most fertile soil in which
You are able to cultivate our hearts and character... and in so doing,
we become bouquets of blessing to bring the fragrance of Christ
to the world!  Remind us Father of what a great blessing
friendship was designed to be and help us cultivate the ones we have.

Stir It Up...

One day last week...
as I was drinking in God's Word along with my morning coffee...
I had to stop and ponder this verse...


I heard God... through the Apostle Paul speaking to Timothy... and to me...
saying... "it's your responsibility, you know...
to stir it up... to exercise it... to fan it into flames...


to nurture... the gift"
my first thought went to my talents... to my God-given artistic ability...
but my thoughts quickly shifted to the Gift above all others...


to the Gift of the Holy Spirit that lives within me... within you too...
"not a spirit of fear," He says, "but of love, peace and a sound mind"...
an indwelling outpouring of power, courage and truth...


a gift I need so much in my life to face and endure
the pain and problems of this world... of my own personal world...
the worries that seek to overwhelm me... the uncertainties of the future...
thieves seeking to steal away my faith... my joy in the Lord...
and I hear God say...  "My beloved... stir up the gift I've given you...
nurture it... cultivate it... and you will discover you already have within
you all you need to live and love the way you were created to."


yes Lord...
I do have what it takes to live a good and godly life in a not-so-good world...
I do have what it takes to love and forgive others
because Christ has loved and forgiven me...
I do have what it takes to not worry about tomorrow knowing You hold
all my tomorrows in the palm of Your hand...
and I do have what it takes to trust the truth of Your Word
instead of yielding to the lies of the enemy...


but I must choose to stir it up...
to stir up the love of God poured out into my heart through the Holy Spirit...


to remind myself that the King of Kings gave me this Gift...
because He loves me and desires the best for me...
what a gloriously great gift He's given!


Oh yes... and I do thank God for the artistic gifts He's given me as well...
and for the inspiration for this new painting... it now hangs in my
breakfast nook to remind me every morning to stir up the gift that is within
me... and I hope to have prints of this painting available for you next week!

2 Timothy 1:6

Heavenly Father...
thank You for reminding me to stir up the Gift of the Holy
Spirit within me... to stir it up and walk in the love, the peace and the truth
of who You are and who You are in me and through me.  Would you continue
to remind me throughout the day when my mind strays and my heart
becomes weary to pick up the spoon of faith... and stir vigorously!
Amen and amen.

Banned From The Hammer...

...actually I'm banned from the hammer's cousin... the mallet!
Why... you ask?

Well... just last Saturday my dear sweet man was setting the granite tile
for our kitchen countertops.


He troweled on the thinset (the glue to make it stick)...


he carefully set the heavy tile into place, working hard to get it level...

and then he turned his back... he should never have turned his back.


I had watched him use the mallet to level the tile before and so...
in my desire to be a good wife and helper... I picked up the mallet...


I should never have picked up the mallet.


I was soooooo sorry.
He was sooooo full of grace...
but I'm still banned from touching the mallet!

I am so thankful for grace. He could have been and had every right to be so
angry and upset with me... but he loves me... and he knew I was just trying
to be a help.  Instead he very kindly told me he was pretty sure this was
a job he could handle on his own and he released me
to go find something else... minus the mallet... to do!

Thank You Lord for forgiveness and grace. How extravangantly beautiful it is
when Your grace is revealed to us through others. Father, empower us to be
grace-givers to those in our lives who need it... just like Michael did for me. 

Royalty of the Heart...

You would have thought I'd have sewn something yesterday, given my tidy
little sewing nook... and I did think about... but instead I couldn't help
myself... this little lovely has been on my heart...

If we truly belong to the King of Kings... yes...  that makes us a Princess!
But not the kind of princess that sits on pedestal... expecting to be served.
And it's not a title we boast of.. or a position we brag about.
Oh no no... not in God's Kingdom!

In the Kingdom of Love-A-Lot, we are called to do just that...
LOVE A LOT!!
That's the crown we wear... that's what's supposed to set us apart.
Loving others like God loves us... yessirreee...
loving... caring... serving... forgiving... self-sacrificing.

But sometimes our crowns slip, don't they?  Maybe even fall off?  Mine does.
Sometimes I'm too preoccupied with my own life to care about others.
Sometimes I let someone else's attitude or behavior change my own...
and my crown tumbles to the ground.
Sometimes my own self-righteousness knocks it off without me realizing it.

But that's not who I am... I am Princess Love-A-Lot.
So once again... I must humble myself. And asking the King's forgiveness,
I reach down to lift it up, and I realize it's not really even my crown...
it's His.

You see, that's why our crowns keeps slipping and falling off.
God's love is soooo much greater than our love!
This crown we wear in His Name is too big for us!
But as He looks at His little girls... He smiles.
He is confident we will grow into it.
So once again... we don our crowns as Princess Love-A-Lot
and we seek to be more like our Savior... loving like He does...
so others might see Him through us.

Remember... we dwell in the Kingdom of Love-A-Lot...
so check your crown once in a while to make sure it's sitting pretty...
in His Name and for His glory.

Love and God-hugs...

 

Sweet Little Sewing Space...

I'm finally starting to organize my studio... little by little...
and I'm so excited about it!

I've always wanted a sewing nook... where everything could stay out and be
ready when the urge hit or the need arose.  I now have it... oh so sweet!


So my serger is ready to serge... (as soon as I find the cord)...


... and my sewing machine has already been sewing... yessirreee...
I hemmed up some jammies for a friend just a few of days ago!


So here's what happens when you're disorganized and can't find the color of
thread you want in the moment... you go buy more... and then it happens
again... and again. Will I ever use that much red & yellow thread? Hope so!


Oh my... do any of you remember the day of the duster?
Or a 35¢ pattern!?!?!?


I'm not finished organizing yet but I thought this was pretty clever...
the small metal dishes are vintage jello molds... and the little bucket is
super cheap from IKEA... loving it!


And who doesn't love colored ball-head straight pins? I do!  Cheerful and fun.
And this little pincushion has elastic to fit on your wrist... so helpful!


I got this adorable table from my daughter. I should have taken a before
photo though. Where the buttery yellow is on the top it was purple and
the legs were blue and white striped... very cute... but just a bit
too multi-colorful for my style and studio! 
Don't worry... she understands... and didn't mind at all!


Okay... so do you see what is wrong with this picture? 
Yes... the stools I got are too tall for the table!  I thought about just
cutting them off but I need them to be that height for my art table.
So... I'm looking forward to finding new chairs at the second hand store...
I know I'll find them and they'll be just perfect!

I believe God is calling me to get organized... in my studio, my house,
my paperwork, my daily routines, even my thought-life.
He's been impressing on me that being more organized will result in much
greater freedom... freedom to grow in my relationship with Him,
freedom to be more creative, to grow my business,  and give myself away. 
Yes Lord... that's my heart and my desire.

How about you?

Heavenly Father... I understand that greater freedom and creativity flows
from a sense of order rather than chaos and so I do desire more order and
organization in my chaotic life! I want to be all that You're calling me to be,
but I know I can't do it without You. I trust You to give me the wisdom and
direction I need for today to accomplish Your will in me and through me.
Amen.

xoxoxo

Oh My... Oh My... The Week Flew By!

  Whew... I know time flies... but this week went by at record speed!



Where... oh where... did it go?

Well... remember that list I talked about last week?

At the top of that list was paperwork... and I knew that had to be God.
I know so because I would never put paperwork at the top of any list.
My favorite thing to procrastinate is paperwork.
So I have (had) piles... many piles... many messy piles.
Of course, the move didn't help the situation at all!

 
You can't imagine how many times I wanted to quit and walk away.
Do something fun.  Do something creative.
But nope... I knew it was God's will and desire for me to get it done.
So I was a good girl.  Encouraged myself in the Lord.
And stuck with it.
Yep... it's done... I'm all caught up... at least for now!  Sweet!!! 
And God was right... it feels good... weight lifted... burden gone!


And not only am I caught up but I am getting organized.
I LOVE being organized and orderly!
I still have a ways to go, especially with the house still being in process...
but as for paperwork...


2010 is filed away...


and 2011 has taken it's rightful place.

And I have worked out a few new "systems" to hopefully help
make staying on top of it all even easier.  (Thanks Audrey!)

So there you have it... that's where most of my week went!


And I'm smiling...
because now I'm moving on to the second big thing on my list...
THE HOUSE!!!!  WHOOOOOHOOOOOO!!
It's starting to take shape so stay tuned!


But before I go...I do have to ask...
what do you procrastinate doing?
Could it be that, like me, you've been hearing that still small voice
coaxing you to tackle it... get it done...
see it through to the end.
May I encourage you... you'll feel better when you do.
Not only because the burden will be lifted...
but you'll know that God is smiling.
And maybe you'll even hear Him say...
"well done, my good and faithful servant!"

Be blessed...
in His love and for His glory...

CHA Inspired List...

I LOVE writing lists. God made me this way.

Sometimes lists are written only to be thrown away.
But sometimes God uses our scribbled lines upon lines...
to help us capture our out of control thoughts.
to bring a sense of can-do to our daydreams.
to sort what is of Him... and what is not.
to enable us to prioritize and think things through.
to motivate us to move forward.


That's what happened for me at CHA.
I came home with a list.
My thoughts have clarity.
My creativity has inspiration.
My path has direction.
My heart has hope.
My eyes are on the Lord.

I know He's not done with me yet...
so I'm looking forward, with expectation, to see what He has in store...
step by step... moment by moment...
for His glory!

And I know He's not done with you either.
He has a plan... a glorious plan...
but sometimes we have to take a step of faith
to enter into what He has in mind.
So let's keep moving forward in faith together!!

Thank you so much for your love, encouragement & prayers.

Love & God-Hugs...

Progress Report...

Slow but sure... and very exciting...
that's how I would describe the progress report on our house remodel.


The kitchen has come a long way since the first report...
and since the last update... two weeks ago... Michael has finished
the beadboard in the family room... and I still have a bit of it left to paint.


He replaced the door to the laundry room with one that matches the other
doors in the house... note it still needs white paint!


Most of his time has been spent on preparing the floors to start laying the
hardwood flooring that is presently stacked sky high in my studio!


It has not been an easy job at all.  He had to replace a few boards and
tighten up all the existing sub-floor.  Here you see where he patched the
corner where the chimney had been... so glad it's gone!


But the major job has been leveling it all because the family room is an
addition so the floor in there is higher than the kitchen floor
which is also part of the floor you see above. And then... this floor
is lower than the breakfast nook floor which is also an addition!! 
It's been like a puzzle figuring it all out and I'm so proud of my husband
for his ability to solve problems and do such quality work!


But I must say... the biggest PRAISE THE LORD may be no more plastic wall...
and no more zipper!!  Yippee... yay!!  Lovin' it!!  It's starting to look so pretty!


I found this round table for the breakfast nook on Craigslist...
and right now it's holding 3 sets of track lights destined for the
family room and above the buffet bar... I LOVE lotsa light!


 And I've slowly begun unpacking a few boxes of decor...
still trying to figure out what to put on these shelves since I've never been
big on knick-knacks... hmmm... I think I see some fun shopping in my future.


The dining area is starting to take shape...


and so is the living room... slowly but surely... one day at a time.

It's fun to share the progress with you... thanks for caring. It helps to stop
and see how far we've really come because it's been 4 months now...
and we still have so far to go!!!

This house has become our workmanship... much like you and I are God's...

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10

Ponder this...
I would love for our house to be done today... I'm ready... but sometimes it
feels like it will never get done!!  And that's how we can be with God's work
in our lives... we want to be further along than we are.  We think we should
be all totally remodeled and perfect today...  but we're not.
There's still so much work to be done... but God continues to mold and
shape us every day... much like Michael and I are doing to our house. 

It is a slow process but it's worth it and that's how God feels about us.
He has a plan and a vision for us, just like we have a vision for this house!!
And He's faithful... he'll never give up on you... so don't give up on Him!!

Take a moment and do your own progress report... let yourself delight in
pondering what God has already done in your life... and let it build your
faith to know that He's not done with yet either! 
What rooms has He already remodeled in your heart?
How grateful we are for the Remodeler and Restorer of our Souls.

Father God... thank You for not giving up on us... but for loving us...
and living in us and through us just the way we are...
with the continual hope of of greater restoration ahead!  Amen.

Walking With God...

I'm reading the book of Genesis right now.  Have you ever read it?
It is so cool... in chapter 5 you begin reading the first geneology in history...
the lineage of God's people from Adam through Noah...
and it tells you how many years each man lived and it says "then he died".
Until you get to Enoch. And Enoch was different.

Instead of "he lived... and he died" the Bible says...
"Enoch walked with God: then he was no more..."  I love it!
Everyone else just merely lived and died... but not Enoch.
He did more than live... he walked with God... and there is a difference.
A life walked with God is filled hope.
I want to be like Enoch, don't you?

Let's walk into this new year together... with a renewed faith... hand in hand
with our Savior... knowing that with Him we can face whatever comes our way.
Knowing that He loves us and cares about every detail of our lives.
Knowing that He is our Father, our Friend, and the Lover of our soul!




I am also reading "Jesus Calling" as my daily devotional and I already knew
I wanted to share with you about Enoch and stepping out in faith... when I had
such a confirmation from yesterday's reading...  I just smiled... so will you...

Jan. 2... "Because I am your constant Companion, there should be a lightness
to your step that is observable to others. Do not be weighed down
with problems and unresolved issues, for I am your burden-bearer."

A lightness to your step... ahhhhh... a spring to your stride!
But the only way we're going to walk lighter is to walk in faith...
and the only way we can walk in faith is to walk with God daily...
spending time with Him in His Word and in prayer... trusting
Him to carry our burdens and reveal Himself to us, in us and through us!
That's my hope for this coming year... for me... and for you!



Heavenly Father... gives us to ears to hear and hearts to believe.
Fill us with the hope that comes from knowing and loving You. 
We want to be different Lord... just like Enoch was different...
we want to walk more closely with You.  So much so that
others may notice the lightnesss in our step and want to know why
so we can tell them about how great You really are.  Amen.

Thankful Thursday Kitchen Update...

I thought for sure I would have a kitchen by Christmas.  Not quite.
Now I'm hopeful for Valentine's Day...  maybe even earlier.
What I'm learning is that remodeling the house you live in...
and doing most of the work yourselves... especially at our age...
is a great way to develop patience and perserverance...
and I keep hearing God say "count it all joy..."


So in the beginning... this was our kitchen when we moved in... Sept. 23rd.


It is quite small but cozy... with a nice size family room addition.


This will be a great family/tv room... someday soon!


The cabinets were original 1942... very small and didn't close well...
note the covered over chimney in the corner...
and what was the dining room through the doorway... more on this later.


November 8
After settling into the bedroom and studio as our living space...
with the camper for our kitchen...
Michael spent quite a while on the laundry room but I'll show you that later.
Here... the kitchen construction begins...
and the cabinets were the first thing to go.


I remember the day the plastic doorway went up to keep construction dust
out of the rest of the house... at least the worst of it... 
I thought the zipper was oh so cool then...
now... not so cool but still so thankful for it.


November 10
We wanted to open up the space between the dining room and kitchen...


November 16
but in order to take out that wall we had to put a support beam in...


In the process of making room for the beam we discovered leaks...


which meant taking down the entire ceiling...


December 4th
and time out for replacing a large section of the roof.
We also discovered there was no insulation on one outer wall...
so the sheetrock had to come down... but thankful for the discovery!


During this time Michael was also putting in all new kitchen plumbing...
while an electrician friend was replacing all the wiring!


December 1
Lots of work went into making the ceiling level between where it sagged
and where the family room had been added on. A pony wall was built
for where a counter/eating bar will be... and electrical was wired!!
Oh yes... and the chimney disappeared...
sadly however... Michael's shoulder is still suffering from that demolition.


December 14
Trust me... some serious JOY filled the house the day
Jeff and his boys showed up with sheetrock!


December 15
After weeks of looking at the darkness of open studs, wires and insulation...
this was a beautiful site to see!!!


December 22
But back to more demolition... up came the ugly mud-colored vinyl tiles...
all the way down to the subfloor... too bad it's sub-floor because it's
really quite colorful and pretty... but do have cold air coming through!



December 28
Finished painting the ceiling and the upper part of the walls



December 29
Could hardly quit smiling as we began trimming out the windows and doors.

That's where we're at today.

What God has shown me through these past several weeks is
an incredible picture of what it means to be rescued.
He has given the privilege to take a house that had been
neglected, seriously abused and abandoned... and we are giving it new life...
an opportunity to blossom into something of beauty and great value.
I know in my heart God has a plan for this house to be used for His glory!

A wonderful analogy of what God does for us...
He rescues us... gives us new life... and uses us for His glory.

For my house and for my God...
I am thankful!

Blooming Botanicals

Shortly after we bought our new house, I got a call from my publisher
asking if I would work with them on a collection of botanical art to
illustrate a book they're putting together called "100 Favorite Bible Verses." 
Here is the first draft of the cover and it's scheduled to come out
sometime in the spring... it should be lovely.

So of course I said "yes" and added "50 botanical illustrations due
by November 15th" to my already crazy life!  Since I've never done botanical
style art before it was both a blessing and a challenge but I LOVED doing it!!

 
It meant doing about two illustrations a day and I definitely give God the glory
for meeting the deadline and doing it with joy... at least most of the time!
Now you know another BIG reason for my silence!
This primrose above was one of my favorites!


Isn't this the most whimsical looking flower you ever seen? I love it!!
It's called a fritillaria!  I even love the name!
I think I love it so much because it shows the incredible creativity of the Lord
and His delightful sense of humor!  Don't you agree?

I had to keep reminding myself during those weeks that when God asks us to
do something, He is the One who gives us the ability and discipline to do it.
And I knew this was God because I had been praying for an opportunity to work
with my publisher again and... I had been praying for discipline! He answered
two at the same time.  And as always He showed Himself faithful to give me
what I needed to accomplish what He put before me!

So I wonder...
Is there something He's asking you to do right now that you wonder if you
have what it takes to do it?  Or a circumstance you're facing that seems too
big for you to handle?  God never asks us to face our challenges on our own.
Instead He longs for us to trust Him so that He can show Himself mighty...
in us and through us... for His glory! I pray you will trust Him to do just that!

Love you...
Karla

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)

At the Cross

The meaning of the cross will never change,
the message of His love remains the same...

a love poured out on Calvary
a love that flowed to set us free
a love that knows us each by name
a love that covers  sin and shame

 
and where can this love be found?
but as we kneel upon the ground
at the foot of the cross we come
to Jesus our Savior, God's only Son

Jesus loves you this I know
for the Bible tells me so
He's with you always to the end
your Lord, your King, and your Friend

By Wisdom a House Is Built...

You're going to love the symbolism that is woven throughout this painting...
it's one of the Classic "Oldie but Goodies" that I recently added to my Etsy
store and I just can't resist telling you the "story" behind it...

In this illustration each frame of the shadowbox represents a different
aspect of you and I being keepers of our home.

 
The verse is an encouragement to us to know that no matter what our age
or marital status, the more we grow in  the wisdom, understanding,
and knowledge of God, the more He can use us to fill your home
with the rare and beautiful treasures of His love and blessings.

The teddy bear represents the softness that a woman brings into the home
through her loving and nurturing nature.

As we meditate on the Word of God, Psalm 1 says we will be like trees
planted by rivers of water bearing much fruit... fruit that will nourish the
souls and spirits of both those who dwell in our homes and those who visit.

I love this one...
the sewing supplies speak of mending... because as women we
are called to mend many things... from scraped knees
and broken toys to broken dreams and wounded hearts.



The flowers simply portray life and the joy of the Lord in our lives.

The patchwork heart is a wonderful reminder of the many personalities
that make up a family and how the love of the Lord
can unite them together as one.



Jesus is the Candle of the world and we are called to be His light in the
darkness. The red color of the candle depicts the blood He shed so we could
know Him, love Him and shine like Him in this world.

The house is not only a dwelling place but a safe haven of for refreshing the
soul. It is a place of joy and laughter, tears and sorrow, teaching and learning,
victory and failure, confidence and fear, and caring and sharing. It is a
place for all to come and find love and acceptance...
family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike.


The church is a place for the whole family to worship and praise the King of
Kings... to grow together in the truth and knowledge of who His and to have
our hearts united as one... as a family and with other believers.



The car represents the busyness of life... running here and there, errands,
ministry, school, sports, work, go, go, go... rest!  It's important for us
commit our running to the Lord and let Him establish our thoughts and
our lives so we can take time to find rest and restoration
for our own souls in order to be all that God has called us to be.

The saw and hammer imply building in all respects... the building of our
house, the building of relationships, the building of character with Jesus
as our foundation.

The separate hearts represent the different personalities within a family
and the need they have to be nurtured to become the unique individuals
God has created them to be.

The open Bible, the Word of God is the foundation of all we are and all we
seek to do. The other books there remind us to study and share His Word with
those around us.

The laundry represents all the mundane chores that must be done, day after
day after day. These are the elements of keeping house that truly bring
stability and a sense of order to all who live there. God tells us to commit
all our work to Him, including the laundry!


The pie is a sweet example of being fed within the family... but all the food
we serve, whether for the body, the mind or the spirit needs to be healthy
and nourishing... causing us to grow strong and mature physically, mentally,
and spiritually in the Lord.

My dear friends...
Thanks for letting me share this with you and... may the rare and beautiful
treasures of the Lord fill your heart and home today!!
xoxoxo
Karla

Oh yes... in case you've been blessed and encouraged by this art and all it's
spiritual symbolism and would like to own a copy for yourself or to give as a
wedding or housewarming or just because I love you gift...
you can find it in my Etsy shop and there's also a square
version of it... with fewer frames... in my Love In Every Room book.

Love you and have a glorious weekend in the Lord!

Bluebird of Happiness...

Today is the day the Lord has made...
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

And this little bluebird is here to remind you to do just that...
to choose joy!

We don't usually think of joy as a choice though do we? But God does.
And when David said "Let us rejoice... let us be glad,"
he was sending an invitation to you and to me to make a decision... to choose
how we see and respond to the challenges that we face today and everyday.

You see... the Lord already knows our circumstances and how difficult life
can be for us but He also tells us in Nehemiah if we choose to enter into the
joy of the Lord... rejoicing in who He is, His promises and His presence with
us, we will gain the strength we need to face the day and to be glad for it!




God made today and gave it to us as a gift...  and we are told in Ephesians
that He's already gone before us and prepared some things He'd like us to
do... places to go, people to love, ways to serve... to be His hands and His
heart... and we will blessed as we go if we will choose to see our day through
His eyes and perspective and not just our own.

I hate to admit it but... it is our choice if we whine, complain, mumble and
grumble... (I hate to admit because I can be so guilty!)
but it's also our choice to rejoice and be glad.

So...will you accept God's invitation today... to be joyful and glad? I hope so!




Heavenly Father... thank You for the gift of today... for all the hours and
moments that You've already planned for me to live... and to live abundantly!
Forgive me for so often looking at my day and my struggles through my my own
eyes of selfishness and wallowing in self-pity. Today I will choose to rejoice
in You and be glad for You have blessed my life in so many ways... especially
with Your unconditional love and the salvation of my soul. As I walk through
this day may people see and hear You through me and may the joy of knowing
You be all the strength I need. For Your glory... amen.