Karla's Korner

Not Sure Where To Begin...

It's been a while since I've posted... a long while actually. Some of you have written me... expressing your concern about my absence and I have been blessed by your love. But I am also ashamed of myself because you are my friends and family... and I sorta just quit talking to you. Please forgive me.


You see, after Michael's surgery, with him being home all day, every day, it became difficult to find the time to write. And then when I did have a little time, I wasn't sure where to even begin. And the longer time went on, the less unsure I became until I wondered if I should be blogging at all.

But I've missed you. I miss sharing my heart and life with you. I miss sharing God with you. And I miss you sharing your lives with me for you always bring such a smile to my heart with all your love and blessings!

And the truth is that life has been full of stories worthy of sharing. Michael is fully healed and back to work... yay! I continue to create new art. And my life has made a huge turn with my recent decision to start selling at Portland Saturday Market.


Saturday Market is a huge outdoor market and a renowned tourist must-see.
I just finished my fourth weekend there. Funny thing is, I did the Market about 18 years ago, shortly before I started writing and illustrating my books and here I am... back again. Does God have a sense of humor or what?!?!


You see, the reality is that the economy and changing times has not been so nice to Michael and I, as I know it has not been to many of you who read my blog. And with Michael's surgery, medical bills and time off work, we just kept praying and believing God to show us a way where there seemed to be no way... and He is faithful as always.


Everything kept pointing to the Market and I am now not only blessed by the extra income, but by the opportunity to be a light in the world and a seed sower of His Word through my art in this venue!

To be honest, it has not been easy... physically, emotionally and even spiritually... but I know that I am where God wants me to be... and that He is with me. I am meeting some absolutely wonderful fellow believers from all over the world every weekend and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for the days ahead! And I look forward to taking you on this journey with me! 
Are you ready?

Glad to be back... with love and God-hugs...

Happy New Year Blessings...

I hope your Christmas season has been decorated with much love
and I'm praying for a glorious New Year ahead...
filled with new adventures and greater opportunities to love others...
and glorify the Lord!


I'll be back tomorrow to show you some of the handmade ornaments
that found their way to my home this Christmas... and introduce you to
the ladies that made them!

Looking forward to all God has for me... and for you... in 2012!
May He fill your heart with a sense of expectation for what He has in store...
for His plans for us are for good... to prosper us and give us hope!
Jeremiah 29:11

Razzle Dazzle Zazzle...

As many of you know... since I first gave my life to the Lord I have asked Him
to allow me to use my art in ways that will glorify Him and be a blessing to
others... and another opportunity has opened up for me to do just that!!

So... I am delighted today to announce this new and exciting adventure...

So please... do go check out my new Zazzle Store, look around, become
a fan, and then come back here and let me know what you think... honestly!

You see... I want my razzle dazzle Zazzle store to be a special place that you
will want to visit when you need to find the perfect inspirational paper goods
and gifts that you just can't find anywhere else... and I need you to help me
be that for you!  All thoughts, ideas and suggestions are welcome!!

I thank God for opening this door and I can only pray that as I work to make
the most of this opportunity that God truly is glorified and at least some of
you will be blessed because of it!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Col. 3:17

May whatever we put our hands to today... be done as unto the Lord...
with grateful hearts... to glorify Him and be a blessing to others!

In His love...
Karla

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...

Happy New Year...

Usually about now I'm all about looking back over the past year...
and writing down goals for the new year ahead.

But this year is different... at least for now.
Because of the house remodel I'm all about living in the moment...
tending to the priorities... and today's priorities seems to be white!


 I closed 2010 with a paintbrush loaded with white... lots and lots of white.


I started with the trim in the living room...


and then this already built-in shelf unit which has already taken two coats...
with at least one more left to go!


This is what it looked like before... I like the white better, don't you?

 
Today I spent second... and third- coating everything in the living room...
while Michael put up the beadboard and trim in the breakfast nook...
 

and family room... isn't it looking gorgeous?

Tomorrow... and until it's finished... I'll be painting it all white.
But I LOVE white... so I'm glad to paint it.  Clean. Light. Bright. Pure WHITE.

What a great way to start the New Year too... thinking about the color white.
It makes me want to think of the holiness and purity of God.
It makes me delight in the fact, that in His eyes, we are white as snow.
And it makes me think of new beginnings...
like a clean white canvas ready to be painted on.
And I'm thinking that this year... in 2011...
the paint on my canvas is going to be quite fun and colorful...
as I allow God to have His way in me and through me.

How about you?  Are you looking forward to a colorful year ahead?
I hope so.

God's blessings for 2011 my friends...
Hugs... Karla

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!

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.

What Now Lord?

One week ago, with mixed emotions, we said good-bye to Grace Acres
and the home we had lived in and loved for the past nine years. We will
forever remember its beauty, its quiet nature and the good times it gave us.

As we divided up our belongings in the process of packing... a portion of them
went to the trash, a portion to storage, some was given away and some sold
at a yard sale just yesterday... with the last remains going to a charity today.
I must confess... I am honestly ashamed of myself... and pray we never
accumulate that much unnecessary stuff again!! Lord help us.

Even though we had intended to stay in our camper while we're seeking
God's direction for what we're to do next,we graciously accepted the
invitation to stay in our daughter's guest room until after they return from
their trip to Italy in about three weeks. They leave in about ten days and it
will be our blessing to stay with the granddaughters while they're gone.

After that... we're not sure. But none of us truly are sure what tomorrow will
bring, are we?  And just like with Abraham, the steps we take are to be by faith
and not by sight... not necessarily ruled by what is seen, safe and secure...
simply trusting God's sovereignty and grace to show us the way every moment
of every day. I know that's my hearts desire... and I hope it's yours as well.

Father God... all the days of our lives belong to You... may they unfold before
us according to Your will and for Your glory.  We trust You to give us ears to
hear You and hearts to follow You in all we do wherever we go. Amen

New Website & Why You're GoingTo Love It!

Well... I hope you're going love it!  It was a lot of work!  Whew! 
And I'm so glad it's done... at least for the moment.

You may be wondering why I would tackle a whole new software program
(Dreamweaver... which is seriously over my head by the way) just to build
a new website when she already had one that worked... especiallly when
she'd rather be painting and creating fun new things)?


Here's a few really good reasons...
1. I recently tried to make changes to my old website and it wouldn't open...
I tried the back-up... the files were corrupted and it also refused to open. 
So apparently it was time for something new... with a touch of blue!


2. One of the changes I wanted to make was having the stationery and crafts
available to you again... and now they are!  Yeah!  And they're so organized!


Just click on the "You Create" link and you'll have your choice of downloading
free stationery, coloring pages, following links to tutorials, or downloading
some fun printables. You'll want to check out the 4th of July downloads and
coloring pages for sure! This will make it easier for me to add more now too!



3. I'm also preparing to go to the Atlanta Gift Show in July and wanted to
have my art available and easy for potential licensees to look at online. 
I think... especially after the last post... that you will appreciate that
I've included all styles and have labeled the "old" art as Classic Karla. 
I'll be adding more images to these pages in the days to come too.

4. And last but not least... I built my old website on my big computer and I'm
slowly trying to move all my computering to my laptop so I'll have it with me
when the house sells and we get to travel. Plus... the old website was built
with a program that is now out of date and won't even work on my laptop.
So in more ways than one... it was definitely time for a change!

Hope you go over and check it out... and please enjoy the You Create
freebies... they are my gift of love and appreciation to you.  Bless you!

Thank You Father for giving me the ability to learn something new and way
out of my league. Thank You for the man who created that super tutorial on
how to build a simple website because without him I would never have
figured it out. Bless him Lord. Thank for color and creativity and design...
for blog friends and the technology for us to connect and love one another!
Use my blog and my new website Lord in ways beyond my wildest dreams
to be a blessing to women around the world and bring glory to Your Name!
Amen.

Spring is Almost Here!

I was in town yesterday and noticed all the daffodils and crocus in bloom
so I just took a walk around Grace Acres to see if spring had sprung here!!
Nope... not yet... not really... but it's trying!


Two lone daffodils are blooming... none other even comes close!
It is amazing what a difference couple of miles north and the tree enclosed
location of our property can make... we're kind of in a pocket.


But this was my favorite... this is where I stopped to ponder.
Can you see it?  The sweet pink tip of miss camelia peeking out... ready to
burst open and greet sunnier days!!  I wondered how many of us are like this
little miss... we know God's doing something new... we can feel it... but
we're not quite there yet. We're still in winter but we know spring is right
around the corner. Miss Camelia won't give up... even though she may even
get nipped on a yet to come frosty night... but she knows her turn is almost
here and I can see her smiling in anticipation of sunny days.  Can you?


Simple beauty.


Here a patch... there a patch... of soon to be bountiful beauty!


Do you feel like you're stuck in winter waiting for brighter days?
Remember... winter is the season when God
renews, refreshes and strengthens us to be able to bloom come spring.
So rest in Him... draw your strength from Him...  so you'll be ready...
because spring is right around the corner and you're about to BLOOM!!

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

Art Journaling... oh so pink!

WOW!  I have been so blessed by all your wonderful comments regarding
the Simple Scrapbooking Giveaway... thank you!  You still have a couple
of days to enter if you still need to... so please do.

I've missed visiting with you this week but I'm knee deep in a licensing
project so I've had to give it my utmost attention. I'm still not finished
with it but just had to take a break to pop in and say HELLO to you!!


I thought you might like to see my newest journal pages... still in progress!
None of the three are finished but I'm loving them. I went up to the
mountain with Michelle and her family last weekend and in between
Jessica's races, Michelle and I would go back to their cabin for some
"ARTING" time together and the creativity and fun flowed!

I'm not sure where the PINK inspiration came from... pink is usually not me
at all... but I'm liking it for the moment! Jess did a ski jump that was
almost 59 feet!!!  WOW!!  Can you imagine flying through the air for 59 ft?
Yikes! Afterward she did say "that was scary!" We were so proud of her!

I've been playing with art ideas for my next book... working title is
"With All My Heart" and I'm thinking this sweet girl with a heart
shaped face just might just be in it... what do you think?

And isn't that what we all want? For those around us to see the LOVE
of God in our faces, in our attitudes... in how we live our lives? I know I
do. But it's not always easy is it? We can't truly love life and love others
unless we're spending time with the One who loves us above all others.

In fact... think about this...  you are God's Valentine!
He may not buy you a greeting card but He did write you a beautiful
love letter and bound it into a book for you to cherish forever.
He's probably not going to call the florist and order up flowers
but He has given you a fragrant bouquet of His love, joy, peace and hope
if you'll just reach out and receive it.
And He may not be taking you out to dinner or on a cruise... but He is
taking you on you an incredible journey... all the way to heaven
and the price of the ticket was extravagantly expensive...
it cost Him His Son... His life... the greatest Valentine gift of all...
and He says you're worth it!

You are God's Precious VALENTINE...
delight yourself in His lavish love today!

           For God so loVed the world,
that He gAve
    His onLy
    begottEn
        SoN
                        That whosoever
     believeth In Him
               should Not perish,
                   but have Everlasting life.
John 3:16

xoxoxo
Karla
                      

Young in Age... Big at Heart!

We've made the decision to sell Grace Acres... our beloved home... again!

But this time we're serious... whatever it takes.
We know it's God timing, so please please pray for the sale of it...
and for the family that God has already chosen to love living here...
that they would be in the right place at the right time
to find the answer to their prayers for the perfect place to call home.

So... most of my energy has been spent cleaning up and cleaning out...
that's why I've been so quiet!
And... what a blessing it was to have the girls come over and share some
of their heart... sweat... and youthful energy with me a couple of days ago.
(Michael was still in Canada so it was great to have the company... and help!)

This was Lex's muscle man look... gotta love it!


And Jess manned the hose and cleaned the outdoor furniture for me!
They love their grandma... and their grandma loves them!

Well... gotta say...
I am SO excited about taking you along with us on this new God Adventure.
We're not sure where we're going for sure but we've been DREAMING a lot!
I will say that our dream includes a CAMPER, a truck and a map of the USA!
I just know we feel a bit like Abraham when the Lord told him to just leave
the country he was living in and head out... IN FAITH.
That would be us... so stay tuned!

We live by faith and not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

Heavenly Father... I am so thankful to know that even though I don't know
what our future holds... I know You hold our future in the palm of Your hand.
I am so excited that You... the God of all creation... have invited us...
all of us... to be a part of Your Adventure in the land.
May we all learn to trust You more and learn to live by faith
and not by sight.... in Your love and for Your glory. Amen.

Love you guys... and thank you for your prayers!
xoxoxo

Some Serious Solitude & A Grateful Heart

I don't know about you, but sometimes I just need to get away to recharge and refocus. Sometimes a getaway can be as easy as closing the door to my studio or taking a walk... shutting out the world in order to have an hour or so of quiet time alone with God. But sometimes, when I have a big decision to make or am moving in a new direction, I feel compelled to seek out some serious solitude in order to just sit and wait on the Lord for wisdom and direction.  With that said... if you missed me... that's where I've been these last few days... hanging out with God in a little cabin on the coast... seeking affirmation and direction as I begin my newest journey into writing and designing my next book on the topic of THANKSGIVING! And I'm blessed to say... I'm off to a great start. It's definitely just a beginning but I have a sense of direction and that's a good thing! Thank You Lord!

If you've been visiting my blog for any amount of time, you already know the value I place on giving God thanks... simply because He is God and He is good.  But God is calling me to a deeper place of thanksgiving and I have a feeling He's going to be doing some things in my life... some challenging and some glorious... as I walk out the message He is writing on my heart even now.  I'll keep you posted.

Oh yes... and when I say I thank God for you... I mean it! Thank you all for allowing me to speak into your lives as well as many of you, I know, partner with me through my books and products to share the Good News of Christ with the world... THANK YOU!!

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy because of your partnership
in the gospel from the first day until now.
Philippians 1:3

Father God... thank You so much for each and every woman who comes to visit here. I may not know their hearts but I know You live in them and You are more powerful than the roaring ocean waves. And I may not know their circumstances but You do and I ask today that You would bless them in the midst of whatever is going on in their lives... that they would be able to sense Your Omnipotent Presence and thanksgiving would rise in their hearts just to know You dwell in them and with them... for Your glory... 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 New Year... A New Beginning

Here I sit at the airport with about one and a half hours before I board… first to Dallas and then onto St. Louis where my sweet niece-in-love, Melissa, will pick me up for the drive to Quincy... the town I grew up in.  I am blessed to be able to make this journey as my nephew Matt so graciously provided the tickets with his air miles… otherwise I would not be able to be there to celebrate my sister Margie’s, 60th birthday on January 1st.

With the New Year beginning in only two days, I can’t help but consider what adventures 2008 will hold. One thing that is certain is that Michael and I have decided to sell our house! I know... it was a painful decision... but I'll talk more about that later. We will hopefully have it ready to put on the market around March 1st. We are considering several options… a smaller house, a motor home or maybe even a fifth wheel. I know to some folks that might think that seems absurd but Michael and I have always been known to take the road less traveled and we’re feeling the itch to do it again.  I’ll keep you posted as this adventure continues to unfold.

Another known adventure for this coming year is refining my focus on speaking. I have finally decided to quit arguing with God and fully surrender to this call on my life. He opened opportunities this last fall that spoke deeply to my soul, including giving the Sunday morning message at my church with response that could not have happened apart from God’s anointing. So I will spend January completing my Speakers Packet and Video as well as listing my contact information with organizations I am already associated with... as well as pursuing listings with others. As you know... many of God’s promises are provisional… throughout the Bible we see where God says “you do this and then I’ll do that”… and I believe He has said if I will step out in faith and do my part in this, He will do His by opening the perfect opportunities for me to proclaim His heart to today’s woman.

I have a few other irons in the fire but I am learning that I cannot multi-task like I used to so I need to continue to seek the Lord to know which irons I need to leave in the fire and which ones to let go of!

One thing is for sure… there is no such thing as boredom with God as our Way, Truth and Life!  May we all be encouraged to seek God day by day as the new year begins…to learn to walk by faith and not by sight… trusting in a God who loves us more deeply than we can even begin to comprehend.

"HeavenSent Baby" Opens Webstore with Blessing!

I can be such a dreamer!  I wanted to do so much more to my webstore over the summer but I just ran out of time... I know that never happens to any of you, does it?  But I finally decided... after a few very encouraging emails... that it was time to put out the welcome mat and hang the OPEN sign once again. Even though I don't have everything in stock that I had wanted... I do have most of the books and I will be adding to the selections as product comes in. 

But for now... can you hear the drumrolll?  I am thrilled to introduce to you... my newest book... HeavenSent Baby!

Every baby is a heaven sent gift from God... and I know you would agree. I remember holding my own newborn baby and my grandbabies and just gazing at their tiny little fingers and toes... stroking the softness of their skin... and being in awe of the beauty of God's handiwork in such a small package.  But I can also remember all the questions that came with motherhood... mostly questions about my own ability to be a mom to this tiny little gift from God.

There is always a part of me in every book I write and illustrate and I know that I was thinking of that mom with questions... the kind of questions I had... as I penned the pages. This little book was created to be a warm and gentle hug to the heart of every new mom... whether they are a first-time mom or experienced, whether the baby is adopted or was born from her own womb... a reminder to them that they are not alone.

I love that God is the most perfect matchmaker and He sovereignly chooses which babies go to which moms... because remember... there are no accidents in God's glorious plan for our lives... or the lives of our babies!  Here's a poem from the book...

May your heart overflow
with thankfulness and love
as you ponder this miraculous
gift from God above.

For you have been given
this sweet little treasure
to give your life purpose
and fill it with pure pleasure.

So when the question comes...
if you're qualified to mother...
know this child is God's gift to you...
not given to another!

If you know a new mom who could use a bit of encouragement in the Lord... perfect for that two o'clock feeding... just include her name in your order and I'd love to personalize the book for her and her baby.

Heavenly Father,
Your Word says that "every good and every perfect gift is from above."  Thank You for the heavensent gift of new life and new beginnings and Your promise to be with us always and in all circumstances. Amen.

Packing the Suitcases...

Today I'll be busy with final preparations for this weekend's retreat... Redeeming the Time!  I get so excited at this point as I pack my clothes in my carry-on and books and giveaway items in the two check-in bags! The nice thing about going to Southern CA is the weather is warm so the clothes are fewer and lighter weight.

I have only one more hand out to create and print and cut but that will be easy. Much of the day will be spent going over my notes since this will be the first time I'm speaking on this theme and I want it to be able to flow easily from my heart. I'm looking forward to sharing some things with you when I return.

Yesterday I went into my OWN church and met with one of our pastors about the details of setting up for the Tuesday Evening Out event. It's all coming together... yeah!  This is the first time I've ever put an event together and had to think through everything from the beginning to the end so keep praying I don't forget anything!!  It's coming together so well though that I am confident it is God and I have a sense of expectation that He is going to do some great things as we meet together in that place! I am excited about those of you who are coming because you read about it here...  so make sure and introduce yourself!!

So... what am I Thankful for this Thursday?
     • I am so grateful for my God who has given me the opportunities to serve Him in so many ways...
    • for my husband who has been so supportive of me these last couple of weeks in trying to juggle two events at the same time...
    • for my daughter Michelle and her CARE group who so generously previewed my new messages and gave me both great encouragement and critique...
    • for all the women in my church who are coming alongside me to help make next Tuesday night a success and blessing for those who come...
    • and for all of you who I know love me and more importantly love God and want to know Him and grow in Him more and more every day... BLESS YOU!

I'm back!

As many of you know from my website and newsletter, I chose to take some much needed time away this summer and it was good. But it is also good to be back! During that time I closed down my webstore (which I will open again soon), did not send out any newsletters (which I will begin again next month), did not update my website (which I just did... yeah!), and did not blog until now. It does feel good to be back... I've missed spending time with you... but it was also good for me to be away and take some time to rest and refocus.

One of the most restful highlights of the summer included a road trip with my husband, Mike. We drove down the Oregon coast, across Napa Valley to Yosemite, and spent a few days with our dear friends

Audrey and Steve Roberts and their daughter Jacque.

After that we were off to the Grand Canyon, up to Big Sky Montana where our car started acting up and prompted us to postpone our trip to Yellowstone and head home a couple of days early... which ended up being absolutely perfect.

Another restful time was the week we spent camping at Alder Bay Resort on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. We have wonderful friends we see there every year who have become like family.

This is our "Alder Bay Family" portrait for 2007. (minus Susan and I)
The highlight of my trip there is always the whale watching and, again this year, I was not disappointed!

I also enjoyed some fun times with family and friends...
including my annual carnival time at BG Harvest Days with my granddaughters.

And I delighted in being able to spend quite a bit of time reading and just relaxing with no agenda. Okay, that part is not totally true because most of what I read was purposely chosen to gain wisdom and insight in preparing three entirely new retreat messages on Redeeming the Time which I will be sharing in just three weeks to a wonderful group of women from Calvary Chapel El Centro in So. California.

And that is how I've ended my time away... refocusing on the Lord and on what He has in store for me and for all those who love Him and trust Him as we redeem our time in the days ahead! I look forward to sharing some of that wisdom with you here in the coming days. Until then... "whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" Colossians 3:17

Mike's Handyman Service

This is my dear husband Mike... and I am so proud of him.  He has just taken a huge leap of faith by starting his own business... Mike's Handyman Service. He's so perfect for it. He is a "handy" man by nature... he has always been good at working with his hands and has great woodworking skills. He has always been the person others have looked to for the wisdom or the help to fix things or do home improvements so I believe God has created him for such a time as this, when so many people, with such busy lives, need a helping hand. I just know he is going to be an enormous blessing to a lot of folks. If you live in our neck of the woods and need some help with that never-ending to-do list, give him a call!

A Year to Remember

It's a New Year!  I love new beginnings and clean slates and fresh starts.  As I've spent time in prayer about my goals and aspirations for this new year, I believe God brought two thoughts to my mind.  The first is that this is to be "a year to remember."  But in order for 2007 to be a year to remember, I must be willing to LIVE a year to remember... on purpose and with purpose.  I must be willing to choose life... to step out of my comfort zone... to create opportunities for God to move in ways that will be unmistakenly Him and not me.  I am willing.  Now we'll see how the year unfolds.

The second thought, was that this will be a year of preparation. I immediately began to think of Esther and how she went through a year of beauty treatments in order to be made ready to meet her King face to face.  I don't know exactly what this means for me but I do believe that God is at work in each of us... offering us beauty treatments of the heart that will prepare us to go into the presence of the Lord in prayer and ultimately to meet Him face to face when He arrives to take us home. I have said I am willing Lord... again, we will see how this unfolds in the reality of everyday life.

Willl you join me with a willing heart to say, "Lord, I am willing.  I pray this new year unfolds in such a way that I will make choices that will enable me to live the full and abundant life Jesus came to give me and, at the same time, prepare my heart to meet my King and Bridegroom face to face.  Amen"