Okay. The timer is ticking and I am taking a quick 5-minute break to update you on the move….

Now 2/3 packed. Borrowed a cube truck last night and snagged a few college and high school guys from church and homeschool sports to help move “medium heavy” furniture and boxes. My sister-in-love Thais came and wrapped up all my pretties—china hutch stuff, dishes, etc…. Mitch is safe at church camp and returns home Monday to a double header game waiting for him. Kenzie will fly home this afternoon from my friend Lysa’s. Todd will trek two hours away to Detroit to get her and look at a few appliances listed on Craig’s list. (Did I mention this house has no appliances or window treatments?) Spencer has a ballgame tonight. Three Men and a Truck (they are sending an extra guy due to piano) arrive Friday afternoon to take the really heavy stuff.

We must be out by Tuesday.

Can tell my blogging friends, nearby friends, relatives, in-laws and out-laws are praying, along with my sweet speaker evaluation group from last weekend’s She Speaks conference.

How do I know?

I am still not freaking out!!!!

Bless you all!!!!

Karen

 

Whew!!!!

That is all I can say right now about the fabulous time that over 560 of us experienced at the Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference this past weekend. I’d love to up give a full report, however, after a delay out of Charlotte, I arrived home late last night to an unpacked home that must be quickly packed and moved…….. in 8 short days!!!!!!!! Also, we have a child who heads to camp in the morning and one who was kidnapped by my friend Lysa to hang with her family for the week so she is unable to help. Thankfully, she packed up her room before she left so not as to give her mom more grey hairs!!

So…… alas, my boxes are calling and my son’s suitcase must be packed. I’ll try real hard to hop on later this week and update you all. And by that I mean ‘you all’ not ‘y’all’. I’m afraid that just five short days in the south has corrupted my daughter’s speech. I heard reports of her using that phrase just yesterday!!! YIKES!!! Will someone get that girl back to the Midwest. And fast!!!!

Seriously, thanks so much for all of you who prayed for me. I felt your prayers like never before.

Now, for the winners of the tea from Mari Helms at Tea and Traditions, chosen by random number integer, the winners are:

Rebecca Tyndal

Sara

Christy H.

Congrats ladies! Please email Mari at info@teaandtraditions.com to give her your mailing address.

And, any of you who wanted a sample tea, email Mari your name and address, along with the type of tea, and she’ll get you a sample to try.

My five minutes are up! Catch y’all later J 

Oops!!!

Sweet Tea Sipping Blessings,

Karen

 

NOTE: I want to thank those of you who have been praying for our family, the sale of our home and for Kenzie, my sister-in-law and I who leave Wednesday for the Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference. Your prayers have made a HUGE difference! Keep ‘em coming and I’ll update you all when we get back. And please pray for my hubby and boys who will be on their own while we are gone and trying to pack the house for a quick move.

 This week Todd and I will celebrate our 22^nd anniversary. I remembered how excited I was to set up our frst little apartment and begin cooking for my man. Too bad I didn’t know how to do anything other than boil water, make instant coffee and occasionally whip up some cookies from a roll of slice and bake refrigerator dough!!! That first month in June of 1986, I did learn to do something else. Make tea!!! Hot tea, herb tea, iced tea, any kind of tea. Yep, I hit a home run with that one. Easy and so many kinds!

Speaking of tea, I am thrilled this week to be posting an interview with Mari Helms, a new cyber friend who has an entire website ministry called Tea and Traditions that is devoted to….you guessed it, TEA! And not just to tea, but offering hospitality through the serving of tea. Read on for the interview with Mari and for directions for entering the drawing to win some of her wonderful product!

  Mari Helms is a wife, homeschooling mom of three and small business owner.  Prior to motherhood Mari worked in various administrative positions acquiring skills that are proving essential in running a small home business.  It is apparent how the Lord has clearly prepared her in advance for what He has called her to do.  She passionately pursues her relationship with the Lord because without Him she knows none of this would be possible.

Tea & Traditions is an online tea retailer, but also an important ministry.  The Lord continues to open doors, using tea, for ministry to all kinds of people in all kinds of circumstances.  Hospitality is our primary focus seeking to educate, equip and encourage our customers to open their homes to whomever God brings their way. 

Tea & Traditions will be giving away three gifts:

Prize 1

2 oz. bag of PRECIOUS JEWELS, a rooibos (or red tea),  with pineapple bits, papaya bits, mango bits, black currants, strawberry bits, sunflower blossoms with black currant raspberry taste.  It is also our tribute to wives and mothers based on Proverbs 31:10.  Also included: disposable tea sacs and a perfect measure, to measure that perfect cup of tea every time.

Prize 2

2 oz. bag of WHITLOCK AFTERNOON, a black tea with sweet, aromatic peaches, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and ginger, a tribute to the homes on Whitlock Avenue in Marietta, Georgia that have hosted many an afternoon tea over the year.   Also included: disposable tea sacs and a perfect measure, to measure that perfect cup of tea every time.

Prize 3

2 oz. bag of JANE AUSTEN, a blend of three China black teas authentic to the early 1800s when Jane Austen lived and wrote her novels.  Also included: disposable tea sacs and a perfect measure, to measure that perfect cup of tea every time.

Be sure to check the end of this post to see how you can enter the drawing to win one of these great give-aways!!! Now for the interview…..

 

Mari, tell us a little bit about you and your family.

I am first wife to Todd for eight years and then mother to Isabella, Annais and Kaira, for six, three and one year respectively.  I homeschool and run Tea & Traditions a web-based tea retailer.  I love to write, do anything creative, fellowship with just about anyone and watch my family grow in the Lord. 

How did you come to own Tea and Traditions?

Tea & Traditions was a tea shop in Marietta until December 2007.  In November the previous owner announced the store was closing and I was devastated.  A few days later the Lord began to speak to me and give me what appeared to be a business plan for an internet based tea store.  I spoke to the owner the next day and here I am, now in business for four months.  And because of things the Lord led me to do a couple of years ago I was positioned to make this transition fairly smoothly complete with access to wonderful free resources at the local college including an attorney and business coach.   

What products do you offer through your website?

We sell fine loose tea, infuser mugs and tea accessories.  To our local customers I can offer baskets and will soon be hosting in-home parties to include tea education, hostess benefits and encouragement to those wanting a unique way to open their homes. 

What do you find to be the greatest challenge in owning a home based business?

Right now the biggest challenge is establishing a quitting time.  Since the business is still new there is a lot to be done.  Hopefully as I get into a routine and get things set up I will set working hours and non-working hours and stick to them.

And, what is the greatest blessing of working from home?

Being able to stay home with my children.  It isn’t always easy, but I always know how fortunate I am.  Since I have my own business at home they are very much a part of it.

How do you feel that tea, traditions and hospitality can be related?

Tea is a great way to extend hospitality not only beautifully, but easily and affordably.  I can host 20 women on a moment’s notice by putting a white table cloth on the table, bringing out the teacups and brewing a pot of tea.  It makes everyone feel special and relaxed.  Tea seems to have an amazing way of opening up intimate and unexpected conversation.

What is your goal when it comes to encouraging hospitality through your ministry?

My goal is our Mission Statement:

• To educate our customers on the fine art of tea – from selection to serving ?• To equip our customers to easily and affordably extend hospitality ?• To encourage our customers to open their homes to their communities

Any other words of advice for the readers?

Do not let loose tea intimidate you.  Once you realize how easy it is you will be hooked.  The bible says if He has called you, He has equipped you and we know He has called us (all of us) to hospitality.  You will be blessed by the sweet, surprised look on your guest’s faces when they taste that first sip of fine tea and think to themselves, “She made this just for me.” 

 Now for the give-away. Simply leave a comment any day this week about tea. Why you like it, what your favorite flavor of tea is, a special memory or funny story that has to do with tea, even why you’ve never tried making tea! Anything goes. Winners will be chosen by Mari and announced next Monday.

Sweet Tea-brewing Blessings,

Karen

 

 

Hi all—Just checking in for a minute to thank you all for your comments. To see how many out there are praying for our family and for the upcoming Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference makes my heart swell and my eyes well up with tears!!!

Speaking of swelling….an update on Spencer’s foot. The doctor was puzzled as to why the infection still seems to be there after 3 weeks and already one go-round of antibiotics. So he—who is very cautious about unnecessary antibiotics, as are we—ordered another round. X-ray looked fine. Hopefully all will be well soon. Mitch’s creeping crud is getting better. I caught a modified version of it. No fever, but stuffy nose and nasal passages swollen shut so I sound like I could sing base!!! (And, I had a live radio interview last hour. Probably sounded like a man talking!!!) Prayers appreciated for my sinuses to heal. I am severely allergic to cold medicine so I’ll have to ride it out. Saline nose spray flushes are helping. (I know, more info than you wanted to know!!!)

Now, as for my “not-freakin’-out” mission. Well, those who know me well are standing in wonder and amazement. I am calm. I am quietly doing the next thing. I am trusting God that the time to finish what He needs me to finish will be given. And….it is all because of the Lord and you!!!! Please keep the prayers coming!!!

No word on when we will close on the houses. The loan officer is shooting for Tuesday before Kenzie and I leave Wednesday for She Speaks. It needs to close by Friday the 20^th in order not to lose our interest rate lock. If it closes Wednesday thru Friday, Todd will have to close without me. Please pray that God shows us what is best.

Now….on to the next thing. For me it will be to straighten the house before the appraiser comes. For you it will be to make yourself a note to check back in next Monday. I will be posting an interview with Mari Helms from Tea and Traditions—that thankfully was done a few weeks ago, so all I’ll have to do is hit the “publish” button!!!! Yeah!!!! Check out her wonderful website and pop back in next week to leave a comment and possibly win a prize!

Do-the-next-thing blessings,

Karen

Okay, people. I know that God is in complete control of our circumstances. I know He loves us and wants the best for us. I know He even promises not to give us more than we can handle. However, this weekend left me wondering if somehow, He has me mixed up with another Karen Ehman.

I am in the midst of packing for the expected sale of our home and obtaining items (like window treatments for the entire house) for the purchase of the new one—both hoping to be closed on early next week. Kenzie, my sister-in-law and I leave next Wednesday for the Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference—the one that I have three new talks to prep for and a speaker evaluation group to love on and encourage. YIKES!! All good….but still YIKES!!! Couple that with “take-me-out-to-the-ballgame” evenings four nights a week and….well, let’s just say my life was hectic enough, thank you very much!

Then, this weekend, Mitch came down with the crud, accompanied by a high fever; Spencer’s deep puncture wound on the top of his foot (that he obtained by practicing spearing fish with a hotdog roaster and then complicated by allowing a leech to attach to it while he played in the pond) became infected again requiring a trip to the doctor’s 45 minutes away and as I type, Todd is headed to the hospital with him to get x-rays on it to access the situation.

Oh yeah….and horrible storms passed through our small town in mid-Michigan Friday and Saturday resulting in our new neighborhood being hit by a tornado. (Okay…so one station says tornado. One says a squall. It was something fierce, that’s all I know!)

At any rate, some homes had major damage, one was hit by a falling power pole and transformer that fried the insides of the house, one had an entire roof lifted off like the lid of a cookie jar. Barns were leveled. Trees were uprooted and the home we are buying? Thankfully only some shingle damage, a caved-in entire garage door, minor debris in the yard, oh and I did have to retrieve the realtor’s face that had blown off the sign and was lying a yard or two away!!!!

Here are a few pictures from the highway that leads up to the new subdivision.

I am trying not to freak out. Really I am.

All prayers for my “not-freaking-out” mission appreciated!

Now, for the winners of the books from lasts week’s series of posts by Glynnis Whitwer on working at home. From the comments on the first post that Glynnis shared with us, the winners are Rebecca and Laura. Congrats!!! You ladies please contact Glynnis directly at editor@proverbs31.org to give her your mailing address.

For the rest of you…please be patient with me in the next few weeks. (Even now I had to drive 15 minutes into town to a coffee shop to access the internet since the storms took that out too!)

I will try to hop on and update, but all of these circumstances have put me in a place of clinging very tightly to the Lord. It is a good place, but doesn’t allow much time for anything beyond God, Todd and the kids.

Sweet someday-I’ll-know-why-all-of-this-is-happening blessings,

Karen

 

**You still have a chance to win a copy of Work @ Home by Glynnis Whitwer. Details below. And, if you are just joining us, scroll down to see part one of this post about making the transition to working at home. 

How wonderful to see the interest from so many of you who either already work at home or have dreams of doing so. Glynnis just returned from a family vacation and I twisted her arm to see if she might offer a few more words of wisdom on his topic while addressing some of the comments that have been left thus far. So, below is part two of this interview with Glynnis Whitwer, author of the practical book Work @ Home. There is still time to leave a comment to be entered into the drawing to win a copy of this how-to book! Just tell us your greatest challenge of working at home or why you would like to begin a home based business. The winner will be announced at the end of the weekend.

Whistle-while-you-work Blessings,

Karen 

 

Words of Wisdom from Glynnis

 

It’s great to see the interest in working at home.  I love it!  I have two thoughts I’d like to share that might help you navigate this often-overwhelming world of working at home. 

1 – If you are currently working outside the home, you do not need to make the same amount working from home.  One of the first things to do is a cost-of-work analysis.  Basically, you need to figure out what it costs you to work outside the home, then deduct that from your net income.  This is what you really need to make from home.  In fact, it’s probably even less because you will likely have a bit more time to save money on things like food (using coupons, planning menus, etc).  In fact, you might need to make substantially less than you do right now.

2 – Find an income-producing method that fits your personality.  For example, let’s say you love to cook.  You might consider selling Pampered Chef items.  But if you don’t like to sell to your friends and family, or are uncomfortable speaking to groups, then you probably won’t be very successful.   But what if you took that love of cooking, and started  a home-based business making unique cookie bouquets for gifts.  Then you could design a flyer and hand it out to all the local businesses in your area.  You might start a website and figure out how to ship the product.   To be successful you have to find a way to make money that is a good fit for your spiritual gifts, personality and lifestyle.   This might involve doing an honest self-evaluation about your strengths and weaknesses, and going from there.  If you don’t have an entrepreneurial streak, then you might want to tele-commute. 

The options for working at home are growing by leaps and bounds.  Don’t assume there’s only one path for you.  Ask God to direct your footsteps, do your research and bathe this process in prayer.  I’m confident God has a wonderful plan for you.

If you want to check out some websites that list legitimate options for working at home, here are a few:

www.cwahm.com

www.telecommutingmoms.com

www.internetbasedmoms.com

www.workathomesuccess.com

In His Love,

Glynnis

Now, remember to leave a comment if you want to be entered in the drawing to win a copy of  Glynnis’ book Work @ Home. 

***Updated info on our possible home sale: Thanks to all of you who have been praying. Long story short….the builder has had a few inquiries on the property in the past few days. However, the realtor has told them that there is an accepted offer on it. So, as long as the folks inquiring have a home to sell or other contingencies, we are fine. However, if any of them come along with no contingencies, YIKES!!! We would be left with no home to live in. This whole journey has been a trying and exhausting one, but one that has taught us many lessons (I’ll post the whole long story when we are in the new house). Could you please pray that all goes as scheduled? We are hoping to close on both properties back-to-back sometime before I leave for the She Speaks Conference on Wednesday the 18th with my daughter and sister-in-love. Our interest rate lock runs out the 20^th and the rates are now half a point or more higher. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

 

**Update from last weeks posts on weight loss: I was blown away by the response from many of you who are determined that you will rid yourself of the idol of food in your life. Please keep checking back to my site. I am exploring the possibility of posting more on this on a regular basis. If you missed the series, scroll back down to get caught up and leave a comment if you too would be interested. And to those of you who have emailed me to share the pounds you have already lost, congrats and keep it up!!! Remember—move more, eat less. You can do it!!! J

Also….many of you have inquired about the status of our home sale. Well, it has been an emotional roller coaster ride over the last 22 months. We thought we had our home sold two other times, but both buyers had homes to sell and their sales fell through leaving us once again with a home sitting on the market in our slow Michigan economy.

This time we have an offer from a buyer who has no home to sell, but we have had to take a rather low offer. We asked our buyers for time to look for a deal since we had to give them a deal. Well, we found a wonderful deal and the papers should all be signed tomorrow. However, it is all contingent upon some inspections and our buyers being granted permission from the county to build a pole barn. And, if our seller (the builder of a spec home that has been sitting on the market for two years) gets another offer from a buyer with no home to sell, our offer can be bumped leaving us with a sold home and no where to live!! (and friends of ours who live across the street from the home we have an accepted bid on saw a couple yesterday looking at the house and overheard them saying they were bidding on it the next day. Now, if they have any contingencies, such as a home to sell, it won’t affect us. However, if they don’t…….oh dear, after all of this waiting, I don’t think my heart can even stand the thought!!!!) Sooooooo….any and all prayers appreciated!!! Not to mention that all of this is happening just as I am getting ready for my last speaking engagement of the year (a high school commencement address this Friday to a Homeschool Performing Arts academy) ………and two new talks to prepare for the Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference ………and getting ready to hopefully move in the next 3-4 weeks. YIKES!!! It stresses me out just thinking about it!

But enough about me…..

  This week I’d like to introduce you to my friend and fellow Proverbs 31 speaker Glynnis Whitwer. Glynnis is on staff with Proverbs 31 as the Senior Editor of the P31 Woman magazine.  She is the author of work@home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work from Home, and co-author of a Bible studies series entitled Kingdom Living.  Glynnis and her husband Tod run a home-based business (www.roselanecottage.com), have five children and live in Glendale, Arizona.

    Today we’ll feature an interview with Glynnis and info about her book along with a chance for you to win one of two copies she will give away at the end of this week (so you have plenty of time to leave a comment on this post). Work@home” is a practical and inspirational guide offering help with all aspects of transitioning from the corporate workplace to working from home. Transitioning home requires careful thought, organization and expectations. Glynnis helps readers analyze the true cost of working outside the home, create a budget, define a timeline, find employment at home, and be successful working from home.

If you work from home or have ever toyed with the idea of doing just that, you’ll be encouraged as you enjoy this cyber visit with Glynnis. Or, if you know of someone who is desiring to work at home, send them over to my site this week. Also,be sure to check the end of the post for how to enter to win one of the two  free copies!

So Glynnis, what prompted you to write a book about working from home?

 

About 8 years ago, I was part of a small group at my church with a passion to help women who want to leave the traditional workplace, but didn’t know how to make the transition.  We started a small group, and then held some conferences.  I realized that there were many ministries helping women who were already home, but there wasn’t much for women who want to be home, but didn’t know how to get there.  So that’s when I decided to write a book that could reach a larger audience.

 

How long have you run a home based business and what got you started?

 

My husband and I started www.RoseLaneCottage.com in 2005.   We started it because my husband realized that although he was in top management, there was no security in working for someone else.  Actually, our only security is in God.  But my husband also wanted to spend more time with me and the kids.  I was already working at home for Proverbs 31, but we needed something for him. 

 

Do you have any statistics on just how many women run a business from their home?

 

The National Center for Policy Analysis claims there are 17 million home-based business being run by women.   However, if you include the number of women who tele-commute (work for a company from home), the number probably doubles.

 

What is the biggest challenge you personally face when it comes to working at home?

 

Without a doubt, the distractions are my biggest challenge.  I have five kids, and when they are home, my deep thinking stops.  So I strategize what I need to do while they are at school, and either don’t work when they are home, or only do simple tasks.

 

On the flip side, what has been the biggest blessing that has come from this choice?

 

My husband and I love the flexibility we have.  We schedule our work around our lives, instead of the other way around. 

 

What is your prayer for the readers who pick up your book? What do you hope they glean from reading it?

 

I pray that women who want to be home, will be given hope.  There are too many women who believe it isn’t possible for them to stay home with their children.  And their hearts break each morning when they drop their precious ones off into someone else’s care.  I want them to know that it is possible.

 

Any other tips or bits of advice for someone who might be contemplating whether or not this lifestyle is for them?

 

The most important thing any woman can do is make sure that she is obeying God’s will for her life at any given time.  Just because your best friend is working at home, doesn’t mean you should.  Take some time to pray about your priorities, and consider if you are giving enough time to your top priorities.  If not, then perhaps a change needs to be made.   For more information on how to make the transition from working outside the home to working inside, visit www.transitionhome.org.

 

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Glynnis!!!

 

You are more than welcome!!!!

 

Okay….now here is the way you can be entered into the drawing to win one of 2 copies of Work @ Home that Glynnis will be giving away: Simply leave a comment any day this week and share a tip about how you have successfully balanced your work at home and the other demands on your time such as family time and responsibilities. Or…leave a comment telling why you would like to learn more about making the transition to working at home. Make sure to leave your email address as well. Glynnis will pick the winners and we’ll announce them next Monday.

Happy Home-Working,

Karen