Hi all! Thanks to all those who left comments on my At A Distance devotion and blog post. The winner of the Bible Study Basket-in-a-Box that includes a copy of Lysa TerKeurst’s new book Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl is:

Bobbey S.  Timestamp: August 25, 2009  8:06 a.m.

Congrats Bobbey!! Click on the “Contact Karen” link on the sidebar and send me your home address so I can get your prize out to you right away!

To the rest of you, could you please pray for our family this weekend?

Really pray?

We are moving Kenzie to Charlotte, NC–12 hours away– to attend cosmetology school and live with some of my sweet P31 sisters. I’ll give you the full story later when I’ve stopped crying.

For now….if you want to know how I am feeling, click on the link below. I’ve watched this many times before, but today, I can hardly see it through my tears. You mommas of 18 year old girls leaving home, get out the tissues…….

Don’t Forget to Remember Me.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. Hug your babies tight!!!!!!

Someday you’ll blink….and they’ll be gone.

A heart-felt welcome to those of you who have clicked over from the Encouragement for Today devotion I have running at Proverbs 31 and on Crosswalk.com. If you haven’t yet read the devotion, catch up with the rest of us by clicking here.

Well, what is your “following distance”? Do you cling closely by, linger a little bit behind or actually hide in the shadows?

As mentioned in my devotion, following Jesus closely was difficult for me as a new believer. Not only was I young, but I didn’t have a close network of Christian friends nearby to encourage me or to offer support when I felt my new-found faith challenged. It caused me a lot of heartache and resulted in some regretful choices.

Over the years, I have observed many Christians whom I feel are naturals at following Jesus closely. However, upon more careful investigation, I have discovered that, although it might seem second nature to them to follow closely behind the Lord, they actually can offer tips for all of us that will enable us to cling close too, even in the midst of a worldly culture. Here are some of them:

• Fly the Jesus flag early. A sweet friend who passed away a few years ago from cancer was such a bold witness for Christ to many in her sphere of influence. I often marveled at how comfortable she was speaking of Jesus and giving God the credit for the successes in her life. She didn’t seem to have the same disconnect I often had when talking to those whom I knew didn’t give a hoot about the things of God. When I asked her about this, her simple answer was to “fly the Jesus flag early” in any new relationship I had. The sooner others know where you stand, she said, the less awkward things can get. She assured me that when other knew her convictions, they were more apt to respect her beliefs and it helped avoid many touchy situations. She suggested that we naturally weave our belief in and love for God into our early conversations with others. Good advice!
• Keep proper perspective when it comes to the fear of God and the fear of man. My 14 year-old son Mitchell’s entire church camp theme this summer was on this very topic. Their guest speaker challenged the teens to care more about God and what He thought of their decisions in social situations than they did of their peers and and their opinions of them. Ten, twenty or even fifty years from now it will not matter what others thought of us. However, God’s opinion of us will be important throughout eternity!!! And I have found, thanks to the tool that is the Internet, that even though in high school it seemed others ridiculed my faith in God, 25+ years later, classmates have come forward and told me that they remember my faith in God and they actually respected me for it. 

Here are some verses that challenge us in this area of fearing God and not man:

• For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. I Chronicles 16:25
• Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. Psalm 66:16
  
• A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. Proverbs 14:16
  
• Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Proverbs 29:25
  
• The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6

• Next, remember two are better than one. Find at least one close friend who too desires to follow hard after Jesus. They can provide the moral support to make good choices. It isn’t just a clever saying that there is strength in numbers, it is biblical! 

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

• Ask God for boldness, courage and strength. James 4:2b says, “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” It seems simple, but often we don’t think to go to God and ask Him for what we know we cannot do on our own. When He grants it, it will be so evident that it is from Him that He alone will get the credit. Be bold. Beg God!

Well, what about you? Do you find it easy or challenging to follow closely behind Jesus? What can tempt a Christian to pursue Him from a distance? Any tips for being bold, but respectful in our walk with God? We’d love to hear from you!

And….you just might win a way cool prize that will help you follow God more closely!

One fortunate gal will be chosen from among those who leave a comment to win a Bible study basket-in-a-box complete with a journal, pretty pen, some flavored teas, notecards for recording verses to memorize and a copy of Proverbs 31 president Lysa TerKeurst’s new book Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl.

Comments please?

May we all be faithful followers……

“Spencer Sanders Ehman!” I hollered. “You get in here and get yourself some shoes on, young man. You can’t be out there barefoot!”

It was a chilly day in April. Still very much spring, my 11 year old tried to convince me that, since the sun was shinning, it must be summer and thus, he should be allowed to wander aimlessly for hours totally barefoot.

My momma mind thought otherwise.

As I hauled him in the house to put on shoes and socks, he seemed dejected. I didn’t understand why. I didn’t care if he went out to play. His schoolwork was done. His dishes taken up to the sink. I just wanted to make sure his feet were warm and protected.

He obliged and slipped on his shoes, however when he began to go back out the door, the spring was gone from his step.

“What’s wrong buddy?” I inquired.

“Oh mom……barefoot is the whole point of summer.”

My mommy mouth smiled. 

Of course he and I differ on just when summer starts, but he was on to something. Why else would God make it warm and make the lush green grass feel so cool and soft between your toes?

Well, sad to say, we only have a few more weeks of barefoot weather to go. So, these days, shoes are optional around here. In fact, I’m headed outside now to get a little work done.

Sitting in a cozy chair.

Under the pine trees.

Next to the fire pit.

Barefoot.

God did have a good point.

Barefoot Blessings,

Hi all! I am still busy playing catch-up from my last few weeks being gone. Oh…and ketchup has been a mainstay around here the past few days as I have thrown together whatever I could find from the freezer for meals. I need to get groceries in the worst way!

Not only for my family, but because we will have company this weekend. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law will come for a visit during our town’s big festival-The Mint Festival.

Yep, our village is known as the Mint Capitol and each year it pulls out all the stops. Our small town of just over 7,000 people welcomes over 100,000 visitors to this award winning Michigan festival. There is an arts and crafts show, several tournaments, a flea market, tons of vendors and a huge parade where they not only toss out candy, but a local dentist throws toothbrushes out to the sugar-hungry kids.

About time.

My sister-in-law Thais, a single mom and breast cancer survivor, makes gorgeous handmade jewelry and will have a booth at the fair grounds. We’ll be taking turns helping her.

In the 90 degree weather.

The 90 degree HUMID weather.

In very little shade. 

We love her.

Very much.

Nothing else could get this rather-be-too-cold-than-too-hot gal out of the air conditioning for hours at a time.

Beyond that, we will make our mint specialties we love to savor. Raspberry-mint tea, chocolate-mint brownies topped with–you guessed it–Mint chip ice cream. Here is the recipe for the tea. It works well with sugar or Splenda or Stevia.

Raspberry-Mint Tea

One frozen raspberry-white grape juice concentrate, thawed

6 Herb Mint tea bags (peppermint or spearmint)

1 1/2 C. sugar  or more or less to taste (or Splenda or Stevia equivalent)

Boil 6 C. water. Pour over tea bags and sugar and let steep for 15-20 minutes. Remove tea bags. Combine tea mixture with juice concentrate in a glass pitcher. Add ice to top. Garnish with fresh mint springs. Enjoy!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Beauty. Is it only skin deep?

Beauty. Is what we see today in the media true beauty?

Beauty. Are young girls being given an accurate view of attainable outward beauty?

I happened across this very short video yesterday and posted it on my Facebook. The response was so overwhelming, I just had to share it with you.

Please show it to every young girl you can. And to every woman who feels she sorely lacks in the “pretty” category.

And don’t forget to tell them they are beautiful.

Just the way they are.

Click here to view the one minute clip.

Beautiful Blessings,

Home…..finally! After five glorious days at our Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference, I rushed home, unpacked, re-packed, got Mitchell off to summer camp and myself back on a plane. This time, I was headed west to beautiful Colorado Springs to record an hour interview and several radio spots for Focus on the Family.

I was also able to connect with some dear, old friends (not as in over-the-hill but as in I-haven’t-seen-them-for-years). I stayed with my friend author Jonni McCoy of Miserly Moms. Check out her site if you want to save oodles of money on everyday living. I also was able to have a delightful brunch with my very first editor the sweet, patient, willing-to-take-a-chance-on-an-unknown-author Jeanette. That classy lady is a gem!

My brain is tired and on overload. But I was able to get pretty good at snapping pictures on my little-cell-phone-camera-that-could. When I landed, I thought, “Nuts!” I forgot the camera!” Then I remembered my kiddos capturing pics on their phone and texting them to their email accounts. So…..after much trial, a little error and a few fuzzy snapshots, I did it. Please enjoy a pictorial tour of my three days away.

Hopefully my rested brain will have some words of worth to post Monday or Tuesday after I catch my breath.

If not, well, then at least I’ll throw up a yummy recipe or two! Happy weekend!!!

The view from the back of the McCoy bed and breakfast, I KID YOU NOT!!!

Jonni feeding the horses that wander up to their back fence. Other things wander there too, coyote, bear, rattlesnakes, etc…I think I’ll watch from inside, thank you very much!!!

Arriving at Focus on the Family, I was greeted by a handsome chap–Whit from Adventures in Odyssey. Did you know that the very first person to play the voice of Whit was Hal Smith, the same man who played Otis the drunk on the Andy Griffith show?

Then, after a tour, I went into the recording studio. Now, I wanted to get my picture behind the big microphone, but didn’t want to confirm my “Gal from Hicksville” status, so I refrained! I did, however, manage to snap a photo of Dr. James Dobson himself…….Uh….He normally doesn’t look so stone cold, but the real him wasn’t in the office today, so this will have to do:

After the busy day recording, Jonni took me to see The Garden of the Gods. Isn’t this gorgeous!!! Look!

I could take a stroll there everyday!!!! Next, it was off to buy my kids a souvenir. Should I get some official Colorado trinkets? Perhaps some jewelry or a watch with authentic southwestern flair? What would my kids enjoy? We were driving down the freeway, when I discovered it. “Stop the car!!” Here is what I saw:

Yep….I bought each of my darling offspring their own big container of Chic-Fil-A sauce!!!! They nominated me for Mother of the Year!!!

Jonni and I stopped off at a Starbucks. One of their almost-daily thunderstorms rolled in. No sooner was it gone than the sun came back out again.

The lovely and equally sweet Jonni McCoy, my gracious host. I did take a picture of her with her handsome hubby Beau, but it was a bit fuzzy and when I uploaded it and they looked like aliens. Didn’t know if she’d still be my sweet friend if I posted alien-like pictures of them for the world to see, so I grabbed this one off of her website!

I saw 27 of them. Here is one sitting next to me at the Colorado Springs airport. And, yes, I asked permission to snap this fuzzy photo.

Oh Lord, let me NEVER forget the reason we can freely fly whenever we want to on an airplane, listen to helpful programs Christian radio, chow down on some nuggets at a Chic-Fil-A and return home safely to love on our families.

The next time you hit your knees, thank God.

And the next time you see a soldier, stop and say thanks.

Home-Sweet-Home Blessings,

We pick Mitchell up this afternoon from his week at summer church camp.

He’ll be tired. There will be a suitcase full of dirty clothes and good-byes at the bus drop-off to the new friends he made this year. He’ll be hungry but he will be satisfied. And I pray, as I shared here about Spencer a few weeks ago, he will have a heart that is nesting in a new place, closer to his God.

I feel as if Mackenzie and I just got picked up from summer camp last night at the airport. We were tired. Our suitcased sported dirty clothes. We said our good-byes at the hotel and the Charlotte airport to the sweet new friends we have made. We were hungry for home. But we are satisfied. God spoke at She Speaks as He does each year. And we sisters learned a little more about listening.

We did this by hearing Bible-loving Wendy teach us to wait; Sister-mentoring Renee train us to actively rest. Our eyes were opened to see ourselves as the broken one in need of a fresh touch from the Savior by new friend Jennifer who posesses clear biblical insight yet lacks physically the ability to see anything. Talented and worshipful Cheri lead us in praise. And as always, remarkable Lysa, who gives all credit to God, illuminated and inspired us to find our own remarkable.

Kenzie and I drank in every moment we could with old friends. We laughed and connected with dozens of new ones who too are on the journey of making God famous through their writing, speaking and serving.

We didn’t want to come home.

But we must do the next thing. Which for me is heading to Focus on the Family in the morning to record for a few days. For Kenzie it is performing in a summer theatre-in-the-park performance and then, in a few weeks, heading to school.

What is your next thing? 

Do it for God’s glory.

Do it well.