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Karen Ehman

Live Your Priorities. Love Your Life.

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For Life

Top 12 Stocking Stuffer Ideas

15 Fabulous Online Christmas Gifts at karenehman.com.

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15 Fabulous Online Christmas Gifts

karenehman

karenehman
Not since I was a kid at Christmas have I been ant Not since I was a kid at Christmas have I been anticipating something so much! I can hardly wait to tell you all about what my friends @ruthschwenk @womenlivingwell and I have been up to. It’s been on our hearts and in our prayers for over two years now. And on Monday, we will be ready to tell the world!!💗 Here are a few hints: 🔹It is going to provide encouragement and community for the women we are so privileged to serve. (That would be YOU!) 🔹It is something we all wish we would’ve had years ago. 🔹And, not only will it help you grow in both every day life and your walk with Jesus, it’s going to be a complete blast! OK, give me your best guess as to what the big announcement will be in the comments. And be sure to come back here Monday morning for the big reveal! 🎉
Ok. I’m not crying. You’re crying. My daught Ok. I’m not crying. You’re crying. My daughter gave me a vintage brass frame with a daisy from my mother’s casket pressed inside. (The picture of my brother and me was one my mom has had since I was in kindergarten. The frame says “Memories for Mother.”)
This picture is somewhat of a miracle. It was take This picture is somewhat of a miracle. It was taken about five years ago and it almost didn’t happen. My mother never wanted to get her picture taken. I mean never, ever. The only time we could talk her into it was when we took a picture of her with her six beloved grandchildren. However, on this day my daughter, her oldest grandchild, was able to talk her into a three generational picture. And now, I treasure it more than anything. I sent a text message to my four brothers today. I have one biological brother, two stepbrothers, and one “brother from another mother”, whom I consider just as much family as the others. Since last Mother’s Day, my mom, my stepmom, and my “other brother’s” mom have all passed away. We are all facing our first Mother’s Day without our moms in our life. No more hanging baskets to buy after church to take over to anyone. No backyard barbecues with brats and coleslaw like my mom always loved. No cups of coffee while we sat by the window and watched the birds eat from the birdfeeder and the squirrels running around our backyard. Life comes fast with its twists and turns. Make relationships a priority. I know it is hard. It is especially hard for someone who likes to produce and achieve, like me. However, I am so thankful I listened to the Lord‘s prompting to slow down and not work so much these past couple of years. I was able to spend almost every Friday afternoon with my mom, running errands, grabbing a quick lunch or cup of coffee, or just sitting with her in her apartment visiting. It’s those ordinary, common moments that I miss most of all. But still, when I look at this picture, I see hope. I see it reflected in the eyes of the young, strong woman who first made me a mother. Although my daughter’s personality is very different from my mother’s, they both love deeply, are fiercely loyal, and place relationships as what is most important to them. So, whenever I am missing my mom something awful, I need only to look into the face of my daughter to see her once again.
On Mother’s Day, nine homeless women will attend On Mother’s Day, nine homeless women will attend a picnic in Lansing’s Reuter Park and leave with one of my mom’s purses stuffed full of personal and beauty products. When I dropped them off to the person in charge of the event, I was told to leave them in front of the garage. When I placed them on the ground, a lump formed in my throat. There before my eyes were several bleeding heart plants, gloriously in bloom. They were one of my mom’s favorites. When I was a kid, she had a large perennial rock garden with several of them planted in there, nestled up near her grey cement bird bath. Whenever I see them, I always think of her. I considered it a little wink from God. 💕
When I was 10 years old, my mom took me down to th When I was 10 years old, my mom took me down to the little brick bank on the corner to open my very first savings account with a $10 bill I got from my grandpa for my birthday. It was named Michigan National Bank at the time and they gave out suckers to children. I kept that bank account until I got married 12 years later. Today, I went into that same bank. It has changed names many times over the years, but my mother had her bank account there for over 4 decades. Now that she is gone, it was time to close it out. I mostly held it together, but the teller could sense that the old brick building held many memories for me. And so, when our business was finished and it was time to turn and leave for the last time, she asked me if I would like a sucker. I picked cherry. 🍒 It was my mom‘s favorite flavor.
Forget what is behind. Reach forward to what is a Forget what is behind. Reach forward to what is ahead. Let Jesus lead the way. 💕
Raise your children on your knees.💕 Raise your children on your knees.💕
I am often approached by women who want to know ho I am often approached by women who want to know how I got my start writing and speaking. While I am happy to tell them my story, I’m even more thrilled to tell them about an opportunity I wish I’d had way back then: our @proverbs31ministries She Speaks Online Conference. Friend, today is the day to take your next step and join me for this helpful tool happening June 24-26, 2021! No need to travel. You can attend from the comfort of your home. I’ll be there ready to show you how to turn that idea... that message... your story... your passionate calling... into a reality, ready to be used by God. Your dream of writing or speaking can really come true! Getting equipped to walk out your calling truly is one of the best investments you can make this year. Reserve your spot today. *Link in profile*
Always choose grace. Yes, even with *that* person. Always choose grace. Yes, even with *that* person. ❤️
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