2-Fold

The saying, "When it rains, it pours," is my reality right now since surprises are being poured out from every direction! Foremost, I have received additional recognition: the "You Make My Day" award; presented by DebraK at the Bunnies' Bungalow. It is affirming to know that I am not talking to myself; but that there are others on the same page with me! Thank-you, DebraK. I am honored!

I have decided to honor 2 individuals that I have not previously recognized. Both have prayed for and encouraged me; giving me many reasons to smile. The recipients are:

1. Sheila of Gim'Me Memories
2. Mary Isabella of Daisy Bouquet

Today, our weather in Southern California is desert-like and windy. My 3 sets of wind chimes are consorting melodiously with one another.

My Strawberry Fold Pouch dangling from pink jasmine.

Just in case our weather has forgotten that it's spring, I've created one of my Strawberry Fold Pouches. I use these pouches for gift presentations. This particular pouch contains a Davidson teabag, a Ghirardelli Chocolate Square, and a Marie Callender gift card. It's folded with double sided, satin sheen pink paper; threaded with a decorative ribbon handle; and adorned with Martha Stewart floral stickers. These pouches make great party favors as well.

The Amazing Adventures of the Kare-Bears

My blog friends know me by KJ, my favorite nickname, but my given name is Karen. I refer to my husband Barry as Bear. When people need to remember our names, I tell them to think of the Kare-Bears; an obvious wordplay for Karen and Barry. Well, for those who have been following the amazing adventures of the Kare-Bears, all of which testify to the undeniable Faithfulness of God, I have another installment!

Here is a condensed version:

• At the beginning of 2007, my husband lost his business and, not related to this event, our rental home of 12.5 years was put up for sale.
  
• At the 11th hour, the day before we were to vacate, we were approved for another home.
• Our mover was arrested for an unpaid traffic violation.
• On the day of the move, 3 family members acquired the stomach flu, including Bear, who rarely gets sick and who was also in a probation period for a new job. He was fired for the first time in his life.
• Bear, an experienced milkman, began work for a dairy distributor who promised the world and then secretly sold the route.
• Finally, at the end of March, Bear was hired full time by an integral dairy distributor!
• Lean months positioned us for miracles... On February 8th, the slated day for eviction, $3300.00 was given to us by several sources. Our March rent was supernaturally met on the 6th when I received a phone call from my church that someone had anonymously given us a $2000.00 cash gift!
• In April, we found ourselves once again relying on, trusting in, and leaning on God. A few days ago, Bear's new boss—who is uninformed about our situation—surprised Barry with a check for the entire month of April; and we still have other income sources for our other needs!
  

Luke 6:38 (Amplified Bible) states:

38 Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.

It is through GIVING that we are finding deliverance, for truly, we cannot out give God!

Check this out...

Joyce at The Secret Gardener has staged a reenactment on her blog that provided me with a giant chuckle. I recently sent Joyce a surprise based upon a topic she had blogged about. She was obviously tickled, as you will see by her playful post!

Joyce documents her world from South Louisiana. Her blog is plush with vintage elegance, social graces, sumptuous southern food, her solid Faith in the Lord, and an ample supply of humor. I especially enjoy her habit of punctuating with "HA!"