Peace and Contentment

I know that might seem like a strange title but that is what I am wishing you this Christmas season. I am praying that God would bless you with Peace and Contentment. I believe those are two words we throw around haphazardly.

Most of you know what kind of year I have had, but in the midst of all that I feel like I have experienced true peace and contentment. God has sent me on an incredible journey and I am grateful for every trial I have been through.

I cannot even begin to count my blessings. I hope you are in the same situation. If not then look a little harder. If you have had a rough year, trust God for a great 2009. He won't let you down.

This Christmas share Christ, help someone less fortunate, focus on the positive and enjoy life.

I wish you so many blessings that you would have to say "stop".

Love and miss you all,
Karen

Validation

If you haven't seen this video, you really need to check it out.

http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1892182081

It has TJ Thyne in it, he is one of my favorites. It's a bit long but I think the impact is worth it.

Many blessings,
Karen

Home Sweet Home

Well, on Election Day Brian and I flew back to Dallas to pack our remaining belongings and close on the sale of our home. What an emotional rollercoaster! When we drove up to our old house I told Brian that it was kind of sad because I thought we would live there forever.

On Wednesday, we began packing things we wanted to keep and sorting through things that we would sale at our moving sale. I also spent some time helping Ryan to find an apartment to live in. We looked, compared and made a decision in one day. During our moving sale we sold nearly everything, just a handful of boxed items left. The people buying our house didn't have their docs in order so we weren't able to close. We would head back to Loveland with unfinished business.

Today, Nov. 11, is Brian's birthday. We are hoping he gets a gift tomorrow of the buyers going to close. Then we can close on Thursday and begin to move on. We covets your prayers concerning this. We know that God is in control and everything will happen according to His plan and not ours. We are terribly grateful to have sold our home in only 17 days. He is awesome.

The hardest part about going back to Texas was not being able to see all of our church friends. Because of the long drive back we decided that it was best for us to hit the road in our 16ft Penske truck on Saturday evening. That allowed us to be back in Loveland on Sunday afternoon. It is amazing how it took 6 hours to load that truck and less than 1 hour to unload.

We are grateful to all of our friends who have helped us out during this crazy time in our life. We love each and everyone of you and pray for you often.

Be grateful this Thanksgiving,
Karen

New Layout

Hope you check out my cute new layout.

Ben is on a mission

Our son Ben is going on a mission trip to Belize. He really has a servant's heart and I look forward to hearing all about his trip when he returns. If you would like to read his blog go to www.benmeans.blogspot.com

Of course, he is asking for prayer and financial support. One way friends can help to support his trip is just by clicking on the different ad on his blog page. Cents per click is deposited into an account for him. It is something we have learned about at our new jobs.

Thanks in advance for your support of Ben and the work of our Lord.

Many blessings,
Karen

How Much Can You Pack In A Month?

Well, here is what the month of October was like for me. On October 6th, our home in Texas hit the MLS and we got our first offer on October 22nd. On the 23rd, the deal was done. We should be closing on November 7th. Wow! I can't believe that in this time (housing market and financial crisis) we could sell our house in less than 3 weeks. I guess that is because God was a factor. Nothing is impossible with Him. I am not even sure we are really worthy of such a blessing. I am grateful that I don't always get what I deserve. For any of you that were still unsure of whether or not we should be in Colorado, I think this should convince you that we are right where God wants us to be.

In October, Brian and I went on a fabulous Carnival Cruise to the western Caribbean with our Texas friends. We flew to Houston to meet Mark & Noelle, Odie & Kathy and Don & Cindy. We truly enjoyed the time we got to spend with our friends that we miss so much. On the cruise, we ate and ate and ate. We had some really fabulous steak and prime rib and even better dessert. The Warm Chocolate Melting Cake was so good that I had it every single night for dessert. I am so grateful for the memories we made that week.

After returning from the cruise, we did a 3+ day conference with work in Denver. We worked Thursday thru Sunday meeting some of the most interesting people and teaching them to be successful. It was life changing for many of them. What an amazing weekend!

Ryan arrived in Denver on Saturday, Oct 25th to spent the week with us. On Monday since our boss gave us the day off, we took him to Estes Park for the day. We trekked around Bear Lake and then hiked up to Alberta Falls. We took tons of pictures mostly of Ryan and Ben climbing on dangerous rocks. They even climbed up the frozen falls. It was a really great day!

Until the next update,
Karen

Settling In

Well my friends, you are due an update. I am so amazed at how quickly life moves.

I am really starting to get a handle on my job (took me long enough). There are still some facets that I don't get but that will come with time. We have such a laid back atmosphere and a really fun environment. People in Colorado don't go to work at the crack of dawn. People probably don't go to work that early in Texas either but I guess that was my perception. Anyway, I love my job.

Ben made it here safely on September 14th then he started school at Resurrection Christian School the 16th. On the 15th he had to test for the school, they said that he had some of the highest scores they've seen. No, of course I am not bragging. This past Saturday he got to play in his first football game for the school, they won 40 - 0, it was their first win of the season. Ben is also playing on the junior varsity, they played Monday night (last night) and Ben caught a pass for a touchdown. I think they won that one too.

Ryan is still living and working in Texas. He helped our friends, Jeff & Shirley get our house ready to go on the market. It was listed yesterday. Please send up prayers for a quick sale and for Ryan, he has been sick this week.

We really miss our Texas friends and think of you often. We are always talking about you at our office. People think all Texans are crazy, we don't share that it is really probably just us. Don't forget that any of you can call us if you'd like. If you don't have our new numbers just email me.

I am just a few weeks into a new Bible study at a local church, Beth Moore's, "Beloved Disciple". It is really challenging but I love it.

We are praying for each of you. If you have specific request feel free to email me. We appreciate your prayers as well. Here are the most important ones at this time...
1)Ryan
2)Home to sell
3)Ben's trip to Belize this spring - I forgot to mention this earlier but all seniors at his school are required to go on this mission trip. He is very excited about it but we have to get started raising the money.

Love you all bunches and wish you amazing blessings,
Karen

Wow! A Month

I seriously can't believe I have been in Colorado a whole month. You would think I would have learned everything that I would need to know by now.

Side bar - how many times can you use the word "would" in one sentence??

I really miss all of my Texas friends. I think ya'll should all move up here. I get made fun of for saying "ya'll". But it's really funny when others start saying "ya'll" because they are used to hearing it.

In case you haven't heard, Ben is moving up here Sept 14th. He will be flying from San Antonio (he will be at Reese's boot camp graduation) to Denver on the 14th. Some of his boxes of clothes arrived today. I guess that means he is coming for real.
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I know I am rambling but it's been a really long day for me. I wouldn't have even done this update but when I realized that it's been almost a month without an update I figured I at least owed everyone a quick one.

I have three prayer requests:

1)Please pray for us to sell our home in Texas. In God's time.

2)Pray for Ryan who is still in Texas

3)Pray that my sister and I will get all of our money raised for the 3 Day, 60 mile Breast Cancer Walk.

Since I am on the 3 Day topic, if you have Nov 7, 8 & 9 open, we would love for you to come out and cheer us on. I remember how much the encouragement meant when I ran the Alaska marathon, it really gives you extra strength just when you need it.

Well enough of my rambling, don't forget that everyone is invited to come and stay with us (just call us to let us know when).

May your blessings overflow,
Karen

New Job

Well, I have been on my new job for two whole days. I feel like I still have so much to learn. Everyone has warmly welcomed me and they are very patient with my learning. This is a very fun company to work for. I took some pics out my office window of the view but I haven't figured out how to post them yet.

The weather has been so beautiful here. It begins at about 65 degrees in the morning, then the high today is 82 and tonight it will cool off to about 60. I really don't remember anything in the 60's in Texas at least not for a while.

Don't forget two things:
1) We would love to have you visit, just call
2)Sign up at the bottom to subscribe to my blog

Miss you all!!

Safe and Sound in Loveland

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that Pam and I and her kids arrived in Loveland this morning at 2:30am. I slept until about 8:00am so I will be ready for bed tonight.

Tomorrow is my first day at InfoMediaInc. I am very excited and looking forward to the new challenge.

If you would like to get an email any time I update my blog please subscribe to it. I believe the link is at the bottom of the blog page. This is a great way for us to stay in touch.

Blessings!

How Big Is Your God?

I don't know how big your God is but my God is ginormous. If you had told me a month ago that I would be moving to Loveland, CO, I would have asked what you were smoking. Here is our story about how God turned our lives upside-down...


On June 16th, Brian said to me "When Ben graduates, let's pack our stuff and move to Colorado." He had been frustrated with the weather and our business. I said "Yes dear" to appease him. On June 20th, I told Brian "I'm not looking for a job but if one presented itself I would at least investigate it." I had no idea the implications that statement would have on the rest of my life.


July 1st our friend, Pam, called. She asked me to step outside while we talked. For the life of me I couldn't figure out what she would need to say to me that no one could hear. She began to tell me that Ken, her husband, asked her to call me two weeks prior. Instead, she prayed that God would prepare my heart for what she had to say. I was thinking what does my heart need to be prepared for. They had been interviewing people left and right for two positions they needed to fill at the company they worked for in Loveland. No one had the skills they needed. Ken told Pam that he thought Brian and I were a perfect fit. I felt the tears sting my eyes as I recalled my statement just ten days back. She asked that we talk and pray about it.


Okay God where did this come from. Now I completely understand the whole "out of left field" thing. Brian and I spent time praying and debating and praying.


A good friend gave me some advice a few months back. Act and let God intervene rather than do nothing and make the decision for Him. Wow! This has impacted my world more than once.

We called to let the Burge's know that we would love to come but we just couldn't afford the trip right now. They asked for our resumes, DISC profiles, and ministry matches anyway. A few days later they called to tell us the company would pay for us to come. Obstacle overcome - Go God! We had one week before we were to leave.


On Sunday, July 13th, Brian woke up with a major headache and did not feel like sitting through the worship service after assisting in The Wave Middle School hour. We had, Frank Banfill, who was guest preacher that morning. He was oblivious that God would use him to speak to us. Before the service began Brian's headache had not receeded, but he felt the Lord's leading to stay because, "God had a special word for us".

Frank preached from Gen 12:1, The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you"

I didn't dare look at Brian for fear of bursting into tears. I had prayed that the Lord would make it very obvious if we were to go. Frank continued saying that sometimes we just have to completely leave our comfort zone. Yes, God I hear you.


On Monday, we learned that Fort Collins, CO is the #2 Best City in America to live in. Fort Collins and Loveland are like Wylie and Sachse. Our oldest son, Ryan, also told us he would move with us but if we needed him to stay here so that Ben could finish his senior year he would stay. Huge God Moment.

We wondered if this was where God was calling us what would we do about our bounce business. Before we left for Denver, we received phone calls from three different churches asking us if we ever sold any of our bounces. God at work!

Our next question was how could we even afford to move if we got the jobs? Brian had only taught one Franklin Covey class this whole year. The day before we left he got a call asking him to teach some upcoming classes. To be exact he was asked to teach 9 days inside of the next 30. How big is your God?


On Thursday, July 17th, we flew to Denver. We had a great time with the Burge family. They were very gracious and hospitable. Friday, Brian was reading Joel Comm's blog (Joel is the owner of the company) and discovered that Joel was really good friends with a man from Edmond, Oklahoma named Ken Surritte who had just left Loveland the day before we arrived. Brian and I went to church with Ken when we lived in Oklahoma. This huge world just keeps getting smaller. On Monday in Brian's interview he learned that Joel trained Mark Massey to take his place at Hope for the Heart in Dallas in 1991. When I met Joel he shared with me his priorities of his faith first and his family second. We talked about how the office was a mission field because of the unbelievers there.


We were both offered the jobs, they gave us the salaries we asked for (enough to keep our home in Texas and a place for Brian and I in Loveland), we will have great insurance and benefits. They even gave us money to move. Oh did I mention that every office has a view of the Rockies.


Everyone is welcome to come and visit. We really do mean that. But we can't guarantee that you will want to ever leave once you get there.


We are terribly sad to leave the church we love and the people that have so richly blessed our lives. We have no doubt that this is God's plan for our lives. We will not be happy unless we are in the center of His will.


Our prayer is that you would have great faith and pay close attention to the voice of the Father and be obedient to wherever He calls you. Be careful what you pray for - you just might get it!


Many Blessings!!!!