March 28, 2016

Celebrating TEN YEARS of Blogging with a Giveaway

Ten Years, y'all! How crazy is that?

When I first starting tapping out words here at Abiding Love, Abounding Grace - I did it out of sheer obedience. The Lord asked me to give Him a year of Tuesdays and, well-- I know a good thing when I see it and so we just kept on going! 

I started writing just once a week but typed hot and cold for quite awhile.  I didn't really think many people were reading along and it was simply where I logged my thoughts and encounters with the Lord.  I was never really blogging to be a 'Big Blogger', or get a book deal, or build a platform. Way back when I started, I don't think anyone was blogging for those reasons! Still, even today, I pretty much do it all wrong and pay no attention to numbers or hits or followers, etc. That was never my goal. (Insert "Not that there's anything wrong with that.")

It was back in the Fall of 2012 when I felt the Lord ask me to be consistent with this whole thing and to treat it like it counted - because, according to Him, it does.  

This little corner of the interwebs is, to Him --for Him, a ministry of sorts.  We partner together and tap out words and stories and offer friendship and prayers and He gathers a community and we love and encourage each other and it counts!



No matter if you have an agent or a huge subscriber list, or if your Mom and a handful of friends are the only ones who know how to find your blog --it counts!

He fills up... you pour out.  It counts!

So in 2012, I sort of recommitted to spending time here and pouring out here and just offering up the words He gives me and letting Him do with them whatever He will!  I discovered that, by then, Blogging had become a 'Thing' - and millions of people were doing it... which meant that I stumbled upon entire online communities of bloggers who hung out, linked up, and went to --wait for it, blogging conferences!? What the what?

Get. Out. (Insert Elaine Benise' voice and shove.)

So ever since then, I have had the joy and honor of growing some amazing friendships and even meeting a few of these bloggy friends in real life!

We are a strange breed of writer and I can't tell you how thankful I am for those of you who read my offerings... I don't take it lightly, your gift of time and trust and willingness to slow enough to read and to connect in the Comments and especially when you let me pray for you. 


And pray for you, I do!  I really do. If you are reading this right now - rest assured, I have prayed for you, my friend!


And as my way of saying Thanks... whether you were one of the three who started out with me - or are new and just stumbled upon my little corner of the world wide web --well, in Bloggy talk - we say Thank You by hosting Giveaways, right?

So to celebrate TEN YEARS (#Icantevenyouguys!) - I am super excited to offer this fun little Giveaway... You're going to love it! I can say that because I have one (or more!) of each of these items myself, and I love them all!










Here's the run down... 

Up for grabs for ONE lucky US resident reader is the following prize:

* A copy of Create vs. Copy by Ken Wytsma (Thanks Moody Publishing!)


* A Custom made Bracelet by The Finest Kind Co. (with the blog tagline: "Speak Life. Be Love. Shine On.")

* An Altered Custom Journal (I will add a Monogram Letter before shipping to winner!)

* The 2015 Legacy Necklace purchased via Help One Now - A fair trade, handmade necklace made in Haiti.

* A few prints by Hannah over at Woven Beautiful - Frame or hang with washi tape and share the inspiration!


* Two Retro Mugs from IKEA because - of course! (And: Fun!)  

Enter to win:
a Rafflecopter giveaway






I am also linking up with these lovely communities online:



Kelly Chripczuk  for #SmallWonders 


Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday



Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp


Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory











97 comments :

  1. The idea of blogging for ten years takes my breath away! Congratulations! I honor your creativity, faithfulness, and perseverance!

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  2. Ten years. Wow girl, you are seasoned at this.

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  3. Wow!! Ten years!! That's the accomplishment you should be very proud of yourself.

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  4. What a great give-away, Karrilee! And yay! for 10 years!

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    1. Isn't it super fun? Who doesn't love a good Giveaway? Thanks for stopping by Kelly!

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  5. 10 years. 10 years?! That's incredible. Congratulations! I'm fairly certain we met through #fmfpartysnailmail. :)

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    1. I know, right? I can hardly believe it myself! LOVE #fmfpartysnailmail! Sigh... hopefully we can sign up for another round one day! So fun!

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  6. It's so exciting to see what you've done through this space...and I've been totally blessed by your encouragement. Here's to another 10 years! :D

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    1. Thanks so much, Jen! Another ten years... wow... well - as long as blogging is a thing and God says it counts... I will spill out words and see what He does with them! ;)

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  7. Congrats on the 10 years Karrilee!!! Keep up the good work :)

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  8. Was just browsing around when I stumbled upon you! Congrats on the 10 years!

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    1. Oh yay! I love it when people just stumble upon my little corner! Welcome! Come back anytime!

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  9. And this whole post is why I love you friend! So much THIS: "This little corner of the interwebs is, to Him --for Him, a ministry of sorts. We partner together and tap out words and stories and offer friendship and prayers and He gathers a community and we love and encourage each other and it counts!" It counts so much. Happy Blogversary friend! Love ya!

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    1. Thank you so much, Tara! You are definitely among my biggest blessings in this whole bloggy adventure! It counts... it all counts! xoxo

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  10. Wow! Happy 10th Blogversary!!! I'm blessed to be one who comes by for the light of God that comes from this blog! What beautiful gifts and offerings! May you continue to be blessed on this journey, and I really understand the joy of blogging as opposed to how many followers, and the very best part is meeting the most beautiful people who share our love of God..what a blessing blogging is thanks to you for helping me connect with some of these amazing women! I just adore your heart!! Blessings!

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    1. Yes... that is it right there... the joy of blogging as opposed to how many followers, etc! That is it! I have to say I am a little jealous of new bloggers now because it really isn't as lonely as it had to be in the beginning back in the olden days (aka 10 years ago!) LOL!

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  11. Love this! I'm so grateful we were in the same (in)courage community group for artists, and then ended up as leaders together of our own group. I've loved getting to know beautiful you better through your blog and social media. :) <3

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    1. Oh sweet friend - yes and amen! I, too, am so thankful for that particular (In)Courage group and the friendships that formed there! Love you, girlie! Good luck on the Giveaway!

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  12. Congratulations my friend! I believe I happened upon your blog during the Five Minute Friday a few years back, maybe more.

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    1. Ah yes - back in the beginning stages of FMF... those were the days, right? What I love about that community is that the writers ebb and flow because, life - man! But the love and support and encouragement remains the same! And I love that it's always open and everyone welcomes you in - whether you are a newcomer, a regular, or a long lost friend! xoxo

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  13. Happy Anniversary! Ten years - something to be said for being obedient & doing this consistently for so long. May God continue to bless your writing & use it for His glory!

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    1. Amen, Joanne! That is my prayer as well! Thanks so much for stopping by and joining in on the conversations over the years!

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  14. Congratulations on being faithful to writing for 10 years! That is amazing, Karrilee. When I saw on Testimony Tuesday that it was your anniversary, I wanted to pop over for sure! you are a blessing!

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    1. Aw thanks so much Betsy! I think as much as we are blessed with community online, often times this Blogging life can feel lonely and like it doesn't really count... I'm so thankful for His constant reminding me (us!) that it counts!

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  15. Congratulations. I just love things that are done out of sheer obedience! Praying for more words to make an impact in this world!!! Here's to 10 more!!!

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    1. Things done out of sheer obedience are just always better, right? Not always easier... but always better! Thanks so much for stopping by, friend!

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  16. Congratulations you - those are a lot of words laid down by His strength and for His glory. Well done faithful servant! xo

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    1. Thank you, sweet friend! Those are some of my favorite words! ;) xoxo Good luck on the Giveaway!

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  17. I met you via blogging several years ago. It was through Five Minute Friday back when Lysa Jo was hosting. Your FMF posts encouraged me, and I subscribed to your blog. I have counted you as one of my friends ever since. :-) -Jolene

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    1. Oh Jolene... I count you as a friend too! I'm so thankful our paths crossed at FMF! All that we do... in any season - big or small... it all counts!

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  18. Happy 10th anniversary! Wow, 10 years? That's awesome! (And quite an accomplishment too.) What a fun idea to have a giveaway to celebrate:) Many blessings to you on continuing this journey God gave you.

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    1. Thanks so much Kristine! (Who doesn't love a Giveaway, right? I just need to figure out how to best host one that can be open to my non-US resident readers too!) ;) Thanks for stopping by!

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  19. Congratulations on ten years! Glad to have the opportunity to read and check the archives.

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    1. Looking for Lovely launch team is how our paths have crossed, by the way!

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    2. How much do we LOVE Annie Downs? I mean, come on!!! Honestly I probably have 10 pages left to read but then I will be done and that makes me a little sad! ;) Thanks so much for stopping by! Come back anytime and yes --please do browse through the archives!

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    3. YAY! You won, LaRae! I will send your prize package out next week! Congrats!

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  20. Congrats on 10 years! What a great accomplishment, and no wonder your blog is so good!

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    1. Aw - thanks Robyn! It's always nice to see your lovely face here! Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. 10 years! That's so awesome! I hadn't thought about it until now, but this will be my 5th year blogging. Never would've imagined it...but God said, "Here's what you're to do..." So I did. :) Love this fun giveaway!!

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    1. Aw - Happy 5th Blogiversary, Laura! It does go by quickly! We must have met up online in your first or second year then! Aren't you just so thankful for the Community that Blogging offers? I know I am! Thanks for stopping by and good luck on the Giveaway!

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  22. We meet browsing on line and glad I found your blog. Love it.

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  23. I'm new here , Nice to "meet" you ! Congrats on 10 years !

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    1. Welcome Debi! So glad you stopped on by! Come back anytime, new friend!

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  24. Happy 10th Anniversary. It's late....I have insomnia....and I ended up here by way of Airplanes and Dragonflies.

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    1. Oh Insomnia... no fun whatsoever! Praying you are able to rest well and actually get some sound sleep in soon! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  25. Happy anniversary! 10 years is quite an accomplishment! We met doing 31 Days. :)

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    1. And I am so glad that we did!!! Thanks so much, friend! Good luck on the Giveaway!

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  26. Abby Allen10:39 AM

    Happy Anniversary! Although we have not met in real life, we met through me stumbling around on the internet and onto your page through Airplanes and Dragonflies! :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Abby! Nice to 'meet' you! Welcome back anytime!

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  27. 10 Years!!! You go, girl!! I'd end up being all yada, yada, yada with no more words (Like that?) You are truly inspiring, and fun, and just one of those people I'm so glad to know. Also - COLLINS!! So there's that!! I think FMF is what brought us together and then meeting at Allume. Ahh.... <3

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    1. I love you, Amy! LOL! You know me... I seem to almost ALWAYS have words! ;) And yes and amen for meeting inrl at Allume... and for being Collins girls! xoxo

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  28. Congratulations! 10 years for me was last year. And you're right, back then we just wrote and made friends. A blog was virtually unknown and new...today, I still write and make friends. And love doing it even more than I did when I started!

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    1. Oh me too, Christy! I love the community so much and I love that you have been blogging for 10 years (11 now!) as well... us old-timers who still do it... --we are a rare breed! xoxo

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  29. Congratulations! 10 years of awesome right here! Can you imagine how many words! We met at Allume in 2013? 14? I only went one year and can't remember which year.

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    1. Aw... yes - SO many words! ;) I only made it to Allume once (so far) as well... so glad we got to meet up inrl and so thankful for your friendship and support! Love you, friend!

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  30. SO exciting! Congrats Karrilee. We met through FMF Party. :-)

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  31. Yay, you! Who even KNOWS where we met. :)

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    1. LOL! Who even KNOWS? FMF? Incourage? FB? ...I don't remember either, but I am so very glad that we did! (And AMEN for Voxer, friend!) xoxo

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  32. i fond you on facebook

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  33. Congratulations! I actually just found you because of this giveaway, but I will be coming back! I love the blog! :)

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  34. Wow, 10 years is quite an accomplishment! Congratulations on all your hard work. I just happened to find your blog recently while searching for interesting Christian blogs, and enjoy your posts!

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    1. Thanks so much Pamela! I hope you keep coming by for visits!

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  35. Congrats on 10 years! I found you on FB. :)

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    1. Thanks, Julie! So glad you found me in my little corner! You are welcome here anytime!

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  36. meghan b8:45 AM

    This is great, I just discovered you!

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    1. Nice! You are welcome here anytime, Meghan! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  37. Someone told me about your giveaway and so we meet for the first time. Happy 10th!

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    1. Thanks so much Janet! Welcome to my little corner of the webisphere!

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  38. Wow! Happy 10th Blogversary!! I am so glad that I found Your beautiful blog from my favorite giveaway website. I really love the works You did and this awesome giveaway, too!
    Thank You for the chance!

    Fiona N

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  39. Congrats!! I found you randomly looking at blogs! :)

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    1. Thanks Ashley! Glad you stumbled upon my little corner here!

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  40. I just found you because a friend shared this giveaway! Congrats on 10 years!

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    1. Thanks Clair! You are welcome here any time! I hope you will stop by again!

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  41. I found this giveaway on Airplanes and Dragonflies.

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  42. Congratulations on 10 years of blogging! I found you on Airplanes & Dragonflies

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  43. Hello! I found you from Airplanes & Dragonflies! I like your website!

    Deborah

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    1. Thanks Debby! I hope you will stop by again and browse around!

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  44. I found you on Airplanes & Dragonflies. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  45. Like other recent posters, I linked to you from Airplanes and Dragonflies.

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    1. Welcome Stacy! Wow - I had never heard of Airplanes and Dragonflies before today! While I am thrilled y'all are here - I do hope you will come back and browse around a bit! Thanks for popping on over!

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  46. I also found you on Airplanes and Dragonflies :)
    Blogging for ten years takes dedication, congrats!

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  47. Congratulations!
    Airplanes and Dragonflies.

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Thanks so much for stopping by! I always love to hear your thoughts! Remember to: Speak Life - Be Love - Shine On!
~Karrilee~

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