February 9, 2015

It's All About LOVE... (and a Giveaway!)


I can't help it... I love me a good love story!  Romantic comedies and cheesy TV movies that play on my emotions like a pro... yeah. I love them. (I know?)

If you have been hanging around this little corner of the web, then you already know I am all about "Being Love"... I swoon at the Romance of our God.  Me and Jesus... we are tight and I was easily convinced of His great love for me from the very beginning of our courtship!

It took many years longer for me to believe that the Father's heart was all in, as well! --That He was for me and crazy in love with me, too!  It took some healing and building of trust to believe that He was happy to see me when I would approach Him in prayer, in worship, or in the Word.  It took time... but I got there!



With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's easy to get caught up in the Romance of it all!  However, I know not everyone loves this 'holiday'... not everyone appreciates the over the topness of expectations and Hallmark!

I remember years ago, when the Lord prompted us to stop making February 14th about Romance, and instead, to make it about Love!  (There is a difference!)  So for years, we have celebrated Love as a family... we point others to the Ridiculous Over the Top Love of our God - no matter if you are married, or single... young or --ahem, not so young... None of that matters when it comes to how much God desires to pour out His love on you!


So, in honor of Valentine's Day, I am hosting the "It's All About Love" Giveaway because as much as romantic love makes my heart all racy and my knees all weak... it's Love itself --Himself-- that we want to celebrate!  Whether it is the Love of the Father, loving on some friends, or celebrating togetherness (romantic, or not!) - we wanted to spread a little Love, and invite you to do the same!



Tamara Joy Lee is a friend of mine, and God has partnered with her to write this powerful collection of Love Letters, written from the heart of God to you... 



The Lord would wake her up in the middle of the night to write these love letters, and she collected them one by one! Now, there are 38 letters compiled in this book that are personal and powerful and oh my goodness, every one of them will bless you so much!!

Along with the book, I wanted to include a little something Artsy from me!  I am a lover of old school mail. I mean, what is better than receiving a handwritten card from a friend?

I made this set of 4 Handmade Friendship cards.  They may not reach you in time for Valentine's Day but these Coffee-themed cards are so fun and perfect for any time of year!  A Perfect way to reach out and share some love!



Lastly, I created this little bird painting on a flat canvas board using acrylic paints and sealer.  I just love the visual of how we are never alone... whether it be a significant other, a friend, or simply the Lord Himself... there is always someone perched right by our side!


So... We will have ONE GRAND PRIZE Winner who will win:
(2) Love Letters from the Heart of God books
(One to keep, and one to give away!)
PLUS the set of cards, and the painting!

We will also have THREE Runner Up Winners, each of whom will receive a copy of Tamara's book! 

Enter Below and Good Luck!
I apologize to my International friends, but this is limited to US Residents only!

a Rafflecopter giveaway





Tamara Lee, native to the Pacific Northwest, is retired from 30 years’ experience as an educator.  She holds a BA degree in English Education and a PhD in Public Health/Health Education.  Tamara’s passion is pursuing God and giving God encounters to other people.  Her greatest joys are her daughter and grandson.

Linking up with these lovely ladies:

The Community over at #SmallWonders (Formerly Unforced Rhythms)...

Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday

Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp

45 comments :

  1. Love those cards!!!

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    1. Thanks Susan! I had so much fun making them! (I do it every year and it makes the current years' calendar selection that much more fun... knowing, one day, it will be repurposed into cards!) Good luck!

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  2. This is great, Karrilee. We also try to make our celebration oriented toward "love" rather than "romance" and to include the family. I also like to (most years . . ) try to drop a card or flowers for someone I know may be feeling left out of the traditional Valentines day. Not everyone may have romance, but everyone needs love. Thanks for linking with SmallWonders :) Happy Valentines Day!

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    1. I almost didn't link up this week because it is not really a post on small wonders... but then again, it is... plus - a giveaway! Thanks so much for stopping by! I love the focus on others - outside of romance! So many have grown to hate this 'holiday' - but I see it as a chance to really let the Love of God shine!

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  3. My husband and I are so bad with V-Day. We often times don't do anything. Most years I get flowers from him, but we don't really do gifts. We are planning to do dinner this year, but besides that V-Day is just another day.

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    1. Oh we don't really do gifts either! We used to get a sitter and go out to dinner just the two of us and there is nothing wrong with that... we just felt we needed to tone down the romance and focus on Love (especially with a -at the time- preteen girlie in the house! ;) Really - V-Day IS just another day... we should pour out love every day, right?

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  4. Wow! I love (haha) that you make Valentines about love vs romance. Thanks for that shift in my perspective!

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    1. It's such a small shift... but it makes a world of difference! xoxo

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  5. Your cards are adorable! I {love} making Valentine's Day about love....loving others....and not worrying about the holiday itself.

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  6. I entered! I love your artwork too. This would be awesome.

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  7. Love Love the painting!!!!

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  8. So much fun!! Love everything in this giveaway. :)

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    1. Thanks Tara! So glad you entered! (I owe you a Vox... maybe this afternoon!) Good Luck!

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  9. Sadly, we don't do much for Valentines these days. This year we are celebrating my parent's 54th wedding anniversary and I will be cooking them a special dinner.

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    1. Well... celebrating 54 years DOES trump Valentine's Day! Praying for you, friend... that as you give love, you will feel Him pouring it right back in and over you!

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  10. Wow, your art is gorgeous!!! I'm always so impressed by artsy people since my stick figures look like... well, like not anything. Love the cards and the painting and especially the reminder to celebrate LOVE. We don't have specific traditions about V-day. Husband and I take turns being in charge of the plans -- which I'm actually blogging about today! (http://www.coddledlittlelife.com/avoiding-valentines-day-disappointment.html) We don't do romantic V-day, though; we save that for our anniversary.

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    1. LOL Sarah...thanks so much! We are all creative... we just have to embrace our own style and what we are good at! To be honest, I am still working on that one myself - but like everything else, it just takes practice! I will try to hop on over and read your post this afternoon! I love that you guys take turns! How fun!

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  11. Anonymous3:39 AM

    Well, I'm single, so Valentine's Day hasn't held much meaning for me in many years. I have enjoyed times out with girlfriends on Valentine's Day as we celebrated just being us!

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    1. Ah yes - the balance of being single and content this time of year can be a struggle... not for all... but I know many of my single friends just want to hibernate until it is all over - so good for you for going out and celebrating! After all.. it's all about Love, right? (Ya see what I did there?) Good Luck, my friend! xoxo

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  12. We try and got out for dinner. Nothing super fancy but we pause to celebrate our love.:)

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    1. We are with you, Katie! We used to go out just the two of us... and even then, we kept it pretty casual! Words of Affirmation is my love language... and My Honey is good at speaking that all year long... still - I think it is good to celebrate Love on Valentines Day - both Romantic and not! Good Luck!

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  13. Anonymous7:21 AM

    Neat idea, Karrilee, with your give-away! I *love* your LOVE for our Savior and Father! I love the way you phrased that the Father is "all in." So very true. And i LOVE that you love cheesy movies. If we lived near one another, I think we could be good friends. :) Blessings on you as you share LOVE to those around you!

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    1. Oh Dianne... I am SURE we would be fast friends! Thanks so much for stopping by and Good Luck! xoxo

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  14. You are just so talented dear! I love your creations, and receiving one of your cards was the highlight of my weekend. :D

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    1. Aaaw - you are too sweet! It was my honor! I LOVE this whole #fmfpartysnailmail gig and how the Lord just shows up and moves through each of us! He is good... and He loves to Love on us! Thankful for you, friend! Good Luck! xoxo

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  15. A relationship with God does seem so much like a courtship. I'm excited that you are celebrating His love on Valentine's Day. Happy to be your neighbor at #Testimony Tuesdays!

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    1. Jenni, it really is a courtship! I remember reading Hosea 2:16 over and over and thinking, Man - we've got it good! (It says: "“And it shall be, in that day,” Says the Lord, “That you will call Me ‘My Husband,’ And no longer call Me ‘My Master,'") Happy Valentine's Day!

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  16. Oh my those cards and that painting are beautiful !!!!

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  17. Nope. I'm kind of anit-Valentine's Day in the traditional sense. To me, every day should be special for the ones I love :). Is there such a thing as a Valentine's Grinch? I mostly feel sorry and empathy for those who don't 'get' anything--especially if they don't know about their One true love.

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    1. LOL... oh I get that! I do... and I agree - every day should be a call to be love! Still - a day set aside for whatever reason to pout out love is a good day! ;)

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  18. My husband and I bypass Valentines Day as it is so commercialism. I love your new perspective on what we should use this day to focus on. Love of the Father! I adore the coffee themed cards.Tamara Joy Lee, I have been awoken by The Lord, in the middle of the night, but not for writing love letters. How blessed and thank you for sharing.

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    1. Awesome! I love this Debra! Yes - it IS over commercialized for sure... and yet - I'll take every 'excuse' to Be Love, right? Good Luck!

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  19. What a sweet idea of love Karrilee! You have such a sweet heart to send it by mail too (that's real love!). Ha! Praying blessings over you. I delight in the fact that you are part of the #RaRalinkup! XOXO

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    1. Aw... I am super honored to be a part, Kelly! Thanks so much - and who doesn't love a little old school snail mail, right? xoxo

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  20. Girl you know how to do a giveaway! Beautiful. My fella and I usually attend a valentines dinner at church. Of course now that we are empty nesters, we date all the time!

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    1. LOL - thanks Carmen! Ah yes - the good life of Empty Nesters! We get to be romantic whenever we want! ;) Good Luck! xoxo

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  21. Your idea of focusing on love on Valentines Day is such a good one. I need to start thinking about how I am going to show my hubby and kiddos love this Valentines day. The cards and painting are beautiful, and I know I would really enjoy the book. I hope you have a lovely day!

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    1. Thanks so much, Jo Rose! Good Luck, my friend and thanks for stopping by! Happy Valentine's Day!

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  22. CONGRATULATIONS to our Grand Prize Winner - Natalie... and our Runner Up Winners Carmen, Debra, and Sarah! Check your email girlies... I will get your packages ready! xoxo

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  23. Hi Karilee, THANK YOU!!! You messaged me on Twitter, but I can't reply to you with my address because you don't follow me. Can you follow me @coddledlife or email me instead? Thx!!

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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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