While I was preparing to publish our updates for February I realized that yet again, the world around us is swirling... something tells me, that this is a part of a new normal...

Then I ran across - and I don't think it just happened by chance - the words above that the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians and it caused me to pause.

Did you know that there are 100 places in the Christian Bible that tell us something about "one another?"

One another. You, me and everyone around us. That makes up the one anothers.

February, as we all know, is famous for its LOVE focus and Paul is promoting that in his words to us as well...but you know...its still the "one anothers" that has me going.

One another is two words in english, but it is only one word in Greek...alle'lo'n

I know there are many things we could focus on that make us each different and unique...but what if, instead, we focused on humility, gentleness, patience and love with regard to 'one another.' What do we think would happen if each time we felt like writing a scathing social media post meant defend our pride position or to hurt one another, that instead we took a position of humility, gentleness, patience and love?

When I researched this 'one another'ness that kept popping up in my day(s) I found some pretty interesting things...

one-third of the 100 are about LOVE

another 15% are about HUMILITY

a full one-third of the 'one anothers' are about UNITY

Love. Humility. Unity.

What a wonderful world it would be.

Maybe it's not about me making sure that 'they' know how strongly I believe that my way is the right way;

maybe it's more about taking the humble road and simply showing

Love. for 'they'

Now I originally wrote a whole lot more words about this...but I decided it was too much...so I deleted it. Because really the message here is quite simplistic...

In this month of LOVE. and maybe even in all the months that follow...

Loving One Another can be where I/we begin. And taking this humble approach. Will build unity.

I wanted to take a moment this month before I tell you about our class schedule to remind you of (or let you know for the first time ) about the other fun things you may find around the shoppe...

First is that we have a few items for retail sale that would make great little gifts...one is ABLE leather purses, wallets and jewelry, we also have some BIGMOODS stickers, and we have some of The Giving Keys and of course, our mugs with the Mustard Seed logo...each of these supports the causes of their company and they all have a "pay it forward" corporate culture. If you want to know more, just ask the next time you're in the shoppe!

Second, we want to remind you of our Puzzle Lending Library and our Lending Library for books, both have a variety for you to choose from and enjoy, so be sure to check them out soon!!

And finally a reminder that if you are a 'journaler' we have a lovely selection of blank books that you can personalize in whatever way you desire...for scrapbookers we have blank scrapbooks ready for great memories and for our sign lovers we have sign blanks we can help you transform into beautiful inspirations...
they are always available, so just ask me about them when you want to create your own incredible items!!

We have been hard at work at the shoppe during January...I was humbled and blessed by several friendly, but hardworking elves who spent an incredible number of hours helping to restore the spaces of the shoppe and clear out some of the things that we no longer need to have at the ready!! What an incredible gift that gave us back spaces we had not been using for their intended purpose!!
They know who they are and that I am eternally grateful for the gift!
So you definitely need to find your way to the shoppe we have such fun things going on!!
The month of February we always celebrate and support the American Heart Association's Heart Month campaign and we join in with their Go Red For Women Day which this year is Friday, June 7th!! So remember to wear your best red and support Heart Health for everyone and especially this month we're focused on the women we love!! Cardiovascular Disease is the number one killer of women and nearly 45% of all women over the age of 20 have some form of the disease. Let's help bring awareness, research and treatment to lower these alarming statistics!! Our Coffee & Tea Blessings will support the American Heart Association this month!!

And what about those fun things I mentioned earlier...you might be wondering what they are...well here we go!!
I want to make sure to point out our very first event...it is SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2nd!! and is a drop-in between 12pm and 4pm card making day for St. Jude! This time, you will make the cards and then our incredible cardmaker and teacher Kim will send them to the administrators at St. Jude to be used for patients and their families!! There is no charge to come in and make as many cards as you would like and you get to smile all day knowing they will be providing love and support directly to kids and families who are at St. Jude right now!!
Everything is provided...we just need YOU!! and you can help us to send as many cards as possible to St. Jude!!!

Here are some of what is coming up this month...

and now for something completely new!!!

Do you own your own small business? Do you WANT to own one from that great idea you have? and do you wish you could keep up with the changing small business environment? Have we got a plan for you!!! Plan to be here for three Saturdays...beginning March 1st - a Saturday morning filled with tips, tricks and keeping your small business at the top of the game! (especially when it comes to using technology!!) Join small business consultant Kathryn "KK" West as she imparts new and improved knowledge that will help you help yourself as you run, manage and market your way to a successful business!! This is our businesses helping business approach so that we all win!!

Grab a spot on each Saturday and spend a couple of hours focused on your biz...

it will be so so worth it!!