Pray for Prayer

Hello friends and family. If any of you saw the updates on Facebook you can see that Jordan and I did indeed sign a lease for our new apartment. We have faith that God is going to provide our needs even when we don't see how yet. Please continue to pray as Jordan looks for a new job and I look for work as well. God has been faithful in providing tons of free lance opportunities for us this summer and we are so thankful! Shower #1 was amazing! Thanks to all who showered us with love and generosity. We got so many wonderful gifts! I can't wait to start moving into the apartment in a couple of weeks and setting all my new things up.

Prayer seems to be the topic these past months and even more in these past few days. When I think about what prayer is I think it's something I don't actually do often enough. How many of us say, "I'll pray for you" and then actually do? Kudos to the ones who have prayer as a spiritual gift, but for me, it's something I need to work on. Too many times I take God for granted and just hope he reads my mind when it comes to my wants and needs. Not to say that I don't EVER pray, I do, and when I actually get quiet and lay my requests before God I LOVE it and feel so close to Him when I'm done. So, my prayer request this time is for me to remember to pray. :) And not just pray...pray hard! Shout out to Erika Dawson! Right now she is posting "Pray Truth", a great and powerful way to pray. I love reading them and praying through them and I encourage you check it out at her blog Time With Our Kids. Happy Praying!

Wedding Update and Prayer Request!!!

It's been a little less than a month since my last blog post, and a lot has happened since then. My job searching has been put on hold since wedding details have been calling my name. But I've still been able to work on free lance design projects and its been nice to have a little $ coming in. I have my dress fitting this Saturday! I've been doing my best laying off all the sweets since February but I'll have to admit, I couldn't resist 1 red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting last night. (Thanks Grandma) My first shower is in a couple of weeks! Soooo excited to celebrate with everyone and for my friends and family to meet Jordan.

The biggest thing that has happened, though, and the main reason I'm writing is to ask for MAJOR prayer from you for the next 2 days. Jordan and I went apartment hunting last weekend. We saw 4 places and absolutely loved one of the ones we saw! But, we didn't expect to be having to make a decision so soon. We had planned on shopping around for a while and moving in August, but the options really aren't there. After going back and forth with our agent and trying to buy some time from the renter it comes down to this: We have to agree to Jordan moving in July 15 at half the rent and they want an answer from us on Thursday, yes THIS Thursday.

Not much prayer time for us, but tight deadlines don't bother God, I've learned. So, friends and family, I'm asking that you pray with us over these next 2 days. Pray that God makes it clear to Jordan and I wether or not to go forward with this, LOUD AND CLEAR. Also pray for financial means, full time employment (for both of us). That would be a real confirmation.

Thank you so much! I'll let you know what God tells us on Thursday!

What's next on the list?

Finals...CHECK, Industry Night...CHECK, Graduate....CHECK, Find a Job...IN PROGRESS. Today I had my first job interview! For those who have been praying, first, I want to say thank you soooo much, and second, update you. :)

As some of you know I started free lance designing a couple of years ago and through that I was hired by Convergence Technologies Inc. to do some ad design for them. Last week I emailed them to let them know that I graduated and am looking for full time work. They then let me know of a full time Marketing position that they were looking to fill and wanted to know if I'd be interested. Um...Full Time...$$$$....YES IM INTERESTED, no matter what the job.

Obviously, my degree is not in marketing, it's in graphic design but I wanted to hear them out. So basically the job would have me set up trade shows for CTI to be involved in. Finding funds for the trade shows, setting them up, sending them off, and then finding more would all be part of my responsibilities. Some designing would be involved like more ads, updating the website with photos, designing the trade show booth, and designing the materials for the trade show...but mainly its a marketing job. I am also their first hire, so I would be working by myself, and figuring this out as I go. A little intimidating.

The interview went well, but because I wasn't sure what I'd be doing this summer I've made commitments and wouldn't be able to start right away. Plus there is this event in September where I'm supposed to get all dressed up or something and walk down an aisle and say things like "I do" to this guy. I need to get a move-on on those plan too. So this is what the guy interviewing me (who actually is a friend of mine) said; He told me that he would like to keep sending me free lance things to do over the summer, even some of their trade show stuff, and if the position is still open in September, I could have it.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this job. First, It's not a creative design opportunity. Which means nothing to add to my professional portfolio so that if a design position presents itself to me in the future my portfolio will look exactly like it does now, college level.

On the plus side, it's work experience, it's close to home, it's full time income, and who doesn't want that?

I'm torn. So please continue to pray as I continue my job search, and pray that God makes things clear on whether or not I'm supposed to accept this job now, later or at all? And if any of you have some advice on what you think I should do let me know.

Graduate OUT!

From God

My encouragement this morning:

Psalm 33: 13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Now what?!

Um....is it really true? Is this even possible?! R U KIDDING ME!?!?!

I HAVE NOTHING TO DESIGN!!!!!!!!

For school that is.

On May 3, 2011 at 7:55 p.m., Karin Henley finished the last design for Columbia College Chicago EVER!

This piece will be in the form of a postcard that will be handed out to all the lovely people who come to my booth on Industry Night. :) In fact, if anyone would like one for themselves I'd be happy to mail one to you...for goodness sake I'll have one hundred of them. So email me or leave a comment below.

I still have a week and a half of school left, a total of 6 classes. And I have absolutely nothing to do for them, except wait for all this stuff to ship. I got an email saying that my portfolio should be arriving tomorrow! :) So I guess I'll be spending a lot of time in front of my window waiting for my FedEx guy in shinning armor!

17 days, 14 hours, 5 minutes, and counting....

17 days, 14 hours, 5 minutes, and counting until I walk across that stage with a piece of paper that says I'm officially a Columbia graduate! Wow! I can't believe how crazy everything is right now, which is why I haven't been able to post a blog for a while. But today is a significant day. I'm done with my portfolio! That's right, I just sent it off to the printers....now I just hope that the express shipping I paid for gets it here before Monday when I have to present it to my professors. Wishful thinking I know...but I was waiting for this little guy to be finished.
He was my last addition to my portfolio. This was a project is for my Type as Illustration class. The assignment was to make a masthead for one of the exhibits at the Brookfield Zoo. I pickedPinniped Point...Pinniped means "fin-footed", hence the sea lion. I named him Sandy. :) The rest of the assignment was to take the masthead and incorporate it into an announcement of some sort of an event taking place at the exhibit.Ta Da! My poster!I had lots of fun with this...but it took FOREVER! So this is what I've been working on lately.

Back to life, Wedding plans have been put on hold because of the busyness of school. But it's OK, that's why I did all the major wedding planning at the beginning of the semester...I had a feelings things wold be crazy when April and May rolled around. Which they have! I've been juggling my projects for school, my portfolio, applying for jobs, and preparing for this "Industry Night" I have on my last day of school where a bunch of professionals are invited to come check out the graduating seniors. SCARY!!! Then there's a babysitting job there, a graphic design job here just for some cash-flow, and wedding details try and sneak in every once in a while. So a little busy.... but hopefully things will simmer down in a couple of weeks.

So, as I just said, I've starting applying for full time jobs. It's been nerve racking...I'm sure anyone who's had to go through this can relate to how much job searches sucks! I'll think I'll save my rant about that for the next blog post. Thanks for checkin in with me! I'll be posting again soon. And if anyone is curious about whats in my portfolio you can check outwww.karinhenley.com. :)

2 Crowns

Praise Report!

Matthew 6:31-33

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.

I cant even begin to count the number of prayers God has answered for Jordan and I over this past month. Before Jordan and I got engaged we thought that a wedding and a life together was very physically, financial, and mentally impossible. With a 7 month time frame, me as a full time student, graduation, applying a finding a full time job.... throwing wedding planning and finding a home with Jordan in the mix didn't sound smart. I couldn't understand how that was going to be accomplished when there were so many unknowns about my future. But, with the green light from God, we told Him since this is where you're leading us...provide for us.

We've only been engaged for almost 2 months and I can tell you my wedding is 85% planned. God has provided amazing ways for us to save money, the best friends in the world to help us, a cheaper place for Jordan to live to save money and a pay raise at his job, school for me has been a breeze, the homework has been easy, an amazing affordable honeymoon has been booked, and the best thing about God is he always throws in a little extra surprise to say I LOVE YOU!

So Praise God for all the answered prayers! And thank you friends and family who have been praying for Jordan and I. :) The last things on our list is for me to find my dream job and for us to find our home!

GOD IS GOOD!

Type as Illustration

Just a few of my favorite projects from my Type as Illustration Class this semester.

We're Getting Married!

No Sluggard Here!

Proverbs 6:6-11

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Who would of thought that the last week of my winter break was going to be the busiest. God really convicted me with that verse this week. I've got a lot to prepare for this semester and after that it's the real world. So what better verse to remember as I wake up and tackle each day. Graphic design work has not been slow at all, I've been busy do that and serving at Harvest. A HUGE new project has entered my list of things to do, and now I've got to concentrate on graduating in May and finding a job. That is my first priority right now. I'm praying that God leads me into the steps I need to take to find the right job. And as of right now, I have no clue where that is. My life needs fervent prayer and I'm asking all friends, family and fellow bloggers to pray with me.

South Beach

Psalm 139: (1-4) (13,14) (23,24)

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my laying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your words are wonderful, I know that full well.

Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

This was the first week I started the South Beach diet officially, I'm down 6lbs on day ! 1 more week to go in Phase 1. It's been tough, though. I'm constantly hungry, I have a headache, and at night I feel energy-less and I'm constantly being woken up my hunger pains. And all of that is because of the no sugar or carbs. Mom and I went shopping yesterday for a variety of food that I can eat. I've been mixing up my work out routines with P90x and running on the elliptical at the gym. So this next week should be a little easier with a menu to follow. But at least I'm seeing results! You can fallow my meal and exercise logs at Lose it!

My Opinion about Opinions

Romans 8:26-28

Likewise the Spirit helps in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.

An awesome promise and a huge encouragement for me. I often find myself at a loss for words when I pray. Sometimes it's hard to express what I'm feeling to God, or I don't know what to ask for exactly, or sometimes my words just don't feel good enough. It's nice to know we have someone on our sides praying for us when we can't. Someone who knows our hearts yet wants the will of God. And we can feel secure in knowing that whatever the outcome everything is going to work together for good... even if we don't see the outcome we want.

So, I don't want to be one of those bloggers who go on and on about what's wrong with the world, or about all the little meaningless things I do throughout my day. Cause, lets be honest, no one cares.... not even me. So purposeful posts are my goal here, and there will be streaks of having nothing to say. Plus, who is Karin Henley that she feels the world needs to know what my opinions are.

BUT!!!!!! I have one opinion that I do feel needs to be shared. And I promise it will be the only one I post. Even now, I'll try and be brief and to the point.

Topic: Christians being public about their strong political/ethical opinions.

What is our purpose here on earth, as Christians? I'll tell you, To go and make disciples of all nations...(Matthew 28:19), ...and whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) So how is it possible to accomplish those things if we are so vocal about controversial issues?

I've heard this example, so I'm going to use it. Say you're conservative and your neighbor is liberal and you have heated discussions about whose right and wrong. 1. You are most likely making your unsaved neighbor angry at you, ruining all chances you have of sharing the gospel with him. And 2., How is that bringing glory to God? God did not say go out into all the world and share your political opinions.

Now, I am in no way saying we shouldn't have opinions or be unaware of the current happenings. In fact, go ahead and watch all the Glenn Beck your heart desires. But be careful who you talk to about it, how much you're talking about it, and don't loose perspective on what you should be most passionate about...the message of the Gospel and the Love of Christ.

Yay for Redesign!

I've recently began doing some work for a new client. They are a small technology company that needs a little help with their designs, and by a little I mean a lot. :) Here is a good example of an ad that I helped them with.

BEFORE :(

AFTER :)

Casting your cares on Jesus

A couple nights ago I wrestled with anxiety all night and couldn't fall asleep. There were many things on my mind, all of them being about my past and my future. The night has a way of making everything seem more complicated and worse than it really it is causing anxiety and fear. (Obviously the work of the enemy since he does his best work in the darkness) So I don't think it is a coincidence that a few days later I came across this verse:

Psalm 25:22

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fail.

What does it mean to cast your cares on the Lord? We really need to know. If we understand, we can go through anything with peace in our hearts. Does it mean to offer up a prayer? Not necessarily. Many prayers have been prayed without a sense of peace. Praying does not guarantee internal rest. Our requests of God can be acts of anxiety rather than acts of faith. When we're stressed, our prayers often even accuse Him of not keeping His Word. There's more to casting cares than asking Him to help.

It makes no sense to cast our cares on God and then take them up again. When we trust Him without concerns, we ask Him to manage them. We actively watch, not ignorantly wait. We expectantly believe, not aggressively intervene. We act when He says to act and sit still when He says to sit. We obey His instructions cause we know He's in charge...and we are comfortable with that.

We can go to sleep at night knowing we can do nothing more effective than acknowledging His wisdom, power, love and Lordship. We can wake up without a single burden, because our burdens are on His shoulders.

Hermano pequeño de la mina

Phillipians 3:8

I count all things to be loss in view of surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.

Everything That I have been though, all that I am dealing with, has one purpose: That I may know the love of God and live in his more-than-adaquate Grace. I was born for an intimate relationship with Him. This is the purpose of my existence. And when I discover that, I experience real contentment.

Today is January 7th, my little brothers birthday. So I'm dedicating this post to him.

HAPPY 22ND BIRTHDAY ERIC!

There we are, so naive and innocent, without a clue of what God had in store for us. We had no idea we would move to New Mexico, live there for 6 years, then move back to Chicago, go through our family's trials, Dad being unemployed, Mom's illness, lung transplant, and recovery. No one knew that they were looking at a future designer and nurse. Especially since all we wanted to be were Power Rangers, and Ninja Turtles. It's so weird ... we were little kids, then we were teenagers (and I thought we were so cool), now we are in our 20's (whoa!). I'd kinda like to stop now... please...no older... I'm good, thanks. I wish! But here we are, on the brink of being full time adults. Look out world! The Henley kids are coming! Oh..yeah...and they've got God on their sides....

DEVOS, DECORATIONS, and DESIGN

Ephesians 1:4,5

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.

This verse tells me that our worth and purpose does not depend on what we have done, or what has been done to us or where we have been, even if we have been through hell and back. Our worth and purpose depend on God and God alone. His will, His calling, His choosing, His love.

I've decided to start each of my daily blogs with a tid-bit that I learned from my daily devotions. This way, if I haven't had my devotions yet I cant blog. Just a way of keeping myself accountable. (Hey whatever works right?)

I finished taking down the Christmas tree this morning. And its back to the Harvest Palos offices for some more designing. We are working on designing stuff for the ACTS: Unstoppable God series. I'm probably not allowed to preview too much ahead of time. But here is a book mark we were working on yesterday.

I figure a book mark is small enough not to give away too much, but give you a feel of the look of the series. So there it is, I think its pretty cool. Hope to get a lot more elements done today. Speaking of, its time for me to head out! Until tomorrow!

P.S. Dear Family and Friends who don't have Twitter or Facebook to get daily updates when I post a new entry. I have now added a option on the left of the screen that will allow you subscribe to my blog via email. That way an email will be sent right to your inbox when I post a new entry! :)

Oh the weather outide is ...FREAKING COLD!

Oh Chicago, how I enjoy your winters. I love walking down the street when the wind greets me by ripping my face off. I especially love the new look you give my car by generously dusting it with salt. I couldn't wish for a better place to spend this lovely season.

But seriously, I've been really enjoying my winter break. It started with all the Christmas hustle and bustle! We enjoyed an awesome Christmas eve service at Harvest Bible Chaple Palos and then back to my house for soups and gift exchanging. That same night, Jordan and I drove up to Wisconsin to spend Christmas with the Hueninks. The first half of the week was spent eating lots of good food and time with family and then from there we dove farther north to Silver Birch for New Years. We had good weather on Wednesday, but unfortunalty the weather got really warm and the snow started to turn into slush. Our cross country skiing plans did not turn out the way we wanted them to. Early New Years day we drove back to Chicago to make tamales with my family, the way we do every year. They turned out delicious!

So back to normal, I'm taking down the Christmas tree tomorrow... :( But as usual life starts to pick up speed. I have some designing on my plate this week. Some ads for a client, stuff that Harvest wants me to work on, some of my own, and probably more stuff from an author I work with. Busy Busy Busy. As long as it keeps me out of the cold :)

Hello 2011!

Tis the season for Resolutions! It would of been cool to start this blog on the 1st of January instead of the 3rd, but its close enough for me. The year 2011 is going to be an exciting and eventful year I CAN FEEL IT! First of all I have several resolutions laid out for myself that I would like to share with the world. SO LISTEN WORLD!!!! (or at least allow me to send these out into the virtual abyss) Resolution numero uno.... South Beach Diet and daily exercise! (cliche I know) BUT it will be the first diet I have ever committed to. So, part of my goal is not to turn into a cliche and give up before Valentines day just in time to eat all those chocolates from my secret admirers...JK! Numero dos!.... my spiritual wellness. I'm committing to spending more time with Jesus, continuing my prayer journal and I'm thinking about going through the entire bible in a year. We'll see. And finaly.... NO MORE FACEBOOK GAMES! I have given up the pointless and mind melting games that facebook is trying to take over the world with. No Mas!

Good bye 2010! It was a FULL year and I will always remember you! You were filled with smiles, tears, broken hearts, hard lessons learned, new beginnings, surprises, new love, and happiness.