A Life That Says Welcome: Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others

Karen Ehman has been described as profoundly practical, engagingly funny, and downright real. Her passion is to provide women with creative tools and doable ideas to help them both simplify life and glorify God. She is the director of the Proverbs 31 Ministries national speaking team and the author of five books. You can find her blogging at www.karenehman.com.

"Karen Ehman's book A Life That Says Welcome is full of practical wisdom and ideas that can make your life more enjoyable and your home a more loving place to be. She believes in opening her heart, and her book shows us many ways we can learn to do the same--not only to strangers (fairly easy), but also to family and friends (usually a bit more difficult). The arts of hospitality and of keeping a home are benefits you'll gain from her book. I heartily recommend it."
--Jeff Campbell, author of Speed Cleaning, Clutter Control and Spring Cleaning

From recipes to centerpieces to creative cleaning, Karen shows you how to have "fun" as a family while learning to care for others."
--Susan Alexander Yates, author of And Then I Had Teenagers

"This book should be read by everyone who wants to sprinkle more joy in their life and home. Though I am no Betty Crocker, I feel inspired to grab my spatula and whip up some homemade hospitality for family and friends alike. Thank you Karen for giving us this inspirational book that should be on every woman's bookshelf!"
--Lysa TerKeurst, author, speaker, president of Proverbs 31 Ministries

"Karen's book offers a good background in hospitality and today's form of entertaining as well as excellent ideas on how to put theory into practice."
--Emilie Barnes, author, speaker, Founder of More Hours in My Day

"Karen has provided us with yet another gem! With her usual warm candor, she has opened her life to us, showing all of us how to easily apply hospitality in our every day lives. Everyone will be better for reading this book."
--Jonni McCoy, Miserly Moms

"Reading a book by Karen Ehman is like sitting down and sharing a cup of tea with a girlfriend. She's honest, practical, and always has a great sense of humor. If you've struggled to know how to extend hospitality in the midst of raising a family, Karen's practical strategies will help you open your heart and your home to whoever God sends your way!"
--Jill Savage, mother of 5, Executive Director of Hearts at Home

Karen Ehman is a graduate of Spring Arbor University with a B.A. in social science. She has been married for twenty years to Todd and is the homeschooling mother of three children. She is the former editor of A Mother's Mission Newsletter and a freelance writer and contributor to the Proverbs 31 Newsletter and the Hearts at Home magazine, a ministry for which she also teaches workshops and is the director of drama. A sought-after speaker for women's events, conferences, and retreats, she is also the creator of the Hearts at Home Mom's Planner, an organizational tool designed specifically for the purpose of helping mothers organize their personal, family, and devotional life. She has been a guest on national television and radio programs including At Home Live, Engaging Women, The Harvest School, Moody Midday Connection, and Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family. She recently bagan her own weekly radio spot entitled The Keep It Simple Woman heard on WCIC FM in Peoria, Illinois. Before motherhood, Karen was a teacher and cheerleading coach. Though hopelessly craft challenged, she enjoys baking and cooking and has won several blue ribbon rosettes at various county fairs for her cookies, cakes, pies, and breads. This is her third book.

Great hospitality isn't about gourmet food or gorgeous décor (what a relief!) When it comes to hospitality it doesn't matter what size your house is, how it's decorated, whether or not it's spotless, or what you cook or don't cook. The secret to making guests feel comfortable is more about the condition of your heart than the condition of your home.

A Life That Says Welcome helps you make others feel refreshed, rather than impressed, in your presence. It's packed with inspiring tips on how to

decorate well on a budget

make the most of your space (no matter how small)

be prepared for unexpected company

create delicious, simple dishes your guests will enjoy

You'll be encouraged to not only open your home but to open your life as an avenue for God's love everywhere you go.