"Little by little, one walks far." This ancient Peruvian proverb is more than a gracious turn of phrase, it describes the life and witness of Karen Nance, the first recipient of Celebrating Home's "Heroes Among Us" Award.
It Just a Part-Time Gig...
At 21, like many a young mom, Karen was longing to swap her three-day work week as an insurance agency secretary for a job that'd let her work from home on a flex schedule so she could spend more time with her nine month-old baby and her husband, Larry. On a lark, one night she went to a Celebrating Home party at her sister's house and left thinking, "Maybe I could do this, too." To test the waters, she hosted one party during which her mother-in-law (in whose home they'd gathered) confided "Karen, you can do this!" So Karen committed to giving Celebrating Home a go part-time but, within a year, jumped in with both feet. Now thirty one years later, this El Reno, Oklahoma, designer manages a thriving business that allows her to make homes more beautiful and inviting while ministering to others in ways that continue to surprise her.
It Was Just One Little Prayer Meeting...
Karen started a prayer group called "Moms in Touch." Every week, 5-8 prayer warriors gather to pray for their families, special needs they've heard about and for our nation. Although small in number, this group is big in dedication. Their first meeting led to a second, then a third... and now "Moms in Touch" has been meeting for 17 years. And they meet at 5:30am, a time so daunting that Karen quips "Only God could get me up that early!"
It Was Just One Dream...
One night, the wife of Karen's minister had a dream about a small town in Africa which she couldn't get off her mind. So she enlisted Karen to help her research whether the town even existed. Not only did it but Karen and her friend learned of a need so great there that it led to the church creating "The Beautiful Dream Society," a charity that helps to free women in this African town from human trafficking. Karen helps with fundraising efforts and says that the charity is already making a difference in the lives of suffering women who live halfway around the world.
It Was Just One Bean Pot...
Karen learned that the husband of one of her customers had been diagnosed with cancer. She responded not only with supportive words but with her home-made peach cobbler (his favorite dessert) which she baked in her trusty bean pot and delivered to their front door for the whole family to enjoy. "Thanks to Celebrating Home, I can bless others," says Karen. "This job is truly more than just selling things — it's about loving and touching lives."