Guess WOOOOO'S back?

April and the first two weeks of May left me crazy busy with coaching track! I have missed my blog interactions...and all of my free time! This weekend...I started new art projects, AND I eagerly await June for more time in my studio!

So...what has God been teaching me the past few weeks...a lot about trust! We are taking many pay cuts next year...as are most people around the globe! I continue to tell God, "I know you will provide!" He continues to teach me about budgets...I am paying off all debt...the goal is to be able to give at any time to wherever God calls me to serve. I know this is His desire. He is also teaching me about contentment and true joy! As a rich culture, here in the United States, we often take for granted the beauty all around us...the simple day-to-day treasures that God places before us. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the mundane and ordinary life. I want to live an extraordinary life...and...I want to start today!

I have been reminded three different times today to be thankful and joyful for all things. So...as I write tonight, I've decided to blog "40 days of thankfulness".

I hope you will join me on my journey!

Day 1: I'm thankful for God's word!

"Be joyful always; pray continually; and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

From my heart to yours,
Lara

The first day of spring?

I LOVE snow! I can't wait for the first snow of the year, and I always pray for a white Christmas!

But I tell you, the first day of spring I look forward to seeing glimpses of green and all of the little buds on the trees. This 7-10 inches of snow is crazy!

So, as I sit here pondering the "white stuff", I have been awed by its beauty. Last week was a rough one. We are going through budget cuts, letting go teachers, canceling activities for next year, reassigning curriculum, and a lot of other junk. So, the snow is a reminder that every day is new. Everyday is a fresh start. 24 hours to make a difference, live, laugh, and enjoy this great life God has given us. It is only through Him I get this opportunity! "Wash me and I will be whiter than snow...create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:7,10 This "white stuff" is a beautiful reminder that in Christ I am a new creature...every day...the old has gone and the new has come. 2 Cor 5:17

So, stay warm. Watch some basketball. Build yourself a fire...it may be the last one for the year! Enjoy the blessing and remember today is a new day, a fresh start, and a reminder that through Christ we all are as pure and beautiful as the first snow.

From my heart to yours-
Lara

Oh! My Beanpot!

Wednesday is family night! We love to have dinner together. Tonight...I cooked. I made a roasted turkey breast with new potatoes and carrots. It was delicious! ;)

I'm so thankful for my family. My daughter is such a blessing! She makes me laugh...EVERY day! She loves Jesus...she loves school...she is a great friend...she has a tender heart. I am so blessed. My mother and father are faithful to pray for me...always there to listen to my day...and after 38 years...they still LOVE to have me around...not to mention...they are the BEST grandparents! We are blessed.

"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children" Proverbs 17:6

Today...I celebrate family!

From my heart to yours-
Lara

Brother...Soldier...Hero

I am deeply moved to pray for my brother at this time. He returned home from his tour of duty in Iraq last week. My family and I are overwhelmed with God's goodness...for this was two weeks earlier than we had planned. I feel blessed and I praise God for His protection and grace over my brother. I am full of joy that he has returned to U.S. soil...with all of his limbs...alive!

I have so many thoughts as I sit down to type. But...I guess...most important...I want to thank him. I want to thank all of the soldiers...fighting for my freedom. I know I could not change places with them. (I don't even shoot a cap gun!) Truly...each one has put his/her life on the line for us...EVERY day. I don't really even believe America knows the sacrifice that is being made.

So...today...if you are reading this...say a prayer. For all of the soldiers that are serving our country. Say a prayer for the families left behind...and for the soldiers as they return home...to what should be normal...

Psalm 46 has some great things to say about war...when it is time...
"He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth...Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 46:9a,10

I am comforted to know that He hears my prayers...and in His time...He answers! I look forward to HOME! Our final resting place without war, without death, and without any evil in this world! Until that time...

From my heart to yours-
Lara

A Night of Creating...and Girlfriends!

Girlfriends!

The ladies would probably kill me if a picture of them appeared on this blog...so they are stuffed in the middle of my supplies for the evening and some of the charms that were created! I'm so blessed with friends and a mother that would come to help me crystal a BIG order...or Bedazzle as one of my girlfriends MUST refer to it! ;)

We had a great evening! The girls helped SO much! We've been looking forward to this night all week. Good food, great conversation, and much laughter! Now...I've just got to put the finishing touches on things and ship them out! ;)

Ah...girlfriends! We work together, we are in a prayer group together, we attend church together, we laugh together, we serve together, and we encourage one another!
Sisters in Christ...AND one day...we will sit at Jesus' feet together.

Acts 2 talks about the first church..."All of the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Everyday they continues to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and they ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:44-47

This IS the life I want. It is one I have shied away from for years...fear of rejection or being hurt...but lately...I've been praying for God to change my heart and open my home to friends, family, and neighbors for Him. I see him answering...and my heart is full of joy!

From my heart to yours-
Lara

10 Years...it just doesn't seem possible!

10 years old!

When I sit back and reflect today...I cannot believe that the BEST ten years of my life have just flown by.

I'm not sure I really lived much before Cassie was born. My life became a whirlwind the year I became pregnant...and was turned up-side-down very quickly after she came! Looking back today...my daughter truly is the reason for so much of my growth the past 10 years.

The first two years of her life...she motivated me to stay alive...to breathe in and out...to make it through death of friends, divorce, and other family struggles. Being a mother is hard enough...but doing it all alone...was never something I would have signed up for!

The next three years...she made me laugh...a lot of the time I wanted to cry. But through those years...I was coming closer to God than I had ever been before. It was a good place to be...and for the first time in my life...I was becoming the woman God had created me to be.

When Cassie entered kindergarten...my dreams of having my own business were born. Cassie once again was the prompt of this...she wanted me to make something for her teacher for Christmas...BUT not just anything...a jumper...with the alphabet appliqued along the bottom. It was beautiful! I've never seen my daughter so proud! This was how Classic Inspirations began!

The last four years have been filled with so many "mommy and Cassie" moments. She is such a delight and brings so much joy to my life! I cannot imagine life without her. God truly gave me the best gift...10 years ago today...in my daughter!

Today, I am reminded of the song..."In my Daughter's Eyes". I am a hero...to one little girl. Many days...I do not deserve this title. BUT...I know she loves me more than I could ever know. When I look in her eyes and I feel her embrace...I get just a tiny glimpse of how our Father loves us. I cannot even grasp this...my mind is too small to comprehend His love for us...but I am grateful!

Celebrate with me today...the love of our Father!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

"I have not greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
3 John 1:4

Read Ephesian 3:14-21 today. I pray that you will get a glimpse of our Great Heavenly Father today!

From my heart to yours-
Lara

Crazy Love

If you have not read this book...go get a copy! It is a life changer! I am only on Chapter 4...but it is AWESOME! It isn't one of those fast reads...it is one of those slow...ponder the words...reflect on life...kind of books! Those are the best kind in my opinion. I love the ones that make me question my purpose...my life...my values...and leave me wanting more of God!

Sometimes I beat myself up about not waking EVERY morning to read my Bible...I struggle with the morning time and quiet...waking up and not hitting the snooze...for just a few more minutes before the crazy day begins...

Today...I am reflecting on this...

Jesus did NOT command that we have a regular time with him each day...He said,

"love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Matthew 22:36-38

I LOVE this! It is so freeing...God's grace. I look at this...and I am reminded how much God loves me! He is so good!

From my heart to yours-
Lara

February 24, 2010

Do you ever sit back and think..."I'm so small in this BIG world...do I even matter...do I make a difference?"

God said in Jeremiah 1:5... "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

To sit and ponder this...AMAZES me! God knew me BEFORE I was ever born...He has set all of my days before me...He knows everyone I will encounter...He knows every day how I will act...He knows all that He has planned for my life! AND...He knows my heart! WOW! I love this!

From your heart to mine-
Lara

February 22, 2010

Knitting! She LOVES it!

She has done a great job! I am so proud of her! Knitting can be tough! She wants to make a scarf...like the new design I created this winter! So...we are starting out small...we will work up to the scarf!

Isn't it fun to teach your children new things? Today...with our snow day...we slept in...knit...ate lunch...did some Bible study...and just relaxed! It was wonderful! ;)

Last night Cassie was saying her prayers...She ended by praying, "Father, please let there be a snow day tomorrow. I'm not ready for the school week to start. Please! Please! Please!" When she woke up this morning...she looked at me and said, "Yes! He heard my prayers!" She makes me laugh! ;)

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

He is a gracious God! Now...let's see what we can do about a heat wave...track starts one week from today! Brrrrr!

From my heart to yours-
Lara

February 21, 2010

UGH! I'm tired of this snow...sleet...and rain mix! I am ready for spring! It will be March 1st in just one short week...and it is snowing AGAIN! ;(


S0...what makes me happy on one of these yucky days???? My daughter dragging me out of the house to Corner Cafe to get biscuits and gravy! Oh...if you have not yet tasted this experience...go...tomorrow...before 11 AM! You will not be disappointed!

Now...we are home...snuggled in...knitting...yep...taught my daughter how to knit yesterday! Pictures tomorrow! She's doing well! ;) I love how the Bible talks about passing things on to the next generation...I love to pass on some of my handwork and other creative adventures to my daughter...we have a lot of fun together! I also love to talk with her about Jesus...all that he has blessed us with in this life. The Bible says..."be careful and watch yourselves closely, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Deuteronomy 4:9

From my heart to yours-
Lara

February 20, 2010

I cannot believe I have not posted since Tuesday! I've been so busy. This weekend I have been getting ready for a big sale in my studio. I tell you...I really am looking to get rid of some of my overstock...but I am frustrated. I don't know how to go about it. So...this was an attempt...I may bundle all my stuff and try to sell it on eBay or Craig's list! If you are a scrapper...or beader...looking for extras to sell...let me know! ;)

I love my studio! God has truly blessed me with so much! I am so excited about all of the opportunities He is giving me! I think I'm going to have some girlfriends over to chat and play...I haven't done that since the opening of my studio...there are always excuses...too messy...nowhere to play...since it is clean...I think I'll schedule a "play date"!

Today I hope to have a BIG day...but it is all in God's hands! He tells us in Philippians 4..."to rejoice in him always...to be anxious for nothing and in all things..by prayer and thanksgiving...present your requests to him." Today...I'm doing just that! 1 Cor 10:31 says, "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." WOW! That is so huge! I want to live like that...don't you?

From my heart to yours-
Lara

February 16, 2010

Today...I must pause to remember Haiti. These are two different pictures taken during my mission trip 2 years ago. The cross was one of the most beautiful places in this country. This picture is a reminder that Christ is there...watching over the city. He is grieving for all of the children and families without shelter and food.

It says in James 1:27 "...look after orphans and widows in their distress..."

The picture to the right is of all the children in the school I taught at for a week. On this particular day...school let out early...all of the children came to the water's edge to see a boy who had given his life to Christ. It was one of the most amazing times of worship that I have ever experienced. When the boy came up out of the water the entire school cheered and sang praise to Jesus! It was beautiful! One of those moments that you get a tiny glimpse of Heaven on earth.

Please pray for all of my friends...Hatians and missionsaries in Haiti today!

From my heart to yours-
Lara

February 15, 2010

I LOVE cookie cake...but I love it even better when I make it heart shaped...and it is for my daughter! I don't really like Valentine's Day...but this year...I celebrated Jesus' love! This alone made the holiday worth celebrating! I DO LOVE chocolate...so this week...I'll be previewing all of the wonderful gifts my father gave me! Oh...they are good! ;)

Until tomorrow...dwell on the greatest love ever given to you...Jesus! "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only son, that whoever should believe in him may have eternal life!" John 3:16

Is there anything better than this?

From my heart to yours-
Lara

February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day!

Mom and I had a wonderful time at MU yesterday! We found a little coffee shop there...and we both had the most wonderful lattes. Mom drank a "love note" and I drank the "kiss and tell" both were wonderful! Mine tasted like a chocolate covered strawberry...my favorite! ; The picture above is of the latte art. So...the drink was not only wonderful to savor...but beautiful! See...all things created for our pleasure...are beautiful! ;)

I hope that today you feel the love of God in your heart and see his true beauty! Remember that all things were created by Him and for him...this include you! Colossians 1:16

From my heart to yours!

Lara

So...I went to bed thinking about is this blog...why do I want to write this everyday...and this morning...it came to me...I want to inspire you to LIVE life with:

LOVE, HOPE, LAUGHTER, PRAISE, and BEAUTY

Is there anything else we look forward to everyday? It is when we surround ourselves with these things...that we recognize the LIFE we have and all of the blessings we enjoy! This is the reason Jesus came..."I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

So...let's start celebrating! Yesterday I received my Beanpot in the mail! ;) If you do not know what a beanpot is...you've got to check out one of these parties...REALLY! It is a crock pot...but better! Look how pretty it is! No cords, easy clean-up, holds up to 4 qt, AND it also will keep food cold for up to 4 hours! It is an amazing little pot! You may see a few of my recipes...if you visit me from time to time!

Well...I am off this morning to Columbia, MO. I have created a new line of MU charms...going to talk to a few shops and catch up with a friend from high school...that seems crazy! I haven't been in high school for...well...a long time! ;0

From my heart to yours,

Lara