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