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