Birthdays!

I love birthdays! There is so much joy in celebrating a new year! What does God have planned for the $$th year of my life? (Age hidden...to keep my friend ageless)

God says true life begins at our rebirth...John 3:3-21.
v.5-8
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

The best birthday is the day you trust Jesus as your Savior, Everlasting Father, Counselor, Mighty King, Brother, Shepherd, Master, Prince of Peace and Friend. This is the day you enter into eternity...the day your life begins. On this day, you start storing up treasure for eternity.

One of my favorite things to talk about with Lori is what lasts into eternity. When this conversation starts...perspective changes. Try it..."in light of eternity" what does it matter how many hits your son/daughter had in the game? "In light of eternity" what does it matter if the bathroom got cleaned on Saturday if your little girl wanted to snuggle on the couch? See...life is all about perspective. From God's perspective...life begins on our Spiritual Birthday...the day we accept His Son as our Savior...and lasts into eternity.

Let's celebrate! Today, I am thankful for Lori, birthdays, and a Savior who ran after me and saved my soul!

In Him-
Lara

My Students!

This is a picture of my "thank you" notes for my Christmas presents. I have been so blessed the past several years with students that I absolutely adore! Today I am remind of this and am thankful for the lives God has entrusted to me in my classroom.

I want to be a teacher that challenges her students to work for something...to have a sense of pride in the accomplishment of my class. BUT...I also want my students to know how much I love them and care about their success...not just in my classroom, but in life! I've never taught for just my year. I've always taught with the next four years, high school, in mind. I want my students to excel in high school...with a foundation that is strong!

Isaiah 1:17 says, "Learn to do right"...
Proverbs 1:5 says, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance".
Proverbs 3:1-2 says, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life for many years and bring you prosperity".

These three verses are reminders for me...just as my students are reminders for me. I am learning to listen...to appreciate my students...to be thankful for the blessings God gives me through my classroom. I pray, my students will also take these things to heart and celebrate the abundant life today.

In Him-
Lara

Friends!

Today, I am thankful for 6 awesome women! These women walked through one of the most difficult times of my life with me...and still today...ask how I'm doing, support my walk with Christ, and love me just for who I am...scars and all! Thank you so much for your wonderful friendship and love. I would not be who I am today without any of you!

I've walked this life alone a lot. BUT...in the past 5 years God has shown me true friendship! Thank you for touching my life. Kristie...you are an amazing lady. I love you as if your were my own sister. Laura...I never thought I would receive such an amazing gift as a teacher. You have touched my life more than you will ever know this side of Heaven. Mindy...thank you...for always being there. You don't know how much your listening ear means. Lori...You are a blessing EVERY day. The little things have added up to a million already! Thank you for checking on me EACH day! Debbie...thank you for walking through the worst day of my life...and loving me still. Joyce...I am so thankful that God led me to First. You have encouraged me, prayed for me, and called to check in when I seemed to check out.

Ladies...you have brought hope to me...you are a true definition of friendship!

The wisest man to ever live(besides Jesus of course), said it best in
Proverbs 18:24
"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

In Him-
Lara

Joy! Joy! Joy!

Never in all my life did I think being a mother would bring me so much joy! I am so thankful for this little girl! She makes me smile...EVERY DAY!

The BEST part about it all...she knows Jesus...AND loves to tell others about Him!

In Matthew 19, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." I LOVE that!

In Him-
Lara

Ahhhh! A good fire!

One of my all time favorite things...the winter comes...the temperature drops...the fires begin! There is nothing better than to curl up with a good book, a great cup of coffee, and my little girl by my side!

God is faithful in the little things of life!

In Psalm 19, David writes:
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.

This is the warmth a good fire produces in the cold seasons of life! Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!

In Him-
Lara

Ahhhhh! 2011!

I found this calendar a month ago and fell in love! Isn't this just the cutest way to bring in the New Year?

2010 was a year of battle for me. Too much to type and really, the words would not do it justice. I'm thankful for new beginnings! We serve a mighty God!

I pray that 2011 brings a fresh start full of many blessings!

Isaiah 43:18-19 says it best: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wastland.

Here's to 2011! Today I am thankful for new beginnings!

In Him-
Lara

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