Wednesday Words for Your Heart

 

Hi girlfriend!  How are you today?  Let's have a cup of coffee and talk...

 

Today's theme for "coffee for your heart" is:

 

No matter what happens, you are going to be OK...

 

Do you believe this?

 

I don't know your personal history...I imagine you have gone through something in your life...only because I haven't met a woman yet that hasn't!

 

divorce

anxiety

child abuse

 rape

 bankruptcy

loss of a child

laziness

 losing a job

fear

 having an abortion

judging others falsely

 having an affair

loss of a parent

 over eating

jealousy

 anorexia

bullying

 drug addiction

envy

depression

 

Have I covered it yet?  I can put a check mark by many items on this list...and have cried out to God...will I be OK?  Will I get through this time in my life?

 

The answer, my dear friend, is YES!  You will get through this...and you will be OK.  In fact, you will be more than OK.  If you cling to His promises, and you Seek His face, He will give you the desires of your heart!  He alone has the Power to change your situation, and equip you to climb the mountain you are facing!  Let's look at what He has to say...

 

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

 

In this world there will be trouble...but take heart...He has overcome the world!

 

1 Corinthians 2:9

“No eye has seen,
    no ear has heard,
no human mind has conceived
    the things God has prepared for those who love him"—

 

Where ever you are, what ever you are facing...You will be OK. 

Cling to His promises!

 

Have a blessed week!

 

xo-

Lara

 

 

 

 

At the Cross

 

2 Corinthians 5: 7, 9-10

 

For we live by faith, not by sight.

We make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

 

 

When we walk by faith, we should not fear change.  The Lord is making us new each day.  It is easy to make an idol out of routine, finding security within the boundaries you build around your life.  However, each day presents a unique set of circumstances.  Open your eyes to the wonderful opportunities around you today to serve someone you do not know, to listen to someone who is hurting, to encourage someone to greatness, or visit someone who is longing to be loved.

 

 Make today a day full of jewels for you Heavenly crown!

 

God Bless-

 

xo- 

Lara

 

Saturday Sneak Peeks

 

Spent the afternoon making these!

 

 

Spent the evening with my Valentine!

 

 

Relaxed into the night doing a little of this!

 

Hope you had a wonderful Saturday!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

#29Faces - February (Week 2)

 

 

 

 

1st attempt at watercolor pencils.

 

 

My second attempt.

 

VERY Julie Fei-Fan Balzer inspired!  I LOVE her work!

 

 

Always making tags to sew into the journals I sell. 

 

This has been a REALLY fun challenge for me!

 

I have tried many different mediums.  You can see, I even tried watercolors!  I need A LOT more practice...but this blog is about my process...so I'm posting the two watercolor faces...hoping that next year at this time...I will be able to post some incredible watercolor girls! 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

Painted Art Journal Pages

My first painted art journal!

 

 

 

Usually when I make an art journal...I leave the pages white.

 

After watching Teesha Moore art journal...I wanted my pages to be colored with paint to start the art journaling process!  I LOVE that I can easily add stencils, words, paper...to an already colored background!

 

Ahhhhhhh!  New journal LOVE!

 

First, I painted large sheets of water color paper on both sides!

 

 

Then, I cut the large sheets in half and folded.

 

 

When the pages are all layered together...it makes some awesome color variation!

 

 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

 

 

At the Cross

 

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

 

Each morning when we wake, we really are just beginning our journey with Christ.  It is not always an easy road, but it is a delightful and privileged way: a treasure hunt.  He is the Treasure, and the Glory of His Presence glistens and shimmers along the way!  Even in the Hardships...He is with us.  He sprinkles them ever so carefully throughout the journey, in just the right dosage, with a tenderness you cannot fathom.  Do not recoil from these afflictions, for they are some of His most treasured gifts!  For it is during such times, that we must depend on Him the most.

 

Have a blessed week!

 

xo-

Lara

Saturday Sneak Peeks

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

#29 Faces - February (Week 1)

 

Face 1 - a sketch in my face journal.

 

 

Face 2 - another sketch in my face journal.

 

 

Day 3 - Another sketch.  I'm feeling a bit more confident. You can see my lines are getting a little darker.  I'm still nervous to use anything besides a pencil at this point!

 

 

Day 4 - We had a snow day!  I decided to just go for it!  I tried collage...for the first time.  I like the way she turned out, however, I will do a few things differently next time!

 

 

Day 5 - Another snow day!  I got REALLY brave!  I actually painted this in my art journal.  It was VERY out of the box for me!  I learned A LOT...about spacing and drawing a rough sketch...before painting...I'm learning to blend...BUT I need a lot more practice. 

 

 

Day 6 - Back to a sketch today!

 

 

Day 7 - My first attempt at a Teesha Moore style collage!  This piece is named after my daughter's best friend!

 

Well...there you have it!  7 of my 29 faces!  I tried a lot of new techniques this week and I am feeling more confident in my sketches...so it has been a productive week in the studio!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

 

 

 

 

Project Life Journal cards

 

I started making my own journal cards for Project Life. 

 

I LOVE that I can make an art piece...then sew a blank card on the back for some journaling.

 

I LOVE the size...3 x 4.  I have also been making some ATCs.  BUT...I feel like the ATC size is a little too small...AND...they don't fit in my Project Life book.

 

So...I make several at a time.  Then...when I need to write "thank you" notes or send some "Happy Mail" I have a few extras to gift to others!

 

This group of cards went to all of the ladies who went out to dinner last Friday! 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

Mail Art Opportunity

 

An artist I follow on Instagram posted this last week. 

 

I thought it would be fun to post on my blog!

 

I started sending "Happy Mail" to a few ladies that are participating in The Documented Life Project, The Daniel Plan, and weekly activities with me here in Kansas City! I LOVE to make little cards and ephemera packages that bring a smile to your face!  So...send me a message or comment below...I'd love to surprise you this year!

 

Also, if you would be interested in a "Happy Mail" exchange...leave me a comment!

 

Have a SUPER day!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

At the Cross

 

Colossians 3:23-24

 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

 

Super Bowl Sunday

A day when almost every living room in the United States is filled with people watching two teams fight it out for the coveted prize...a super bowl ring!  This ring represents so much in this world.  It means fame, prestige, honor, and a champion.  You are the best of the best...for one year.  It is just like the World Series, Wimbledon, the green jacket at the Masters, and so many other prizes created to mark a champion here on earth!  

BUT...we are called to more than that.  We are called to a Heavenly standard!  We are called to run after things of eternal value!  So, as you work to win the prize this week...your monthly bonus, the summer sales trip, 4.0 in school, the next endorsement of your art work...run at it with Jesus in the center!  He will direct your path and give you the desires of your heart.  Make this week a week that reflects an eternal perspective!

 

God Bless...and have fun watching the commercials today!  

 

xo-

Lara