Seven Minutes #3

 Forty years 

Our fortieth anniversary

Seven minutes starts now!

Forty years. Together forever no matter what. We've had a lot of no matter what since we married in 1986. A lot of no matter what! We've had financial difficulties since day one. We've dealt with a lot of baggage that we both came into the marriage with resulting from less than ideal childhoods. We were relatively new Christians. We were selfish. We had different ideas on a lot of things. We still do. The fights aren't so do or die now. We don't really fight anymore. It's more likely to be a piddle fight here or there. Those are the little tiffs one has about insignificant things... and of course, tone of voice. ~wink~

Why are we still together? Quite simply, we made a vow to each other and to God. We also agreed, during a terrible time during the beginning of our marriage that we would never say the "d" word. If you never use the word, you don't irreparably damage trust and the relationship. We've known that it was the two of us together no matter what. We've known that separation would just make things harder. We've learned to love each other for who we are and not who we want the other to be or even thought the other was when we married. I've learned that to be married to a dreamer i.e. entrepreneur means that I'm here to hold on for the ride. I've learned to trust in God when I didn't trust the plans my husband made. I'm sure he's done the same with me. 

I've learned that in the hardest, most vulnerable times of my life, both God and Lowell are here for me. Pneumonia, childlessness, four c-sections, many hospitalizations, near death pancreatitis, and cancer among other things brought out the protector and provider in my husband. He always rises to the call. May I do so for him if ever he needs it. 

Time's up. 

Happy fortieth anniversary to my high school sweetheart and one and only husband, Lowell. 

Today at the Bentonville, Arkansas square.

I LOVE YOU MONTH... My Grandson

 

A Storybook Christmas*

    Oh me oh my! 

So many friends told me, "Just wait 'til you have grandkids. 

They're the best." 

Well, my friends were right!

    My grandson is the source of so much joy! Gibby is the name I use for my grandson on my blog. Gibby is short for grandbaby. I want to keep his little face and name private as do Mommy and Daddy.

    He's 2 1/2 now. He's so much fun to be with. We play cars most of all. Boppop (his name for grandpa) has his old Hot Wheels. We play with them on the coffee table for long stretches. He likes to feed the birds, blow bubbles, and play outside. We also have blocks, spools, Don't Spill the Beans, and dominoes. We don't play the games the right way, but who cares? I got out the dominoes a few weeks ago. He handed one to me, and picked one up himself. He put it to his ear and talked into it like a phone. Oh the times we live in! By the time we finished playing, he was calling me and saying, "Hi Gammy!" I finally had a name! There's nothing sweeter!

    He's going to come for a sleep over Saturday evening so Mommy and Daddy can go to a movie and dinner. Boppop and Gammy are going to have lots of fun, but we'll sleep well!

    Thank you, Jesus, that you allowed me to live long enough to enjoy my grandson. Life is an incredible gift that I don't take for granted. Thank you for healing me from cancer, Jesus, my LORD and savior!

I LOVE MY GRANDSON! 

and...

JESUS

MOMMA

LOWELL 

MY KIDS 

MY GRANDSON

   

*AI generated from a photo

I LOVE YOU MONTH! I Love My Kids!

 

This is a very old photo from long ago!

    I am a very blessed woman in so many ways. God gave me and my husband four babies to love and raise the best we could for Him. We did the best we could. 

    

    I had the privilege of homeschooling them all. It was fun. It was hard. It was wonderful. I wouldn't change those years for anything.

    They're all grown up. The little one, Amy, has a toddler of her own. The others have all flown the nest as well. They all live within an hour of our hometown. I'm so thankful for that. I love it when we can all be together. 

    I thank God for each one of them. I pray for each one of them, for my son-in-love, and for my grandson.

I LOVE MY KIDS! 

and...

JESUS

MOMMA

LOWELL 

MY KIDS

   

I LOVE YOU MONTH! I LOVE MY HUSBAND!

 

I love my Lowell.

He's been my Lowell since November 23, 1981.

That's when he asked me to go steady with him.

That boy had no idea what he was asking!

I had no idea what yes meant!

It's been quite a wild and curving ride together.

~ ♥♥♥~

True committed love always... 

even through 

4 years going steady,

1 year of engagement, 

39 years of marriage,

26 jobs, 
4 businesses,

14 deaths, 

4 children, 

26 years of homeschooling, 

19 chickens, 

4 cats, 

3 dogs, 

1 goat, 

11 churches, 

9 homes, 

17 surgeries, 

cancer, 

chemo, 

radiation,

and a knee replacement.

Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Lane 

until death parts us. 

THIS is marriage...

never wondering if you will face tomorrow alone...

until one of you steps into eternity.

I LOVE YOU LOWELL! 

Thank you!

Love,

Laura

HAPPY I LOVE YOU MONTH!

JESUS

MOMMA

LOWELL

I LOVE MY MOM... and I Miss Her, Too!

Barbara Kay
Ramsbottom Conklin Hall
1947-1999
May her name be blessed forever!

I was blessed to have a young mother. She and Dad married when she was sixteen, and I came along just shy of a year later when she was seventeen. She was energetic and full of life and fun. In a way, we grew up together. ~smile~ She loved it when someone thought I was her little sister! She moved to Heaven many years ago. I look forward to our reunion. I really miss her and what might have been.

Do you have a loved one who's moved to Heaven? Isn't it a wonderful comfort knowing that if we both love Jesus and have accepted Him as our savior, that we can see each other again?

I believe that Jesus is coming back soon. We'll be caught up with Him, and there will be quite a reunion. Yes. I'm looking forward to that. If you're not absolutely sure that you've given your heart and your life to Jesus, and trusted Him for salvation, please don't wait. Click here to learn more.

Oh how I miss her. It's so good to know I'll see her again, and we'll sing praises and worship together. 

~ Music was a big part of my life because of my mom's love of music. She sang a lot! You saw how much music reminds me of her. She sang, she played music in the car, we watched musicals. We bought magazines that had the lyrics to the latest country songs and sat at the table and sang them together. Sometimes we'd record ourselves on a cassette tape player.

~ The song I was named after, Tell Laura I Love Her, always makes me cry. I was also named after the elderly lady, Lori Morrow, from whom my father rented a room in college. I called her Grandma Lori and her husband Grandpa Leland when I was little. Diane was from my mom's best friend in high school.

Jesus, please tell Momma I love her. Tell Momma I need her. Tell Momma not to cry.  I know her love for me will never die. Mine will not die for her. I know she's crying no tears in Heaven, but I've cried more than a few tears missing her these past 26 years. 

Barbara Kay Ramsbottom Conklin Hall may her name be blessed forever.

Thank you, Jesus, for my momma.
Amen.


Note: My dad is James (Jim) Conklin, her first husband. The photo above is with my step-dad, her second husband, Richard (Rick) Hall. I love them both.

HAPPY I LOVE YOU MONTH!

JESUS

MOMMA

HAPPY I LOVE YOU MONTH!

 Happy I Love You Month!

What better thing to do this month than think about all the ones you love this month?

It's also a month to be thankful for the gifts the LORD has given us. 

The first I love you is 

Jesus.

I love Jesus for all the wonderful ways that he has blessed me. The first, of course, is saving me from the consequences of my sins. He is my LORD and savior. He saved me, and he made a way for me to be reconciled to God. He is so good in so many ways.

Do you know Jesus?

Do you love Jesus?

God bless you all!

Laura

Are You Facing Hard Times? A Story of Desperation and Hope: A Christmas Miracle on the Frontier

 

Hard times don't take a Christmas vacation.
Loss of a loved one, family strife, natural disasters, a frightening diagnosis, loneliness, and financial stress can all contribute to our hard times.

I know several people who really stretch their money to make ends meet. There's only so much elastic in a dollar bill you know. I've been testing that stretch capacity full-time for nearly forty years now.

Most likely you know someone who's struggling. Maybe it is you. Our families will be affected differently by these situations, but it will be a challenging season for all of us who are experiencing hard times.

Sometimes, in our desperation, we give up to despair.
Sometimes, in our desperation, we give in to God and
He takes over. He comes in and saves us... maybe not
from the circumstances...but always from the despair.

Give in and find hope, peace, love, healing, and provision.
God's arm is not too short. Nothing is impossible with God.

Please enjoy this story that I share each year....

A Christmas Miracle on the Frontier

     I remember a day one winter that stands out like a boulder in my life. The weather was unusually cold; our salary had not been regularly paid and it did not meet our needs when it was. My husband was away much of the time, traveling from one district to another. Our boys were well, but my little Ruth was ailing and at best none of us were decently clothed. I patched and re-patched, with spirits sinking to the lowest ebb. The water gave out in the well and the wind blew through the cracks in the floor.

     The people in the parish were kind, and generous too, but the settlement was new and each family was struggling for itself. Little by little, at the time I needed it most, my faith began to waver. Early in life I was taught to take God at His word, and I thought my lesson was well learned. I had lived upon the promises in dark times until I knew, as David did, who was my Fortress and my Deliverer. Now a daily prayer for forgiveness was all that I could offer.

     My husband’s overcoat was hardly thick enough for October, and he was often obliged to ride miles to attend some meeting or funeral.  Christmas was coming; the children always expected their presents. I remember the ice was thick and smooth and the boys were each craving a pair of skates. Ruth, in some unaccountable way, had taken a fancy that the dolls I had made were no longer suitable; she wanted a nice large one, and insisted on praying for it.

     I knew it was impossible, but, oh! how I wanted to give each child his present. It seemed as if God had deserted us. But I did not tell my husband all this. He worked so earnestly and heartily, I supposed him to be as hopeful as ever. I kept the sitting room cheerful with an open fire, and I tried to serve our scanty meals as invitingly as I could.

     That morning before Christmas, James was called to see a sick man. I put up a piece of bread for his lunch–it was the best I could do–wrapped my plaid shawl around his neck and then tried to whisper a promise as I often had, but the words died away upon my lips. I let him go without it.  That was a dark, hopeless day. I coaxed the children to bed early, for I could not bear their talk. When Ruth went, I listened for her prayer. She asked for the last time most explicitly for her doll and for skates for her brothers. Her bright face looked so lovely when she whispered to me, “You know I think they’ll be here early tomorrow morning, Mama” that I thought I could move Heaven and earth to save her from disappointment. I sat down alone and gave way to the most bitter tears.

     Before long James returned, chilled and exhausted. He drew off his boots. The thin stockings clipped off with them and his feet were red with cold. “I wouldn’t treat a dog that way; let alone a faithful servant,” I said. Then as I glanced up and saw the hard lines in his face and the look of despair, it flashed across me that James had let go too.

     I brought him a cup of tea, feeling sick and dizzy at the very thought. He took my hand and we sat for an hour without a word. I wanted to die and meet God and tell Him His promise wasn’t true–my soul was so full of rebellious despair.

     There came a sound of bells, a quick step and a loud knock at the door. James sprang to open it. There stood Deacon White. “A box came by express just before dark. I brought it around as soon as I could get away. Reckoned it might be for Christmas. ‘At any rate’ I said, ‘they shall have it tonight.’ Here is a turkey my wife asked me to fetch along and these other things I believe belong to you.” There were a basket of potatoes, and a bag of flour. Talking all the time, he hurried in the box and then with a hearty good night, he rode away.

     Still without speaking, James found a chisel and opened the box. He drew out first a thick red blanket and we saw that beneath it, the box was full of clothing. It seemed at that moment as if Christ fastened upon me a look of reproach. James sat down and covered his face with his hands. “I can’t touch them,” he explained. “I haven’t been true, just when God was trying me to see if I could hold out. Do you think I could not see how you were suffering? And I had no word of comfort to offer. I know now how to preach the awfulness of turning away from God.”

     “James,” I said, clinging to him, “don’t take it to heart like this. I am to blame. I ought to have helped you. We will ask Him together to forgive us.”  We poured out words of praise–Bible words, for nothing else could express our thanksgiving.  It was eleven o’ clock; the fire was low and there was the great box with nothing touched but the warm blanket we needed. We piled on some fresh logs, lighted two candles and began to examine our treasures.

     We drew out an overcoat. I made James try it on–just the right size–and I danced around him, for all my lightheartedness had returned. There was a cloak and he insisted on seeing me in it. My spirits always infected him and we both laughed like foolish children.

     There was a warm suit of clothes also and three pairs of woolen hose. There were a dress for me and yards of flannel, a pair of arctic overshoes for each of us and in mine a slip of paper. I have it now and mean to hand it down to my children. It was Jacob’s blessing to Asher: “Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days so shall thy strength be.”

     In the gloves, evidently for James, the same dear hand had written: “I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”  It was a wonderful box and packed with thoughtful care. There were a suit of clothes for each of the boys and a little red gown for Ruth. There were mittens, scarf, and hood, and down in the center–a box. We opened it and there was a great wax doll!! I burst into tears again and James wept with me for joy. It was too much! And then we both exclaimed again, for close behind it came two pairs of skates. There were books for us to read–some of them I had wished to see–stories for the children to read, aprons and underclothing, knots of ribbon, a gay little tidy, a lovely photograph, needles, buttons, and thread, a muff, and an envelope containing a ten dollar gold piece.

     At last we cried over everything we took up. It was past midnight and we were faint and exhausted even with happiness. I made a cup of tea, cut a fresh loaf of bread and James boiled some eggs. We drew up the table before the fire. How we enjoyed our supper! And then we sat talking over our life and how sure a help God always proved.

     You should have seen the children the next morning! The boys raised a shout at the sight of their skates–Ruth caught up her doll and hugged it tightly without a word; then she went into her room and knelt by her bed.  When she came back she whispered to me, “I knew it would be here Mama, but I wanted to thank God just the same, you know.”

     “Look here, Wife, see the difference!” We went to the window and there were the boys out of the house already and skating on the crust with all their might.  My husband and I both tried to return thanks to the church in the East that sent us the box–and have tried to return thanks unto God every day since. 

     Hard times have come again and again, but we have trusted in Him–dreading nothing so much as a doubt of His protecting care. “They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.”

~~~~~

Reprinted by permission from Lizzie at A Dusty Frame.   She typed it up from a very old book, The Sword Book of Treasures by Dr. John R. Rice, published in 1946.

Happy Christmas,
Laura
Trusting in His care

Thoughts on Sixty

Me at three

My sixtieth birthday bothered me more than other milestone birthdays. It is strange to realize that even though I've always thought of old as 30 years older than my current age, I'm on the cusp. Confidentially, it helps that I have friends that a few years older than I am. I've been watching as they gracefully meet the challenges that our sixties bring. Some of those challenges are ones that have blindsided them.

Maybe that is why I've felt bothered. My fifties rather blindsided me.

My fifties decade was punctuated by breast cancer, Covid, children flying the nest, moving to a new home, financial burdens, and strained relationships that are now healed. All very difficult things. BUT GOD.

God prepared me for the decade by helping me to be immersed in the Word. I started using YouVersion, now Bible.com, to listen through the Bible in 2011. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17. It was my friend, Deb in Florida, that originally challenged me to one of their reading plans. I had no idea that I would get addicted to listening to the Word! It became a big deal for me to read or listen ahead of the plan. I guess it's probably similar to a dopamine hit. God used that to transform my thinking. 

Why did this make a difference? Oh that's probably a blog post in itself.

Most importantly, when a wrong thought came into my head or was spoken to me, I immediately had scripture, even if it was a fragment, that popped into my head to refute it. 

I never went through the why me stage of mourning my cancer; because, "It rains on the just and the unjust," Matthew 5:45. The first moment I had the thought, that verse immediately and automatically course corrected my thinking. Thank you Jesus!

This is what it means to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind". Romans 12:2

You know the strangest thing about turning sixty? It bothered me a lot until...

I woke up on my birthday feeling free and happy! A new decade! A new start! I am so blessed to begin another year—especially after my fifties. That was over a month ago, and I still like being sixty.

God is so good to me. That will never change. Now, what shall I do next?

May God bless you all!

Laura

My birthday post

You may enjoy:

• A Little Randomness 1998
• Homeschooling— If God Leads You to It, He'll Lead You Through It
• Ripples on the River

A New Decade Begins

 Hey y'all! Happy birthday to me. I'm 60 today. 

I sat down to write a post about this milestone, my fifties, and some of my dreams for the next 3,653 days until I have my 70th birthday. I do believe that this is going to be the best yet. BUT, as I started to write, a God breeze* started taking me another direction. The post began to get very long. I decided to split it.

Okay, I'm stopping here. This is all flowing so easily from my fingers onto the keyboard and screen. I am stopping, because my Lowell is taking me to lunch. It's time to get ready to go. I'll share more later of what's on my mind. 

This post is kind of a way to encourage myself. I was born for this moment. I can do what God has called me to do. I can trust Him to help me or even carry me through.

He is. 

I love Him.

May God bless you. Thank you for reading this rather odd post. 

Now, I'm off to get ready for my lunch date. 

*God breeze is a term coined by Marla Cilley aka FlyLady.

Compassion and Encouragement

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Colossians 3:12

Let us always encourage and pray for our friends. Often, they are going through things we cannot imagine. A listening ear, a kind word, and prayer can do wonders for someone who is discouraged.

Blessings,
Laura


~~~~~
You may enjoy...

The Word is Alive
~~~~~

What Do You Have in Your Hand? Doing With What You've Got!

Are you content?

When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, He asked Moses, 

"What do you have in your hand?"

 That's a good question for us, too. Often we think of all the things we need that we don't have. This can lead to whining, discouragement and discontentment.
It's a slippery slope that can lead to depression.

So what can we do?

Look around your home.

Make a list of what you DO have to work with.

What can you do with it?

• Make an inventory list of food in your pantry, your fridge, your freezer. What can you make from it?

• Make an inventory list of the fabrics, trims, notions, and craft supplies on hand. What can you make from them? Think birthday, wedding, baby and Christmas gifts.

• What do you have on hand that could be sold on Ebay, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, another online site, at a consignment store, or at a yard sale?

The key to not being discouraged 

by circumstances is to

think about possibilities 

not impossibilities. 

So, look at what you have in your hand, then ask God to show you what you can do with it. Ask Him for wisdom. Believe that He will give it to you.

He's waiting for your questions. Do not doubt it. He has promised to supply all your needs, but he expects you to use what you have in your hands.

God bless you all!

Still working on it myself,

Laura

This article was published in issue #128 of 
The Christian Home Magazine.

~~~~~


*Do what you can quote is from President Teddy Roosevelt.

Read more...

• Be Anxious for Nothing
• Spiritual Truth from an Open Door and a Little Dog

Repost from 1/25/17

31 Day Wisdom Challenge

 I'm a little late in joining the 31 Day Wisdom Challenge with Pedro Adao. It's all about wisdom in Proverbs. He'll have Christian guests every day, too. I just wanted to share this with you. It goes throughout January. Here's the first YouTube video replay that I'm watching now.

Happy January, may God lead us all into His wisdom.

Laura

Let's Start the New Year Right!

 

To truly start the new year right, we must take some time with God to wrap up the old year.  He wants us to give Him our whole hearts.  What's been holding you back from all He has for you?  Now is the time to get alone with Him for a little while so that you can truly start the new year right with Jesus.

Do you know Jesus?  Would you like to?

I accepted Him as my savior over 40 years ago on New Year's Day.  Jim Bakker was on the PTL Club show interviewing an ex-drug addict.  I thought, if Jesus can forgive a drug addict, maybe He can forgive me, too.  I was 14.  Just old enough to feel the burden of sin.  That thought led to a month long journey of "finding" God.  

When I went back to school, I asked Kim, a girl on my bus, if I could go to church with her.  I'm sure she was stunned.  I visited church with her. One of my neighbors, Pat, attended her church.  From that point on, Pat showed up every Sunday rain or shine.  I was going to church.  She stood up to my mom, and weekly attendance was established.  Period.  No discussion.  Better be sicker than a dog if I tried to back out!  ~smile~  Thank God for Pat!  By the end of the month, I'd walked the aisle, been baptised, and become a member of Rolling Hills Christian Church.  Good salt-of-the-earth people.

My life changed slowly; but, I can honestly say, I'm nothing like I was.  You seriously would not have wanted to know this angry teenager who had been told she was worthless until she believed it. It's been a long journey. God has transformed me. Reading His word has transformed me.  Listening to His Word has transformed me. Praying has transformed me. Worshiping God has transformed me.  Being with God's people has transformed me. Thank you God!

Have you begun your story?

Let's start the new year right.
Examine your heart.
Talk with God. Repent of any sins. Ask God for forgiveness. Ask Jesus to be the Lord, the boss of your life.

It's the best new year's resolution I ever made or kept!

Have a terrific New Year's Day and week.

Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
Laura
Happy at Home

Contact me by email or comment if I can help you with your story.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Shared at:

 Busy Monday  

Inspire Me Tuesday

 

Something to Think About... The Date

 

Hello dear reader,

    I know that everyone has moved on from Christmas and is into new year's resolutions, decluttering, etc. But, this came to me in my email from Hillsdale College. I took their online A Christmas Carol course last month. This month, I'm taking their Paradise Lost course. Their online courses are free. You can check them out at https://online.hillsdale.edu/ . 

    Anyhow, they sent this video to me this week. It's about the date of Jesus' birth. Long ago, I remember reading about how the date had been set by early Christians during Saturnalia, so that they wouldn't be persecuted for celebrating. It seems that there isn't evidence of that after all. Watch this short video to get another viewpoint and to get a taste of the Hillsdale College online experience.

If the video does not show up for you, here's the link on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/2CwnOuiOSjY?si=bsHQLX9RUwoJ_laZ

Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

Laura

IT'S NOT OVER!

 

Photo by Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash

Matthew 2:1-2

♥♥♥

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king,

behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying,

where is he that is born King of the Jews?

For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

♥♥♥

Christmas doesn't end on December 25th!

♥♥♥

I think most of us know that December 25th is a date upon which we celebrate Jesus' birth, not the date of his birth.

♥♥♥

If you find that your focus was not quite right during this season, I urge you to talk to our LORD about it. Ask Him to help you to focus on Him not only during December but all the days of your life. 

♥♥♥

God bless you as you continue to keep your focus on Jesus Christ.

Laura

On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me...

    On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...Jesus Christ on the Cross!

    From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

    It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

• The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

• Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

• Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

• The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

• The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

• The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

• Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit—prophesy, serving, teaching, exhortation, contribution, leadership, and mercy.

• The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

• Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

• The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

• The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

• The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

The Twelve Days of Christmas begin December 25th and go through January 5th. 
Happy Christmas Season everyone!

Laura
Blessed to be a Blessing

Not Every Christmas is Perfect

    Once upon a time, the year my children were 10, 4, 2, and newborn, we sold our house in early November. We moved everything into storage, because we had to live in a nice hotel for two weeks while waiting to move into our new home just in time for Thanksgiving. Except. The sellers didn't move out! So, we moved to a cheaper motel.

    We lived in a motel for seven weeks from early November until the day AFTER Christmas! We spent the entire Christmas season with all four little ones and a little dog, in two adjoining motel rooms, watching Christmas decorating and food shows and Christmas specials. What's a mother to do?

    I borrowed a pre-decorated 2 foot tree and headed to Hobby Lobby. I came "home" with snowman decorations, candles, and later, a beautiful Advent book. We enjoyed our Christmas celebration with all the kids piled on one of the beds. It was a Christmas to remember. It was also the Christmas that changed my focus from the stuff of Christmas to the person of Christmas—Jesus Christ.

    Not every Christmas is perfect, but...
THE ORIGINATOR OF CHRISTMAS IS ALWAYS PERFECT.

    If your Christmas isn't turning out picture perfect, focus on the one who is. He LOVES you so much, he gave his life so that you can have eternal life and direct access to Father God—the Creator of the Universe.

Reach out to the Reason for the season—Jesus.

Happy Christmas,
Laura

Christmas Joy, Happiness, Thankfulness, and Focus

Hello family and friends!

    I hope that you find every bit of joy and happiness possible this Christmas season and new year. So much of our happiness is connected to our thankfulness and our focus. 

    Even though we may not be able to celebrate with those we love in person this year, let's be thankful for them, reach out to them by phone, video call, or letter.

    Let's focus on our blessings and the good people, things, and experiences God has put in our lives in so many ways.

    Let's be thankful and focus on the LORD Jesus.

    I pray blessings over each of you in the name of Jesus Christ.

    I pray that you will draw closer to Him, and you will be aware of His Presence with you. Jesus isn't just a baby in the manger. He's the one who brings us hope, gives us a way to reconcile with God, and if we allow Him, He will come into our hearts and save us and change us. 

    No matter what you have done or not done, if you will confess your sins to Him, and ask forgiveness, and give your life to Him, He will save you.

    I pray that each of you will find JESUS as SAVIOR this year. 

Happy Christmas!

Hugs to you all!

Laura

The Most Important Video You Will Ever Watch

 

The Reverend Billy Graham was instrumental in my finding Jesus over thirty years ago.

♥

Billy Graham's Last Words

I pray that you will seek Jesus. He has changed my life completely. I have a peace that passes my understanding in spite of all that's going on around me. You can have that, too. 

Most importantly, I have a relationship with Jesus.

 It's not about being religious, it's about having someone to talk to about anything anytime who can actually do something about it. 

It's about having someone who loves us just because he created us, and he loves us right now just like we are. 

He's not waiting for us to be good enough. 

Jesus paid the price for our sins.

He loves us.

He loves you.

Please choose to say yes to Jesus.

I urge you to pray the prayer with Reverend Graham.

God bless you all. 

Please write to me in the comments or at laura@harvestlanecottage.com .

Laura

Thankful for Jesus

God Kept Us Warm... He'll Do It Again

 We live in southern Missouri. While not as cold as Vermont, it still gets quite cold here. A furnace or woodstove is necessary. Well, this past year, we didn't have that luxury. Our furnace broke at the end of the previous winter, and we were unable to get it fixed. God was good to us. The insulation that we were blessed with last summer helped keep us warm without the furnace.

 We used space heaters, more clothes, baked and sometimes just sat in blankets next to the heaters. I'm so glad we had more than one. Somehow, God took care of us, even during the sub zero temperatures and wind chills. You do what you have to do, but I must admit, I do hope to get it fixed for this winter.

 Whatever comes, God's already there in the situation helping us every step of the way.

Laura

Trusting God in All Situations