Ahhhhhh!!!!!!

Shouting. Honestly, I don't shout (in fright) very often. When I do, it's gotta be something that has really taken me by surprise.

So I really had to laugh out loud while reading this verse in Leviticus:

"Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces." Leviticus 9:23b-24

Can you picture it? Here is a tabernacle full of people, watching as the priest offered the sacrifices. And all of a sudden the glory of the Lord is made visible, and then the people shouted and fell on their faces. It just makes me laugh. . . and it also makes me think.. .

The people shouted and fell on their faces because it surprised them. But they had been hearing about the Lord and bringing sacrifices, and not expecting anything to happen. . . do you see where I'm headed?

How many times do we pray and not expect to see the Lord work? I can say that I have had many instances when I have prayed for something, the Lord answered my prayers, and then I was astonished. . . almost in disbelief that He made it happen. I have acted like those people who shouted and fell on their faces.

Now, I'm not saying that we shouldn't fear the Lord, or be in amazement of all that he is capable of doing. But I am saying that we need to think about how powerful and all-knowing He is, and not let that take us by surprise when He allows us to see Him at work. Also, that we need to pray in faith, knowing that He is fully able to answer everything that is in accordance to His will.

There are so many things in my life right now that seem to be impossible to fix. But I know that my Father who created this universe can remedy all in His timing. And I am so completely thankful that He is capable. And I'm also grateful that He chooses to show us His power, even when we aren't expecting it. :)

~Larissa

The itch. . .

Well, it's been about five months since my last sale on Etsy. I did do a few shows in November and December, but I'm starting to get the itch to begin sewing again.

The studio was closed in January, so all of my studio equiptment is back in our spare bedroom. Which means that space is limited, and there is no way for me to produce on a large scale. And that's a good thing. One thing that I'd really like to see happen this time is more of a balance between sewing and family. It's so easy for me to get more excited about sewing and marketing than washing dishes, doing homework, and taking care of my husband. ;)


So, be watching! There's a lot of new stuff that I'd like to start making. . . like a children's bag line and some accessories for boys! I'm excited!!!!!





~Larissa

This is truly an amazing song that the Lord is using to minister to my heart. Learning to walk with Jesus upon the waves is not easy. . .

house-warming

There is really nothing better than walking into a home that smells warm. You know, like something wonderful has been baking. . . the smell of cinnamon and cloves. Well I love to bake, but it doesn't happen everyday. But that doesn't mean that my house can't smell that way! My mother-in-law showed me this wonderfully easy way to warm up my home, and I have used it every year since. :) You can use any large pot and fill it 3/4 up with warm water. Add orange or apple slices, a handful of whole cloves, whole allspice and a couple of cinnamon sticks. Then just turn the range on low and soon your house will smell and feel fantastic.

The other awesome benefit to this is that it will add some moisture to the air, which is really nice when the air gets so dry.

And this is December 2nd, 23 more days until Christmas! Our little activity today is to re-read Luke 1:26-32 and then talk about how Mary might have felt after the angel told her what was going to happen. And we didn't work on the lyrics to O Holy Night, last night, but I am hopeful that we will today. :)

Have a great day!

~Larissa

countdown. . .

"December the first to Christmas
Is the longest day of the year.
Santa dear old Santa
Never will appear.

How many days 'till Christmas?
It's mighty hard to count
So this little candy ribbon
Will tell you the exact amount.

Untie a candy every night
While the sandman casts his spell
And Christmas Eve will be here
By the time you reach the bell!"

This little countdown calendar is something that my grandmother gave to me when I was a small child. I don't know if she made or bought it, but it is something that I've always cherished. Of course when I was little, I loved the idea of getting a candy every day and thinking about Christmas day getting closer. . . but I had no idea of what I was missing.
As an adult, and a lover of tradition, I really would like to hang this treasure up and have my boys "countdown" the days. . . but I just can't. It is very important to us that the boys really understand why Christmas is so exciting. And, even though it's sometimes hard for me to grasp, we want to dwell on what really happened that night. So this year we are using a little Advent Calendar that they brought home from Sunday School last week. I'll be sharing what we are doing each day to show you how easy it is, and to keep us accountable the following this through with our boys. Tonight is simply to read Luke 1:26-32 of Mary's encounter with the angel. :) I'm also hoping to teach them the words to O Holy Night so that we can sing it together. .
I would love to hear what you all are doing with your families to count down the to birth of Christ this year!

First verse of O Holy Night (so powerful!!!!)

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night, Of our dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world, in sin and error pining.
'Til He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
Oh, night divine! Oh, night when Christ was born!
Oh, night divine! Oh, night, Oh night divine!

Not really Vacation

I clicked on a button on Etsy this morning that said Vacation Mode. This settting puts your shop in a mode where no one can see your items, buy from you, or convo you. How I wish that I were clicking on this setting because I was going on some fabulous vacation. The fact is that I need time to be Mom right now.
I will still be sewing, but just not on such a large scale. Sewing has really become such an outlet of creativity for me. I can't imagine ever stopping now. I also am loving the idea of getting together with other ladies to sew and learn from each other. More to come on that. . :)
But for now I am just going to be finishing up my remaining Etsy orders, prepare for some shows that are coming up, begin packing up my studio, and then embracing for this new chapter in my life. whoohoo.

Open House!

Here is a link to the event page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rejoice-Bags/46677104397?ref=ts#/event.php?eid=167782092783&ref=mf

I will have my studio open from 10am until 9pm on October 16th. There will be bags on display and available to purchase. You'll also be able to get information about my new sewing classes and home parties! :)

7408 Morris

Riverside, CA 92503

(it's off Van Buren by the golf course and Riverside Airport)

Hope to see you there!

~Larissa