It has been too long in writing here. I stop by and try to catch up on what everyone has been up to.

Well, we are in Pleasanton now and just love it. We miss Salem quite a bit also, but we know God planted us and we are seeing the fruit in that. I really believe God is doing something cool in our church. I am praying for a new depth in the hearts of the congregation and in us on the worship team. Centerpointe is a very carrying church that has lots of history to look back on. There is a willingness to reach out to the community. I am so looking forward to see what God has in store.

I have been asked to help lead the music for their VBS camp this summer. I am super scared about it because kids intimidate me. Even my own! So it's going to have to be through God's strength that I can pull it off. i love clinging to God though because it makes life much more exciting don't you think? = )

As far as songwriting goes I am pretty overwhelmed. Right now I am registered with SongU.com. I want to learn as much as I can about the craft and business of songwriting. They also have review and feedback sessions that I can enter songs to. Another wonderful place I am getting great learning material is at Sovereign Grace Ministries. They have free downloads of session talks on songwriting and worship songwriting.

I am also co-writing with a few people. I know what my limits are and so I am trying to find others who are like minded, but who also might bring different gifts to the table that I might not have. It has been an awesome experience thus far. Plus I am making friendships that I value deeply.

I started a website of my own: www.laramarriott.com It is totally in the beginning stages right now. To tell you the truth I have very little no how when it comes to promoting myself so it is going to be a process for sure. I just thought it would be nice to have a central place for people to come and find out more about me without having to go to myspace and find out they don't have an account so they can't gain access.

Giver of Grace (a song I co-wrote with John Green) is on ccli now and is being sung at other churches in the US and possibly Canada. It's so wonderful to share a part of my heart with others through a worship song. Beneath Your Cross is also being sung at other churches as well as being on a compilation cd.

As far as writing and recording other songs, I am waiting till I can find the time to devote to it. I have many songs ,but either no melody or chords or I am just not talented enough to record them properly. This has been my greatest frusteration. Oh well, what can one do? So I am taking it day by day. God will open the right doors at the right time. = )

My kids are getting bigger and brighter. I can't keep up. Hannah will be starting Kindergarten in the Fall. Brian is very busy at work, but loving the challenge. He did a fabulous job for Easter week. I was very proud of him.

Well, I better sign off for now. Hope everyone is doing well. If not, please let me know so I can pray for you.

As far as for me, you can pray that I will release my stresses to God. That I won't be afraid to ask for His help and direction.

Thanks. May God bless you and keep you in His sovereign arms.

Lara~

2 Corinthians 8:12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
Thought you might like a verse for today. God will be enough to fill all the places where you lack. For it is only by us allowing Him to step in and do the "impossible" that He can be glorified. Otherwise we might get fooled into thinking we did it on our own.
Blessings, L