Becoming an Angel can get a little rocky...

Recently this Savage Girl got engaged. In the midst of the engagement excitement, wedding planning, putting my house on the market to sale, job hunting, job application and resume building, the thoughts of moving and transitioning into married life, finalizing my current job, and simply general everyday life have needless to say become overwhelming for this Savage Girl. My head is spinning simply thinking about all these transitions and adjustments. I get butterflies just thinking about it all. I say a simple prayer to God to give me the strength, for understanding His plans for me, and His will be done.

Something that has helped me be at peace is on Sunday mornings at the Tompkinsville Church of Christ for the past couple of months I’ve been reminded of the great expectations God has for each of us. The memory verse has been Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.  In this passage the prophet Jeremiah was writing to the entire nation of Israel to encourage them while they were in exile.  Yes, He has plans for us each but we must put our talents to work. We are each individuals but together collectively we can accomplish more. If you are in the area this weekend come join us for Friends and Family Day this Sunday, May 4 at 9:00 a.m. and see how your life and God can intersect. We would love to have you!

I am excited about all the future possibilities that are in my near future and the great works that together my future husband and I can do collectively for the Lord’s church in Coldwater, Mississippi. Great things are happening in Tompkinsville. Great things are happening in Coldwater. Great things are happening all around us and around the world. Are you apart of them?

Our life, our faith, and God’s plans intersect daily. We each simply need to rely on God and the Bible to balance everything that comes our way. I’m trying to balance everything now and stay committed to Christ in the midst of all the transitions going on in my crazy life. Are you?

Let the prophet Jeremiah remind us that it is not all about us, it might not look exactly like what we think it should sometimes, but we need to understand that God provides hope through His kingdom and a His promise of a future in heaven for those who obey Him. Please keep in mind I am writing these things not only to tell you, but to remind myself so that I keep my mind focused.  

All this talk about the future, great expectations and God reminds me of a recent happy moment. Whenever I think back to this day I get a big smile on my face and dream of my future on earth and how I now have a partner to help me get to my heavenly home in eternity. So I am going to leave you with my proposal from Clifton on the day I became his fiancée. (This is his recount of the proposal and my reaction in his sweet words.)   

Our relationship began AT the rocks.

At times it has fallen ON the rocks.

We have always had to lean UPON the Rock, Jesus Christ.

Because the Bible says "Two are better than one,"

And because you rock my world,

I bought you a rock.

[At this point, Lara was well in tears and said, "oh, you did?"]

{Pulls ring out and gets down on one knee and grabs Lara's left hand}

Lara Christen Savage, will you marry me?

[Her eyes were filled with tears and with a great big smile she began nodding her head and exclaimed] “Yes!!!”

Now I am one step closer to being an Angel because I said yes!  We will say “I do” in less than 76 days! I’ve got the Rock above, a Mr. Awesome rock by my side, the rock on my finger, the future honeymoon in the Rockies, and whatever life rocks that come my way. Whatever my future holds I am ready to take it on. I said “yes”.  Are you willing to say “yes” and hear the Word of God (Rom. 10:17; Acts 2:37), believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only Savior (John 8:24; Acts 4:12), repent of sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 17:30), confess Christ (Acts 8:35-37; 1 Tim. 6:12), and be immersed in water in order to be forgiven by the blood of Christ and enter the church (1 Pet. 3:20-21; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Eph. 1:7; Rev. 1:5; 1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:41,47).

House For Sale

Well the Savage Girl's house is for sale! I recently got engaged so I'm putting my house on the market. Clifton is one more step closer to transitioning this Savage Girl into an Angel! I'll blog about our big engagement day later on here, but right now I need a little help spreading the word about my awesome little house! Almost five years ago I moved into the area and modified this little house into my dream home.When I made decisions about the house they were made solely because I was fixing this house for my needs. So please help me sell my house! Please share and re-post this blog link about my house or share my zillow listing that is located later in the blog. Selling a house is new to me, but I thought why not try to do it myself!

Here are a few specifics and features about my house and possibly your future home: 

Features: 

• 3 Bed Rooms & 1 Bathroom
• It is nestled near "Old Mulkey Meeting House State Historic Site" 
• Newly remodeled
• 1,206 square foot brick home (built in 1975)
• Modest sized living area
• Eat-in kitchen with built-in appliances that are black (NEW Built-It Microwave) 
• NEW CH&A unit (that still has 9 years left on the warranty) 
• Roof & replacement windows are less than 6 years old
• 1-2 cars can park under the carport
• Storage building in backyard
• Nice maintained and established landscaping 
• Seated on 0.50 acre
• Great neighbors 
• All closets feature custom built-in shelving 
• Blacktop driveway
• Septic tank
• City water & City Trash Pick-up
• Located just outside the city limits. Only 1.6 miles from the center of Tompkinsville. 
• Located less than 1 mile from Monroe County High School & Monroe County Middle School
• Less than 1 mile from local Family Wellness Center
• Home is move in ready and is a must see to truly appreciate all the added features! 
• Great starter home for couple or single individual! 
• Call today and come see this competitively-priced, move-in condition home that may just be your dream-home.

To view my listing on Zillow.com click here or visit LSN and search "Home For Sale Tompkinsville, KY". The LSN ad number is 3987921. 

An update from the Savage Girl...

Well it has been a long time since I blogged! Too long to be exact. Life got to rolling right along and busyness overtook this Savage Girl. So I thought why not give you an update?!?!? So here it goes....

Here are 5 updates on the Savage Girl and her crazy life...

1. Today marks 6 months of being with an ANGEL! I'm truly blessed that God gave me him. I thank God often for Clifton. We have laughed together, cried together, had many ups and downs, got stuck in the mud and lived to tell about it, and tons of other mushy details I'll spare from blogging about.  
   
    
2. After hanging a few Christmas decorations to decorate and beautify our downtown area in November my back went into shock mode. A couple of back disc herniation's later, tons of pain, the addition of stress, multiple doctors visits, an MRI, and physical therapy...I am almost 100% healed. Hopefully at my upcoming appointment I will be released and given the OK to do whatever I want. Needless to say this Savage Girl has slowed down and tried not to act like Superwoman. Sometimes I still think I can conquer the world and do it all but I try to take it easy and wisely plan out my options so I don't re-injure myself. FYI the decorations looked great by the way...see below ;)
   
3. I could really use your help. I'm requesting prayers for my family. Cancer has made a reappearance in my family. My dad, grandmother, and cousin-in-law are all battling the big C right now and could really use your thoughts and prayers. My sister is doing great...she has been cancer free for three years now!
   
4. Lucy has been a member of my family for 8 months today. She is still my precious bouncing bundle of joy! There is never a dull moment in the Savage Girl's house with Lucy around... 
   
     
5. Last but not least...here is an update on my weight loss journey. The scale inched up a little during my back injury and the holidays. I'm not happy to report this, but all I can do is start making small changes to get back in the swing of things. Once I get the OK from the doctor I will start back with my normal exercise routine of walking Lucy daily and the wellness center for water aerobics and the workout room. I still would like to lose about 20-25 more pounds, so we'll see what happens over the course of the next few months as I get back into my routine. 
   

Until next time...

Love, 

Lara

Savage Girl Updates and My "New Year" Mindset

Where do I begin this blog post? Oh there are so many things to tell and update you on! This Savage Girl has been busy and hard at journeying through life the past few months. I didn't take the time to post and tell you about the Savage Life. Sorry followers for not keeping you up to date! 

2013 ended with some new additions and changes in my life. 

First, I added Lucky “Lucy” Savage to my household this summer. She is a bouncing bundle of joy that provides endless hours of companionship and outpouring love. My daddy sure picked up an awesome little dog in the Brimstone Community. 

Next, I have learned I need to slow down a little and enjoy rest and relaxation. I am constantly on the go doing this or that. Over six weeks ago my back started giving me trouble at work. I tried to push through the pain and keep going because that is all that I had ever known, but to no avail it just seemed to get worse. This Savage Girl is learning that rest and relaxation are needed within life and are not just recommendations! I ended 2013 yesterday visiting a specialist in Cookeville and he reaffirmed this to me with his “prescription” for the next six weeks.  Please pray for me on this endeavor!  

Last, but certainly not least, I added an “Angel” Guy to the Savage Girl life. My change in life status is now “in a relationship” according to social media. LOL. It is my hope that he will be a permanent addition! I am proud to say that Clifton is my best friend and he completes me in every way possible. He is an amazing spiritual leader, encourager, and an inspiration to me. In the short six months I have known him I have learned that sometimes life might throw you a few curve balls and the road might get a little muddy or rocky. His philosophy is not to give up! He is also helping me realize that slowing down is a requirement to enjoy life…not an option. I cannot wait to see what 2014 has in store for this Savage Girl and Angel Guy.    

I started this blog last year thinking about the Godly woman God wants me to be and thinking about His plan for me. I want to revisit this today since 2014 is now upon us. I enjoy my life being a follower of Christ, daughter, sister, friend, county agent, and life-long learner. I make it my daily guidepost and life purpose to be the best that I can be and do what God intends for me to do with peace, joy, and thanksgiving. I make my fair share of mistakes along the way. I am not perfect, so I ask for your forgiveness and God’s forgiveness and mercy whenever I make mistakes and have roadblocks along the journey.  I have my eye on the end prize and ultimate gift…heaven! My ultimate goal is to one day get to heaven and be surrounded by family and friends. 

This Savage Girl has the daily goal to: 

1. Put God first.
2. Focus on my current family while building the foundation of my future “family” through building a strong relationship built on God, Love, Respect, Trust, and Loyalty
3. Continue to build relationships within my work community all while increasing productivity through efficiency, organization, and collaboration in order to build a strong family and consumer science program that will help others through life-long learning. 
4. Have a servant attitude and give back to others. 
5. Make healthier lifestyle choices to improve my overall health and well-being.

My life is nowhere near perfect; it is crazy and hectic with lots of love thrown into the mix of God, Family, Work, Service, and Health along with tons of other things that change my path along the journey. It is my hope this year to keep my mindset and have a spiritual focus. I want to strive hard this year to take time to reflect on God and His love, His gift of Christianity, and His second coming that is one day in the future when we least expect it. Where is your mindset this year? 

May God bless you and your family in the upcoming year!  

Get Up and Get Moving…

“Get Up and Get Moving”…this is something this Savage Girl has been struggling with for the past month… “Getting Up and Getting Moving”! I have had A LOT on my plate during the past month. I vowed that if I could live through September that I would try not to over commit myself again to so many things all at the same time! This past year I have been trying to realign myself and prioritize those things that are important to me and work hard at focusing my vision on them instead of being so scattered. I have made it a goal and priority to live healthier and move more in order to have a healthier body for Lara. No one else can help me achieve this other than myself! Tons of people are great sources of encouragement, but I know deep down that I have to have the want and desire within myself first to make it all possible. So I have been trying to be more active each and every day. September was hard, but I was still able to squeeze 30 minutes in 4-5 days each week. I am not perfect, but I am trying!

Now to throw in a promo for an upcoming work event related to this topic…This Saturday my office is hosting an event that is near and dear to my heart called “Second Saturday”. This event encourages families to “Get Up and Get Moving”! The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (my employer) and I want to encourage families to be active together. My co-workers Ken Johnson and Susan Turner and I welcome you to participate in Second Saturday! 2S is an opportunity for all community members to join together and show that they want to be healthy and have fun while doing so. The program is in its 6th year and the growth of the program demonstrates how Kentuckians value their health and the health of their communities.

So what will we be doing at Second Saturday?!?!?

October 12th from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in Downtown Tompkinsville come join us to “Get Up and Get Moving”. Magnolia & 3rd Streets will be closed for the event in order to help create a safe fall fun atmosphere. On the agenda for the event includes:  4-H St. Jude Color Walk, Hoola Hoop Contest, Group Fitness Classes hosted by the Family Wellness Center, Tricycle Trail, Free Hot Dogs and Water, Free Door Prizes, Fall Decorations (mums, pumpkins, corn, and straw)will be For Sale at the event, and the Monroe County Medical Center, Monroe County Family Wellness Center, the Monroe County Health Department & others will be offering health screenings and information.

The 4-H St. Jude Walk is open to anyone of any age. There will be a walking track loop setup along 3rd and Magnolia Streets for all those interested in walking. All individuals can walk for a donation in any amount.  All donations go to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and we’ll accept donations whether or not individuals walk. All walkers are to meet at the headquarters booth near City Hall to register to walk. Since the walk is a “color walk” we will be throwing colored powder and if you don't want to be painted with colored powder we will have a special tag for you to wear.

Attention parents…All kids with tricycles are encouraged to bring their tricycle and take the “tricycle trail” challenge that will be setup on Magnolia Street.

     

This event is a “come and go” type event or “come and stay” for the entire afternoon! If you are a planner like me and want to catch a particular FWC class that will be offered at 2S here is a tentative schedule of sorts: Pilates will be at 3:30 p.m., Zumba at 4:30 p.m. and Aerobics at 5:30 p.m. There will be a “Hoop-Off” at 5:30 p.m. also for all youth and all those young at heart.  

Please note that the 2S event will be canceled in the event of rain.  For more information about the 2S event please contact the Savage Girl at the Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service office at 487-5504 or leave me a comment on here. So together Let’s Get Up and Get Moving! Share this post to encourage others to "Get Up and Get Moving".