Tuesday, April 17, 2012

I grabbed my computer and headed outside to soak up this gorgeous day!
I wish you could join me but you'll have to take my word when I say it's perfect out here.
I was tempted to sit back and soak it up alone while my boy naps but I have a story too good not to share with you!

We headed out for a morning jog/walk and my mind was wrapped around stories like these.. 
Her 12 year old son passed away

and this one too..

A young husband passed away from a stroke, he had been on a run with friends.

These stories reminded me of how quickly our lives can change.  Its why I want to soak up these days because tomorrow or even this afternoon my whole world could look very different. The thing that was the most encouraging was these two stories were of faith in Christ still.  They had not lost hope completely and that was encouraging after seeing what their circumstances were.
But as feet pounded pavement my words went up to God like this,
'lord don't let my life be in vain, I always want to be ready for that moment when we meet.'

We continued on and I prayed for the families and others and was lifting up thanks for my own health today.  I started thinking about all that has been going on lately and lost in thought I looked over and saw a road leading to somewhere we hadn't been yet.  Normally I stay on the same route to be safe because it's comfortable and I know what to expect.
I like being comfortable.
:)
But I ran a little quicker as the houses around the corner were as i'd say fabulous!  I started thinking about how right now this reflects the path i'm taking in life..experiencing something different.
A little further this picture unfolded..

I don't know if you're following but when this came into view I started beaming!
This park was there all along but I didn't want to take a different route because again, I love sticking with what's comfortable.
But what a fun place to discover. :)
Look at this little guy! He LOVED our new route that will now allow him time to get out of the stroller and play.
God blesses our obedience, i'm convinced of that!


So trust Him today and know that around the corner of obedience a blessing awaits.
Praying for you today!

Monday, April 16, 2012


Deuteronomy 31:8(NIV)

8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”



 {How comforting}

Today I kept busy working outside like a mad woman..pulling up weeds and hauling huge 56 lb bags of mulch around to pour onto flower beds.  It was intense and sweat poured down rosy cheeks.  But I smiled and had a great time being distracted from life.
God is good in allowing us times of silence that we don't have to say much of anything.  I wonder what he thought as he watched upon his daughter working hard the land he created, I did wonder if it pleased him as much as me..or if he wished I could have seen how his earth was meant to be for me to enjoy without work..One day!

I had an intense morning among good friends.
But i'm glad for their support and encouraging words.  Some choices we make are plain old hard but having good friends helps smooth the way. I remember over a year ago when we first moved here and knew no one and I was praying hard that God would send the right people.  He brought an armful plus some to this girl.  I can't tell you how many wonderful friendships i've made since moving here. 
The variety of personalities among them make me smile the most.  They're all amazing in their own way.

My good friend and I walked this morning and talked about God's church and being in the military and finding a home church in the midst of moving every few years.  It's difficult but can be done.  Sometimes a year into being at one you may be called out in a new direction because that's the best for your family.  It's hard..REALLY hard for a girl like me.  I don't want to hurt anyone and I want to remain friends with everyone.  But sunday morning as i sat in a brand new church something sparked in me this happiness and I knew..just knew that was the peace i'd prayed for.  My man was happy and I can't explain what that does to me.
 The entire day our home could be described as happy.  It's now monday and we're still beaming.  That message I heard yesterday is still challenging me tonight and i'm mulling it over considering what it is that I need to let go of that hinders my walk with the Lord.
We talked about that morning's message and were open to each other. 
He liked having something more familiar even though he insists a church should have a gym. :) (God gave him that passion and love for sports and I believe one day God will use that for His glory.)

But knowing what we were leaving behind wasn't happiness to me, it is hard. I ran into this today though.

Much of life is about making choices, many times hard ones, and navigating the results. Don't regret the choices you make.
-Eric Thomas

How fitting, right?  Then it became clear to me.  This family of God's isn't broken down into smaller congregations that there'd be separation..No God intended us to be united as one body..That means ALL of his family.  I can still love and grow close to those that i've come to care for from the church we attended this last year. 
Good lessons being learned!

And here are some pictures of what was worked on around the home.
:)








I am tired! Goodnight friends :)

Sunday, April 15, 2012


This melody has filled our walls this evening,
'I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back, the world behind me the cross before me..la la da da'
:) 
I hope they don't mind my singing but no one has protested at this point! 

Sometimes when your soul wells up you have to let out a hallelujah, right?!

Why that particular song? Well I like that in Christ I can choose to put the world behind me..i can put all of my past sin behind me...I can live freely from condemnation..only in Christ.
And it's only by Christ that I can know God in an intimate relationship. Not anything I can do.

Lets go deeper.

Tears were spilling over the rims of my eyes as I tried to type out words that God was sharing with me. 
'laura, don't you miss this stuff it's important!' I thought
 I was listening to a testimony by Kay Arthur.  I wanted to remember her words but mostly God's word that she had willingly shared.

"Sin will cost you more then you ever intended to pay and take you further then you ever wanted to stray"
                                            -Kay Arthur

Ouch.
More tears..

"Though your sins be a scarlet, you shall be as white as snow"
-Kay Arthur

Wow
More tears..

Word after word of truth came pouring forth sweet as honey and  hands shook as fingers tapped away at the keys. I wanted to catch all of God's truth because his word acts like a healing balm that this girl needed.

My past crippled me because I couldn't change it and thought i was defined by it. 

Choices made have consequences and it breaks my heart.  For years I have held onto the past, hanging those sins around my neck like the woman who wore the Scarlet letter around hers. 

I left it there.  I wasn't good enough and so I ate for comfort, I felt sorry,  I tried to mask hurt, but deep within the bondage was unbearable.
How could a christian who claimed to love the Lord feel this way often?
What was missing, I would cry out to God with clenched fists. Where was he so long ago..why did he let me make a mess!?  I demanded answers then and I must have looked pitiful.
But oh how He loves..and he already had a plan to bring me back...to a life full to the brim with freedom.

Kay Arthur also talked about how Sin angers God.  Whether it's done to us or by us and I find comfort in knowing that.  He hates it.  And when we chose to disobey him we became separated from him.  
He however had a way mapped out for us.  You may have heard this before..but listen..really listen,
He sent Jesus, his son to be our redeemer.
We were going to die and be separated from Christ for all of eternity.  That was our penalty.  
I stopped there.
I sinned and hung that Scarlet letter around the neck walking around in shame for years. 
Have you ever been there?  It hurts, right? Living life defeated is an awful way to live.
People start running to anything that will comfort that emptiness and try to heal themselves..alcohol, affairs, drugs, pornography, relationships, entertainment, money, you get the point.
We hurt when we don't know the rest of the story.
So lets go deeper.

The lord who heals calls us into a relationship with Him.  Through the Bible (his word) we discover the rest of this beautiful story.  We all heard about it this past Easter i'm sure.  The story of Jesus' death and resurrection.  
He comes to you and I and smiles at us..he must shake his head as he speaks 'I came that you would have life, in abundance' (John 10:10)  Then he reaches and pulls that sin we've been carrying around our necks and points to the cross.  His yoke is easy he says and burden light.  He draws us near with more words...
"I am Jesus Christ, your kinsman-redeemer" (Ruth 3).
Have you forgotten?  
Do you feel that?
Freedom
  It is the sweetest thing. He lifted that sign from around this neck as I bowed low. He will do it for you too.
Tears dropped onto my hand and shirt as I received the rest of the story into my heart.
The part about Grace, love, and joy..unspeakable joy.
This time it wasn't a glimpse of him only to end by the next afternoon, but a filling and desire to live out life fully following Him, knowing him.
No looking back because my sin is behind me, The cross is before me so there's no turning back..for I have decided to follow Jesus.
I will continue to fill these four walls with that melody as long as God gives me the voice to.
<3

I will definitely update you on our most recent change very soon! But know that we are doing really good, and prayers were answered.  

Until next time, know i'm praying for you!