{The end of a day well lived}

I can't wait to share later this week all of the projects that have been keeping me away. I know you won't hold it against me that I haven't wrote in almost two weeks when you take a look at what i've been up to. :)

I did want to share one of the projects and the place where I discovered this oh-so-simple fix for our couch cushions.  She does a wonderful job of explaining.  You'll have to take a look.  (The ones I made are white.)

Source: craftgawker.com via Laura on Pinterest

My home is quickly turning white.  All of my thrift store treasures have been slathered with a dreamy white color and i'm experiencing a little heaven on earth. 
I live with the mindset that in a short time we will move but that doesn't mean I can't make 'home happen' as best as possible for this military family.  I love fixing up old things and making them new.  But don't get me wrong some things are worth buying brand new.

I did head over to Goodwill yesterday to search for a pair of shoes for my son since he doesn't own any.  We did find a nice pair for $3 as well as an old wing back chair for $15!! I was thrilled to bring it home and give it a little TLC.  However I should have smelled the chair but how weird would that have looked? Anyways I did spend some time cleaning it up.  Here's a few pictures :)....

Vinegar and warm water to help with the odor.

•My sweet new reading chair•

This was a white tablecloth from goodwill for $2 (target)
I needed to cover it for now since I will be researching how to make a slipcover for this chair.

Basically it could be awhile before it's made.

I did tuck it in better then this picture and it looks good for now. :)

This is what i'm thinking! I linked this picture back to the original source so you can look at the process and understand why i'm scared to begin!

Source: thenester.com via Laura on Pinterest

There is a little peek into what i've been up to.  I really have enjoyed being able to work on a few projects even on a tight budget.  It forces me to be creative in such a deeper way.  To tell you the truth I needed something to do to take my mind off of some things i've been dealing with.  The stubborn girl in me wasn't ready to face God on a few issues and i'm beyond thankful for the gentlemen in him that allowed me to wait.  
Do you ever get off track with a good routine? For me having quiet time in the morning is a choice and sometimes it's not easy to sit up with my hair a mess, reach for that bible and quiet myself before God.  I'm tired and want that extra hour of sleep before my little guy wakes up!  It's selfish and not wise because that time spent with him is what prepares me to follow him all day and it's when him and I decide who will lead.  
Being able to approach his throne after i've fallen short is sometimes intimidating and hard but he's there waiting for me not with a condemning word but a hopeful one and a chance to move forward. I LOVE that.
If you're discouraged today by whatever you're facing remember that he is for you.
Well I need to wrap this up and get to bed. :)


I have just about wrapped up the first chapter of my book and am getting ready to send it to a wonderful friend who agreed to help me edit! What an answer to prayer! This is a huge ordeal for me writing because it's pouring out and sharing a story that isn't always easy to tell but this message is worth sharing. Pray for me please!
Thinking and praying for you today. 

~Laura~

Deployment

He hugs his pregnant wife and kisses her goodbye. 

A man comes up and asks to shake his hand and says, 'Thank you for your service'.

I choke back a sob.  

Be strong Laura..just be strong and don't cry.

He flashes a smile one last time and turns swinging that green sea bag over his shoulder.  

Step after step he moves forward not looking back.

I climb into the car and I start to smile and I pray out loud thanking God for the beautiful day and for my husband.  I ask he'd keep him safe over the months to come and to keep us close.

Oh sweet friend are you walking through this season of deployment? Getting ready for one or are you anxiously awaiting the return of your man? 

It's hard. Don't let anyone fool you otherwise.

There is nothing normal about having your husband gone for 6+ months.

But can I tell you what i've come to learn that i'd hope would encourage you too?

God WILL bless you and redeem that hard time.

The military may direct your families destination but God is in every detail orchestrating the path HE wants your family to be on. Trust Him and go willingly.  There is nothing worse then seeing a military spouse who goes kicking and screaming. I know because i've been there and it's a shame.

You have to make a choice to accept the unfortunate circumstances of your husband's departure and embrace God's plan for your family.

Here are a few things that have helped me:

♦Spend time with God

♦See family 

♦Pray without ceasing.  (For your spouse, family, and for strength.)

♦Get out of the house! (play group, over to a friends house, lunch or coffee dates with a girlfriend)

♦Serve God (I loved helping in the kids club at church).

♦Write letters, email, (and if you miss a call •breathe•or cry if that helps.) :) Don't you hate when that happens!

♦It's okay to cry some days.

♦Have the courage to square those shoulders and do life.

♦Remember the huge sacrifice you are making and see it as a gift to others.  You are in the 1% that serves this country and that's an honor.  Be proud of your man.

♦Remember that God has chosen you for this. He will provide.

♦Don't dwell on 'who has it harder' be thankful that you are able to go to sleep in your own bed, have the comforts of home and are relatively safe.  

♦Choose to love him and work through any differences that arise during the time apart. It's going to happen and miscommunication will occur but remember to seek the Lord always.

God is still writing my story and I have to admit that my stomach still turns into knots when we receive word my husband will be leaving.  There is not much glory in being a military wife but I have seen how God blesses an attitude that embraces and it's incredible! 

Don't walk this road alone and defeated.  There are many other families facing the same thing so dare to get to know another women and reach out to her.  

I have loved how different wives handle deployments differently because it gives me the right encouragement.  There is no one perfect way to handle a deployment.   These are some things that i've picked up from others that i've kept close to my heart because they've worked.

And to close..

Don't ever forget that sweet moment when He walks back into your life with a smile and that embrace...oh that embrace is one you will NEVER forget! 

Treasure that gift dear one.

I am praying for you today and hoping that you are doing well with whatever season you find yourself in today.

~Laura~

Would love to hear your stories on how you handle deployments! 

She is blond hair, always a smile, and an eager 'hello Laura!'.

Kellie is God smiling straight at me and blessing my obedience to Him.

I have learned a lot these last few months from her. I have loved my husband in a much better way, kept our house in order through organizing and planning meals, loved my baby boy much better, found a way to stay healthy without obsessing, and am experiencing a deeper relationship with God.

I'm blessed for knowing her and having her bring me straight to Christ time after time.

She kneels on the ground next to the couch and we talk about life, our husbands, this journey as military wives, and how to love on our children in a way that God would have us.  I want to cry as I tell her how grateful I am for knowing her.  She's another example that God has given me on how to live life joyfully and for Him.

For the last few months she has been mentoring me and doing life alongside of me and all I can say is this woman is amazing!

The other night I was getting read for bed and it hit me. 

♦This summer is going to be hard♦

1.Darren will start to go away again

2.Kellie will move away

3.Sweet Julie will be preparing to move away too

4.Isn't that enough??

I started to ask the Lord, 'why do you bring these people only to..'but I stopped immediately and thanked Him and praised him for opening my heart to these new friends and for all of this time with Darren.

He brought a friend into my life that has a strong calling to pour into the lives of others in a beautiful way.  She wants to save me from making some of the mistakes she made many years ago. She is not overbearing at all..just very loving and kind.

So here it is:

Invest in someone!

I'm 23 years old figuring out how to love God, Darren, Garrett, and others.  I'm overwhelmed at times and need guidance. Knowing that there is a friend praying me through and willing to share from their own experience is a huge blessing!

If you're older then take a younger women under your wing, don't harbor all of that wisdom for yourself, I know whoever that young girl is, that she would be grateful to have you spend yourself on her.

We need it ladies.  We need to be reminded we're not alone and there is hope. 

Don't forget God's word

Titus 2:3-5

New International Version (NIV)

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Being able to see this verse lived out is incredible.  Make room in your schedule for her, whoever she may be.  She is worth the time you can give to share your story.

I may be younger but it's been amazing to have a small group of girls I meet with Sunday nights through Delight Girls Ministry.  They're sweet and full of life living in one of the most awkward times of their life. (Freshman year!) I love being able to share what God has taught me with them in hopes they'll be encouraged.  It's nice to also just be there for them if they need someone to talk with.
They are worth all the time I can give.

Praying for you today!
~Laura~

People get offended easily these days, or has it always been that way?

I know what I believe and i'm not willing to compromise that.  Unfortunately it gets under people's skin when you don't agree with them.

It's not one group in particular.  It's humanity that throws up words in defense of whatever they've come to believe is 'The Truth'.

And the mass chaos fills our world. The endless conflicts from minor to very major.

I remember fighting with a sibling knowing that I was right on the matter and inside I was heated and angry.  And it grew with me over larger matters now.

Ignorance is a lack of knowledge and a lot of people walk around with beliefs that are rooted with ignorance.

I can't tell you how often people have completely misunderstood Christ. 

...

I have learned to let it go when an atheist has plastered tattoos mocking my Savior.

[I'm not their judge] 

I have learned to let it go when a community spouts off that i'm not tolerant.

[I'm not their judge either]. 

I have learned.

{To love them}

I'm not sure what is worse some days, the News or Facebook?

Both are filled with endless opinions and stories that tell of our worlds status and it leaves a very unpleasant young women in me.

Often i'm furious and I have to walk away to take a breather.

How could so and so be so ignorant?? 

Can we go here today?

Because I can't get around it.  It's there..Evil. No matter how pretty my house is or how much I try to shut out the outside for this small family. Well it's there.

There are wars and conflicts that are growing larger, a young soldier that just shot down families in Afghanistan, an attack on my country that I can't shake (9/11), An ever growing demand for tolerance for everyones personal choices no matter what I believe is right or wrong, an American church that is expected to be perfect but seems to be causing even more turmoil for those looking to find Christ only to discover what they believe are hypocrites, The once Father, Mother, Child dynamic is almost out the door, abortion fight, Gay community fight, Euthanasia fight, Death penalty fight, and God continues to be pushes out...for now.

Ephesians 6:12
New International Version (©1984)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

And here it is. 

His word to me, to comfort and still my ever increasing tense spirit over all of these matters.

Is it better to create safe happy places and forget what's going on out there?

No...that's being ignorant.  and some say that's bliss but that's satan's way of keeping you in the dark I believe.

There's a real battle going on and it's not against any person or group of people.  It's not against flesh and blood! Remember this when you're standing before your spouse in a dispute, or when your child is making your life very difficult, or when a friend has hurt you, or a celebrity spouts off their political opinions :).

It's satan who is behind each unkind word, broken home, war, lie, and sin.

Like he stood next to Eve so long ago, well he hasn't moved his place. Take a glance at the news or browse through facebook and you'll see he's not left his post as the one that rules over earth.

It's hard friends.

It's worth praying and confessing to God our fears...For he is still in charge and has a plan that was already put into place when Jesus came, no even before that when he tells the serpent(satan) of Jesus' coming.

The Devil already knows the end..he has everything to lose so you betcha he's going to work hard during this time he has pull as many away from Christ as He can.

~*~

I reach my hand out and open it..laying it flat against the bed.  It's dark and a lot is on my mind.

I start to cry as I confess that i'm judging again.  I say, 'you are the good judge I don't need to stand as judge for anyone, i'm sorry Lord'.  We start to talk about the current status of our world and then I tell him how badly I can't wait for His return to this broken world.  I lay still and tears soak my pillow.  I ask him to just fill the room with His presence and calm the lingering fears. 

He does.

He comes close again and I close my eyes thanking Him for letting me be His.

It's not about cute blog posts, or the perfect angle on a picture, how flowing my post sounds,

no it's about loving you dear friend.

Wanting you to know the same hope i have in Christ.

I'm not trying to perfect this blog.

I'm trying to become more like Christ daily and I want you to know Him.  Because He wants to invite you to walk with him daily and know him as your personal savior too.

It's a relationship, not a religion.

It's coming to His word and reading it because it's Him speaking through it.

This world is filled with evil of all sorts and pain. You can choose to judge it, ignore it, or give it to God daily.

Will you join me in stepping down from the Judges seat today?

For you see..

Psalm 7:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ God is a righteous judge,
a God who displays his wrath every day.

He has us in his grasp, don't ever forget that.  He has a plan to redeem what has been broken.

He loves us very much.

We are walking together and that's why I write, so you remember you're not alone today.  That someone has said a prayer for you and maybe for you to see joy being lived out.

Praying for you dear one!

~*~



A few pictures..

I spent all afternoon catching up on the dishes. I made the mistake of taking a few sick days..bad idea!

I had always wanted a clothes line. There is some strange joy that comes over me everytime I walk outside with a few things to hang. I'm reminded of my mother and grandmother when they would hang clothes up. That fresh smell..oh yes i'm smiling now!

It was so good to visit with you today, until next time!

~Laura

[Afternoon Tea]

The rain has been steady this morning making it impossible to get outside for a run with the little guy.

He's down for a nap and i'm at the table enjoying pomegranate green tea.

Do you ever have a conversation that sticks with you?  It's hard to shake the contents of what was a simple sentence. 

"This budget is showing oneness in your marriage"

"I never thought we would ever be at this point.  For years..but God.."

{Tears fall}

For the beginning of my marriage it was a very empty place.  I saw it as what can this marriage do for me?  God's authority was not welcome in our home.  We did not attend church, spend time in His word, and hardly a prayer was whispered in the walls of our home.

We were as different as night and day. 

I showed little to no respect for my husband.

We are now in a season rich with love for the other.

I am blown away by how God has blessed us.

I pour myself out to God and tell him no more of me, but to fill my heart with more of Him.  He didn't give me a list of things to do.

No, he scooted me ever so closely and asked if I'd join him daily and listen to him, spend time with him.

I did and day after day as I emptied, the holy spirit was no longer quenched in me.

I desired to be a blessing to Darren.

When he came home from work I wanted this home to be a safe haven. 

I didn't look back but chose to learn and move forward.

He goes to work so that I can stay at home with our son.

That right there is enough for me to love him to pieces!

I clean with a smile, I make his dinner with thanks, because this is where God intended me to be...at home raising our son.

I get to see all of the firsts.  I am blessed to not be a working mother that leaves early in the morning comes home to make dinner, help with homework, put the kids to bed only to have seen them for a few hours.  You have to understand that the sacrifices we make are worth it.  I don't want a big home, fancy clothes, if that means I can't see my Garrett.

(Note that some circumstances make this impossible, i totally get this!)

So right there..Darren has given me enough.  He has shown me love by allowing me to be a stay at home mother.

Darren and I don't work without God. 

We are as different as they come.  My marriage working is a testimony that God is good and does perform miracles still today. 

If i'm not walking with the Lord then everything is off.

I'm short tempered, not kind, self-seeking, and a mess.

Where are you today in your own marriage? Are you just barely getting through? Can you honestly not stand the person that lays beside you at night? 

When was the last time you reached out and put Him before you?

No marriage is perfect but God intended our christian marriages to be a place full of joy and a testimony of His love for the church.

I don't tell you this from a place of perfection in my marriage.  We have a long road ahead of us but I know what it's like to be on the brink of divorce.  I know that lie that satan tells that it will bring freedom.

It doesn't.

Inviting God to come close and change your heart so that you can love your spouse..

Well now THAT brings freedom. 

I stood before God and a room full of people vowing to Darren i'd love him no matter what.

I want to be true to my promises and do whatever it takes.

The biggest gift Darren and I can give to our son is to love each other well i'm learning.

I'm thinking about you today and praying for your homes.



Sweet Amida..

{Sweet Amida}

Welcome to our family little one.  We are beyond excited to place your photo on our fridge and pray for you often.  The first letter has already been sent and we can't wait to see you grow over the coming years.

My heart is giddy tonight as God reaches out to you through our family.  We don't have much but goodness what a blessing this is for all of us. 

You, sweet one have a special place in my heart now and I can't wait to see what God will do in this.

The mother in me is excited to in a way adopt and nurture you.  I already want to give you the world and protect you from any harm that should ever come your way. 

I love you sweet Amida.

~*~

Oh yes, I've cried over this girl and have felt a heavy burden on my heart to squeeze this into our budget.  It's important to me because it's important to God.  He placed me in a family that did not struggle financially.  I married a man that has a steady job provided by the Lord and we always have shelter, food, and much more.

I've been blessed. 

God reminded me of this recently and my eyes were open to the rest of this world.  My monthly budget may have seemed tight last week but today it's huge compared to the equivalent of $23.00 Amida's family brings home.  So we prayed and considered this option to reach further and through

Compassion International we're able to help this little one know who Jesus is, see she gets an education, food, and is prayed and cared for from across the world. 

~*~

Allergies have taken over in this home and we've lived with a constant runny nose and acquired funny congested voices.  Last night I was going to head to bible study without Darren as he had to study.  He was to keep Garrett and so I was making dinner.

REWIND*I went to walmart to get medicine and since we're on a budget I picked up $0.88 allergy medicine.  I was getting a bargain I thought! We made it home and I popped those two pills as fast as possible...

There I was standing over the stove when my world started to get fuzzy and I started to drift.  I thought, 'whoa am I okay? nope..get to the couch as fast as possible' I called to darren but he was upstairs.  By the time he came down I had drifted asleep completely against my will.  Because all i was thinking was I need to get to bible study! An hour later I came to and darren told me the time and then I went back to sleep again..against my will.

I took an antihistamine..I was not educated in the side effects and the power of TWO of these tiny pink pills. Whoa!

So here's why i'm telling you this.  I was about to head out, in the car to bible study.  If I would have been in the car..well I don't even want to think of what could have happened. But I decided this morning when I finally came to that God had sent angels to protect me last night to sit me down on that couch.

*He MUST have a wonderful plan for my life.*

I'll be more aware from here on out what i'm taking. :)

~*~

And finally this was meant for last night but like I said earlier this girl was out!

A video covering my time in the Book of James.

I can't muster the courage to admit how much effort and time went into this new layout.  But having things more organized feels wonderful!

Hopefully it's easy to navigate around now! Still have much to learn but this is a start. :)

There are a few more things to do and they will be straightened out this week!

This past Sunday a friend from church told me she has enjoyed reading my blog even though she isn't a military wife and I wanted to say this place is welcome for everyone.  It was nice to hear that she was following along!

Feedback is encouraged!

Last night Darren had duty and I decided to spend the evening doing a project that seemed perfect in my mind but I honestly didn't know how it would end up.

1.Painted boxes

2.Painted plastic shelves from my 'everything Laura loves' room

You need pictures, right?

Don't worry,

I need to finish a few things with the boxes and put things back on the shelves but then I will post the pictures under the {All Things Creative} tab. :)


She is on my 'if we ever met..i'd be humbled' list
Ann Voskamp is a mentor that i've never actually met. But daily (except for Sundays) a warm welcome awaits at her home, and she shares stories of life and love for Jesus, family, and people.  I could sit with a warm cup of coffee all day if I could learning from her.
Her book, 'One Thousand Gifts' is about being thankful in the midst of what may seem mundane.
I decided to take her dare and in a small journal you will find it's filled with gifts from God that are anything from, the way the sun spills across the wood floors to my sweet baby boy who let out the cutest giggle.  It's been an intimate time between the Lord and I as those pages have quickly filled and the numbers add up. 
Today Ann Voskamp writes about meeting Kathy Giffords and being on her show, I wonder if she knows the extent in which God has been using her?
I'm blessed to have handfuls of women in my life that I know personally as well as the ones on my 'I wish we could meet' list.
Her blog is found on the right sidebar, simply click her name and you'll find yourself in a wonderful new place..prepare to be blessed!

All things MAKEUP!

I am SO excited to share this young lady with you.  Megan has such a sweet spirit and is a wonderful teacher.

Honestly makeup is something I decided it was time to learn.  I want to look my best and have no problem with a touch of makeup! I was led to megan's youtube page where she sits down in front of the camera and takes you step by step through practical ways to do your makeup and what products to use.

I've loved that she has reccomended very affordable products since we're on a budget.  If you need some new ideas please take a minute to watch a few of her videos, it will be worth your time!

I need to post a picture of my new makeup routine. :)

The best thing has been the comments recieved about how i've worn my makeup recently.
Here is the link to her channel:

http://youtu.be/7kabzCnZniw

~~~~~*~~~~~

Who encourages you?