Laurie's Everyday Notions

Years ago....June 2012 to be exact..... while at the hospital bedside of my daughter , I cried "Heal her!" which was followed with as much conviction, "Thy will by done". And I meant it. The Holy Spirit equipped me to pray for God's will and not my own. The Holy Spirit equipped me to pray that whatever the outcome, he alone would be glorified. photo credit: Tessa Rampersad Since that time, "thy will be done" isn't as easy to pray when going about my normal, everyday life. How was it that I was able to so easily submit the future to his hands when I was facing my hardest days. Not by my power but by His. The past couple of weeks, as I prepared emotionally for the celebration of my youngest's 18th birthday, I've been revisiting this need to release my child into the hands of God. I've spent too many moments wondering if I've done my job in preparing my son for adulthood. I've spent too much time being anxious for his future...

Bravo to all you working mamas who still get dinner on the table! Last month I began working "away from home" and I've found meal planning and prep to be much harder than when I was working at home. I finally feel that I've adjusted to my new roles and am happy to say that I've started this week with a menu plan and all the prep that can be done in advance has been done! Dinner with my family is a priority - even if it means we gobble down everything in 10 minutes so that we can get out the door for an evening activity. We are a family that eats together and planning/prepping helps eliminate stress (because dinner isn't so enjoyable when mama's stressed. not that I would  know....) PHOTO CREDIT MONDAY: Vegetable Pot Pie Frozen Pie Crusts (package of 2) 3 T. butter 3 T. flour 1 cup of cream (milk would work too) 1/2 cup of water.......or less - thin gravy if needed ( broth can also be used)\ 1 package of frozen mixed vegetables Make rou...

This sweet boy wasn't like many of the other children who struck silly poses when they'd see me with my camera. This boy observed me from a distance. When I asked if I could take his picture he nodded slightly and gave me a small, gentle smile.  His friends on the other hand........... Friends, these are the future game-changers, world-changers, hope-for-the-nations children.  Even that one in your arms - that one which kept you up all night. Snuggle in tight for soon enough that child will be wiggling away.  Even the three year old that is stilling holding on to the "terrible twos" and is making you think that this potty training thing is going to last forever. The struggle is real for that little one who is stuck between a desire for independence and yet still has a desire to stay mommy's little boy. Even that face-always-in-the-mirror teen girl whose vanity may cause you to worry about her shallowness. Yes, one day she will see past hersel...

"festering" on top of the refrigerator for the afternoon My new favorite and EASIEST bread recipe comes from Gwen's Nest and can be found HERE Spinach and feta on my side and plain old cheese for the kids

I was going to go to the grocery store after work last night. I just needed a few supplies to get me through the day as I'm heading to the "big city" tonight to get the bulk of my groceries (some things are cheaper and well worth the drive). But then there was Downton  - yes, we may have three different PBS stations with our antenna but we don't get the "right" PBS station to watch DA when it airs. Thankfully we also have a Roku so we can watch it the next day. I'm also thankful that I didn't see any spoilers on Facebook before I was able to see the episode.  By the time we finished watching Downton and dried our eyes, our little, hometown grocery store was closed. Today I will just work with what I have.  Opening the freezer I found ice cream (my son would be just fine with ice cream for dinner), a bag of frozen California vegetables, two salmon fillets, walnuts, one pie crust, a box of puff pastry, and frozen radishes.  The refrigerator didn...

Ever have one of those days when you feel in a funk? A day when you just can't shake the crabbiness? Today was such a day. Work started steady, and then it just got a little chaotic. The chaos that comes when I needed to be doing ten things at the same precise moment.  And the organized perfectionist in me who couldn't control her environment started to feel a little stressed. Stress brings out the crabby me. And then I got home from work, later than I wanted. Missed church. And my feet hurt. And the moment I even thought about complaining of my sore feet I felt guilty because I had vowed, after hearing of neuropathic pain that my friend with cancer experiences as a result from her chemotherapy, that I will never complain about my aches and pains. My achy feet don't even compare to the pain which she experiences. I vowed that I wouldn't complain about my achy feet because I should be grateful that I can work. Grateful that I have my second "bonus" job on t...

On this third day of November I search for three gifts that start with "N". A new day, a day in which I embrace. A day in which gives me another chance to whittle down the to-list. A new chance of loving others better than the day before.  Original Photo Credit Night, a chance to rest. A chance for my body to recharge. Original Photo Credit Never ending love. Knowing that He loves me no matter how many times I fail. He knows me yet still loves me. Forever. I am humbled and thankful. What are you thankful for today?

A few years ago I was in the practice of counting my gifts daily. Unfortunately I let that habit slip away and I can tell. I've forgotten how blessed I am, I'm easily "stressed out" and negativity flows from my mouth. This is a practice of gratitude is one that I need to revive in my life and what better month than November, the month of thanksgiving. Would you join me? Ann Voskamp makes it easy by offering a pretty printable to place on your refrigerator, in your planner or on your bathroom mirror. This can either be used as a reminder or you can follow her word prompts as you search each day for three gifts. I missed yesterday but I'm not going to fret about that - I'll just do yesterday's today! November 1 - Three gifts eaten 1. Oikos Triple Zero Banana Cream Yogurt with a handful of walnuts ~ breakfast on the run as we rushed off to church in the morning. On a day designated as "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church",...

I've started wearing my "work" shirts when I leave the house. Once upon a time I had "work t-shirts" that were different from my "leave-the-house/nice t-shirts".  It kinda of happened gradually until one day, while searching for a nice t-shirt to wear out, I decided that the "work" shirt I had on was really one of my favorite t-shirts and therefore was worthy of leaving the house. Sorry, world. Deal with it. Then I realized that the world really cares very little about what I'm wearing so I said, "Sorry self, get over it."

While in Guatemala with World Help our team was introduced to the many needs in the areas in which we visited. Building a church Building an addition on an overcrowded school Building a home At hearing each need my heart would ache as I desired to do something. My head swarmed with ideas on how I could help yet when I returned home those dreams ceased as I busied myself with my own life of work, managing a home, homeschooling and a too busy schedule. Soon my dreams and desires were replaced with thoughts of inadequacy. How can this work-at-home mom possibly do something of this magnitude?  Yet shouldn't my faith allow me to dare to dream? I've been reminded that nothing is impossible for God and if it be His will, He will make my dreams a reality. But Jesus looked at  them  and said to them, “With men this is  impossible , but with God all things are possible.” Matt. 19:6  So I'm daring to dream again and praying that God equips me to do mor...

I'm so tired and ready for bed but instead of heading to bed this 31 day blog challenge brought me instead to my computer. Trying to get inspired I headed over to Facebook to play a couple game of Candy Crush. In between games I did a few word searches on  biblegateway.com , a favorite place of mine for studying and for inspiration. Feeling defeated I headed here and scrolled through old posts (I should do this more often for there many blessings in my life that I've forgotten). One year ago today I wrote about " Eyes of Wonder ". It may be an old post but it's worth revisiting. Life is so full of blessings, my friend, but sometimes you have to open your eyes and LOOK!  Here's what I posted last year: I appreciate snow but only the view from my window as I sit inside my warm home with my hand cupped around a mug of something warm. This morning however the snow surprised me. Wasn't it just a week or so ago when I was still sporting shorts and flip ...

When I was pregnant with my first I read several the books (of course "What to Expect When Your Expecting" was included in my stack of books) and payed attention during my birthing classes, well I paid attention to most of the information. I skipped over the parts about complications or circumstances such as induced labor, c-sections, and anything else that would be different from my expectations. Those circumstance weren't going to happen to me. I was sure that my bundle of joy would arrive beautifully with little complications and little pain. I did not expect to have my water break during my last scheduled day at work or that my husband, after dropping me off at work, would head to a friend's house in our only car. Not to mention that my boss had left me in charge of the restaurant while he went for a hair cut. This was before cell phones so I left a message on the home phone and sat patiently waiting for either my boss or my husband. Delivery was not full of ...

When my son was little I tried to teach him the value of sincerity when he'd apologize. I also taught him that apologizing was like a promise, a vow to never again offend in the same manner. My mantra for those moments was, "Sorry means that you'll never do it again!" Although my intentions were good, I see now that my mantra was lacking grace. We fail. Each and every one of us.  "there is none righteous, no not one!" (Romans 3:10) Often we continue to fail. So many times I've gone to bed praying, "Oh, God, I blew it...again! I held negative thoughts toward my husband, I lost my patience with the kids, I forgot to talk to you all day!" Somehow instead of God saying, "Laurie, sorry means you'll never do it again!", I imagine he'd give me a tight squeeze and say, "Child, we'll try again tomorrow." It's amazing that he hasn't given up on me.  Just as God has given me second chances that are smother...

Some fears are obvious. Fear can present itself through that queasy feeling I get when I'm peering over a cliff. Heights have a tendency to do that to me. Sky diving, bungee jumping and the like are not activities I care to pursue.  I also have a fear of speaking in front of people, whether it be a crowd of five or fifty, I somehow get tongue twisted as I feel my ears turning a bright shade of red; my hands and voice begin to tremble ever so slightly.  Other fears are not so obvious. They creep in, just like Satan did in the garden, whispering doubt. Doubt of self but mostly doubt of God's faithfulness, His power, His goodness. These fears have a tendency to steal joy and crush faith.  Fear is a result of not fully relying on God for my every need. Fear is my lack of ability to give up my tightfisted need to control my own life so that I may place my life completely in His hands. My fear tells God (and others) that I don't trust Him. Yet I know well tha...

PHOTO CREDIT Proverbs 31:25  Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. Yoga pants, t-shirt and a ponytail. Yep, that's how I'm clothed most days. Somehow I see the Proverbs 31 woman looking a lot different than me. She's put together with every hair in place, a light touch of make up and a pretty blouse without coffee stains or spit-up shoulders. But maybe the descriptions of her have much more to do with her attitude than her dress. Her beauty within spills over and radiates to create an outward beauty.  She stands tall but is humble. She is majestic in her simpleness.  She is strong in her convictions and isn't afraid of hard labor but her hands are gentle and she cries with those who are in need.  She is dignified but not proud.  She is gracious, full of integrity, kind, giving....ah, the list goes on! I think that all these characteristics are simply proof that she is a daughter of the King as she shines H...

Today I had but a taste of God's goodness as I spent the day with my children. We saw his beauty as we traveled winding roads along the river and bluffs covered with vibrant colors of red, orange and yellow.  Today's blessings I am so grateful for today's blessings.

long (verb): to have an earnest or strong desire or craving; yearn I have many desires. A month full of "sleep-in-Saturdays", financial security, a return trip to Guatemala, a peaceful home, a new-to-me car that actually works, world peace, a backpacking European trip with my kids for my 50 birthday (yes, that's the next "big" one!) are just a few of the things in which I long for. Funny how one email can totally erase all those longings, causing a new list to formulate.  I long for the end of poverty and hunger. I long for every child in the world to have a comfortable bed inside of a safe home, with a family that eats dinner together and never worries about when the next meal may be. I long for every child in the world to have opportunities to dream and to read and to be educated.  I long for every child in the world to be shielded from the evils of the world ~  war, abuse, injustices, the darkness of violence and human ...

I have a habit of changing recipes, making adjustments to use what I have on hand. Sometimes I have success. Sometimes, well, not so much. Today's recipe adaptation was a success! My Pumpkin Muffin in a Mug topped with pumpkin cream cheese "frosting" and walnuts was so yummy!  Pumpkin MIM (muffin in a mug) 1 T. Almond Flour 1 T. Coconut Flour 1/2 t. baking powder a "glob" of coconut oil heaping T. of pumpkin puree 1/4 t. caramel extract sprinkle of NuStevia 1 egg Stir all ingredients in a coffee mug and microwave for 1 minute. Top with "frosting" and walnuts. Unfortunately I didn't measure the ingredients for the frosting. It was something like this: Equal parts pumpkin puree and cream cheese. Sprinkle of NuStevia and a few generous shakes of pumpkin spice. Mash it all together.  Another great adjustment today? My attitude. If you read last night's post you may have detected a bit of we...

Treading water. Some days are like that. The only goal is survival.  To keep treading. To keep head above water. This is not how I choose to live. I want to live a life of purpose. A life which glorifies my Savior.