You Know That...

You know that your PMS is under control when your husband asks, "Did you even have a period this month?" Niiiice. :)

Sensitive Girls

I was raised being told what a sensitive creature I was.  I cried easily, got my feelings hurt with a wrong look, and broke down in repentance with the littlest stern look... God made me that way, I was frequently reminded.  But I don't remember hearing how it was anything positive.

Fast forward to present day.  My one and only daughter is cut from the same cloth.  This past week, her sin of lying has had a major flare up.  She has been dishonest about the smallest, most minuscule details or topics.  Frustrating.  We were talking through one of these incidents this morning.  I wasn't loud or mad.  I just spoke to her as a hurting parent who wants her to be honest and trustworthy, reaping the blessings of those traits.  Once I reminded her of Whom she was really sinning against, her lips and cheeks began quivering and twitching.  The tears welled up and started streaming.   I started to pray that whenever she was tempted to lie, the Spirit would convict her heart before any words came out of her mouth.  And before I knew it, I was crying right there with her.

I can't explain how much I have grown in spiritual maturity since becoming a mom.  There is an empathy for God as a parent that I couldn't grasp before having my own kids.  When I explain how sin affects Jesus, how and why He longs for obedience, and what His desire is for us, I think of myself as a little girl who is in the same boat as Gracie a lot of times.  I still hurt Him.  On an earthly level, knowing fully how that feels as a parent, I am crushed and convicted that I haven't "learned my lesson yet."

This enlightenment seems to happen a lot with my Graciegirl.  May be when two sensitive girls get together, tears must be present?!  But I'm not complaining.  These are some of the most precious moments we share together.  Sharing our hearts, praying for a righteous spirit, intimate tears, declaring our crazy love for each other.  I am so thankful that we are both sensitive - to the sin in our lives, to the conviction given by loved ones, and to each other.  I'm still learning about how a sensitive spirit is a gift, but at least I'm starting to see it as such with my beloved baby girl.

To end our session, I told her I was going to turn on the radio and asked if she wanted to dance.  I thought she was going to twirl around like she does in a new, hand-me-down leotard.  I pushed on, started to spin for a second before going on to something else, but she grabbed my hand and got in front of me.  The silent request to be picked up...  So I held her in my arms and spun around the room as I prayed the words being sung, and stroked and kissed her hair.  It was such a God thing that this particular song was on.  I know the lyrics are meant to be about Jesus, but I, too, will carry her every day she'll let me.

Carry Me To The Cross - by Kutless
When the path is daunting 
And every step exhausting 
I'm not alone, I'm not alone, no, no

I feel You draw me closer 
All these burdens on my shoulder 
I'm not alone, I'm not alone 
You pull me from this place 

(Chorus)
Hallelujah!
You carry me every day 
You carry me all the way 
Hallelujah!
You carry me to the 
You carry me to the cross 

How Your love has moved me
To the foot of all Your glory 
I'm not alone, I'm not alone, I'm not alone 

Chorus 

All of these cities you have built 
And every cathedral you have filled 
To all of creation you gave life with your hands 
And with those hands you comfort me 
You lift me up from my knees 
And carry me 
You carry me 

Chorus

The cross 
You carry me to the 
You carry me to the cross

Coffee, Tea, and ME!

One of my prime love languages in friendships is quality time. And it doesn't matter where I am. Lately it happens to have been at Starbucks, Peet's, or Panera. I value the conversations, encouragement, and prayers spoken there, and the many great, new friendships that have been created!

A special thanks to my awesome husband who appreciates my drive to connect with people this way and supports me in that. He certainly gets blessed also with a wife who is gaining spiritual maturity, great advice, and wonderful friends!! I love you, baby!!!!

Gotta Gush on my Crush

Casual post: don't care how it sounds or if it's eloquent.  :D

I'm in an uncharted time of life right now.  (I guess anyone can say that at any time.)   But seriously - I'm almost 30, we're done having kids, my body is getting back to normal "Laura-only" hormones again...  I don't know if it's a combination of all those things or what, but I AM EVEN MORE MADLY IN LOVE WITH MY HUSBAND THAN EVER BEFORE!  I was always crazy about him, but my goodness!  Flirting, texting, all that fun stuff...  We can't keep our hands off of each other! ;)  I feel like we're in high school - all the crushing going on!  Which is pretty funny considering we didn't kiss each other, etc. until our wedding day so it's very obvious that we aren't really acting like we are in high school.  We've always made our marriage a huge priority, and I feel like we're in a season of wholly reaping the benefits of all that.  We read books, go to conferences, go on dates, have "marriage maintenance" conversations regularly.  Everything is working right now.  Like a silly school girl, I'm fantasizing about the next time I get to make out with my hubby again... which will pretty much be the second he comes home from work.  HA!  I LOVE LOVE!  And yes, this might be the dumbest it's-none-of-your-business post that was ever written, but with my heart as excited as it is, I consider my blog the mountaintop from which I am shouting!!

Keep On Coloring

I was on a coloring date with Hayden, but he ditched me for the more enticing Wii that his brother was enjoying. Like a true nerd, I carried on with the Hello Kitty sheet that had been chosen for me. I'm so glad I did! Levi crept up on my lap, and I invited him to color my picture with me. In addition to some yummy snuggles, I got to hear some brand new words! Blue and two, to name a few!! Time well spent. :)

Playing Favorites

"My favorite God is Jesus! That's my favorite king." - Hayden
"God is my favorite God." - Noah

The Trinity is a confusing thing! lol

Passion Shifting

A few months ago I was driving with a new friend in the car.  Our conversation took off, and we covered some real 'stuff' in no time.  That dialogue pulled things out of my spirit that I didn't even know were so rooted in me.  By the time I dropped her off at home, I was beaming, refreshed, and couldn't wait to share my newfound revelations with Scott.

I had shared that teaching was a passion God had given me (a spiritual gift according to some of those tests), and I was so pleased that I had an education to back that up as I am beginning to homeschool my kids in a few short months.  Would I want to have my own classroom after this homeschooling season is over though?  I don't think so.  As we delved deep, I recognized that my passion was shifting to travel, and not just in the hobby sense.  I have always loved going places.  I attribute that to my parents who made a point to show us a lot, mostly in the States.  We got to see where history has been made, see with our own eyes the beauty and variations of God's creation.  The saying about a picture never comparing to actually seeing it for yourself is true!  Why do I love to travel?  To get away?  Not only that!  I love seeing how other people experience life - what surrounds them geographically, their cultural influences, their values.  How they have been shaped over time.  I don't go for a tan.  I go for an education.  An experience.  A broader worldview to study through my Christian lenses.  Inspired by my parents' priority, travel has become an important vision for Scott and our family.

I know not everyone feels that thrill, but that's what is in my core.  This doesn't mean I am going to become a nomad.  But if people seek an experience in travel, I'd love to help them get one!  The passion, the way I'm wired with organization and attention to detail (ha! It sounds like a resume) are huge strengths when considering a next career/ministry in travel planning.  Why ministry, you ask?  My friend and I talked about opportunities working with mission trips, professional artists, and non-profit organizations.  Who knows what will happen between now and ???.

The point is, I am now aware that God can and does shift passions in order for us to continue to do His will and be crazy happy and fulfilled in the process.  I'm not sure why this was so surprising to me.  Seasons of our life change, and why wouldn't our very creative God grow us in several areas of the gifts that He's given us?  He wants to be glorified in all of them - not just your current favorite.  And may be I'm putting the cart before the horse here.  After all, I am certain that I'm not ready for the travel passion to take over completely.  But for now it can work in conjunction with my teaching passion - Hello, homeschooling!  Beyond that, I'm His to lead, and I am just so stinking excited about where I think He's leading me!!

One of my absolute favorite, hair-raising conversations, Staci Frenes!! XOXO