Where We've Been....

Hello Everyone,

So sorry we've been MIA! We really haven't forgotten about you, in fact we've been saddened by our lack of blogging. However, part of our goal in becoming more like the Proverbs 31 woman is WHY we have not been blogging. As most of you know, Page and I have recently given birth to precious babies as well as keeping up with our homes, families and photography businesses. To say our Summer has been busy would be a HUGE understatement. :-) With Fall/Winter approaching, we're hoping to get back into the swing of things, especially since our photography businesses will be slowing down somewhat.

We have SO much we want to blog about, so stay tuned for upcoming recipes, devotions, quick tips, crafts, things we've learned, and so much more!

Thanks for your patience and continued support!!

~Lauren & Page

Thankful Thursday: Crazy Weather Blues!

Mark 4:36-45

³⁶And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

³⁷And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

³⁸And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

³⁹And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

⁴⁰And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Let me just tell you... The weather around here has been crazy! In the last month or so, we have had massive hail damage (think ping pong ball to baseball size hail) to all of our vehicles, lost 3 windows in our house, and our metal roof and exterior log walls looks like a giant toddler took a hammer to them.

One of these storms, we were actually in our car. It was one of the most incredible, yet scary things I have ever seen...

It would be really easy for me to be discouraged by all of these things--but... I'm not. I know God has a plan, a great plan, for all that He has allowed to happen.

I have seen some of His Greatness and Mercy unfolding already, and I am really looking forward to how He will take care of the rest!

So, this is my quick Thankful Thursday. God is great!

A side note... Here is a verse that has meant a lot to me the last few days...

Proverbs 21:30 "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD."

So, tell me, what are you thankful for today? : )

~Page

Quick Tip Wednesday: Try it!

So, this "quick tip" is not anything uber amazing-but just some thoughts and ideas to help save in the calorie department! Who can't use a little help in these areas? : )

Try It: Without Butter

Hold on--I think Paula Deen just fell off her chair and half the south wept at the thought! : )

In all seriousness, I have learned to love so many things without butter--that I once thought couldn't come without it!

Some of the biggest culprits? Corn on the cob and restaurant bread/rolls. I rarely have butter on these items any more. Honestly, (to me) they just don't need it. Just give it a try (or two)--you'll learn to love these items for what they are--which is wonderful--without all the added calories.

Try It: With a little less or no salt.

Is Paula Deen crying now? (Ha ha! No worries, Paula! I still love your cooking shows!)

I don't think most realize just how much salt they eat in a day! (Or how much comes in the food they order!) It can be just out right ridiculous!

All I'm saying is--just give your foods a try with less (or without)! Some things may take some adapting--some just may not be edible with out some salt. But, just try it! You may surprise yourself at what really doesn't need much, if any, salt on your plate!

Try It: Veggies you've always hated--or ones you've been afraid to try!

My tastes have changed so much since I was younger. I used to cringe and gag at the thought of greens or pinto beans--but now, they are things that I love or maybe even crave! (No--this is not just a prego thing! : )

Just try a little--here and there. You may still hate these items--or you may surprise yourself with a new item to love!

Do you have any other "Try It" tips? Let us know!! Every little bit helps! : )

~Page

The One Way of Salvation, C.H. Spurgeon

Acts 15:11 "But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."

So, I had it all planned out what I was gonna post today--but I just couldn't get a peace about it. And this is where I ended up... : )

765. The One Way of Salvation

This is a great message by C.H. Spurgeon titled "The One Way of Salvation". Someone is supposed to see this today--please don't wait to accept the wonderful, free salvation offered by the Lord.

Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

~Page

Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss "Spring Jacket Refashion"

Ok--so, if there is a blog I LOVE to follow--it's Julie's "Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss". She is an uber creative, wonderful christian woman. Her creativity just kills me...

Seriously--if you've never visited her blog, I just want to prepare you... IT ROCKS!! You won't wanna stop looking at all of the great crafts, whether large or small. Hhhhmmm... What I'd give to step in her house and just look around!! : )

Anyways--when I saw one of her latest posts, "Spring Jacket Refashion"--I just had to share it with you all! The makeover made my heart swoon... So cute, so easy, super chic!

"The before"

Click here to check it out!

You'll love it--no doubt!

~Page

1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Bearing a Loss and Learning His Will...

I'd like to start this post with a passage from God's Holy, Perfect Word...

2 Samuel 12

¹⁶David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

¹⁷And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

¹⁸And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

¹⁹But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.

²⁰Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

²¹Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

²²And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

²³But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

²⁴And David comforted Bathsheba his wife...

Just recently, I had a dear friend who lost a child.

The words don't hardly come to me on how to express my sorrow for their loss...

My heart broke deeply over this little one, as I had spent many a time in prayer about her--morning, through out the day, and sleepless nights thinking and pleading to The Almighty, Perfect God about her. She had been very sick for a while...

It was actually just right before her passing that The Lord led me to the above passage. I had never read it until then, or at least read it with someone deeply burdened on my heart this way before... And was comforted to hear it again at her funeral... So I wanted to share it with you.

I want to say upfront that I have not personally experienced the loss of a child. And I don't want to come across as an "expert on the matter". I can never fully comprehend what any parent that has experienced the loss of a child has gone through. I don't ever want to. I would not wish that for anyone. But, I do hope that if anyone that has experienced this hardship in their lives, they can see what God's Flawless Word says about it... It's just something that has been on my heart...

God is an Amazing God. His ways are higher. His thoughts are pure, righteous, and flawless.

Isaiah 55:8-9

⁸For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.

⁹For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

We can't always understand why God allows certain things in our lives and the lives of those close to us. That's because we are not perfect.

Romans 3:23

²³For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

God knows everything--from start to finish. He is omniscient (all knowing), omnipresent (always present), omnipotent (all-powerful). He is perfect. His way is perfect. His will is perfect.

Psalm 18:30

³⁰As for God, His way is perfect: the Word of the LORD is tried...

God has a plan and purpose for all things.

Ecclesiastes 3

¹To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

³A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

⁴A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

⁵A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

⁶A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

⁸A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

¹⁰I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

¹¹He hath made every thing beautiful in His time: also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

¹⁴I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him.

Because God is perfect, we have to trust His plan and His will for our lives.

Psalm 31:14-15

¹⁴But I trusted in Thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

¹⁵My times are in Thy hand...

God loves us. And nothing can separate His Children from Him.

Romans 8:35, 37-39

³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

³⁷Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

³⁸For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He guides and provides.

Proverbs 3:5-6

⁵Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Romans 8:32

³²He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

He is God.

I can't say that I have never struggled with some of these things. Accepting something that I believe should be a certain way--but isn't. But, I am a sinner--imperfect, flawed, and blemished... God is perfect. His Word sets the standard--and clearly tells me that it's not my will be done, it's His. And there is NO better way for ANYTHING to be done.

I am learning to trust God and His plan for my life. It sounds scary--but remember, when you give your life over to God--you're giving your life to a PERFECT, HOLY GOD, that loves us in ways we can't even understand and wants the best for us--not just now, but eternally.

Trust and believe in God. In every situation and circumstance, rest and find true peace in Him.

Some past posts that may help:

"The Joy of the Lord is my Strength" For verses that remind us about keeping our joy--always, in every situation.

"How Big is God?" There is nothing to compare to God. HE IS GOD. There is none bigger, nothing greater.

"Lord, Thank You" A biblical reminder of what the Lord has done for us and for you...

"Why I Believe in Jesus" Foundation of belief in Christ. Are you one of those in doubt?

"I'm SO very thankful..." Have YOU experienced this so great salvation? The salvation that ONLY Christ can give? Do you know that your sins are forgiven? Do you know where you will spend eternity? There is nothing in and of ourselves that we can do, it is ALL through Jesus Christ, for He is the only way!

Just one last thing before this post ends... A measure of comfort for those who have experienced loss and for those who will... From the verses above:

²²And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

²³But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again?I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

"I shall go to him." How powerful. How beautiful. For those of us who have experienced salvation--that only comes from God through Jesus Christ--we shall go to them.

God is Amazing. Gracious and Holy. Perfect and Righteous. Loving and my Father.

Amen.

~Page

Breaking the Hard and Haughty Heart

Philippians 2:1-11

" ¹If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

²Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

³Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

⁴Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

⁵Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

I heard a story this last week that really touched my heart--and reminded me of the importance of having a humble, Christ-like attitude in my every day life.

A dear friend and missionary to Africa, Yohannes Gatenah (John for short), is an amazing man. If you ever have the privilege of meeting and speaking with him, your life would only be richer for it. His ministry is to the deaf people of Zambia. God has blessed his ministry in huge and awesome ways. As I could talk on and on about John--I'll try to keep it to just this one story, but he has so many amazing and wonderful stories of the miracles, mercies, and love of God that I could fill this blog up!! : )

Part of the ministry John has is a deaf school for children. The deaf in Zambia are actually considered lower life forms than dogs in Africa. Many children come to this school--unloved and unwanted--not even having a name, because their parents did not deem them worthy or acceptable as a living being. The stories of most of these children would leave us shocked, appalled, and deeply heart broken. Just the thought of some of the things I know of some brings me to tears instantaneously.

One child John talked about the other night was a very young deaf boy, in the neighborhood of 5-7 years of age. One day--he had an accident in his clothes. The teacher, whose heart was had lapsed into hardness over the situation, decided to teach the boy a lesson by stripping him of all of his clothing and making him stand outside in the cold for all to see. Her goal was to shame him--hoping this would cure him of ever making the same mistake of having an accident.

Take a moment (before I tell you what happened to the boy), if you will, to examine this situation from all sides. It's easy to think that this teacher was just malicious and calloused... But the point of the story is not to judge the boy's teacher--but to examine ourselves, our hearts, our motives... We may not strip a child and shame him in front of countless others, but what has my hardened, sinful heart caused me to do? Did we lose heart and grow irritation over an "annoying kid at church"? Did we try to avoid him/her because "we just can't stand them"? Did we look down our nose at a struggling believer? Did we offend? Did we forgive? I hope you see what I'm saying... Hard and haughty hearts ruin our relationship with Christ, and in turn--our relationship with other believers... Remember the above verses:

²Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

³Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

⁴Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

These verses and countless others call us to be humble--to be a servant--to let go of self-love and pride and render our lives to Christ--to care for others, and see them as the wonderful gifts from God that they are. EVERYONE.

Now, back to the boy... Can you imagine what it was like, standing there--with accident still on you--cold and naked--friends and peers staring? His little heart was broken. John was in his office, and looked out his window and saw the boy. He immediately went to see what was going on. The teacher told him about the accident and how she was teaching him a lesson. John's heart was broken. This godly man handled the situation, with all of the love and humility of Christ. He did speak with the teacher--to remind her that although she truly had no obligation to clean the boy--her commitment to God and her need for Christ-likeness and servanthood was much greater.

John took the boy, cleaned him and gave him clean clothes to wear. The love this child felt--that welled up inside his little soul--was great. His heart was knit to John. This child experienced true, Christ-like love and servanthood, and it had deeply rooted in him and impacted him greatly.

Sadly, just a few, short months later, the boy was hit by a car and killed. John's heart broke again, right before us, as he relayed this to us. But that was not the end of this little boy's story!

When the boy had went home, the day he had his accident on his clothes, he told his father about John and what John had done for him. When they had the boy's funeral--the father talked with John, about how the boy felt for him, and about how he (the father) felt for John as well because of his kind, loving actions toward his son. As a result, the father began attending John's church--and was SAVED.

Do you see? John, humbling himself, cleaning a mess that he did not have to clean--helping a child that he could have left to learn a harsh lesson--representing the very core of Christ in His ways--was a major part in bringing a lost father to the Lord.

What if John hadn't? What if he just didn't want to deal with "an accident" that day? What happens when we don't?

Please remember. Our actions, whether Christ-like or not, impact and impress upon others. And, as believers in Christ, we are to be Christ-like. Whether it's the man on the curb, the driver in the car in front of us, the child on the bus who hasn't showered in a week, "that kid" at church, that person who offended me... EVERYONE. We are to do as the verses above say...

~Page