New Blog

Hi all... Just wanted to let you know that I created a new blog at WordPress.com.  This site has slowly become more difficult to work with.  Here is the link to my new blog...

http://notesoflaura.wordpress.com/

Have a great Friday and weekend!

Godly Conversations in the Underwear Aisle

 

I was shopping for underwear for my son today.  It is not my favorite thing to do, especially seeing the prices.  But, they were on sale and I had a coupon!  I also had the correct measurements from my son.  Along came, Michael--a sales associate.  He asked if I needed help.  We talked underwear for awhile, which was a bit awkward.  Then the conversation changed.  He told me he moved to Sioux Falls a year ago from Copenhagen, Denmark.  He has family in Sioux Falls.  He came here to make a fresh start. He was leaving his poor choices behind.  I said, "Praise God".  And he replied, "Yes. Amen!"  We immediately had a bond.  I asked him about church--which he does attend.  Then, I told Michael he should check out Life 96.5 radio.  He said that he already listens and loves the station.  His aunt and uncle play it all the time. He set his car radio to it and hasn't changed it.  It helps him start his day, and is so encouraging to him. We high fived. It is always wonderful to hear from fellow listeners of the radio station.  I walked away feeling so blessed.  I was willing to step out in faith and make a godly connection.  It is not easy, but God gives us the words to say.  I believe he places people in our paths for a reason.  Are we willing to say "yes" to all that God has for us?   

Thankful Hearts!

 

God calls us to be thankful in all circumstances.  A thankful heart draws us closer to God.  My husband and I even thought of thankful things about the traumatic day, my dad died.  God provided, gave us strength and protected us.  One of my sisters mentioned doing acts of kindness to remember dad.  Not long after she told me this idea, God immediately placed it upon my heart who he wanted me to bless.  So Thursday, July 24th, we set out with gifts of food and thank you cards.  We had a connection with a firefighter in the community.  So, we drove our treats of popcorn, pretzels, peanuts and peanut m&m's to the station.  This fire station was located near a small manmade lake.  It was so fitting and peaceful.  We made the connection and shared the story of my dad with them.  It was very healing.  We could also thank them for keeping our community safe. We were thankful for all the emergency responders who came to our aid last year.  Then it was on to the local pool.  Since my dad was a lifeguard (in his younger years) and he died while swimming, I wanted to bless the lifeguards.  We brought them cookies and of course...LIFESAVERS!  I was sharing my story with one worker and then the head gal came over.  She wanted to listen and hear about my dad.  She was so encouraging.  She knew what I was feeling when my dad went under water and I couldn't do anything.  She told me that I was sharing part of my dad with her.  She had even heard the story on the news last year--- and now she knew the connection.  She told my daughter to follow my example.  She was blessed. I was blessed.  She ran out and hugged me before leaving.                    God is good.   Having a thankful heart is such a blessing.

Releasing Love and Messages

 

My sister-in-law had told me about a family that released balloons in remembrance of a loved one.  I loved the idea. It was so great for all ages. We wrote messages on the balloons and let them go together.  It was so freeing and healing.  The winds were really gusting from the south.  So as soon as we let go, the balloons were off.  We enjoyed gazing at the sky, trying to spot them.  Who knows where they will land?

Remembering Dad's Homegoing Anniversary

We got together to remember my dad.  Over lunch we each shared various memories.  The room was big enough for the cousins to play.  My niece made us all handprint cards too.  She wanted us to "be happy".  The day he died, was very traumatic.  Details are hazy.  Images kept coming to my mind.  But, for this time we could focus on the positive, fun memories. 

Chicken Apple Wraps

 

 

Chicken Apple Wraps

 

1/2 C. chopped cooked chicken breast

3 T. chopped apple

2 T chopped green or red grapes

2 T peanut butter, creamy or crunchy

1 T. lite mayo or greek yogurt

2 tsp. honey

Lettuce leaves

 

Directions

 

1. Chop chicken and fruit and mix in bowl.

2. Mix in peanut butter, honey and mayo/yogurt

3. Spoon into open lettuce leaf, roll up and serve.  You could used another kind of wrap as well.

 

This is a simple, light, delicious wrap, especially for warm summer days! Enjoy!

 

 

Peace and Hope

5 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation" Romans Great reminder in church today... This is a link to a great hymn that was placed in my mom's head last week... It goes well with these verses.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYgm0ZeOtGA