2013

Well, I'm not totally sure if this is going to get thru as I'm writing this on my phone but I'll try anyway.

I just wanted you all to know that I am still around and haven't dropped off the face of the earth. :-)

While I have had some discouraging things happen to me during the last year,God has proven time and time again that He is always there for me.

I also want to thank those of you who are praying for me and I appreciate your continued prayers as well.

Laura
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on the MTS High Speed Mobility Network

2012 !

Wow! The time sure has flown over the last few months!
We had a busy Christmas/New Year's, then back to the old grind-stone with work and school.

I've had a few comments sent in asking if my story was over or if this was the end.

In case you've missed it, the title of my blog is 'My Life Unchained'.
I don't know about you, but I can still feel my heart beating...So I think my life is still goin' strong!  :)

Just because I'm not constantly filling you in on my deepest, darkest secrets, doesn't mean I'm done, I'm just very busy.  (three children 6 and under, a full-time job, and a life kinda make me busy!) 

Living a life unchained doesn't mean that there won't be hardships or even heart break. Leaning and depending on God for all your needs is key when dealing with life.

I heard something today from a friend of mine,  'Pessimists look at a glass as being half empty, while Optimists look at it as half full...How 'bout we just be glad that we have a glass at all?'

I believe that there are too many 'Christians' out there that are looking at things from the wrong perspective.
Are we focusing so much on the negative things going on in our lives, that we ignore reality?
Or are we living in a bit of a dream land instead of actually putting our words to action?

I would associate negativity with pride. I realize that that may be a bit much for some to handle, but keep in mind that every one of us has an issue with pride in one form or another. It is how we handle it that helps us become mature adults.

Are the insults, gossip, and insinuations going to sting? Of course!! 
But we have to remind ourselves, that the other person is still a human being. That they may also have a hurting heart, and as hard as it may seem we need to view those that hurt us the way God views them.

I Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

It's not a sin to ignore those that are hurting you...Pray for them, then move on with your life.


Yes, its one of those things that is easier said than done...But if you try and keep the burden on yourself, it will eat you up and bitterness will creep in.


I know that there are MANY people out there that fully expected my blog to 'hurt' my father, or even close his church down.
That wasn't and is still not my intention.


I am extremely thankful that I have been able to connect with, relate to,  and help so many others out there that are hurting.

What Are You Thankful For ?

What with this past weekend being Thanksgiving, I'm sure we've all had people asking us this question.

Some of the obvious answers I think we've all heard or even said ourselves are our homes, children, spouses, salvation, church, etc, etc.

However, have you ever thought to actually thank God for the trials that He has allowed you to deal with and go through?  Or have you become bitter and disgruntled over those things?

I can't say that I am covered by armor that protects me from some of the harsh comments from some of you. I am (after all) human and have feelings like anybody else.

I know that for myself, the things that God has ALLOWED to happen to me throughout my entire life have made me into more of the person that HE wants me to be.

Looking at the fact that my relationship with my mom has been dissolved, it has changed my heart as a mother myself.
I am taking the time to not care as much if my house is spotless (which it RARELY is) and spending more time when my girls want to cuddle, play outside, or just sit and watch a movie with me.

I thank God every day for my children and the great joy they bring to my life.

With my siblings no longer being in my life, it has made me much more patient inside. 
Yes, I can train horses and deal my little ones patiently, but when it came to other things my heart wasn't nearly as patient.
I know that God has and is working in my brothers' and sister's hearts and that one day I will be able to get together with them as a family and that our children will finally get to know each other.

It has been said that I need to get down and go to them and talk, but that has already been done on my part.
I have found peace in knowing that I have done what I need to, to bring reconciliation between my siblings and I. The rest is off my shoulders.

I will not lie just so that there can be a good relationship, that goes against everything I believe and what the Bible teaches.

I have been blessed to have a little communication (although not always positive) with a few of my brothers.
And I thank God for being able to keep close with the majority of my extended family down in the U.S., even in the midst of the storm I have found true family and friends.

I am constantly being honed and refined into the woman that I need to be, and tho it hurts alot at times I know that as long as I stay close to Him I will continue to grow and mature.

So, the next time you start to feel over-whelmed with something(s) that's going on in your life, just remember that nothing happens that God doesn't have to allow first.

And no matter what it is that you're having to deal with, if you stay close to Him you will be better for it.