Sweet Sunshine

Today I have been so thankful for the sun shining. It has been cold and rainy for what seems like forever. (yes... I do know it has only been a few days!) Today was BEAUTIFUL! The sun was shining and it was not too cold!

Snapshot of thanks 365

I saw on another blog where a friend was posting a picture every day as a snapshot of she and her family's life. I saw on yet another blog where a friend was posting once a day something she was thankful for. In both cases it might not be anything fancy or formal, it could be something big or small. I thought to myself, I can do this. I can gain so much by noticing more regularly the world around me and the many blessings that God has placed in my life. So.. I decided I was going to combine the two and do a snapshot of thanks 365. For the next year, I am going to work my hardest to post a picture and something I am thankful for. I will continue to blog and write longer posts as I have some thing to share or write. I will just also be doing the snapshots of thanks 365 too!!

So...the first Snapshot of Thanks 365

I am SOO thankful for this sweet little girl! My niece is the greatest! I love her sooo much and she is turning into such a smart, sweet, and special young lady!

Here she is playing in the kitchen my grandfather made my sister and I 27 years ago!

Me.

So... just for the heck of it, I decided to participate in Kelly's "Show Us Your Singles". You never know where you are going to meet the love of your life so as a single person who is totally open to what ever means God has planned for me to cross paths with the love of my life... Here I Go!!

A little about me...

My name is Laura. I am a late 20 something southern girl, born and raised. I have lived in South Carolina my entire life. My faith is the very core of who I am. I am active in mission work both locally and around the world serving as a board of trustee for a medical missions organization. I am also helping launch a new church here in Columbia as a way to serve my local community.

I love to cook and entertain. My family and friends are my world and keep me going every day! My niece, who is two, just might be the coolest kid around. I am also a bit of a college football junkie. My blood runs orange! GO TIGERS!! I grew up on the lake, so I love ALL things related to the water. The past couple years I have developed a love for the mountains too as my family has a vacation home in western NC.

I am finishing up graduate school in May. Right now my time is focused on finishing my thesis and research. When I am done, I will have 2 masters degrees (architecture and healthcare design)

If I missed anything or you want to know more, shoot me an email!

Lollysc@gmail.com

When I say I'm a Christian....

"When I say... "I am a Christian"

I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."

I'm whispering "I was lost,

Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble

and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak

And need His strength to carry on.

When I say. "I am a Christian"

I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed

And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible

But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches

So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I'm not holier than thou,

I'm just a simple sinner

Who received God's good grace, somehow."

— Maya Angelou

Its the most wonderful time of the year....

In my family, we always wait until after thanksgiving before really even thinking or considering Christmas. It has nothing to do with the fact that we don't love Christmas- Its more that we just have way to much to be thankful for to skip Thanksgiving.... Plus fall is such a fun time of the year. (Ummm... YEAH... FOOTBALL!!)

BUT... once we have enjoyed a wonderful thanksgiving surrounded by the friends and family we are so thankful for, I quickly starting thinking about Christmas. I always wake up the Friday morning after Thanksgiving when everyone else is out shopping thinking about getting the Christmas decorations out and enjoying the traditions that make the Christmas season so special!

I LOVE the holiday season. I love the decorations. I love the friends. I love the family time. I love the parties and the food. Plus the fun songs and hymns that really remind us what the season is all about make me happy all day long! All around, it is such a wonderful time to just live up life and soak up the amazing parts of the holiday.

One of my traditions that I started when I went to college was always sending out Christmas cards. Some times they are artsy and fun. Other times they are reminders of Christ's birth and the true meaning of the season. Sometimes they are just cards and other times I include pictures. This year I was SOOOO excited when I saw Shutterfly was doing a big free give away- 50 free holiday cards just for blogging about it! How awesome is that!?! You can get more information here if you are interested!

I have been debating about what kind of card I want to send. I think I want to send photo cards this year but keep going back to my traditional folded cards. When I went here and looked, I was totally amazed and cant decide which one I like the most. They are all so great!!! And we all know I am terrible at making decisions!!! I should probably go through my pictures and see how many I think I want to include... I am not sure if I want just one or a couple. Here are a few that I really liked... but since i still have not decided which one I am using, who knows you might find one in your mailbox!!

I love this one... a mix of classic fonts with a little fun, modern design!

The candy cane detail and the fun colors make me smile. Its so cute and fun!

I love the retro details of this one. Kinda fun!

I also then got some fun ideas for calendars. I was going to print some of my own at home, but these are just to awesome to pass up. I think I will be making one for myself!! (Yes... I know I should be thinking about gifts for others... but I need a calendar to keep these crazy school things organized!)

So... also... I did not realize Shutterfly does invitations. These are SO cute and so much fun!! I want to throw a party just because the invitations are so awesome!!

I am such a sucker for paper products!! Now if I were only better at making decisions and could decide on a Christmas card!

Recent Quotes

A few more short, but sweet, quotes and tweets I have read recently... and that have me thinking!

When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now- CS lewis

"The only moment we ever have is this one right here & right now... make it count... think, choose, act wisely... don't squander it" - Christine Caine

"You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving." -Perry Noble

"The true expressions of Christian character is not in good-doing, but in God-likeness. God's life in us expresses itself as God's life, not as human life trying to be godly."

" I am 100% confident that He has me right where he wants me. And that His plan for me, albeit incomprehensible at times, is carefully crafted and sure to be full of wondrous surprises." - Lindsay Nobles

Medical Benevolence Foundation

A couple of months ago I was approached about serving on the board for an INCREDIBLE organization. After a minor bit of research, I realized I would be completely stupid to not jump on the chance to serve along side this amazing group.

So... I am very happy to say, I am a member of the Board of Trustees for the Medical Benevolence Foundation.

Through the coming weeks, months and years, you will see lots of things coming across my blog about this organization.

more to come soon... BUT... check out the website in the mean time!!

http://www.mbfoundation.org/index.php