I will update more later, but for now...

I'm GETTING MARRIED on JUNE 1st!!

check out the website!

Good morning!  

It's Saturday in Cincinnati and I really have nothing to do :)  It's definitely time for an update on this blog!  

UPDATES!

1) I accomplished some long time goals in February and also moved out of my cute little apartment in the country.  Ah, that was a lovely spot - I didn't get to live there long enough! :)

 2) I went to Kansas for the month of March to visit with my cousin!  I went to help her around the house because she just had her newest little addition to the family.  A 6th baby - what a treasure and sweet little guy he is!  Being at my cousins house reminded me of my growing up!  Crazy, yes, but with a loving and laid-back mom which made things fun!  And of course, always having siblings to play with!  I learned to have a whole new appreciation for all my mom went through raising a whole slew of children (haha) and being there helped me understand mothers in a new light as well :)  I'm thankful for the time the Lord provided for me to head out to Kansas!  I can't forget to mention the generous gift of Krissy and Katie - although they couldn't come along, they supported what I was doing so much that they paid for my travels! 

 THANK YOU KRISSY AND KATIE - oh such sweet sisters I have.

3) EASTER!  No matter what may be happening in life, we always have such a wonderful reason to rejoice!  The Lord is RISEN!  And in my simple, child-like way of saying it - "He did not stay dead."  WoW!  I have been struck this last week with Jesus' example of how in the midst of deep sorrow, he was submissive to His Father's desires.  Jesus prayed in the garden that He would not have to go through with it...oh what grief, heartbreak, and pain He was feeling!  But Jesus also prayed God's will would be done no matter the pain or hurt He would have to endure.  Because Jesus was willing to face what His Father had for Him, to endure such hardship, we have all been given the most precious gift - FORGIVENESS and the opportunity to spend our eternity in Heaven!  It had to be that way, and through Jesus' deep pain, we have reason for rejoicing.  It's comforting to know He suffered pain and hurt like we do, but set the example for us of how we should be willing to go through it when the Lord does not see fit to remove it.  

4) Immediately following Easter, I moved out to Cincinnati, Ohio with plans to attend God's Bible School & College this coming fall.  I am very excited about studying God's Word in a deeper and different way!  So far, it has been a challenge for me but I'm trusting and seeking to be responsible on my end too.  I would appreciate any prayers you may happen to send up for me!

Nasia, Hannah, and our cousin Anne (along with some friends) were here last week!  This was taken at the school.

6) I was able to sell 30 Katie Down books to an organization who sold it this past week at one of their homeschooling conventions.  I have been praying the sales went well!  I just emailed this morning to see how it went...I'll let you know

 

Aren't Katie Down so cute? ;)

5) I turned 27 years old on Wednesday!  My friends and family made it very special for me and last night, Matt took me out to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat :)  It was a fun event!  Oh, I forgot to mention - Matt lives here in Cincinnati as well.

Check that out! Row C - niiiice seats :)

There you have it!  The updates!  I'm also currently trying to learn how to throw a Frisbee Golf (my friends are being patient with me) and enjoying the box of Oatmeal Cream Pies my siblings sent along in my birthday box!  Oh my favorite Little Debbie for sure 

On behalf of my family, we hope your holiday was filled to the very top with twinkling lights, sweet treats, out of town guests, and love!  Most importantly though, we hope your holiday season was full of the reminder of God's love toward each of you!  This year, more than any other, I was aware of a sense of sadness that people experience at Christmas time.  Many are reminded of heartache and pain at a time when they want to feel most happy.  I hope that this year you were able to recognize that God's love is what makes the holidays worth smiling about.  And more than just smiling, but REJOICING!  Thanks be to Him who LOVES deeper than we have ever been able to love anyone.

I love waking up early, seeing the tree lit, and searching underneath it for the new gifts!

Nasia and Greg excited to open their presents

Caleb got a lot of ski gear!  He's hoping to use it soon :)

We skyped for a little bit with Jarod and his family in Georgia! 

Greg and Caleb got the same coat this year!

Hannah is excited!

Our new puppy!  We got Indy in September.  His full name is Indiana Pooper! lol...reason being? We had never had to house train a puppy  before.  We love our new little guy - he's a great dog.

Caleb dropping into our huge pile gift paper trash!

The brown eyes of the family :)

Just havin' a little photo shoot by the tree!

This picture is from a girls outing this Christmas!  We went to see a ballet for the first time ever - Nutcracker!  We went with some other friends and ended the evening with the Cheesecake Factory! *mmmm*

The whole family was together at Thanksgiving!  

May you know Jesus's presence in a new way this year -

HAPPY 2012

         Feed Back...


"Laura your book is a true reflection of God's grace, mercy and faithfulness. You are an encouragement to our family and the book is great. I could not put it down and I think I will buy more copies as gifts for Christmas"

"Laura,

When we got home last night, I thought I would just look through a few pages of your book, but found it very difficult to put down.  Finally, about 3:00 AM, I talked myself into finishing it this morning.  What a wonderful little book.  I enjoyed reading it, and reliving, from my perspective, some of those incidents of which I was already aware.  I am convinced God will honor your prayer – that the Holy Spirit use your efforts to speak to people about their own walk with the Lord and His plan for their life.  He certainly used it to speak to me.

I loved it, and I wanted you to know."

"I love my Katie Down book!"

"I just finished reading your book. I like it. And I like the way you write. I love the stories about your family, and even more than that, I love the people in it!"

order yours today!

Thanks everyone for showing up at Chick-fil-A to support me and have some great food while you were at it!  I hope you're able to enjoy those free Spicy Chicken Biscuit coupons soon!  I know I will...

- overheard -

Little girl to her father:  "They're having a party!"

SUCCESS!  :) haha.  

She knew a good time when she saw one!

I had a great time seeing all of you, thanks again!


Laura


P.S.  I will be in Ohio at the Passion4Christ Summit Wed - Sat with my books!  A portion of every book sold will go to the Passion4Christ ministry!  I hope to see some of you there.

Chick-fil-A Signing

Hey all! 

I will be at the Central Park Chick-fil-A in Fredericksburg for a book signing!

October 24, Monday 

Monday is family night so bring the whole family and expect some great deals

For everyone who buys a copy at this event, they will be able to "spin the wheel" to see what kind of great Chick-fil-A coupon they will receive!  What a great opportunity to get some good food and have some fun.

I'll post more information later.

SEE YA THERE!

(first purchase of Katie Down!)

Katie Down OPEN HOUSE!

Hey guys, if you missed Saturday, I hope to see you all tomorrow night (sep 27th)!  

Come anytime from 6 to 10 p.m.