A Place of Rest

After listening to some of the IF Gathering conference last weekend, I started to read the book of Joshua. I'm not getting far very quickly because God keeps stopping me in my tracks. Yesterday, I spend the day contemplating what it means to be strong and courageous. I'm still not sure what that looks like, but let's talk about God providing rest.

In the first chapter, Joshua commands the people to prepare to take the promise land. Moses is dead and God has charged him with leading the Israelites. Remember that this is what they have all been waiting for. After 40 years in the wilderness, it's finally time. Do you think they are tired? Do you think they are not only physically exhausted but emotionally wrecked? I do. I can't imagine what it would be like to hear a promise from God and have it take so long to come to fruition.

When Joshua spoke the words "a place of rest" I can almost feel the people of God take one big sigh of relief. It's almost here, they can almost breath. My ESV Study Bible footnotes say "rest suggests freedom from threat, the enjoyment of one's inheritance, security within the borders of the land, and a state of all-around well-being."

God spoke life into me as I read these words this morning. I think they are true for us too. After God calls us to great things, often hard things, he will provide a time of rest. A time for us to rejuvenate and gather our strength. Do you ever feel so tired, so sick of working and fighting? I know that feeling all too well. But we can persevere because we know that it won't always be so hard. God will provide us a place, a season, of safety and peace.

I hope these words speak hope into someone's heart. Keep up the good fight, friend - rest is just up ahead.

Back

Hey friends, I haven't disappeared. But a lot has happened in our family, work and hearts.

On October 11th, Abel was born! It was a wonderful experience and he is an amazing little babe. My heart grew leaps and bounds the moment he was placed on my chest. He's a giggler, snuggler and sleeper. Abel turns four months next week. God has been so good to bring him into our family!

In December, I started working with Young Living Essential Oils to share with others how oils have been so good for our family. My website for essential oils is www.laurajadeessentials.com. I'll be sharing some of our oils journey here but there will be way more on that site and blog. I'm still doing graphic design work too.

I'm a different woman than I was four months ago. Along with the birth of our sweet boy, came the birth of a more relaxed Laura. I can't even explain how it happened, except to say that God worked something big in my heart.

I'll be writing more about those things in the next few posts. I used to be a big writer in my journal, but not so much anymore. I want this to be my journal, my place to process what God is doing in my heart, my family, my church and our world.

Love you All. And I missed you, seriously.

Grumbling in the Wilderness

God takes grumbling and complaining seriously, it makes him angry. As I am reading through Numbers, I'm reminded how much I can resemble the ancient Israelites. They wandered through the desert guided by a cloud during the day and fire at night (a visual representation of God). They followed a God who brought them out of slavery and promised them a land flowing with milk and honey.

In Numbers 11 the Israelites complained because they had no meat and in Numbers 14 the people rebelled because they are scared of the nations surrounding Canaan. Sometimes their grumblings seemed petty and sometimes they felt justified.

The Israelites were not trusting that what He had in store for them would be good. They wanted to return to Egypt into slavery. They must have forgotten what they had been saved from. Doesn't that sound like us sometimes. I often forget the despair that God saved me from when I was 13. A life without faith in Jesus would have led me down some terrible paths. But somehow I neglect to trust that the circumstances that God has brought into my life are good. I am quick to complain and make plans to get out of them. In my head, I create scenes where life looks different, perfect even. 

God has put so many amazing blessings in my life and my grumbling devalues all that God has done for me. I am chosen by God to be his child and the last thing I want to be is an ungrateful daughter to the one who gave me life. It's so easy to look at the Israelites and think about what a messed up people they were to want to go back to slavery. But those are my people, and I'm not that different from them when discontentment starts to creep into my heart and thoughts.

photo found here

Make Me Brave

I am a timid and often fearful person, but I think that God wants to make me brave. He wants me to step out and be bold and confident in him. I want to get swept away in all that God has for my life and not be stuck holding onto things that make me feel comfortable. My heart can just imagine all the joy that comes from a life lived in complete abandon to God. I want that. My prayer today is that God would make me brave and call me out to himself!

Life at 111 Updates

It's been forever. Let's hang out over a cup of coffee this morning.

This blog is like an old friend that I think about often but forget to call. Life the past few months has been full of changes. Mike is off for the summer and we are expecting another baby in late October. Really the second part of that is the super duper exciting part - not that I don't love having my husband around more. We found out that I was pregnant in February and just last week learned that this little baby is a boy! I can't wait to see Miles as a big brother. It's hard to picture how he will be with a newborn since he seems like such a baby still. Miles will be 22 months when baby number two arrives.

I've been feeling pretty good but these high temperature days are getting to me. Believe me, being pregnant in the fall and winter trumps summer for sure!

How have you been friend?

A Little Blogging Hiatus

Hey, it's been a long few months. Life was getting hectic between work and family life, and I had little drive to write. But we've been busy with good things. Work exploded, Mike finished his year teaching (yay for having him home now) and I took a calligraphy class. Beyond that, I've been having a blast with Miles. He's 16 months now and this is the best age to date. He's loving the nice weather and playing outside on the sidewalk. I've never seen a child so in love with chalk. He always has one piece in each hand and tries to give them to anyone who walks by. I love watching him grow and develop his own little personality and interests.

I'm hoping to blog more now that some balance has been restored to our house. I've missed writing and spending time on here.

Blessings!

Processing

I need to process things. Things like my relationships, purpose, time commitments and spiritual growth. If I'm not processing, I'm not being intentional. Lately life has been blowing by me without me taking any time to reflect.

That needs to change.

Snow Days

This winter has been cold and snowy in Pennsylvania. Around here we used to hate snow - like dread it when we heard it in the forecast. To us it meant shoveling the sidewalk, cleaning out our parking spots just to have someone else take them and slipping and sliding on the way to work.

Let me tell you that everything changed once Mike got a job as a teacher and I started working from home. Now we act like little kids when we see the snow start to fall. Mike has had about six snow days this school year and it's awesome. It's so nice to not have to worry about getting to work safely. I almost feel guilty for wishing this treacherous white stuff on others who have to go out in it - almost guilty, but I'm too busy hanging out all day with my husband and baby.

There is another winter storm coming our way over the weekend and I say bring it on! 

Miles The Lumberjack

Miles was a lumberjack for his first birthday. After having to cancel our big party because the three of us were sick, we hosted two small family parties a few weeks ago. It was great to have our families in our little home. We don't often have family gatherings here because of space issues, so it was special to actually be hosting our loved ones.

I had a lot of fun putting together the menu to match the lumberjack theme. The menu included a flapjack bar with toppings, snickerdoodle cupcakes, acorns of Hershey kisses and nilla wafers, smore marshmallow pops, fruit, chex mix and pretzels.

Party Resources:
Party Hat: Oh Happy Day template
Miles Cake: Oh Everything Handmade
Snickerdoodle Cupcakes: Mom Advice
Paper Products: Oneleven Creative (all designed by me, of course!)

Coffee Date 1.23.14

Haha, these so-called weekly coffee dates have been a joke, huh? Life has been going so quickly, I'm having a hard time holding on. Between my responsibilities at home, with Miles, with Mike and working, sometimes my head barely feels above water. But I'm wanting to get some balance back in my life. This might mean saying no to projects, using my time more wisely while Miles sleeps and staying up later. 

Let's get this hanging out thing back in order too! I really enjoy blogging but it's not a "necessity" and is one of the last things that gets attention. 

If we were meeting for coffee on this snowy morning, we might get to sit at my dining room table while Miles naps and catch up. I'd tell you how weird it feels to be the mother of a one year old and that thoughts of wanting to be pregnant again are circling around my mind. We had planned one big first birthday party for Miles with all of this favorite people, both family and friends. But two days before our little family came down with a yucky case of the sickies, so we had to cancel the party. I was super bummed because I had put so much time and effort into planning the menu, theme and of course paper products. We ended up rescheduling the party and just ended up doing two smaller family parties at our house last weekend. I can't wait to comb through the photos and share them on the blog next week. It was awesome to celebrate my Miles being around for an entire year. 

I'd tell you how lucky I feel that Mike is a teacher, especially since he had off work from Monday through Wednesday because of the holiday and snow. It feels weird for him to be back at work this morning, but the end of May is coming quickly, then I'll get him home with me all the time! Yay for summers off! 

I'm always amazed at how pretty the snow is as it falls. It seriously snowed from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday and it was so peaceful. But in the city, it so quickly gets gross. The once clean, smooth white snow turns into dirty piles that line the street. I'm sure there is some metaphor to how quickly sin stains our righteousness, but my mind is not there quite yet this morning. 

I'd ask you how your new year has started. Have you made any exciting resolutions, and have you been sticking to them? Mike and I have decided that we are going to read through the Bible together in one year chronologically. For two people who never have been good about reading the Bible together, the past few weeks have been awesome. We've had days where we skipped reading or life felt just too busy to sit down together, but for the most part we've been dedicated. I can only thank the Holy Spirit for that miracle. 

Welp, Miles is stirring in his crib so I suppose it's time to end our time together this morning. Until next week, really! 

A New Year, A Fresh Start

I love starting a new year. There is something exciting about starting fresh and looking forward to the next 12 months. I love to set goals and make plans, even though I'm not crazy about actually committing to them. I've dubbed 2014, the year of Freedom. So often I feel burdened by stress and worry. If things aren't going my way, I tense up. Even when Miles refuses to take his morning nap - like is happening right now in his crib - I feel my body tighten and my heart pound. I'm not a go-with-the-flow type of person, and that doesn't help make our house a relaxed place to live. I know that with the help of the Holy Spirit and the accountability of my husband, I can change that. I know that I don't have to try to control everything.

Choosing a theme for the year is much more attainable than setting six goals with monthly check ins.

2014 is the year I embrace living free.

Merry Christmas to All

Merry Christmas friends. The next few days will be spent relaxing and running around to spend time with family. We are lucky that we don't have to travel more than 45 minutes to get anywhere over the holiday.

I pray that each of you have an amazing Christmas. It's a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus and how that changes our lives. Last year I was very pregnant at Christmas and it was an awesome time to imagine how Mary felt. This year I can picture Jesus as an actual baby and I'm amazed at how he humbled himself to enter our world as a baby.

Christmas Tree Parking Lot

There's nothing beautiful about this typically empty parking lot next to a park just a few miles down the road from our house. It's gravel, bare and sad looking for most of the year. But towards the end of November, it's transformed into a perfect pine scented wonderland. Well, not really a wonderland, but the rows of Christmas trees and lights make it cheery and exciting.

This year we got our Christmas tree in the first week of December, which is earlier than normal for us. This is Miles' first Christmas and we are eager to share our traditions with him. He really wanted to wear his santa jammies, so we got him ready and headed out the door to find our perfect tree. We really didn't make a big thing of it. We just knew that we wanted a thin, tall tree. We found it, brought it home and we love it. There are few things that make a house cosier than a twinkling Christmas tree. Our tree is plugged in every moment we are home and not sleeping. It's the best.

I know I'm a few weeks late sharing this and our photos, but that's okay. Better late than never.

Gift of Encouragement

Last Saturday I participated and helped to plan a brunch for the women of Life Church. I was hesitant to get involved because I still don't have too many relationships at church even though we've been going there for nearly a year. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and just do it. I signed up for the planning committee and actually knew at least half of the other women from the small group we joined in the fall. I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. The actual brunch was amazing and I put myself out there and had a good time. I talked with some people I hadn't met before and thanked God that He made us to be in relationship, even when it's hard.

One of the most beneficial parts was the little talk that Mindy, our pastor's wife, gave. The topic was on encouragement and influence - neither are things that I regularly think about. But as women, we have an innate, God-given ability to encourage those in our lives. Some key points that stood out to me where:

• Our ability to encourage others starts with a solid understanding of how God made us just the way we are. We need to embrace ourselves and our gifts before we can encourage others. Sometimes our insecurities stop us from being in relationship with other women because of jealous issues. Let's not allow our hang ups about ourselves get in the way of godly friendships.
• We can and should be setting visions for those in our lives. Through encouraging the talents and gifts of others, we can help them see their worth in God and this world. It's amazing how quickly people can flourish when they are noticed and encouraged. This came as an exciting challenge to me. I want to be someone in Miles' life who sees what he can do and who he can be because of God. 
• We need to notice others. I realized that I can't encourage anyone until I notice when people are struggling or when they are excelling at something difficult. Selfishness is a huge barrier to allowing our words and actions to bless others. If we never look away from ourselves, we can't possibly let someone know that we are praying for them or tell them that they are gifted at something.
  

I'm so glad that I took the time to get to know some new faces and to serve God through helping plan the event. I also got to design the visuals for the event! Being an introvert and creating new relationships is tricky but I'm learning.

Becoming a Mother

There has been no one event that has effected me in such profound ways as becoming a mother. The moment that Miles was born, my life changed forever. The bright eyed, wrinkled skin, snugly little boy made me a mother. He fulfilled what I dreamed my life would include. Mike and I waited so long to become parents and Miles came into our lives and hearts and was more than we could ever imagine. Those first few months were filled with tears, laughter, frustration, fear, growing, misunderstanding and joy. They were literally the best and worst weeks of my adult life - between postpartum anxiety, extreme sleeplessness and a lack of confidence, I struggled. Yes, I struggled but I also bloomed. I bloomed into a loving mother who would do anything for her child. I began to see the world in new ways. I became a more compassionate and sincere person. Motherhood has shaked me down to my very core.

Becoming a wife was another life changing moment, but that was an easy transition for me. Mike and I are best friends which makes navigating the waters of forever quite gentle. But motherhood wrecked me, in a good way. God has used Miles to challenge every thought, word and emotion. My sin has been revealed in new ways. I never knew how selfish and impatient I was. When I was pregnant, I imagined how I would be with a newborn. I pictured rocking in the nursery with a sleepy and calm infant. Haha, that lasted about one week. But no matter how hard being a mother is, I find it extremely fulfilling and life giving.

Miles will be turning one in January and I can't believe the journey we've been on. Miles is such a sweet, joyful and focused child. I can honestly say that it is my joy and pleasure to be his mom. Being a wife to Mike and a mother to Miles is it for me. I love my job as a freelance graphic designer, but it's not my focus. I know that my relationship with a loving Heavenly Father needs to come first, and He's transforming my heart in that direction. I just love my boys with all that I am and I am so thankful for them.

I just got the bulk of the images from my maternity shoot last week. My friend and neighbor, Andrea Weaver, was the photographer and captured Mike and my excitement and anticipation to meet Miles beautifully. Scrolling through the nearly 60 photographs caused me to reflect on the past 11 months and how dramatically my life has changed. Can I go wake up Miles now and snuggle him?! I love that I still miss him when he goes to bed for the night, even though I know that in a few short hours I will see him again when he wakes up wanting to nurse.

Say "Cheese"

Sorry for the photo overload, but I'm so happy with our family's mini photoshoot by Amber of Jeremy Hess Photographers. These will be some of the photos we pull out in 20 years and look back and marvel at how young we look. I was surprised how many great shots Amber was able to capture in only 20 minutes. 

Work has been so busy lately, and I've grown lazy in the evenings. All I want to is hang out on the couch with Mike and relax before heading to bed at 9:30 (early I know). But I'm braving my freezing cold office to make a post. 

Quarantined

Sorry for the lack of posts lately but the Brady family is sick. Between trips to the ER, doctor visits, late nights, fevers and coughing I've had my hands full. We are going on day 9 of being sick. 

This can be over anytime soon.

Lancaster Wedding Venues Brand Worksheet

I'm sharing another old branding projects. It's an oldie but a goodie! I was approached by a good friend who is a local photographer and overall creative entrepreneur. He had the idea to create a localized wedding blog/website to promote the greatest wedding venues in Lancaster, as well as other reputable venders. He wanted a brand that was lighthearted, feminine and modern. I think I accomplished that with the color choices, modern typography and distinctive logo mark. 

The website isn't complete yet, but I look forward to the day it goes live. When it does, I'll share the link on here. 

Enjoy your Sunday morning y'all. I have to get ready for church now! 

Blogging, Pride & Jealousy

I was talking to a dear friend Monday night over tea and was telling her about my blog and why I do it. The conversation was steered that way when she asked me how my devotional life was going. And I told her that it was good and I was having precious time which Jesus nearly every day - even if it's just for five minutes in the morning. I mentioned that blogging is a good motivation for making sure that I'm getting time to hear from God. One of the main reasons I decided to blog was to share Jesus with my family, friends and anyone who stumbles across my site. And if I'm not being inspired, then I'm not able to share what Jesus is doing in my life. I also shared with my friend that having a blog helps me to be a little more exciting in the things I do with Miles and to take more pictures. That was where the conversation turned to how do you do that without being prideful.

I don't always do it perfectly. There are times when I read others' blogs and think of how wonderful their lives look. They seem to be perfect mothers with perfect children and perfect hair. But that's not real life. I love the women who blog about real life – its' struggles, failures and triumphs. If all you ever write about on your blog is the latest adventure you took with your kids or how amazing your husband is, you're going to breed jealously and pride.

I hope to make my blog a place where I can share what we are doing as a family, so it can serve as a good collection of our adventures to remember throughout the years, but more importantly, I want to share my heart, my struggles, my successes and my God. That's real life. I think that if sharing Jesus and what he's doing in my daily life is my goal and remains my priority, that I can steer away from writing with a prideful heart.

How do you keep from coveting others' lives, stuff or families when you read blogs? If you write a blog, how do you keep it down to earth?

Happy 10 Months

Someone is excited about turning 10 months today. I can't believe that I get to be Miles' mom. I'm so blessed to be able to care for this little adventurous and silly little boy. Each month just gets better and better.