New Year

New Year

I can't believe it's already a new year, and it has taken me forever to finally finish this blog post! Last year was so busy and crazy that I can hardly wrap my mind around how fast it went. As change is inevitable and constant, as I am sure you all can attest to that, 2016 didn't fail to disappoint in that area. Moving, remodeling/ adding on to our ranch house, Solomon and Dalainey in school ALL day, Charlee somehow went from 2 to 20, and our sweet baby Ezrah turned one! (which I'm still not talking about it). I love the great memories that each year holds with my family and friends, but unfortunately each year comes with its fair share of heartache as well, not just my own, but also those who I do life with. For many, a new year is not something they look forward to, but rather just another frustrated or tear filled day turning to weeks, then to months. I have been through my fair share of hurts and struggles, and I know that many more are to come in this fallen world. But this post is for my dear friends, and for those who read this that I don't know, who wanted to leave their problems in the past year but unfortunately it followed them to the next one as well. For those who have lost loved ones, had a horrible diagnosis, lost jobs, moved from your comfort, sick babies, another miscarrage, marital problems, abuse, another failed relationship, divorce, that addiction that continues to haunt and the list can continue.... I want you to know, that most of what I listed, I have been through (or know those who have) and I KNOW the ONE who held my hand and then carried me when I was too weak and broken to continue. I didn't want this letter to seem so dark, and i promise the next one I will post something happy like a new born calf :).... but thats where my heart went, and maybe it's because deep down we all are battling something, but you and I both know that we try to hide and keep it together especially in our social media world. This year, my prayer is that I would encourage others more, despite beliefs or differences,  that I would look to others needs instead of my own, that I would enjoy the blessings HE has given me; especially the simple times, and that others would see the LIGHT within me despite my circumstances. Maybe you would pray this same thing with me and add to it to make it a little bit more personal. As I wrap this up, regardless of how your 2017 will roll, I ask that you don't give into fear or allow that person or situation to defeat you! Jesus has called us to rise up and be filled with peace, for HE has overcome the world (John 16:33)! Cheers to an amazing 2017!

Blessings and Love,
Lauren


Here are some cow pics to help lighten the mood! 😁😁

Changes

So much has happened in the past year that it's hard to wrap my mind around it all. We have moved from the ranch, back to Ohio, then back to the ranch again. Oh, and had baby number 4 in there too some how!! So many emotions tied up with each move that it would take days to explain it all. Maybe one day I can move past the tears and emotions and write about it... Til then I am in the process of trying to get my blog up and running, since expressing my thoughts on paper is my favorite way to communicate, and also trying to get my Ranch Girl Beauty business (fingers crossed) up and running soon (more to come on that, stay tuned). There are so many people that I want to stay connected with, and its hard to find time to talk to each one individually and tell them what is going on in our lives. I am hoping that this blog will keep those I love connected with our crazy life, and hopefully pick up some new friends on this journey. Hope y'all have a great weekend! Love, Lauren 

I'm Back

Well... it's been a couple years since I have done the blog thing. The move to New Mexico from Ohio has been a big blessing to our family and my relationship with Jesus. It definitely has been a culture shock going from the hustle and bustle of city life to the slow down of ranch life. I feel privileged to be able to get the "heck out of Dodge" and allow healing and restoration to take precedent over brokenness and hurt. It has been 2 1/2 years since the big move and it has seemed like a whirlwind! A couple weeks before we left Ohio, we found out we were prego with #3 (total shocker to say the least), so not only was I emotional from leaving all I've ever known, but now just throw in some pregnancy hormones to top it off! The next 9 months were good and we had Charlee Annileen on March 13 in the corner of our living room in a birthing tub. I loved every minute of that experience, despite the excruciating pain of course. The following fall I decided to homeschool Dalainey and write and teach a bible study. Looking back I have no clue how I accomplished any of those things, except for the amazing peace, patience, and power that can only come from Jesus! I feel as though my healing is complete and my heart is at peace to begin writing again on my blog. I hope y'all will follow me as I venture through motherhood, homeschooling, bible studies, and being a ranch girl!
Love & Peace, Lauren

Fear

Last week I was asked by one of my besties for my thoughts on fear, because she was giving a devotions to some ladies on that topic. I thought, "Hmmm, I got a lot of those!" (Probably why she asked me :)). Well, that night I woke up at 4am not able to sleep and couldn't help thinking about my fears, and so I got up, not believing how quiet it was :) and began to write...

Fear

Fear… such an intense word, and many of you might be thinking “I’m not fearful”. Well then, maybe this one will hit home a little bit more…. Anxious. Yup, thought so!! What makes you anxious or fearful? What gets your stomach all tied up in knots? I don’t think I’m alone when I say, A LOT OF THINGS! After all, this world ain’t pretty.

Hebrews 13:5b-6

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

So we say with confidence,” The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

After reading this verse, I believe all it says, but do I say it with confidence? Maybe, with those fears that I kind of have a grip on, but the fears that are out of my control, I want to grasp on to, giving them to God more reluctantly. We are all control freaks when it comes to how we handle our fears because we think we know how to handle them best, and it’s usually not to face them head on; It’s to run from them like we just saw a ghost!!

What I have learned from my own personal experience, is that if you are ready to face those fears, hold on, cause girl, you will face them.  ( Even if you aren’t ready, hold on too, cause God might just see things differently) God knows that the best place to change you and make you more like Him is to put those things smack dab in the middle of your forehead!  We won’t be able to say with confidence that He is my helper unless we truly need His help.  Now I’m not trying to make you fearful of facing your fears, because I know how facing them can bring you so much peace and fulfillment with God.

Three months ago, God took my fears from just thoughts to reality. Move from Ohio to New Mexico? From all I have known and loved for 30 years? From my family and friends? My church? Wait, now I’m pregnant ? What ??? It took me a year to finally say yes to God and no to myself and selfish motives, and when I did a burden was lifted. Now that didn’t mean that all my fears were finally gone, oh no, now I had a whole new set of fears !! But God blesses those who are obedient to him, and my blessing was a peace about moving. I also knew that God’s plan was so much bigger than my fears, and to follow my fears instead of Him was ultimately sin. I believe that we don’t realize how big God is until we allow Him to remove us from our comforts, and truly seek Him cause that’s all we got, and see how much He can do with your willing heart.

The first part of Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” I love that !! I don’t know about you, but the one thing I am majorly lacking is WISDOM! God promises that if we have a reverential fear of Him, knowing who He is, then that is the beginning of wisdom. I pray that as we begin to see God as our Daddy in heaven who gave His only Son for us, that we would begin to give our fears over to Him; even if it is the fear of living in dirt covered, rattlesnake infested,  having a baby without your momma, sharp rusted metal filled land; that God would give us just even an ounce of His wisdom!!

2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God doesn’t give a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and of self discipline. This gives me chills all over !! That same power of the spirit that conquered death, sin and demons wants to conquer all our fears, we just have to release them. We can’t allow Satan to win and make our spirits timid. God I pray that you will give us all a spirit of power, confidence, and strength, so that we can overcome our fears, giving us the ability to love, serve, and minister as you have called us to.

Love,

Lauren

Leaving My Roots and Moving to my Ties

It has been 2 months since we left my Yankee Roots and headed southwest to be with my Southern Ties. These last 60 some odd days has at some times seemed like an eternity, and other times it seems like we just arrived and are figuring out a routine. I am still trying to get a grasp of the heat, dust, Clay in a cowboy hat, and saying "ya'll"; but part of me thinks that I may be too much of a Yankee to fully comprehend all the southernness surrounding me. Regardless, I am still praying for God to change my heart everyday. He has brought us here for a reason, and we may not fully understand why until years down the road. Although there are days when the tears don't seem to want to stop, wondering why there has to be pain in order to grow. But what I do know, is that He is just as much here on this New Mexico ranch as He is in Springboro, Ohio. I am so thankful for His promise of never leaving us or forsaking us!! As we continue to embark on this journey to be more like Him, I pray that others will see Him in me, and that I would count it all joy throughout these trials in my life, knowing that my faith being tested develops perseverance, so that I may be perfect and complete lacking nothing (James 1:2-4). God, give those who read this the courage to trust you in the unknown, that they would desire to to come worship you with open palms; holding nothing back but giving it all willingly to the Savior of the World.
              Love, Lauren

Ok, on a lighter note :).... here is the last Ohio photo shoot I did with my sisters, D and Sol. It is one that will always be dear to my heart. And yes, I have the purrtiest sissies around... hands down!! Enjoy!

I gave them these bracelets before I left, they say " a cord of three strands is not easily broken, ecclesiastes 4:12"Metaphorically we 3 sisters are those three strands and no matter the distance, we are not easily broken. Go ahead, wipe away your tears now!

Aunt 'Dodo' 

don't ask, but I hope they call her this FOREVER

Auntie Mer Mer, aka my look-a-like

Last month, Dalainey, Solomon, and I had a little photo date. They had a blast playing in the alleys, and climbing on the "choo choo". This shoot was especially dear to my heart because it was in my home town of Lebanon, Ohio. After our day of smiles and a few tears :), we headed to the Village Ice Cream Parlor for lunch and of course... ice cream. I love the memories that I am able to make with my beautiful blessings and hope that some day looking back on these photos they will get a glimpse of how much I truly dig them.

Cowgirl, Princess, & Lipgloss

Last week on a rainy March day, Dalainey wanted me to take pictures of her in her princess dress and cowgirl girl hat (after all, she is half Texan). Of course, I hurried up and grabbed my camera before she changed her mind. Even though her brother didn't approve of all the attention she was getting, and the dogs were running around like crazy; I loved that I was able to capture our girly time of princesses, cowgirls, and lipgloss. You make me smile D Scout, especially when you tell me to share my lipgloss because Jesus wants us to share. How can I say no to that!!! :)

The Dude's Dude looking guilty :)