Favorite Bible Verses

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. —Hebrews 4:16

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. —1 John 4:7

Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live. —Isaiah 55:3

Be anxious for nothing. —Philippians 4:6

I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. —Philippians 4:11

Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about . . . what you will put on. —Matthew 6:25

You shall love the your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. —Mark 12:30

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. —Psalm 56:3

These are a few of my favorite verses. Words to live by, grow by, and be encouraged by. What are your favorite verses!?! Xoxo-BLC

Post-Baby Body Image

Body after baby is something else. I gained almost 20 pounds with baby and lost 15 almost right off. It has been so tough to shed the last bit. And by tough, don't think I've given up chocolate or wine! But I might need to. I am more in awe of my body than ever before. It's a miracle that it carried this little life. I like my body better but I recognize it is much different. I have feared loosing myself in mommyhood. It has happened in part and that is alright. Being a mom is sacrifice. I still believe in taking care of myself (daily devotionals, weekly workouts, and a random pedicure) and it has to be purposeful to happen. More than ever it's about efficiency and priority. My priority is my faith, husband, Squeak, Stewbaby, family, friends, work, and the list goes on.

1 Timothy 2:9-10

"... women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works."

Isaiah 61:10

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Psalm 139:14
"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

1 Peter 3:3-4 (shared by Erin from Blue Eyed Bride!)

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."

 I read the Blue Eyed Bride's post "The Wardrobe and White Space." It could not have been perfect for where I am and what I needed to hear. And I agree wholeheartedly: while I love love love clothes, I often buy pretty clothes to hide behind them. People look at the clothes and not at me. And, like Erin said, it siphons money unnecessarily from our bank account. Sounds like a loose-loose to me. This year I want to be more purposeful. The word I keep clinging to is providence. I want to be aware of God's providence, or divine guidance, of my life. Body image seems like a great place to start. I love pearls, gold, and good clothes. But doesn't modesty, self-control, good works, salvation, righteousness, imperishable beauty, gentle/quiet spirit, and precious in God's sight sound so much better? Do you want a friend with pearls, gold, and good clothes ... or the latter description? We are fearfully and wonderfully made. What a great thing to celebrate!!! Xoxo-BLC

Ordinary Days

These days I live for our sweet, plain, ordinary days.

After we put the baby to bed, Stewart curls up with me on the couch.

His toys litter the room and, even if for just a moment, I try to be still.

Sit still and savor that even though we are sort of a mess, I love our ordinary days.

 I am a busy body, worker bee, fun-seeker by nature. 

But this year, of all years, I want to slow down. Be ordinary. 

This verse is the call of my heart:

Be still, and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 

—Psalm 46:10

I am so glad someone reminded me that "babies don't keep."

I laid Squeak down on our bed to snuggle for a minute and she fell to sleep.

She had me pinned. Normally I would do laundry, dishes, housework, etc.

But I just laid with her through her whole nap. Stewart did too.

I need to be still more often.
Xoxo-BLC

C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N!!!

Baby Squeak's Baptism!!! It was just the sweetest day and one of my favorites by far.

I am so blessed by baby Squeak and it was so wonderful to welcome her into the faith.

My biggest prayer for her is knowing Jesus and always walking with Him.

We arrived at the church early to get pictures but totally forgot - ha!

And then we took every picture with a phone. #fail

We were so blessed to have so much family in town and so many friends attend.

It was really beyond special.

My favorite part of her baptism: my dad baptized baby Squeak.

I was so worried our church wouldn't let him.

Our church is Presbyterian and my dad is a Methodist minister.

I fretted and prayed about it ... and our ministers were ALL for it. Such a blessing!

Baby Squeak literally screamed, fussed, and cried the entire time.

I didn't realize it until later, but she was running a low grade fever.

I'm 99% it was from teething, but nonetheless ... bless her little heart!!!

I think four months was the perfect age. 

She can hold herself up enough but is still super baby and cuddly.

After the lovely service, we dined at one of our favorite brunch spots with 25 family and friends.

It was a great time of fellowship and celebration.

Hymns: "O Love that Will Not Let Me Go"

"The Heavens Declare Thy Glory"

"Hallelujah, What a Savior"

"The Church's One Foundation"

"Be Thou My Vision"

Welcome to the faith lovebug Squeak!!!

We love you to the moon and back. You could not be more precious to us.

Our hope is to live out our faith and that you may not know one day without Jesus as your Savior.

Xoxo-BLC

Follow the Son

I flipped my Lilly Pulitzer day planner to December and just look at the misprint!!! It's not follow the sun ... it's follow the Son of Man. :)

Xoxo-BLC

Psalm 27

My husband's work partner visited us in the hospital with his sweet wife and prayed this over Miss Squeak:

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me
    to devour[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

We just love Psalm 27 and will continually pray this over Miss Squeak. Chin chin!!! Xoxo-BLC

Happy Good Friday!!!

Wishing you and yours a Gooood Friday! John 3: 16 (NIV) reads, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." May today start your Easter weekend off on the right hoppity-hop! Xoxo-BLC

Palm (Tree) Sunday

I know this a few days late, but I just cannot miss celebrating Palm Sunday!!! My childhood church always passed out BIG palms on this day. I cannot spy a palm tree without thinking of Palm Sunday. In John 12:12-14, it says:

"The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Isreal!" Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: "Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."" (NIV)

Palm Sunday is special to me because I was first saved by His grace on this date many many many moons ago. I am wishing you a very special day and hosanna!!! Xoxo-BLC