Library Lion and Other Go-to Books for Kids (and Kids at Heart)

This post feels a little strange to write considering my daughter is a teenager. However, as this year has been a bit of a struggle for us, we’ve realized something…

No matter how old you are, sometimes you still need someone to read to you. Out loud. Because there’s nothing like hearing your favorite book when you’re feeling low.

We own our two all-time favorites—Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen and Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes—so they’re easy to find when we need them. But, as we reminisced about other favorites we used to read when she was younger, we decided it was time to make a trip to the library…to the children’s section.

We went on a weekend when it wasn’t busy and we could take our time going down memory lane. I think she was slightly embarrassed when I asked the librarian for help remembering titles and authors, but she smiled when we found them and brought them home.  

Follow me over to Next Level Mama where I'm sharing five of our favorite go-to books…

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Blessing Counters

Trust Brings Peace

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34 NLT

There is an unexplainable peace that comes from trusting God.

The Bible tells us about it. I can imagine the peace Abraham felt after God reminded him that He would make Abraham the father of all nations, despite the lack of physical evidence that it could ever happen. (Genesis 15:1-6)

Abraham believed God…and believing that God keeps His word brings peace.

It’s overwhelming to experience it personally. When you feel God’s peace, you just know it’s from Him because there is no way to rationalize it.

And to watch God’s peace settle over someone else—it’s awe-inspiring.

My young, teenage daughter has had a rough year with ongoing illness. Between new and worsening symptoms and missed school, she’s had plenty of cause for worry. Overall, she’s really handled it well.

Until a few weeks ago, when there was one thing eating at her...

Please join me at Next Level Mama to continue reading the story of how my daughter found peace in the midst of worry.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. 

Matthew 6:34 The Message

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with #TellHisStory, Everyday Jesus, Coffee For Your Heart, Thought Provoking Thursday, Blessing Counters, Faith Filled Friday, The Weekend Brew, Recommendation Saturday, Sharing His Beauty

What Every Daughter Needs to Hear

As a mother, there are certain things I want my daughter to know as she grows up. But I’ve realized that as I teach her, I need to remember the same lessons. I’m not just a mom—I’m a daughter too. Whether our earthly parents have been wonderful, or less than desirable, we are all daughters of our Heavenly Father.

So, in this month of Mother’s Day, I’m remembering that I’m the daughter of the King. And so are you…

To keep reading, please join me at Next Level Mama.

In Christ,

Laura 

Photo credit: Stock Illustration: Handmade Collage 1

Linking up with #TellHisStory, Winsome Wednesday, WholeHearted Wednesday, Coffee for Your Heart, Blessing Counters

Mother-Daughter Bonding Over Twilight

I realize I may be the only one to confess this, but here it is—I don’t get the whole Twilight saga hype.

Sorry, but I just don’t see what the big deal is. I wasn’t interested in seeing the movies and couldn’t care less about Bella, Edward, or Jacob.

Who I do care about, however, is my 13-year-old daughter, and that’s why I’ve watched the first three movies with her.

I knew how much she wanted to see them after having read the books. And as a parent, I’m not completely naive. I know a determined teen can find a way to watch something online if she wants to. I’m not saying she would do that, but I decided it wasn’t going to be one of the mother-daughter battles I would choose to fight. I wanted to know what she was watching, and I agreed we would see them together.

I expected to not like them, but I was pleasantly surprised that each movie moved along and I wasn’t watching the clock for hours. But the best part was that we both enjoyed the time we shared together. There is some serious bonding that can happen when you’re both laughing at pasty faces and wondering how much makeup the vampire guys had to wear.

I’m pretty sure we were still referring to the parts we found comical days later. It was a mother-daughter connection, vampire style.

Despite my lack of concern over Bella's love life, I learned a couple of things...

Please join me at Next Level Mama where you can read the rest of my post, and...an update after seeing all five movies.

In Christ,
Laura 

Photo credit: Stock photo: Full moon rising over tree tops

Linking up with WholeHearted Wednesdays and Thought Provoking Thursday

Me and Mini-Me

Photo credit: Stock Photo: Holding Hands

I'm thrilled to be contributing my first post at Next Level Mama today. J I hope you'll join me there.

My daughter and I are a lot alike, which I first learned when she was only 18 months old…thanks to my husband kindly pointing it out to me.

I don’t remember the situation, but I do remember standing in the kitchen “arguing” with my daughter, only to end with her marching off in a huff. As she left, my husband came in.

“She’s just like you, you know.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, not sure I wanted to hear the answer.

“She wants to have the last word. Just like you.”

I wanted to hang my head and sigh.

At that point I knew two things— it was going to be a long 18 years, and she was watching everything I did.

To continue reading, please join me at Next Level Mama...

As a parent, when did you realize your child was watching everything you do? Join the conversation by leaving a comment here or at Next Level Mama. 

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with #TellHisStory, Faith Filled Friday, Winsome Wednesday, WholeHearted Wednesdays, Everyday Jesus, Recommendation Saturday