30 Days of Thankfulness - #30 - Photography

Photography is such a blessing. 

There are so many pictures that pull at my heart, bring tears to my eyes, or make me laugh at moments I might otherwise have forgotten.

Can you imagine your life without photos to document the journey?

This picture is of my sweet cousin Addie. We've got a special little bond between the two of us... and I feel like this picture embodies that love.


Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #29 - O Christmas Tree

There's nothing quite like decorating the house for Christmas and wrapping gifts up for the ones you love.

I'm so grateful for this time of year. For finding ways to show love to our families and friends through gifts and time. For the purpose behind the season and the opportunity to remember the birth of our Savior. May we have constant reminders of the Reason we are celebrating.


Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #28 - Literate

I enjoyed reading a lot as a child... but after 13 years of school, 2 years of undergrad, and 2 years of nursing school, I didn't exactly have a lot of time on my hands for leisurely reading.


I got a kindle for my birthday this year and haven't put it down since! I've discovered new authors and genres and lost myself in books time and time again.

I'm planning a little book review soon of some of my favorites. I'm so grateful for my rekindled (pun intended) love for reading.


Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #27 - Learning Through Community

Tonight our small group started a new book called "Sacred Marriage". We'll look deeper into the question, "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?" 

As I looked around the room this evening, I could barely contain my excitement over doing life with these sweet couples. I'm sure we'll learn more than we can fathom from the pages of this book and many others, but the big lessons will come from the people themselves. 

I feel so grateful to have the chance to learn and grow with these new friends.

Thankful, 

Lauren 

30 Days of Thankfulness - #26 - Traditions

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year, Matt and I have made a point to return home to Nashville to decorate for Christmas... We play our favorite holiday tunes, drink hot cocoa, and decorate the tree. There are always a few pieces that bring extra-large smiles to our faces, like our ornaments from each trip we've taken together. So far we've racked up on holiday tokens from Cozumel, Savannah, Chicago, DC, and Disney World.

One of my favorite pieces to pull out each year is our Flying Santa. It was a gift from Matt's sweet Aunt Pat when we got married, and it always makes me think of her... I'm feeling really grateful for the traditions we've started and will continue to create for our little fam!

Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #25 - Quality Time

I have always been a sucker for good, ole-fashioned quality time.

In fact, Matt has always ragged on me for being a "quality-time-gift-giver"... a hockey or football game, comedy show, or a dinner at some place special. I'm just in it for the experience!

Today, I had the pleasure of shopping with these two...

Meet my mother-in-law and sister-in-law... they were cray-cray enough to shop all night and morning, and I hopped in for the ride somewhere around noon. We headed to ATL for an Ikea trip and some girls' time. Success! We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs...I'm a very lucky girl.

Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #24 - A Traveling Buddy

While we drive all over the lovely state of Georgia this weekend, there is a little munchkin that is tagging along for every single mile...

You didn't think I would go the entire month without acknowledging my gratefulness for my little fur-baby, did you?

For avid travelers like us, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect match in Molly. She snuggles in the crook of my arm within about 2 minutes of getting in the car and doesn't budge until we arrive at our destination... She makes herself at home every where we go and loves on everyone we visit.

She is the perfect traveling buddy for her on-the-go momma and daddy. We couldn't love her more!

Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #23 - Grandparents

There's nothing quite like a grandmother's or grandfather's love, is there?

I've been blessed with two sets of extraordinary grandparents. My dad's parents, Granny and Papa, got married when my grandmother was only 15! It's been 61 years now, and they are still the cutest couple ever. They are sharp and witty and kind. When I talk to my granny on the phone, she tells about all the ways that she prays for Matt and me - almost word for word. I love her for that. I feel like she is speaking blessings over me every time I talk to her. My papa is a Korean War Veteran and has more interesting stories than I can fathom... he has a sense of humor like no other and has always made me feel so special.

I've written about my mom's mother, Mammaw, before. Here and here. I don't know much more to say about her except that I hope I age as gracefully as her. She is energetic and sharp and beautiful! 

We are headed to Georgia tonight for the holiday. I will wake up early tomorrow morning and savor a few hours alone with her in the kitchen, helping to prepare Thankgiving lunch for the family as I always have. We will set the table and gather some magnolia leaves from outside for a centerpiece. She will ask me to put the "final touches" on the dishes... a cherry here or a leafy green there. I enjoy my time with her so much. She taught me almost everything I know in the kitchen and a whole heck of a lot outside of it... I feel so blessed to have the relationship with her that I do.

Thankful,

Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #22- "Choose a Job You Love..."

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." -Confucius

Today marks my first day back to work in one. whole. week.

Needless to say, it will certainly be hard to roll out of bed this morning ready to take on the day, but I am truly grateful to have a stable job and a pleasant workplace to return to. It's a job I enjoy with people that I admire.

I know that not everyone is able to say they enjoy the work they do, and so I am entirely grateful for a career that gives me a sense of purpose and accomplishment... a place where I have the opportunity to impact the people I come in contact with.

Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #21 - Provision

Today, Matt and I are headed back from our vacation to Cozumel.

There's always a sense of sadness as a vacation comes to an end, but today I am choosing to be grateful for the Lord's provision... that we have the opportunity to experience this beautiful world to the fullest.


Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #20 - Freedom to Worship

Just last week, Matt and I were sitting in a rather crowded Sunday service at our home church. As more people poured in, each row of people started to move closer and closer together, making room for more. As the church became more and more packed, I became more and more disgruntled.

"I can't even move! Could the girl next to me get any closer?"

"I am burning up. There's too many people in here to be running the heat."

"Good grief... Can't she move over an inch? She keeps elbowing me in the ribs."

via

And then the Lord gave me a big ole wake up call right smack in the middle of the Sunday service.

There are people that can't even say the name of Jesus aloud, without fear of persecution... folks that have to meet underground, in the dark, in secret. There are people that worship silently or in whispers, relying solely on the song in their hearts to give praise to the Lord. There are groups of people that have been murdered for professing their faith in the One who created them. Believers that have never held a Bible in their hands or seen the written Word. 

And then there's me. I openly call myself a believer. A Christian. I wake up on Sunday mornings and drive to a big building with a sign out front declaring it a "Bible Church". I walk in with hundreds of others, take my seat, open my Bible, and hear the Word of God preached over a loud speaker. We have baptisms in open fields. We sing at the top of our lungs and raise our hands to the heavens. 

I'm feeling very grateful for our ability to worship freely, and without fear of persecution or death. 

Thankful, 
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #19 - Home of the Brave

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

In honor of:

my dad, Jeffrey Tab Anderson (air force)
my papa, Howard Anderson (army)
my pappaw, Columbus Owen Kelley (coast guard)

"Our Nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met." [Korean War Memorial - Washington, DC]

Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #18 - Sweet Summertime

We are summer people.

We savor flip flops and lightning bugs, bathing suits and jet skis. Short sleeves and warm nights, barbeques and 9 pm sunsets.

It's true that winter holds most of our special holidays and family gatherings and cozy nights beside the fire, but summer time has a way of feeling like a holiday all by itself. And in honor of our favorite season, we're enjoying 80 and sunny with a light breeze in the middle of the Caribbean right now... Here's to summer!

Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #17 - Making Memories

Today, I am Caribbean-bound with my BFF...

Our hubbies will be there too, of course. And I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to spend the week making memories with these people... living out the stories that we'll laugh about when we're 75. I'm giddy with excitement!

Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #16 - Grady Boo

This little guy is our nephew, Grady... 



He is 15 months old and an absolute doll baby... see? Look at that face! He is the apple of our family's eye and we couldn't be happier to be his Uncle Mattie and Auntie Lala (titles we plan to work on in babytalk when we visit over thanksgiving). Unfortunately, we don't live as close as we'd like to him and don't see him nearly often enough... but I think that makes our visits with him that much sweeter. We can't get enough of our Grady boo!

We feel so blessed that he was put in our family, and can't wait to watch this little one grow! (not too fast, please.) He is a pure joy.

Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #15 - Peace That Transcends

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

This is my typical mantra when I'm feeling particularly fearful or uncertain. Today, I'm grateful for peace that is unexplainable... A peace that can only be attributed to the Comforter.

Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #14 - Marriage

There's so much planning and prep that goes into the wedding day. The flowers, the dress, the food, the venue, the music. Time is invested into every tiny detail.


And while this day was entirely perfect...

...It's all the time that follows that turns out to be pure magic.

Marriage allows me to spend every single day with my best friend. He is the first thing I see when I get up in the morning, and the last thing I think about before I close my eyes to sleep. Marriage allows us to study one another, and to know each other better than anyone else in the world. Marriage challenges us to find new ways to show each other love. New ways to communicate. New ways to experience the gift of life.

I think that's the beauty of it all... marriage challenges us. To be more selfless, more loving, and more considerate. The journey makes us better. Together.


Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #13 - Addie & Nolan

Today I'm spending the afternoon with these sweet faces:

You've seen them plenty around here, but I don't believe I've ever done a formal introduction. These are my cousins, Addie (8) and Nolan (6). They have been the loves of my life from the moment they entered the world.

This is Addie... affectionately called Addie Lou, Addie Lucy, or Addie Loohoo. (Her middle name is not Lucy, for the record.) There's always been a special something between the two of us. She's the only eight year old I will carry on a 20 minute phone convo with and never know how much time has passed. She is an athlete - basketball, soccer - an all-around superstar. She is kind and smart and funny. She started calling me "Lala" as soon as she could talk and is forbidden to ever stop. I am so grateful that I have the privilege of seeing this girl grow up. (just not too fast, please!)

This is Nolan... the most outrageous character you'll ever meet. He was four at our rehearsal dinner and, after the speeches, asked for the mic and sang an entire High School Musical song for a room of 85 people. Fearless. He is sweet and affectionate... still a cuddle bug even at six years old. His most recent one liner involved a conversation about what the new wrestling class he is signed up for would entail. 


"I can wear a shirt, right? I don't want my pom-poms to show!"

They are one of the best parts about going home. We love these sweet kiddos with all our might.

Thankful, 

Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #12 - The Gridiron

Some may look at this as a bit shallow... declaring thankfulness for such a thing during a month of gratitude for our over-abundant blessings in life, like food, family, provision...


But the Word says to give thanks in all things. So here I am. Giving thanks. 


For college football. 

It's a Southern tradition. A favorite pastime. It creates unlikely friendship over a common love. 


There's not much I enjoy more than watching my beloved bulldogs take the field. Today, we'll be in Athens with 92,746 of our closest friends (and a few enemies in orange and blue), to cheer on the Dawgs to victory!


Glory Glory!


Thankful, 
Lauren


Update! 45-7 baby!

30 Days of Thankfulness - #11 - By Proxy

proxy (ˈprɒksɪ)


-- n, pl proxies
1. a person authorized to act on behalf of someone else.

In the years since my dad died, I have been so blessed to have various men step in and assume roles in my life that I would have otherwise gone without. My uncles took over the task of supporting me, coming games and graduations. Various men in my church became like spiritual leaders for me, praying for my needs and showing me a Godly example. My friends' fathers invited me into their home and welcomed me as part of their family.
I was fifteen years old when I first read Romans 8:15 and felt like the Lord had written it just for me.


"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'"


It was then that I realized how the Lord fulfills all my needs as Father... including putting kind, Godly men in my life to love me in all the ways I could ever need... loving me by proxy. 


The picture above is of my sweet uncle Joey. He married my aunt when I was 11, and from the moment he met me, became the closest thing I know as an earthly father. He has provided for me, supported me, loved me, and encouraged me. I am more grateful to him than I will ever be able to express.


The Lord is our provider in that way... giving us just the person we need to fulfill a need at a specific time. His love is a perfect love.


Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #10 - My Dad

My dad's birthday is today! He would have been 51 years old...

There's not much I remember about my dad. He died when I was five from a very short battle with acute Leukemia. A lot of my memories come from stories and pictures and a few home videos. While the personal recollections are few, my dad left me so many things to be proud of.


My family... the most loving, affectionate, and funniest people you'll ever run into. They have loved me in a way that fills the void.


My appearance... at a recent family wedding, a lady approached me with tears in her eyes and said, "You must be Tab's daughter." That makes me so happy... that people can see me after all these years and pinpoint who I belong to. I am my daddy's daughter!


My mom... she wouldn't be who she is without him or without losing him. His life and death impacted her forever, and I can see the positive repercussions of strength and resiliency even after all these years.


His legacy... this is the biggie. There isn't a person without a good opinion or memory of my dad. He was a faithful husband and dad. He loved me more than I could ever fathom. He was a believer and loved Jesus with all his heart. He was a great friend. He loved his family. He was witty and generous and kind. And best of all? People came to know Jesus because of his life. That's the ultimate legacy. And one that I'm so proud of.


Thankful,
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #9 - Music to My Ears

Music. 

It's one of those things that I tend to always take for granted. 


For a girl that is so musically untalented, I sure can soak up every little facet of music. I may not be able to name the key or sit down and reproduce a piece at the piano, but I do have a talent for letting music saturate my soul.


Music helps to feed and awaken my spirit... I can't imagine my world without it. Can you? 


Thankful, 
Lauren 

30 Days of Thankfulness - #8 - Home Is Where The Heart Is

I was always a little restless in college... never feeling ready to settle down and plant my feet. I couldn't pinpoint it, but I knew something was missing. 

At the time, it puzzled me. All my "stuff" was there. I ate meals there and did laundry there and had a 10x10 room to call my very own. So why didn't it feel like home?

During college, I spent practically every weekend visiting either my family or Matt. During those visits, I realized that it was then that I felt content. I wasn't longing to be somewhere else. I was happy. I was "at home".

Fast forward four years. Matt and I get married and I move to the little-big city of Nashville. My family and friends know what an extreme home-body I am and constantly ask the question, "Are you homesick yet?"

Even I surprised myself. I wasn't. Not even a little bit. Although to be clear, I did miss my mom and my sister and my whole family... but I wasn't homesick. I was content. Happy.

I was at home.

And that's when it hit me. Home is not about zip codes and square footage. Home has nothing to do with the number of bedrooms or the size of your kitchen. Home is not contained in four walls.

For me, home is when I'm with people I love. Whether that be my husband, our family, or our friends... home is wherever you make it. 

Home is where the heart is. 

Thankful, 

Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #7 - the in-loves

The in-laws.


First off, my mother and father-in-law did an obviously extraordinary job raising my husband... he is kind, compassionate, and respectful. He loves people with all his might. They found that perfect balance of love and discipline... of being parents and friends. I couldn't be more grateful to them for this.

Matt loves his parents with all his heart. His mama is one of his best friends and his dad is the perfect example of a Godly, loving family man. He has such a beautiful relationship with them both. 

I love watching the relationship between my mother and father-in-law. They have been through thick and thin, better and worse, and they support and respect each other through every last drop. I hope that Matt and I can follow in their footsteps and love like they do. 

Little Grady boo was born 15 months ago and they, in turn, became the most doting grandparents in the world. I'm so thankful that our future kiddos will have these two in their lives. 

My sister-in-law, Anna, and I were friends in high school, and I've loved watching us grow from friends to family. I love that we're learning to do life together and that we'll be friends and sisters fifty years from now.

I became part of a sweet, sweet family when I married Matt. They have welcomed me into their lives and loved me like their own. I couldn't be more grateful!


Thankful, 
Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #6 - family ties

My family. 

It's one of few things in life that I never have and never will take for granted. Even from very early in life, I knew that my family was special.

You see, for as long as I can remember, we have spent every Sunday at my Mammaw's house for a homecooked spread - a traditional southern meal of meat and three (or four), cornbread or biscuits, and a fruit pie. We eat off Mammaw's "good" Thanksgiving china and drink out of old fashioned pedestal glasses. If fruit is out of season, then somebody picks up an ice cream cake on their way back from church... doesn't everybody like a good ice cream cake?


Nobody eats and runs. We sit in the sunny living room and watch Sunday football or watch the little kids put on a show. 

In the mild months, we sit in the old wooden swing (whoever gets there first!) and everybody pulls up a chair to sit under the enormous oak trees.

We sit and talk and play with the little ones. We throw a football and work off those extra biscuits we shouldn't have eaten. The fellowship, the ice cream cake, the pseudo-Thanksgiving meal... each Sunday is treated as a celebration. We don't work to come up with a reason to get together, like birthday or holiday or special occasion.


Although I've always appreciated my family's Sunday tradition, moving to Nashville has opened my eyes even more. This is special. I know it doesn't happen this way for every family, whether due to distance or differences. Now that I can't be there every week, the time with my family around my grandmother's table, eating her good cooking, and laughing outside on the old swing... it does my soul and my spirit good. It rejuvenates me and reminds me how fortunate I am to be a part of this family. 


I am counting down the days till Sunday lunch on our next visit to Georgia. The table is always a little crowded, but I like it that way.

Thankful, 

Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #5 - sisters

Sisters.

It seems to be a love-hate relationship at times...

But I've come to find that love almost always outweighs the other...

I've written about my sister, Ashley, before. She is 15 going on 25. She is strong willed and passionate and stubborn. She is brave and funny and bright. I love that she is so drastically different from me. I love that she gives me a run for my money in just about every conversation we have.

I think the best way to put it is this: She challenges me. She challenges me to be better. To ask myself the tough questions {because she never fails to do so}. To stand beside my faith and my beliefs. Why? Because she's watching me, my actions, my priorities. My decisions. Her presence in life makes me strive to be better.  I couldn't be more grateful for that.

Thankful, Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #4 - grace

"My grace is sufficient for you, my power is perfected in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Sufficient: adequate for the purpose. enough.

Perfected: entirely without any flaws or defects.

Grace: the undeserved favor of God.

"But He gives us more grace..." James 4:6

Isn't is just like the Lord to lavish us with more and more of a gift we didn't even deserve in the first place?

Thankful,

Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #3 - mama

My mama.

There's so much to thank a mother for... not only did she give me life, but she raised me and taught me right from wrong. She provided for me and cheered me on through growing up.

She taught me to be independent and encouraged me to be self-sufficient. She showed more resiliency in her life than I've seen in any person since. She succeeded against all odds. She taught me values, morals, and the qualities to look for in a husband. She always said to me, "Watch how a man treats his mother and you'll see a glimpse of how he'll treat you." {matt loves his mama to pieces.}

There's another thing. My mama loves Matt as if he were her very own. It's a win-win situation... she finally has the-son-she-never-had and Matt has an adoring, doting mother-in-law! I just couldn't be more grateful for their relationship.

As time goes on, my mom is becoming more and more of a friend. I have found that, many times, she is the person I call with a tidbit of good news or to vent frustrations... she is always faithful to pray for me and encourage me, and for that I am so grateful.

"If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been." -Robert Brault
 
Thankful,
Lauren