Summer Essentials

As you all should know, I love things that are girlish and mostly preppy, but classic. So when it comes to summer, even when I'm working at Living Waters, you can find me in these things of which I deem essential.

1. Striped, knit tops.

I'm a sucker for a good 3/4 sleeve length, striped top. I actually have about twelve different ones in my closet. This specific one is from JCrew Factory (link at the bottom), but normally I get mine from Target or Forever 21. Even if it's warm they're normally breathable and super comfortable to wear all day long. 

2. Chinos

I despise jean shorts. Don't know what it is, but I refuse to wear them. So normally I pick up a couple of pairs of chinos from Old Navy every year. They are just so comfy, and they don't stick to you, so I really enjoy wearing them. I do get the five inch ones though, as they're modest as they can be without becoming bermuda shorts, which I also don't really care for. (Once again, these specific ones above are from JCrew Factory, link below.) 

3. LILLY PULITZER!!!

Well, that thumbnail is the best I could get, but what would summer be without Lilly Pulitzer?! I have to admit, I'm mourning some of the great patterns from last summer (ie: Jellies Be Jammin', Lobstah Roll, She Sells Shells), but at least they did a re-do of Tusk In the Sun, so I'm a happy girl. Yes, the apparel can be horribly expensive, but that's why you get it on sale *wink-wink*. At the end of the summer and winter, they have an After-Party sale, so that's a really good opportunity to get any pieces you want at a MUCH better price. Or if you go to any Signature Store (Maine girls, the closest is Pink Tangerine in Kennebunkport), they ALWAYS have a sale rack. 

4. Jack Rogers

If you know me, you know I practically live in my Jacks. Honestly they are the most comfy pair of sandals I have ever worn. You do have to break them in, which can be hard, but I love them. Now, you may be asking, "You pay $120 just for a sandal?!" NOPE. If you really know me, I never pay full price for ANYTHING. In June, they sell them for about $88 on Nordstrom, but a really good deal is to go on Country Club Prep and use a code to get a discount. E-mail one of my favorite bloggers, Daria Smith at xcgal98@gmail.com for 20% off and free shipping!!

Links: shirt: https://factory.jcrew.com/womens-clothing/knits_tees/Classic_Stripes/PRDOVR~C4239/C4239.jsp?color_name=stripe-ivory-navy // chinos: https://factory.jcrew.com/womens-clothing/shorts/5inch/PRDOVR~21760/21760.jsp // dress: http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/dresses/the-shift-dress/delia-shift-dress/pc/38/c/312/8102.uts?swatchName=Pop+Pink+Tusk+In+Sun+Middle // shoes: https://www.countryclubprep.com/collections/jack-rogers/products/hamptons-navajo-sandal-in-platinum-by-jack-rogers?variant=1221569233

Laura xx

In Remembrance

Yesterday, my mother, brother, and I went to assist my grandparents with putting flowers on great-grandparents grave.

I had not been to that cemetery for a while, so it was nice to go. (Even though my grandparents' headstone is already up...and they're still alive. That freaked me out.)

My great-grandmother, Laura Vida (McCrum) Garrison, was the youngest of 14 children. (Now her family owns the biggest potato farm in Maine. Go County Super Spuds!!) In 1935 she married Stanley Elwood Garrison, and they had my Nana along with her brother Wayne, and sister Karen (who unfortunately has been missing for quite some time). I honestly don't know that much about Grammy Laura, other that she went to be with the Lord at the young age of 50 from cancer. But my Nana always talks about how much she loved her parents. My mom, along with her cousin Tracey were the only two grandkids to not meet her, so naturally, my mother wanted to name me after her. It was a close call when her cousin's Gregg & Heidi named their daughter Olivia Laura, but Mom got her way.

I didn't even know until a few years ago that Stanley had re-married after Grammy died, but I guess I just need to be more curious! I'm really looking forward to meeting them both because I guess I really loved to hear people talk about them when I was little. My only great-grandparent on both sides of my family that I ever got to meet was "Grammy Lunn", or Irene Agnes (Gee) Lunn. I grew up spending a lot of time with her, and it was hard to see her go in 2012...but she'd already lost her husband and a daughter, so I know she was happy to go. But they've all really been on my mind this weekend, as obviously it is Memorial Day. I hope my kids are thankful for their great-grandparents as much as I am. (Especially since my maternal grandparents practically were a second pair of parents.)


Have a blessed day! (And thank you to all who have fought to keep our country free! Especially my Papa and Uncle Mike!)

Laura xx

Changes

Change is not my friend.

If you know me at all, you know that I am a very headstrong person, and I am extremely set in my ways.

Well, this summer has thrown me a curveball.

If you didn't know, these past ten summers my parents have volunteered their entire summers to serve the Lord at Living Waters Bible Conference. (Five summers ago, I began working there as well.) Living Waters has since become my home. It's in the family as my grandfather has been on the board for 43 years, and my Uncle Mark speaks each summer, along with extended family doing music occasionally. To put it into smaller terms, camp is pretty much my life, and I love it.

This past year has been quite hard on us, and so my twin brother has firmly set down his foot and refused to LW with us this summer. So...mom is most likely to stay behind in Fort,  with my father and grandparents coming weekends and occasional days. To be frank, I hate this. So many nights I have cried out to God wondering why he seems to be moving my family away from the place and people I cherish most dearly. I am, of course, working the full summer like I normally do, but I just can't face the differences that will be so evident. My family is known for working at camp...and I feel almost embarrassed that this is happening to us.

Really this post is a call to prayer. Could you pray for me, as well as my family in the coming months? I still cannot process the thought of us going in a different direction. I know I need to expand my horizons, but camp is where my heart is 24/7. So I'm just really struggling with this. I thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart.

WHAT?!?!?

                                                 (A picture I took at NBBI in February)

                                                 

Is it really March already?

I think I just completely missed the first two months of the year. (Not a bad thing though, it's been wicked cold up here.)

Life has just been crazy busy up here, and I cannot say that it has been the easiest lately. I think I've written about this before, but winter is a hard time for me. I feel like I'm stuck in a slump for the entirety of it (which so happens to be about 5 months for Mainers).

And that's why I love March!!!

March is just always a good month for me. It still snows, it's still cold. But there's a hope.

The hope that April will bring spring with it.

A favorite passage of mine in the Bible is Ecclesiastes 3. In it, Solomon reminds us that there is a season for everything. Also, my favorite verse in it:

"He has made EVERYTHING beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to end." (verse 11)

Isn't that such a hope? Even though it seems like winter may never end, God will be melting the snow, raising the temperature, calling back the birds from the south, and giving us wonderful greenery in just a matter of months. Isn't He so good?!?!



I hope that raised your morale, because it raised mine!


Laura xx

The Season of Reflection

Long time, no blogging, I know. Been working on a novella, which I have almost finished. (!!!)

For some reason, this season is the busiest, and the most stressful for me. Shouldn't it be the opposite? I want to be able to just sit down, relax, and enjoy this Holiday season with family and friends. But instead, I'll be finishing up essays taking tests over this next week before break.

I'm definitely ready for 2014 to be over, and to move onto another year. I've had a blessed year though, here are some highlights:

- Got my driving permit (and found out that I really don't even like driving. Pray for me for that, if you would.)

- Made it into NHS

- Had my Sweet 16th


and so many more, tinier blessings have occurred, but boy, am I looking forward to 12:00 AM on January 1st. I get so weary at the end of each year...did I do enough? Have I changed in a positive light? Am I on the right track for the next year?? It's so frustrating. And yet...I'm calm. For a reason unknown, God always chooses to give me such a blessed peace. Yes, I have my moments where I'm completely freaking out and don't know what to do, but underneath it all...I always know everything will eventually be okay.

My best friend, Natalie, has been such a mover in my life over the past year. This girl, who I met though an online community for Christian girls...has turned out to be one of the best people I've been in contact with in my entire life. (I affectionally call her "my twin") It's funny how God can bring together two people with similar problems, and have them come together to comfort one another in Christ, and glorify himself through them. All you know is that it is just what I like to call a "God thing." He brought Natalie to me in a time of desperate need for both of us, and through e-mails, Skype calls, and texts we've been able to reveal out true selfs and hand it all over to God. It's just so great.


But anyways, I sure will be taking it just one day at a time for the next few weeks.
Have a blessed Holiday season!

Laura xx