Valentine's Day Encouragement

Ah, Valentine's Day. The most dreaded holiday for those without a significant other.

But it doesn't have to be so dreaded.

I'm sure you've heard it before and you probably mock the single Christian person who says "Oh, Jesus is my valentine."

...they have a valid reason for saying this!

There are so many passages that mention the undying love that Christ has for his church

John 3:16- "For God so loved the world..."

1 John 3:1- "See what kind of love the Father has given to us..."

and the greatest of all, Romans 8:8- "But God shows his love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

It didn't matter how dirty and broken we were, Christ died for us because of that, and that is the greatest love anyone can receive. So even if you're down in the dumps today, just remember that no man or woman could ever replace or come close to giving you love like Jesus did, and he still does. He welcomes you with open arms if you're hurting, or if you still have fresh wounds from a nasty break-up...he's always there. And even if you are in a relationship, don't lose sight of this because your significant other will disappoint you at some time or another, that's a guarantee...but Jesus will never disappoint you, and he'll run to you in your time of need.

Hope this places some encouragement in your hearts today.

Laura xx

A Re-Introduction of Sorts

Hi All!

One of my goals for this year was to start blogging again. Unfortunately, I'm a little late to the party as we are already into the second month of the year! So today I have decided to re-introduce myself to all you readers!

(If you'd like to see my testimony, here's the link: http://sassymainer.blogspot.com/2015/04/my-testimony.html)

I'm Laura Woodman, I'm almost eighteen, and I live in a small town in Northern Maine! (The real Northern Maine: Aroostook County.) I've always been a writer of mostly fiction, but also for the past five years or so I've kept records of pretty much everything I've done and a done a narrative on it. I think August of 2014 I decided to start writing a blog, and really it's a conglomerate of my style, my life, and my spiritual journey. I'm hoping it has something for everyone, and that especially my spiritual posts will bring greater insight into being a Christian and tons of encouragement along with it.

I've spent the last twelve summers at Living Waters Bible Conference in Danforth, Maine first being a staff brat, and then I started working on staff myself in the summer of 2011. If you know me personally, you know that Living Waters is basically my life and I would honestly devote my entire life to it if I could. I'm also a lover of American and English History, cinema and television in general, New York City, and especially all things Disney! I like to describe myself as an ambivert, because while I'm very reserved and quiet around people I might not know...my friends, especially my best friends Jon and Abby know that once I'm comfortable with a person, I turn into a WHOLE different person. That being said though, I'm very bookish so if you want to find me, most likely you will find me reading or writing.

So there's a lot for you to know about me! I hope it gives you a little peek into my life and who I am!


Now, regular blogging will resume as of....NOW! ;)

Laura xx

2015: A Year in Reflection

2015 will be over in eighteen days. EIGHTEEN DAYS.

How crazy is that?!?! 

 It seems like literally just yesterday that I was reflecting on the events of last year...and now THIS year. Speaking of which, this year has been an interesting one for me. A lot of new tests and trials throughout the year, but laughs and smiles to balance them out. It hasn't been a great year for my health, but I keep hoping and praying it will turn around and I'm crossing my fingers that 2016 may finally be the year! ;)

Here were some highlights:

As you can tell, most of these are Living Waters related things: it was another fantastic spring, summer, and fall at my most favorite place on earth. Whether it was kayaking Labor Day Weekend with Nicole, my impromptu birthday party during Columbus Day Weekend, or saying goodbye to my old home...the girls dorms (RIP), it was a blast once again!

But the others include my spontaneous trip to Boston in September, Superbowl (AKA the snooze fest) with Miah (bottom right corner), and I can't forget anything and everything that had to do with my favorite guy, JB.

I don't really have any resolutions for 2016 (I wouldn't be able to keep them anyways...), but I wish you all a safe and happy New Year! 

- Laura xx

HAPPY 1-YEAR!

Well, technically the anniversary was yesterday, but who's counting? ;)

Overall, I can say it's been a wonderful year since I started this blog. Full of...*interesting* times...but nonetheless, good.

I don't think I have too much to say, but to thank you scattered readers who might once in a blue moon read this blog! Even if it's not a regular read for you, I enjoy writing it for you all! Hopefully over the next year as I get a new camera and perhaps a website, this blog can expand and become more of a constant thing for me. (and perhaps for you too!)


Onward and upward, my dear friends!!

Laura xx

Five Movies Which I Can Watch Over and Over!

If you did not know, I'm a film junkie...so these are five movies which I guess you could qualify as my favorites!

1. The Princess Bride

Is this really a surprise? Definitely my all-time favorite film, this follows Buttercup as she fights her controlling fiance so she can marry her "twue love." ;) If you're looking for a movie that could be in many genres, this is perfect! (By the way...I can literally quote the entire movie. Just ask my family!)

2. Sleepless in Seattle

Part 1 of my movie OTP- Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. This definitely is a tear-jerker as Sam is a widower finally looking for a new love. Annie has overheard him over a radio program and she gradually falls in love with him...while pondering her relationship with her fiance. So cheesy and cliche...but lovely.

3. You've Got Mail

Part 2 of my movie OTP- Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. (First of all, this movie has a FANTASTIC movie soundtrack and supporting cast, as does Sleepless in Seattle.) But anyways, this was in the heyday of the bursting internet (actually the year I was born....kinda sad), and Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly meet over the internet, but don't know each others names. As it turns out, they are rival business partners...and it just turns out really funny because they're in love with each other...but hate each other at the same time! 

3. Bridget Jones's Diary (and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason):

OKAY FIRST OF ALL, COLIN FIRTH AND HUGH GRANT. Need I say more? Just kidding, but this is a relatively new favorite series for me. I think I watched them for the first time over February break? I don't know, but I became obsessed with these movies. Based loosely on Pride & Prejudice (AKA pretty much my favorite book besides the Bible), this follows 30-something Bridget Jones on her quest to find a sensible man. Chaos ensues when she wins the heart of Mark Darcy (Firth) and Daniel Cleaver (Grant), who are rivals. Hilarious movie, and basically I feel like Bridget Jones 99.9% of the time. (PS, who DOESN'T love Colin Firth? Ughhh!)

5. Clueless:

As if! ;) Honestly this is another movie I can actually quote word for word. If you've never watched Clueless (which you must if you're a teenage girl, it's like a rite of passage), it's based off of another Jane Austen novel, Emma (another favorite of mine!!). In a sense, Cher is well...clueless! It follows her as she tries to constantly improve the lives of others around her, while she is not paying enough attention to things in life involving her. By the way...Paul Rudd plays her charming ex-stepbrother Josh...it's wonderful. ;) 

Honorable mentions: "13 Going on 30", "Sabrina" (1995 version), "While You Were Sleeping", "Runaway Bride", and "The Cutting Edge". 

What are some of your must-watch movies?

Laura xx