Are You Laughing?

Laughter.

There's something about it. You either hate it or love it.

It can be distracting, addicting, or even contagious – all in good ways. Attractive, beautiful, meaningful.

But hopefully it's never repulsive, obnoxious, and disturbing ;b

Haha... I mean some would think so… But… really, what sort of minds do they have!? Lol.

Some people will love you for your laugh. And then there will be those that hate you for it.

That can sometimes be discouraging, and even make one want to quit laughing.

But should you?

Is laughing something that should be controlled, or is it something to be encouraged? Even in ourselves?

I must say I have a very STRONG opinion on this… but first I'll share some verses.

A joyful heart makes a cheerful face(smiling is the first step to laughing ;b), But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. ~ Proverbs 15:13

According to Proverbs 31, the virtuous woman laughs without fear of the future. Now that might sound a little sarcastic, and even bold, but hey, would you rather be one off those grumpy people always wining about what might happen, or would you rather be laughing your head off, waiting for each new thing to come along?

I would much rather laugh.

Laughter isn't just refreshing to the one laughing, it's a bright light to those around you. (Not counting those few grumps who would rather be gloomy.) When you laugh, for real, you feel more happy (duh), less stressed and tired, and more prepared for whatever may come.

In a way Proverbs 31 could mean, not laughing the future away as if it were nothing, but that the laugh clears your mind enough to be able to fully comprehend what to do.

Of, course you'll have those few laugh-cops still trying to break that smile – A time to cry and a time to laugh. (Ecc 3:2-4)

If you ask me, life has enough tears. Any opportunity that arises is THE TIME to LAUGH.

So, use this day to be happy and glad. And make it a great day for others, too.

Laugh.

Smile.

And laugh some more!

Because, who doesn't need more laughter in their lives????????????

 Just Laugh. Make the world happier ;)

Originally posted at Keturah's Korner

Yea, Though I Walk Through Unending Prairies

Another mountain climbed. Another valley crossed. They turned over another cornerstone, opened a new page.

They have done much in life.

"God, why am I the only Christian that has made neither progress in my walk with you, and with the destiny of my life? Am I lukewarm? Neither hot nor cold?"

Before me. Behind me. It's the same. It stretches for miles and miles. I continue to move, but the scenery stays the same. An unending prairie - in front and behind.

Dull. Lifeless. Void of anything different.

Yet, I continue to go. My path is too easy to walk. Yet I find this in itself too hard.

Because when something is hard, when it has texture it is easier to keep going. It must also be easier to forget that they even have to walk, and in a way one could enjoy the hardships, because it adds color to life. Their mountains and valleys show progress.

All around me, my friends join me on my path for a short while, before heading back to their mountains.

I hear stories of reaching the peak of their mountain of joy. Yes, they have fallen into the valleys of sin, and had a hard time climbing some of those rocky terrains, but at least they could always see the distance they had put behind them.

The final peak may be far, but they can see themselves coming to it. Sometimes they don't even need to go any where, because of how sure they are of making it.

But me? Why do I even continue to walk? My path has had no turns, besides those of temptation. It had neither gone up or down. Always the same.

I can see not where I'm going, nor where I've come from.

And then I hear a voice. God. "It's not the path that matters, nor how many trials others seem to experience. Sometimes the easiest path can be the hardest And most worthy - because it is the one that takes more determination. You must constantly drive yourself forwards to a goal you can barely see. And despite the lack of progress you think you see, you continue going."

I smile.

So that is the secret.

It's about me keeping on. Continuing on the path God has given me, not jealous of others' trials and joys.

It's about me staying joyful despite that my path has appeared as a prairie wasteland instead of a magnificent mountain.

It's about me being joyful where God has placed me, and not trying to run off to join the others on their mountains. Not that those are evil.

But that is not where God has called me.

I laugh with inner joy.

The others' demeaning shouts - when they try to downplay my trials, I will not let it bother me.

For none of that matters.

All that matters is keeping on. Doing what God has for me. And not caring if my own personal desire for achievement is ever satisfied.

God's way is enough.

Hello, Reader. Do you ever feel this way... that life just seems to continue on without challenge or excitement? It's a dangerous place to be... for shortly after writing this post I was finally tossed into the mountains and I acquired that struggle I yearned to know. It was not at all glamorous, but painful. But still yet again I learned... I learned how to be satisfied no matter where I was walking in life.

Be careful what you wish for. And learn to love and smile wherever you are... that's the key to learning contentment :) 

This was originally posted on my blog, Keturah's Korner. 

Pink and A Pony, Too

It's that time of the year again: winter. (Meaning boots, long sleeves, and sweaters.)

Normally Montana winters are so very cold and miserable. Like very so. But this year has been rather warm.

Which I don't mind ;)

I can still wear my boots... with out having too much other excess bulk, lol :D

Anyways, here are pictures of a fun outfit I wore to church this last week.

The wind worked to our advantage today, turning those pages just right;b

Just because you are "reading" doesn't mean you can't smile ;D

I'm afraid we like to get more funny photo's than "fashionable" ones ;)

And, I thought it would be fun to share a a picture of all of my sisters, ready for church :)

Outfit:

Pink Shirt: thrift

Tank top: Walmart

Lace Shirt: thrift

Skirt: Thrift

Boots: Plato's Closet

Necklace: My dear friend, Esther - It's my pony (inside joke ;b)

Yesterday I started reading The Giver by Lois Lowry (finally). I have been wanting to  read it ever since watching the movie a few months back... and falling in love with the closing song, Ordinary Human by OneRepublic.

I haven't finished the book... but it is soooo good!!!  

The whole premise is just so intriguing: this world where every thing is the perfect. Health. No death. Every one is happy, content. Nothing bad happens.

But the main character is chosen for a special job... one that will make him see what they don't have. 

Color. Joy. Uniqueness.

(We really have taken color for granted. Read this book, and you'll see what I mean.)

But the biggest thing that hit me was the freedom of choice.

Sure, choice results in a lot of evil, disaster, awful PAIN, and more... but God still created us with the ability to choose.

Because, even though we have to endure all those evil things... we also get the satisfaction of joy and color.

And, for some reason, I'm really thank full that God allows me to choose.

And, I didn't mean to tag a book review to this post... except I thought the message just too strong to not share ;) And you never know... maybe it was good I did just that. 

What has your week been like? Have you read anything that impacted your life? And what are your thoughts on color? Of, course... we all have to agree that pink is awesome ;b

Colorful Joy - It's Spring

What makes life worth living? And does fashion have anything to do with this question?

Of course, most of us would say that the only thing, or rather being, that gives life meaning and worth is God.

And we say this all with good reason.

Because what does He give to us that makes life beautiful?

Joy.

Laughter.

A smile.

Color.

Music.

And do you know what? The way we dress can reflect off of all God does for us. When I dress, I try to pick cheery, happy colors, designs, and styles that go with the idea of a joyful life - a life full of God's smiling goodness.

There are some parts of nature that are just too good to be real. How could you not smile seeing this?

Flowers can be in the strangest places sometimes...

Joyful in all of God's wondrous outdoors!

OUTFIT:

Skirt: thrift
Shirt: hand-me down
Flip-flops: Wal-mart
Headband: gift

James 1:2-3 NIV "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of you faith produces perseverance."

Psalm 118:24 ESV "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."