Sweet Summer Time!

Today is day #7 in my 1st adult Summer and so far we’ve hit up a creek with Eli’s uncle and the last three days I’ve been house/dog sitting for a good friend of mine. That consisted of laying on her big fluffy couch spending time with Netflix for the last 72 hours, and no I don’t even feel guilty!

I’ve also read two books and can’t wait to get good in this 3rd one; gotta find the time!

It’s been so amazing just eating when we want, sleeping when we want and just doing whatever we want when we want.

The rest of this week I plan in getting a little more reading and working on a few things around the house. Stay tuned for updates!

I 💛 u Summer!!

My Mommy side was so nervous but he loved it!

Eli chilling with Uncle Blake!

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Happy 14 Years Thomas Jackson!

You will probably never read this; I wanted to express my love for you in the best way I know how, through my writing. I believe that the world deserves to know the kind of man that I married!

It’s almost impossible to summarize and detail all of our love story and my immense devotion to you into a eloquent letter, but I’m go to try like heck to do it.

Thank you for finally choosing me. Even when I doubted your love for so long; and my feelings of being unlovable. Somehow you have cunningly tricked me into loving myself, while pouring your love on me.

I can say with confidence that the last 168 months have changed me for the better. I am proud lots of things I do, yet I’m most proud of being your wife and I love everything about it!

The previous 730 weeks you have been my safe place to fall. Even when you didn’t understand my need to fall. You fill me with more joy, passion and completeness than I could ever imagine. You have magnified my strengths and my weaknesses all at the same time. It’s confusing and overwhelming all at the same time. You have seen me at my worst, but helped me become my best.

You have loved me and stood by me these last 5,110 days, despite the significant changes I’ve gone through, and I will always respect you for that.

I know that my words don’t always align with my actions of the last 122,640 hours of our lives. I acknowledge that sometimes the language between us is confusing and complicated. It must be hard and it must be easy to question my love for you on most days. Forgive me for that.

I’ll never forget walking toward you 7.35+6 mins ago. I remember making my through the double doors of that chapel, with my Dad walking slowly by my side. I locked eyes with you, THE man, MY man! I could not believe we were actually doing this!! There were so many faces in the crowd but all I remember is yours.

So here we are, May 22, 2018; 14 years later! How in God’s name did we make it? We made it in HIS name! People often ask how we have done it, all we can say is lots of praying and a little loving.

Time doesn’t stop for anyone. If we have learned anything, it is that we are certainly not perfect, we mostly don’t agree on housework and have been known to have different visions on what being a parent really means. We know that we have to have patience with each other and all of our imperfections.

Life is crazy! Thank you for loving me and the way I snore. I’m so grateful for our health and how you constantly remind me to choose happiness no matter how dark the circumstances may be.

We are always finding ways to serve each other and we are aware that it’s not really a sacrifice if it doesn’t hurt.

I love how we always talk (and sometimes yell) it out.

I love you Thomas Jackson, beyond words really and even more than I did when I was 17 and didn’t think I could go a day without seeing your face. Thank you for being everything I wanted and more than I could ever imagine!

💛 LaBranda

Miss You!!

5 years ago I got the phone call that will change my life forever! You were gone, your life was over and there was nothing I could do about it. I had absolutely no say so in the matter. I’ve asked myself a million times why couldn’t I help you? Regardless of what anyone says I will never understand why you had to go. I will never believe that you wanted to leave us. I understand now that the details are really none of my business. God has walked with me and reminded me everyday that he never makes mistakes. Some times bad things happen to good people and my job is to have faith and hope might I will see you again one day.
Your legacy will always live on in me. You taught me so much about life and left me with more courage than I ever thought possible. Even though your leaving was the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with, the experience has helped me help other hurting people.
I called your mom a today. She seems to be in good spirits. She said it perfectly when she reminded me that the only way we can get through day by day is by God’s grace and mercey. I will never understand how people that don’t know God get through even one moment without him.
I’ll never forget, I’ll just live with what you taught me. Until we meet again, Rest in peace soul sister! RIP Gina Carol Tipton.

“Love the people that God gave you because one day he will need them back”

Evidence of Maturing Faith

Mark 4:21-34

Are you being changed from the inside out?

When there is life in something it’s evident.

When there is spiritual life in you, it’s evident.

1. Do you illuminat the darkness with the truth of the gospel?

• Jesus is the light of the world!
• You live to glorify Christ, not for anything or anyone else
• How do you shine the light of the gospel in your home?

2. Are you applying the truth that you hear?

• He doesn’t just want us to hear the word, but to live it out.
• What good is religion if it makes no difference in your life.
• Take the little things he has given you and walk with them and then he will give you bigger things to walk with.

3. Do you trust the Lord to grow you??

• You are going to mess up.
• It is Christ and Christ alone that allows you to do what he calls you to do.
• God is not through with you until your heart stops beating.
• Ask God to speak to you and change your heart.

4. Is the kingdom of Heaven large in your mind?

• As you begin to mature you start to focus on glory.

5. Are you able to hear truth?

• When you don’t hear it it’s because your dead inside.
• Christianity isn’t a thing to be tried, its a person to meet and build a relationship.

Momma

When I hear the word “Momma” I think of the fruits of the spirit; Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. Even though ive heard stories how she opened up a can of Momma Bear on someone who messed with one of her babies.

If I may I’d like to add Strong, Supportive, and extremely Independent. I could say a ton of other things about this Momma of mine, but she is pretty much self explanatory. I ❤️ you Momma! #HappyMothersDay!
❤️ LaBranda

I need you…

I need you God, even on days like today when everything is going so good. When it’s Friday night and I have nothing pressing to do but relax and be thankful that i made it to the weekend.

Sometimes I “act” like I don’t need you when things are going this way. That’s the Devil trying to make me think I could survive one min without you.

I know in all reality that i can’t. I’m too messed up. I’m too thirsty for things other than your word. I’m so tired of getting that complacent feeling that I’ve got this crazy life of mine under control, so “carry on” Lord. You can go help someone that really needs you. Ummmm wrong!!

Thank you Father for reminding me of this. Thank you for keeping my heart pricked when I start to feel this way.

People have always seen me as this goody girl because I’ve always been one to share my relationship with you openly. If they only knew Lord the kind of conversations we have on a daily basis. The kinds of things I find my self doing or saying that break your heart over and over. I’m praying that it’s good that I know it hurts you, because that is what keeps my head above water.

Forgive me for when all I can think about is how I’m going to enjoy my weekend so much yet I forget to make you the center of my days.

Show mercy for me when I think about all the things I didn’t get to experience and I tend to feel like I missed out on so much because my relationship with you mattered so much to my sheltered young soul.

I hate myself when I do things that completely ruin my testimony. Those things are really not me.

I stumble and fall entirely too much for the person you intend for me to be.

Thank you for always picking me back up and showing me your relentless love. For always chasing after me, for not needing me; always wanting me.

Walk me through this weekend with you at the center.

❤️ LaBranda

For when you feel sad…

Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and salvation, whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom should I be afraid?

When evil doers come against me to devour my flesh, my foes and enemies stumble and fall. Though an army deploys against me, my heart is not afraid; though a war breaks out against me, still I am confident.

I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple.

For he will conceal me in His shelter in the day of adversity; He will hide me under the cover of his tent; He will set me high on a rock.

Then my head will be high above my enemies around me; I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Lord, hear my voice when I call; be gracious to me and answer me. My heart says this about you, “you are to seek my face”, Lord I will seek your face.

Do not hide your face from me; do not turn your servant away in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or abandon me, God of my salvation.

Even if my father and mother abandoned me, the Lord cares for me. Because of my advisories , show me your way , Lord, and lead me on a level path.

Do not give me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing violence.

I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord!