BAND WIFE LIFE // ON FACING ANXIETY

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Well James has been gone one week. 15 sleeps left. I'm doing a lot better this week than last week. It's a weird thing being married. You get very attached to someone...I guess it's the whole becoming one thing. Before I was married, I prided myself on being an independent woman. I didn't need no man! I didn't miss anyone. It was all good in the hood. But fast forward a few years and here I am sitting in my fluffy bathrobe, eating cereal for dinner (sorry babe!) and missing my man.

Don't worry, I'm not falling apart. I'm still here. I'm still well (I'm eating vegetables too, not just cereal!) I still see people A LOT! I just miss him...dearly. And it's getting easier. Me and Coco have our rhythm. She's an excellent spooning partner...except when she wakes me up at 5am scratching the curtains...!

To be honest, the hardest time for me was right before James left. I've never really experienced anxiety like I did in those days. I've been stressed and anxious before but those few days, I felt like I was in a cloud, a dark cloud, with dark scary thoughts. It was very weird as I hadn't really experienced anything like it before. The only thing that seemed to calm me down was reciting Bible verses in my head. 

At the same time, Hillsong United released Prince of Peace off their upcoming album, Empires. My goodness, it came at the perfect time for me.

I played this song over and over and over and I knew with all my heart that Jesus, the Prince of Peace was at my side. He was there in the midst of the dark cloud and His voice became louder than the anxiety. 

I don't know where you're at but maybe you are facing some anxiety or fear or terror. My prayer for you is that you would know the Prince of Peace and that He is there for you in the storm. Listen to this song, let His promises wash over you and if you want someone to pray for you, please send me an email (laura@ssheart.com) or comment below. I would love to pray for you.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
-John 14:27

Like I said, this week is already better than last week. I'm almost done mourning the death on Grey's Anatomy (still mad about it though, haha!!!), I get to go to Relate Women Conference on Thursday, and I have A LOT of homework to do. And I'm feeling so much peace, thank you Jesus.

stay gold,

s.s.♥︎.

RACHEL'S BACHELORETTE

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MY BESTIE IS GETTING MARRRRIEEEED NEXT MONTH! (Remember her wedding invite that we designed?) We had her bachelorette/birthday last weekend and had SO MUCH FUN. Rach wanted a low-key bachelorette so we planned her one that was low-key but PARTY PACKED....and by partying I mean eating chips in a hotel room because that is how we do partying :) It was her and the bridesmaids and baby Nikolai who was straight up sauced up on milk the whole time.

We started out by picking her up from her work dressed in #allblackeverything because that's how Rachel usually rolls...but obviously we had to add a bit of gold because a little gold never hurt anyone. I made her a killer and by killer, I mean super tacky necklace out of pipe cleaners.

We then enjoyed Rachel's favourite food (Noodlebox) and then got tattoos. KIDDING. I had a DIY planned for sweet awesome temp tattoos that read "I BELONG TO #CLUNGTOTHEJUNG. IF FOUND, TAKE ME TO DISNEYLAND. K. THANKS. BYE." but they didn't end up working...boo!

After dinnz we all went to the Inn at Laurel Point (my fave hotel in Victoria!) and had a great time eating chips, chocolate and laughing...lots of laughing.

The next morning, we hit up Jam Cafe where we all received food comas.

That cinnamon swirl pancake with cream cheese icing is TO DIE FOR.

After that we surprised Rachel with a trip out to a pottery studio in Langford. There we selected pottery pieces and got our painting on! 

Rachel painted this incredible design on her piece and I decided to keep it real simple (aka I have no art skills whatsoever). I finished mine in 20 minutes...which was totally ok because it gave me cuddle time with baby Nikolai :)

It was so much fun celebrating the beautiful bride to be and I can't wait to stand beside her as she marries her love next month!!! Love you SILLY!!!!!

Be sure to check out their wedding hashtag #clungtothejung and I'll be back soon posting more wedding stuff! 

XO,

s.s.♥︎.

EYE CANDY // 2

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Hiiiii. Hope you had a fabulous weekend/Monday. Mondays are my day off after a very full Sunday and I like to keep them chillll. James and I were able to spend a bit of time together which was nice. He's been crazy busy with school and band stuff. He just finished a 5 day local tour with shows in Duncan, Vancouver, Victoria, Victoria and Nanaimo. I went to the Duncan and second Victoria show and all I gotta say is daaaang. Towers & Trees puts on a good show! I so loved seeing my man up there doing what he loves to do. He'll be leaving soon for a three week tour. I'm going to miss him SOOOO MUCH! But I'll be busy here with work, school, Rachel's wedding, blogging, running and house stuff and pinteresting obvs......

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 

Are we BFFS yet???

Snapchat: lauraliira // Instagram // Pinterest // Facebook // Twitter

xoxo,

s.s.♥︎.

CURRENTLY

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Hello FriYAAAAAAY! Any weekend plans for you? James is on tour (boohoooo for me but yay for him, he's having a lot of fun!) so I'm keeping it low key...having dinner with some of the T&T girls yaaa #bandwifelife, celebrating my mama's birthday tomorrow and studying/writing papers (ewh)...

I saw this fun update on my friend Annie's blog and I thought it would be fun to do today....

CURRENTLY:

WEARING: long tanks & lulus. I'm finally buying a new pair of jeans tomorrow...yiiiip.

READING: All the Light we Cannot See. I'm slowly reading it but want to devour it because the next book on my list is GIRL ON A TRAIN...eeeeee.

WATCHING: GREYS!!!!! And the beautiful blossoms arriving on the pear tree in my backyard.

ANTICIPATING: My love coming home on Sunday.

WANTING: These GOLD birks

LISTENING: Hillsong United's new number- TOUCH THE SKY

CRAVING: Hagaan-Daz Salted Caramel Gelato...mmmhhhhmmmm.

REMEMBERING: How good the changing seasons are. Sunshine, blossoms, longer days...yes please. #ptL for SPRING.

What about you? What's currently happening in your realm?

Hope you have an amazing weekend! 

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

ON DEALING WITH THE NEGATIVE VOICES IN YOUR LIFE (AKA THE HATERS)

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image via

I'm a naturally positive person. Positivity is my second highest strength on my strengths finder. When I come across negativity, I can actually feel my insides turning. I hate it. I usually run in the opposite direction. I like people to be happy. I'm naturally a people pleaser. So when people say hurtful things about me, I get real upset. BUT I've come to terms with the fact that not everyone is going to like me. Everybody has issues and sadly, people like to take those issues out on other people. Sometimes people say really hurtful things to your face or behind your back. 

Funny story...I once received a very in depth email (it was a general info email address that I would read and respond to) ABOUT ME. Yes, the email was complaining about me. LOLs At first I was shocked and sad but then I just had to laugh it off because it was kinda ridiculous that I just so happened to be the person receiving the mean email...

But sometimes I don't laugh. Sometimes I hear certain things and I get very upset. And I know some of you out there may be in this boat. Well, today I have some advice from you that could help you out when you have to deal with the haters....

1. SHAKE IT OFF

Not everyone is going to be your biggest fan and you need to be ok with that. I had this issue last year where I found out that people were not saying the kindest things about me. At first I was furious but when I got home and had a chance to clear my head, I turned on some music and literally danced it off. The great philosopher of our day, T Swift wrote a killer song about this..."And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate. Baby I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake...shake it off, shake it off." 

When I dance it out, I literally see the negativity and hate fall off my shoulders. You do not need to let those negative voices define you! And take note- when you dance, you gotta go all out and have fun while you're doing it. Seriously, this is very important!!! Soon enough you'll start smiling and know that the haters can keep on hatin and that's ok because you are going to keep on shining. #cantstopwontstop
P.S. I highly recommend these songs- "Shake it Off", "Uptown Funk", "Two of Hearts", "Don't Stop till You Get Enough"

2. TURN YOUR CRITICS INTO COACHES

I went to this conference a number of years ago where Mark Driscoll shared in one of the sessions. I can't really remember what he was speaking on but I kinda remember it being on idols...anyways he said this statement that totally stood out to me "Turn your critics into coaches."

Now I'm not saying, analyze and give that person a voice in your life but examine what they said. Maybe there is some truth in it? You don't owe the haters but we're all works in progress and maybe there are some things you can improve on.

Allow their words to bring out the best in you, not the worst in you.

3. HAVE THICK SKIN & A SOFT HEART

When I'm dealing with haters, I'm naturally inclined to get my stuff together, work my butt off and prove to them that I'm fully capable. I develop a thick skin and an even thicker heart, and that is NO GOOD. 

You have to remember that people are people. No one is perfect. Everyone is dealing with their own stuff and hurt people hurt people. Sometimes people say mean things out of an insecurity, past hurt, etc....Lord knows, I've done that before.

When I was at Hillsong London's night leadership classes all those years ago, I learned that I needed to have thick skin and a soft heart.
Thick skin to not let issues, people, etc get me down but to also have a soft heart, that genuinely cares for people.

Jesus says it best in Matthew 5:44- “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves."

Now this is a hard one for me. I'm Italian and I'm reeeeeaaal good at holding grudges BUT God's been working on my heart, softening it. 

I'm not saying, continue to give someone authority in your life to speak negative things over you. I'm saying, pray for them. Bless them. Who knows what God could do with the situation....

But keep on shining like a diamond girl...don't let anyone dull that sparkle!

xo,

s.s.♥︎.