MY ONE WORD FOR 2015

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Last month some friends and I gathered for the annual One Word breakfast. (Check out that post here!) We ate, laughed, chatted and all shared our one words for 2015. This is my fourth year with a one word (check out previous ones...2012, 2013, 2014)! For those of you new to this space, one word for the year stemmed from this site. It's all about forgetting crazy, unachievable new years resolutions and instead choosing a word to define your year. Every year I pray about it and every year God gives me a word to define the year.

My one word for 2015 is strong.

At the end of last year, I started to reflect and pray about what my word for 2015 would be. One night as I was going to sleep the verse "be strong and courageous" (Joshua 1:6) kept going through my mind. Whenever I've read that verse in the past, I would always see it as encouraging me to have courage, to not fear...but this time around I felt like BE STRONG was being highlighted, bolded AND italicized. I kept thinking about that word strong and what it means to be strong and soon enough I knew, that was my one word for 2015. 

Early January I came across two different verses on being strong...

"Strength is for service not status." -Romans 15 MSG

Suddenly I knew...this ain't about me. God spoke to my heart, "I'm not making you strong to elevate you, I'm making you strong to serve others." He has given me strength and I believe will continue to strengthen me this year to serve others, to help others, to love others. I love people. My favourite thing to do in ministry is counselling people. I love sitting down with someone (over good coffee obvs!) and hearing about their lives. Seriously, I leave most counselling appointments refreshed and filled with joy. It gets my blood pumping to see people walk through life and experience victory.  He's making me strong to serve others. Service over status. 

"All praise to the one who is strong enough to make you strong."- Romans 16

This second verse spoke directly to my fear. In those times of weakness, in those times when life is hard, in the low times, I don't have to fear that I'm unable to be "strong". I am strong because I trust in the one who is strong enough to make me strong. 

Already this year, I have faced trials...there have been many tears shed BUT He has been faithful. I've felt strength rise up in me as I remember who is with me...my God...who is strong enough to make me strong.

So I say bring it 2015. I may not be ready for all the curve balls you throw at me and the people I love but I know the One who can handle it all and He will give me all the strength I need.

xoxo,

s.s.♥︎.

P.S. Do you have a one word for 2015? I'd love to hear all about it!! AND I'd love to post it here on the blog! Email me at laura@ssheart.com

BAND WIFE LIFE

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image by Ameris

First of all, how awesome is that pic of James? That was him rehearsing the song he wrote for me on our wedding day. He completely surprised me at the reception with the most beautiful song. One of my favourite moments of life thus far.

I announced on facebook last week that James will be playing keys with local band Towers and Trees. I'm so pumped for him. They're a rad band and are playing in Victoria in April, so you all better come out and support! And for those of you in other parts of Canada, they are touring! Check out their website to catch them in your town.

So I'm officially becoming a band wife. I'm stoked to support my man in doing what he loves to do. They'll be touring for 3+ weeks in April/May. That will be the longest stretch of time we've been apart for! It will be hard, but I'm a busy girl and like to keep it that way so you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be filling up those three weeks with projects round the home, finishing my current summit course, #clungtothejung wedding stuff and lots of coffee dates! But man, I sure will miss cuddling him every night...good thing I got Coco to keep me company while he's gone.

Obviously I'll be blogging lots about band wife life, and if you're in Victoria, be sure to come out to Towers & Tree on April 10th & 11th (I'm pretty sure the 11th is sold out!!)

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

THE VERY BEST FROSTED SUGAR COOKIES (AKA SWIG COOKIES)

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Allow me to introduce you to the very best sugar cookie of your LIFE. I'm serious guys. AND I have backers who will support me in this statement....I handed heaps of them out to friends at church and they gobbled them right up and were all like THESE ARE THE BEST SUGAR COOKIES!

Now I did not make this recipe up. I discovered these cookies when I was in Salt Lake City at ALT. I had one bite and was like THESE ARE THE BEST SUGAR COOKIES I'VE EVER HAD. They're thick and not overly hard and have the yummiest icing....mmmmmmmm the magic of butter and sugar. They're famous in Utah so if you're ever round those parts, be sure to stop by Swig Stop to get one! 

I got the recipe from Vintage Revivals but I made a couple adjustments...mine needed to be baked for 10 minutes and I used three drops of red food colouring instead of one! They're incredible easy to make and you don't need a ton of ingredients (except A LOT of butter and icing sugar, ha!) so I hope you make them!

Happy baking and happy Monday! It's the rest of my weekend...yaaaaay!

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

EYE CANDY // 1

Pinterest is my favourite video game. I know Pinterest isn't a video game, but I don't have games on my phone. The only thing I ever want to play on my phone is Pinterest (ok and instagram). I never get sick of the constant stream of creativity!!! Sooooo many inspiring images, quotes and design.

And if you're not on Pinterest...GET ON IT... and follow me while you're at it ;)

Here's what's been catching my eye on Pinterest (omgeeee they autocorrect pinterest to Pinterest...freaky...) lately....

image credits- 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

Clearly PALE PINK is my love language.....seriously. I. NEED. THAT. CHAIR. IN. MY. LIFE. Does anyone know how to reupholster? :) 

White jeans....I want some so bad, but go and try them on and they are like blaaaah. I want that ripped pair but I always get made fun of by some older people at my church when I wear them.. :)

Pink waves always make me sooo happy. Maybe we'll incorporate these into next year's Illuminate???

And I reaaaaalllly want birkenstocks for the summer. I have my eyes on these puppies.

AND PINK LE CREUSET...I DIE.....so on fleek. or point...oh gosh I need to brush up on my "keeping up with the cool kids grammar".

Well friends, hope you have THE BEST weekend! Any plans? I'm going to Cinderella tonight and I'm soooo stoked. #disneyprincessesforever 

xo, 

s.s.♥︎. 

BOOK CLUB REVIEW // GIRL YOU LEFT BEHIND BY JOJO MOYES

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Hey hey! Remember when we started a virtual book club? Well today's the day we talk about the book! Ok take it away book club president Courtney...! (PS. my (Laura) responses are italicized!)

Welcome to the S.S. Heart Book Club wrap up!

As you know I am always so excited to get lost in a story. I feel that I have to be 100% honest with you but I have mixed feelings about this book. 

I enjoyed the 1917 storyline as that is one of my favourite time periods (Downton Abbey anyone?!) but I felt as though that part of the book was too short and the 2006 too long. I do however think Liv's struggle to decide what to do was interesting. 

I would love to pose a few questions to hear your thoughts. These are some of the questions i was left thinking of.... 

What were your thoughts on the book overall?

I kinda agree with Courtney. I did read this fast but I didn't EAT IT UP..ya know? I would have loved to have waaaaay more of Sophie's story...like their life after surviving the war!! Liz's life went on and on and on. 

Is the Sophie in The Girl You Left Behind the real Sophie?  

Yes! It's who her beloved husband painted her to be. Maybe she wasn't always "that" girl in the painting but he caught a version of herself.

What do you think of the relationship between Sophie and the Kommandant? He states that they're just two people. Do you think that is true?

UGH! I hated it. I understand I know nothing about war times but man I hated their whole relationship. I just ended up feeling sorry for both of them.

How did you feel when Sophie went to the Kommandant with the painting?  Do you think she went out of desperation or selfishness? 

AHHHHH....this part was SO SAD :( I believe she went out of desperation. She wanted nothing more than to be reunited with her husband...but at what price. This part made me sooo sad.

Do you think Liv should have just let go of the painting or was she right to pursue? 

For a lot of it, I was like gosssssshhh Liv is just being selfish in not giving up that painting. But I did enjoy the adventure in discovering the true owner of the painting. It did mean A LOT to her and was a great way for (oh gosh I can't even remember the other dude's name...) to prove his love for Liv.

Does letting go of the painting make her relationship with David any less real?  Is this the reason behind keeping the painting? To keep that memory alive?

I think a huge part of her keeping it was to remind her of David BUT as she worked through her healing from the loss she realized that the painting reminded her more of the girl she is when she is happy- a feeling that's not exclusive to David.

Can't wait to read your thoughts! 

Also stay tuned for our next book! 

Ok now your turn! What did you think? And we're also wondering, what books do YOU want to read??

xox,

s.s.♥︎.