A dad who chose to be.

My dad wasn't there when I was born. In fact, I didn't meet him until 2 years later when he married my mom. But that doesn't mean he's not my dad. He's more of a dad than some biological fathers are. And he's so special to me- because he chose to be my father.
I am forever grateful that in October of 1995 he adopted me and chose to have me as his little girl. He always acted like I was his anyway, but that just made it official.
I used to get really upset that other people had their biological father and I didn't. But now I am so thankful because I know my dad was there for me because he wanted to be. Because he chose me.
Happy fathers day to a dad who truly changed the way I see the world and who gave my mom and I a life I am so grateful for.
I love you dad!
-Lace

Count your many blessings...

... see what God has done!

Sometimes I can't believe the way life works out. Sometimes I wonder "why do I get to be so lucky?" I see people suffering every day at work. People with health problems, financial problems, relationship problems. And I just feel so blessed. God has provided above and beyond what we could imagine. I don't understand why some people have so much suffering and others don't. But I feel like he just continues to bless us. Even in the midst of all our sin. I have always clung to Romans 8:28 and believe whole heartedly that all things work together for those who love the Lord. I don't think that means that everything that happens to a believer will always be good, but that it will work for good. It will ultimately accomplish a good purpose.

I look back at our lives and just see God's hand at work. From the time I started ETBU and God drew me away from A&M as I reluctantly kicked and screamed the whole way.. to being at ETBU and getting an incredible experience of interning with a missions organization, and eventually meeting my husband. None of which would have happened if I were at A&M. I think about how there's no way in you-know-where that I should have gotten accepted to PA school because I didn't have a lick of experience, barely had my prerequisites. And I did. I think about how I didn't know if I could pass, but I did with flying colors. I think about how I felt like I couldn't make it without my husband by my side but we made it while he was in Arkansas- and we are stronger for it. I think about how God ordained that move for us- how our house sold in record time, which was only by His grace. I think about recently how we weren't happy or fulfilled where we were and I prayed that something would change. Jacob came home a few days later and said he would probably be getting a transfer. He did, and we ended up getting to move back home to our families and away from the city. I think of how our house sold- in 1 week! We had 3 offers! I think of how we actually had to pay to sell our house because we hadn't been in it long enough, and then we got a check in the mail a week later from our escrow account for almost the exact same amount we paid at closing.  Now tell me that's not God at work! We came back home and miraculously there was a perfect rent house just near my parents so I wouldn't be alone when Jake was gone. We sold our house, both started new jobs, found a rent house, and found some land to buy within like 2 weeks! Unbelievable. I think of how I love my job, and I wasn't sure I would ever find that.

That's the short version- God has had his hand in our lives and sometimes I just can't believe how richly we have been blessed. I'm just thankful.

I'm also thankful that my jake showed up at home last night when he wasn't supposed to be there for another week! I was so surprised! And I am so thankful for him too :)

I feel so blessed and I know this is a post of ramblings, but sometimes I just need to remind myself how much I have to be truly thankful for. Because I know there will be a day when we will suffer and things will not seem so fantastic. And that's when I will need this reminder that God is here, everyday. He does not leave us, and He works all things together for good.

Lace

sayonara stanley ave.

We moved out of our perfect little home about 2 weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to posting pictures of it. We absolutely loved this house. It was so cozy and cute. It was the first place we have lived that actually felt like home. I miss it, but we are excited about this next chapter in our lives!

WARNING: Lots of photos ahead! :)

-Lace

thankful today.

today i'm thankful for:

a warm bed after a 12 hr shift

a husband who knows how to be a husband

a {quiet} country home

a job i really like

the {joys} of unemployment.

In the past 3 weeks I have:

*Spent one of those weeks on Roatan, Honduras. Enough said.

*Not dried my hair or used any type of curling iron. If I was more accurate, I just haven't fixed my hair at all. 

*Not had on any mascara

*Slept in on an (almost) daily basis

* Watched too much GAC/CMT (don't judge).

*successfully read 4 books

Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. But I will admit it's kinda nice to have nowhere to be, no one to impress. However, I start my new job May 1 and I couldn't be more excited! Wonder if they'll care if my hair never gets fixed and I go sans make up. :)

-Lace

apology and a tender heart.

Tonight I opened my email to see that I had received MULTIPLE comments on a previous post. I thought this was odd since I really don't have that many followers. Then I looked to see what they were about. On a previous post (like almost a year ago), I used a print that I got off of pinterest. Apparently these people knew the artist and were very upset that I had used this without permission. I have to be honest, I didn't think anything of it. Especially since it was all over pinterest being used all sorts of ways, and because I was not intending on doing anything with it except putting it in my own home. I clearly stated that I got it off of pinterest, never claimed to have made the print myself. Never intending to sell it or use it in any other way. I think anyone who actually knows me would know that I meant no harm. 

Needless to say, I have a tender heart, and was really quite upset by all these very nasty things that were said about me. I was criticized in more ways that I thought was possible, from my very character and morals, down to my ability to be creative or make any kind of art. I just wasn't really prepared for that.

I will apologize for using something without permission, although it never even crossed my mind that that's what I was doing.  I just wish people would think about what they are saying to someone that don't even know. I know my intentions were not harmful in any way. I am not really one to speak out about anything, and I hate confrontation, but I felt like for anyone else who had looked at that post, I should apologize since clearly this was a source of much concern for others. I have removed the post. I do feel this was a very  extreme way to handle this situation, and wish it had been handled much differently. However, to anyone I offended, I am sorry.

back in roatan.

So, I'm back in Roatan, Honduras. I've been here for about 4 days. My friend asked me if I was going to blog, and to be honest I hadn't thought about it until she brought it up! But.. I guess I should. I am always glad that I'm able to go back and read all the things I forgot somewhere down the road.

Recap of the last 4 days: 

Thursday: arrived on the island.

Friday: clinic all day, then went to West End for a going away dinner for one of the volunteers at Rotisserie

Saturday: rode in the back of a truck for about 2 hours (1 hr on paved road, and about the same on a dirt road) to a beach house. I wish I could tell you who it belonged to, but I'm not sure any of us actually knew! :) That's kind of Roatan for you.. anyway it was obviously someone with money. It was an amazing house on what was quite literally a private beach. Gorgeous. I lathered on the SPF, but it did me no good. I am currently friend. Aloe and cold towels have been my best friends the last couple days. 

Sunday: went to church at Rchurch on the island, and then spent the day at West Bay.

Today: clinic all day. And one of my favorite parts of the trip so far. I saw a patient today who came in for a med refill but I found out she really needed so much more. She was a widow. Her children live in the states. Her husband was killed by Honduran police over a car. He bought a car in the states and when he got it back here, they took it from him. He fought ot have his car back, even getting the embassy involved. Long story short, this eventually led to the police killing him. This has been several years ago, but she is still so shaken up by it she cannot sleep. I got the opportunity to pray with her. She told me that God has been her strength and without her faith she would not have survived this tragedy. She went on to tell me that the government here is so corrupt and there is really no "law." She was so precious, and has such a wonderful heart. If  you think about her, will you please pray for her? That she would have peace and God would give her strength to support herself. And that he would also give her rest. 

-Lace