For Better, For worse!

May 13, 2017May 13, 2017 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood2 Comments

I don’t really talk much about my family and personal life here on LookingJoliGood, but in the next few days, I am about to celebrate my 14th wedding anniversary…

Way back then I thought I loved him with all my heart… I had no idea what it really meant to truly love someone.

Love isn’t just a feeling, it is action. It is a daily commitment to choose to put someone else before yourself.

Over the last almost 14 years, I have not always made loving me easy. Life it hard, marriage can be tough. I can be a bit overdramatic at times. Through the years, he has always been the one steady anchor in my life.

He still makes my heart skip a beat just by walking into the room. He is not only handsome, but he is strong and dependable. I never have to worry about whether or not I am going to be taken care of. I love him more every day!

He is the yin to my yang, the calm to my CrAzY. Like cheese and wine, he only gets better with age and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with him.

For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, now and forever!

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

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Love and Life

Redeemed

May 11, 2017April 19, 2017 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood2 Comments

Way too often I have to remind myself that I need to stop fighting a fight that has already been won!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

I try to do things on my own. Do right on my own. Forgive others on my own. Be better, act better… on my own. My problem is that often I don’t trust in Him enough to let Him do it for me… So instead I try to take control, I try to do it on my own. Then I remember, God, You’re not done with me yet! He doesn’t expect me to do it on my own. He already gave me the power to do it through Him. I don’t always have to be the same, I am redeemed, God set me free!

Big Daddy Weave – “Redeemed” – from the new album Love Come To Life

Seems like all I can see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me “son
Stop fighting a fight that’s already been won”

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I’ll shake off theses heavy chains
And wipe away every stain now I’m not who I used to be
I am redeemed
I’m redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, “Child lift up your head”
I remember oh God, You’re not done with me yet

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I’ll shake off theses heavy chains
And wipe away every stain now I’m not who I used to be
Because I don’t have to be the old man inside of me
‘Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I’ve got a new name, a new life I’m not the same
And a hope that will carry me home

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I’ll shake off theses heavy chains
And wipe away every stain now I’m not who I used to be

Oh God I’m not who I used to be
Jesus, I’m not who I used to be

‘Cause I am redeemed
Thank God, redeemed

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Love and Life

Happy Resurrection Day, 2017!

April 16, 2017April 16, 2017 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

I Know My Redeemer Lives!

Because He Lives (Gaithers)

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he brings;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

And then one day, I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

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The Beautiful Things In Life

February 1, 2017January 23, 2017 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood2 Comments

The most beautiful things in life are not just things. They’re people and places, memories, and pictures. They’re feelings and moments and smiles and laughter.

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Lifestyle · Love and Life

Never Gonna Let You Down

January 26, 2017January 26, 2017 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

Colbie Caillat

Low
When you’re feeling low
And you just don’t know where to run to
Broke
If your heart’s been broke
And you feel like you’re all alone
If you need something to believe in
If you’re looking for a light to guide you home
Just look inside
You light a shining brighter than you know
You should know
I’m never gonna let you down
I’m always gonna build you up
The pain you’re feeling lost
I will always find you love
I’m never gonna walk away
I’m always gonna have your back
And ain‘t nothing else who can always count on that
When you need me
I promise I will never let you down

Laugh
I will make you laugh
If you ever feel like crying
Close
I will hold you close
You won’t be alone anymore
If you need someone to believe in
If you’re reaching for a hand to guide you home
Just take my hand and I won’t let you go
I hope you know

I’m never gonna let you down
I’m always gonna build you up
The pain you’re feeling lost
I will always find you love
I’m never gonna walk away
I’m always gonna have your back
And ain‘t nothing else who can always count on that
When you need me
I promise I will never let you down
Ain’t never gonna let you down

If you need something to believe in
If you feel you’ve reached the end of the road
Don’t be afraid, I’ll always guide you home
You should know

Love and Life

Don’t Worry… Be Happy!

January 25, 2017January 14, 2017 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood1 Comment

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.

Philippians 4:6

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time.

Matthew 6:34

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.-William Allen White

Try a thing you haven’t done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not. -Virgil Thomson

John 14:27

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.

1 John 4:18

¹⁸There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

“When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.” – Winston Churchill

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.-James Stephens

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You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.

Love and Life

See Beauty and Speak It!

January 5, 2017 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood9 Comments

Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”

How true is that statement?! A sincere compliment can go such a long way!

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
Proverbs 15:23

Have you ever heard of The Five Love Languages*? Without going into great detail, the theory is that there are 5 different ways that most people feel loved: words of affirmation, physical touch, acts of service, quality time and gift giving.

Hands down, no doubt about it, my “love language” is words of affirmation. For me, a sincere compliment goes much further than a gift or hug or time spent together. Knowing that I am appreciated gives me life.

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
Proverbs 12:25

Due to words of affirmation being the way I feel loved, it is also the way I show love. In turn, I am a naturally complimentary person. If I appreciate something I always say it! Some people have a harder time giving compliments, but I encourage you: “If you see something beautiful in someone, speak it!”

Don’t ever hold back from giving someone a compliment!
You may never know the full impact of your words.

Something as simple as complimenting someone’s smile, hair, outfit, or their perfume, can really make someone’s day. It is amazing how just mentioning something positive about someone can really be an encouragement.

Even more important are the compliments that have nothing to do with the way a person looks. Compliments about someone’s character are such a source of ongoing encouragement:

“You are a great listener”

“Thank you for being such a hard worker.”

“You have great time management skills.”

“I appreciate the way you stood up for yourself!”

“Thank you for being someone that I can count on.”

“Your friendship is important to me.”

“I am thankful for your kind heart.”

“You always being on time means a lot to me!”

Think about the last compliment you received and how it made you feel. Now, look for the beauty in the people around you and speak it. You might just be surprised at how much better you both end up feeling.

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.

*If you would like to learn a bit more about the 5 Love Languages you can read more by clicking HERE. It is so interesting!

Love and Life

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 24, 2016November 19, 2016 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

I am thankful for all of you my readers! Happy Thanksgiving!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Philippians 4:6 – Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Psalms 7:17 – I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

Psalms 107:1 – O give thanks unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

Ephesians 5:20 – Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

James 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

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I Love My Dog!

October 16, 2016October 16, 2016 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood2 Comments

I love my little dog! She is not only my most loyal friend, but she is also the kindest and most forgiving part of our family!

Love and Life

My Greatest Contribution to the Universe

March 20, 2016March 20, 2016 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood6 Comments

The other day I was driving home after picking my kids up from school. Out of no where my son asked, “Mom, how do you like being a parent?” I told him “I absolutely love it, it is the BEST and hardest thing I have ever done.” Ever since that conversation I have been thinking about it a lot.

Every day my first and most important responsibility is being a wife and mother. Sometimes in the rush of daily life I forget that my children are not a distraction from my daily work, but that they are the most important work that I will ever do.

I have learned more from having kids than any other thing I have ever done in my life. While being a parent is the absolute best, yet hardest, thing I have ever done, it is also the most important. I have learned that there are more important things in life than getting my own way. I have learned that doing something for someone else makes you feel so much better about yourself. I have learned that time flies by, and that they will only need me to do everything for them and be little for such a short amount of time.

Sometimes they are CrAzY! Sometimes they wake up way waaaaaay too early. Sometimes when I just want to get things done they get super silly and laugh really loud at every thing! (Wow, isn’t it crazy how their laughing and being silly and happy can be an issue for me?! What is my problem?!) Sometimes they say “Mommy?! Mommy?! Mommy?! Mommy?!” over and over again even when I am standing right next to them asking “What?” Despite all that, they are a gift, a gift that I could never live without!

When I get upset or stressed out, I can always find peace in the fact that I have my family. They love me even at my worst, and they think that I am awesome, even when I am a hot mess. So, on those days when things are not going as planned, and my house is a crazy mess, and I don’t have anything planned for dinner, and feel like I am failing as a mother; I need to stop and remind myself that I have a wonderful husband, and that no one can be the mother my kids need like I can.

Looking Joli Good

Kindness is beautiful!

Tag: love

For Better, For worse!

Redeemed

Way too often I have to remind myself that I need to stop fighting a fight that has already been won!