Plans, Dreams, and Reality

Friday July 12, 2013




Sometimes the best-laid plans go awry.


Sometimes they play out just as scripted.



Our family just saw dreams become reality, but the road wasn’t what any of us had planned. It was harder, true; but it was lined with glory.

Be sure to stay tuned for my fifth favorite today, a quote that reminds me whose hands should hold my plans and dreams.

I’m linking up today with Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for Friday’s Fave Five. Come along with us as we share this week’s blessings.

My favorites this week:

1. Family time. It all began with a wedding and family coming together. What could be better? Having all our boys in one spot is such a joy. Here’s the happy couple…and a silly brother picture.



2. What I learned on my summer vacation. I posted this on Monday, and it says what I don’t have room to say here!

3. The ladies in our family. I wish I had a picture of them together on Wedding Day. They are rare gems, roses among the thorns, if you will. (Even though I do love those thorny boys!) Both of our daughter-in-laws are precious—beautiful inside and out. I’m so thankful for them.

4. A family video. My youngest shot and edited this for my eldest son and his wife, who are adopting from India. My youngest’s work is so excellent and I love to hear the heart of my son and daughter-in-law as they talk about their call to adopt. It’s so exciting!

5. A quote:

“No matter what plans you have for you, God's plans are far better. No matter what desires grip your heart, God's will is infinitely better.” (Paul David Tripp)

The son who was married this past month was the one who was in a terrible auto accident in January 2012. We would never have hoped or planned for such a day as that one but, as I wrote earlier, the path has been lined with God’s glory from that day to this. To see the son who agonized and worked so hard to recover and walk and regain his life and the young lady who always stood by his side join their lives was such a blessing.

When we place our lives in His hands through the easy times and the hard, He makes a beauty that reflects Him.

Wishing you that beauty this week,

14 comments:

Susanne said...

What great wedding pictures. So much joy is evident! Congratulations to your son and new daughter and your whole family!

Jean Wise said...

Thanking the Lord right along with you about his recovery from the accident, the wonderful family time and blessing of the wedding and just the love of God altogether reflected in families. Great photos!

Barbara H. said...

What fun wedding pictures! So glad for this "happy ending," or new beginning, for your son.

One bonus of a wedding is that it's something like a family reunion. Such a joy to have all your boys and their families together!

God's plans are definitely best, though sometimes it's hard to see that in the midst of them. It's good to have so many examples from the Bible and life to encourage us.

Clella said...

Brings a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat.Love Clella

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Sounds like a wonderful wedding

Hazel said...

A wedding and family coming together - always an exciting time. Wonderful quote; really need to remember that and stop being crazy about a lot of things.

Hazel

Heather said...

That is so awesome Laura! Love the pictures! I know you had a great time with your family at the wedding.

I pray for my sons future wives and I pray they find someone that is God fearing and will love them the way God intended.

God's grace and miracles are always so great!!!

Willow said...

Congratulations to your son and new daughter-in-law! What a fun silly photo! And it is truly wonderful to have all your boys in the same place at the same time.
I completely understand the love of quiet time in the car-to me it's a treasure as we travel.
Thanking God with you for how the plans GOD had turned out.

Gattina said...

What a nice wedding ! I can imagine that it is a great joy for you to have all your boys together !
I will attend a wedding too, after 8 years of living together a 1 1/2 year old boy my son will finally marry end August. Only civil marriage. I have rather mixed feelings.

Karen said...

Beautiful list, Laura. The pictures are priceless! Congratulations to everyone!

susan said...

Loved the India video. Thanks for sharing it with me last week. My heart is becoming more and more invested in India the more I prepare and get closer to leaving.

I also enjoyed your "summer vacation" post. I agree that "Traveling time can be thinking time, and sometimes that's sorely needed." In fact I always look forward to that thinking time.

So happy for you and your family during this season. :)

Brenda said...

Beautiful bride and beautiful family, these are such precious moments!

Faith said...

Oh Laura! The happiness is so evident in your writing AND in these photos!! Congratulations to your entire family and yay for 2 daughters in law! :)

I hope you have a blessed week ahead.

nikkipolani said...

Laura! Rejoicing with you in the beauty of a family wedding with significance in every step. Praise to God for Andrew's recovery and months and months of hard work. He and his new bride BOTH look radiant.

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