LAURA LIFE LESSON #2 – Be yourself and have fun

One of Laura’s amazing qualities has always been how comfortable she is in her own skin. She loves to have a great time with friends and families. One of our favorite stories happened in her college days at Mizzou. After a football game, we (a bunch of Laura’s friends and a few of Jeff’s buddies) headed to Harpos for a little post game fun. We were lucky enough to land a large circular table right in the middle of everything. Amidst the crowd, we were in our own world; singing along to the music and even dancing around the table.

After excusing myself from the table to make a trip to the restroom, I ran into a few friends from back in my high school days. They asked what I was doing in Columbia. I said that I was down here with my girlfriend Laura and some other friends over there at that table. She immediately said to me, “You’re over there at the fun table.” From this time on, it became known as the day of the fun table. We couldn’t stop talking about it. These types of moments always seem to follow Laura around. She has a way of bringing out everyone’s best. We all talk about this day and others since, but we all know without Laura, the fun table simply doesn’t exist.

We would like to encourage you to post a story or memory on the discussion board this week of a time you remember Laura or someone else in your life living this principle.

BE HAPPY WITH THOSE WHO ARE HAPPY, AND WEEP WITH THOSE WHO WEEP. LIVE IN HARMONY WITH EACH OTHER. DON’T BE TOO PROUD TO ENJOY THE COMPANY OF ORDINARY PEOPLE. (Romans 12, 15-16)

We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin

LAURA LIFE LESSON #1 – Live for others

Narrowing down all the stories for this topic to one is nearly impossible. Laura, in my eyes, lives this principle every day. For those who know Laura, she is absolutely obsessed with holidays and birthdays. When a big holiday or anyone’s birthday approaches, Laura gets all excited about going out of her way to make others feel important. Her eyes light up. When you open up your gift from her, she just sits there with a giddy look on her face waiting for a big smile to appear on yours. She gets such a joy from giving. Laura never gets you a generic gift; it’s always something catered specifically to you and what you mean to her. Laura enjoys receiving all of your cards and letters of encouragement, but her true purpose in this life is to give; give selflessly to others and give generously of herself.

We are put on this earth to live for God, live for others, and to live for this combined purpose, right? Then, why is it so darn difficult? Some are naturally gifted at what I call the selfless gene (Laura). Others may not be so gifted, and must work hard to improve in this area of their life (Jeff). The bottom line is, all of us could use some improvement in our ability to think of others needs before our own. When life’s difficulties are bearing down on us, when our problems seem overwhelming, just when we think nothing more could possibly go wrong, we have the ability to change our situation. How? We change by simply taking action and doing something for someone else. By focusing on others, you “lose yourself” and with that, lose your problems. Next time you find yourself down and overwhelmed, try making someone else’s day a memorable one.

We would like to encourage you to post a story or memory on the discussion board this week of a time you remember Laura or someone else in your life living this principle. Stories of past birthday or holiday experiences with Laura would be great to reminisce.

IF YOUR GIFT IS SERVING OTHERS, SERVE THEM WELL. IF YOU ARE A TEACHER, TEACH WELL. IF YOUR GIFT IS TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS, BE ENCOURAGING. IF IT IS GIVING, GIVE GENEROUSLY. IF GOD HAS GIVEN YOU LEADERSHIP ABILITY, TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY. AND IF YOU HAVE A GIFT FOR SHOWING KINDNESS TO OTHERS, DO IT GLADLY. (Romans 12: 7-8)

We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin