It's been a while since I've opened up on the blog and I thought I would put together another HUGE piece to my life puzzle. Remember when I was at For The Love Workshop last February and decided to quit weddings out of the blue... because "the Lord told me to"? Well for about 6 months now I have been questioning that scary decision and many people who I trust in my life said that they believed that I really heard the Lord on it and to stick to it until further notice.

Weddings make up about 80% of our income, so to quit them was a crazy decision. I knew that we could possibly not make it without them... but I just couldn't come to taking them again for good when I so clearly heard the Lord tell me not to. A few months later I secretly took a few more, but strangely still had some reservations on taking any in next June or early July for some weird reason. I wasn't sure why, but it just didn't feel right. I thought that it was just burn out and that I was making up a divine reason to quit so that I didn't have to work every weekend, but when I thought about it that was not the real reason. I tried to maneuver my way around all of the options to get back into weddings so that I could start taking them again with a clean conscious and feel secure with my income and not have to "trust" the Lord. I was just really baffled to the reason why I quit weddings and was trying to make some logical sense about them.

Well now I know why the Lord told me to quit weddings. You see, by February of this year I had already booked 35 weddings (this is the fastest that I've ever booked up) and I knew that I wouldn't stop at 35, I would have taken 54 if I could have! I just can't say no and this is why the Lord stepped in and told me to quit cold turkey and wouldn't be able to adjust to this...

Want to see why the Lord had to intervene in my life and tell me to quit? I finally understood why about a month ago... you see, if I would have continued on my path of booking that many weddings then I wouldn't have had time or a life for this little baby! God always knows where He is taking us, He just doesn't let us in on the secret until the right time. I may or may not take a few weddings a year from now on, but for the first time I don't feel a red light to not take any at all. Maybe one a month and no other sessions? That would be nice for little baby and I.


Yep, I am due to have a little baby July 1, 2011 and little "baby S" was totally a shocking surprise!

P.S. I had a dream that it was a boy last night.

P.S.S. I have been dying to tell you for 6 weeks now. Have you noticed how slow my blog has been lately? I have been feeling pretty sick and haven't been doing a whole lot. I have felt a little better this weekend though! 

It's all in His plan... really.

November 15, 2010

It's been a while since I've opened up on the blog and I thought I would put together another HUGE piece to my life puzzle. Remember when I was at For The Love Workshop last February and decided to quit weddings out of the blue... because "the Lord told me to"? Well for about 6 months now I have been questioning that scary decision and many people who I trust in my life said that they believed that I really heard the Lord on it and to stick to it until further notice.

Weddings make up about 80% of our income, so to quit them was a crazy decision. I knew that we could possibly not make it without them... but I just couldn't come to taking them again for good when I so clearly heard the Lord tell me not to. A few months later I secretly took a few more, but strangely still had some reservations on taking any in next June or early July for some weird reason. I wasn't sure why, but it just didn't feel right. I thought that it was just burn out and that I was making up a divine reason to quit so that I didn't have to work every weekend, but when I thought about it that was not the real reason. I tried to maneuver my way around all of the options to get back into weddings so that I could start taking them again with a clean conscious and feel secure with my income and not have to "trust" the Lord. I was just really baffled to the reason why I quit weddings and was trying to make some logical sense about them.

Well now I know why the Lord told me to quit weddings. You see, by February of this year I had already booked 35 weddings (this is the fastest that I've ever booked up) and I knew that I wouldn't stop at 35, I would have taken 54 if I could have! I just can't say no and this is why the Lord stepped in and told me to quit cold turkey and wouldn't be able to adjust to this...

Want to see why the Lord had to intervene in my life and tell me to quit? I finally understood why about a month ago... you see, if I would have continued on my path of booking that many weddings then I wouldn't have had time or a life for this little baby! God always knows where He is taking us, He just doesn't let us in on the secret until the right time. I may or may not take a few weddings a year from now on, but for the first time I don't feel a red light to not take any at all. Maybe one a month and no other sessions? That would be nice for little baby and I.


Yep, I am due to have a little baby July 1, 2011 and little "baby S" was totally a shocking surprise!

P.S. I had a dream that it was a boy last night.

P.S.S. I have been dying to tell you for 6 weeks now. Have you noticed how slow my blog has been lately? I have been feeling pretty sick and haven't been doing a whole lot. I have felt a little better this weekend though! 



Comments
Laura Stiller:

Okay, I was at LAW just a few months ago. That is the BEST sound ever! I have a four month old and let me just say pregnancy, childbirth and newborns are the most amazing (the hardest) miracle EVER! Congrats!

 (11.15.10 @ 09:59 PM)
allison:

My heart wells up with joy for you both.... He is in control, His timing is perfect timing. Love you both- A

 (11.15.10 @ 10:02 PM)
Chantel:

Congratulations! I just had a little girl 6 weeks ago and it's amazing!

 (11.15.10 @ 10:03 PM)
nancy mitchell:

CONGRATS to you Miss Lauren! Yes, GOD does have amazing plans in our lives! May you be blessed with a delightful pregnancy, and of course if you have any questions remember I am a labor and delivery nurse too:)

(11.15.10 @ 10:05 PM)
Christina Yates:

Oh my gosh!!!! Congratulations!!!!!! I love when you talk so openly about your Christianity on your blog. Love it, love it, love it. And congrats again!!

 (11.15.10 @ 10:05 PM)
Linnie:

Congratulations!!!! I'm so exited for you!

 (11.15.10 @ 10:05 PM)
Amanda Key:

Congratulations to you! How exciting!

 (11.15.10 @ 10:06 PM)
Amanda Meberg:

Congratulations!!! What a joy and blessing, especially since you are embarking on a new adventure in your lives moving here to Stillwater and I wish you all the best!!!

 (11.15.10 @ 10:06 PM)
shelby tavern:

Oh my gosh Lauren!!!! CONGRATS!!!!! I just knew that you would be having a baby soon! I'm so happy for you and Josh! Ya'll are going to be amazing parents!

 (11.15.10 @ 10:07 PM)
Mechelle Miracle:

Congratulations! Praise God for His blessings!

 (11.15.10 @ 10:09 PM)
Shari Barnes:

Congrats Lauern & Josh!!

 (11.15.10 @ 10:09 PM)
nicole:

aww congrats!!

 (11.15.10 @ 10:09 PM)
Shannon Littrell:

CONGRATS! Motherhood is an amazing journey that shows you how to love on a whole new level. Savor it all.

(11.15.10 @ 10:14 PM)
erika Dotson:

I'm so excited for you!!!!!!

(11.15.10 @ 10:14 PM)
Lauren:

This was completely what I needed to hear. Thank you.

(11.15.10 @ 10:16 PM)
Chad Zellner:

Ahhhwesome! Tress just told me! grats guys :):)

 (11.15.10 @ 10:19 PM)
Chelsey:

Congrats to you and Josh! Ahhh I am so excited for you and love this testimony about trusting God! Goosebumps!

(11.15.10 @ 10:20 PM)
Kendall Stoy:

Oh Congratulations! SUCH a blessing!!!!!!

(11.15.10 @ 10:31 PM)
Michelle Chaney:

Congrats!! Being a parent really does change you!! Enjoy the ride!!

 (11.15.10 @ 10:33 PM)
Misty:

Congrats you guys! that is awesome! God does have a plan and it is amazing! I'm pregnant with our second right now so I know how you feel with the sickness and all :( it's no fun but so worth it for the baby at the end :)

 (11.15.10 @ 10:38 PM)
Kate Leverenz:

Yay!! I'm so glad this is finally public, I've been waiting for this post :)

 (11.15.10 @ 10:39 PM)
Rebecca Craig:

WOW... that is amazing news. God does have his hand in it, I believe that! Hope the sickness subsides, it is worth it though. All the best, can't wait to see belly pics :)

 (11.15.10 @ 11:00 PM)
maria traut:

WOW! Amazing, YAY God & Yay Clark clan!!! Hugest congrats Lauren!

 (11.15.10 @ 11:01 PM)
Bec:

WOW... that is amazing news. God does have his hand in it, I believe that! Hope the sickness subsides, it is worth it though. All the best, can't wait to see belly pics :)

 (11.15.10 @ 11:03 PM)
Kristy:

I dreamt I had a boy the other night too! Although I would really like a girl since there's already a boy in the house...

 (11.15.10 @ 11:04 PM)
Ashley Hlavaty:

Congratulations guys! What an amazing surprise!!

 (11.15.10 @ 11:10 PM)
rebekah:

how exciting for you, lauren!! congratulations!!!!! :)

 (11.15.10 @ 11:11 PM)
lroah:

I just shrieked!!!! :) Awesome!!!! SO happy for you. :)

(11.15.10 @ 11:14 PM)
Shan Renee:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! How wonderful! I am so happy for you guys!!! You will be a wonderful, Godly, fun-loving mom! Many Blessings!!!!

 (11.15.10 @ 11:20 PM)
Megan Stanley:

CONGRATULATIONS LAUREN!!! I"m so, so excited for yall! You are going to be the cutest pregnant lady, best mother, and have an absolutely beautiful child!

(11.15.10 @ 11:39 PM)
izehi:

Congratulations!

 (11.15.10 @ 11:40 PM)
Wynne Elder:

so excited for you Lauren!! What a blessed child that baby will be! God is so good isn't He?

(11.16.10 @ 12:05 AM)
Whitney Owen:

OMG!!!!!! Congrats! Things like this get me emotional and I am so glad you shared! God has given you and your husband a beautiful blessing!

 (11.16.10 @ 12:14 AM)
Sharon:

ahhhh! how exciting! :) congrats lauren!!!!!

 (11.16.10 @ 12:50 AM)
jenni wise:

oh congratulations Lauren!!! It's a whirlwind, but enjoy it!! And enjoy the sleep now, because you won't get any once baby is here!!

 (11.16.10 @ 02:00 AM)
Nicki Smith:

Congratulations, Lauren! I am so excited for the adventure on which you about to embark. If we ever do get around to having that For the Love reunion there will sure be lots of babies present :)

 (11.16.10 @ 04:35 AM)
Kristin:

A surprise? HELLO! That's what happens when you "pull the goalie" LOL
Congrats!
And yes, he is ALWAYS in control.

(11.16.10 @ 06:20 AM)
Nina:

Sure wish I could have been there at your appointment with you. What a precious sight and blessing from the Lord. I thank God for grandbabies!

 (11.16.10 @ 06:52 AM)
Sarah Erwin:

Best news in your whole life!!! We are SO happy for you!!!

 (11.16.10 @ 06:57 AM)
piper kinney:

Oh Congrats, he works in mysterious ways! I am so happy for you.

 (11.16.10 @ 07:27 AM)
Gretchen Newton:

congrats lauren – so excited for your new addition! God works in amazing ways and knows what we are capable of handling in our lives ... :)

 (11.16.10 @ 08:12 AM)
Millie:

Since the news is out I can now publicly say CONGRATS! I can't wait to meet this little one, can't wait.

 (11.16.10 @ 08:22 AM)
Rachael MacPhee:

Congratulations!!! His plans are perfect! I felt all the same ways when my booking slowed down to nothing. Freaked me out until we were shocked and surprised to find out we were expecting in March :) Also, in my experience dreams are the beginning of mother's intuition. I dreampt for 20 weeks about a boy and last week we found out it's a boy! Can't wait to read all about your adventures of motherhood :)

 (11.16.10 @ 08:49 AM)
Mattie K McGuffee:

Congrats Lauren!! So happy for you! I know you have to be tickled PINK! I know I am bc I've been following you on your blog for 4 years now and I can't wait to watch your beautiful baby grow! :)

 (11.16.10 @ 09:04 AM)
Rebecca Davis:

God has his way! Congrats!!

 (11.16.10 @ 09:16 AM)
Wrenn Pacheco:

Congrats Lauren!!! Such exciting news. The Lord works in wonderful ways!

(11.16.10 @ 09:32 AM)
Melissa Kay:

How exciting! Congratulations, Lauren!

(11.16.10 @ 09:34 AM)
lindsey stice:

that is amazing...your blog always makes my heart skip a beat with your photography, but today it gave me a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. motherhood is the most amazing experience ever. i never thought i could love something as much as i LOVE my son, Cooper. it is honestly like watching my heart walk outside of my body. congratulations to you and your husband. blessings!

ps: i would still love to meet you sometime when i am in ponca city (that's where my parents live!)

 (11.16.10 @ 10:01 AM)
Karyn:

Congratulations Lauren! Yay for making babies. =)

 (11.16.10 @ 10:04 AM)
Angie:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! so so excited for you!

 (11.16.10 @ 10:34 AM)
grace:

I'm excited for you and Josh....and for Stillwater to have you three :)

 (11.16.10 @ 11:41 AM)
Diana:

So I am a blog stalker who doesn't leave comments...don't yell at me ;). But what a beautiful testimony to how AMAZING our God is. We had a devotional at work this week and a co-worker talked about how God is creative and orderly, even though we aren't that all the time, He has an order to everything and the creativity He uses to show His love, well you experienced it. Congratulations Lauren. What a beautiful baby HE will be :).

(11.16.10 @ 12:52 PM)
Stephanie Bodine:

Awesome!

 (11.16.10 @ 01:17 PM)
amy:

this is so exciting lauren!!! i love it when God totally reveals His plan in time and everything makes sense! God is good!

 (11.16.10 @ 01:35 PM)
Dena :

I am so happy and excited for you! Congrats!

 (11.16.10 @ 01:47 PM)
Greta:

CONGRATS!!! I am so happy for you guys!!

 (11.16.10 @ 04:53 PM)
Jourdan:

So excited for you and Josh and God's plan for your family! What a way to follow after Him wholeheartedly! Congratulations!!!

 (11.16.10 @ 05:05 PM)
Tanika Lamar:

Congratulations again!!!!....we will both have babies due in July....mine is July 11th!....my pregnancy totally caught me by surprise but it is such a blessing!...You will be a wonderful mother!....

 (11.16.10 @ 07:04 PM)
Amy C:

Congratulations! You'll be a wonderful mom!

 (11.16.10 @ 09:40 PM)
Amanda Geier:

Such a great testament to the Lord's timing!! He is faithful!! :)

 (11.16.10 @ 10:04 PM)
Kelly Beane:

Congratulations Lauren! Motherhood is just the most amazing experience and I'm so excited for you two!

(11.16.10 @ 11:16 PM)
Natalie Huerta:

Lauren!! CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!!! SO exciting!!!! A healthy and happy nine (10)months to you! Best wishes and take care! :)

 (11.17.10 @ 12:49 AM)
Kimberly Chau:

Congrats Lauren! It's so great + refreshing to read about your decision and exciting new journey! I'm so happy for you! :)

 (11.17.10 @ 01:21 AM)
Katie:

Congrats to you and Josh!! God does some pretty amazing things in our life when we let go and let him lead the way!

(11.17.10 @ 05:47 AM)
Lindsey Kennedy:

Congratulations!! What an exciting time! So excited for you! (P.S. This is my first time to comment. I just had to after that wonderful news!)

 (11.17.10 @ 07:50 AM)
Kayla :

I just got goosebumps! I too have been going back and forth with myself about "quitting" weddings so I can make time to start a family (and REALLY get to enjoy it!) ... SO happy for you ... what a blessing.

 (11.17.10 @ 09:55 AM)
Megan Greathouse:

Crazy how God works...I was so close to booking two weddings in one day and both ended up changing photogs because someone else was paying and wanted to choose...I was so frustrated and really down about booking any weddings this season...only to find out that I was already pregnant and due the day of one of the weddings I would have booked. I am 11 weeks along...due June 6, 2011!! I will be praying for you as you get through these next few weeks...one day at a time :0) LOVE YOU!!!

 (11.17.10 @ 09:57 AM)
Rana:

I am SOO thrilled for you! I was so happy to meet you at LAW and just seeing this made my heart smile :)

 (11.17.10 @ 10:34 AM)
alison holcomb:

congratulations!!! i'm so excited for you :)

(11.17.10 @ 12:36 PM)
Alisha:

Congrats Lauren!! I've absolutely loved watching God's hard working in your life. It's such an inspiration and a great reminder to keep trusting! =) Thanks for sharing!

 (11.17.10 @ 01:57 PM)
Lexi:

Oh my goodness! CONGRATULATIONS!! How exciting!!!! :)

 (11.17.10 @ 03:24 PM)
Christy Cobos Leon:

Congrats!!!

 (11.17.10 @ 03:36 PM)
Star:

Congratulations! I am so happy for you.

 (11.17.10 @ 06:22 PM)
Heather Ladd:

AHHHH! Congrats! Nothing better in THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD than being a momma! What an awesome testimony of faith and trust!

(11.18.10 @ 10:24 AM)
Kerri:

Congrats! A baby is such a blessing...you'll love every moment and you'll be so cute prego...and not sure if it's completely true but I have a boy and i stayed sick constantly, same for a friend of mine! So maybe it's a sign its gonna be a boy! Congrats again!

 (11.18.10 @ 04:13 PM)
Sara:

Lauren - I am so happy for you! You will be an AMAZING Mommy! Being a mom is my favorite job in the whole wide world! God is good ALL of the time!

(11.19.10 @ 12:27 PM)
Meredith :

Lauren-

I have been meaning to tell you congrats for a while! I am so happy for you guys! Best of luck and prayers for a fun and wonderful pregancy!

 (11.19.10 @ 03:13 PM)
Miki:

I'm like Diana....a blog stalker, who doesn't leave messages....but I couldn't go without saying congratulations!!

 (11.21.10 @ 04:09 PM)
Leah B:

Congratulations, how wonderful for the two of you! I should keep up with your blog more faithfully! Looks like a nursery is in order at the new house :)

 (11.23.10 @ 12:37 AM)
Stephanie Ellison:

Blessed! That baby is one blessed baby to have such a wonderful mommy and daddy! Congratulations!

 (11.23.10 @ 02:45 PM)
leah:

congrats!!!! i had 2 of my kids in july :)

 (11.23.10 @ 03:48 PM)
Kate:

Congratulations!

(11.23.10 @ 08:40 PM)
Kadra:

Yeah! for you and Josh! You will make wonderful parents!

 (11.29.10 @ 09:00 PM)