Unemployed... Sort of...

On Friday my previous employer, Moses Anshell, did their second round of layoffs, and I unfortunately was one of the people cut. To answer some of the questions I've been asked:

1. Yes, this did come as a surprise. Although, given the current state of the economy, I don't think anyone feels incredibly secure in their job.


2. Yes, I was given a severance package. One month pay and health insurance through the end of February.


3. What's next? I'm currently seeking freelance work. If you or anyone you know has a need for graphic or web design, I can be contacted at lauramiiller@gmail.com or 602.821.3222.


4. Long-term, I'm strongly considering moving back to Sioux Falls. I would love to be closer to my family, and the economy back home is in much better shape than down here in Phoenix. (And yes, Phil would come with me :)

All in all, I feel incredibly fortunate to not have a family or children that I'm financially responsible for, nor a house or mortgage to worry about. And I'm lucky to have a career that I can immediately begin making money at without having to find another job. I really feel this is a blessing in disguise and know that God has great things in store for me, whether that be moving back to South Dakota to be near my family or working as my own boss. I'm off on the next big adventure!

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Phoenix in January

70 degrees and sunny

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New Music Monday

Today's music is from Lifehouse, their newest song Broken from their album Who We Are. This blogger sums it up best for me: "Sometimes I simply find myself barely holding on… But I’m holding on and that’s the important thing. Christ doesn’t offer us a glamorous easy life, but the knowledge that He’s got things in order and working them out according to His glory is more than OK for me."

The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time
And I am here still waiting, though I still have my doubts
I am damaged at best like you’ve already figured out

I’m falling apart, barely breathing
With a broken heart that’s still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I’m holding on
I’m barely holding on to you

The broken locks were a warning you got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded but I’m an open book instead
And I still see your reflection inside of my eyes
That are looking for purpose they’re still looking for life

I’m falling apart, barely breathing
With a broken heart that’s still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I’m holding on
I’m barely holding on to you

I’m hanging on another day
Just to see what you will throw my way
And I’m hanging on to the words you say
You said that I will, I will be okay

Broken lights on the freeway left me here alone
I may have lost my way now; haven’t forgotten my way home
I’m falling apart, barely breathing
With a broken heart that’s still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I’m holding on
I’m barely holding on to you

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New Music Monday

I love Bebo Norman. And I really love his new song Britney off his self-titled album. Here's what Bebo has to say about this song: "'Britney' is a song about what our culture says and does to young women these days. It's about the lies we tell them about fame and money and what's beautiful and what will give them life. It's an apology for those lies. But more than that, it's an invitation to the truth about a God who is bigger than the pain this world so often leaves them in." Listen to it here on his MySpace page.

Britney I’m sorry for the lies we told
we took you into our arms and then left you cold
Britney I’m sorry for this cruel, cruel world
we sell the beauty but destroy the girl
Britney I’m sorry for your broken heart
we stood aside and watched you fall apart
I’m sorry we told you fame would fill you up
and money moves the man so drink the cup

I know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
you never see it coming back
I know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
but I can see it coming back for you
yes coming back for you

Britney I’m sorry for the stones we throw
we tear you down just so we can watch the show
Britney I’m sorry for the words we say
we point the finger as you fall from grace

I know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
you never see it coming back
and I know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
but I can see it coming back for you

yeah, its coming back for you, yeah, its coming back for you,
yeah, its coming back for you, yeah

Britney I do believe that love has come
here for the broken
here for the ones like us
I know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
you never see it coming back
and I know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
but I can see it coming back

I know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
you never see it coming back
I can see it coming back for you

its coming back for you... yeah

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Wordless Wednesday

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New Music Monday

Today's song is All I Can Say by the David Crowder Band, off their second album. Beautiful song. Listen to it here. Enjoy :)







Lord I'm tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I'm so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I'll stop
Rest here a while

And didn't You see me cry'n?
And didn't You hear me call Your name?
Wasn't it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You'd remember
Where You sat it down

And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give

I didn't notice You were standing here
I didn't know that
That was You holding me
I didn't notice You were cry'n too
I didn't know that
That was You washing my feet

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Happy Halloween all you Mavericks!

This year I was aiming to win the "Time Capsule" award at work, so I joined my friend Kristen for a very now group costume. Kristen dressed as Sarah Palin, complete with her $150,000 suit and rifle, and I came as her pregnant daughter, Bristol, including baby brother Trig. But this was all in good humor, as I'm a McCain supporter. We had a lot of fun, including lots of "You betcha's" and "Maverick" comments. And now I have a slight inkling into what it must feel like to be preggers. My back is killing me! And for some reason I'm really craving chocolate...

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Feel Unconditional Love

In the movie "Meet Joe Black", Joe asks Quince how he knows his wife loves him. Quince's reply is "Because she knows the worst thing about me and it's okay." Yesterday I got to feel this unconditional love first hand, and it blew me away. What a precious gift, to have another human being model God's love for us. It's a rare and beautiful thing.

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Juggle... And more.

I want to learn how to juggle. Not cause I want to join the circus. But so if I'm ever just standing around holding three or more objects, I can throw them around. That's all.

Now check out these sweet wall graphics sold by blik. Made of PVC, when applied these wall stickers look just like paint, but can be easily removed. And even better, they're only around $40-$50 per kit. A fairly inexpensive way to quickly transform the look of a room! Enjoy!

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Wordless Wednesday

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