By His Stripes

Pull up a chair at the table with my dear friend Lauren Scoggins as she shares her family’s story of grief, miracles, waiting, and the faithfulness of God.Lauren opens up about the heartbreaking loss of their twin girls, what it looked like to grieve alongside the Lord, and the miraculous story of welcoming their daughter, Eden. She also shares the journey of how the Lord began calling her and her husband to adoption, the steps of faith that followed, and the ways He met them along the way.This conversation is a beautiful reminder that we can bring our deepest grief and biggest questions to the Lord, trusting that He is present in the waiting and faithful in every season.We recorded this conversation before Lauren and her husband welcomed their son, Eli, through adoption, and I cannot wait to bring her back to the table to share the rest of their story and all the Lord has done in bringing their family together.Until then, you can keep up with Lauren and her family on Instagram at @laurenleelately 🕊️

In this first episode of Season 2 of The Garden Table, we’re sharing the story of our daughter’s birth and the countless ways we saw the Lord’s hand in every detail. And there could not be a more fitting story to begin with! Throughout my pregnancy, we prayed some very bold prayers over my labor and delivery. Then we watched Him answer those prayers in ways that still leave us in awe.He made a way for us to move into our new home the day before she was born. I was able to prepare her nursery the morning of her birth without experiencing a single contraction. I went into active labor and was there for less than three hours. A birth where fear never had the final word. Instead, we were continually brought back to the truth of God’s Word, the prayers we had prayed, and the comfort of His presence.This story is deeply personal, but our hope is that it reminds you that you can bring your biggest, boldest prayers to the Lord! He is always faithful and always does exceedingly, abundantly more than what you can imagine. 

SEASON 2 OF THE GARDEN TABLE!!! 🕊️☕️It’s been THREE YEARS since I’ve sat down at this table. So let me reintroduce you to what The Garden Table is.I started recording conversations because of what I was experiencing at tables with people in my life. I would leave those conversations seeing something I hadn’t seen before, hearing something I needed to hear, or recognizing the faithfulness of the Lord in a new way. His word has quite a lot to say about the table. Throughout the the story of God, He meets with His people there. And in Revelation 3:20, Jesus gives us this beautiful final invitation: to open the door and let Him in, to dine with Him and He with us. There is something so intimate about that invitation — not simply to know about Jesus, but to be with Him, sit with Him, dine with Him, and dwell with Him forever.The table became a picture of what I believe Jesus is always inviting us into: communion, abundance, testimony, and the Kingdom of God. A glimpse of Eden, and a little foretaste of the new heaven and new earth still to come.We were invited first before we ever took our spot. And at the head of this table is a man named Jesus.So welcome back to The Garden Table. I’m SO giddy to sit down again and press record on these conversations that remind us who He is and tell the stories of His faithfulness. Psalm 78:4. 

Today at the table, we close season one with just me, you, Jesus, and a cup of coffee! I get to share with you all about behind the table - the story of how this dream was uncovered in my heart, the preparation season, and seeing the Lord's hand in every single detail of it all. This conversation was so special to be able to let you in on how this table came to be and what it means to me that you would take your seat here with us. My gratitudes - my mom and friends who made the time to sit down and press record on conversations I treasure with them. All my family and friends who I have not been able to record a conversation with yet, but have been constant encouragers and supporters throughout this whole process. Rachel and Judy for making the cover art everything and more. Chandler for being my unofficial producer and editing every single audio. And for you, taking the seat Jesus pulled out for you himself and coming to feast together! Here is to season one! Get ready for season two and a lot more cups of coffee! All my love, Julia

Today at the table, I am sitting criss cross applesauce with my friend, Madison Frederick, in the nursery of our favorite little miracle! During our conversation, we talk through Madison’s calling as a teacher, what godly womanhood looks like in marriage and motherhood, and what it has looked like for us to be consistent in God’s word together. That little miracle, Clark Houston, makes an appearance with his momma at the end of this conversation! Hands down, the cutest guest to join us at the table! Madison has taught me what it looks like to walk in beauty, goodness, and truth. Let me tell you it’s been the greatest gift to watch her in her roles as a wife and mother — she’s all the things I hope to be. Trust me, you are going to want to take notes of all the richness she brings! 

Join us at this table for part two with my friend, Gill! During our conversation, we talk through a hard season that birthed a business Gill started called, This Present Moment, and the heart behind this movement. We also talk through where the Lord has had us in with resting and receiving his grace that never runs out.   I first met Gill when she invited me to join a community group she was leading. Her obedience to create a space in her home every week for this group of girls and herself to meet with Jesus is where the vision of The Garden Table came to be. Gill is the creative director at Auburn Community Church and I have watched her steward her giftings, authority, and vision with humility and submission to Jesus. She makes much of Jesus and not her name attached to any project she has had a hand on.  Be inspired and encouraged by following along: @gilliangrice & @this.present.moment_ You are going to want to check this out! https://www.thispresentmoment.co

Today at the table, I am sitting down with my friend, Gill, who has taught me much about keeping in step with the Holy Spirit and seeking the deeper depths of who Jesus is. During our conversation, we share how the Lord has marked us with his design of community and using the gift of creativity for Jesus's kingdom come and will to be done. I first met Gill when she invited me to join a community group she was leading. Her obedience to create a space in her home every week for this group of girls and herself to meet with Jesus is where the vision of The Garden Table came to be. Gill is the creative director at Auburn Community Church and I have watched her steward her giftings, authority, and vision with humility and submission to Jesus. She makes much of Jesus and not her name attached to any project she has had a hand on. This conversation was so rich we had to record a part two! Be inspired and encouraged by following along: @gilliangrice & @this.present.moment_ You are going to want to check this out! https://www.thispresentmoment.co

Today at the table, you are invited to a coffee shop I have been finding myself at weekly for the past year with my friend, Berkley Sandretto. Berkley is finishing up her freshman year in high school so during this conversation we share our experience as freshman girls in high school, what advice we would give an upcoming freshman, and what we have been reflecting on in our most recent coffee dates. Although, Berkley and I are in different seasons of life, our friendship has been one of the most impactful relationships in my life! My encouragement to you is create weekly time with a friend or two that you get to truly do life with and see the fruit that comes from it! ps: My apologies for the background noise in this conversation! We tried our best to edit the volume of the coffee shop action. Grab your seat and coffee cup because this one we had the full experience! 

Today at the table, I sit down with someone I get to do a lot of life with, Rachel Jahn. This friend of mine has played a huge role in pointing out the passions, burdens, and giftings inside of me and encouraging me to walk in obedience. There are dreams we have shared with each other that we are now getting to live in the better, fulfilled version the Lord had always been working out for his glory. Rachel is the owner of Blair Models and Art House Social. During our conversation, we talk through how Blair Models came to be, preparation seasons, and body image deceptions. So much of what Rachel shared in this conversation is what I have been challenged by in the testimony of her life. Join us, and dream again with the Father who gives the Spirit so graciously to have full access to his kingdom sized dreams he wants us to partner with him in! Follow along with everything Rachel is up to: @itsrachelblair, @blairmodels, @arthousesocial.

Part two of Amy and I's conversation! At this table, we talked through Jesus revealing himself as the Healer and how he has brought us to taking him at his word. This conversation increased our faith and showed us more of his heart. Thank you for sitting with us for this two part conversation! Read Amy's blog to be encouraged by her yes to Jesus! amyrebeccaruiz.wordpress.com