Baby Bear

Somehow I felt that some would immensely enjoy reading this post about my beloved Baby Bear. (There's a story wrapped up somewhere in there.) Baby Bear was picked out by a chubby two year old at a Toy Store. Guess who that thrilled little 2 year old was...
Ever since that moment, he has been my faithful little friend. He has been carted to the Zoo, grocery store, overseas, and sleeps tucked under my arm each and every night. I once tried to break my self of the habit of having him as my little bedtime companion, but it only lasted 15 min. before I reached for him and finally drifted off to sleep. Baby Bear has been through alot--The fur on his nose has been rubbed off, holes have been sewn up, and my fingerprints are embedded in his fur from how I sleep with him, but this fuzzy little friend has been with me through thick and thin.

Homer

I always begin to miss my kitty around this time of the semester. Growing up as an only child, my dogs and cat were my "brothers and sisiter"...Sometimes almost too real of siblings. A couple years ago my Mom received a call on her cell phone when she was out shopping and heard my angry voice on the other end proclaiming that Homer was not doing what he was suppose to do (which at that moment would be to cuddle with me). My Mom, a bit speechless asked, "What do you suggest I do about it?" To which I pondered-I have no idea.

But needless to say, I love Homer. I found him abandoned 5 years ago in one of our church's parking garages. I promptly named him "Homer," in honor of Dr. Homer G. Lindsay, our former pastor. Homer and I are great friends and "fight" together...I have many a scar to prove my point. But I love that ball of fluff.

Pointless Post

Who chooses to start Napoleone Dynomite at 12:18 AM by themselves in a dorm room?
R. Lauren, that's who.

Why? Because I'll do, "Whatever I feel like I wanna do, Gosh!"

A is for Awana

Oh, the delights and challenges a night of Awana can bring! From a 1st grader holding a bloody tooth, to a little girl laughing at my incredibly cheesy joke, these little Sparkies (K-2nd graders), have found a special place in my heart. I died laughing tonight when a kindergarten whispered, "It's Satan," in answer to, "What is sin?" I also learned that stifling laughter is a hard concept when asking kindergartens, "What is sin, " and for one little girl to raise her hand and say, "Your parents." These little kids think the world of me--I have no idea why. A whole mess of them crowded around me tonight and giggled at me trying to make my tongue reach my nose (such spiritual things). How eager their little faces soak in Scripture, and take in lessons. From telling me that there are only 2 disciples, to quoting John 3:16 to me as soon as I walk in the room, these little munchkins bring such joy to my Wednesday nights....

Emily Enlightenment

A picture can speak a thousand words...


...enough has been said here.

Emily Enlightenment

"I'll see you, on the other side." LD and EC

"Cash Tran." EC

"Kung-Fu was my father." LD

"You're gonna touch that thing?" EC to LD (in reference to a goat)

"My mite will bring a knight in shining armor." LD

"How 'bout rainbow of memories...No wait, that's too Jr. Prom..." Mooshu, from Mulan

Peace, Be Still

I was reading in Mark tonight, "And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Mark 4: 38-41.

How often do I, when I think I'm drowning in a storm, find myself crying out to Jesus, "You have no idea what I'm going through...Do you not care, do you not realize what's happening in my life?" A couple of weeks ago my heart was just shattered over a circumstance that had taken place and I found myself crying aloud in my dorm room, "Do you know how much my heart hurts right now?" When I read these verses tonight, it became so clear that I was doing the exact same thing as the disciples. Jesus answered their pleas by rising up and simply saying, "Peace, be still." And the seas obeyed. He knew exactly what was taking place, He was in control of the situation. Then He turns to them and says, "Why are ye so fearful?" Jesus knew how my heart was hurting, and He desired for me to trust Him completely and not become fearful that He was not understanding my heartbreak and circumstances. How can I forget that Jesus, who died for me and loves me more than I can imagine, wants to orchestrate the details of my life? That His heart breaks when mine hurts. That He does indeed understand, that He desires to bring peace and stillness. Though I get blinded at times by the storms of life, I am thankful that He still rises to my desperate pleas of fear, looks with pity at my tearstained face and tenderly whispers, "Peace, be still."

A Satisfied Single (for now)

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man has to be seeking Him in order to find it." (Random quote I read on someone's dorm door.)

I have been filled with such joy lately. True, part of this joy comes from the quick decision that this will be my only semester of Greek and that no other foreign language will ever make my acquaintance. But the other part of my joy comes from being in love. In love with who you may ask? With a man I'll one day call my husband....Though I don't know who he is or where he is, I'm thoroughly excited about the whole matter. Toto and Emily find great amusement in reminding me of my singleness and my desire to walk down in the aisle in anticipation of saying "I do," but I am ready to wait as long as it may take in order to receive God's best. Though my waiting may not always demonstrate perfect patience, He has a funny way of reminding me that it's worth the wait. I told Emily the other day that I want to marry the Godliest man I know of. (Though I be far from deserving that blessing.) I also found myself telling Toto that God truly does know the desires of my heart, and that the other night I left all in His hands. What comfort and joy I have experienced in placing my future man and plan in God's hands. (A rhyme is forming somewhere in there....) I can't wait to hold my husband's hand in ministry, but until then, God has my hands full with blessing beyond measure...

Pound of Chocolate

Katie and I went to see Willie Wonka at the $3.50 Theater last night. It was grand, but after seeing all that chocolate for 2 1/2 hours, we made a quick run by the local Wal-Mart Grocery and invested in $7.48 worth of candy.


As, you can observe, that's a total of 1 pound of Hershey's chocolate bars, a huge bag of peanut M&Ms, and 2 packages of the new cookies made with candy.

Needless to say, we devoured into our candy whilst sitting in the Mohler's driveway. If you examine the picture of the 2 of us, the close observer will notice chocolate all over my chin and mouth. Lovely.

I saw Katie this morning at church, and she informed me that chocolate for breakfast is indeed not a good idea....Note to self...

The Brothers

Nothing can put a smile on my face more than getting to see "the brothers" (& Anna-Kate). Captured these moments tonight...




From Super Man pjs to treasure hunts with Lauren the Pirate, these boys hold a special place in my heart....

Mohler Moments

Random pictures from my evening with Katie...

Needless to say, the highlight of the night was observing Katie skid on the Persian rug in anticipation of answering the phone. ("He's a disgusting eater...")

Emily Enlightenment

I just spent 2 hours of complete "funness" with Emmy at Java...






Look at her, so studious. Actually, we didn't accomplish a lick of school work except for 3 pages of a book. But we did examine how I drink my drink with a straw...

Mohler Moments

Katie and I experienced a glamorous evening at her home last night. From "helping" Baxter out of his cage to talking about George Washington's Mother, we managed to have a grand time.

Nope, not engaged. Just trying on Katie's jewelry...

Katie and I have commented that each and every time we're together, we have been informed we look like sisters, or have been asked if we're twins. Great conversation starters.

(To K.M.: "Thank you." What else to say?)

Feel Fall

The feel of fall is in the air. Several examples: I pulled out the red shoes this morning...somehow they appear "fally" to me, this morning I went running (in the dark) and it was a bit nippy, and the final reason--my alergies are going haywire. (If one more person informs me that it is because we live in the Ohio Valley...)

But truly, I love fall here. We don't experience fall in Florida. We instead encounter HOT, hot, warm, a chill, and then hot again. So, this is truly a delightful day in getting to begin seeing the change of season. Also, this change in year gets Emily all excited because it makes her feel the wedding is closer. Which indeed it is approaching rapidly. 58 days to be exact--Yes, she even has me counting down.

Sister Shelly

One of my number one encouragers is Shelly Baumgarner. She was my children's director at FBC, but became like a sister to me through the years. Since I started working with children at Highview, I have found myself calling her countless times asking her for advice. She's provided such a wealth of information--From wisdom on how to teach a Sunday School lesson to a room full of 4th and 5th graders, to how to run an Awana night. Shelly's also been a great influence in shaping my life. From giving me opportunities to develop leadership skills, to just plain telling me the truth about areas I need to work in, She has been with me through the thick and thin for 10 years.
"It's just garbage..."

The Pink Pig Indeed

I would like to recommend to you one of Emily's favorite books (I'm sure it would be if she took time to read it). It's entitled I Rode the Pink Pig and can be purchased at Amazon.com. That's right, this fun filled book is small enough to fit in a purse and can be toted anywhere. I can personally testify. Indeed, I have ridden the Pink Pig in Atlanta, GA whilst I was a wee one. So, hurry now, and get your copy of this fun-filled pink book.

God

On my way back to campus (from study time at Panera) I was overwhelmed with joy! How gracious and glorious God truly is. I was listening to one of my favorite cds, Steven Curtis Chapman's Declaration and the song, "God, is God and I am not, I can only see a part, of the picture He's making, God, is God and I am man..." How true that is--Yesterday I was pondering a circumstance that had occurred a few months ago and was really asking God why this took place and ended up the way it did...Today it became so relevant that He is God and His plan is perfect and complete. I am just man (well..woman....anyways), and my view will never be fully unveiled until Glory. But praise God, He is God, and that He is truly all I need.

Emily Enlightenment

"OOOOOOOHHHH

You have been chosen...By the Claw of Calvinsim!

Greetings!"

In honor of Emily.

Good Gracious

Like a deer caught in head lights is how I feel about this upcoming week concerning school....
"Help me, Jesus" (RLD to EC)

Reading flashcards to Emily and explaining history at 11:00 PM--Fun times.

Teaching 4th and 5th Graders Theology

Currently at Highview East we are experiencing growing pains in the children's department. Even though we have just moved into the new building, we are already lacking in space. Our 4th through 5th grade class has been on a growth spurt, and the need became apparent that we needed to divide the class. Welcome substitute teachers Miss Lauren & Mr. Jordan. (Jordan Anderson is a new Boyce student and brand new children's intern). Our classroom was a converted couples class and due to the craziness of this past week, I had no time to study my lesson. Therefore, the content of my Sunday School lesson contained the Creator vs. Naturalism...Sounded strangely similar to the midterm Jordan and I just experienced in Dr. Mohler's midterm. The little wide-eyed 4th and 5th graders did not know quite how to soak in my explanation of creation, destruction of sin, God's power and glory, or my explanation of countering naturalism. Jordan explained the plan of salvation and our reconciliation with God--Overall it was an intriguing hour to say the least.

I went to the Art Festival down at that Catholic School with my parents. Fun bonding experience. Back to reality--It's scandalous the amount of school work that can be required in one weekend.

Timmy

You can probably bet your life on this. This will probably be the one and only time I talk about sports on my blog. So for the one that will relish this moment, drink deeply.
Tim Tebow--Well, know as Timmy to me, might indeed be one of the top picks for quarterbacks in the nation for high school. My connection with Timmy is that we took Latin together for 2 years and I have also gone with his dad, Bob Tebow, on several mission trips.

"Your eyes keep floating back to the numbers. “Can’t be right,” you mutter to yourself. “Gotta be a typo. Seventy touchdowns in one season? As a junior?” But there they are, leaving opposing coaches to scratch their collective heads: 46 through the air, 24 on the ground, plus single-season state records for total passing yards (4,304) and total offense (5,576).
Yep, Nease QB Tim Tebow is a bona fide phenom. He’s the chiseled prize of a pitched recruiting battle, the prophet for a rising power in North Florida program, and a poster-boy for gym rats everywhere. He’s earned the privilege of Big Man On Campus, but there’s just one problem: He’s not on campus.
In fact, he couldn’t be much further from living “the life”: Right now, he’s in the Phillipines. The two-week trek is a summer-vacation tradition for the Tebows. Some families go to Disneyworld, the Tebows care for abandoned children at a third-world orphanage.
In addition to the missionary work, Tebow stays grounded because he is home-schooled. (A Florida rule allows him to play for his local school.) In their tidy Jacksonville home, his deeply religious parents have raised a young man immune from the hype, unfazed by the glare.
Still, it’s all a bit breathless as signing day approaches: Check out Tebow-mania on the recruiting websites: Will he or won’t he? Did he wear Michigan blue to the gym today, or ‘Bama crimson? Little-known fact: Tebow hasn’t even settled on a team when he plays video games; He’s scouting several. Eventually, though, “He will make one lucky school very proud," said Nease head coach Craig Howard.
“He makes everyone around him better; he is like a coach on the football field,” Howard said. He’ll go over and encourage them or say something motivating. He befriends the underclassmen, and makes them feel welcome. He’s also the type player you have to kick out of the weight room. “He stays late after practice everyday. Week in and week out, he is the hardest worker on the football field,” said his coach. “That carries over to a lot of our younger players.”
When you hear him speak — quiet and humble, team and family — you start talking to yourself again. Like the eye-popping stats, you wonder “Is this for real? What 17-year-old is this grounded?”
But Tim Tebow’s not too worried about what you think — he’s too busy preparing for the football season and, seemingly, life."
This article can be found at http://www.sparqtraining.com/page.asp?SID=1&Page=88

Twin Katie

I was informed by Katie that adding our picture would spice up my blog. So here we have some spice of life.

A Poem
I Want A Baby Buffalo

I want a baby buffalo,
Oh, how I’ll love him so,
And with my baby buffalo,
I’ll make you say ho, ho, ho

Life

This semester I constantly find myself sitting back in awe of how God is blessing. How busy life is--The days feel like they are flying by at the rate of a freight train. But He has satisfied me...My cup truly overflows. Between the "fun" of Greek and the craziness of Awana on Wednesday nights, I feel such a strong sense that I am exactly where God wants me to be in life. I told my parents in an e-mail,"I realized this week how it has begun...The ministry- What I have always dreamed of, longed for, lived for ever since 13. This was what I was created to do! How my heart delights in serving, throwing myself fully into ministry-being so occupied with every opportunity with having the thrill of barely being able to catch my breath. Having to depend fully on Him for every Greek quiz and being forced to ponder His grace in running Awana. Feeling like the size of a mite when surrounded by such Godly mentors, but knowing that I'm enbarking on the greatest adventure of my life." Ps. 23 has become so close to my heart--How could I ask God for more?

Emily Enlightenment

Praise God for a friend name Emily Cavanaugh! I don't know how she puts up with me and my crazy schemes...
Emily listens to me read with a creepy British accent for 30 minutes.
Emily helps me learn Greek words.
Emily listens to me vent about Greek words.
Emily helps me laugh about Greek.
Emily takes pictures of me learning Greek. Funny.
Emily listens to me plan my day 5 times over.
Emily makes me coffee.
Emily talks to me while I shower in the morning....she's not in the shower with me....nm.
Emily eats with me and will go about studying with me.
Emily just plain old loves me.
Thanks, Emmy.
"Someone heat up some oil, I don't know what it's going to be used for yet, but it's going to be good." (Mooshu from Mulan)

Good Morning America Addict

I have a confession to make. I am addicted to Good Morning America. Every morning I roll out of bed, eyes barely able to open, and in sleep mode groggily find the TV and push the power button. Diane Sawyer’s face greets mine and the day has officially begun.

Here is an interesting story that I have been thinking about:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1121138&page=1

Boys and Tarzan

I benefit from the greatest pleasure every weekend--Trips to the Scroggins home. Lately, the boys have been very animated about the new Tarzan movie they just got. It's not the original Disney Tarzan, this is Tarzan 2, or whatever the title may be. The past couple of weeks they have been reciting lines from the movie, or entertaining me by acting out scenes. Saturday night I was watching the boys and they convinced me that I HAD to see Tarzan. So off we went- Daniel, Jer, Isaac, Steven, Anna Kate, and myself to the basement of their house to watch the beloved film. During the movie, there is a part where Tarzan has been separated from the family of apes and soon realizes that he's not one of them. In fact, he's not like anyone. During this part of the film, Isaac, who is three, proclaimed in a sorrowful tone, "That's okay, Tarzan. God created you that way. He created you to be a kid." I realized how precious those words were--That little Isaac is already applying what his parents are faithfully teaching him.
I can't wait to have my own army of little boys who will proclaim spiritual insights during Disney movies.

Emily Enlightenment

"At mass with R. Lauren"

"Altoids! The Greek's favorite candy."

"You sound like the host on The Price is Right."

"You are my unique friend."

Emily hates the grey cat..Especially when it's given milk by a caring, loving person.

Note to self: Studying together at 12:00 AM is always an entertaining experience.

The Gospel and Panera Bread

I was sitting in Panera Bread Saturday afternoon trying desperately to complete an assignment. My ideal dream had been to roll out of bed, arrive at Panera ready to conquer my homework while eating a "chocolate pastry," drinking a cup of coffee, and listening to the classical music playing softly in the background.....My dream faded away as soon as I arrived at the parking lot. I believe I found the last place and squeezed my car into the slot. I thought to myself that it was probably not as crowded as it appeared. Hardly. Upon entering I saw there were 2 tables. One, next to a college aged man who looked like he was having a serious hangover, or two, a table in the middle of the room next to a window. I chose option two. Sliding into my chair I eagerly anticipated my dream coming true. To no avail- The room was so loud music could hardly be heard, orders were being proclaimed every 3 seconds, and somehow I just was not enjoying this table selection. As I sat there trying to read about Jesus and the Gospels, I began to take in those around me. To the right of me sat an older couple drinking coffee and eating pastries- that's nice. To the left of me sat an interesting array of adults; all probably in their late 30's. The two men were fairly quiet, but the five women accompaning them made up for their absence of silence. Curse words were thrown around, crude humor was bantered at, and finally one of the women plunged into a story. Now, they held my full attention as I pondered this very pecular scene. She began relating that she met this very good looking man at a bar, began dating him, only to see him a few weeks later with his FAMILY. She went out with him the next evening and threw her wine in his face. Declaring in a loud voice, "I wouldn't have been so mad at him if he hadn't lied to me. It's one thing to have a family, but to keep that from me just makes me mad." Wow. I was stunned. My mind groped at what I had just heard--Has our world's view of morals actually come to this? Then it hit me. This is our world I'm viewing. I was reminded of the sermon I heard Thursday morning..."The reason lost people act the way they act is because they're lost." These people to the left of me were sinners, probably lost sinners. For all I know, the sweet looking couple to my right could be sinners, just as lost. It made me recall an illustration I heard Dr. Scroggins use in Chapel a few weeks ago. If you took Hitler, probably one of the "worst sinners" imaginable and put him in beautiful white Heaven, his dark, (Dr. Scroggins used the color red for sin) red crimson would be an ugly contrast. But if you take one of the professors, probably not that bad of a person, and stuck them in Heaven, they would still stand out even if their crimson was not as dark as Hitler's. It truly hit right there in Panera Bread how sometimes I can deminish sin...Almost take on the view of, "they look saved." When really, every sinner is blindly lost and in need of a Savior. I went to Panera in hopes of reading about the Gospels, but instead I walked away with the Gospel piercing my heart.