New Adventures

As I write this, I am sitting in my PJ's looking at an over-packed carry-on bookbag and a not-so-stuffed, ginormous suitcase. I still don't think I believe it's real. Sure, I feel like I won't be here for 2 weeks and I feel as prepared as I'm going to get, but....Africa?! Really?!!?!

This post is probably going to get some record for the shortest post, but I don't have much to say yet. The Lord is working in my heart even as I sit unaware. He has gone before me (Thank GOODNESS!) and will be with me every step of the way. I'm sure I will have a LOT to post when I get back. Friends, I can't wait to share with you all of the things God will do through me and in me in these next few weeks.

Be ready, He might already be talking to you too...

Lauren

Pinterest-Worthy Outfits

In the words of that guy on the beer commercials: I don't always dress in the latest and greatest, but when I do, I feel accomplished and proud of myself. Ha, image issues anyone? Here are a few of my recents:

Shirt: Kohl's

"Capris": Old Navy ('short' skinny jeans rolled up)

Necklace: Charming Charlie

Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: Old Navy

Necklace: Urban Peach Boutique online

That's all for today!

~Lauren Rene

tshirt skirt tutorial!

Happy Monday! 

So I've been wanting to make new skirts and dresses for summer but I've been a little nervous to get started. What if I mess up and waste all this material? Well, luckily for me I found this old Goodwill men's t-shirt under my bed (I bought it for another craft I never did). So I figured to build my confidence and get back into sewing, I'd make a skirt with this guy so if I mess up, it's no big deal! I think it turned out pretty good (it's a little big, but I can live with that).

So here's how I made it:

I started with the old tshirt and laid it out on a big piece of cardboard. *If you have a cutting mat, that works a LOT better. I need to get one. 

I found something to use for a straight edge that would go from one side to the other. I made sure it was right under the armpit of both sleeves: 

and....CUT! 

The leftovers: 

I then cut off the sleeves and the top, right under the collar. This was going to be used for the "band" of my skirt at the top.  

pin the sides together and sew! I used the "stretch stitch" to allow it to stretch once it's on my body. Otherwise it wouldn't fit over my hips. Make sure and put it around your waist to make sure it's going to fit. If you find it'll be way to big you can cut off some off the side before you sew it closed. 

stretch stitch:

At this point I put the band aside and grabbed the "body" of my skirt. It was HUGE so I had to gather it so I could fit it around my body. For this, I used a very loose stitch and didn't finish it. Once it's all the way around, you can gently pull the fabric along the stitch and it gathers! 

Once gathered, I grabbed my band again and placed it inside of the body of the skirt. I carefully pinned it all the way around and sewed another stretch stitch all the way around (make sure it's under the stitch you used to gather it.) 

OOPS! Broken Needle. No idea how- but that was a good learning experience too! 

Once I had my stretch stitch (finally) finished, I had to go back and take out my gathering stitch. Pretty simple with a seam ripper. Then I put it on and that's it! Simple new skirt for cheap! 

Feeling Prepared

So my last blog post was about FPU and Dave- the whole budget and money makeover thing. I said I felt great that boyfriend and I were able to do this now, before we got into any kind of money issues or even money arguments. Not saying we won't have any, but we'll be more on the same page.

Well, I was on pinterest tonight (so addicting sometimes), and absentmindedly, the thought came into my head man, I am going to be so prepared for when I get married. (I'm pretty much feeling like that little boy with way too many flotation devices on. Can't be too prepared.)  I have our wedding pretty much planned out (yeah, not even engaged yet), I know the stores we'll register at, I know some specific decorating ideas for our first "home", and I'm pinning some great advice for how to be a great, godly wife. 

As soon as the thought came into mind, so did a huge red flag. Satan's at it again. According to my most recent thought-life, boyfriend and I will have the perfect wedding,  be married happily, never fight, live for the Lord with no problems, and always agree about everything that has to do with money.

That sounds like the biggest LIE I've ever heard, let alone thought! Alright, I've got to reign it in. Pinterest is great. Being prepared is wonderful. Being on the same page with the boyfriend is key. That little boy is not going to sink. But the LORD is first. The Scriptures say "in this life, you will have struggles..." It doesn't say "in this life, you will have struggles if you don't follow you're pinterest plans..." or "...if you don't listen to Dave Ramsey". It says we WILL. Period.

I am so glad I am prepared for my future. Or at least, the future I'm planning on. But the truth is- I have no idea what lies in my future. Not for certain anyways. I am looking forward to whatever God has planned for me. I also need to be prepared for when struggles do happen. Hide His Word in my heart. Lay a Scriptural foundation in my life and in my heart now.

Because....

We will fight.
We will hurt each other's heart
We will disagree about money
I won't show him Christ some days
Trauma will happen

And those will be the days where I can say "I prepared for this", and grab my Bible.