New Year, New Room!

I can't believe I'm beginning another school year. You would think after having done this once, I wouldn't be so nervous this year... Wrong! Oh goodness, as I pulled together the finishing touches of my room and lessons for tomorrow, it really hit me. Students. In my classroom. Staring at me. TOMORROW! So, I did what every good teacher does.

I pushed it in the back of my mind and took pictures of my classroom! 

So here it is. I moved into a MUCH bigger classroom- and one that has a window! 

I just added the director's chair and "how I go home" signs today. Which I LOVE. But, there you go- my new classroom!

Pray for us tomorrow as we start a new chapter together. And for the nerves of me and my 18 kidlings

"Miss Lane'

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.

Dave's Budget Take 1

Okay so I admit, I have been doing a budget for about a year now (or at least when I got my teaching job back in Aug.), and I've known most of what Dave Ramsey teaches, but I've never really used his forms and such.

Well, the boyfriend and I have been in FPU (Financial Peace University) so I started drinking the kool-aid. You know, it's kind of a part of the course, so don't judge. And here is what I have determined from following the budget and envelope system for 2 weeks:

1- I don't have enough money
2- If I only spend out of my envelopes, I don't have to worry about my bank account
3- I can't take out of one envelope to make change in others because I just get confused where the money is all supposed to go.

But, I am SO excited to be in this class and to start it with my love. Most people in the class are married and many are in their 40s, 50s, or even 60s trying to learn this stuff. He and I will have the opportunity to start this stuff from the very beginning and could be very well off by the time we are in our 60s. This could prevent so many money fights, financial issues and other potential fights in our upcoming marriage. How blessed I feel! If this all works out well, I could really see starting a ministry teaching this to seriously dating or engaged couples before marriage. 

 

(Just a shameless plug)

A little of this...

Well, it's been a while, but I have been reading so many blogs recently that I have decided, at least for now, to try my hand at it again.

I'm at a place in life where there are a lot of questions and a lot I could be writing about, so for all of those out there with me, here we go :)

Let's start with a little "reintroduction" of me, and where I am in life. 
1- I teach first grade in a private, Christian school.

2- Because I teach in a private Christian school, I am on the journey of living on a budget. A tight budget. Which includes school loans. Lots of loans.

3- I have been dating the same, wonderful, godly man for about 16 months now (but who's counting ;)- who is also living on a budget. 

4- Summer is coming up and I love crafting. Sewing, card-making, scrap booking, anything crafty. So between revamping for next year, and tutoring. Joanne Fabrics is where I'll be! When I budget for it. 

I'll leave it at that for now. More to come later on any of the various topics above. Or something else I decide to throw in

loislane

Found it on Pinterest!

I decided to post things that I actually end up making or doing that I found on Pinterest. This is my latest! Here is where I originally found it. I actually bought a pillow from Hobby Lobby and made my own cover from muslin. The whole pillow, (pillow, material, markers and stencil) cost me about $13! Not too shabby for my first try either!

I don't know why it turned it...but whatever. Here's the final product :)

The Work of Christ in Me

The new year has come and I didn't have very high hopes or resolutions because, quite frankly, I knew I wouldn't finish anything I started anyway. Well, God had different plans and my New Years has already got off to an amazing start and I now have motivation to keep it going.
First of all, a good friend of mine challenged me to take the 30 days of Christian music challenge and while I've always been a little cynical of Christian music at times, I agreed. I knew there needed to be changes in my spiritual life and I was willing to at least give it a try. Now, I understand it's only been six days, but I'm loving it more than I ever expected. I made a Christian music playlist on my ipod and I can't get enough of it. My two favorite CDs I've listened to the most are Ages by the Apex band(s) and, most recently, "Ghosts Upon The Earth" by Gungor. I encourage you to check it out if you haven't heard of Gungor. "Brother Moon" is my favorite so far, but they're all amazing.
God has been speaking to me in ways I haven't heard in a long time. He has placed specific people in my life who challenge me and encourage me in my walk and who have given me the accountability I've been so desperately in need of. My relationship with Him is becoming closer and I'm learning, again, what it means to be a true follower of Christ. Praise the Lord for his perfect patience and daily grace upon my life.
Pray that I can continue in this passion and discipline for His Word and His presense in my life. Pray that I will have wisdom in life decisions that face me and that I continue to surround myself with the people that will sharpen my faith and that I can sharpen them as well. I pray that I can have the impact and influence on others that I have recently had in my own life.
I am memorizing this passage from the end of Paul's journey: "For I have already been poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

Catch- Up

Alright, I'm sorry! I have completely failed at blogging, even after I got the app, I'm just so busy it's not even funny. So this blog is entitled "catch up" because I feel like I have so much to...well...catch up on. I know I get overwhelmed when I see these kinds of posts so I think "oh boy, I don't really want to read a novel right now". SO here are some pictures to help you not get so bored.

The sky here has been amazing. This is the sky one day in the middle of the afternoon. I don't think I've ever seen the clouds look so much like fabric! Beautiful, had to get a pic.

Fall break this year was one of my favorite! Kentucky was gorgeous and it was so nice to have a long weekend to relax and hang out with friends. Loved playing in the leaves and learning how to throw a Frisbee too!

Most recently, one of my housemates just hung up a chain countdown until her boyfriend comes to visit! We're all so excited. He's South African and has only been in the US once since we've been to school. Now he's coming for almost 2 months! 36 days!! 

One more thing to take up my time! I am now an independent Thirty-One consultant! I'm so excited and really am enjoying doing it all. This was the set up for my first party and this is all that came in my enrollment kit! I love it, but it's sooo time consuming right now! There are so many things I want to do with it, but just do not have the time right now. I could devote an entire week to this alone! 

Well, I have no pictures for this one, but I started my field experience this past week and I start teaching on Monday. I'm a little overwhelmed, but excited. My kids are fantastic and I'm excited to be teaching all day! I'm just a little nervous because I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing! Please pray that I can feel prepared each day and that I can show these kids love. I feel like they don't get praised much and I just want them to know how beautiful they are! I already love them each so much! 

That's all for now. Hopefully more pics to come!

LL

On the Go

I just downloaded a blogging app on my phone so hopefully I'll be able to blog more without actually being in my computer. I'm loving this on the go convenience of a smartphone.
These next few weeks will be absolutely crazy for me, starting this past weekend with homecoming. It went really well and Clara Lutz did such a fantastic job organizing everything and setting everything up for her first time! It was busy but I'm glad it went well.
This Wednesday the Alumni office is sending the seniors on DAE to the Catalyst conference in Atlanta, which I'm very excited about. Unfortunately that means I have extra work to do for the classes I'll miss Thursday and friday. After we get back, well have three days of school and our fall break starts, so I'll be going to Kentucky with some of my friends. Hopefully that will be a little more relaxing. So yeah, I have exciting things going on, but there's never a dull moment in my life, that's for sure.
Hopefully I'll post soon about what God's doing with our Sunday class at church. I'm really excited about it, but now, just pray that you'll give us wisdom and patience and love for these students and wisdom on how to deal with everything.

Feelin' Famous

I mentioned that I'd post when my new blogs for Cedarville were posted. Well, guess what? They posted today! SO, you can go here and check out my last two CU blogs. We have our pictures up and everything. Not going to lie, I've kind of always wanted to have my picture on the website, so this is really exciting.

Anyway, for those of you away from Cedarville (which is probably most of you), I wanted to give you a little update on the awesome things God is doing on campus. Apparently, every freshman this summer received the book "True Religion" by Palmer Chinchen. I have not read the book, but in it he starts talking about the 1+billion people around the world who have no shoes. He began by having on "Barefoot Sunday"s where he challenged his congregation in CO to bring their shoes to the alter and go the rest of the day barefoot. He's been doing these Barefoot Sundays every year since. 

One freshman was inspired and challenged the freshman class to have a barefoot day at Cedarville. Palmer Chinchen came and spoke in chapel this past Thursday- the perfect opportunity for this ministry. They advertised it for about a week and "Barefoot Thursday" ended up gathering 3276 pairs of shoes. How awesome. I encourage you to go to Cedarville's Facebook page and look at the pictures taken that day of students going barefoot, thousands of shoes at the alter, and students gathering around the shoes pile bowed in prayer. Thank God for one freshman students' vision.

                             

Life as a Senior

I think I'll make it a point to update my blog whenever I write an entry for Cedarville. Considering I've posted my first one, it's time to update! I'll make sure and post a link here when my blogs are posted on the website, but mine might not be there every week. It's a little different writing when you know people will be reading it, especially when those people are prospective students, alumni and current students' parents. So much pressure.


Anyway, I'm really excited about the year so far. I love love love living off campus, my apartment and my housemates. We're getting along so well and having so much fun. We just had a photoshoot with one of our talented photographer friends for new pictures to hang in our family room. I think we were laughing in about every picture. I love making memories...it's kind of one of my favorite pastimes.


I'm really learning to make the most of everything. Unless I have already committed my time to something else, I'm trying to take up the moto "why not?" unless, of course, it's inappropriate or unreasonable. For example, right around the time school started, a bunch of friends and I drove to Columbus to go to Jeni's ice cream. Yes, we drove over an hour just for ice cream. Believe me, it was SO worth it- amazing!!! This coming Sunday, I have the opportunity to go moonlight canoeing in Columbus with some friends. How often in my life will I have these types of opportunities again? I'll definitely let you know how it goes.


I'm very thankful right now. Thankful for my friends, my housemates, my family and just where God has taken my life up to this point. I'm also thankful that He is in control and that I don't need to worry about what my future holds. I'm glad he knows, because I don't even want to think about it right now! Haha.


Oh, pray for my roommate, and very good friend, Meagan. She is flying to Bangladesh this coming Saturday for her 10-12 week student teaching. She's flying there alone (for the most part) and doesn't know anyone over there. She's getting really nervous, but pray that her flight goes smoothly and that she will feel God's peace and presence in the whole situation.

Meagan And I in the Sear's Tower

Reminders

Watching the beginning of my senior year creep closer and closer into reality I'm reminded of the things God has taught me in the last three years at Cedarville. Situations from Freshman year have resurfaced and I'm reminded of the lessons I was taught the first time- value people, invest in them, show Christ's love always but don't lead them on, manipulate them, or take advantage of them. I'm still on the edge of the delicate process of mixing all of these elements together and figuring out what exactly it looks like executed. Pray that I can deal with a touchy situation delicately and with consideration. 


Another thing I've been reminded of is to take advantage of the opportunities I have at this time in my life. I'm afraid I took many things for granted the past three years and I'm realizing there are so many other things I want to do, and I have one school year left to do it. Yes, I probably will be over committed this year, hopefully I'll be able to keep everything in perspective and still be disciplined, but between 17 credit hours, two jobs, two orgs, and possibly intramural volleyball, as well as having some kind of social life, it should be a fun year. Pray that I can be grateful for the things I have done, instead of pining for the things I missed out on. 


Lastly, I've been reminded to keep God as the main focus of my day. If I do not spend daily time in His Word, the reality of me speaking love and representing Christ effectively are so much less than if He is at the core of my day. The Word is not only to be respected or liked, it's to be enjoyed, craved, and delighted in. And although I openly acknowledge it's a constant struggle, it's a struggle worth fighting against. Pray that I will long to spend time in Scripture even when school work and responsibilities pile up. 


Psalm 20:7 "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but [I] trust in the name of the Lord [my] God."
Proverbs 22:11 "One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have a king for a friend"

photo credit: Zach Murphy 

New Blessings

For those of you who don't know, I am one of 17 Cedarville students a part of Cedarville's Alumni Association. We help the Alumni office by helping with homecoming and other on-campus events as well as assist them in their chapter and regional events throughout the year across the country. This past week was our fall trip which is designed for training and team building. Our destinations included Rochester, NY, NH, CT, Boston, MA, and Warren, ME. On top of getting to know some of the sweetest, funniest, and down-to-earth people I've ever met, God worked in us this week and I am so blessed and thankful for these new additions to my life.
We had so much fun being goofs with each other, getting to know each other's lives and humor but my favorite was that we grew and challenged each other spiritually. When we sang, we sang unashamed in a small classroom in the mountains of NH, on the top of our lungs worshiping our God together. It was such a beautiful thing. We grew together as a family and for all of those reasons, I thank God for every single one of them and the unique aspect they bring to our group.


In NH, I was refreshed to be around a group of believers my age who were so in love with Christ and had the contagious joy of His presences in their lives. I desired to spend more time with them in His Word and worshipping together. God is so good to us, blessing us daily and I was reminded of this everyday on our trip...and every day since. I've been saying this for a while, but God is doing a work in my life right now and I am so excited to see how it plays out. Yes, I'm always nervous when life changes up a little, but my God is a God who controls the sun, each star, every cloud, bird in the sky, and each moment I'm alive. He is in perfect command of my life and it is His to do as He pleases. God is continuing to work. May I have the diligence and obedience to do my part and spend time with Him, that I can carry out His will for my life to glorify Him alone and spread Him through the world.

Blind Blessings

I know I really need to be in bed after a 13 hour day at work and church early in the morning, but I'm in the mood to write. First of all, I wanted to share an awesome site my mom's boss and friend got us hooked on. It's called Pinterest.com and I can post things that I like in all kinds of categories. It's a little hard to explain, but check it out...here!


Anyway, I can't believe the summer is coming to an end and I am beginning my last year of college. I hardly feel old enough. Not only that, but I'm a planner. I knew my major when I was in first grade. I knew what school I wanted to go to in sixth. Now I cannot see a single day past May 5, 2012- graduation day. In high school whenever I thought of life after Cedarville, I always assumed I would be engaged or married and then find a job wherever my husband had a job. Well, considering my current status that is obviously not going to happen. And that's okay. It's always a little nerve-racking when you have to rely on God blind, that is, not having any idea what He has for you. God put the desire in my heart to be a teacher and to go to Cedarville and I trust Him fully to provide for me and take care of my when I graduate, I'd just like to see what's going to happen! I know He is faithful and he has already blessed me in so many ways. And while I am anxious about how He'll provide, I'm mostly excited to see how He'll exceed my expectations once again. 

For His Plans are Not Our Plans...

God has a funny way of changing our desires sometimes, you  know? Without going into too many details, I can feel the desires of my heart regarding my future change in a direction I would swear would never happen. I can't say I particularly mind either. I'm just amazed by God sometimes. When I think I have my life all figured out and planned down to the last detail, circumstances change, people move in or out of my life, and I find what I was so passionate about at one point, has completely diminished and the fire goes out.  How can you describe this sudden change with someone who has not experienced the presence of Christ in their lives? My only explanation, as a Christian, is that God has far better things for me than I could come up with on my own and therefore, He has to take my desires and passions and change them so I become passionate about what HE is passionate about. Yearn for the things HE yearns for, and pray to fall into alliance wiht HIS will for my life. I hope and pray that He will continue working on my heart, changing my dreams to fit HIS dreams for me and living a life worthy of a testament of HIS work. 
                                 

My Lord, My Savior, My...BFF?

I must admit that I am loving my summer vacation and until recent the idea of going back to school put a knot in my stomach, but God has been teaching me a lot recently and one of the lesson is that I have a lot to learn. Another lesson that hit me hard is my insecurity. I didn't realize how much I put my personal worth in the opinion and acceptance of other people. It wasn't until I felt that acceptance become shaky that I felt my entire foundation crumble beneath me. Not only did I feel like a junior high girl, I felt that my God wasn't that main focus in my life and once again, I felt his love and sweet grace poor over me like a fresh rain. 
Sure, I still value my friends, after all, good friends are wonderful gifts from God, but I am reminded that "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." -Prov. 18:24. I am loving my time with Christ and spending more time with him. He has given me such a peace I haven't felt in a long time. Needless to say, His grace rescues me daily and I have learned to be content with Him as my new best friend. How blessed I am to be living on His daily Grace. 

In Colorado it's impossible not to see His fingerprints all over. I loved spending time today outside admiring His creation. This, my friends, is one place I would love to live. 

Summer Lovin'

And by the title, I just mean...lovin' summer, although I can't deny a possible desire for some summer lovin' myself, by ANYWAYS...
I'm free at last, and man, does it feel good. I'm sure I've mentioned this is a previous post, but this past semester of college was by far the most difficult one yet. Taking 21 credits and working close to twenty hours a week AND having a social life was mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting. Not to mention spiritually as well. After that craziness, I decided it was a good idea to take a block of classes equaling 7 credits into three weeks. And actually, it was. When I get my license, I will be certified to teach preK-5 instead of to third only.
I'm so excited to be home. I don't have any homework hanging over my head or something to do so pressing i get knots in my stomach. I finally get to hang out with my friends without having to rush back to school and, as strange as this might sound, I'm excited to start working more. I'm so blessed to have such an amazing group of friends and family, I wouldn't want to spend my summer with anyone else. This past weekend, the sun was shining, the temperature was high and it finally felt like summer. Besides, this time next year, I will be a college graduate :) 
               

Blessed by Undeserved Grace

I am overwhelmed with amount of grace I've seen the Lord bless me with recently. I know I'm spoiled with grace daily and I don't even stop to recognize it, but over the past two days it has been blessing after undeserved blessing. Last night, a large storm swept through the Miami Valley and decided to drop it's worst directly in my neighborhood. I had taken our minivan to school so my little car was at home in the driveway. After the help of very dear people, we discovered four to five large cracks on my windshield and dents all over the car. I am extremely thankful for my older brother and his help last night. He drove with me, all the way home, helped me clean out the garage and move in my car to protect it from further damage. He has always been one of my heroes and the person I've looked up to the most and I am so blessed to now be his friend, as adults, as well as his sister. 
On my way back to school I called my dad to fill him in on the situation only to find out they had to take my mom to the ER for a detached retina in her right eye. By the goodness of God, he placed the exact right people in the right time and place to help my mom and do the procedure needed in the time frame in which she needed it done. While she's still not out of the woods and the prognosis of her vision is still yet to be "seen" (sorry for the pun) we are blessed to serve a loving and watchful God. 
And the blessings keep coming. My poor car only has liability coverage and we were certain we would be on our own to pay for the damages- money I did not have. A new camera and an upcoming vacation seemed to be vanishing in front of me as I thought about the possible quotes to fix Tessa. We contacted our insurance agent anyway and I'm grateful we did. My car has full coverage and we might be able to get the dents fixed as well. Thank the LORD for His blessings!
I am so undeserving of anything He has done for me. If they only thing Christ ever did was die for my sins on the cross, and left us alone, I would still have reasons to be thankful to Him and indebted to him my entire life. But He hasn't left us. He continues to be faithful and loving and merciful and I am forever grateful for Him in my life.