Wednesday Rambleness

It's a chilly day in Florida this morning, it should be a sin to be this cold, haha! It's supposed to drop down to freezing temperatures tomorrow. Too funny!!! I don't know if I could ever survive up north.

Okay, so I was picking out what I was going to wear to work this morning, and was going to wear a pair of black pants, but they weren't long enough to go with the boots I wanted to wear today, and so I tried on another, and those didn't work, and I began to think to myself, how in the world did I end up with so many pairs of black pants. I counted, I have five, haha!!! I finally settled on a pair, and there was no point to this whole story, but just got a chuckle out of it, so humor me! Okay, so I want to know, how many pairs of black pants do you have, haha, JK!

I'm sooooo glad to have tonight off from school. Wednesdays are such a nice break for me, I've become to appreciate them more and more since it's the only day I have to myself. So I missed American Idol last night, anyone want to fill me in? I heard it was pretty good but it's going to have to take some time to get used to the new judge. It's a shame because my only free night being Wednesday, there's nothing good on TV, lol.

Went and worked out this morning and I've really been praying for the discipline to keep up with this. I've been really convicted in this area and know I need to exercise and eat better, and take care of this body that God has given me, after all, it is his temple. So far so good, except for the eating better, and my one weakness is soda and I so deseparately want to give that up, one step at a time, right??

Oh, I'll be getting a bloggy makeover soon. So be on the lookout for that. Also, want to encourage you to take a look at some of the sites that frequent for those of you who are active members of the blog world, there are some GREAT ones!!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!!!!! :)

Never second guess the journey

In keeping up with my promise to blog more, here you have it.

Okay.... So last night at school was rough. Who ever knew that court reporting school would be such an emotional rollercoaster. This is a journey that I've been on since 2006... I've now determined that the amount of time that I've driven back and forth to Orlando from Leesburg three nights a week for almost going on three years now, I could have driven across the country and back again...... And I've also determined, I want my gas money back, haha!!!! But this is besides the point, back to the emotional PMS'ing (at least that's what it feels like sometimes, haha). I left school just feeling really defeated last night. Why is it that our mind is our own worst enemy? There is so much power in our thoughts. One night I can leave school feeling like I'm on top of the world and the next I can leave feeling like I shouldn't even be there. Then God's ever so gentle voice spoke up and said "stop second guessing the journey". And it's at those times that he'll always sweetly remind me that he has me right where I need to be, and although I may not be able to see what's up ahead, he does and there's always lessons to be learned. So is there something you're second guessing? Maybe the path he has you on, maybe the circumstances you're going through right now?? DON'T. It all for a purpose and leads you to your final destination.

On a different topic. I'm going to miss the first night of American Idol tonight because of school and have yet to get a DVR. I want one SO BAD!!!! Oh well, such is life. The beginning part is okay, but I like it when it starts getting to the good stuff!!!! As a side note, I'm happy to say that I have turned over a new leaf and I have been really consistent with going to the gym since the beginning of the year, except the morning after the championship game between the Gators and Oklahoma and I totally ignored my alarm clock and went right back to sleep. I think God forgives me, because Gators ARE important you know, haha!!! :)

So tonight is another night of school and I'm going into it with a different attitude tonight. I always try to say a little prayer each night before I go in. Only those in court reporting school will know how much the prayers are needed. I feel so fortunate to finally have found some direction with my life, as hard as it's been. And I'm determined that I will get through this, and that the end will soon be near. I just can't wait for the day to be financially secure, have a home to call my own, and find my concrete place in this world. And I'll find it, as I stop second guessing the journey :)

Good day :)

Oh, HAPPY DAY, it's MONDAY!!!

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! Weekends seem to keep going by faster and faster and the weeks seem to be getting slower and slower, haha. It was a wonderful one. Saturday I went with the girls to go get fitted for Bridesmaid dresses for my best friend Monica's wedding. They are so pretty and they are Jade, which is such an awesome color. Everyone is going to look beautiful, but we can't show up the bride, now can we??? haha!! It was a fun time and then Monica's mom treated us to lunch at Bahama Breeze, yum yum, I had fish with a mango butter sauce. Let me tell you, to die for, you could probably see saliva dripping from my mouth, haha!

Then Sunday I got to meet up with a very good friend, Carina. It's the funniest thing, because we went to high school together but weren't in the same social circle, so our paths never really crossed. But we connected on Myspace and after talking for awhile decided it was finally time to get together and catch and we've kept in touch every since. We've gotten together twice, and each time it's been so nice. She's a wife and mother now and expecting one on the way, so life gets busy, but glad that whenever we can, we can set up a time to get together. We always have great conversation, and it's so nice talking with her because she's at such a different place in her life then I am and we're both the same age. Talking with her and other friends that are married and have kids secretly makes me want both of the above, but then always reminds me that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be and that in God's timing, it WILL happen, and then I'm secretly grateful that I don't have the responsibilities that come with all that, but then I know that when the time comes, I wouldn't want it any other way :)

So, there you have it for my Monday rambleness :)

Have an awesome day!!!!

THE HANDPRINTS OF FRIENDS!

I wanted to take a minute to introduce you to two important friends in my life. You know you're blessed when you have those certain people in your life that you know were strategically placed there for a reason and make your life all the more better. SO, without further ado:

My cherished friend and cousin Melissa :)


Mel is truly one of a kind. We are cousins and grew up together and went all through school together. She has been one of my constants in this ever changing life of mine. She is amazing and we can laugh together at the stupidest things (we can look at each other and just laugh) and she just really brings ALOT of joy to my life. We have been together through so much. She's just one of those people that really and truly gets me. I love love love her.

And this is my wonderful friend Monica :)


Monica is a true jewel. She and I are so much alike it's scary. We have been great friends since high school. She is another one that gets me. And the funny thing is both Mel and Monica are teachers and love what they do. Monica's friendship is a true treasure in my life. I'm going to be in her wedding in June and I'm so excited to share in that special day with her. I'm so excited for her.

I love you both and thank you for your friendship and looking forward to many more years in sharing in life together :) :)

Life as I know it.....

Okay, so basically after getting back into the groove of things yesterday with work and school, it's like Christmas and New Year's never happened and I'm once again pushed back into the vicious cycle of work, school, work, school, haha! But it's nice to finally get back into the routine of things. Had a VERY lazy weekend enjoying my last few days of freedom after having two weeks off from school, haha! And now it's back to the good ole' grind!

I wanted to encourage you to head over to Beth Moore's blog(www.livingproofministries.blogspot.com) and memorize scripture with us. The 1st and 15th of every month she will be posting on her blog pertaining to this and we're to comment and leave the scripture that we have felt led to memorize. So we'll be memorizing two scriptures a month and that will have us memorizing 24 scriptures by the end of the year. It's a great concept and excited to get involved and dig into the word and speak "life" into my life. There's great power in our thoughts and we just have to keep in mind what the bible says about us and our circumstances. It's not too late to join so head over there. Also, would encourage you to also stop by Angie Smith's blog (www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com). She's the wife of Todd Smith who is a part of the Christian group Selah. She has a wonderful testimony and a HUGE faith. You won't be sorry that you did, in fact, you'll get hooked and it will bless your socks off!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far and please let me know if there's anything I can be lifting you up in prayer about :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy 2009! My goal this year is to be more consistent with my blogging. Wanted to wish you all a wonderful New Year. I pray it will be all you want and more and with many blessings and sweet surprises along the way. I look forward to sharing in 2009 with you.

I'm excited for a wonderful new year ahead. Hopefully this will be my last and final year of school and I will be out in the career field embarking on the wonderful journey of being a Court Reporter. Please just pray that God will give me that extra push I need in the final home stretch of school.

I have many things to look forward to as I finish up school and think about the possibilities after I get out and experiencing life on my own. I will also be turning 25 (quarter of a century, haha) and will be in my best friend's wedding in June, so have that to look forward to, and my niece will be turning 4 years old and Lord willing sometime this year we'll hopefully be hearing from my brother and his wife of another one on the way. I will pretty much be grounded and won't be able to travel as I'd like while I'm trying to prepare financially for what comes ahead, but it will only be for a season, but once I get out of school I'll definitely be rewarding myself with a trip, haha!! So lots to look forward to!!!

What are you most looking forward to this year???


Be blessed,
Lauren

Hey Hey!

It has been forever since I've blogged. Hope all is well with everybody. Can't believe it's already November. Let the holiday craziness begin. With working two jobs and going to school, sometimes I don't know if I'm coming or going. And with the holidays coming upon us, I'm really going to be loosing my mind, ha! I love this time of year though. Everyone's mood seems to be a little lighter, people actually take time to say hello and happy holidays, music is in the air, and not only all that, but it's about being with family and friends, with the one's you love, and can't forget about the great food :)

I will say though, I love what Christmas is about and everything it stands for, but I have to admit, what I truly love is Thanksgiving. We take that one day out of the year (which we should do everyday) to recognize everything and everyone we're thankful for. It's just simply about being with family and friends, and sitting around a table with a bunch of great food, and nothing more. We can just be, it's not a holiday where you get caught up in all the gift buying and all the hussle and bussle and lose sight of the real meaning of it all. Especially now in a time where we live in a world of such uncertainly, but one thing we can be certain of, we all have a BUNCH to be thankful for.

I want to leave you with this. It's something I posted on my Facebook page and wanted to share here. Just something to think about :)

In all that we say and do:
Every single day of our lives we are constantly doing and saying….. But in all that we do and say, are we glorifying God? Are we living our lives in such a way that brings a smile to his face? Are we edifying and lifting others up by our words and actions or are we just letting our words and actions come out without even thinking twice? I was just thinking about this today. I hope that at the end of each day I can look back and say I loved well in my words and actions and I represented him well.
I always want to keep in the forefront of my mind that we are God’s representative here on earth. That we will be accountable for how we spent this life he has given us. I constantly want to keep that smile on God’s face and in those moments of my weakness, I rest in knowing that the smile will never fade but by his grace his strength is made known in our weakness.
And just know that there’s nothing you can do to take his smile away because you’re the one that put it there and his love in unconditional, made perfect in your weakness!!