Christmas Time

Presents are wrapped, the nativity is up and boy it sure looks like Christmas with all the white, pure snow (and green bean casserole). Today we celebrated the birth of our most heavenly Lord, and somehow, it seems like a celebration of a different sort. As much as Christmas is about giving, I think it has somehow lost it's focus.

Presents... That is what kids seem to be excited about, but do they really know? This Christmas has frustrated me because I feel like Christmas hasn't had a focus on Christ, but rather a family gathering with gifts, food and conversation. Some of my family is going to mass tonight to celebrate His birth though, and I am really hoping to get over to our adoration chapel too with some of my siblings. Now, I know that it's likely Jesus was probably born on one of the other 364 days this year, but regardless, I wonder what 2,010 years ago Mary was thinking tonight, when she stared into His precious little eyes. Today is such an important day and season to reflect, to sit down and to really pray and give some thanks to the one who saves.

A couple little updates...
I have a job interview at a Christian Daycare next week (thank you Emily), hopefully I will be able to get another job with more stable hours and work less hours at Applebee's, plus I would love to watch little ones! My excitement and anticipation is definitely growing as well because it is exactly 28 days until my interview with NET Ministries! Nick and John are both home off the road for Christmas break and we are all going swing dancing next week too!



School is off thankfully but I am excited for my classes next semester...
Intro to Business, Introductory Logics (math class), Astronomy and History of Comedy.
I heard that the two last classes I listed are hard, so I'm a little worried considering I picked them as "easier" classes. When I finish in the Spring, all of them finally complete my MnTC so this semester I am done with that! Woot!

Well, merry Christmas everyone and have a wonderful Christmas!
God bless!

Nearing Christmas...

With much excitement this semester is finally drawing to a close as really only 2 weeks remain. I honestly can't believe how quickly this semester has flown by, though some of my classes I truly have been counting down the days, others I have rather enjoyed.



A couple little updates... I got a new phone! Though I'm still trying to figure it out, the touch screen and the slick shape is really nice. A new movie came out about abortion. Though I haven't seen the full length movie yet, I think it is one that everyone should see. Check out www.bloodmoneyfilm.com I truly believe it is so important for people to see that Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women.

God Bless and hope everyones Thanksgiving was amazing!

Long Time, No Post

So yesterday I woke up in complete and utter shock. I have been in denial of what has been approaching me this November and now, it being day two and still here I've realized it has come...

Winter

So it has been quite a while since my last post, but since not much has changed within these last months, other than the weather, so there hasn't been much to update on.

I've been continuing to work, doing a bit of job hunting (so I can make a little more and get better hours) and school. Geeze has it been busy though! Running short on sleep and so much homework has proved to be truly a balancing act, but I'm up for the challenge I suppose. My college classes have been going pretty good as well, maybe not as good as I hoped, but for the first time I'm working, in addition to college, and that is no easy feat. Anyhow, I've really just been continuing to save up, work and attempt to figure out what I will be doing one year from now. Hopefully by Valentines Day I'll know what I'll be doing next year, or what career field I'll be planning for, but who knows!? I certainly don't! All in God's hands!

Can't wait for Thanksgiving! God bless and happy Turkey hunting! :)

Join NET?

I said earlier that I was applying to join NET Ministries, which I did, and today I got a phone call! "NET Ministry" is what my phone said when it rang! :) Honestly when I heard it the first time, I asked myself "Did I really just hear that?!" before I jumped up and ran to find a phone. Praise God! They invited to go on an Interview Weekend at the NET Center from January 21st through the 23rd! I could not be more thrilled or excited!

For anyone who prayed for me, thank you and please continue to! I am so excited for the future. I can not wait to DO SOMETHING!

To find out more about NET Ministries, please visit www.netusa.org

Snail Mail

So, I did it! I send my application in the mail today for NET and I honestly could not be more at peace or excited! I have talked on here before about wanting to make a different, and to do God's will and I really feel like right now, God is saying NET. I feel so honored I get to take advice from some of the most holy people I know, like Michelle, and really have this opportunity at all.

I am not sure as to whether or not I will get a invitation to an interview, or not, but I know either way that I am only doing as God wishes. If God wants me on NET next year, it will happen, if not, I know he has something in store for me.

Right now, I'm also trying to decide which Senior Pictures to give out. I had them done by Mindy May Photography, which I'd recommend, and I'm really impressed with how they turned out. God is good!

Keep praying and check out www.netusa.org during some free time.

What is God calling YOU to?

Discerning the originally thought discerned.

So, I am doing it... The unthinkable to me 2 years ago has now taken place. I just finished my Application for NET Ministries USA and let me tell you, I feel so light, so content and just at peace and almost anticipation about it. My sophomore year I really thought about NET hard, and, after months I felt like God was telling me no. A few months ago though, I starting thinking about it. Not sure why but it just was laid on my heart like a best friend I couldn't ignore.

It really is amazing how great the Lord is. I feel like he is sending me on this Adventure and just showering me with beauty and joy.

So, you might be wondering right now, what is NET? Well in case you don't know, it stands for National Evangelistic Teams. The main mission of NET Ministries is to challenge young Catholics (usually grades 8-12) to embrace their faith and the Church. There are 10 teams made up of over 100 young adults between the ages of 18 and 28. Each October, they hit the road armed with suitcases, sleeping bags, guitars, bibles, rosaries and hearts burning for Christ. The teams each lead retreats 6 days a week, and when not leading retreats, they share their faith where ever they are. So, here I go... Maybe next October I'll be leaving Minnesota to lead youth around our country closer to Christ. :) If you are interested in learning more about NET, or would like to donate to NET Ministries, please check out www.netusa.org/

Thanks for reading and God Bless!

Contemplating Continues

So, I sent in an email to NET in request for an application to apply to be a NETter in the year of 2011-2012. So weird to even be thinking about it, but I need to really try to follow God's will. I will soon be receiving a application!

School has started and all is well! I can't say I'm happy to be back in school, but I do enjoy learning. My classes are going well so far and most of my teachers are pretty nice! We'll see how this semester unfolds soon here though!

Forgot to post this last month, but in July my friend's little boy arrived healthy and handsome last month! They are both doing well and he is just the most precious little guy! God is good! :)

Contemplating

So... To whom it may concern,

I'm feeling a tug towards what I said a year ago I wouldn't be contemplating... NET ministries.

I really thought I'd already discerned it, but I guess God wants me to think it over again.

School is starting here in a month and, though I'm excited, it's quite nerve racking to think summer is over... It hasn't set in quite yet. I can't believe I'm going to be driving to school everyday in rush hour traffic, not so cool but necessary.

Works been good and luckily I've gotten a few more babysitting jobs to help with financial costs of driving to school, church events and savings. My senior pictures are coming up too and I can't wait to have them taken, I'm praying for a clean and clear day! ;) haha

Only 12 Months

So... I miss it.

It has been nearly a year since I last stepped foot on the tropical, beautiful and relaxing island. Oh do I miss it, but you see it's not the island I miss, it's the people. 100% the people.

As much as I enjoy the heat, humid and sticky air, :) the smiling faces, the joy, the eagerness to learn and the children is what I miss so incredibly much.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then one smile on their faces has to be worth a million. The people of the Dominican are unlike any I have known, so much unlike Americans in every way possible. As crazy as I may sound, I want to go back so much! I just feel this intense calling to go, and it is pulling my heart in such a strong way it's impossible for me not to know where he wants me. It's like a billboard sign right in front of my face, screaming... LAUREN, BE A MISSIONARY! I can't ignore it! I can't deny it, I can only pray and trust that Christ will provide for me to go, and to be truly His hands and His feet. I will mess up sometimes, that is a given. I won't always know what to do, I know that. But with Christ, I can do it.

12 Months! Nearly 12 months ago this all happened. Now I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to be doing 12 months from now. I can honestly say that right now, I have no idea. I'm not sure where I'll be, what I'll be doing or whom I'll be with, but I pray that it's God's will and that, by the grace of God, I have the courage and the strength to follow.

Summer Updates

SCHOOL:
So an update from the year... School went well, I did a lot better in college my second semester, as I ended up getting straight As! I hung out mainly with my besties, Nichole, Anita, Liz, Alecia, Michelle, Erin, Angela, Sadie, Hannah and so many others, but I made quite a few new friends as well! I am so happy school is done though, it was so much work to have a huge math assignment every night. The next time I take math won't be til at least 2011!



PROM:
I just went to prom on May 22nd and might I say, AMAZING! I had an absolute blast with all my friends. I really think next year you should come to Catholic Prom! :)




WORK:
Guess what? I got a job! I'm a hostess at Applebee's in Rogers! I really need the money if I ever want to go back to the Dominican, so right now I'm trying to save all my money and only spend cash on things I need, like gas for my car. I am also trying to get some more babysitting jobs since I'm not really making that much at work. Hopefully things will all work out.

SUMMER:
Not doing too much but working and saving. I can't wait for my friends little boy to finally arrive! I am excited to start school in August, where I will be taking World History, American Government and Politics, Public Speaking and Relationships, Marriage and Family! Woah!