"That Girl..." Needs YOUR HELP!!

This is a photo of Andy and Amy.

We have been friends for a long time. I met Andy in 2004, and I met Amy in 2005. Amy was one of my roommates for a year. I love them with all of my heart, and am excited as the Lord has called them into missions. I also love their humor and fun-loving spirits...one time Amy drank 3 Hi-C Juice boxes in under a minute and crushed the boxes on her head.

I have the coolest friends in the world.



We are so excited that they are going to get married tomorrow....It's such a Happy DAY!!

They asked me to read scripture at their wedding, and I GET TO CHOOOSE!

Please, that's like asking Ben & Jerry to choose their favorite flavor of ice cream.

So you have to help me TODAY to pick out which one(s) I am reading.
I have prayed over several and I want you guys to help me pick the winners!

No I Cor 13 here...it's pretty but there's some other good stuff in that Book.



#1: Romans 15:5-7 (NIV)---
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Wow, I love these two verses. I first came across it in a Bonhoeffer wedding sermon and fell in love with it. Then I was praying about my relationship with Seth one day (that we could have love that was rooted and grounded in Christ and His Word), and I read it again on an airplane as I was traveling that day. I was blown away, and I always think of it when I think of agape love.

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#2: I John 4:7-12
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

I have always thought that I John speaks such anelegant and beautiful word about the purpose of our love for Him and each other--the Love of Christ compels us to love each other WELL.


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#3: Romans 12:9-13
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

My friends Mandy and Luke told me that they had this read at their wedding, and since Andy and Amy are going into the mission field soon, it might be really appropriate.

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#4: Ephesians 4:1-6
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Gosh I love this little passage. So good. Speaks for itself.




Alright Bloggerotsky---vote away, and make it quick, 'cause they are getting married in the morning!




They are even more fun than they look, by the way....



HURRY!

Photos and Mind Dump.

There are Kristin and Hann in all their glory: matching t-shirts and eating subway.





the kid loves to eat. Must be genetic. And check out the purple headband. I have a good feeling she wanted the purple one not because it matched, but precisely because it was indeed purple. I already know she looks like me when she eats. You should see her at Mi Pueblo...

• Go to Judy's blog for the whole story on my little characters and their hilarious ways.

• It's official: I am the new Director of University Housing at OCU! Big girl job...YAY!
• I'm looking around this apartment, and it's not pretty, folks. I think about moving and I never want to buy anything again. I want to give the majority of my worldly goods to Goodwill (not so much because I am a giving person--I am, but not that giving...I just don't want to move all of this crap.) Wonder if they do pick-up...
• I really want to see a couple of movies coming out. Hello, Made of Honor!! Seth said he didn't want to see it (he said he already met his quota of chick flicks in our relationship. I say one [27 Dresses, which he enjoyed, btw] is not sufficient. I watched two Bourne movies in one night!! I do love the Bourne movies in all fairness). So I'm looking for someone to go with me. Any takers, blogerotsky?
• I want Starbucks so badly right now. My body is screaming for a Caramel Macchiato. Sweet baby those things are good!
• I have been reading this amazing book called The Passionate Church. If you guys are serious about discipleship in the Church Universal, you want this book. You really, really want it. LIFESHAPES--I soooo want to teach this concept!
• God has been doing some very significant things in my heart for church growth beginning about six months ago. Little did I know then that we would see God use it at my precious FBC Bicknell...God is moving, and I can't wait for the opportunity to share more about that with you...stay tuned!!
• One of my lifelong dreams is to be a radio Deejay. How fun would that be? Not sure where that came from...
• www.perrynoble.com had some fabulous blogs in the last couple of days. Single ladies (don't know how many of you read this blog) please check out the post directed to singles--and don't settle for anything less than that!
• please pray for me. It's going to be a busy week, and I need Jesus to do some big things...like finals-I would love to pass all my classes with flying colors this semester and maybe even make the dean's list again...Your prayer is appreciated.
• Pray for my friend that I tutor. His final is on Wednesday and he's pretty nervous. Can't give you his name, but God knows :)
• please pray also-tonight is our last meeting for Response this year--my heart is weeping for these women that I love more than anything!!

love you all! Thanks for your prayers!

No Water.

There is currently a low water-pressure situation in Cox Hall.

So that means a high-pressure situation with approximately 70 college girls who enjoy taking showers on a daily basis.

It's days like today when I have to remind myself why I took this job.

...to offer the Living Water.

Now that may seem corny. But it's true. In fact, I took on this role to share the Gospel with young women and to see it transform their lives. So although I have no water to offer them except out of my Brita pitcher, I do have SOMETHING to offer them.

And he can make them Clean.

(ooh, that reminds me, check out Shane and Shane's CD by the same name. You will totally rejoice that you itunesed--I'm making this a verb because I want to, dang it.-- it and will groove to their sweet harmony...)

So we have no water. But friends, I got something wayyyy better.

Thirsty? Check out John 4.

dare ya.



UPDATE:
Water back on this morning. I took a nice shower! {"...That Girl" does happy little dance..}

Dang. Time Flies When You're Having Fun.

I graduate from college one month from tomorrow.

Whew. Scary.

Where the heck did these four years go?

I'll tell ya. I spent my last four years laughing, crying, building the most solid relationships of my life, and learning to love Jesus more. I feel like my time at OCU has shaped my faith journey in so many ways.

(is there an age limit on nostalgia? hope not.)

God has used this faith community to change my life and make me fall more in love with Him. Right now it's bittersweet to imagine packing up my stuff and walking out of dorm life forever. But hopefully on to something different...something new...something beautiful.

I praise God for this place and all that I've learned here.

SENIORITIS....

...has hit....

....me with a baseball bat...

right in the face...


give me that blessed diploma already.

Yay. and Mind Dump.

Yay for Thursday nights!

• I made a pie. It didn't turn out that well. But everyone liked it (or so they said!)
• DAVID ARCHULETA! BROOKE WHITE! need I say more?
• I left groceries at the grocery. Hate it when I do that! Then the walk of shame..."so I left some groceries here, and uh...."
• Seth arranged for me to go to a very special leadership conference in September and I was so moved and grateful that he got special permission for me to attend. He loves me a lot and I'm thankful for him.
• Terri's daughter (and my new friend!!) Sarah is having a sleepover tomorrow night with some of my other new friends. And I'm going to crash it after I spend some time with Seth's sweet parents!!! Hope they don't mind when I show up with my pj's for a good time (and maybe some chocolate??)...
• Maybe I might be doing Ash's wedding invitation addressing sometime this weekend. I hope to see both Ash and Heather in the process! I LOVE GIRL TIME (can you tell?)
• I am getting baptized by immersion on Sunday. (More on that this weekend: hopefully with pictures...B--can you help a sister out??!)
• I need a new cell phone.
• My life is good.
• I want to learn to play the guitar like Sandra McCracken.
• God has been giving me understanding of Psalm 86:11. You should read it. It's challenging.
• Please pray for Andrew--not feeling well this week--doc appointment this weekend. I love this little boy and am praying for a complete and total healing!
• While I'm on subject, please also remember my friends Brandon and Jeannette. They are fellow religious studies students and husband and wife. Currently Brandon is in Kuwait serving our country, and I saw Jeannette today--it broke my heart to see how much she was missing Brandon and worrying about him. Please pray for them both as it takes its toll. Praise God for brave folks like Brandon who give up so much that we can be free!
• Does anyone know of a way to get Angie the dog to STOP licking me? I know I'm sweet, but c'mon! ha.
• I was reminded tonight that a seminary degree is beneficial for lifelong ministry involvement-even if that ministry is chasing three-year-olds, giving bottles, and rocking babies to sleep. But I am still praying that someday God will make a way for me to have a vibrant women's ministry. Who knows, maybe both at once...I am nothing if not ambitious!
• Confession: I watch the heathen show "Lipstick Jungle" and then have text discussions with my awesome sister-in-law, Shannon. Yes, it's rotten and I shouldn't, but I do.
• It's Grey's Anatomy's fault. I haven't had a new episode in so long I needed some drama (not like I have enough living with 70+girls!).
• I love Amos Lee's music. His voice is like buttah and you should listen to it!
• I think that Emmanuel Lewis and Gary Coleman should do a show together on cable. Rachel and I would be their biggest fans!
• Easter is coming up soon. I love Easter and celebrating the Resurrection--proving Jesus didn't come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people ALIVE.

That's it. I think. I love you guys.

Zac Efron's Appearance at Cox Hall and Other Strange Happenings of the Day.

The girls at Cox Hall made out with Zac Efron (think High School Musical) tonight. Now, GBR, I know what you are thinking: "I thought Laur ran that place with a solid moral compass! what happened to modesty?"

well, great news. They didn't actually make out with him per se.

Instead, they planted smooches on his magazined face while blindfolded. YES, tonight my girls played pin the kiss on Zac Efron. WOW. I couldn't believe it myself.

ew ew ew ew ew ew.

ew. he is soooo overrated.

However, that can mean only one thing: My favorite holiday is coming because we definitely had a Valentine's Day Party at Cox Hall tonight. Leigha and Heather did a supremely legit job handling the party, which included the aformentioned game as well as valentine-making contest, a BINGO game, and a V-Day quiz. All of this has really gotten me excited, considering that there are only two more days until my favorite holiday! everyone get ready. not to mention, I have a hot date that's completely a surprise [although i plan to figure it out and crack the code soon...as always:] with my sweet and charming boyfriend.

yay!

I am also watching one of the most romantic movies ever made...which happens to be directed by another Ephron...(NORA, that is.)

love it!

a little snippet for you:
Joe Fox: Don't cry, Shopgirl. Don't cry.

Kathleen Kelly: I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly.

by the way, my roommate made a really, really cool valentine with my help tonight. It had the Loch Ness monster and it said "Our Hearts are Loch-ed together."

Even Nessie loves her some V-DAY!

Decisions, Decisions.

Please pray for me. I have a lot of them to make.

And I don't know what to do.


Please pray for Seth and his church family tomorrow as well. The FBC Bicknell church body will decide on his candidacy as senior pastor tomorrow.


so...

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
Psalm 33:20-21



Here's hoping the Giants upset the Patriots and take them to Super Bowl School. [i know, wishful thinking...]

CNN + Religion (?)

Raise your hand if you are excited about watching the CNN special "God's Warriors" featuring the research of the famed journalist Christiane Amanpour. Mine's up!

CNN has been advertising this special regularly, and my curiosity has definitely been piqued. The first part of the special, which focuses on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (that's it as far as I know...) will air tomorrow night, and Amanpour will be on Larry King Live tonight to talk about her research and the special as a whole. I am very interested to see how Christians, Jews, and Muslims are portrayed by a journalist I greatly respect. It's worth watching.

Sorry for my lack of blog ethic the past few days, but my reasons are legit, I promise. We have been preparing for everyone to move into the dorm (and with girls you can imagine what that's like...) and serving them in any way we can. I can already see God moving and my staff is passionate about creating an environment that the young women feel comfortable in. It's exciting to see them hang out in the lobby (today it was to watch High School Musical 2, they are also passionate about that for sure! hee hee) and want to build relational channels that will hopefully encourage them and spur them "on toward love and good deeds." (see Hebrews for details.)

Tune in tomorrow for Eve Ensler in Glamour...Lauren's impressed with a fashion mag?? Yes, it's true. You'll have to read to believe.