Hungry for Love

I was having dinner with my dad and some friends the other night when he mentioned something that made me stop and think. As he told my new friends a little bit about my mom, he shared about our bookstore and the ministry that came of it.

"Cheryl always said that when people came in and wandered around for a little while, and then came up to the counter and said, 'I don't know why I'm here,' that she was to encourage and pray with them."

I want to be careful not to make the woman who birthed me into some kind of saint on this blog, but she was a mighty fine lady. She was also onto something.

People are hungry for something and they don't even know what.


But we do.

It's called love. Sometimes people just need to be loved.
Even mean people.
Even cold people.
Even difficult people.
Even people who have abandoned the faith.
Even people who have hurt us deeply in the past.
Even people who are absent--those who have checked out of life as they knew it.

It's true that some people need a swift kick in the rear as well--that is also loving when appropriate.

They wander in and out of our lives just like they wandered in and out of our store.

Do you see their hunger? Do you even notice them?


Maybe it's a coworker that's always hanging out at the water cooler with sad looking eyes. Maybe it's your daughter's friend Aubrey who is ALWAYS over at your house and requires much more patience than you have to offer at times. Maybe it's a family member who is always critical to you and everyone else but keeps coming over to visit.


Do we see them? Do we hear their unvoiced cries for help? Do we have the courage to passionately share His truth with them in love? Or do we ignore them in order to maintain our pristine image and perfect social life and some sense of our sanity?

We have a divine responsibility to take the time and spare willingly the energy required to truly love people who float in and out of our lives. (Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that we should enable people or allow them to abuse our bodies, minds, or spirits.) Everyone so desperately needs love.




Maybe it's you, dear reader. Maybe you're the one who stumbled upon this blog and you don't even know why you are reading or following this blog. Can I know your name and your story? It would be my honor to pray with you and to encourage you along this sometimes bumpy road called life? If you're not sure why you are here, please email me at lauren.thatgirl@gmail.com and tell me about you. It would be my honor to listen.


If you know of someone who has wandered into your life, I dare you to show them the love of Christ and see what happens. If that's the case, I encourage you to leave a comment with a prayer over the first name of the person in your life who needs the most love.

That Girl Moment #924: Parental Advisory.

I try to be cool.
Let me just let you know that I know this effort is futile.


But I wanna give my best shot and fire away like Pat Benatar would want me to. My use of pop culture references like the aforementioned are ways for me to try and let people know I am on the "up and up" but as we all know, that isn't true. I'm so far behind on the coolness meter that I am ahead.

Working with college kids only makes me want to be cooler. I like for them to want to hang out with me, trust me, and think that I am someone who is on their side and wants to advocate for them.

Noble?

Eh. I also want them to think I'm stylish and hilarious if you want the truth. I have no original material when it comes to humor so that presents a problem. I wasn't born with the humor gene like Conan O'Brien (umm humor and hair volume? What the heck? UNFAIR.) or my friend Rachel, who could tell you a story and keep you in stitches and then sew you right back up with that classy biology degree she got from OCU. I am not quick-witted like my BFF Jami or silly-funny like my roommate Nicole. It takes me three or four minutes to get a punchline and by that time everyone has moved on two miles down the road of conversation, leaving me with my thumb out hitching a ride.

I tend to be fairly innocent from time to time and assume that everything is a clean and shiny as I'd like it to be. I was reminded of such yesterday.

My friend Jeremy is a really funny person. He has a very dry sense of humor and sometimes can be extremely sarcastic. He made an interview video which he asked someone a question that practically made me pee my pants right in this here office chair. So yesterday, I decided to steal from the best and leave the rest. Don't worry your pretty little heads Bloggerotsky, because I was soooo going to give him Comedic Credit for the laughs I was about to get.


I got laughs all right. But they weren't the kind where people are laughing with you.

Epic FAIL.

A dear friend and OCU student/new RA named Isaac came in to visit yesterday. He was the perfect person to try out my new comedy act on....right?



eh eh.



I walked up to him, and whoomp there it went.

I said,

"Isaac, what are YOU going to do to bring the Boom Boom Pow to RA Training this year?"

and started to convulse laugh like Ed the Hyena because of my comedic victory of referencing some Black Eyed Peas song and a funny joke at the same time. My cool meter went through the roof. I just knew it.


Clearly my thermometer was still Broke-ed.


Isaac looked at me for a second with some measure of astonishment. Then he gave me a small grin and shook his head.

"Lauren, have you heard that song?" Isaac asked me.

I went on to tell him not really because they just sing it so darn fast and Fergie Ferg has Will.i.Am all crazy and ALL I KNOW IS THAT THEY SAY BOOM BOOM BOOM a whole lot and well frankly then I TURN IT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S SORTA ANNOYING AND ALL.


"It's a bad song. It has bad connotations...."


Oh bother.

"Umm, are you sure?? Are you positive?"

"Look it up!" said Isaac the Wise.


I did.


Those are some awkward and nonsensical lyrics. With expletives. And badness in the form of negative subject matter. Too negative to be referencing to a college kid.

dang it.


The Cool Kid train done left the station and That Girl missed it by a minute. All were not aboard. Not to mention instead I accidentally got on the train that leads kids into the den of badness. I guess Fergie Ferg is G-L-A-M-O-R-OUS enough to be the only one in the world to pull off a conductor hat.

I plead ignorance. Isaac is no worse for the wear, and I finally realized after feeling bad for five minutes or so that Isaac had to have heard the song to know it was a song of badness.

So I didn't lead him on the train to Fergalicious Town. I rejoiced with great rejoicing. Then I thought that even though I didn't know it was bad, it was still pretty dang funny.


If only Tipper Gore had given me a Parental Advisory Holla before I spoke of all things Black Eyed and Pea.

If only I could bring in the Boom Boom Pow like ole Tipper.

People That Girl Would Like to Meet

There are certain people with whom I would love to sit down and chat. For a real long time. Let's be honest. I would call them my BFFs after one cup of coffee, too.




All joking aside, I believe in mentorship and learning from others who have been successful in living an abundant life and having a powerful ministry because of their faithfulness and character.


In no particular order.


HELLO! BETH MOORE! Not only do I want to meet her, I want to join Beth, Melissa, and Amanda for Moorder. If you are a siesta, you know what I'm talking about :D And I want to know the secret of her hair volume too.

Gary Haugen.

Francine Rivers. I sat behind her on a bus once but I had not yet read Redeeming Love. WHAT A SHAME. A CRYING SHAME.

Sara Groves. Her work with IJM is so inspiring.

Nancy Alcorn, founder of Mercy Ministries. WOW, people. WOW.

Bethany Dillon. Met her once, but I done tole ya I want to be BFF, dang it.

Angie Smith.

BooMama. Her love for Dave Barnes is so completely respectable. Let's hang out and put "All That Noise" on repeat and air jam the tuba part, shall we?

Karen Kingsbury.

Perry Noble, pastor at Newspring Church, where my friend Clayton is on staff as a teaching pastor.

Elisabeth Elliot.

Brandon Heath.

these people are doing stuff for the Kingdom that BLOWS MY MIND. I would love to learn from them.



and, while we're at it, just because:

Jasmine Star...wow. I can tell from her photos that her ministry is capturing precious moments for people and helping them feel positive about themselves. Some of her photos would make Annie Leibowitz say, dang girl. that was a good shot..


Wendy of Wendy's fame. Like the daughter of Dave Thomas. Wendy, if you are reading this, I want to be friends! Any friend of The Frosty is a friend of mine. Let's get together, yeah yeah yeah.

which leads me to

Hayley Mills. Who does not love the accent, The Parent Trap, and do not forget her classic run on Saved By the Bell as Miss Bliss?

J Lo. Mostly because I feel that she would call me Mamacita. That would be the best if Jennifer Lopez called me a nickname and everyone else I know started calling me that, too. But then the name of this blog might have to change to That Mamacita and we'd have to buy a new domain name. (The new one is www.thatgirllauren.com, by the way--thank you Sethy.)

Condoleezza Rice.

Andy Griffith.

Clinton and Stacy. Lord knows I need to be on What Not to Wear. My whole closet is themed in black, not because I am a goth, but because someone told me one time if I wore black it would make me look skinnier. So I figured, more is less and all so I bought up a whole bunch of black clothes and honestly I forgot that other colors existed for a while. Plus, it's very hard to be a 23-year-old in the plus-sized section and simultaneously avoid wearing a muumuu or something Toots, my eighty-something Grandma, would enjoy more than me.


There's just a few for you.



Bloggerotsky, it's your turn. Who do you want to meet? I know you probably want to meet Jesus and the cast of characters in the Bible, but other than that, with whom would you like to spend a day?

Q & A Time: Part # Who Knows.

Won't you join me for another edition of answering Bloggerotsky questions?



Deanna asks:
Hi Lauren. Would love to hear more about you and Seth.... how you met, etc.!!! If it's already on your blog, maybe you could just post the links?!!! :)



Deanna, I am so happy that you asked that particular question for a number of reasons. First of all, I love talking about Seth and if you give me an excuse to discuss him, it's even better!
Secondly, today, June 9, 2009 is the second anniversary of our very first date! So I'd be happy to fill you in on the details! Allow me the privilege of waxing nostalgic for a moment as I tell the story.


The short story is:
I baked him a pie.

The Long Story is:

I met Seth for the first time at Mi Pueblo, my very favorite restaurant. I was eating with my BFF Ashley. She knew SEth and he and his friend came to sit with us. I was in high school at the time. After that meal I told Ashley wasn't too sure what I thought about that guy. She assured me that he was awesome. I raised my eyebrows.


I left Mi Pueblo that afternoon not knowing what God had in store a few years down the road.



My friendship with Ashley continued and every once in a while she would mention something about her friend Seth and how nice he was. Her mom would also make comments. We were both active in the same Emmaus community and had a few mutual friends so I would hear his name. I can't explain how but I would think about him from time to time. "I wonder what he is up to these days." Perhaps a desire to get a new opinion of him since my friends all had such respect for him.
I didn't date at all in High School, which ended up being a very good thing for me. My freshman year at OCU, I got an email from a lady who attended FBC saying she had a guy she wanted me to meet.
Sweet! So I began emailing back and forth with the guy. After several emails, he asked me out. Turns out, he was the music director at FBC, where Seth was still serving as the youth pastor. While Brian made plans for our blind date, he solicited advice from his friends, including (you guessed it) Seth.
(I know I have a crazy life but what are the odds, people?)
I went out with Brian that night, and as life would so ironically have it, we saw Seth and a friend of mine walking down the street. Brian pulled over and we talked with them, and I remember thinking that his eyes looked very kind--I know, pass the cheese-- and he was very nice to me. I remember thinking that maybe I had "that guy" pegged wrong.

After my one and only date with Brian, I knew it wasn't the right fit. He loved the Lord but we were in very different stages of life. As life would again hand out the irony, Brian went on to meet a great girl named Summer and they lived happily ever after as SETH performed their wedding ceremony.

haha.

Why yes, I am That Girl.

Fast forward through a few more years, one heartbreak, missions, more school, a call to ministry, and a cancer diagnosis. In April of 2007 Seth and I were asked to work the same retreat. At the first meeting, we did a 'get-to-know-you' game. I really had a desire to know him better, so I walked over and he then was my partner. We each had to talk for a minute about ourselves. I told him about K, H, and E and he told me about his dog, Angie. He seemed really nice! We had a delightful little conversation and I was sure he was a good man. I ended up in Seth's prayer group. We all shared prayer concerns (he may sell my new domain name and kill me for this, but) and Seth asked us to pray because he wanted to find someone with whom to share his life-someone who would have a passion for serving people and ministry.

I died and went to Heaven right there.

Later that week I discussed with my BFF Jami how cute I thought he was and what he had said. Then I got out the directory and paced back and forth trying to figure out a way to call him. I decided I would call "ALL" the people in my prayer group and see how they were doing. I had never done that before or since. I was SO NERVOUS when I called him because I didn't want to sound like a freak (like every other moment of my life--he's QUITE used to it now, I think), and I just asked him how I could keep him in prayer this week and just to see how things were going. Utterly lame, I know. He was like, "Well, just what I told you this week pretty much." It took every ounce of self-control I had not to say, "Honey, I have heard you preach and I would like to be the answer to your prayers."

I got off the phone, looked at Jami who was there for moral support and said, "Welp, I blew that. He thinks I am a total whackjob."

Little did I know that Seth asked his roommate that night about me. Including if I was single.

During the retreat he always came to talk to me or to see if I needed any help. We bonded over funny stuff and ministry and Caedmon's Call's best album ever. Most of all we bonded over Jesus and His love for us.

Ashley and I schemed after the retreat, and we invited him to Mi Pueblo-where else, no wonder Mexican soap operas are so popular- with a bunch of other "friends" for no reason in particular we said. He showed up and said that he thought women could do anything men could do in ministry. I think that song "I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight" may have come on my mental jukebox. We started texting that night and I became That Girl to the people in the church community where he served. They desperately wanted to figure out who That Girl Seth is always texting was.

Through our "conversations" I learned that Seth is a big fan of pie. One morning I got up DETERMINED to bless him. So I got out the recipes and I whipped up a pretty fantastic strawberry pie. I called him up, drove to Office Max where he was, and said this AWESOME line.
"Um. Hi. Umm, I brought, I made you this pie. HERE!" I basically threw it into his arms.

He liked the pie. The next week I happened to have a roommate working at the camp the same week as Seth, so I drove up to see her (haha) and happened to run into Seth. Then I happened to give him a bag of Chex Mix. I am such a believer of winning the heart through the stomach. Can you tell?

It paid off. Seth invited me to a friend's barbecue (it may or may not have been on facebook if you want to know the truth...).
We sat on this sweet little swing and talked until we looked up finally and realized we were the last ones there. That was two years ago today.



And that was the end of the beginning.



Now that Deanna and everyone else who reads this blog is so incredibly glad she asked that question (i just didn't want to leave anything out!), let's go to the cyber-mailbag for another question.

Savannah asks:
How are you always so positive? It's....so hard for me to do! Any advice or verses you use?

Savannah, I am certainly not "ALWAYS" so positive. Just like everyone else on earth, I have my moments when I feast on the anxiety and negativity that this world has to offer. I have always been a person who enjoys life, and I think it's hard to have fun in the water if you are always looking around for who peed in the pool, so to speak. Honestly, since my mom's death I have realized how important it is to live every moment completely and not to waste it dwelling on what I DON'T have or what I am NOT. Instead I can count my blessings and focus on what God HAS given me.
That's a double-edged sword because since her death, although I understand the importance, I have found it hard to be as positive as I was before. I am not making excuses. I am only saying I want to get back to the place where my mind does not go to the negative immediately. Even if I don't voice that and give off the air of remaining positive, the battle is lost in my mind.

Negativity steals the joy God has so richly given us. I have made up my mind that I don't have time to lose or throw away, and having a negative attitude does both. God's word tells us in Ecclesiastes:

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

If that's the case, and eternity has been set in my heart, does this light and momentary affliction really affect me that greatly in the light of forever?
Probably not.
And has He not suffered and endured in greater things for me than I will ever face in this life?

John 16:33 convinces me that there is nothing that can get in my way of living and loving if I put Jesus as the center of my life. Furthermore, if He is for me, who can be against me? Plus, what does complaining and pining for what I don't have get me except a lot less friends and an ulcer? It doesn't change anything. It only makes me miserable.

A line from Martina McBride says it best:
I've come to know/that the world won't change just 'cause I complain/let the axis twirl/I'm a happy girl.
Hope that answers your question a little bit!


Jenn wants to know about my jamz.
I love your playlist! I even have some of the same songs on my playlist. You seem to have quite a diverse mix...what is your favorite kind of music?

Oh girl. First of all let me just say a great big thank you for noticing because I lurve me some music. My favorite musician is Dave Barnes. My favorite genre is definitely singer-songwriter acoustic stuff. Is that even a genre, you may ask? Yes. It is because I just decided it was just now. I also love Sandra McCracken and Derek Webb. Give me some U2 and a Coca-Cola Classic and I'm one gleeful chick. Bring on the Patty Griffin with a side of Bebo Norman and for dessert, Bethany Dillon and Shane and Shane. Let's not forget the Taylor Swift with a twist of Watermark (christy nockels--that girl can SAAANG) as well as a hint of Hillsong United and let's add some Abba for good measure. While we're at it, why don't we add a little Johnny and June and some TobyMac to the party? Let's keep it real with Charlie Hall and Tenth Avenue North. I am groovin' to Jimmy Needham and Aretha. Throw a little old-school Point of Grace (they're still pure awesomeness after all these years) and some Leeland and you've got yourself a heck of a playlist.

As you can see, I really enjoy almost all genres of music. I always keep in mind that just because it may not have the label Christian on it does not limit God's use of it in my life. Truth and beauty can be found in lots of unexpected places.




Thanks for sticking around to the end and for all of your questions, faithful ones. I love you more than I love The Goonies and hot tamales.

You Do All Thing Well...

I think God wants me to say to my readers today that He doesn't make mistakes. He doesn't make anything that is sub-par or not as good. He makes nothing He doesn't think is beautiful or creative or unique. He does all things well.

If you are feeling less-than-gorgeous
having a bad hair day
having insecurity issues
feeling ugly or fat
if you glanced in the mirror only to wish you hadn't this morning
if you have bags under your eyes from being up all night with a sick or hungry child
if your hands have dirt underneath them from cleaning house or garden
if those around you have trampled on you by words or actions, leaving you feeling unwanted
if no one has recognized the beauty within you, leaving you doubtful that it exists


Satan would like for you to feel completely defeated today, therefore keeping you from offering the beauty of your life to those around you.


let our very real Enemy be silenced with this:

"You are the one who put me together

inside my mother's body,

and I praise you

because of the wonderful way

you created me.

Everything you do is marvelous!

Of this I have no doubt.

Nothing about me is hidden from you!

I was secretly woven together

deep in the earth below,

but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed.

Even before I was born, you had written in your book

everything I would do.

Psalm 139:13-16, CEV

Read that out loud until you believe it. Let it sink into your spirit.

You are beautiful, my Bloggerotsky!

Father, I pray that you would reveal the beauty you have placed inside each of my readers. Show them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. We know that you do all things well. Helps us to believe that about ourselves and free us to always look for the beauty in others without envy or jealousy. In the strong name of Jesus, AMEN.

How can God empower you to offer your beauty to the world today without fear of rejection?

Not Me! Monday.

MckMama is teaching all of us in blog world to be brutally honest and live to tell about it.


Here goes:

I would NEVER, ever drive and talk on my cell phone at the same time on a pretty Saturday afternoon.

Furthermore, I would not even DREAM of driving without my hands at ten and two and without constantly glancing behind me in my rearview, up ahead on the road, and in my side mirrors. Another thing I would never do is get so ridiculously lost in conversation with my dear friend that I forget what else I am doing: operating a motor vehicle.


Sheesh. What kind of person do you think I am??


I would never, ever look up and realize that I am headed for the hind end of an Aztec. Since that would NEVER happen, there would be no need for me to lock up my brakes, right?


{Not me, folks. CLEARLY not me.}



Since those things would never happen, you KNOW that I didn't hit that Aztec in the back. I didn't rear-end that Aztec. Never. And I sure didn't hit it very HARD!

I certainly did not see my life flash before me, and of course I didn't cry and shake like a newborn hamster. An elderly gentlemen who did not look like George Burns did not climb out of the car still chewing his cigar (I would have bit it clean in two if I got rear-ended) and tell me, "It's okay, honey. These things happen."

There's no way I would've wrecked my car in front of the new First Federal on the main drag in Washington, and that makes it impossible for me to have stood on the side of the road with snot dripping from my nose and long sleeves on in the blazing heat looking on awkwardly as the cars passed. Bloggerotsky, please. I have way more class than that! And I most certainly did not not take a shower that morning and have nasty hair. Because that would be so gross and awkward. I would have never sweat even more on the side of the road and have my hair go from nasty to nasty and stringy.

There is no chance that the Emergency officials saw EVERYTHING, from lock up to impact, because they would never be showing off their antique fire engine in the bank parking lot.

I certainly did not act like a sixteen-year-old kid, apologizing over and over for my lack of discretion. I am way more mature than that, people.

I didn't call my daddy to come rescue me. He DID NOT take me out to Scoops to make me feel better.

And of course, I didn't total sweet little Darla, who has been with me through thick and thin since 2002. Her hood wasn't partially perpendicular to the car or anything. And it wasn't like a movie at all with the smoke pouring out of her engine.
I wasn't mad at all that my airbag didn't deploy.

I didn't cry a little more when I got to the body shop to see her in such a condition.

I would never not keep fancy clothes at my old homestead in Loogootee for emergency situations. I would never have to go raid Ashley's closet and wear a dress without a girdle of some sort. I was raised right!

I would never be slightly late to my speaking engagement and be totally frazzled. God would certainly never send my friend Colleen there to pray with me and calm me down before speaking to 30+ women.

I would never get in my dad's car and drive all the way to Oakland City only to figure out that my apartment keys were back in Loogootee. I wouldn't drive at 11pm to the Thompson's to sleep on their couch only to discover a horrible accident on Hwy. 61. I did not, of course, wait in my car for over 45 minutes as they brought the heliocopter in to lifelight someone out. I did not start crying all over again and thanking God to be alive.

I did not wear a black dress and weird-looking white shoes with my legs that did not need to be shaved to church and my toenails that did not need to be painted on Sunday because of limited wardrobe choices and limited time.



Because let's face it, my friends. I am soooo not That Girl. Not me!

I'll Take Suggestions...

I am going to start selling T-Shirts at the events I do to underwrite some of the expenses I am getting ready to incur (such as brochures, a new website for the ministry and such) and I am wondering what you would like on them.


I am trying to stay away from too much That Girl for fear of copyright infringement (if anyone has a business background and can clear this up for me it would be greatly appreciated!) but other than that, there are no holds barred for the T-shirt designs!

In fact, I think I will give out some free shirts when they get printed for whoever comes up with some winning quotes or ideas.


Let's hear it!

The Land of Reality.

uh, I don't know if you watch Barefoot Contessa (aka Ina Garten) on Food Network, but on her cooking show, she is doing a series called "Back to Basics."


I was compelled to write this blog when on one of the editions of Back to Basics, she mentions her love of truffle butter and proceeds to use it in her basic recipe (to be fair the episode was about using the oven to cook, whether with low or high heat).


Truffle.Butter.
trufflebutter.
truffle (pigs dig for me and I am expensive) butter...


Okay, Miss Ina. I love ya but TRUFFLE BUTTER is not a basic ingredient for me. Or anyone else I know, for that matter. I am sure truffles are delightful and given what Masaharu Morimoto does with them on Iron Chef America, I am sure they might even be life-changing when I sit down to them (when Jesus is cooking and I can actually afford them), but they are not a basic ingredient for the people of southern Indiana. Here in the land of reality, the only truffle that sees the light of day are those fancy Lindor truffles that have chocolate inside.



Hope your day is Truffle-licious!

Some days I wish I would have chosen to stay in bed all day long.


this is one of those days.



i miss the days of being four years old when it was cool to hide under the covers.



praise Jesus for this:

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

May the Farce Be With You.

So in That Girl fashion, I made a bet with some of my friends, Matt and Josh.


They found it absolutely appalling that I had never seen the Star Wars Trilogy.

Let's face it, Bloggerotsky. I have better things to do.

Like shopping.
or watching GOOD movies.

Which is exactly what I told them.

This could not be, they said. What will it take to get you to watch them?



Mua hah hah hah ha.

So over the past three months, I have picked three films for them to watch. Three GOOD films. Three lovely films. Three films that are interesting.

Pride and Prejudice
Hope Floats
PS I Love You

During the course of viewing these films with my dear friends, they proceeded to make fun of the movies. Such as Bernice in the film Hope Floats.



So Bernice had big glasses.

Okay, I believe Josh and Matt used the term SATELLITES and ANT KILLERS.

hey, not everybody can look like Giselle Bundchen. And they can't say they didn't have any awkward years.


So last night I had to keep up my end of the bargain. I started with Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.




WHAT A SNOOZE. (literally.)

Any ideas how to make it through V and VI without falling asleep? Because regardless of their disrespect of my girl Bernice, they will pause the film until I wake up and anytime I look bored or stare off into space (pun intended), they pause the film and say, "What just happened, Lauren?"

Like I would know even if I was paying attention.

Guest Blog: Bonnie VS. Nikki: The Smackdown.

I asked one of my dearest friends, Krystal, to write a guest blog for me. Up front, you need to know that she calls me "Lolly" as that was my childhood moniker for 10 ever-loving years (okay, to some family members who shall remain nameless it still is...sigh) but what is my pride when you already know so much. In fact, two of Krystal's sisters named on of their pets after me. It filled me with great joy and delight...that is until i found out they named the kitten "Lolly Dolly Dumpling" becuase that was my dad's much-expanded nickname for me. No wonder I wasn't cool in grade school. Or now. But I digress, and I leave you in Krystal's most capable hands to discuss--

who did it better? Bonnie or Nikki?


without further ado...


Bonnie VS. Nikki: The Smackdown
by Krystal Nicole Chestnut, RN (sounds much more clinical that way, don't you agree?)


Okay, here is my analysis of one of the oldest debates in history (at least since 1994 when Nikki released her version): Who did Total Eclipse of the Heart better - Bonnie Tyler or Nikki French?

Bonnie Tyler - Okay, so when you listen to Bonnie belt it out, you feel her pain and agony. She needs you now, tonight. You want everything to work out for her, you almost pity what has become of her and her love life in this song. She makes this song a power ballad and I am sure it can make grown men cry. Has the possibility of putting you in a depressed mood.

Nikki French, on the other hand, makes the song fun; you kinda just have to bounce along with the beat. Her version is definitely a dance club version. Her attitude is yeah, I would like you back, but if you stay away, whatever, I'll just dance to this really cool beat. Has the possibility of lifting you out of that depressing mood (who needs the pain of heartbreak, lets just get up and dance).

Now for the original music video, that award goes to Bonnie. At a few points, you think it might need a good exorcist (talk about bright eyes) and then you're thinking, maybe I should teach at this school (just kidding, but their football uniforms are truly original). Nikki really didn't reach her full potential as an artist in her video, I am afraid. We only see her and the back-ups singing, and then some woman dancing in front of the moon...Where is the drama???? (I am hoping Lolls puts a link for both videos for your viewing enjoyment)

So.....the award for Who does it Best goes to........



BONNIE.

Sorry Nikki, I heard your version first and it will live in my heart forever, but sometimes you just have to feel the song and the heartbreak of the artist.

On Another note, I am feeling a bit cheated. Internet research says the original version was almost 7 minutes long! However, that is only available on Bon's original album (and no music video!). I am going to have to find it so I can hear the 3rd verse and be able to appreciate this classic even more.

*By the way people, I really do have a life; I simply gave Lolly a mini-analysis on the way home from seeing some cadavers and she was instantly jealous she hadn't come up with it first!



A note from That Girl...
Krystal was the first person to ever introduce me to the wonder and majesty of this song. A single of Nikki French's version in a cassette sleeve changed my life that day on the playground of Loogootee Elementary West.


I have obviously never been the same...

Krystal's opinion leaves the comment section open for debate. But do your homework people, and bring your best game to the table. What's not up for discussion is the fact that I had the coolest nickname this side of Mount Saint Helens. You wish your family and friends still call you LOLLS!!

(I Have) Confidence.

One of my favorite films of all time happens to have Julie Andrews prancing and twirling on the side of a mountain. Who can't love that?

Can I get some love for "The Sound of Music"?


I also love this film more than just for its incorporation of prancing, though.

If you'll remember, she decided to leave the convent and become a governess for children she has never met. That decision ends up changing her life (and the family's life) for the better. On her way to meet the Von Trapp family, she sings the song called "(I Have) Confidence."

It's a song about convincing herself that she has what it takes.

------------------

Yesterday evening, I had what I sometimes refer to as an "ugly duckling moment." I'm sure some of you can relate to this phenomenon. It involves:
*feelings of inadequacy
*looking in the mirror and shaking your head
*imagining what lipo would really be like
*thinking about those 10 (or 50)extra pounds and how to get them off quickly
*comparisons to other "more beautiful" women
*a pint of Ben and Jerry's (if you're lucky)
*lack of confidence
*loved ones and friends having to pick up the pieces of some scattered self-esteem

I am being vulnerable here for the sake of knowing that someone out there has had this same experience and wonders if it will ever change.


I have had more than my share of these moments lately as I prepare to give a message called "God Designed You" to some young women on Valentine's Day. The timing says it's our enemy who would not like for me to have confidence in who I am so I can't really speak with the boldness and experience of a women who knows who she is in Christ.

Why?

Because it's dangerous you know. Women who know where true courage and confidence is found. The kind of confidence that knows
*with the Holy Spirit resurrection power, she can do anything
*she is lookin' good, because she is fearfully and wonderfully made and even bad hair days can't take away that from her
*knows that she could stand to lose a few pounds but is learning to take comfort from Jesus and not food (retraining my brain-Romans 12)
*she is unique, so comparisons are like apples and oranges, so to speak
*that confidence comes from knowing a true identity in Christ


Why is it dangerous?

Because a girl like that could change the world, you know.


So what does this mean? I think it's high time we as women (and men for that matter) start memorizing Psalm 139 and telling the enemy where he can go with the fact that we are indeed, fearfully and wonderfully made.

It was really a sight in my apartment last night, me quoting scripture last night and telling the enemy to get himself lost in a cauldron of hot sauce, so to speak...

Unfortunately, this was not after pushing my insecurities off onto the lap of my beloved, asking him questions he often refuses to answer, like why he loves me. He can see it coming a mile away. I tried to explain why I needed to hear that, but when I found myself justifying it, I saw how much it hurt his feelings and how much for me, it was less about Seth and more about my relationship with Jesus. More about how I don't believe HIM when HE SAYS I'm beautiful and capable and worthy of love.


I want to believe that. I have wanted to believe that for a very long time...but just like another famous movie character said, "There is no try."

So it's time to give up wanting to believe those things and start actually believing them.

Just like Maria....

What will this day be like? I wonder.
What will my future be? I wonder.
It could be so exciting to be out in the world, to be free
My heart should be wildly rejoicing
Oh, what's the matter with me?

I've always longed for adventure
To do the things I've never dared
And here I'm facing adventure
Then why am I so scared

A captain with seven children
What's so fearsome about that?

Oh, I must stop these doubts, all these worries
If I don't I just know I'll turn back
I must dream of the things I am seeking
I am seeking the courage I lack

The courage to serve them with reliance
Face my mistakes without defiance
Show them I'm worthy
And while I show them
I'll show me

So, let them bring on all their problems
I'll do better than my best
I have confidence they'll put me to the test
But I'll make them see I have confidence in me

Somehow I will impress them
I will be firm but kind
And all those children (Heaven bless them!)
They will look up to me

And mind me with each step I am more certain
Everything will turn out fine
I have confidence the world can all be mine
They'll have to agree I have confidence in me

I have confidence in sunshine
I have confidence in rain
I have confidence that spring will come again
Besides which you see I have confidence in me

Strength doesn't lie in numbers
Strength doesn't lie in wealth
Strength lies in nights of peaceful slumbers
When you wake up -- Wake Up!

It tells me all I trust I lead my heart to
All I trust becomes my own
I have confidence in confidence alone
(Oh help!)

I have confidence in confidence alone
Besides which you see I have confidence in me!




The only difference between Mrs. Von Trapp and me is that I don't have confidence in me. But I do have confidence in the Jesus in me.


What are some of your insecurities and what is God doing to dispel them?

Another Confession.

Seth told me a story of a girl he knew who froze her credit card in a block of ice. That way, if she was making a purchase that was an "impulse buy" she had time to reeeeeally think about whether she needed it or not.

I need one credit card, on the rocks.



I am terrible at money managing. I am a horrible financier. I may appear like a nice girl from time to time, but just under the surface, you will find a plastic-wielding, checkbook register-ignoring, little Maven of Mammon.

Transparency is good for the soul.


I'm working on it. I promise you, I am. God is busy leading me into all truth--including the truth that I have to learn to get my spending under God's control.

Let me first say this in my own defense (as if there is one, but...), my mom was a hero and example in many ways, but she herself would have told you that she struggled with managing money as well. I was her little girl and she rarely told me no. She was never good at finances when it came to things like budgets. If I can say it politely, she had no limits! Honestly, Dad was financially savvy, so their views differed to say the least.

My mom passed on these things to me unintentionally--she desired for me to live within the limits, but children learn what they see. Now, I struggle to maintain the limits set in place for me. I may be in ministry and love the Lord, but that does not exclude me from having a sinful attitude toward money. It would be hypocritical of me to paint a prettier picture on this blog. This is part of who I am--but I am struggling to put my own sinful nature (the tendency to live beyond my means) to death in order that Christ may be made known through my finances as well as the rest of me.

Jesus reminds us that we must demonstrate our faithfulness: those who are faithful with little will be faithful with much. So it comes down to a lack of faithfulness as the "disease" and the bad money management as merely a symptom of sorts.

I desperately desire to be faithful in ALL THINGS. Especially when considering my future...I don't want to pass this financial struggle onto my children.

In fact, just last night, Seth and I had another conversation about finances. Considering this tops the list of things that cause dissension between married couples, we both want to be wise in talking it out before any commitments are made so that we are on the same page. What we DON'T want is to fight all through our lives about the same issue.

Seth is great with money. When I was praying for God to send me someone, I prayed that God would make his generous with his time and his resources. I see that in Seth. He also has a wisdom that comes from living on his own several years. This is of great benefit to me in many ways, because Seth is a lot more responsible than me when it comes to finances (and maybe everything else ?!?!?). God has placed his wisdom and temperament in my life to teach me more about being faithful. So our conversation now we hope will contribute to less "conversations" (of the raised-voice variety) later. Our decision is that Seth will handle the finances and I will work from a cash-only basis. He will teach me how to do run things just in case so if something happens and he can't, I can know what to do.



annnnnd,
If it takes a block of icy goodness to help me, bring on the spending freeze!



A side note:
On the whole, I think that household responsibilities should be divided according to someone's set of gifts rather than gender for the most part. Since Seth has the gift of administration, he will be the one to take charge of those duties. Since I have the spiritual gift of chicken ring,I will be doing the majority of the cooking. (Kidding. But seriously. That chicken ring is gooood. Thanks for the recipe Candace!)


What do you think? Are finances an issue in your life or your marriage? How do you control your spending? How do you divide household chores and responsibilities?

P.S. Read Jon Acuff's take for a funny twist.

Secret Mission: Show the Love.

I need your help, Loyal Blog Friends.

You see, I have a friend who will remain nameless. He has decided to pop the question to his lady love, and he needs help coming up with an idea for a memorable proposal. Given the fact that I used to be obsessed with the television show "Perfect Proposal" I thought this was a great time to practice being the new host if they ever would choose to revive the series. When he told me that he was having a hard time deciding how he would indeed pop the question, I said, "Well, mister, you have come to the right place."

Then I said, "Can I blog it?" Just like Garth Brooks, I'm shameless.

He said, "No names."



That's where you come in.
Here are some details:

She will be visiting his hometown in December.
They both love them some golf.
We need the SHOCK FACTOR in this one.

That's a good starting place.
So, just like 007, you are now on a secret mission to present ideas to my friend about how to ask his girlfriend to marry him. Be realistic, but not BORING!

My friend thanks you in advance for your participation.

Ideas?

FREE DAY!

I have a DAY OFF tomorrow!

Thank you, Prez. He's a good man.

What should I do?

Any ideas?

Of course, I will be seeing Fireproof in Vincennes tomorrow night. My mama was a movie star, you know.

:D

Hope to see YOU there.


Above all, I'm gonna love, for the day is near.

Wedding Gifts.

I hate registry shopping.

Annie and Adam's wedding is fast approaching, and I need to buy them a gift.


I hate it with the passion of a thousand burning suns. I know it's a necessity so that I can get things for the bride and groom that they actually ENJOY, but it's a royal pain.

First of all, I'm indecisive. I don't like making decisions and the very premise of registry shopping means at least ONE good decision.

1. The first thing I hate about it is actually finding the registry station in a store. It's like trying to find the Holy Grail or Noah's Ark or the Ark of the Covenant or something. They always hide it in the most ridiculous place--like at Wal-Mart when they put it in the jewelry section. Out of all the places in Wal-Mart, they put it with the earrings. Because you want to buy some ID bracelets and a pair of knock-off sunglasses as a way of saying, "Have a happy life together."

2. The next thing I hate is the printing of the registry. First of all, I am eaily overwhelmed. So when that thing starts printing and a continuous two inch piece of paper longer than the Dead Sea Scrolls and the list of Elizabeth Taylor's husbands combined comes out of that blessed machine, I feel defeated before I even begin.

3. Then there is the dreaded search for the prduct you long to buy them:
"Ooh, this kitchenaid handheld mushroom slicer is only $20 and it would be PERFECT for them!" So you go to the aisle where the scroll locates the item, only to discover orange soda and plastic baggies.
Dang it!
Then you make your way to the aisle you think it should be in, and search through every single apple corer and lemon zester, and parmesan cheese grate, and magnetic refrigerator clip. Praise the Lord as you discover the item number on the little rack jutting out from the wall!! Then you discover that they are out of stock.

You know, I think a gift card is sounding better all the time.

Not the Place for Politics.

The big Washington bullies should leave Bristol Palin alone. The big Washington bullies should leave Sasha and Malia Obama alone, too.

I am not apolitical. I have many political opinions, and I refuse to discuss the majority of them here because this blog is not about politics. However, the children of candidates are not a partisan issue. They are not a bipartisan issue. They are children, trying to make good choices in the face of paparazzi and unimaginable media scrutiny.

These children do not create nor do they enact policies of any kind. They are young ladies who are trying to lead normal lives in a frenzied media circus where everything is being picked apart by the appallingly venomous ways of the politico.

They didn't ask for this. I pray for them. You should too.