not long now

I can't believe it's the 8th of July. My birthday is this month. September is the month after next. What? So it's almost Christmas?

Seriously, though. Time? Hello?

I can't decided if it's a good thing when time flies. Sometimes it's good, like the first work shift in the week. But sometimes, it's a little sad, when the summer is half over, and in nine days when we will be saying our goodbyes.

But at all times, it's for good. Whether the shift is dragging, or vacation seems a century away. To suffer builds character. That sounds cruel...

Anyways, random post. Just felt the need to announce that I. AM. READY. FOR. WEDNESDAY. Because I get a new camera. KIDDING GIRLS. Can't wait to see you!

one of those days

It was one of those days...

When you get to sleep in after getting up at 4:50 AM for the past five days.

When you make a fresh pot of coffee and enjoy a little morning time with your parents.

When you pack up a lunch and head out for an adventure with the family.

When you meet up with dear, missed, and little faces and enjoy creation.

When you give hungry little mouths refreshment and tired little legs rest.

When you hop out of the car at a random stop and run to Dairy Queen for a special treat.

When you come home to a wagging tail, a purring snout, and a chirping beak.

When you make supper with family and enjoy the evening cool.

When you look back sad by the bickering but smiling at the memories.

When you look ahead to a Day of rest and worship and fellowship.

And you can't help but count your blessings, and give thanks, and remember days like these on all the other ones.

happily,

Lauren

Life.

First, my bad for taking, like, 40 days to post again.

Second, life. No, not "arg; life", or "oh my; life", but "okay; life". Here's my C.S. Lewis daily quote for May 21st

"The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one's 'own' or 'real' life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one's real life - the life God is sending one day by day"

This is big. It is so easy to look at any misfortune or nuisance in life as a bad thing, or even undeserved, but you know what this does? It makes you unhappy. You know why? Because you think you deserve to be happier. With that mindset I can guarantee you this: you will never get there. 

Happiness is not reached when it is the number one goal in life. Put thankfulness in it's place. Thankfulness to God for His every day mercy and grace. Thankfulness for salvation. I can't tell you the enormous difference it makes in my day when I switch from anxiety to thanksgiving. Or when I stop blaming by troubles and start counting my blessings. It's hard, though. Hardest when things get the most trying, but essential to get through. 

It's usually a Psalm that reminds me of my greatest vantage in life. Although this world can criticize, cheat, and beat me down, it only does so on a worldly level, and what is that to me? I am reminded of 1 Peter 4:12-13 "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."

Every moment of your life is given by God and is to be lived to His glory. Every trial and every blessing is a gift and should not be scorned in frustration; rather it should be lived in trust and joy to Christ's glory. 

I did it.

I suppose a real faithful blogger would have posted something the minute she was done writing exams and could officially say she didn't have any homework to do.

Whoops.

Well, I'm not even thirty-six hours out of exams. It hasn't sunk in yet. I feel like I am on a constant splurging break. I feel lazy. I feel guilty. My mind goes automatically to 'I should stop watching BBC mini-series and get going on homework', and then I remember that I actually don't have any. SAY WHAT???

I thought this would have felt way different. Counting down the days made it seem like a bigger deal, but now that the days have run out it's like 'oh, I'm done.' Maybe seeing my family will settle it. Maybe at graduation it will sink in. Maybe when I'm saying good bye and going home it will hit me. I'm not sure; but I can't say I am really enjoying this feeling as much as I thought I would.

It's been an amazing year though. I've never worked so hard in my life; I've never learned so many lessons in such a short period of time, (and not just in the classroom). I've met so many wonderful people, had so many godly examples around me, struggled through so much and am all the more stronger for it. I am thankful. Thankful for this opportunity, the people who made it possible, and for God who led me through every minute of it.

I was at a mall earlier today and over heard a teen-aged girl say exasperatedly "I don't know what to do with my life." It made me realize that even if I don't know what is coming next I have so much hope and faith in the knowledge that I am in the center of the holy will of God. I have riches stored in Him, I have His love and relationship at all times, I really do not have anything to fear.

If I were to expound on all the areas that Gillespie has affected and strengthened me, I might not get to bed tonight. So I will just state that it has been such a blessing; SUCH a blessing. And also a special thank you to all who were involved in that: teachers, classmates, and some other special people I encountered along the way.

Most importantly, it is by grace that I have been blessed. For every gift that has been bestowed upon me this past year, I thank my Heavenly Father for His love and mercy. For His working in my heart, and for His calling to me to be His own.

"Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne, it shall be Thy royal throne." 

soon soon soon!

oh boy oh boy! I get to see my dad and brothers in two weeks! Providing my roommates don't lock me in the laundry room, or my brothers insist they stop for a Leaf's game on the way... Shoot. That would be way cooler than seeing their sister. 

My family loves me. Sometimes.

I don't need to see...

In two weeks I will be done Gillespie Academy. In three weeks I will be graduating. In a year I have no idea what I will be doing. But I am excited. Excited to be home again. Excited to start work again. Excited for some free time to read and swim and take pictures. Excited to see where I will be in the coming months, what is going to happen, who I will meet. I am excited to say that I can face the future, the turns, the ups and downs, and the good times and the bad times with joy and trust. Why? Because I am a believer. I have a faith that rids of all doubt. I am in the hands and will of the Creator of the universe, who ordains every minute of my life for His glory and for my good. I cannot doubt. I cannot question. I am loved. That is more than enough.

Link #10

I wanted to end on a chuckle, and this one definitely serves well. :)

Burnt Suppers and Scraped Knees...: Potluck Politics

I know I don't have many readers, but if you would like to please share your favourite link in the comments! I love a good article or something for lunch break.  :)