Currently

Reading: Crossed by ally condy. Also, still working on a book review!

Watching: He's Just Not That Into You. I love this movie, actually sitting, watching it right now with my grandmother.

Listening: Boundless Podcast

Wishing: I had plans for the holiday weekend.

Thinking: I need to find some friends.

Praying: Continually for my friend Megan and for Cambodia.

Browsing: My emails. I'm swamped with them right now!

Sipping: Coffee and Pop... er I mean Soda.

Eating: Ice Cream bars.

Loving: Notebooks. I've purchased too many in the past few days!!

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!

Virtual Coffee Date

I've had posts already planned out. But because of lack of time and quite honestly, lack of motivation, I've been failing in that area. But, that doesn't mean I can't blog every weekday! I'm linking up with Carly Skinner, over at Carlyskinner.com.

If you were to come over for coffee, I'd honestly be relieved to see someone I don't live or work with. I'd probably spill all the treasures Jesus has shared with me that week.

If you were to come over for coffee, we might have to sit in the blazing heat because the apartment, at times, gets mighty chilly!

If you were to come over for coffee, I'd mention how I completely under packed and even made a few shopping runs to Target for some business casual attire. I would also pull out said clothes and see what you thought.

I'd also tell you I still have no heels and will have to shell out some money for those.

I'd let you know that I'm already tired and it's only Wednesday. 

I'd let you know I'm planning a trip to Los Angeles in a few weeks to see a dear friend, and that I need to set money aside for that weekend! 

I'd share where I was failing: healthy eating, returning texts, not exercising. And where I was succeeding: blogging, eating breakfast, getting up early.

If you were to come over for coffee, it would have to be decaf after 4pm!

Wow, we would have a great time! If we were having coffee, what would you share? 

You are your brand

That was spoken to us in our first day of training. And it's so true. The way you dress, how you present yourself, what comes out of your mouth, who you associate with. We are all brands. Of course that meant taking a bit more time in the mirror this morning. But as I was putting on my makeup, Jesus spoke. He said I was of His brand. People can either see me as Lauren or Lauren daughter of the King of Kings. 

It reminded me yesterday and the activity we had. It was a bingo of sorts. You know the game. You walk around the room trying to fun people who fit the description in one of the boxes. When people asked what my favorite music was I blatantly held my tongue, paused and said classical. Don't get me wrong, I like classical, but worship music is my favorite. I had lied. I had denied Christ and each time the question was asked, it became easier and easier to tell that lie.

I don't want to be that person. Lying about my best friend. Just needed to share.

How are you branding yourself? Do people know you love Jesus? Or do you blend in with everyone else?

This was not the planned post, but I thought it was fitting. By the way, I had a great first day of work!

Game face for day 2!

Currently

Today I start my new job. It’s sort of new. I’ve worked for this company for two summers as a seasonal employee, but I took the leap and will be working full time! I’m a little giddy with anticipation.

Reading: Finally started digging into The Fellowship of the Ring. I forgot how different it is from the Peter Jackson adaptation. His movie was beautiful but very lacking. I’m also working on another book review! This book is surprisingly good for a non-fiction read.

Watching: This past weekend I took a bit of a media fast except if I was spending time with family. We watched a lot of TLC. I’m kind of glad we don’t normally have cable (we’re living in an apartment until our house is ready.)

Listening: Of King and Country via Spotify. This band is great! Did you know you could listen to almost any album known to man on Spotify for free?? You should check it out.

Wishing: My grandmother was here already. She joins for a couple of weeks on Wednesday!

Thinking: As hard as it is to just check my email on my phone, I’m liking the silence of not having to check every minute detail of facebook, instagram, pinterest and all the rest.

Praying: Continually for my friend Megan and for Cambodia. And my friend Alexa is doing much better! Let’s add my friend Melissa to this list!.

Browsing: Women blogging conferences. I think I’m going to try to go to at least one next year!

Sipping: Starbucks Caramel Macchiato -- Got two cartons for $3.50 each. This should last me a week! Instead of picking up a coffee for more than that every day!

Eating: This weekend we went to a great Italian restaurant called Oregano’s. I got the lasagna. It was great! We also got to eat with one of my sister’s good friends from Nebraska! The atmosphere is set back in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s with great music and old tv shows and movies playing on the tv screens.

Loving: My Target Cartwheel app. I actually saved money! On things that were already on sale as well.

Pictures of this week:

3rd time's a charm. Right? Starts september 1st. Click the button on the side bar!

My sister and her friend! *Sorry the picture is so dark*

half eaten lasagna! so good

delish coffee at my new favorite coffee shop in phoenix, too bad it's so far away.

Just finished up another She Reads Truth Devotional (click button on sidebar) So good!

I got to see my very good friend Brittany! I love this girl a lot!

Menu from Oregano's

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!

Is this mic on?

Can we just talk for a minute?

Life couldn't be more real then it is right now. Except that time I went to Cambodia. But yeah that's about it.

I am a person of ideas. I have so many, I'm surprised my brain hasn't exploded! 

I'm the idea maker. Of all my ideas I execute maybe 25% of those. And only follow through on 5%. I haven't put too much time in figuring out all the figures, but I think you know what I mean.

I don't have to go very far to find all the big ideas. Every blog series on here has failed, I barely read and my list was extensive this summer, my crocheting is minimal (I've been working on the same project for over a year), and any 30 day project I've joined loses its fizzle around day 7. That being said, I'm not giving up. I love writing, reading, crafting annd joining in on "30 day" projects. I just need a push.

That push came. I need to get serious if I want this blog to become a dot com and be a source of income. I need to carve out time to read and craft. And if I say I'm going to do something via the blog or anywhere else, I'm going to do it.

So many plans for this place and no motivation. I start work on Monday which will leave me less time. I need to get my rear into gear! I can do this, work a 9-5 job while writing a blog with good content and other things! I miss sharing more if my life. I miss the baking and the tutorials. Today, I'm working at Barnes and Noble and hashing out a 6 month plan of where I want to see the blog! I'll also be posting more personal stuff!! 

Huge sigh of relief. 

What do you like about the blog??

Yes I'm cheesy! 

Currently

Reading: Working on the massive but beautiful The Fellowship of the Ring. This will be my second time through the book.

Watching: Revenge. I stopped watching at the first season. I'm back on board. It's intriguing enough. We will see.

Listening: The sound of this wonderful coffee shop!

Wishing: That AZ would get Fall.

Thinking: I need to enjoy my last week of not working

Praying: Continually for my friend Megan and for Cambodia. And my friend Alexa!

Browsing: Clothing websites. I need some new digs.

Sipping: Almond Milk Latte (delish)

Loving: My new notebooks from Target and my car of course.

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!

Guess What??

I finally bought a car! I'm really excited! I get to pick it up tomorrow! It is a beautiful silver-blue! It's all mine. I got a rather new car, and not the best year for the model. But it's still a very good car! God is good!

Look mom, I'm all grown up!!

It's a Honda Civic by the way!

Currently

Reading: E-books - Trying to catch up on books in PDF file on my Kindle. Also reading Relevant Magazine.

Watching: Suits. I can't get enough of that show!

Listening: Friends on the phone. I've gotten to two wonderful ladies from my YWAM team that went to Cambodia with me!!

Wishing: For a productive week.

Thinking: What a wonderful church service my sister and I went to on Sunday night.

Praying: Continually for my friend Megan and for Cambodia.

Browsing: Bloglovin - I'm so far behind on my blog reading.

Sipping: Izze - That stuff is addictive

Loving: Ikea. Went there on Sunday. I loved every minute of it! Thanks so much Sweden!

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!

High 5 4 Friday {1}

Ok, so I don't link up a lot. But, Lauren Elizabeth over at thelaurenelizabeth.com does High 5 4 Friday each week. It's just another way to share with you what's been going on! And this time there's more than one picture!

1. My friends from church had a surprise party for me at the park. It was the PERFECT day to be outside. They were able to have their children play while we talked. Then, I got to hang out with this wonderful gem the rest of the day:

Iz- We went shopping, took pics on my phone, and even ate at Noodles and Company
Thanks for making my last day in Lincoln special, Alexa, Iz and the party people!

2. Said goodbye to my home for almost 9 years. Nebraska, I'll see you later.

Obligatory over the wing shot. 

 3. Said hello to In-N-Out! I love this place. I missed it so much when we left California. It did not disappoint!

Can you say "yummy?"

 4. Spent some much needed time with Jesus. I love the online Christian community. Especially shereadstruth and Good Morning Girls - links in the side bar.

5. Last, but certainly not least! I re-launched my fitness blog: Ren Was Fit. 

I'm linking up with:

Bye, Bye Nebraska / Hello Arizona

#quiettime

If you haven't been following me on instagram (do it here), you may not know, that I've moved.

I'm officially in Arizona! As of Sunday 10:30 am PST.

I will show some pictures tomorrow of being here so far.

I'm not going to lie, I miss Nebraska! A lot! My house of almost 9 years, my church, friends, etc.

Everything is new. I get to start all over again. New job, house, car, friends, church, etc.

As I've told others, it's bittersweet! But, I'm excited for all the opportunities Arizona will give.

I honestly don't have much to say yet because I'm still getting acclimated. And, I haven't left the apartment much since I have no car. I will share more in the coming weeks about my life, loves, hates, and a few glimpses of the new house and my travels around the metropolis that is PHOENIX!

How is your summer going? What's new? I'd love to hear from you. Yes you!

In my spare moments you can find me:
-spending time with Jesus over at shereadstruth and youversion (actually Jesus gets prime time, not just spare moments)
-using snapchat like a boss (message me for my username).
-failing at candy crush saga (let's not talk about it)
-learning french and spanish on duolingo (message me for my username)

Also, you can find me at my relaunched fitness blog: Ren Was Fit!!