God Put A Smile Upon (My) Face

I heard the news yesterday. I had received the position at Americorps. I was excited. Almost too stunned to actually believe it had happened. All of my prayers and patience had worked. Or more importantly, God's hand had been upon it.

This morning at 8am, I had my final interview and I filled out paper work for two hours. It was long, it was tedious, but it is now done. There is so much to to do to work for the Government.

I'm estatic about the position. But I realize that haze for next year has been pushed forward and I now have a whole year somewhat planned out for me. Now I will only need to worry about getting my grant-writing class done, and studying for the GRE. I'm rather excited that I now have a plan for the Fall, but I realize that it will be like nothing I have ever experienced.

To God be the glory!

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 (NIV)

I love this verse because it reminds me that God hears our cries and our desires. He is always there. It’s up to me to believe that He will answer my prayers. In James 5, the second half talks about of the prayer of Faith. Basically if we back our prayers with faith, God feels the sincerity of our hearts.

I don’t like waiting. I never have. Right now, I am waiting to hear whether I made it into the Americorps Vista program. I’m not exactly sure when I will find out, but until then, I need to trust God that He has everything under control. If I don’t get in, I won’t be discouraged; I will just be looking for another job. The problem is that I am only planning on working in Lincoln for a year, and then I will be off for Graduate school. This coming year is a haze; I’m not use to that, because I have always had school to look forward too. But now I’m done at least for now.

I’m sitting. What do I mean by sitting? I mean I’m sitting instead of worrying about what is next. I’m listening for God and what he has to say.

I’m waiting. I’m not going to be frantically running things in my head, but just patiently wait for the outcome of my situation.

I’m wishing. I can wish, ok I’m going to change that word to pray. I’m praying for God’s Will to be revealed whatever the outcome is.

As I sit, wait, and pray, I am thankful for everything God has provided for me!

The Art of Business

I love to stay busy. Texting a friend the other day, I told her that my life, after my college graduation, has been boring, because I haven't been busy. I love being busy! Every minute of the day, I feel I need to be doing something constructive, or my idea of constructive. I have been trying to stay busy, I just finished my Americorps application. I have have a list of 25 books to read this summer and I've already finished 2 of these books. I am also studying for the GRE. I've even started working out again to fill my day.

But, there are things that I could be doing that I haven't. Looking for another job, as both of my current jobs are looking gloomier and gloomier. I also need to write thank-you notes for my graduation. I had been really good at receiving something, and right away writing my heartfelt thanks for whatever I had received. I could be cleaning my room which needs re-organizing and maybe even some pitching of things I horde.

Maybe my idea of busy is making sure I'm doing the things I want to do. That doesn't sound right. That sounds more like selfishness. I'm selfish. Admitting it is the first step. But, I need to not just admit, but commit to the fact that I have priorities that I have decided are unimportant because I just don't want to do them. I think if I were to get these things accomplished, I wouldn't have this dreading feeling in the pit of my stomach that I should be doing something.

That's it! That's the feeling. The feeling that I should be doing something because I'm supposed to be doing something. Since I have always put off something or another, I wonder what it feels like to truly have nothing to do? Have put this feeling upon myself? Have I made my life feel lacking just because I haven't put my sheep in the right pasture?

If I can commit to getting these priorities done, I definetely feel accomplished rather than always waiting for that next thing to take my mind of important matters.

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 (NASB)

Life after Graduation

Life after Graduation:

less stressful

more time to relax

more work hours available

more responsibility

time for studying for the GRE

being able to read

ahhh... breath of fresh air

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Today was a great day. My group presentation went well and I hope that the teacher thought it was good. I can't wait to graduate! Just a few short weeks. Tomorrow is a pretty simple day:

11:00 Class

3:00 Class

Life is getting easy! Yay!

:)

What? He dies by scarf? Of course!

It is 7:10 on a hopefully beautiful morning. I haven't seen the sun yet for sure. "Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms late in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. South winds 10 to 20 mph." Yep, it's definitely spring. I have a presentation/panel discussion this morning, I pray that it goes ok. I should be getting ready, but I just had to write on here. I need to do more writing, that's the only way I will improve.

Schedule Today:

8:30 - India: Class Presentation - Hand in papers

11:30 - Computer Publishing - Finish Newsletter and Newspaper

2:00 - Photography II

7:30 - Choral Concert - Hand in program to Mister Norris

Homework:

Finish 20th Century Piece

List of possible works to go into Portfolio

I will be relieved when today is over.

Today is the Day!!

Today is the day of my Senior Recital. I have skipped my first two classes and I love the power. I have mentally practiced once and will probably do it a couple more times today. The only class I'm going to today is my voice lesson, so my voice teacher can warm me up and see how my voice is. Today I've been quite congested and I am trying at all costs not to talk. I already prayed once today and once last night for it not to rain tonight.

"Dear God,

I pray that today will go smoothly. Help me in everything I need to do.

I pray that my family will have peace today.

I pray for my voice to be full.

I pray that I am doing this with a grateful heart.

I love You and thank You for everything You have already done.

Amen"

Ok, now three times.

This "Grumpy Toast" is out.

XOXO

Lauren

That's Not My Name

The title of my blog tonight, is the title of the new catchy song in my head. I can't believe my recital is tomorrow. This blog will be brief because of that. I'm not going to my first two classes tomorrow. I'm rather excited for not having to go. More tomorrow and pre-concert jitters.

Lauren M....

BTW: My voice is almost back!!

While sitting on the couch eating a bowl of cereal, I've been contemplating a lot of things. Like how wrapped up I get in Facebook and Twitter. How I feel guilty for not writing in my blog to document everything that happens to me. I can't believe I've let the internet run my life. Life isn't life until I've updated my status on Facebook, read my emails at gmail, told everyone where I would be on Twitter, and check to see if I can wear short sleeves today at weather.com. Life wasn't always this complicated. You got up, you got ready, you did what you needed to do. There was no internet to distract you.

In just 3 1/2 short weeks. I will be done with undergrad school forever. I can't believe that this chapter in my life will soon be over. But I know God has great things in store for me!

Lauren

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Today has been a pretty good day. Since I have one reader on this blog, I don't really update it. But if I keep writing and letting people know about it, I could possibly get a stronger readership. My life has been busy, but one by one things are drifting off. Opera is now done. Now I have more times for my 10 classes, actually now 9 classes. I can't believe I only have 5 weeks until graduation. I need to find a job and finish applying to grad schools. I also need to study for the GRE. On Friday, we're suppose to bring in a humorous story. I've got nothing. Oh well. Hopefully something will come to me.

In a couple of minutes I go audition for some opportunities to sing at the end of the semester. Wish me luck! More info later!

Lauren

Later on...

I had a pretty good day. It's 9:05 pm and I'm done with the majority of my homework. The audition went very well, hopefully tomorrow I find out who got the spots. There were 4 auditionors and 3 spots. The one act rehearsal went really well. I also made up with a friend, so all in all, it was a long but very productive day. I have so much to do that has nothing to do with homework.

1. Email Matt Kadavy
2. Start Studying for the GRE
3. Keep working on Grad Apps
4. Go over voice songs

Tomorrow's Schedule

7 am - Awake/Get Ready

8 am - Breakfast/Go to Hair Salon

9 am - Get Hair Done

11 am - Feature Writing Class - Joke Due (IDK a joke!)

12 pm - UChoir (Audition??)

1 pm - Quick Lunch/Practice

2 pm - Voice Lesson

3 pm - Theory

4 pm - Rehearsal

6 pm - Go to Church

9 pm - Model Pictures

WOW! I still have to read homework tomorrow. Maybe I will do that tonight. 50 pages worth reading. Kind of ridiculous.

Tomorrow is a brand new day!

Lauren M.