Stress Induced Sickness April 3-April 9

Sometimes you work with little kids and they are stinkin cute and bring you flowers.

 

Sometimes God sends you an absolutely perfect rainy sunset that makes you stop and appreciate life. 

This is my view almost every night as I wander to the library. This was taken at like 11pm... studying studying studying. That has been my life this semester!

These gems from my bro!

 

Thursday John John had a Bass recital which went really well. He played the whole thing with a fever.. yup.

I also managed to get myself sick this week. I just had a lot to do and was super stressed out. A sore throat and coughing fits are fine...right?

Friday night started the craziness that would be called The Lamb Of God. If you don't know the music you need to stop everything and go listen! Its this beautiful show written by Rob Gardner that goes through the last week of Christ's life and his Resurrection. It is amazing. The choirs, orchestra, and theatre department all teamed up to put on the show. Friday night was figuring out where we would all sit and then we ran through the show just with the piano. Its going to be so good!

This statue keeps moving. And every time I think it is a person!

Saturday I was dying... So Kevin and I went to Walmart to buy me some more medicine. I slept and tried to relax and then went to the first session of stake conference. We had two visiting members of the seventy because we got a new stake presidency!

Sunday they were sustained and the old presidency and new addressed us. The priesthood is real, and God calls those he needs!

After church at some point Heidi called me because she made muffins. So I walked to her house, ate some muffins, lied on the couch and talked. It was delightful. The weather was gorgeous and when I was walking back home, I sat and talked to Kevin and John John who were ham-mocking. 

Nothing too exciting to say this week! Lots of studying, stress, and coughing... :) 

March 27-April 2

I woke up to a rainbow. Its hard to not be happy when that happens.

And its SPRING!

Mission calls turn into SVU family parties.

Im just going to leave this here. HAHA! This is the best article in the student magazine i've ever read.

I went on another field trip with my museum studies class. This time we went to Lee Chapel and museum!

Homework and studying makes us do crazy things. There is this little balcony thing in the Library that John John and I always talk about climbing on. He finally did it Wednesday night! We always give the guy that works that night a hard time and this time John John snuck up there. The whole library knew except Riley who was working. It took him quite a while to figure it out, he even walked by him! It was so funny!!

 

Talks with Sarah.

I love this quote.

Friday night I drove up to DC to be with the Garfields. I needed me some family and relaxing time! I just loved talking and laughing with everyone! And conference was so good!

 

I also was able to go see Hannah in Singing and the Rain! She did such a good job!

Also, sometimes you causally say you want chocolate cake, and Raquel goes on pinterest, finds a recipe and makes a delicious treat! It was a very yummy cake! 

 

I stayed and talked till late which meant that I didn't get home till late, but it was worth it! 

Lauren's Life Update March 19-26

I wanted to just stop and write for a second about whats been on my mind. There has been a lot going on the past few weeks and sometimes your brain just fills to the brim and its just a lot.

I had these moments where God was like, "Hey, you had a plan but thats not right. Lets try this!"
So......

1) I am able to, and am going to graduate in December. When I first was told that was an option I was mad! I was bitter for about 3 days. I jsut couldn't comprehend leaving my home and these people in 9 months time. That would not be okay!

2) I am not going to be an RA next year. I went back and forth on this for quite a while. I was set on applying for the AC position but never felt 100% good about the decision and I could never quite get myself to start the application. Then I got a text informing me that a spot was open in the house I have been wanting to live in all year. I could't pass that up! I feel like I have given a lot the past two years as an RA and I don't have much more I can give in this area. I also think that someone else could maybe benefit from the job. I know I learned A TON, and someone else can too.

And I am so excited to live in a cute house with four amazing girls! AHH!

Tuesday was free cone day at Dairy Queen which we couldn't not participate in! There is something about that ice cream that is just yummy.


Here is a view of how I spend most of my nights. Library, friends, and studying... the last one is sometimes debatable.


I try to really appreciate the little moments. Our youngest child at work is just learning how to walk. I was holding his hand and he ended up leaning against my legs. I wasn't complaining!


Kaylee and I don't see each other that often this semester, but I love our quick little talks. This time she left me a message in my blanket haha!


Wednesday I had a course excursion with my Museum Studies class. We went to the W&L campus and one of the museums or the archives there! I always think their campus is pretty!
 

That night I had another course excursion to Staunton where I saw the show "Fair Maid of the Exchange" at the Blackfriars theatre. This show was written around Shakespeare time but hasn't been performed in maybe 400 years. It was cool! And a few of us ended up getting front row seats which was super awesome! I also just love Staunton!
 


I really do find joy in the library. I was sitting at a table when slowly friends started to come over. Three awesome guys got talking about their missions and I loved just sitting and being an observer. :)


Sometimes you just really crave a corndog..


Saturday was so beautiful we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go on an adventure! So I was invited to go somewhere which has been on my SVU bucket list, Natural Bridge! We had sooo much fun!
 

 



I turned the corner and saw this massive bridge above my head and I felt so small. All my problems melted away which was amazing. I was marveling at God's creation and just felt like everything was okay. 
Beautiful place, and awesome people!
 

 
 
 
 

Someone posted a quote from their mom on Facebook Sunday which said, "Worrying about tomorrows troubles only take away from todays peace. Give it up, let it go, and be happy."

I am a worrier. I am constantly thinking and overthinking and stressing. I love moments of peace and I think in life we are striving to find and keep that peace all the time. But God in little ways does give us peace. In sunsets, in friends, in notes, in hellos, in smiles, in the rain. 


God loves his children. 
And what a blessing that is!

The women's broadcast Sunday was amazing! I loved how the word 'centered' was used in almost every single talk. Being centered in Christ is something i've thought a lot about. I think i've struggled the past week or so because my priorities are a little out of whack. I still have a lot to improve on, but I was grateful for conference and the advice that was given.

And our Stake dominates in the refreshment category!