Working on it.

Not sure why, but my blog won't let you, or me, or apparently anybody comment on it.  Trying to work it out but I'm pretty incompetent when it comes to anything on the computer so we'll see.  I've taken every restriction off and it still won't work.  I tried to change my layout a few weeks ago (obviously by the looks of my blog I couldn't figure that out either) so I'll try changing it again to some pre-made choice that blogspot has and maybe that will do the trick.  Until then contact me via facebook or email
laurenlee504@yahoo.com

Also, welcome to the non-follwers that follow my blog, it's good to hear from you!  And hopefully I'll hear more from you as soon as I figure out this comment thing.

Help me, Help others.

This is a long post, but please read it (at least the last paragraph) and PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT!  Help me, help others.

So, I've really been thinking about this stash of cash that's been building up in my desk drawer since August.  It's all my tithes and offerings from this school year.  I don't have a "church home" and so I haven't actually been tithing, but every two weeks when I get my paycheck I put roughly 12-15% in my desk drawer as my "tithe."  The thing is, 8 months have gone by and God's money is still just sitting in my drawer, collecting dust and occasionally being used to make change.  I've really been thinking about what to do with this money, I mean this stash of cash has turned into quite a large lump sum. Like I said before, I don't have a church that I regularly attend (or like enough to give my money to, no offense but I want a church I can believe in and that I know will put my money to good use) and I don't feel comfortable with giving my money to my church back in Texas either (I think there's a SERIOUS misuse of money that goes on there).  So what to do?

Well, I want to donate my money to a good cause for God.  I've looked into organizations such as FEED THE HUNGRY, Amazima Ministries, and A21, but I haven't felt God really pulling at my heart for any particular organization.  And there are just SO many out there it's hard to chose just one.  This is where YOU come in.  I know that just about all of my blog readers have a heart for something and I'd like to know how you would spend my God's money if you could?  What organization would you give it to?  Would you sponsor a child? Buy a pig to feed a family in Africa?  Just make a big donation somewhere? Make a bunch of little donations to several places?  What organizations do you know of that are doing some amazing things for God, changing lives, and making the most of their resources?  So please leave me a comment and give me the name of the organization you think I should donate to and why you believe in them.  Thanks so much guys, you can be sure that by commenting you will be helping me make a difference somewhere! Oh, and I will be sure to post where I will donate to once I decide.  Once again THANKS!

*side note* I don't mean this to be like, tell me what you think and I'll pick the best one, because there isn't just ONE "best" or really great cause out there.  There are TONS and I think God gives us a heart for different things. If we were all out to stop world hunger, who would help the orphans, or the widows, or the victims of abuse?  If we were all helping Africa who would help Russia, or America, or Nicaragua? I want to know what you're passionate about and hopefully that will either a) ignite that passion in me or b) help me find my own passion.

la dee dee da

OK, I don't have anything terribly exciting to say.  My sisters and I bought our mom her mothers day present this year, they're good.  In fact, so good I'll post a picture.



We got her a pearl pendent with diamond accents and matching earrings (as you can see).  I figured she deserved it, and now she'll have some nice jewelery she can wear to Amanda's wedding.  Speaking of, I need to get on top of this wedding shower nonsense.  Alright, that's the end of this blog.  My life is terribly boring so I don't have much to say, but I do have much to do!  Time to memorize my Spanish presentation for tomorrow, read a chapter in genetics, edit my McNairs personal statement, annnd do some biochem study questions. Bleck.

OMAHA

So I took a little trip to Omaha with my roomies this weekend.  First time I've ever been there.  I must say I have a new appreciation for Nebraska.  My roomie Aimme's house was so old and absolutely gorgeous.  I love the neighborhood it's so cute and quaint.  Her parents were absolutely wonderful to host us.  They wined and dined us quite well complete with steak, shrimp, grilled asparagus, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms along with fresh pineapple, sushi, mango (bleck), risotto plus appetizers, dessert, margaritas, and white wine.  Then after church Aimee's mom sent us home with some chicken enchiladas for lunch.  Seriously the nicest parents I've ever met.  We spent 4 hours at the dinner table just visiting.  It was wonderful and I cannot wait to go back.  I am so thankful for the amazing friends God has blessed me with!!  

I bought these pants while shopping at Village Point.  Gap had 40% off it's clearance items so I only paid like $13 for them!  Also, the shirt I've been wanting (but couldn't afford to buy because it was $59) was on sale so I got it as well.  I also bought a zip up hoodie from gap and a dress from Urban.  Two amazing weekends in a row, how lucky am I!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW3jD-P7JPs

hmmm.  I haven't researched this enough to know all the details and make an informed decision on what I think but I'll be doing so soon.

Check out the Lyrids meteor shower tonight from 1-3am.  It was first observed an estimated 2,600 years ago making it the oldest meteor shower.  It'll be good so set your alarms ya'll!

I think I just really need to focus on being more selfless.  I need to just completely give my heart to God instead of giving him little pieces every now and again.  I want to stop trying to control my life and just follow the path he sets in front of me.  I want to really soak up and LIVE in his love and grace.

Spring has Sprung

My honey left today.  But I'll see him in three weeks for the whole glorious summer so I am more than excited!  First time, no tears!  Probably because I know I'll see him for 3 months in 3 weeks.  We spent half of our weekend outside in the beautiful weather.  We celebrated Earth Day by visiting the Sunken Gardens and although it wasn't the pretties and in full bloom (it actually looked like they just planted a bunch of stuff) the tulips were amazing and the weather was gorgeous so I couldn't ask for more.  It just makes me excited to go home and visit the FTW botanical gardens again.  Spring is without a doubt the most wonderful time of the year.  It's always been my favorite anyway.  I always seem to have the best memories from the spring time.  Here are just a few.

FTW Botanical Gardens

Estes Park May 2008

from my abuelita's garden

Camel Farm just west of DFW

taken out of the car window somewhere in Texas

DISCLAIMER

OK.
So I don't know why, but I feel the need to clarify myself all of a sudden.  I usually don't care because as I've said in practically every other post, followers are in the single digits. I'm not supplying thoughts and information to the masses here.  It's really just a way to pass time and sometime get my thoughts out. BUT I am often not the best at expressing my thoughts/ideas in the most clear way let me make a few points and teach you a tid bit about me.  *side note* This really has nothing to do with the blog/facebook/internet world, just some umm... recent events that make me want to blab all this junk to get it out of my head.

1. YES I hate Nebraska.  I'm not saying this to be insulting.  YOU can hate Mansfield Texas, or all of Texas.  It's your opinion.  It's not where you grew up.  I understand.  I will say there is little to nothing in Nebraska, but it's probably 1000x's better than Idaho. Please feel free to have an opinion and express it all you want, just let me have mine as well.  Also, I use the word hate lightly.

2. I am NOT passive aggressive.  I will probably tell you anything.  But I am getting better at filtering.

3. Sometimes it's really hard to be honest and tell you how I feel without being mean.  I'm sorry.  I try but as the annoying saying goes, the truth hurts.

4. I get annoyed really easily.  I have a very low tolerance for people who umm.  Well for people that are not my favorite but I try to not be a total jerk to them, because I shouldn't.  Yes.  That's really hard for me, because I just want to say exactly how I feel about them and what I think (I hate filtering).  So I'm working on that, I've been working on that.  But cut me some slack.  It's the hardest thing ever for me.
Also, note here that I'm not just working on the whole not saying what I feel thing, I'm also working on the whole wanting to say that stuff thing.  Because I shouldn't want to.  but I so do...

Kyle comes today!  In like 2 hours.  I can't wait.
It's about that time of year when I really start hating Nebraska so I'm glad that at least for the weekend I'll have a little piece of home.

prayer desperately needed.

http://www.intervarsity.org/news/campus-faith-freedom-alert

apparently it doesn't make sense for an on-campus Christian organization to require the officers of that organization to be Christian.  So then who should be?  An Atheist? A Hindu?  Should a Christain be the president of a Buddhist organization?  NO.  Freedom of religion, and freedom from religion.

And this is why it's a HUGE deal when [unqualified] new judges are appointed to the Supreme Court.  Are you OK with where our country is headed?

It's one am.  I'm exhausted.  I still have at least 64 study questions of biochem to get done and a chapter in genetics to read.  Oh the joys of being a pre-med and crazy biochem student.  UTA has put a hold on my account saying that I must meet with an advisor before I can register for classes.  I am in Lincoln, NE.  So I'll probably have to take a study break at some point tomorrow so I can call them and sit on hold for 30 minutes, talk to an idiot for another 20 explaining my situation, and then maybe finally be able to register.

I baked some sweet goodies today for the DET bake sale that's happening tomorrow.  Sure to be delish and sell out in 10 min or less.  Also, I was nominated for president for DET by some girl I barely know.  I'm almost positive she only nominated me to increase her chances of getting the treasurer position (which I was originally nominated for), but not I'm kinda thinking that I'd really LOVE to president.  But do I have time?  I already work, take 12+ hours of intense upper level science classes, volunteer, and try to not die all at the same time.  Think I can do it?  Oh, and hopefully I'll be a mentor to a minority, at risk senior next year as well.  I'm gunna go for it.

Kyle's coming this weekend.  THANK THE LORD.  This long distance thing has been getting pretty rough lately...  I need my booga-boo. (yes we call each other all kinds of gross pet names, get over it we love it).  The end.  Time to WORK.  :(

EASTER!

OK.  So today is Easter and I should be rejoicing but I am exhausted!  I am so completely overwhelmed with school, finding a job for this summer, getting transfer credits worked out, scholarship applications, and applying for a mentoring position at UNL admissions next year.  LOTS of stuff to do: emails, applications, resumes, and tons more emails.  On top of my already hectic busy school, work, volunteer schedule.  YUCK.  But I can do it.  And so can you.  Everyone is winding down for this year, so everyone is probably just as busy as I am but in 5 weeks it will all be worth it right?

Now for some Easter talk:
I missed watching the 10 Commandments last night, sad day :(  It's a Villegas family tradition and I absolutely love the movie.  I went to Rivertree this mornin' with Amanda and was pretty disappointed with the service...  We had a guest speaker who wasn't very good and the worship, which is usually my favorite part, was sub-par.  No Easter songs!  In fact we barely sang at all!  We only sang 3 songs.  That's it!?  I did however refuse to let myself sour to the service and I did try to get as much out of it as possible.  I decided to be thankful that I am fortunate enough to have access to a church and someone to go with because there are tons of people who can't.  And worship is still worship, even if it's not the best.  Now I think I'll have my own worship service and lay in bed and sing Hillsong United songs in Spanish and praise God for his glorious gift of eternal life.  Goodnight :)