Hello again.

Lot's to say, not much time.  But I'm always busy in the summer.  Well I'm always busy no matter what time of year but in the summer I like my busy so I rarely procrastinate and blog.  Anyway, thanks to those of you who reached out to me via facebook, email, text, and in person to share your thoughts on my tithing since my comment thing wasn't working.  I really do appreciate your input and it was awesome to hear what so many of you are passionate about.  I've decided to go with a one time donation to a missionary cause that I'm really excited about (OK actually I'm splitting my tithes between two causes but I love them both).  But seeing as how very soon I'll be making quite a bit of money on my internship this summer (I start May 24th yay!!) with the Center for Community Health in FTW, I'll continue praying and listening to where God calls me to give next.
Quick Updates.
I turn 21 on Tuesday!!
Breakfast tomorrow with an old friend!
An even older friend flies in from DC tomorrow to spend the weekend with me :)
Kyle has live burns tomorrow (they set a fire-proof house on fire with hay and gasoline and then save "victims" and  run a million drills like that) my honey is so brave!
Umm workout routine has commenced.  I almost died when I had to try on a pair of size 6 jeans at Gap on Wednesday.  A size 6 may be OK for some, but not for me on my little 5'3" frame! (hello my boyfriend is totally hot, I have to keep up..)
I really want to know what Kyle has up his sleeve for my birthday... I'm thinking a symphony at the botanical gardens in FTW or possibly a museum... but really I have no clue what he has planned.  Apparently it's an all day affair with midday margaritas and ends with dinner at our favorite local restaurant La Gorgondala in Mansfield.
Umm, anything else...?  not really.  That's it for now I guess.

I'm totally stoked to see Alicia tomorrow.  Haven't seen her in over 2 years, she went through A LOT  her first year of college (family issues ect) and I will just be glad to relive old memories and make new ones while she's here.  We've known each other for 10 years now and used to live at each others houses over the summer.  She's one of those friends that you can go months or even years without talking and you pick up the phone and you're right where you left off.  I cannot even explain how excited I am.  Now I need to pick up my pit of a room so she won't yell at me for all the crap I have when she gets here tomorrow.

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!