An Airport State Of Mind

As I'm sure you all know, there are plenty of devastating events happening all over the world around us these days.  But I don't want this to be another depressing, fearful post -- there are far too many out there all over our newsstands and internet pages.  Tonight I simply want to call your attention to the large amounts of good surrounding us this Christmas season, and all throughout the rest of the year.  Far too often these little sprinkles of good go unnoticed, while the tragedies catch and hold the eyes of many.

Exactly a week ago, my little white car & I hurried down to the Denver International Airport to wait for the plane that was (finally) delivering my Montana man to me.  *insert yay! yay! yay! here*  Knowing that I am always far too early anywhere I go, I brought a book with me to try and pass the time.  As expected, I found myself sitting near baggage claim with an hour to burn, but I was in no frame of mind to read a single word.  Think -- the love of your life is only an hour away from you -- focusing on a novel is not going to be a simple task.  Anyhow, I started looking at the crowds of people filling the terminal and my mind began to create some beautiful realizations that brought me hope & peace.  The following lines are pieces and patches of these realizations, I'll leave them here for you in hopes that they lift your spirits (as they did mine) during this violent spell our world is experiencing today.

There are about a zillion-and-one bad things going on all around the world, but I think someone should mention the steady tradition of people who stand at airport arrivals gates; watching intently & waiting for that special, dear person to come into view.  I saw families with bunches of siblings, friends with homemade signs, and even a mother with the family dog by her side. All waiting for college kids coming home, or grandparents coming to visit.  There is a certain beauty in the fact that people gather in masses to greet these loved ones with pets & all -- no matter what holiday they are coming home for, no matter what religion, no matter what political affiliation. Strangers help strangers out of the kindness of their hearts, and for a time they are all just humans.  

Airports are so full of energy, bustle, and murmur; a constant hum as thousands of unique paths come together as one community for a mere second.  The place almost vibrates with life, voices, and beating hearts.  Fragments of conversation work together like puzzle pieces to create a unique sort of collage; the click of high-heels who mean business collide with the laughter of a family of five, excited for their winter vacation.  

I guess what I'm trying to say is, that we take these small glimmers of good for granted, while allowing the monstrous tragedies to slip into our hearts & instill fear into the very corners of our souls.  Friends -- evil wants to scare us.  Evil wants us to be shaken.  Do not allow it to take root and cultivate quickly growing vines of fear inside you.  Cling to what is good, whether it be simply an airport crowded with happy people or the amazing miracle that is Creation around us.  Take on December with a freedom of heart, and a joyful spirit.

Enjoy this last month of our darling 2015! Bake some cookies, listen to Christmas music, light all the candles, wear red sweaters.  And for all my fellow college students out there . .  the end is near, don't fret! Finals will soon be a thing of the past. Merry (month of) Christmas!

xoxo, lauren

     

    

Thankfulness & Such

Oh I know, another post about thankfulness coincidentally written around the time of Thanksgiving, how original!
. . . Just hang with me for a second, please?

Being thankful takes a dose of daily effort, folks.  It is a conscious decision YOU need to make for yourself each and everyday, not just during this time of year.  I know that sometimes it's hard, because you get sucked into the mindset of jealousy, greed, or desire, but we cannot let that mindset take precedent over the truth: we have SO much to be thankful for! Don't believe me? Here, let me start a little list for you --

• First thing's first: we are deeply loved by the God who created the entire universe.  If that doesn't fill your heart with thankfulness, I don't know what will. 

• Secondly: I'm assuming you live in the greatest country on God's green earth just like I do - the United States of America.  We have so many rights that we take for granted on a daily basis; and yes I am guilty of over looking them too.  As Americans, we need to take it upon ourselves to participate in protecting as well as running our country, and consciously being thankful is the first step towards achieving that. 

• Thirdly: you're reading this right now, aren't you? If not, someone is reading it aloud to you.  Either  A) you have eyes and a brain in good enough shape to comprehend this piece of text   -or-   B) you have the ability to hear it being read to you. Being able to see, hear, and comprehend things is an amazing gift that we humans do not thank God for enough. 

• Fourthly: my second assumption of the evening is that you have some (most likely many) people in your life who   l o v e   you quite dearly.  Take care of these people, pour love and kindness into them as they do to you.  They are more important than that new expensive jacket you want, the stress burned over thin finances, or worrying about your most recent exam.  All those things will fade away as life moves on, your loved ones will not. 

• And lastly: stop what you're doing and look around you.  If you're in an office or a building right now (like I am), go look out the window or step outside. How stunningly beautiful is creation?  Take a moment to notice small details, and realize what a wonderful world we have the privilege of living in. 

Alright, you've reached the near end of my cliche, month-of-Thanksgiving post about thankfulness -- was that so bad?  I just think there is an importance in making sure we recognize these things we so often take for granted.  

On a completely separate side-note, my new apartment is working out even better than I had hoped! And yes, it does have a working heater & hot water. . . sure, our oven doesn't work and the toilet in my bathroom is (already) having some issues, but overall it has been just what I needed.  Almost one week down in the new place! 

Another quick update for y'all -- only 12 more days till my man arrives in CO! How exciting is that?! 

Anyhow, I hope you all have a great weekend . . . Go out & do something fall-ish. 

xoxo, lauren               

                                             

"I'm Drowning In Moving Boxes Again!" (And Other Recent Lauren-isms)

In more recent news, I'm moving this weekend.  Into a smaller apartment closer to campus, and I'm actually really excited about it!  Trying to get everything packed and situated (even though it's only half way across town) is still a wee bit stressful considering it's getting close to the end of the semester. Oh, and did I mention the fact that Danielle & I haven't even seen the inside of our future apartment yet? Talk about a leap of faith . . . *hint hint, prayers would be appriciated*!  Something along the lines of: 'please Lord, don't let Lauren & Danielle's new apartment be devastatingly dirty' or 'you know God, it would be really neat if Lauren & Danielle had a nice working heater in their new place so they don't freeze their booties off all winter'. 

*sigh*

Oh well, enough about that!  I'm sure it will be fine, and we will make it cute & cozy.  These past few weeks have flown by.  I feel like I blink and 4 days go by; I take a breath - oops! - there goes another 7. I suppose it's okay, because each day brings me closer to Thanksgiving. 

Last weekend, I went down to CO Springs to spend a few days at my Auntie Joy's and it was just what I needed.  We drank coffee, went shopping, and it was a puuuurrrrrfect few days. 

                      

On a side-note, Colorado fall is absolutely amazing! There are so many colors, it looks like each leaf was painted specially and in a unique fashion all of it's own. We haven't gotten snow yet, but there is plenty of time for that.  Today is my last day of work for the week (thank goodess) and then I have the whole weekend off to move & get settled.  One student teaching session & one 8 hour shift at the hotel is all that's standing between me and my weekend! 

                       

    

Finish the week strong, friends!

"My help comes from the Lord who made heaven & earth" - Pslam 121:2 

xoxo, lauren 

What Did One Autumn Leaf Say To Another?

. . . I'm Falling For You! 

Sometimes there are days that are just plain beautiful in every sort of way, and I was lucky enough to have today be one of them.  Sundays in general are always special -- they are slower somehow, and float by more gracefully than any of the other days of the week.  Today was spent with my lovely roomate, browsing shops in Old Town Fort Collins.  We sipped coffee and window-shopped while little fall leaves blew through the gentle breeze around us. . . I'd say the morning couldn't have been more pleasant. 

                                    

 

Guess what else? The shops here already have CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS out too!  How exciting is that? I know I need to slow down and enjoy fall, but the thought that Christmas is only about two months away brings me such happiness!  Thanksgiving is always such a comforting time as well, and this year I'll be spending it with the love-of-my-life.  Saying that always blows my mind, I can't believe I've met the man I've been dreaming about since I was a little girl.  Being able to be with him even though I can't be with my family will make the holiday loads happier.  And. . . the food on Thanksgiving is also quite a highlight, don't you think? 

                         

This week, the goals are to eat healthy and pray often.  Why don't y'all try to do it with me?  On a sidenote, I'm going to Trader Joe's tomorrow because I've heard rumours that they have pumpkin pie ice cream ( ! ! ! ) and that's just going to have to be the one exception to this healthy eating thing I've got goin' on. 

Do you ever have moments, randomly throughout your day, where you see God vividly in the creation around you?  As I was driving home this evening, this is what I saw out of my windsheild view: 

      

                               

(and trust me, it was about a million times more stunning in real life).  The way the sun paints everything different shades of gold as it's saying goodnight to the world has got to be one of the most amazing parts of life on earth.  

Well done, CO, well done. 

xoxo, lauren 

       

 

    

    

  

  

Beginnings & Autumn in CO

As many of you know, I recently moved from sunny Southern California to the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains.  (what...?)  Sometimes it still doesn't hit me as reality and I get this feeling that I'm simply on a long vacation.  Anyhow, it's been quite the whirlwind.  Time flies yet it drags, which is a strange feeling in it of its own.  Having your family 18 hours away isn't the easiest thing either, but I know this move was God's plan for my life.  Think about this for a second: the God and Creator of the entire  u n i v e r s e  holds the blueprints for your entire life in His hands.  Doesn't that just blow your mind?  And really -- could He have picked a more gorgeous place for me to finish my college education in? I think that answer would be a resounding no.

Colorado is such an adventurous state.  It has this quality that makes you want to constantly be outdoors, and if you aren't, you feel almost guilty that you aren't out there enjoying all that beauty right at your fingertips.  Autumn is almost in full swing here in FoCo, and the trees are already turning brilliant shades that I hadn't seen since my life in Oregon.  Fall is crisp and welcoming at the same time, and for me the days fly by.  Watch, I'll blink a couple more times and it'll be Thanksgiving Day already.  Which, by the way, is when this handsome fella is coming down from his snowy Montana town to spend the holiday with me! (and I may or may not be the most excited girl in America because of this...)

I wish that my darling family could be here too, but plane tickets for a family of four plus a furry member really aren't cheap, you know?  The bright side is that we will all be together at The Farm for Christmas, which is always a time full of abounding love and thankfulness.  In the meantime, while waiting around for the dear, dear holidays to arrive, I'll just continue to spend my (little) free time venturing through the ice cream and coffee shops of Fort Collins with this chickadee. 

 I feel that I am  s u c h  a lucky girl to have this family, friends, man, opportunities, town, God, school. . . the list could go on & on.  Sometimes it's hard to be positive amidst change, but know that it is possible.  

I'll leave you with this parting verse - 

Hebrews 13:5 -- "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, 

because God has said, 'never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' " 

Let's think on that this week, shall we?

xoxo, lauren