Love

In my last post I listed some things I love right now.  After doing my daily reading I realized pretty quickly that I only know what love is because HE chose to love me. We throw the term "love" around very loosely in our culture. Oh I "love" that store, or I "love" that movie, or even I just "love" that place. Do we really love those things though? Or do we simply enjoy them? 1 John 4:21 stood out to me the most.

"And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love one another"

God commands us to love each other regardless of all other circumstances, but do we love each other as we should. As we "love" that movie? Or as we "love" that place? Too often we say how much we dislike, or even hate, someone and are not as quick to show our love. Oftentimes those who cause us the most pain and strife are the ones who need our love the most.

We have all known someone who dances a jig all over our last nerve. Most of the time we want absolutely nothing to do with this person. In fact, very often we do everything in our power to avoid this person, or to even hurt this person. Why? Why are we so quick to judge and avoid them? Why do we not immediately pick up on their strengths instead of their weaknesses? Why do we not love this person unconditionally despite the things they do that annoy you? In my profession I often meet people who dance that jig over and over again. My first instinct when I meet a person like this is to fuss about them to someone else, but why am I not showing my compassion for them? Why am I not praying to God for the strength to love these people as He so graciously commanded us to do?

My hope is that I stop taking the easy way out by complaining. My hope is that I act like the Christian I claim to be and love these people. My hope is that I love not just "love". My hope is that I love just as God commanded us to love.

Thunderstorms

I love the sound of thunderstorms outside. There is nothing greater than curling up with a good book with the screen door open, listening to the sound of rain pitter patter. The powerful thunder claps and bright lightning are such great reminders of an amazing God who is in control.

 Some other things I love right now:

*Alabama*

*my wonderful hubby*

*my students and their creativity*

*running*

*early spring weather*

*my Savior*

*Girl Scout cookies*

What is on your radar this week?

Random Airport Thoughts

Apparently I had too smooth of a flight two weeks ago because I agreed to get on another one of those itty bitty planes again. What was I thinking?! Oh, now I remember, I love my hubs:-)

Isn't he cute?!

So far no catastrophes have taken place, other than a 1-hour delay, but I'm not holding my breath. After much wandering I finally found a place to set up shop, and I thought I would enlighten y'all with some Lauren airport commentary. 

(one)-I'm beginning to think passing through the sliding doors into Charlotte Douglas gives people a sense of freedom. I'm not talking about "life is good, let's all be happy" freedom. I'm talking about, "I don't have to be nice to any of you random people freedom". It's like they got a "get out of jail free" pass so they don't have to be civil anymore!

(two)-It is quite hysterical to watch people run across the terminal, and then run right back because they forgot their wife and baby. Yes, this just happened. Hopefully the wee one will forget daddy's desertion; from the look on her face, Mama sure won't.

(three)-To the man shouting into his cellphone, you may be deaf but I'm certainly not. I heard every bit of your side of the conversation and hers. For the record, I agree with Martha. You are being a jerk.

(four)-Putting your things down on a table and chair apparently doesn't make them yours for the moment. To the man who moved my things to the floor, please see number one.

(five)-Just because you get airsick doesn't mean the entire waiting area wants to hear about it in detail. 

(six)- Basketball players travel in posses at airports as well as on school campuses.

(seven)- A group of servicemen (and women) were not allowing a delay to slow them down. Why not just do a few push-ups and sit-ups in the aisle of the concourse?

The sad thing is, you can't make this stuff up. Anyone else have an interesting airport story?

That's a Wrap!

I have a new obsession. Part of me wants to keep it all to myself so I can be guaranteed that Wally World will never run out. Lucky for y'all that part is small and completely overshadowed by the part that wants to tell the world.Wait for it, wait for it. . .Flatout flat bread! I saw these the other day when I was looking for tortillas to make quesadillas. They weren't too expensive and in a rush to escape the hell of Walmart I tossed them in the buggy. At home I layered turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, and a smidgen of sprinkle cheese. Then I wrapped it all up and dipped it in light caesar dressing. Score! Needless to say I have a new favorite meal. The best part is there are different flavors, shapes, and sizes. Yes, I realize it's a bit pathetic to devote an entire posting to food, but the heart wants what the heart wants.

Count Your Blessings

I am incredibly blessed. Far too often I get wrapped up in work and life that I forget how truly blessed I am to even have the things that stress me out. I am fortunate enough to have a job to go to every day. I am lucky enough to have a puppy to fuss at for being naughty. So on and so forth.

As many of you know this past week we had a bit of a scare when my youngest sister Abby was rushed to hospital with chest pains. I'm sure I'm going to mess up some details but I'm going to try to tell the story the best way that I can. Thursday morning she went to the health center at Appalachian after two days of chest pain and throwing up. After a series of tests they sent her to the hospital in Boone. After even more tests they packed her up in an ambulance and sent her to Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Upon arrival they immediately prepped her for a heart catheter. After the heart cath came back clear they placed her in the Cardiac Intensive Care (CICU) unit. By Friday morning they declared she had myopericarditis (say that five times fast) and she would have to stay a few days for observations. Keep in mind that Abby is a healthy eighteen year old who avoids junk food and runs three miles a day. They treated her with Advil which David believes to be the most expensive Advil ever considering the room in CICU she had to be in to get that prescribed! By the time David and I were able to visit her Friday afternoon she was in much less pain and her stellar sense of humor was back.

We were all thrown for such a loop with this. Abby's identical twin sister, Mandy, has always been the one with health issues. When Manda Panda gets sick we're undoubtedly upset, but it's not such a shock. When we found out about Abby, it was like a smack in the face. Thank God that she is doing MUCH better and was released from the hospital today. She has a follow-up appointment in a few weeks and orders to take it easy. We are extremely blessed that she was able to walk out of the hospital this afternoon; many of the people on her floor won't. All of this got me thinking how truly blessed I am to live my life. A few things that come to mind:

*My husband. His godliness and unending faith are more than I deserve, and I thank God every day that I get support his dream.

*Our families. Between the Wards and the Mobleys we have hit a family home run. How many people can say they love seeing and spending time with their in-laws? I can! And I would never trade my crazy/wonderful family for anything!

*Our church. As I've mentioned before we attend, Hope Church Charlotte, a church-plant in the Mallard Creek area of Charlotte. We are incredibly blessed to have stumbled upon this church of true believers. If you're ever in the area, check us out Sundays at 10am!

*Our pup! She may drive me bonkers with her forest discoveries (today was a tennis shoe), but I truly love the crazy pooch.

*Our home. I may fuss about its size and location, but I love our cozy little place. It's in a great location (if you can get over the traffic!) and it is the perfect size for our tiny family.

*My job. I love teaching! I love every moment spent with "my" children! We all have our bad days, but those kids make every headache worth it. Not to mention my co-workers are hysterical.

*Technology. I am so grateful for the technology that keeps me connected with my hubs even when we are miles apart.

*Our friends. Despite the fact that some are near and some are far, I know I can call on any one of them and they would do whatever they could to help.

*Our health.While I may fuss about the aches and pains, I am healthy, and for that I am grateful.

 With one of my very best friends since the start of college

 The pup enjoying this gorgeous spring weather!

Some of the AMAZING people I get to work with!

Sunday morning at Hope Church Charlotte.

What are you thanking God for today?