humbled

That's right, there were NO pictures :) Humbled daily and learning that I suck at mass mailings. Another reason why asking for help is good. Any volunteers to edit next year's Christmas letter?

what's wrong with this picture?

To my dearest family and friends,

It is with great eagerness that I begin writing my first adult Christmas letter! I debated going the e-mail route, thought about sending you a picture of me with my 482 Sunrise students, or just writing a little 2-3 sentence blurb in a Hallmark card.  None of those seemed suiting for the joy in my heart and the love I feel for this season and the people I miss so much. So read on! 

Twenty ten has been a year of growth, risks, and adventures.  Nine months ago I was still a Michigan State Spartan learning to be a teacher and now I am teaching 482+ kiddos daily. The mentorship I received from my student teaching experience and love from the families I spent time with in East Lansing was pertinent to the success of living on my own. Nothing will ever replace the year of memories with the beautiful Burley family (right), the communities of Williamston and Bath, and my friends in Young Life and at Riverview Church. 

Summer was filled with the comforts and familiarities of home. Saline friends and co-workers, Mom’s cooking, Dad’s golf advice, and many journal pages filled with prayers for a job with benefits.  When it was clear that my path would venture out west, courage and excitement filled my heart.  My four day trip in my fully loaded Ford Escape was an adventure I will never forget (picture when I entered AZ to the left).  I am the girl who once had to spray my teddy bear with Mom’s perfume; moving across the country was not a plan that my homesick heart would have a trend of being successful at.  Cincinnati, Nashville and Albuquerque were highlights on the trip and I’m eternally grateful for the protection of my little Escape.

With about 5 months of teaching under my belt I’ve learned more from my students then they have learned from me.  I’ve had visits from tarantulas and rattlesnakes, learned how excited desert dwellers are for rain, keep Elmer’s glue on hand for run-ins with cacti, and removed the words grass, overcast, and fog from my vocabulary. 

Without internet and cable, I’ve enjoyed spending time catching up on my horrible movie collection and realized that you don’t need weather.com in a state that is sunny 99.9% of the time. Walking outside to get oranges and grapefruit is common, running up ridiculously steep hills is not an option, and frequent house calls to my Arizona family helps me get through my hug cravings.  I am residing in the comforts of my Aunt Lexy’s old snow bird place and continually grateful for the ways God provides.

I know absolutely nothing about what 2011 has in store but I do know better than to think that I am in control.  God’s plan surpassed anything I could have imagined for 2010.  I pray for patience and peace in your heart and hope for great blessings this Christmas season and into 2011.  I challenge you to take risks and adventures of your own...knowing that if you want some sun, warm weather, or just some good laughs of watching a midwest girl survive the desert - my door is always open!

I pray for the hope of God’s message for the Christmas season and the grace and peace that come from believing in the story of Jesus. I hope that 2011 is nothing but good news and great joy for you and your family.

All my Love,

Lauren

advent conspiracy

As a full contender in the Advent Conspiracy that Maryclaire and the Burley's brought to my attention, I have found it increasingly difficult to stay focused this Christmas season on the "reason for the season."

Worship fully.
Spend less.
Give more.
Love all.

I am praying that my heart will be more available then what it has been the past couple of weeks.  That I will truly take in the blessings of this season.  Surrounded by a family who strives on the commercial significance of the holiday, I am eager to find the glimpse of light in the simple joy of knowing that we are around the table together in celebration of love.  Not only the celebration of love but also of many other things that create a heart ready for the birth and coming of Christ.

A celebration of changes - increased distances with decreased time.
A celebration of what is next - forgetting what has hurt us and remembering what restoration lies ahead.
A celebration of the heart - evaluating the content of my heart in Christ and the honesty that comes from a thorough dusting.

A celebration if hope - that Jesus was born to save each and every person in this world.  Something no one else can do or will ever do, until He comes again.

In so many ways this is the beginning of something new, even more new then the New Year.

Last year I was known for famously putting up ten fingers in every photo taken by Al J (see below), but this year I'm keeping it simple.

Ideas for 2011?

captured.

How can words even describe these friendships?  It's not just the one's pictured above.  It's in the calls asking me to come for a Mason Depot breakfast, watching my Mt. Clemens friend love her precious daughter as she grows a 2nd baby, and it's in the history of these ladies above.

I realized tonight that when I drive my friends home, I find myself going under the speed limit because I don't want time to end.  I realized today that my best friends can be the one's I've known the longest or who seem the farthest ahead of me in life.  I realized today that I cannot live without these friendships. I couldn't stop hugging Claire, I wanted to squeeze all the love out of Al before she leaves for Singapore, and Anna I wish she would just keep sharing her stories, keep telling me how it is.  So many exciting things in their lives and so much history in ours. My prayer is that my children can have the friendships I've been blessed with.  My heart craves these girls and the unique traits that they bring to this world...although I do wish they would grow so I would stop being the giant in the pictures!

Love, Always, Forever