Standing For What I Believe In

I just felt I needed to express my beliefs. I feel that more and more today things are accepted as being okay and the more you hear it the more it just doesn’t matter anymore. Which has always made me sad to watch myself as I become desensitized to what is important and knowing the difference in right and wrong on TV, school , etc. I used to absolutely feel like cussing was like nails on a chalk board, absolutely could not stand it. Because it was against everything I had ever been taught- but in today society you cant even go to class, turn on an animated movie without hearing it. Eventually you become desensitized and that makes me sad.

My favorite Christian band of all times is Casting Crowns. They have a song for everything. In todays society there is definitely a "Stained Glass Masquerade" and I challenge each and everyone one of you to take down your mask and ask yourself what really matters, what’s really important and what do you have your brothers and sisters in Christ for if they aren’t able to help you in times of need? Aren’t able to agree with you on an issue? Not able to STAND UP for what you believe in? The lyrics are:

"Stained Glass Masquerade"

Is there anyone that fails is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small?
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong I know they'll soon discover that I don't belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open to every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain on our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded in the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing and we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching can we really fall apart
But would it set me free if I dared to let you see the truth behind the person that you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open or would you walk away?

Would the love of Jesus be enough to make you stay?

Today in my quiet time I really reflected on those words. Look around you, who has a painted grin on and who will let you in? There are some things that I will always know are wrong and I pray that I will continue to think this way and never will I be desensitized. I also pray that God will show me some good Christian leaders in my life.

I know I totally went off on a tangent but today there was just a lot of things heavy on my heart. I always thought that if you could make a soundtrack to your life, what would be on it?? My soundtrack would be just what I have done that the past two days.

Some of my favorite verses dealing with these issues:

Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler; whoever is led astray is not wise Proverbs 20:1

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for others, building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:9-12

With You

Im at home today. This week is going to be a long week and Im already tired. Oh well once this week is over I can rest. My favorite song right now is With You by Chris Brown and when I hear this song it just makes my day better. Here is the lyrics I love...

You're my sweetheart And I'm so glad that you are mine You are one of a kind and...
You mean to me What I mean to you and...
Together baby, There is nothing we won't do'cause if I got you,
I don't need money, I don't need cars, Girl, you're my all...And..
Oh! I'm into you, And girl,
No one else would do,'cause with every kiss and every hug,
You make me fall in love, And now I know I can't be the only one, I bet there heart's all over the world tonight,With the love of they life who feel...Wat I feel when I'm With you.

Project 365

So I stole this idea from one of my sisters friend who is doing it and i love the idea so i decided to do it myself. It is called PROJECT 365 and you take one picture every day post it that way in the end you have your year in summary of 365 pictures...give a take or few considering im getting started a little late. But check it out... ill put the link on the side over there with the blogs along with in this blog....

http://picasaweb.google.com/LaurenMartha

Wedding from Saturday Pictures

Little Mommy

Just came across these pictures and thought I would share them with everyone. Me and my sister really get into the Christmas spirit. Granted this was a few years ago but our ears and lights never fail to come out of the closet every year.

I LOVE MY SISTER!! I cant wait for us to be in Dallas together.

Longest Day Ever

Today has just not been a good day. It hasn’t been awful but it has just been long and I’m exhausted. I don’t know everyone does it.

It really started last night when I ate a "Snickers Charged." It tastes just like a regular snickers so I didn’t think anything of it come to find out...its got more caffeine than two cans of coke, some other crap and B vitamins. I didn’t think it would affect me but when I tried to go to bed at 1- it didn’t happen. My mind was racing with things I needed to get done. Finally at 3:30 I saw the clock for the last time. It was a rough night and when my alarm went off at 6:40 I wasn’t happy.In between classes I went to Betuell to refill my migraine medicine in the hour and 40 minutes I sat with everyone with the flu for the full hour and forty minutes just for the nurse to tell me, "Can you come back at 3pm?" UGH!!
So I reluctantly left and headed to my last class for the day. All the while having eaten nothing. I was getting grumpier by the minute. I ran home after class put in a load of laundry, checked some email before jumping back on the bus and heading to my 3 o'clock appt which ended up lasting till 5pm and the best part of it all...he wouldn’t refill my migraine medicine and told me that was to much medicine for a young girl my size to be taking and wants me to go a neurologist and get an MRI. Like I have time for that?!

Okay okay, I’m done complaining. I hope everyone has enjoyed my venting session. : )

Maybe Ill go take a bubble bath and relax....ha!

Fun Weekend!!

My back is feeling much better. It is still tough to bend over and pick up things off the floor but Im working on it. All day Friday I was so excited for this weekend! I just knew it was going to be a great weekend and it was...

Friday night Kimberly and I went to dinner and then we came home and just relaxed after a long third week of school. Then Justin got here and I was soo excited to see him. I had just seen him the weekend before but it felt like ages. Once he got here kimbo, chelsea me and justin all went over to Kevins parents new house. Its beautiful! We stayed over there and watched them play Wii for awhile then came home. Saturday we went to eat lunch with a bunch of his buddies from the core then headed over to Taylors to see what his family was up too. After hanging out over there for a little while we came back to my house and got ready for the wedding. The wedding was at 5:30 and Kimbo came over and did my hair and makeup. Justin looked very handsome in his suit and I looked pretty good myself and off we went to the wedding. It was a very pretty wedding. It was very small and the majority of the budget definetely went to the reception. After the wedding the reception was at Christophers-it was a beautiful reception.

The time came for the cutting of the cake, the toast, and throwing of the bouquet and the garter. The thew the garter four times before anyone caught it, and you know who...Justin caught it. No one would let him live it down for the rest of the night. And as the night went on no one would let me live it down either!

Anyways- the weekend was definietly fun and I cant wait for next weekend...DELTA GAMMA RETREAT! yippie : / However I do have a long week of quizzes, readings and tests this week so I guess I should get to studying.

My life is going so well. There will be ups and downs and there will be arguements but in the end I am just as happy if not more happy than before. Life is great! I love you all.