special weekend

Wow, this weekend was one for the books!

It started out with lunch with Dad on Friday and a trip to Walmart. And then I worked another fun PJ Masks event at work! But the best part of Friday was of course, getting to see The Crew and spend the weekend with them! Friday evening we worked on a project, played games, sung songs and laughed like always! 

Saturday was an extremely special day for so so many reasons. We woke up and went to a prayer vigil in Toledo for a change of heart in Promedica’s decision making board for signing the agreement with Capital Care, the only abortion facility left in Toledo. They lead worship songs, many faiths and people from all walks of life gave speeches. I got to show my friend Amanda, from Michigan around downtown- we had a picnic lunch in front of the art museum, walked around there and watched a glass blowing demonstration in the glass pavilion. (Check out my facebook posts for more pictures) We then headed back to the house for a cookout with everyone, some games of backyard volleyball and then took off to watch our good friend CJ perform at a restaurant in Maumee- he’s awesome! Also last year on this day we were getting ready for Christy & Kev’s wedding- that was an amazing day (Happy 1st anniversary guys, love you both!) & 4 years ago today I started hanging out with The Crew for the first time… what better way to celebrate than a whole weekend together

This morning we woke up, went to mass and ate brunch all together and then played cards. We all had the greatest time together and I’m so thankful to know and be loved by these people!! 

Thanks for a fun weekend Crew!

here’s to sophomore year

here’s to sophomore year

two years of college down. that is unreal.

I can’t believe that I am already done with my second year of college.

last school year was really tough for me. and I’m honestly not going to lie, so was this year but in a lot of different ways. But, I believe now that I am in a lot better place within myself. 

In November, I got accepted as a camp counselor. Since then, I have been preparing in several ways for this June. I have been purchasing things I think I will need while at summer camp, slowly preparing physically and mentally and learning more and more everyday about different aspects and important details that I may need to know while there. 

During my first semester of sophomore year, I was still in a gray-ish place within myself. It wasn’t until second semester-which was January of this year-when I finally got the peace I needed for oh so long. I was very glad that actually happened. 

In February, I had to make a very difficult decision and decide that I couldn’t be apart of something anymore that I had loved for a while. I seem to keep having to do this lately, unfortunately. After a month of constantly thinking about what I should do, I personally believe that I did not make an angry decision. I had talked to everyone important in my life and was asking for their opinions. I also prayed so hard about it and talked to God about it while I was deciding. During that process, I found a quote on Facebook that said something like: 'Stop looking at the line, just figure out which way you are going to jump.’ I had to just do what God was calling me to do. Even though I was pretty upset that I had to do it, I learned to heal and move on from it- knowing then and now that I had made the right decision for the better. 

During the first weekend of March (on Spring Break), The Crew & I took a weekend trip down to Cincinnati for my first time- I loved it! We even got to drive through Kentucky and checked that state off of my list of where I’ve been! We went to a day retreat on Sunday and learned more about knowing God’s will. We had beautiful weather, couldn't have asked for a better trip with my best friends. I hope we can take trips like that until we are old and gray.

April was a stressful month for me because I was finishing about 20 or so papers and final projects combined for my classes. It was very overwhelming because all I was seeing was black and white- Times New Roman size 12 font. I know that I like write but not academically- so, that was no fun.  I finally finished on the last Wednesday of the month and now I am officially on summer break!

I will be leaving for summer camp in about 5 weeks, it is sure coming up quick.

This school year, I learned that you are not your past and that you can and will recover from whatever you were/are going through.

I have also learned a huge amount about change and that it can come so fast. I have been learning and will continue to learn that… even though everyone won’t always be in the area anymore, including myself, that doesn’t mean that they won’t be back. I have been learning to trust myself and my God and I am so thankful to have friends who we can change and grow with and still be as close as ever. Even though we are growing apart, our friendship will grow even closer. 

I’ve thankfully learned to trust the magic of new beginnings and let go of the past ones that didn’t seem to work out. 

Ultimately, I’ve learned to work on being happy again and as always to continue strengthening my relationship with our wonderful God!

life update 4/17/18

Hey hey a little life update for ya: 

I am in my last few weeks of sophomore year at UT and I am so happy to be finally only 1 more paper and a few more classes away from summer ☀️🚀

Even though, I’ve had to make some changes and decisions in the past few months but I’m hoping they all work out the way they are supposed to. I am still working on the weekends and babysitting during the weekdays when I’m not at school. 

If you’re not from Northwest Ohio, Northeast Indiana or Southeast Michigan… it is currently April 17th and we woke up to snow on the ground and it is still snowing as I write this. I can not wait for some consistent warm weather!

I will be cherishing all the time I have with my friends, The Crew, until June when I move away and lots of changes happen with us then. But I am so blessed to be friends through it all.

It is also less than 2 months until I move up to Camp as a first time summer camp counselor. I’m preparing a little more and more each day! I can not possibly wait to meet other staff members and my campers! 

I’m obviously still writing my blogs (haha) and when it warms up, expect to see lots of photos especially from camp this summer. 

I will also hopefully be sending letters back home and I would love to receive mail while there so be on the look out for that! 

I am looking forward to spending lots of time at the lake before I leave for summer camp and when I come back mid August. After that, I will head back to The University of Toledo on the 27th of August. It will then be fair time🎪 and I will be a junior! It’s crazy how fast time really does go!

Hope this finds you well (and hopefully staying warm in this weather)!! I keep saying to myself, God is good no matter what and it is so true! 

Have a great week everybody 😊💕

Im a camp counselor…

I’m a camp counselor…

I believe in camp

I believe in shorts, t-shirt’s and backpacks
I believe in drinking your water

I believe everyone should have back pocket activities to play during free time

I believe in repeat after me and do as I do songs 

I believe in silly skits

and I believe in loosing my voice because of them

I believe in early mornings and late nights

and I believe in the beauty of camp sunsets and sunrises
I believe in Stoney Lake and all the joy it brings to people of all ages
and I believe in helping someone experience something they never have before

I believe in lots of s’mores & many campfires

I believe camp changes people’s lives including my own

I believe there’s no place like camp and I wish I could stay forever

I believe in making memories all day and all night long

I REALLY believe in saska

I believe in sleeping bags and bunks and hanging towels out to dry

I believe that I am the person I am today because of camp
I believe in this 1200 acre property being my safe space

I believe in jumping into help someone else whenever needed

I believe in camp food & I live for camp’s cookie tarts
I believe in card games and lots of laughs with fellow counselors during TO

I believe that the best conversations can happen at camp

I believe that weird tan lines, sunburns and greasy hair can be sort of cool 

I believe that most days I honestly can’t tell you what the day is but I can tell you how many days until camp

I believe in ‘sorry, I work at camp’ as an example for why I am the way I am

I believe in encouraging and inspiring other counselors and I believe in star stories

I believe in saying and doing the right things because my campers are looking up to me

I believe in needing help and not being afraid to ask for it

I believe camp is not always easy, but it’s always, always worth it

I believe I feel more at home at camp and the surrounding areas than I actually do at home

I believe in not knowing we are making memories- we just know we are having fun

I believe so much in random adventures all over camp property

I believe I can relate just about anything to camp

I believe in the camp “bubble” where you have no idea what’s going on in the outside world and wouldn't want it any other way

I believe in braids 24/7 at camp
I belive in taking some time to recharge and refresh yourself when needed at camp

I believe in Gaga ball and trail rides

I believe that camp life has taught me people and leadership skills that I know I couldn’t have learned anywhere else

I believe camp is being yourself, your true honest and raw self

I believe camp is camp because of the people you get to experience it with
I believe meeting people from across the world is one of camp’s most amazing features

I believe every child should have a chance to go to camp

I believe being a camp counselor is the best job in the world

I believe camp is good- no, great!

in fact I believe camp is the best place on Earth…

And I believe this is going to be the best summer yet!!

on troubles…

““I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!””

‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬

I have The Bible app and I have it set up where it sends me the verse of the day in a notification on my phone. It’s a neat feature because I try to read the rest of the chapter and even the ones around it and bookmark some other important verses. I usually read it in the morning but I just now read today’s at almost 10pm at night and this was it. Man, did it hit home. 

Lately, for the past month or more I’ve been going through some pretty tough things that I never thought I would have to go through. I don’t know what I am supposed to be doing so I am giving it all up to Him.

I try so hard to get out of the mindset of “God, I’m a good person. I go to Church. I love You and I love my friends and family and important people in my life. Why me?”

But, looking on the positive side- I remember He has a plan for me. He has carved out this marvelous plan for my life and I am so glad I get to live it. Even though all of this bad has been happening, I am the kind of person that always looks on the bright, more positive side. And I’ve thought about this being a blessing in disguise because I have been listening to advice more, pouring into my friends and family more, working on my grades more, just appreciating life more and praying more than I ever have. 

He says we will “have troubles”. He doesn’t promise us a beautiful, stress free, no problem filled life because we know God. In fact he says the opposite, he says clear as day, we absolutely will have troubles. But it is so worth it to give your life to Christ.

This life is hard as heck sometimes. It can be really confusing. It makes no sense and sometimes I have zero clue what I’m doing. But He tells us to “Be Brave!” Because He has “defeated the world!” How cool. I think that advice alone is one of the most beautiful things I so desperately needed from this verse of the day. He already has defeated the world and all the problems and difficult things we have to wake up and face everyday. He simply tells us to “Be Brave!” He already knows His plan for our lives. 

He knows you completely and knows what you’re going through right now. And He is, without a doubt, guiding you along. 

So if you’re going through something- remember that God: The Creator of Heaven and Earth and of you!! assured us to be brave in the troubles we are going through. Stick with it a little longer. God is on your side!

my testimony

Hi friends, I’m here to share my testimony tonight with you. I must have restarted this blog post a few different times because I don’t really know how to start. 

Okay, Hi I’m Lauren. I was born to a loving mother and father, in August of 1998. I was baptized in the Catholic Church a few months later. My dad isn’t Catholic but my mom and her 2 siblings grew up Catholic. My mom has taught Catholic preschool for about 30 years now. That’s where I learned my love for kids! 

I went to a Catholic school for Kindergarten through 8th grade. I made my First Communion, my First Reconciliation, and my Confirmation there. My sister is 2 years younger than me and went through the same things. We went to church pretty much every weekend and we have been involved in the parish community as well there. We loved the school, the staff were incredible and helped us out so much. Forever thankful for all of them! 

The next 2 huge parts of my life, completely changed my story. 

My 6th grade teacher, died my 8th grade year at the school. (October of 2011) She was on the emergency squad for our township. That Friday morning, she got a call about an accident about a mile or so from our school, and immediately went to help. She was directing traffic and someone came out of nowhere and hit her with their car. It was heart shattering news to our whole community. She was amazing and did so much for all the students. I love her and miss her everyday.

You could say this year of my life wasn’t so great because another sad story… 4 days after my 14th birthday and a few days before high school started (August of 2012), I lost my grandma on my moms side. She was beautiful, she could light up any room with her laugh and always looked out for her grandkids. We called her Busi, polish for grandma. She died of a blood infection after being in the hospital for a few weeks. This hit our family really hard and honestly nothing has been the same since. I miss her, all the time.

I then started high school, which was very hard to do without my grandma. I went to a public high school down the street a bit. At first, I wasn’t a huge fan of the school but at the end of my 4 years there, I didn’t want to leave!

To keep myself busy not to think too much about what had just happened to me and also to meet new people, I joined some clubs at school. Throughout HS, I was in SADD, Spanish Club, Student Council, FFA, Yearbook, Young Life and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I volunteered for just about anything there. I set up for all of the dances, was president of our SADD chapter and a student leader in FCA as an upperclassmen. I remember it so clearly… my first FCA meetings. I knew I wanted to go because I went from being able to go to church and talk and learn about God all the time, to not being able to speak about Our Creator in public school very much. But at the first couple meetings, I didn’t say anything. I was so silent (which is very unlike me! lol) Eventually, I gained the courage to talk and share my experiences and I became a student leader my last two years of high school. In our sessions at lunch, I really loved getting to speak about The One who created me and loves me so much that He sent His only Son to die for our sins. To me, that’s just incredible. My Junior and Senior year when I was leading, are the times that I really built myself on from then on out. It increases my faith being able to teach others, as well. 

I hated my high school, at first. I didn’t want to go at all. I would say that was like freshman year & maybe even early sophomore year.  I learned to love EHS so much and didn’t want to leave when I graduated. I wasn’t involved in sports or popular very much but I just talked with pretty much everyone. I sat at the head seat of our table in the cafeteria and met a lot of people that way. 

The summer before my Junior year, I started hanging out with my large group of friends, I now call The Crew. I have a million posts about them, so feel free to check them out! The Crew is the best thing that has ever happened to me and wow I’m so blessed to know and be loved by them! 

Speaking about my Junior year, life hit me again pretty hard. I have another blog post up about what happened… but basically the one best friend I had since the beginning of school, had then picked a guy she didn’t even barely know… over me, her best friend. It was pretty hard for me to get over. She yelled and screamed at me, telling me that I would never get anywhere in life. I have a huge heart and always care what people think of me and really took everything to heart back then. That was pretty much HS for me. I fell back on The Crew a lot during this hard time. God was showing me that The Crew will always be there for me and believe me, they really have!! They have totally strengthened my faith and re-inspired me to keep my relationship up with God. I have never had friends like this it still blows my mind everyday that they choose to keep me around, even when I don’t deserve them at all. They show me Jesus in every way possible… everyone deserves friends like these! 

My sister and I were involved in our area Young Life, when I was in high school. We went to Young Life fall weekend and it increased our love for Christ even more!

Then, Senior year came around… I graduated from high school, got my first real job, and I soon started college. I have been going to my church’s Ignite worship nights once a month, they are so much fun and great for an hour in the middle of the week with Our wonderful God! They play awesome music and have time for prayer throughout. 

Currently in college, I am a Freshmen Camp Counselor and The Christian Emphasis Coordinator in The University YMCA, that runs Freshmen Camp if you didn’t know. 

I’m now a Sophomore in my (almost) second semester. I have had nothing but great friends in college. I have never met one person who has been rude to me at all and I love it! The atmosphere is just so different there then in high school. 

To keep up with my busy schedule, something I do is check my Bible app, on my phone, as much as I can. It’s one of the best apps I have honestly, it let’s you choose what version of The Bible you’d like, highlight and save verses and even Bible study plans with daily reminders and devotionals! I would totally suggest getting that app! It keeps my favorite verses or chapters I want to study deeper, all organized together. 

I got my first ever Bible for Christmas this year! (I’ve been sharing my moms for a while now) It’s a new color in and journaling Bible. I get easily distracted by a lot of things, so I think this will help me with jotting down notes and coloring within the pages!

This is just a small part of my testimony and how God works in my life and 

as always, 

to be continued……

wholeheartedly…

Ever since my senior year of high school, I have created a word I want to focus on for the year. This idea is based off the book “One Word”, you should totally give it a read… it’s so worth it! 

Looking back to when I started, I have learned I need to start focusing on these words and actions right away and stop doing it just when I feel like it during the course of the year.

My 2016 Word was beginning: beginning a new job, beginning college, beginning commuting, beginning getting involved in my new city ect.

My 2017 Word was originally going to be wait, but I shifted it to growth.  I feel like 2017 was the year of growth for me. I was growing and learning about moving on, bettering myself and just trying to get out of my comfort zone and enjoy life more. I was growing and maturing each day. (see my previous blog post for more!)

My 2018 Word this year is wholeheartedly!   

In this new year, I want to to wholeheartedly love, follow and trust Jesus. To go all in.

To give everything I have to Jesus, my friends, family, others, Camp and myself.

There is only one kind of life that really glorifies Him, and that is the life that is •wholeheartedly• given over to Him.

“It means to follow Him in all that we are, in all that we do and in all that we say, and to do this wherever we are and under every circumstance –- completely.” I think this year, I just need to learn to trust Jesus wherever He takes me. I need to wholeheartedly put everything I can into strengthening my faith, strengthening my relationships with my family and friends and strengthening myself as a camp counselor. I would love to say yes more in 2018, say yes to anything good that comes my way. I just want to put my all into everything and be happy while doing so. In 2018, I want to give everything I have to Jesus and others.