Cold Tangerines

Colby recently gave me the book Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist to read. She had just finished it and couldn't quit raving about it. Well if you know anything about me you know that I love to read. I generally have at least 2 books going at any given time and about 100 more on my shelf that I've bought to read "next." So when Colby handed me this pretty orange book and recommended I read it I could have quite honestly told her I'd get to it after the other 99 that I still had to read. However, for whatever reason I grabbed it and threw it in my bag before leaving for Thanksgiving. I spent almost every night curled up in my bed pouring over the pages of this book. The author, Shauna, is more raw and open than any other author I think I've ever read. She writes about her deepest and darkest moments of life. She gives detailed descriptions of her failures and short comings. And she allows you, the reader, to truly just be honest with who you are because she is being so honest too. It really is quite remarkable. I find myself wanting to sit down with her at a coffee shop somewhere. I can imagine sitting across from her at a table in Starbucks and just chatting like we are old friends....because after reading her book I feel like I know her and I feel like I owe her the same level of honesty she has offered to me. The following quote is from one of my favorite chapters of her book...

"Secrectly, I do absolutely lean on my own understanding. I do it so that I don't feel so out of control and blind to the world, so that I can have a plan and manage my life and not feel like something's coming around the corner that I can't predict and don't have insurance for. I believe in my own ability to figure out my life, and top-secretly I don't want it to be all misty and mysterious. I don't want to say that the future is in God's hands and could go any way He chooses. That sounds terrifying to me. I want guarantees. I want the future in my hands. I want to know what's coming, know what to expect, put away money for it, buy insurance for it, and receive an e mail confirmation."

And here I thought I was the only Christian who felt this way. How often do we each rely on our own understanding? I know I do on a daily basis. God is constantly tapping me on the shoulder saying "remember me? Yea I'm the one who spoke you into existence and if it's all the same to you I'll take over now." So why is it easy for me to speak the words but so much harder for me to convince my head/heart to believe them? I know that life is better when I hand the reins over to God but yet the mere thought of that causes me anxiety. BUT I'm committing to being better at that. Committing to let God lead...even if it means walking blindly through this phase of life.

Oh and if I didn't mention it I really LOVE the book Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist and I think you all should go out and get a copy of her book. I'd loan you mine but I have written all throughout it.....its THAT good! :)

quote

Many people mistake our work for our vocation.

Our vocation is the love of Jesus.

---Mother Teresa

Christmas tree

It's that time of year again....tree time. Let me just tell you that Christmas tree buying/decorating is quite a dilemma in the Lauer household. I like tall trees, dad likes fat trees, and mom likes shapely well trimmed trees. I like white lights and dad likes colored lights. Mom doesn't like holes and bad spots in the tree. Dad always looks at the trunk to make sure that it will easily go in the stand. Etc etc etc. We could all go to the tree lot together and each find a completely different "perfect" tree.

This year was no exception. The tree was picked out, complained about, and put up! :) Regardless of the complications surrounding getting the tree I LOVE the whole experience. I love that we disagree and are all so different in our tree taste. I love the familiarity and tradition of it all. We each get to pick out an ornament every year to hang on the tree. We always have peanut butter fudge and listen to Christmas music while we decorate the tree. We are creatures of habit for sure! :) My sister and I used to take turns on who got to put the angel on the top of the tree....then I grew too big for dad to lift so that ended! ;)

I hope each of you have holiday traditions that you are enjoying with your families. I just LOVE this time of years.

Happy Sunday

“Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.”

---1 Chronicles 16:8

25 for 25 Number 6

Today I not only got to accomplish something off of my 25 for 25 list but also off of my life goals list. As far back as I can remember I've wanted to go to an Ohio State vs. Michigan game. I've been lucky enough to attend 5 other Buckeye games throughout the years but I've never been to the coveted Michigan game. Well today I was one of 102,329 people sitting in the horseshoe (Ohio States stadium) watching as Ohio state ANNIHILATED Michigan! I can't even express to all of you the excitement I felt as I looked out at a sea of red in the stands or as I watched our guys take the field. It was certainly a dream come true. To make the day even better I got to enjoy it with one of my best friends Colby. She shares my love for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the same excitement I felt showed on her face as well. It was a surreal moment that I will cherish forever. The final score was 37 - 7 making the 6th year in a row that we've beat them! :)

quote

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just

as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle.

The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

----Pierre de Coubertin,Olympic Creed

Inspired by Bishop Ethelbert Talbot, speech, Olympic Games 1908

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! In the midst of football, over-indulging in food, the Macy's day parade, and other thanksgiving traditions I implore you to take time to really sit back and think through the things that you are thankful for.

I spent today at my Aunt Cindy's house surrounded by my amazing family. We had close to 70 people gathered together for the day. Coming from such a large family it makes me sad to think of other families who celebrate at Cracker Barrel or who don't even celebrate at all. For my family the holidays have always meant family....large, loud, and fun family get-togethers.

Maybe its the fact that I'm getting older or possibly its the fact that for the past 6 years I've been living away from home and have missed several holidays. Whatever the reason this year I spent a lot of time in contemplation. I remembered many past holidays and special events. I kept coming back to one main thought "how incredibly blessed I am." Not only do I have an amazing family but we have always had plenty to eat. (and let me tell you our family can cook!) Our blessing are infinite.

So this Thanksgiving Holiday I'm thankful for my family, friends, and just the numerous blessing God has blessed me with.

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you. I hope your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as mine.