God's Leading in Our Life

‎‎"To change the world we must first change the way we see it; we must see it from a different perspective. A cultivated mind can see the universe in a falling leaf, an orchard in a seed, an ocean in a drop of water, eternity in a grain of sand. A cultivated mind produces more insight, possesses a richer sense of the world and enjoys a more attractive experience of reality." - Scripture By Heart - Joshua Choonmin Kang

Perspective.  Seeing things differently.

God has brought Britt and I on an incredible journey over the last 2 ½ years that we have been married. He has taken us places and we have looked around saying “God, why here?” only to see His perfect plan unfold, to see how he uses where we are to take us where He wants us. He is still doing that in our life and I don’t anticipate it stopping anytime soon.

Faithfulness.  Seeing God work through any circumstance.

The place God has brought us to for now is different than what I would have ever expected. If you asked me a year ago if we would be here I would look at you like you are crazy.

We are still, and continuing to, be at the OU BSU. That is a HUGE part of our life, and ministry. The biggest part in fact. But even through the big picture there are little details, circumstance, experience that truly make up the big picture. Without them the picture would be lacking.

Of course an obvious change to our BIG picture is parenthood. Wow! Will that change our lives? Truly I believe it will be only for the better. I cannot WAIT to hold my little man, my sweet Brightson James. A little guy that already amazes me and I have never even looked into his eyes. I cannot wait to look into those eye. Are they blue, brown, green, gray? I know they are beautiful.

Another change that many people don’t know about is our church. The body of saints that we are a part of. The place we go to be filled and to give equally.  God brought Britt and I to River Church when we were a little less than 2 months away from marriage. We joined right after we were married and we have loved it ever since. The people, the vision, the purpose of that church are incredible. God used River to bring us on staff at the BSU, He used River to give us dear friends for life, He used River to help us grow.

Over the past few months God has strongly laid on our heart the possibility of going somewhere else. We didn’t know why God was calling us here. In fact, we did not even anticipate it. But He was without a doubt calling and we could not ignore it. I love that we were able to leave River just as encouraged as when we came and just as much, if not more, in support of what they do. No hard feelings. No hurt. Just gratitude.

God has brought us to Western Hills Church. I grew up there. I honestly never thought I would go back. We hesitated as God was leading. Wondering if we were thinking these things just because our families go there. We were able to answer that our reason for going, although it is a perk, was not our families. Why then? Why would God lead us there?

In short, you should read the quote at the top of this page again. Over the last three years the way I see the world has changed. The way that this church, this body of beliers, sees the world has truly changed. People are coming to know the Lord, lives are forever being changed, discipleship is key.

 Those of you who are familiar with this church may know that at one time it was not always the most comfortable welcoming place. Now, I believe that anyone who walks through those doors is loved and not rejected. I brought a little girl from my neighborhood there last Sunday, she has hardly ever been in church, and she felt comfortable and loved. She was also taught truth. Truth from God’s word that I truly believe will not return void.  I anticipate what God will do in her life.

So now, we find ourselves in a place we did not think we would be, excited to be there and anticipating how God will use us. It has taught me to not quit. Don’t stop praying for the lost yes, but to not stop praying that we, the body of Christ, will truly catch the vision of disciple making and make it happen. Although in most cases it does not, it CAN happen in the local church.

River has this vision. Western Hills has this vision. I have this vision.

Do you?

Are you willing to change the way that you see the world? To see it the way that Jesus does? 

End of the year picnic

We love, love, love the students that we work with! We have several different areas that we lead in at the Baptist Student Union and one of those is Leadership Team (LT). These are Juniors and Seniors who are leaders in our ministry. I meet with 4 of the girls (One missing from the pictures) and Britt meets with 4 of the guys (A few missing from the picture) on a weekly basis. We also have these students in our home every Wednesday night for team meeting.

This last Wednesday was out last LT meeting of the year. We celebrated by going to the park and cooking hot dogs, having a watermelon spitting contest, and just spending some quality time together since some are graduating and our team will be new next year.

The girls!

Me, Gaby, Mary, Stephanie, Susie and Alia.

We were missing Amanda that night. 

Love, love, love these girls! 

The guys!

Bryan, Luke, Shane (staff), Aaron, Britt, Trevor, Trey and Jessy.

Tom and Barrett were missing that night.

We are SO thankful for this past year and we can hardly believe that it is here and gone. We have out final event for the school year tomorrow and Britt will have state meetings all week next week and then we will be done in Norman until August. However we are far from done because from May 27 to August 2 we will be in Denver, CO working with 19 students from OU and about 30 other students from 5 different universities around the nation. We are so excited about the opportunity and can't wait to keep you updated on all that God is doing!

A goal of mine is to get back into the blogging grove again and I think that I am off to a good start. Two post in one day! :)

For what it's worth...

I am trying out the whole blog thing again. In all honesty

Since I don't have a lot of time and I have the worlds most crappy Internet connection I am not sure why, but here I am anyway.

Catch up ='s
- No longer working at the Capitol
- Britt is no Longer at Hobby Lobby Corporate.
- We are a "Staff Couple" at the University of Oklahoma Baptist Student Union.
- I also am a financial secretary on the side and Britt is doing some grounds work at a retreat center.
- This year ='s the most crazy, hard, exciting, testing, faith building year of my life. Period.

This year, with everything that has gone on with my dad to starting a whole new adventure of going into student ministry has been a whirlwind. I am happy to report that I am still alive and here although sometimes I feel like I am hardly alive and here.

Never the less, I am grateful for everything that has happened this year. This Song has been really good for me throughout these past few months. I sing it. A lot. But the lyrics are so true, He is always faithful.

As the post title says, "for what it's worth..." I am back, at least to try this whole blogging thing again. I can't promise on what it will look like but here I am.

I am off now. We have a bible study tonight (at 9pm - College life!)

Goodbye for now...

Baptist Student Union (BSU)

A lot of people have been praying for Britt and I as we make some “decisions”. The thing is that we could not tell anyone what that “decision” was…..until now. :)


Britt and I have been praying and meeting with John Kelsey who is the director of the OU Baptist Student Union (BSU) for quite some time now about the possibility of coming on as staff members. I am thrilled to announce that the decision has been made and we will be going on as staff with the BSU this coming fall! We are thrilled beyond words and really looking forward to all that God has in store for us. This is going to be a BIG change in our life but we are ready!

The logistical side (i.e. what we will be doing exactly) is still undecided because they have not made all of the “final” decisions as to the functionality and programs for the BSU next year. Once that is decided we will be told what area of the ministry we will be specifically helping with. Although we do not know the logistics we do know that we will have MANY opportunities to meet with and grow relationships with college students and be able to be a part of making disciples! This is Britt and my heart and we are so excited to be able to take part in this ministry!

If you could pray for us during this new season we would REALLY appreciate it. I think for right now the biggest prayer request is that we both have to find part-time jobs. We will be working part-time and raising the rest of our money through support. We are praying that God would provide the perfect job to help work with the BSU schedule and give us opportunities to minister to people who work with us.

We really are so excited and ready to see all that the Lord has in store!

Old and New Years

Well, I am back to the working world. It is going well so far. The first few weeks will be a good time to egt started on things. Work will really pick up at the start of February because the Legislative Session will kick off February 1st! I enjoy the gast pace craziness though so I am looking forward to it!


Still praying for a job for Britt but the Lord will provide in His perfect time. Waiting is always the hardest part. Britt has been kicking it into high gear applying for jobs and I am sure the Lord will reward his dilligence.


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A friend asked me a few days ago, "What is your top goal for 2010?" What a great question! So, what is your top goal for 2010? You should have one!


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2009 What a year it was!!! A whirlwind in fact! Lets recap:


I began my job at the State Capitol as a Legislative Assistant.


The year that I would become Mrs. Lauren Clay.


I learned more about walking in the Spirit. I am going to quote myself from a previous post, "Be the person who walks on a daily basis to do what God is calling you to and not allow stupid things to detour you from what His plan is." Still true and still a good reminder.


Truly discovered my love for Mango Tea from Tea Caffe in Norman.


Coutning days till the wedding!


Made my first donation to http://www.abort73.com/ and bought a t-shirt!


Britt and I put our names down on the waiting list for the apartment that we now live in.


I tried on my wedding dress and it was TOO SMALL!. I freaked. Major. I lost 10 pounds that month. Soon to find out I was only bloated the day I tried it on. By the time my wedding rolled around if I would have lost any more weight it would have been too small! Ironic.


I went to Glorieta New Mexico.



Sent out my wedding invtiations!



3 wedding showers. Realized how blessed and loved we are!


Hosted a surprise Birthday Party for Britt!


Learned a lot about grace. Had some bad experiences at work and I had to learn to extend grace when it was very hard.


Planned, planned and planned some more!

Found out Britt had to take a calss over in the fall. Learned a lot about trusting God and casting my burdens on Him.


Turned 21 and it didn't even feel like it. My birthday was the day before our wedding so it was rehersal day. There is always 22. haha

Got married to Britt Clay on May 30, 2009!


Honeymoon! Destination, San Antonio!


Started a new job. HATED it. Quit.


Cleaned an 18,000 spuare foot house!


Ate lots of Watermelon


Had a fun day with my girl friends. Girls night was a fast growing tradition for sure!


Dyed my hair dark brown!


Got a rude comment on my blog. Vented.


Went to St. Louis, MO.

Learned about worry and not doing it! Money was tight but God is faithful.


Became a Substitue teacher.


Shopping trip to an outlet mall in Texas with good friends!


Ate too much turkey. Good for life now!


Went to 9 Christmas celebrations!

Celebrated the new year in a little cabin, near a fire, doing a whole lot of nothing! *Sigh*

That's about what my year looked like! ;)

Job search... OVER

For those of you who have been praying for me as I look for a job I wanted to up-date you:

I was offered a job at the Oklahoma State Capitol and...

Of COURSE I accepted the position!! :)

Thank you all so much fr your prayers! God is good!

Merry Christmas to me! :)

Shopping. Jobs. Turkey.

Last weekend some friends and I went to Allen, Texas to go shopping at an Outlet Mall. It was a lot of fun to have a girls day and take a little "Road Trip". I also got some new Jeans (at Gap Outlet) and a really cute scarf and sunglasses at (Charlotte Russe Outlet).

Here is a picture of us girls. (Stole this from Leslie.)

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For those of you who have been praying for me regarding the job interview that I had at the State Capitol a few weeks ago I heard yesterday that he hired someone else. It was disappointing but I am ok. The person that he hired was a girl he has known for a while who also grew up in his district. It is hard to compete with that. I am still looking though and got some information that helped me see that my resume is filtering throughout the building which is encouraging. Just waiting now on what God has next. I know He has something it is just to hard to see at times. Trusting is a constant lesson that I am learning. I think that I have "Learned" and then something else comes along. It is a good stretch and faith builder though.

1 Peter 1:6 " So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while."

Thanks for giving me this reminder Hannah. :)

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I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is basically here. Looking forward to seeing family that we do not get to see often! I am ready for some turkey too! :)

Happy (Pre) Thanksgiving to you all! :)

Say what?

So - it hit me this morning. Next week is Thanksgiving which means that Christmas is practically here! haha. I have a lot of shopping, decorating and cooking to do! I did a little "Pre-Online shopping" this morning just getting some ideas and am getting closer to making a decision on what I will get Britt. Boys are hard to shop for! Can I get an amen from all my girls out there?

I just finished rearranging the living room to prepare for the Christmas Tree.

I also rearranged in a way that we can see our fireplace a little better.

Now to get the tree and the wood...

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I woke up this morning and felt jipped. Someone forgot to tell me that it was going to be

"10 Below Way to Cold for What I Was Wearing" and I did not have time to change. So, I froze at work today and guess what? Joy of all joys I had car duty at the school I was subbing for.

Of course.

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Still have not heard about the job at the capitol for those of you wondering. God is REALLY wanting to teach me some patience. I am starting to look for other positions though. Just pray with me for Gods best and his perfect place/timing.

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Tonight is Britt's grandpa's birthday party. It will be really good to see everyone. We are not getting together until 7pm and I am starving right now. It's only 4pm.

I may have to do something about that....

Randomness

I realized today that it has been a long time since I last wrote on this blog....

Life is good, busy and good.

this week....

Britt's sister Beth and her three adorable kiddo's are here in town. We are having a wonderful time with them.

Hanging with family is a priority this week sense they are here and we do not see them often.

Next Monday (October 19th) I have an interview at the capitol!

I am enjoying the cold weather. Everyone is already complaining about it but I like it. I love the changing of the seasons.

I am ready to watch "New Moon" and it is still more than a month away before I get to...

I am excited about Sunday!

Those are my random facts for today. Not a lot going on other than those things. Hence the lack of update.

"Real" Life

I feel like I should give an update on "life". Then I feel like saying, "How on earth can I update you on real life on a blog?" :p I will still give it a try.

Britt is still working at Hobby Lobby. We are so grateful for the job and the Lords provision. Some days are more difficult than others simply for that fact that it is not what he wants to be doing. He graduates this December after finishing his LAST CLASS! *woot* It is easy to be excited and feel overwhelmed all in one breath. We are so grateful he will be done and overwhelmed with the job search process. It seriously feels like there is nothing out there. I know that the Lord has something and that He will provide but it is hard to completely trust at times. You know, the times that you hear things like, "It takes the average college graduate 8 months to find a job after graduating due to the economy." Sheesh! 8 months! That is when I have to tell myself over and over that God is faithful and He is our provider.

"¹⁰For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills. ¹¹"I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine." Psalm 50:10-11

Next thing...

For those of you who do not know I am substitute teaching. I am really enjoying it. I am signed up to sub for Moore, Norman and CHA (Christian School). So far I have really only subbed for CHA. I have been getting a lot of work here and it is nice. If you did not know CHA is the school that my dad went to growing up. It is also the school that Britt went to growing up and where Britt's dad still teaches. One of the teachers at CHA is gone for the entire week and I am covering her class for the week. The Lord is really providing for us through that. The main reason that I am working as a substitute is because I would REALLY love to get back on at the capitol this session. I loved working there and I would love to go back. If you could pray with me that the Lord wold provide a job there I would really appreciate it!

So - I know most of that was about our jobs but it seems like that is a lot of life right now. Married life is great and we are really loving it. it is so encouraging and a blessing to go home to someone every day that loves you unconditionally.

We are also really getting involved in our community group and church and we love it. Our group mostly consist of young married couples. It is such an encouragement to be around people walking through the same sstage in life as we are. God has really blessed us with the church that we go to.

That is basically life right now. Not a lot but still a lot...? If that even makes sense. It is good though and God is faithful. I don't think that I can say that enough because I am seeing more and more everyday how true it is!

²²The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
²³They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
²⁴"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I have hope in Him."
Lamentations 3:22-24

Life right now...

Sounds a lot like this:

"Ouch"
"My Back Hurts"
"My Feet Hurt"
"I feel like an old woman/man"
"I am tired of walking"
"I am tired of cleaning"

You get the idea.....

All of that aside, it is a blessing to have JOBS! Yes, Britt and I both have jobs that are paying a decent amount and we are grateful for that.

Britt is working for the Security Department at Hobby Lobby Corporate Offices. It is a great company and a good opportunity for him. The only department that was able to work with his school schedule was security and it is not always the most fun. Basically he walks, and walks, and walks, and.... Once again, you get the idea. All of this makes him quite tired at the end of the day but it is still such a blessing and will only be for a season. He will officially be done with school (Lord willing!) this December. Our hope is that he will be able to make some good connections while at Hobby Lobby and get a job that interests him a little more there.

Right now I am working with my cousin Dean cleaning new built homes. The house that we are cleaning right now is 18,000 square feet. Yes, you read that right, it was not a typo! This is one big house! I am grateful for the work! Granted, house cleaning is not my dream job but it is really flexible and my cousin lets me take off for interviews and other such things. He has been so great!

I also took a Substitute Orientation Class this morning for Norman public schools. I plan to substitute some this first semester and work for Dean and then Lord willing, in December, get on at the Capitol again. *Fingers Crossed*

The Lord really has been so good to us! We are grateful for His provision and even though this is difficult right now we are learning a lot about leaning on the Lord and one another as we walk through this together. The best part is that we can already see the light at the tunnel because this is only for a short season. We know the Lord will provide the needed strength.

On a lighter note, we have anew addition to our family. His name is Ringo (Like the drummer for the Beatles) and he is a Beta Fish. I was so excited about this "pet" and Britt is warming up to him. I love coming home and talking to the fish like he can hear me. Mostly because Britt just looks at me and rolls his eyes. (Britt really loves the fish too and I am pretty sure while I am not at home he talks to him a lot. But don't tell him I told you. Shhhhh....)

Welp! That is life right now. Work and fish! lol.... There is really more but that is the big stuff that is going on right now. God is so good and I am seeing His mercy and grace in ways I have not before. He is faithful and never changing and for that I am so grateful!

Randomness

I feel like….
I always start my blogs now with how many days until the wedding. I can’t help it though! It is getting so close! 26 days! :) haha….

We had our second shower this past weekend. It was really good. We truly are blessed! My personal shower is tomorrow night and I am excited about that as well. It should be fun!

Britt has 2 more weeks of school! I can hardly believe it and I know that he really can’t! It is so crazy! He is happy about it. I think that if we were not getting married it would be more difficult for him but he has that to look forward to and I think that it helps.

We are still praying for jobs, one for Britt specifically. He has been looking at some positions at Hobby Lobby Corporate office and we are praying that something will possible come of that. It would be a great place for him to work!

I was thinking today about my birthday. It is coming up… It is actually the day before our wedding. I am sure that my birthday will get lost in the excitement of the wedding. I don’t find that to be a bad thing at all… I would WAY rather be getting married then celebrating my birthday. But…. At the same time I will be 21. It is exciting in a way! Most of my “Birthday gifts” our actually wedding things but if I could make a “Me only, Birthday wish list” this is what it would be….

-Wicked Tickets
-A Massage
-An ipod touch
-New Tennis shoes
-Gift Cards to: Target, Charlotte Russe and New York and Company.
-Tom’s Shoes
-Smash Box Photo Finish
-Bare Essentials gift card
-To go Swimming
-New Shorts

What is really at the top of my list though…getting married and a week all alone with Britt. Which… I will be getting! I am a happy blessed woman!!!

31 days...

...and I am getting married! Wow! For those of you who did not know, that is 1 month! We started counting down at 10. 1 seems SO doable!

Excited about:

• Our shower this Saturday and my Personal shower Tuesday!
• Britt being done with school!
• Moving everything into our apartment!
• Family coming into town!
• WEDDING!

Praying that:

• We can find a car.
• Britt can find a job.
• I can find a job.

Reminding myself:

"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or His descendants want for bread." Psalm 37:25

"Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God!" Philippians 4:7

Those two verses hang by my desk and I look at them often and remind myself of who my God is:

The God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

The God who will supply ALL of my needs.

The God who loves me and gave it all for me.

Provider!

Sustainer!

Comforter!

God!

40 days...

and I will be getting married! I can hardly believe it! April is almost over! I am grateful for that because I know that May will fly by! We have so much going on I don't see how it could not.

I only have 4 more weeks at work here at the Capitol. I am going to start job hunting soon for something at least during the summer. Please pray that I find something! We are still praying for a job for Britt as well. He has a few leads and is going to start applying.

We got the wedding band for my ring this week. It is so beautiful. Mr. Manison, a guy that goes to First Southern and is David's (Britt's good friend) dad, made it for us. He is the same guy who made my engagement ring. The wedding band is SO beautiful! I was able to take some diamonds out of a ring that I had and do not use and have him put them in the engagement band to save a little money. We went to pick up the ring yesterday and when he told us the price for it both of our mouths dropped open. It was WAY less then what we thought it would be even with the discount of using my diamonds. It was SUCH a blessing. Just another thing that God has blessed us on. The Lord truly is our provider and I can rest in that!

This week is going to be decently busy which I am actually grateful for. These days I like things to be busy because times goes so quickly.

Tomorrow night is Lizzie (My niece) Birthday party. She will be 2, I can hardly believe it!

Wednesday is Date Night. Britt and I talked about going on a picnic because the weather is supposed to be SO nice!

Thursday night we have Paradigm. There are only a few more weeks left of Paradigm. It is kind of weird. Britt is going to be done with school so soon! 4 weeks left! CRAZY!

Friday I am getting my hair trimmed and highlighted! I am really excited about that! I have not done anything at all to my hair since October so I am due for a trim. Friday night.... I am not sure what we are doing. We might go to Spring Banquet that the BSU puts on. We are still trying to decide.

So, it should be a pretty busy week. The weekends are always full these days it seems as well. I had to call CHA and let them know that I will not be able to sub anymore this school year. Every Friday there is something going on between now and the wedding. It is so crazy!

Hope you all have a good week!