Community and Dating Intro

August 6, 2007.
The day Luke and I started our dating relationship.
We were so young. It seems like forever ago, but looking at it with a big picture lens, it seems like yesterday.

Luke and I have learned so much since we've been together. It's amazing what can be packed into three and a half years. I can barely remember the firsts. But if there is one thing I do remember, it's our struggle to find a way to make God the center of our relationship, and not only understanding what that means, but living it.

Everyone we know says our relationship is different. We've grown to accept that, in the most positive way we could. We couldn't explain it, although we felt that it was different also. We knew a lot of it had to do with the Lord, but we also knew so many other Christian couples that were in the same boat as we were. We saw Christian relationships work. We saw Christian relationships fail. And by the grace of the Lord, ours hasn't.

In my struggle throughout the years to understand just what we were supposed to do in our lives to keep us strong in the Lord, I came across many answers. Some right, some very wrong. It's extremely difficult to live life with someone in a relationship that doesn't have anything to model after. We sought after Biblical examples of dating relationships, but always fell short. Courtship? The title alone is creepy. So we pressed on and did our thing, keeping hearts aligned with His. Questioning most decisions, but standing strong in the answers we received. We didn't know what dating and the Lord looked like, but we wanted it. We weren't prepared to give us up, and we didn't feel like the Lord wanted that for us either. But somewhere along all of this, the Lord gave me an understanding that took a while to sink it, but I think I've finally discovered just what He was showing me throughout these dating years, and I'm finally ready to talk about it.

What the Lord has shown me about dating and about my relationship with Luke is exactly what we asked and prayed and sought after: a model.


As Christians, we live after a model. That model is Jesus. We have a Bible full of instructions and how-tos. We have answers. Some are clear, some require a lot of faith, but at least it's something to go to when we have questions. Luke and I both knew that there had to be something for us to model our relationship together after. And what I'm about to discuss is what the Lord has laid on my heart and given me a peace about with His answer to our question.

Community.


Living in a church who by name alone revolves around community has taught me so much about my life, church, the Lord, and my relationship with Luke. Throughout the years of being in the Ring Community Church and dating Luke, the Lord would provide evidence little by little that would shape my understanding of this community vs. dating concept. Each community class I took, each sermon I heard on community, and every book I read about community, the Lord would use to show me that this is the model I was looking for. I would hear, read, or see truth about community and think to myself, "hmm. that's kind of like Luke and me." 
But one day if it finally clicked when I was reading the explanation of community groups in our church on our website.

Living Life Together. I read those lines and it all made sense. All the evidence the Lord gave me throughout the years while I was living and learning about community finally fit into place as He graciously handed me over my answer. My model.

Living life together. That's precisely what Luke and I are doing. Of course, there are other things that occur in a dating relationship that don't within a community of believers, but in a Kingdom/big picture perspective, Luke and I are simply living life together. Just like community. Just like our life with other believers. And that is what we've been modeling, are modeling, and will continue to model our relationship after. Community.

I don't know why I've decided to use this blog as an outlet to understand this. I don't know what it means for me, or for you, or for us, but I do know that there are a million things running stir crazy in my head and if I don't let them out and record them somewhere, well...I don't know what will happen, but I don't wanna find out.

So all of this to say that I'll be blogging this whole concept/revelation throughout the next days, weeks, months, heck maybe years. I have so much that is making sense, lining up, and itching to be let out, so that's what I'm going to do.

I know all of this will change drastically if we ever step into marriage. The Lord has a lot of specific things to say about marriage in the Bible. Luke and I will cross that bridge when the Lord (and IF the Lord) has it for us, but for now, we're going to work with what the Lord has given us today. And that is a dating relationship.

"living life together...that may be the easiest way to sum up what our community groups are all about. we believe that God uses our relationships with each other to grow and form us in ways we cannot see or understand. we strive to make our groups places where each person can grow in their faith, receive encouragement and hope, and know that they are loved and cared for. by meeting together each week, we are able to invest in each other as God continues to form us into a community of faith, hope, and love." 

-Taken from here.

Halloween from The Ring

There's no doubt about me loving my church. I've brought my church to my blog before. It's a part of me.
Here is a cool, Jesus perspective on halloween from my church. It can be found here.
I know most of you reading this probably go to my church and this is no news to you, but I just wanted to share this for those who don't and struggle or have ever struggled with halloween vs. Christianty. Read below.
I love truth!

"halloween always causes a bit of a stir within the Christian community, and this year is no exception with the 31st falling on a sunday. we at the ring are not trying to stir the pot, but we have to act one way or the other because trick-or-treating in baton rouge and surrounding areas takes place during our regular sunday worship gathering. the elders feel led to move our gathering up from 6:00pm to 10:00am for this sunday (10/31) only. our heart is not to endorse or condemn the events surrounding halloween, but to acknowledge this day for what it is: an opportunity. this is the one consistent night of the year where neighborhoods come alive, people visit each other door-to-door, and new connections are made. if we truly believe God has called us to represent Him in our neighborhoods and love our neighbors as ourselves, then it would be irresponsible for us to ignore this incredible opportunity to just that and have it not be weird (oh yeah, don't be weird about it... that's super important).

so as the weekend approaches, we ask you to do two things: pray for the night, that God would use this as a chance for us to practice biblical hospitality as we either go through the neighborhood or as people come to us; and the second thing would be to form a plan. if you don't live in a place where trick-or-treating happens, ask around our church and find somewhere to go where you can help them connect with their neighbors. if you live in a great neighborhood, open it up to those who are looking for a place to go and let them help you love your neighbors.

the worst thing we could do with this opportunity would be to ignore it, or to huddle up together and make it just another night for us to hang out with each other (which is also ignoring it). only God knows what this night could turn into from a kingdom perspective. let's be faithful to pray and to love, and He will take care of everything else."

I especially love that last bit.

Psalm 23

...for His name's sake.
(and that's all that matters.)

Dot.

The world's smallest stop-motion animation character shot on a Nokia N8

{Via Modcloth Twitter}

a lyfe lesson.

This post is for real.
Hang with me for a moment.


I don't think it comes as a surprise to any of you that I enjoy fun, secular music. Especially rap.
Ok, so maybe that last bit was a surprise, but a good few knew that. And most make fun of that.
And that's completely ok with me! I guess it is pretty funny and random if you don't know me well.

If we're being real for a second, let me tell you why I enjoy this kind of music so much.
I go to church, school, and home. That's my routine. My boyfriend, my parents, and my friends are all Christians.
It is so easy for me to seclude myself from the world, and continue to live a life completely unaware of what happens outside of the "Christian-bubble".
 I think you guys are getting my point.
When I listen to this kind of music (with the right heart, of course), it just really helps me stay grounded, and my heart to stay open and aware of the way others live. The lyrics are terrible. I'm not even gonna' lie. Terrible.
And most times, as I'm singing along, I stop dead in my belting out of someone like Waka Flocka Flame's lyric and think, "WTF?! People are listening to this song, singing it, and believing it! LIVING IT!" And then I get really, really sad.

You know I am a big fan of how everyone is created differently and purposefully, so I'm 100% ok with people not listening to this music, and thinking it's the devil's music. If someone can't listen to this music without it tearing them down, or affecting their lifestyle, then shoot! ...Stay away!
People are just different. And I believe that God uses every and any tool He wants in this earth to speak, preach, love on, and heal every different person. So if this music offends you, then that's your heart so you should be true to it! But understand that it's not the same heart someone else has. Be glad in that! This is just how God uses this music in my life.

I can't pretend that all of my reasons are so noble.
You know I love me a good dance song! I love to dance, and particularly love dancing to this kind of music. I can't deny it. If you don't think God like's dancing, well... we'll just have to chat about that another time.

ANYWAY, my point: ("fewth", right?)
A few months ago I heard this song on the radio.
The artist is Lyfe Jennings. To make a long story short, he was sent to jail in 1992 for arson, and turned his life around. While he was in jail, he wrote music and rekindled his faith in God. He went to jail again in 2008, and has had many ups and downs since then. I'm not sure how he stands now in his faith, but that doesn't keep me from having a whole lot of respect for him for reasons I'm about to explain.

His song out now is called "Statistics."
And in a world of lyrics like:

"have a baby by me, baby, be a millionaire" -50 cent

and

"She don't care if I go to the strip club. She wanna go, too" - Trey Songz

(and many others I just can't bring myself to put on here...)

it's so nice to hear "DON'T BE A BOOTY CALL!"
For real.
"Statistics" is a song that preaches to girls to stand up and stop giving in to men. He even talks about celibacy. ON 94.1!!!!!!
Yall, this is huge. Pop out for a second if you're a google reader and listen to this song.









It really just makes me tear up when I think about it. Although I might not agree with Lyfe's theology, I'm so stinkin proud of him for putting out a song like this. The song doesn't mention God once, but I believe with everything that I am that God is using Lyfe. God is using this song. And it gives me goosebumps when I really stop and think about how amazing, creative, and unbelievable God is and how, what, and when He uses things you never would have thought to bring Him glory. I know you might not see this song as bringing Him glory, but I do! There just might be a girl that lives in a world full of nothing but Young Money, Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Drake, and Usher, but she also might be singing to herself "girl, get you a backbone!" You never know, it might stick. She might realize her worth. She might realize her worth sits with some One bigger than any worldly thing. You just never know what God can do!!!


Alright, that's all I have.

these days

Finding my place. I'm finally into an entire schedule of classes only for my major! Marketing, management, product development, visual merchandising, and buying. Every day it is a constant battle to remember my place in this industry. You can only imagine how catty, materialistic, and sometimes snooty this "fashion world" can be. I know why God has me here! I've known it for a long time. But being surrounded by all of this worldliness and people without my same perspective can certainly be draining! Remembering why I'm here is a daily battle, and one that has me turning to Him every day to remind myself why He wants me doing what I do, and bringing Him glory though the midst of it.

Accepting "no's". Some of you may know already, but I applied for a new job last week. It was all sort of a spur of the moment deal. I mean, working with this company has always been a dream of mine, and God opened up a door I thought would be the one I'd be stepping through this year. Everything lined up so perfectly, it seemed, with the way the job opening came about to me. I killed the interview, worked up a fantastic resume, then was quickly turned down because of scheduling conflicts. Fortunately, the girl hiring said she really wants me on the team and would save my resume until Spring when new positions come available. Still, anything other than a "you got the job!" is disappointing, but I was quickly reminded that my plans are not His. He does what's right in His own time, despite how perfect everything seems in my eyes. And most importantly, He's promised to take care of my every need, so why make a fuss?

Business. Business. Business. Odelma is still on a roll! So many opportunities have opened up in the past month. I have major inventory sitting in my closet that just needs to be photographed and listed, so I don't have to worry with shopping all of the time to catch up inventory. The only down side is that I sometimes just can't keep up. There just literally isn't enough hours in the day. Fortunately for me, Odelma is a hobby and will stay a hobby until God throws something else my way that changes directions.  When I don't have the energy to sweat bullets in the sun, trying to get the perfect photograph with natural lighting, well... I just don't do it. When I'd rather go to bed instead of spending 30 minutes listing an item, I go to bed! This little shop is tons of fun, and I want it to stay that way!

Boyfriend. Luke is finally at LSU! We carpool on most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It's a whole lot easier to remember that school isn't #1 in my life when I have friends and Luke there with me at school to remind me. I'm pretty much loving this semester!

Sharing. I've been practicing the act of sharing. Sounds so elementary doesn't it? Well, you're right... it is elementary. I have had a problem with sharing things (music, stores, websites, etc.) for such a long time, and it's an ugly, nasty, prideful habit that needs to be cut out of my life. And I'm getting better!! To work on this habit, I've been passing along awesome sites to people I know would enjoy them, blogging about cool online stores, and forwarding along any awesome bands that come my way. I know this all sounds silly, but believe me, it's a problem! And God is making me fix it.

So that's what's been going on.

In honor of sharing, and waving goodbye to summer, I put together a few songs that I couldn't stop playing this summer. Some old, some new, some weird.

Enjoy. :)

{p.s. If you ever wondered where the name "Mother Sea" came from on my blog, it's in the Bat's Mouth song. I just randomly picked it when I started this blog and never took it down. Also, download Cosmic Love and listen to it in your car really really loud.}

{google readers, pop out.}

Adoption Party +DiY Inspiration

Over the past month or so, I had to best opportunity to help my friend, Jessica, plan an adoption party! She and her husband adopted two precious girls, and decided that a celebration was in order. Their friends and family couldn't agree more!

I'll save all the meaningful details for Jess, and let her tell ya.

As for me, to be honest, I didn't even do much! I got to hear her ideas, and direct her to some awesome blogs and sites around the web that would give her some inspiration for her own party. I did get to make some fun signs, which I'll share in a bit. I'm not graphic designer, but you will soon see how easy it is to make fun things on paper without knowing much of anything! 

The party was a total hit. I thought I'd share some of the fun party planning details that went into the making. Again, I didn't do much! I'm such an amateur when it comes to these things, but I have a whole lot of fun doing it.

Start: Invitations!

Designed by the fabulous Jenny Gilbert, of course!

These invitations are so perfect and fitting for the Lawrence fam! They all look exactly like that and they have quite a mini farm at their house. Dogs, chickens, a goat. So perfect!

Back:

Jenny made them into a postcard. How fun!! Instead of presents, the girls asked if we could bring a teddy bear to give to Brave Heart Children in Need. The organization gives care packages to foster children when they are taken from their home.

I put together a little welcome sign as you enter the door. Jenny sent me some of the doodles from the invitations.

{Fonts: Tweedy, Clementine Sketch, Pea Cari}

{Background: PuglyPixel}

I couldn't ever get a clear picture of this sign actually in it's party spot.

There was a ginormous water slide, so we all hung out in the back yard. 

Jess lined the back fence with balloons. Idea taken from this awesome co-op party I found from Beautiful Living.

And hung photos up of the girls, which was suggested by Cyd from The Sweetest Occasion. Thank you so much, Cyd!!

Jess also had the great idea to add a homemade photo booth to the party. I think that photo booths are the best wedding/party trend to hit since balloons. 

She made the backdrop from some wood from a fence in her neighbor's yard. I'm telllin' ya, she had the best ideas! Isn't it pretty?

{Font: Angel Tears, Octin Vintage}

{Background + Camera: Ruffled Blog}

Blood makes you related. Love makes you a family.
I have super sweet photos of all kinds of families that attended the party. Relatives, friends, church families, community groups, etc. All kinds! Those pictures are going to get uploaded to Facebook in the next few days! I promise.


I made some fun labels for utensils and condiments.

{Font: Rebekah's Birthday}

{Background: Maybe*Mej}

And the drink table. Oh...the drink table!
Jess had the idea for guests to drink out of mason jars and to add a label on there that would say "Lawrence Family est. July 14, 2010". Couldn't get the labels to work out so I found this wedding from Ruffled blog that had a mason jar table set up. Um, perfect! Our friend, Ashley, designed the tags! So cute.

{Fonts: WM Flowers, Ecuyer DAX, Jane Austen, Landliebe, Octin Vintage}

Guests were asked to write their name on the tag, and the mason jar was also theirs to keep as a party favor. Genius.

Instead of a guestbook, Cyd from The Sweetest Occasion gave us the best idea to have a thumb print tree. "What's a thumb print tree" you ask?? Well, just look for yourself.

{Font: Octin Vintage,  Angel Tears, Aboris Folium}

{Background: from Ruffled Blog}

There was also an ice cream sundae buffet! I didn't get a picture of it before everyone stampeded the table, but here are some messy ones. 

{Font: Rebekah's Birthday}

{Background: Maybe*Mej}

Well, those are all the fun little party details! I hope you can see how easy it is to improvise and make fun things without having a design degree!

 Congratulations, Lawrence Fam! Love you guys so much.