His Laundry

Yes, all this is his laundry. For the past 3 years this has been my job. As George Clackum's significant other I have accepted the fact that he has been a kept man. His mother was and still is a washing fiend. He could have worn the same thing to high school everyday. The woman has laundering down pat.

I however have not quite mastered this art. somehow I ended up washing 7 (dear Lord) loads of his laundry tonight. The sad part is that I am still not done. I am holding on to the hope this will get easier when we are living under the same roof!

So, here's to learning to love doing laundry because it's his love language. I can only hope that through 7+ loads  I have properly communicated some serious lovin'!

Sincerely,

Launderer Laur

Winding Down

This Thursday, May 3rd 2012, I will graduate from college! I know, it's exciting! However, it's not quite here yet. This week has been busy but fun. I know it's definitely one I will want to remember.

So, here it goes....

Getting over the sickness I experienced last week has not been easy! I have hacked and hacked but I think I am FINALLY getting better. Prayers are still appreciated though!

Junior/Senior Gala

On Wednesday of this week George and I attended our last Junior/Senior Gala. We arrived at 7 but didn't get to eat until around 9 due to some mishaps. I was starving by the time we ate, but the food was definitely worth the wait! The decorations and atmosphere were wonderful. The Student Activities crew did a great job putting this event together. I know they worked very hard, and it's definitely appreciated!

Overall I had a super fantastic time. Great scenery, great food, and certainly a great date. It was a perfect evening out for George and I. He looked so handsome and wouldn't shut up about how beautiful I looked! Flattery is certainly one of his strong suits! ;)

If you are still doubting that we had a good time...allow me to provide some proof! :) 

 Yes, we are I am all about color coordinating.

 It's always a good party if your best friend is there! Isn't she beautiful? 

 Good friends make for a good evening ;) thanks for accompanying us Nickie and Ethan!

 Woodburn plantation! 

We always make time to smooch!

Commissioning Service  

On Thursday morning George and I were commissioned. Every year the religion division here at Southern Wesleyan holds a service to commission their graduating Seniors. The service involves singing, scripture reading, a sermon, and prayer over each individual graduate and their future ministry. 

It's no secret that this chapel is my favorite. I have been in attendance each year with tears of blessing streaming down my face. It is one of the most moving services I have ever been a part of. And this year...it was my turn! 

Thankfully, members of both mine and George's families were able to make it. My Grandfather, Grandmother, and Momma (who just had gallbladder surgery...yes, she has my vote for Mom of the year!) were all in attendance. George's Mom and his brother's girlfriend Lydia were also able to be there. We were both so excited to see family! 

This year 5 men and 5 women were commissioned. As each of us knelt down at the old wooden altar in the historic Freedom's Hill Church on campus, I believe we all felt the weight of the moment. I wish I could share with you all the intricate details of the history of Freedom's Hill, but sadly I am not as well versed as my enlightened professor, Dr. Bob Black. However, the Wesleyan Church has provided a description on their website:

 "Freedom’s Hill Church features a dramatic history of church-goers who stood against slavery and faced violent opposition. Outside the church is a garden in the shape of a wagon wheel–a symbol once used on the Underground Railroad that spirited slaves to freedom.Freedom’s Hill was originally built in the Snow Camp community of what is now Alamance County, N.C., and dedicated in March 1848. It was disassembled and moved to Southern Wesleyan University, where it now serves as a chapel for student-led worship services and interpretive programs."


The full story of Freedom's Hill is both inspiring and enlightening. I swell with pride every time I hear it. So, of course being commissioned in this church was one of the greatest moments of my life. During the service I was so aware of the history that surrounded us. I was softly reminded of the gravity of my call. A reminder I will not soon forget.

Thanks to all of you who made this service memorable. 

To the Religion Division: 

I admire each one of you. I could not have been blessed with a more amazing group of professors to be taught/mentored by. You all have made a dramatic and extraordinary impact on my life. Thank you for allowing me to see scripture, worship, prayer, and ministry lived out not only in the classroom but in your everyday lives. Although I am seriously in debt, I could never put a price on what each of you have taught me over the past four years. I am forever grateful. 

To Dr. Gonlag:

While here at SWU, religion majors are required to attend accountability groups. Each of us have a professor or mentor that leads our group. That mentor is the person that prays aloud over us during the service. I have been a part of Dr. Mari Gonlag's group for the past 4 years. I had the privilege to have her say such a sweet prayer over me. She knows all that I have been through, and still believes that I can minister to others. That gives me hope, and confidence in my calling, which is priceless to me. Thanks Dr. Gonlag for always believing in me and my ministry. It means more than you will ever know. 

To my fellow classmates:

Congratulations! I am so proud of each of you. I cannot wait to see the extraordinary things God is going to do through you. May you all be willing vessels ready to be navigated however He sees fit. To God be the glory.

To my family: 

Your support has brought me this far. Thank you all for being there for me emotionally, spiritually, and financially. For answering my tearful phone calls when the distance gets too hard and I just need to hear your voices. For all the miles you have traveled just to visit when I couldn't take missing you any longer. I know in my heart how very much you all love me and often that love helps me make it through. I love each of you, so much it hurts.

To my future husband:

While you were being prayed for I was sweetly reminded that God brought us together for his glory. He has a purpose and plan for our lives together. I can't wait to see it unfold. You are my other half, not only in life but in ministry as well. I am so excited to start this journey with you. May God bless our lives and ministry together. I love you. 

Here are some highlights from the service..

All About Love

After one week we have our engagement pictures! We have SO many to choose from. I am truly amazed. Amy from Raycroft Art did an amazing job of capturing the essence of mine and George's relationship. 

We are in love. 

We LOVE to laugh. 

We really do enjoy having fun.

We cherish our past, our history, and the ones who have been a part of us from the very beginning, our family. 

I hope you enjoy these few thousand words about us. 

Laurin & George....forever&always. 

 My gorgeous ring!

 Our relationship journal. 

 Be jealous ladies...this handsome fell is mine!

 He loves making fun of me...it's sad...but he's good at it!

 Amy...drinking on the job! ;)

 This picture is special. As a surprise to my Mom and Grandma I wore my great-aunts bracelet during our pictures. She passed away long ago, but her fun-loving spirit was oh-so-present the day we took our engagement pictures. 

 Yes, we are available for any modeling opportunities that arise :)

 Grandpa loved these flowers...so of course I had to get a couple of pictures in the flowers with "Hilly!"