One Busy Girl

This morning I realized it. I am one busy girl. As I was chatting with Mrs. Hall from Human Resources (getting set up for payroll with the county) this morning I noticed the shock on her face as I explained just how many irons I have in the fire. Honestly, I was surprised at her reaction. I think it's because along with most people in my life, I see it as normal. I am a youth pastor, photographer, and now a library employee. Some days I'm not quite sure how I get things done. My weekends are by far the busiest. I am often traveling between states and at the most getting 5 hours of sleep each night. It's exhausting, and I feel like I might be ripped to shreds because I am being pulled in a million different directions. It seems that everyone wants something from me. It's trying physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Recently the many different things I have going on have not gotten my full attention. I haven't been the best youth pastor or photographer I can be. I wish I had the time to get CD's to all my clients no later than a week after their photo shoot. I wish I didn't have to tell people I have to RE-EDIT their photos because my second computer crashed. I wish I didn't have to stay up all night to meet deadlines I made for myself. I wish it was different, but it's not. I dream about having the time to spend days by the pool with teens from our youth group. I long for the day I can invite them to mine and George's home to just hang out, but right now I know there is simply no way we could have the time. When I think about all of these things I already don't have time for, my mind wonders to how much worse it will be once I start my new job on Monday. It honestly makes me want to pull my hair out at both ends. How am I going to live my life?

The only answer I have to give is someway, somehow, the Lord will surely sustain me. I know that many say "The Lord won't give you more than you can handle." Let's get real...of course he will! That's the only way we will actually lean on him.

I told the Lord a long time ago that if he would just provide a job/jobs for me, then I would be more than happy to work hard at them to provide for myself and my family. He has honored that request and I am thankful for all my many irons in the fire. Now, he is helping me achieve excellence in each of my jobs. His encouragement and provision is getting me through. I am under no misconception that I can do this on my own. I need Him and His help. I can't handle all this on my own.

So, needless to say...I need your prayers. I am often exhausted and running on fumes. Please be patient with me as I figure out how to properly rely on God to sustain me and to bring excellence to each of my many irons.

Love, 

One blessed but busy girl 

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,"

Colossians 3:23

Thanking God for the hands he gave me to work. 

Home

Some days sting a little worse than others. 

Today, is just one of those days. 

I can't seem to take my thoughts anywhere but home. I would give anything to be spending the day with my family laying by the pool. However, I am a grown up now, with grown up responsibilities....bummer. 

I felt that familiar punch in the stomach when I saw a picture of my nephew in his new float on Facebook a few moments ago. My family is all together and i'm not there. I wish more than anything I could be with them soaking in the moments that mean the most. 

I try not to think about the fact that I will most likely never live in the same town or quite possibly the same state as my family ever again. Still, when I do think like that, the tears start to well up. Oh how I wish we all magically lived in the same state. 

Don't get me wrong, I love my life and those who have made South Carolina my second home, but my heart will always be in the northern Carolina. Today, I am hoping my family knows just how much my heart is aching to be 150 miles north! 

Here's to being hopelessly homesick! 

Unfortunately I don't have pictures of all my family....just know I am missing you all today SO very much! 

Mother's Day

It's officially Mother's Day! Unfortunately, this grateful little girl will not be able to spend Mother's Day with the one who brought her into this world.

So, I will have to settle for sharing many of the things that make her a good Momma here on this blog.

She became a Momma, my Momma, on February 9th 1989. I wish I could express how grateful I am that the Lord allowed her to be my mother.

If you have ever met Karin Burton Thames, you understand my gratitude. My mother is like no one I have ever met. She has always been so much fun! She is adventurous, smart, funny, over-the-top, creative, talented, and gorgeous. She absolutely astounds me. Her generosity is something that I admire and her ability to make any situation a party will always be something I wish I had!

My Momma has always been determined. Since adulthood she has gone back to school twice, finishing each level of degree with flawless marks. All the while raising two children and working full-time. I honestly have no idea how she does what she does.

Although my teen years were a bit rough for my Mom and I, since I have moved away to college our relationship has grown leaps and bounds. I now consider my Momma one of my very best friends. She is always so supportive of me in everything I do. She respects me now, and I can't even explain how honored that makes me feel.

I know that my Mom hasn't always been perfect, but she has been a great Mom to me. My sweet Momma has given me so much in my 23 years of being her daughter, and I pray she is no where near finished. I am insanely aware of how very much I need her.

I will always be your little girl Momma, and we both know I will always need you. Thank you for being the perfect Mom for me. I will be aching for one of your hugs today. I wish so bad I could celebrate with you. but for today I will pretend a phone call is enough.

I love you with all my heart.

I know, I know, she looks like she could be my sister! Isn't she beautiful? 

An Alumnus

It's official. I am a graduate of Southern Wesleyan University. I now have a Bachelors degree in Christian Ministries. I can't believe I am closing this chapter in my life. It seems just like yesterday that I was flipping the first page....

First day of college 2008

These past four years have been a blur. Even though there have been days and nights I felt would never end because of the impending doom of a particular assignment. Those were long days, but man, these four years sure have been short. 

Last day of college 2012 

More has changed than just my hair length. I am a different girl now. I look at things, people, and situations much differently. College has definitely brought me much closer to the woman of God that the Lord has called me to be. I would have never imagined my step of faith to come to Southern would change so much. However, I am thankful that it has. I look back to when I first stepped foot on this campus...I had never lived on my own and I had never taken a grand leap of faith. I cried myself to sleep the first night. I sobbed, and prayed. I asked God if I had made the right decision, and through my cries he comforted me. "Laurin, you're right where I need you to be." 

Tonight, as I cry myself to sleep, I am hearing those words once again. But they carry a different weight now. I am leaving Southern Wesleyan with more uncertainties than I arrived with. However, I hear that is perfectly fine. My leap of faith to come here will not be the last leap God requires of me. I have taken many since, and I am certain there will be many more. Yet, I know as long as I seek and follow closely after the Lord He will sustain me. Yes, He will lead me. I am counting on that, because without his direction, I cannot imagine who I would be today. 

Thank you Southern Wesleyan University. I have received one of the most valuable tools to reach the world for Christ, an education. I absolutely cannot wait to put all of my classroom learning to use through experience. I have learned so much about life, faith, perseverance, and Jesus Christ. I will forever be indebted to you...in more ways that one! ;) 

As always, thanks for reading.

I will be posting a more detailed account of all the graduation festivities in the near future!

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!"