Content

You guys, I am so unbelievably content. Not happy, because happiness is a fleeting emotion that can change on a whim, but content: at peace with the life God has given me.

These past 8 months have been one heck of a ride, to say the least. God has used this time to test my faith and through days of solitude, He forced me to rely on Him for comfort, direction, and provision. Back in January, when I lived in a perpetual state of misery and sweatpants, I couldn't believe that we had given up our safe and comfortable lives in Bourbonnais for this. We had everything we thought we needed: a home, full-time jobs, friends, family...but God has showed me that He did not intend for the Man and I to live a "safe" life.

When I was in high school/college, I really struggled with my identity and finding my place in this world. One night my mom and I were having a conversation about my purpose and she told me that God created two types of people: marshmallows and steel. Steel has to withstand the hottest and most brutal fires in order to reach its full potential. It's not glamorous or flashy, but tough and strong. Marshmallows are fluffy and sweet and overall wonderful, but cannot survive the flames. She then pointed a finger at me and declared with such conviction, "You, Lauren, are NOT a marshmallow."

If I was a marshmallow, I never would have moved down here. I would have stayed in Bourbonnais where I was safe and continued to live my fluffy marshmallowy life. God knows what the Man and I can handle, and though there have been many fires, we are confident that we will not be consumed. Our relationship is so much stronger, both with the Lord and with each other. This is were God wants us and I am content in Him.

So very content.

No, Really, I Have a Life Now

*Edit: I don't know why Blogger isn't including paragraph breaks, so please excuse the really long jumbled mess.* Ok, so maybe life has gotten just a teeny bit busy since my last blog post. I know how all of you loved my blog posts about my adventures in baking, doing laundry, and trying not to murder my neighbor's dog. But take heart, those things are still happening.... In the meantime, God has blessed me with not one, but two part-time jobs in the Louisville area. Monday through Thursday I work as a "part-time academic assistant" (read: kid wrangler and occasional tutor) for the YMCA in Louisville. I travel to two different elementary/middle schools to help kids with their homework after school. The students are great and it's hilarious to hear them talk with their southern accents. The only downside to this job, other than keeping kids from sneezing on me, is trying to remember basic algebraic equations. I literally had to tell a student that I had no idea how to help her and she should ask one of her classmates. Not one of my finer moments. When I'm not busy shaping the young minds of America, I am a "team sports sales associate" at the local Dick's Sporting Goods (read: I stock and tell people which baseball bat to buy). All jokes aside, I am getting paid to organize, clean, and arrange sports equipment symmetrically. Best.Job.Ever. When we first moved here I swore up and down that I wouldn't work in retail because it carried the stigma of "those who can't, work retail." But when it's the end of February and I'm still spending 23 hours a day in sweatpants and not contributing to our financial situation whatsoever, social stigmas go out the window. And apparently I'm pretty good at what I do, as my manager recently asked me if I was interested in moving up into management. I told my mom that I feel like I earned a gold medal at the wanna-be Olympics: it doesn't really mean anything, but it's still shiny. Hey, I'm happy, I'm earning money, and I get a sweet discount. Wha-bam. Oh and yes, the Man is still alive and as snarky as ever. He's over halfway through police academy and cannot wait for graduation. The next time I get a free moment to blog, I'll be sure to include some of our recent conversations. Be prepared. Welp, my neighbor's stupid dog has started howling, which means it's bedtime. I promise I will try to be more diligent in updating my blog. Try.