"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
As we finalize our preparations for our trip, we are reminded that this very extravagant, completely unpredicted, and truly incredible adventure is a gift from God. When I refer to this voyage, I often refer to it as "God's trip." There is no possible way that we could of dreamt up and executed an adventure like this! It was completely in His plans and there is a peace that surrounds us.
There is no better time then now to serve as a testimony to God's goodness, grace, and love. He is giving us the opportunity to be surrounded by witnesses and run the race (football in Milan) for Him. We are reminded to keep our eyes on Him and walk in His light and most importantly; share the truth about the sacrifice He made for us on the cross. It has never been so clear to us before, the calling He has set before us, and we are convicted by the thoughts that God has a bigger plan than just "football in Milan."
We are excited and anxious to see what intricate situations He has in store. Maybe our only reason for going is to share the word with a lost player or touch the life of one family woman. Maybe He is sending us to strictly change Brock and my relationship forever and make us more dependent on Him. Whatever the plan, whatever the reason, we know one thing to be true: It is His race and our eyes are fixed on Him to strictly do His will.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
"Grow Where You're Planted"
As Christians we often "tell" God where we feel we are most usable. "If you give me this job, at this specific place, with this amount of money, then God, I will do the work You have called me to do." It's funny how many times, when I honestly reflect on my heart and my own attitude, that I have told God that very same thing. "If this happens God, then I will ________..." It is like we reason with God and make "deals" with Him, as if WE are the ones who are in control.
A very kind and special woman gave Brock and I the best advice..."Grow where you are planted." Often times it's as if we are a plant, and we are the ones giving the perfect conditions that will help us grow perfect, strong, and beautiful. (In His glorious image, of course.) But for the best results, we need to stray away from our selfish nature and allow God to give us HIS perfect conditions for our growth. This whole time I thought: "Sun, sand, and the beaches of Florida are the perfect conditions for my glorious growth for God." In God's perfect plan, He is planting me far away from my ideal conditions, where I am far away from my comforts (family and friends); that way, my only comfort will be Him. And that is the only perfect way to grow where I am planted.
When I heard about the possibilities on Milan, my original, and very immature reaction, was to go and pout because this was against MY plan. I laugh now when I think about it. "Pouting in Italy!" hahaha I thought the perfect recipe for a beautiful and confident, successful and happy, and Holy and motivated Lauren, on fire for Christ was MY conditions for a "comfortable" life. I've realized that being uncomfortable allows God to become my security blanket. It also allows me to reflect on the comforts; sometimes unusual ones, that He gives me. My husband, this blog, pictures,communication with family and friends, and who knows, maybe a new friend in Italy; these things, these people, will allow me to grow into a better woman, friend, and wife in Christ's image.
Thank you all our friends and family who continue to motivate and support Brock and I during this very exciting and somewhat "uncomfortable" time. We love you.
A very kind and special woman gave Brock and I the best advice..."Grow where you are planted." Often times it's as if we are a plant, and we are the ones giving the perfect conditions that will help us grow perfect, strong, and beautiful. (In His glorious image, of course.) But for the best results, we need to stray away from our selfish nature and allow God to give us HIS perfect conditions for our growth. This whole time I thought: "Sun, sand, and the beaches of Florida are the perfect conditions for my glorious growth for God." In God's perfect plan, He is planting me far away from my ideal conditions, where I am far away from my comforts (family and friends); that way, my only comfort will be Him. And that is the only perfect way to grow where I am planted.
When I heard about the possibilities on Milan, my original, and very immature reaction, was to go and pout because this was against MY plan. I laugh now when I think about it. "Pouting in Italy!" hahaha I thought the perfect recipe for a beautiful and confident, successful and happy, and Holy and motivated Lauren, on fire for Christ was MY conditions for a "comfortable" life. I've realized that being uncomfortable allows God to become my security blanket. It also allows me to reflect on the comforts; sometimes unusual ones, that He gives me. My husband, this blog, pictures,communication with family and friends, and who knows, maybe a new friend in Italy; these things, these people, will allow me to grow into a better woman, friend, and wife in Christ's image.
Thank you all our friends and family who continue to motivate and support Brock and I during this very exciting and somewhat "uncomfortable" time. We love you.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Situating S.T.U.F.F.
AHHHHHHHHHH! The stuff we have acquired! Of course, every woman needs her collection of shoes and purses to do what my husband calls...."accessorizing!" But WOW! We have spent the last 72 hours loading and unloading, organizing and moving, and lots of rearranging of all of our STUFF! Well... it is probably more accurate to say all of MY stuff. I can just picture Brock's face now as he looked at me in defeat... "More!?! When have you used this! LAUREN! Put that in the Goodwill bag!" Then I justify keeping my stuff and adding to my "stuff" pile by giving him my puppy dog look and pleading my case on how "I just can't live without this!" or my favorite my saying, "But Brocky you don't understand, I love it!" I really have never taken the time to go through all of this STUFF; the STUFF that I just can't live without! But after moving it all and feeling really overwhelmed, I have realized that filling life with stuff crowds your vision of the life around you. So, after 3 full trash bags of Goodwill STUFF and 2 trash bags full of garbage....I'm just not giving up anymore of my STUFF!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Leaving Lynchburg
In my 4th grade classroom a sign is posted that says "Where ever you go, you leave footprints behind." I laughed and thought, "Yeah, yeah, that's what we tell the students to motivate them to do their best and be kind to others." But then I really got to thinking...
"Where ever you go, you leave footprints behind." It's funny to look back and realize the life that Brock and I are leaving in Lynchburg. Football and teaching is over with and we are left with a feeling of great accomplishment and pride. But then I really got to thinking about the dear friends and relationships that we are leaving behind and it really began to weigh heavy on my heart. As the move is getting closer and closer I find myself with tears rolling down my face... "I am really going to miss my friends," I sobbed to Brock! We have been so thankful for the love, encouragement, and support that we have received during our time we have spent in Lynchburg and it makes me sick to know that we are going to a new place where our support systems will not be. If it weren't for our friends we wouldn't be where we are today. They have been the best mediators in our toughest arguments and the best audience in our goofiest of times. Our friends have left their loving words and fun memories as footprints in our hearts. And these footprints will forever be with us where ever life leads us. As for this journey, I find strength in the relationships we have built with our fabulous friends and I find strength knowing that their footprints will be with us in Italy.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Moving to Milan
Brock and I found ourselves very content with where we were; newlyweds; in a beautiful town home, with our amazing Puggle Koda, our wonderful roommates; Jen and my sister Christina, and we were finally done with school. We truly felt like a little family. I graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Elementary Education and was working part time at Bed Bath and Beyond. Brock had just completed his four years at Liberty University playing Quarterback for the Flames football team and was working full time at Thomas Road Baptist Church and coaching for the football team. We really had a lot on our plates and we found ourselves super busy!
So many things had happened after the wedding. Brock was in the NFL draft and we experienced the ruthlessness of the industry. We spent month after month getting our hopes up as teams lead us on. We were left feeling pretty disappointed. We were determined to move on and start our lives in a new place with our new careers. Brock and I started planning our move to Naples, Florida and before we knew it he had a potential job opportunity with a Sports Outreach Ministries Program and I had a teaching job opening up for January. Our plan was working out perfectly! We set our moving date and we were moving forward! We started saving money so that we could finally settle down and nest in our own home (with all our wedding gifts:]).
As soon as we set our plans, God told us His. The football coach of the Milan Rhinos team contacted Brock's football coach, Coach Danny Rocco, and expressed his interest in having Brock join their Italian team as Quarterback. At first Brock and I were very uneasy. We had closed the door to football in a sense and we were looking forward to some stability in our life. We were certain that we were in God's will because every door had opened for us in Florida. We sought out lots of council and advice from our mentors and family members and it seemed as if everyone agreed that this was a wonderful opportunity. After receiving this opportunity we spent about 3 weeks in prayer, seeking out God's will. Brock was excited and motivated! He saw the positive possibilities that this opportunity had. Me, on the other hand, handle the situation like any emotional woman would whose heart was set on moving to Florida to be close to her family...I cried and cried. I prayed that God would change my heart and help me see His will but Milan just seemed so far and so out of reach.
I found myself having a change in my thoughts: "We always wanted to travel." and "We don't have any kids." or "Now is the time to do this." Slowly but surely my excitement grew. I partly retained my excitement out of fear of being let down if this opportunity fell through like all the other ones had. I was also scared, nervous, afraid, and sad to leave our family and friends. Brock eased my anxiety by reassuring me that this was ultimately my discussion. I began to see that God was blessing us in the biggest way ever. He was giving Brock the opportunity to play football again, He was giving us the chance to have the ultimately honeymoon after a busy semester, and He was giving us the desires of our hearts to travel like we said we had always wanted to.
Brock signed the contract and on January 31st we are leaving for Milan, Italy. There, we will live in our very own apartment. Brock will be playing for the Italian Football League for their 2010 season. His contract is January to July. All of our expenses are paid and we are truly provided for. God is good and we are excited to leave. We are even more excited to share all of our new experiences and adventures with our family and friends.
So many things had happened after the wedding. Brock was in the NFL draft and we experienced the ruthlessness of the industry. We spent month after month getting our hopes up as teams lead us on. We were left feeling pretty disappointed. We were determined to move on and start our lives in a new place with our new careers. Brock and I started planning our move to Naples, Florida and before we knew it he had a potential job opportunity with a Sports Outreach Ministries Program and I had a teaching job opening up for January. Our plan was working out perfectly! We set our moving date and we were moving forward! We started saving money so that we could finally settle down and nest in our own home (with all our wedding gifts:]).
As soon as we set our plans, God told us His. The football coach of the Milan Rhinos team contacted Brock's football coach, Coach Danny Rocco, and expressed his interest in having Brock join their Italian team as Quarterback. At first Brock and I were very uneasy. We had closed the door to football in a sense and we were looking forward to some stability in our life. We were certain that we were in God's will because every door had opened for us in Florida. We sought out lots of council and advice from our mentors and family members and it seemed as if everyone agreed that this was a wonderful opportunity. After receiving this opportunity we spent about 3 weeks in prayer, seeking out God's will. Brock was excited and motivated! He saw the positive possibilities that this opportunity had. Me, on the other hand, handle the situation like any emotional woman would whose heart was set on moving to Florida to be close to her family...I cried and cried. I prayed that God would change my heart and help me see His will but Milan just seemed so far and so out of reach.
I found myself having a change in my thoughts: "We always wanted to travel." and "We don't have any kids." or "Now is the time to do this." Slowly but surely my excitement grew. I partly retained my excitement out of fear of being let down if this opportunity fell through like all the other ones had. I was also scared, nervous, afraid, and sad to leave our family and friends. Brock eased my anxiety by reassuring me that this was ultimately my discussion. I began to see that God was blessing us in the biggest way ever. He was giving Brock the opportunity to play football again, He was giving us the chance to have the ultimately honeymoon after a busy semester, and He was giving us the desires of our hearts to travel like we said we had always wanted to.
Brock signed the contract and on January 31st we are leaving for Milan, Italy. There, we will live in our very own apartment. Brock will be playing for the Italian Football League for their 2010 season. His contract is January to July. All of our expenses are paid and we are truly provided for. God is good and we are excited to leave. We are even more excited to share all of our new experiences and adventures with our family and friends.
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