songs of me

Choose a band and answer only in song titles by that band: Salvador

are you male or female: "So Natural"

describe yourself: "Ain't it Good" ;)

how do some people feel about you: "You are There"

describe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend: "Now It Moves"

describe your current boyfriend/girlfriend: "Fabricated"

describe your friends: "God People"

describe what you want to be: "Worthy"

describe how you live: "Lord I Come Before, You"

describe how you love: "For More Than Ourselves"

describe your roommate: "Can't Keep it In"

describe your parents: "It Comes Back to You"

describe your dreams: "Can You Feel (The Supernatural)"

Rain

It's raining outside. I love the rain, most of all during the summer. The rain always makes me think of my own place. I know that I am covered in this home, as well (or perhaps better) than I will be in my own home. However, I look forward to that first raining night under the roof that I am able to provide for my daughter. I know that I'll never be able to do anything without God, and I'm not trying to steal His glory. I'm simply anxious for the opportunity to be a real adult and provider to my baby. When I hear the rain on the roof that I pay for I will be proud.

Rachel and Cindy

Easter Sunday! I've always loved this holiday because its right when the weather is starting to get good again, and as I've mentioned in the last blog its also my one competitive sport. :) Growing up it was the one Sunday we didn't go to church, odd reversal of societal norms, I know but then how do you think I got this way??? Instead we went and ate tons of food and hung out with the family. This has been the best Easter I've had in years, the past few have been troubled. Rachel came home this afternoon, its nice to have her here, she's one of those very few good friends and my second little sister. We didn't start to get close untill a few years ago when God began His work on her, and I should say me too. I had avoided her for years because I didn't feel I could trust her. But then one night she had a wreck, on the side of the road 2 minutes from my house. Noone knew she was there, her cell phone had gone dead when she tried to call my younger brother. She laid there for 6 hours, before he found her. Her ankle had been crushed her car totaled. That night she lost everything. She was not able to go to her mother's house, because my Aunt was so unstable she wouldn't or couldn't take care of her. So Rachel stayed with us for 6 months, God quickly rebuked me for my pride, and forced me to look at her anew. She began to go to church with me, and looked to be on the right track, but after her ankle healed she went back to live with my Aunt, and on an Easter 2 years ago, Rachel decided she didn't want to go to church (she was supposed to get baptised that day). I went up there, and ended up in a huge fight with my Aunt. Rachel never came back to church. Last years was more drama when my Aunt tried to set our barn on fire. Later that summer my Aunt died, and Rachel joined Teen Challenge in the fall. Its been such a relief to hear my "little sis" on fire for God. He's teaching us so much, I don't know why I'm writing all this....its uncharacteristic of me to say the least, but each time I go to delete I can't. I'm thankful for this day of hope. I was given some music this morning which I LOVE!!! One of the best artists I've ever heard, extremely versatile. But one song has captured me and permeated every thought I've had about today's and past day's events. If you can sing PLEASE do this song its fabulous, I'd sing it myself if I wouldn't do it a disservice. The song is Take My Life "Mary Magdalene's Song. I have to give you the lyrics they stopped my heart even before I heard the song.

Who can say/ When life is over/ the silver cord breaks/our breath returns to God/will we walk through fields of clover/or soar up high/ through valleys deep and wide/ I cannot know/ all that's waiting there/ but until that day Chorus: Take my life / Take away all the shattered dreams in me/ and give me love that will last forever/ take my life/ give me the Love that makes me free/ cause I believe/ that Your Love can save/ Even a wretch like me/ This race is not/ just for the runners/ some of us walk/ while some of us barely crawl/ we make our way through spring and winter/ leaning on strenth/ that strenthens all/ and when the sunlight fades from morning/ You'll stll be burning in my eyes.

Every part of that song is beautiful and perfect. My God takes these broken lives and makes them beautiful and useful. The hurt and shame of the past cannot stop HIM from being God!!! Not yours or anyone who you love. Even in the darkness, when you can't see the hope the reminder of His light is burned into your eyes, so that you cannot ever truly forget Him. He has made His mark on you. He will never leave you where you are, ;) even if its a good place. There is always more to find in Him. I thank Him today for His mercy and His divine healing. He's good to me!!!!

Easter egg hunting

We had Easter today. Three kids we hid 101 eggs! Electra ended up finding about 45 of them. She's a terror in an Easter egg hunt! She ran out of the door ready to kick butt. The other two kids were Roman my nephew, and my cousin Jesse's stepdaughter Kristiyana. They were just lackadaisically wandering around with at least one adult helping them, and Electra is just zooming all over the lawn. She's had too much practice, the curse of being an only child in a family of professional egg-hunters. We gave her practice rounds for years before another child came along. She'd have 3 or 4 hunts in an Easter, and we'd teach her all the places to look. Clumps of grass, up in trees, in a hole covered with sod....yeah we're demented. But at the end of the hunt she gave most of her candy away, so I didn't have to be worried that she was losing her sweetness. But I couldn't help but be glad that she has the Ring gene for competitive egg hunting. Sad to say but we were still hunting eggs when I was 17. It was like an Olympic sport in our family. Luckily for all of us Electra was able to hunt eggs a few years later. I guess by the time I was 21, cause I was 20 her 1st Easter and she wasn't old enough. We didn't get Kristiyana till Electra was 4, and Kristiyana and her mother Rossitsa are from Bulgaria where they hit eggs together (like in My Big Fat Greek Wedding). So Easter egg hunting was tramatic for her at first, she had no clue what to do and she was up against the WELL trained Electra. Luckily she's getting better and Roman who's about to be three is showing the Ring gen as well so I think the egg hunts will start to be REALLY fun to watch.

amusing idea

I would like to live in a world where honesty is truly appreciated. I know in my own life I often find myself saying or doing things simply because they are the acceptable thing to say, and not because I really mean them. I don't want to hurt peoples feelings anymore than the next man, though come to think of it I don't think I've got a single friend who've I've not offended. Maybe I should play the loner more often....I don't offend me. But seriously, we pick a personal that is generally acceptable and we play that part. I would prefer to just have the chance to be truly honest, and get an honest answer in return. Now I do try to answer any direct question with a direct answer (something I also get in trouble for, sorry Leah). Wouldn't it be great to go through life without offense, because you were honest and they were honest??? I'm so interested in this idea that I will put out a challenge, that I'm very certain noone will take me up on ;)! My challenge is for anyone who cares to try ask me any question you want I'll give you a full and honest answer, but in exchange I get to ask you a question and recieve the same. I can see the eyes rolling now, but I don't care, mock me if you will this is my fantasy for today! :)

silly questions

ok last blog, though tongue in cheek, still alittle heavy so here's some silly questions and their silly answers

FIRSTS
First job: dairy farm I was up milking cows at 4 in the morning in 4th grade
First screen name: Star-ring (nickname Munday called me Star, ah sentimental schmuck)
First kiss: 8th grade, Gabe Walls
First self purchased CD: Matchbox 20, still can't listen to them without strong memories
First funeral: My grandfather
First true love: If I had had one I wouldn't have posted that last post
First big trip: Band trip Washington DC, mmm good trip I love the Smithsonian!
First musician you remember hearing in your house: Johnny Cash or James Taylor

LASTS
Last big car ride: I guess the 20's trip
Last kiss: way too long ago, the word years comes to mind.
Last library book checked out: Can't remember probably an audio book for driving
Last movie seen: Rocky
Last beverage drank:Sweet Tea
Last food consumed: Carmel Cake
Last phone call: Crystal checking on the house buying, wedding planning, weight losing diva
Last CD played: the Issacs, their REALLY good
Last annoyance: My 6th period class and answering the question about the last kiss
Last soda drank: Diet coke
Last ice cream eaten: chocolate chip cookie dough with hot fudge
Last time scolded: I do the scolding, 6th period
Last website visited:http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3

I
I am...weird
I want... to move
I have...odd thoughts
I wish... everyone else did too?
I hate... shopping
I fear... people from my past
I hear... the whir of my computer....I should put on some music
I search... for Easter eggs?????
I wonder... where oh where did my little dog go
I regret... not keeping some of my odd accessories
I love... my baby girl
I ache... when I stub my toe
I always... like to eat with chopsticks
I am not... afraid of getting mocked
I dance... like a crazied hippy
I sing... loudly and off-key
I cry... only when God makes me
I am not always... listening, sorry....
I write... random things that I think about
I confuse... people in general
I need... an extra income

YES or NO:
Do you keep a diary: just this
Do you like to cook: yes
Have you a secret you haven't shared with anyone else: yes

DO YOU...?
Have a boyfriend: no
Want to get married: marriage yes wedding he'll have to talk me into
Get along with your parents: yes
Like thunderstorms: yes, I love them

FAVORITE:
Number: 42 the secret to life the universe and everything
Color: red
Day:pay day
Month: September
Season: Fall
Drink: sweet tea


IN THE LAST 24 HOURS, HAVE YOU...
Cried? Good Lord no!
Helped someone? yes
Bought something? yes
Gone to the movies? no
Gone out to eat?yes
Said 'i love you'? Electra needs to be told several hundred times a day :)
Written a love letter: yeah right!
Talked to an ex? no
Missed an ex? no
Had a serious talk? yes and no parts were serious most were inconcievable! (yeah I'm talking about your "theory" Leah!)
Missed someone? sure alittle
Hugged someone? baby girl

WOULD YOU EVER
Eat a bug? Why?????
Bungee jump? YES!!!
Kill someone? demented question
Parachute from a plane? YES!!!
Walk on hot coals? if it was done right
Go out with someone for their looks? Who has this option?????
Be a vegetarian? why?????
IM a stranger? I don't IM, not signed up on one....What's a good one?
Sing Karaoke? only if all the singers I know weren't there to sing too
Dye your hair blue? on summer break?? maybe
Wear makeup in public? I think the public would feel better if I did
Make someone cry? I do everytime I tell Electra to clean her room
Date someone more than 10 years older than you? yes
Stay up all night? yes

what do you want in the opposite sex

So I was just driving home and talking to Leah on the way home (insanely long drive, may I request some prayer and fasting towards changing God's position on me moving, He seems to want me to stay) She was reading Chris's latest blog to me, and we got to the part where he was forced to list the things he finds attractive in the opposite sex. First of all, Chris you can not possibly be attracted to hair you never notice it. Second and more generally I realised that were I to answer that question I would say the exact same thing. Now before I get comments about a mind meld with Chris, I would argue that a good 70 to 80% of people would say the same thing. Everyone says sense of humor, because obviously talking to a stoic is no fun, and hair and eyes are nonoffensive body parts. So I'm feeling saucy, I'm going to really say what I want, and by the end of it I think we'll know why I still single.
I want a spirit-filled, sexy man of God (apologies to Raising Helen), who goes to my church or will switch to my church, because I like my church and I don't want to change. I want an intelligent man who doesn't stop me every two seconds to ask me what some word or another means, but who is not so intelligent that he won't allow me to be my occainsionly ditsy self. As for education I care only minutely, not for the intelligence factor(I don't think education really affects that), but I do think it says alot about a person if they finish things, like an education. I want someone blunt, who have no problem arguing and debating with me whether he or I win the debate. I want someone who will fit into my loud and somewhat clannish family(he must like food ALOT we always make enough for a small army, enjoy playing all kinds of games, and not be afraid to be loud and obnoxious like the rest of us. We love each other...we're just VERY sarcastic). He has to love my child .....hopefully enough to not want more....yeah, yeah I know I'm selfish. He absolutely must love movies, and come with a movie collection full of DVD's that I do not yet own. (I don't really need duplicates) He must understand and like the fact that I will never want to go out every night of the week, I will always prefer a small group of friends to a large group, and I will always be tacitern, cantankerous and an introvert. I want him to be the dominate member of the relationship, in other words I would prefer to help him with his career or ministry, rather than being the outfront or spokesperson. I don't however care what he does for a living or how much money he makes. Must say that I can't see myself marrying a teacher though, that'd bring too much of work home. Aside from all that I want someone who wants me, thus the kicker and why I am still single.

sad snuffy

Snuffy's Suicide Attempts

Poor baby, life is rough for you, huh? No one
seems to see you, no one notices your
pain--except for your friend Big Bird, but he's
alway off hanging out with his other friends.
You wish you were him, all happy and curious
and popular and bright yellow. You feel like
his shadow anymore, like the only reason you
exist is to amuse him. It's hard being
somebody's imaginary friend. But stop trying
to kill yourself--imaginary people can't kill
themselves. Sorry. And hey, maybe tomorrow
you'll feel better!Someday people will see you, I promise.

Which Sesame Street Muppet's Dark Secret Are You?
brought to you by

Citzen Kane

I was watching Citizen Kane the other night, and before I go into my actual subject for this post let me say that the movie is wonderful, but seriously overrated. I've seen list after list of the top movies of all time and its always #1. I thought it was very good, but hardly worthy of #1 spot. What was good was that it made me think, granted its not hard to make me think, but here's the question.
The whole movie was about Kane trying to find love and happiness. But we are taken on that journey through the eyes of the people who are trying to find the "real" man. My question is what is our real? Is it the caricature that people who don't know us very well draw of us? The single word or impression that they have of me. In their eyes I could be any number of things: intelligent, crititcal, mundane, or a plethora of nice or nasty thoughts. Are these impressions that people draw of me more important than the "real" me that very few people know or for that matter care to know. Outside of my family, there have been less than five (actually closer to 2) people that I trusted enough to show my true thoughts to. Now I'm working on expanding that #, to become a more trusting and open person, but I've got years of pessismism to work through. We'll see. But is the knowledge of these few more important than the impressions of the world in general? Especially if we take into consideration that I, as a Christian, am supposed to be a light to the world. However, I must admit I like who I am (dispite the suicidal Snuffy thing) I think God knew what He was doing when He made me like I am. I will never be the bouncy cheerleader type. Nor do I EVER want to try!!! I am my own tacitern, cynical, cantankerous self. He did that on purpose, right???

stolen a-z

I stole this from Chris who stole this from Hiram, who in turn stole it from his friend Dana…
A TO Z WITH Literal Lauren
A - AGE: 26 so sad
B - BAND LISTENED TO MOST RECENTLY: David Crowder Band
C - CRUSH:Lauren....blushes..... then remebers that there are no men on her planet, smirks
D - DOG's NAME: none of my own but currently 4 bird dogs named Star, Lead, and two unnamed Britney puppies that are soooooooooo cute
E - EASIEST PERSON TO TALK TO: Chrystal, she knows the good the bad and the ugly and still loves me
F - FAVORITE BAND/ARTIST: Is there anyone better than Salvador??? That's resounding NO!
G - GUMMY: Bears always eat the head first its less cruel
H - HOMETOWN: Hillsboro, TN so small I usually just tell people Manchester since its actually on most peoples maps
I - INSTRUMENT: flute, and choir....no good at either
J - JUICE: Grape
K - KIDS: The most beautiful and brillant child in the world the lovely Electra Ryna Ring (her middle name is pronouced Renee, but its a family tradition to misspell it)
L - LONGEST CAR RIDE: Can I go for accumulated time and say my drive to and from work??
M - MOM'S NAME: Sharon
N - NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: 2 brothers and 1 sisters (Abram, Alison, and Caleb)
O - ONE WISH: to get out of my current rut!
P - PHOBIA(S): snakes!
Q - QUOTE:"I don't neccessarily agree with everything I say."
R - REASON TO SMILE: someone turned in their homework
S - SEXIEST FEATURE: I spend alot of time avoiding mirrors
T - TIME YOU WAKE UP: 5:30 should be 5 but that snoose buttons awfully tempting
U - UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU: When I was 13 my parents were worried about me, because I wasn't very social and I wasn't normal in the way I liked to dress and do things. (funny thats almost still me) They thought I might have a self-esteem problem and so they enrolled me in charm lessons. Yes I learned the model walk!
V - VEGETABLE YOU HATE: can't think of any
W - WORST HABIT(S): Forgetting everything
X - X-RAYS YOU'VE HAD: I fell off a table last spring and ended up with 11 stitches in my head. They took 15 x-rays of every possible angle of my head and spine.
Y - YUCKY FOOD: Oatmeal
Z - ZODIAC SIGN: Aquarius, and I can't say it without hearing the song.

change

I've been talking lately about how I'm percieved and whether or not I'm getting old. I'm not sure, but I think I might be going through an early don't want to head towards middleaged crisis. I've got an appointment to change my hair, I haven't started to think about dyeing it again, but who knows? Rasberry highlights??? I'm thinking about trading in my car for a truck. I'm getting some more earrings second set on earlobs and single on top. And my cousin is going with me to get a tatoo when she comes to visit!! Maybe I'll start feeling like myself again! Or maybe I'm delusional!!!!!??????

this sucks

I was checking out Chris's blog and followed his link to the left-brained/right-brained quiz, which I'm 30% and 70% respectively (NOT what sucks, but pretty predictable), but then I just had to take the other quizes, and I took the What age do you act? quiz. I SCORED A 34 at 26!!!! This combined with a conversation I had with Leah yesterday, has convinced me that I need serious help. Any advice will be accepted on how to actually act my age. Is it possible to turn back time???
What Age Do You Act?
You Are 34 Years Old
Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.
13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.
20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.
30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!
40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

this is what my name stands for

What Does Your Name Mean?
LAUREN
L is for Luscious
A is for Adventurous
U is for Upbeat
R is for Rich
E is for Extraordinary
N is for Nutty

too many sacastic remarks can come from that

weddings

(Disclaimer to Crystal don't read this you might get mad at me.... I'm sure your wedding will be beautiful)

I hate weddings!!! Why does everyone feel the need to do them??? What are they for? I like the idea of a marriage because that to me means partnership, friendship, and sex all of which make sense and sound really good to me. I think that marriage sounds great, living alone would be boring, I just don't like weddings. No offense to the wedding I went to today, it was cute, and I'm extremely happy for them. I just wanta pray for more elopements. Yeah, yeah we like traditions, humans thrive on doing the same thing over and over and over, and not just what we do, but what our parents did and their parents. At the end of the day are you anymore married because you had a white dress and a candle lighting ceremony. However, to todays wedding I must give them serious props, because their wedding took only 13 minutes according to the official timekeeper. I went to one wedding where the cermony took 2 HOURS and the reception 5. Who wants to take that long??? Ditch the people and get to the wedding night and honeymoon, which in my opinion is the only tradition worth keeping. Some people have argued that they get more presents with a wedding and while that may be true, with the $$$ saved from not doing a wedding BUY YOUR OWN. I think that a wedding with the matching bridesmaids (which are a paegan tradition and an evil thing to make your friends buy since there is NEVER any other use for them) the bouquet toss (thank God we left early), and the predictability of EVERY last part is boring and purposeless. Should I ever get married (and I'm seriously having doubts that there are any guys that can successfully fullfill the partnership and friendship part of marriage) ...God Please don't make me have a wedding. VEGAS, BABY VEGAS!!

trust

Who do we trust? I've often envied various people in my life because of their ability to trust, to have faith in another human being. Way back when (ok about 6 years ago), I spent a good deal of time questioning other people's motives. Granted I had suffered at the hands of more than one person, but my favorite phrase at the time was "What do you want from me?" It would scream through my mind nearly every moment of everyday. I refused to go to church, instead arguing that I couldn't trust the Bible because it had been written by men. I have tried numerous times to track down the moment when the screaming stopped, when I was able to pick up my Bible and trust in HIS word, but like in all things with my Father He gently coaxed me to His side. His love for me so strong, that He waited for me to turn to Him. This week I've been enamored with a verse, I Corinthians 13:7 in the New Century Version. Love patiently accepts all things, It always TRUSTS, always hopes, and always remains strong. God is Love, therefore everything that love is, God is. But if you stop and think about what that means you will find something worth knowing. God TRUSTS, the master and creator of the universe TRUSTS. Why???? He made everything, He can change the course of time, defy law, and ANYTHING else He wants. What does He trust??? He trusts us. Everyday he trusts me to feed and take care of my daughter, to teach my students how they should be taught, to love my family and friends and enemies as He does. He could force me, He could move my hand and my mouth and sometimes I wish He would, but He doesn't because He is trusting me to do all of these things by choice. We don't deserve that right, but we should learn by his example.