03-21-09

It all started with a drive down 35 that would be like no other...little did I know that Bryan was waiting for me on our special bench on Baylor's campus.

Kathryn and Stephanie had been in on the whole thing and I was so happy they were there to witness a very special moment.

Okay...here we go!

We get to Waco and Kathryn, Cristy, and myself make a pit stop in the SUB (Student Union Building) before deciding to walk around campus since it was a beautiful day. We walked towards Pat Neff (admin building) and down the long courtyard leading up to Waco Hall. As we were walking I noticed that Bryan was sitting on our bench where we spent the good part of our first "date". I approached him trying to figure out why he wasn't playing golf at an elite course in Ft. Worth (lies!!!) . He asked me to come sit with him and we talked about the first time we sat there (5 years and 182 days ago is what he told me). Bryan presented me with the flag that I had sent him inviting him to Howdy back in the fall of 2003. He had swore for the last year or so that the had lost it, but the whole time he was hiding it for our special day! We recounted some of our conversation that night after Howdy and knew that God started showing us that He had made us for one another.

After he gave me the flag, he pulled a bible out from under the bench and opened it to Colassians 3:12-17. He read aloud the following:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

He shared with me how much this passage meant to him and how we should continue to put these items into practie through our daily relationship with the Lord and each other. Bryan then said that what was on the front of the Bible symbolized to him our future together and he was so happy to give it to me. When he handed it to me, I turned it over and realized that he had my married name engraved on the front to read "Lauren E Dykes". Cue the flood of tears!!! This is when I realized that this was for real and not just a lovely chat on a gorgeous day.

Bryan then got up off the bench and got down one on knee in front of me...tears still streaming. Bryan even teared up and had a shaky voice when asking "Lauren Epperson, will you marry me?" With my hands over the better half of my face, I shook my head yes and eventually got out "yes, of course!!!". Bryan had stood up by this time, but my legs were not wanting to hold my body up. He helped me to my feet and slipped on the most beautiful ring. After a few minutes of hugging and a few smooches, he told me to turn around and see who had been watching.

I noticed that behind us was Kathryn, Stephanie, and Cristy and then across the courtyard his mom had been taking pictures the entire time!!! I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect than that day. Little did I know that there was still one more surprise.

We slowly took our time eating our celebratory lunch at Nimfa's and even walked around Spice. On our way home we had all of these realizations about all of the wedding stuff we'll get to experience in the upcoming months. The car ride went by so fast with us just calling each other fiance every 10 minutes and looking through our first bridal magazine (well just me looking, Bryan driving). When we finally pulled onto my parent's street there were a ton of cars parked in front of our house that didn't all belong to my side of the family. We walked into the house and his side of the family as well as mine had gathered for a celebration dinner!! What a perfect way to end our special day.

God has blessed me with a wonderful fiance, family, and friends. I'm so thankful for God's love and mercy through His son. We really are able to love because HE first loved us :)

That's all for now :)

-The future Mrs. Bryan Dykes

Startin' Over

Woo, thank goodness that our God gives us second, third, and millionth chances to get it right. I'm glad I'm not held to the same standards on keeping my blog updated.

Okay, so I thought I might take this opportunity to brag on all of my great co workers! I am blessed beyond words to work at a company and in a department of amazing people. On my drive home today I thought about each individual that I've either sat next to, shared a team meeting with, or at lunch with. Each name that went through my head brought a smile to my face. God has a plan for my life and I'm so thankful it involved GS.

I've learned a lot over the 1 1/2 years I've been gainfully employed at the good ole GS. It is great to be able to wake up in the morning and know that I'm about to put in a day's work that will make a difference in someone's life and that I'll be surrounded by people who impact my life in a massive capacity. I feel as if I have gained a tremendous amount of patience (I had little to none to begin with) and also a more open mind to other people's point of view.

I'm also thankful for the opportunity of Bryan being able to meet all these awesome people I talk to him about on a daily basis. We definitely love him being our short stop on the co-ed softball team...we need those studly skills!

Signing off for now...T.O. (The Original)

What to do...

Now that Olympics are coming to a close tonight, my thoughts have turned to trying to figure out what to do with all of this time not sitting in front of the TV. I guess my workout schedule will take back its #1 spot but will have a fight put up by trying to pack up the apartment.

Yes, it is that time...to move again.

This time it is hitting me the hardest. This will be the first time that I'll not be living with one of my best friends, Kathryn. We have lived together the past 3 years and have loved every minute. She has taught me how to be patient and hear people out before jumping to my own conclusions. We got tattoos together, I introduced her to Uncle Julio's, and we implemented pizza and beverage pool days on the weekends. In a nutshell, she has been the best roommate EVER!!!

I know that moving back home with the rents is a financially responsible decision, but I made her promise me that I could keep a toothbrush at her place and have dibs on the couch :) I will miss my sweet roomie, but know that we will see each other often!

Oh plus she's stuck going with me to all of the Baylor home football games, we're season ticket holders!!!! SIC 'EM BEARS

Apologies first off...I have not been faithful in my blogging. So here's a stab at redeeming myself.

As Kathryn and I near our lease ending, I have made the decision to move back in with my parents. Bryan and I have talked about the possibility of marriage within the next year or so, therefore it wouldn't make sense for me to ask my sweet roomie to sign a short lease and move once again. So we definitely are sad that after 3 years we won't be living together anymore. She has been absolutely perfect and so much fun throughout some of the most fun times of our lives. I know we will still have some slumber parties and I have even entertained the idea of leaving a toothbrush over there, just in case! :)

I'm excited about taking another step in the direction of spending the rest of my life with Bryan. We are trying to focus on saving money and continue to enjoy dating until God's perfect timing presents itself. Continue to pray for his job search as I know he is getting anxious, but must continue to be subject to waiting on the man to give their approval or denial. But we will continue to pray and trust His will.

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good :)

Shenanigans at the workplace

So some jokesters in my office decided to pull one on me today while I was in my team meeting...

So i usually leave my phone on my desk when I'm at work and just have it on silent. Today after I got back from my team meeting, I looked for my phone on my desk, but it couldn't be found. I looked for it in my purse and didn't see it there either. Then it starts ringing...I begin frantcially looking for it in my drawers of my filing cabinets, opened the cabinets as well and looked under the desk too. I finally got on top of my desk to look at the top of the cabinets and still couldn't find it. By this time the phone has been ringing for a few minutes and people are coming over to my desk to take pictures of me looking for the phone!

As I was standing on my desk the sound was louder as if I was getting closer...I put my hand on a ceiling tile and could feel it vibrating. Some jokesters in my office love the show The Office. Apparently there's an episode where Jim takes Andy's cell phone and puts it up in the ceiling. It definitely was a great prank, but rest assured that I will get them back!

Sand found in many places

So, after you go to the beach it is evident that some amount of sand will travel back with you. I had it on most of my shoes, swimsuit, and a few pairs of shorts...oh well!

I had a wonderful time as a counselor at Beach Camp with Prestonwood. The day of the trip I was stressed beyond belief wondering if my mystery group of girls would like me. I spent the day running last minute errands with Bryan and he had to keep reassuring me that everything was going to be fine.

God definitely answered my prayers of helping with my anxious feelings. When I got to our leader meeting that night of departure, I didn't know a soul. That was until I saw a few Pi Beta's from Baylor who were going...so prayer concern #1 answered.

We found out that we were not able to know our list of campers until we arrived in Florida...slight set back in my mind, but worked out for the best. Once the kids arrived, my excitement grew, and I couldn't wait to get to know the students.

We pulled out of P-wood around 10 and within 10 minutes of being on the road one of the nine buses broke down on 635 and the toll. We eventually had to shuttle all of the kids and luggage off of that bus and onto another. So we started out the trip with a 2 hour delay, but had a great ride to Florida.

Upon arrival we hit the ground running and I met my 9 freshman girls that were with me in a condo for the week. They were all so bright and full of energy and concerned about who got the 1st shower. I absolutely loved being a part of their lives and was so blessed by each girl. I definitely made some wonderful memories with them and brought back memories of taking hours to get ready for worship, dressing up at all times for the boys, and of course endless amounts of flirting!

The speaker and bands present were more than amazing. God truly spoke through both groups and taught me things even after being a Christian for 18 years. You never and truly will know everything about being a Christian.

Pray for me as I entertain the idea of leading a Sunday School class for a group of high school girls starting in the fall. If you ever get the chance and feel led to, take the time to invest in the youth in your church...y0u won't walk away empty handed.

Panama City, FL...here I come!

Thursday, June 26th I will leave from Prestonwood Baptist Church on charter buses with hundreds of high school students headed towards Panama City, Fl. I have been given the wonderful opportunity to go and be a beach camp leader for the week. I have 8-10 high school aged girls staying in a condo with me right on the beach.




This past weekend I hit up Walmart to get a few things for the trip and realized that getting extra sunscreen and aloe-vera gel would be wise. Instead of just getting things I needed, I began to think of what they might forget and need...I guess this is what it feels like to be a mom!

I'm so excited to have this opportunity to be a leader to these girls. I pray that God will be able to use me and have the girls open up and share their hearts. I look forward to not only blessing the students, but also to being blessed by my girls. Pray that God will grant us safe travels and a wonderful time when we arrive. Also keep in your prayers the kids who do not know Him...may the words spoken and songs sung touch their hearts in a way so that they feel His presence and come to know Him as their Savior!

Oh, and try not to be too jealous of us being in the sun hanging out on the white sand beaches :)