goodness.

Well, if life could ever feel normal, it does now...as if my life is ever normal. I've finally settled into my fabulous house, started getting in the routine of school/work/friends/life in general, and actually learning how to semi balance it all. I have to admit, I'm enjoying life as of now probably more than I ever have before. It literally seems like the Lord's goodness never stops! I have been able to, for the first time in a long time, genuinely say with a huge smile "SO GOOD!" when someone asks me how I'm doing. It's pretty refreshing to say the least. But today, I saw a friend on campus who asked me how I was. I was happy to answer "SO SO GOOD!" and, he replied that there are 47 synonyms for good in Webster's dictionary, and I should really considering spicing up my answer a bit. And you know, he's right. Because I really am so much more than good. Good really does fail as an adjective to describe my current state.


So, to all of you who are wondering.....I am pleasant, fine, acceptable, admirable, agreeable, capital, choice, commendable, congenial, deluxe, excellent, exceptional, favorable, first-class, first-rate, gnarly, gratifying, great, honorable, marvelous, neat, nice, pleasing, positive, precious, prime, rad, recherché, reputable, satisfactory, satisfying, select, shipshape, sound, spanking, splendid, sterling, stupendous, super, super-eminent, super-excellent, superb, superior, tip-top, up to snuff, valuable, welcome, and wonderful.

I love it! But more than being good...I wanna start thinking good too!!

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."
Philippians 4:6

It's actually really fun. I can think of so many things that are true and noble and right and lovely...and we're actually commanded to just think about them! Like chocolate chip cookies, rain, encouraging texts, a great cup of coffee, an epic conversation, sleeping in, laughing, slacklining, Wii Dance, puppy fur, nachos, dancing, fireplaces, cute shoes, new songs, candles, coke floats, reuniting with old friends, Mozart, ultimate frisbee in the dark with glowsticks, winks, weddings, pot-luck lunches, football, babies' smiles, hilarious videos, roses, raspberry tea, and learning new things!



So much goodness, so little time. Thank you Jesus.

live.

I've found myself marveling lately at the way life changes. The way things turn out ways I never would have thought or imagined. I've come to realize that my expectations are rarely right, and that my thoughts on the way a situation should play out are seldom the way it works. I'm learning to love the journeys the Lord is taking me on, and to appreciate every circumstance that is placed in my life. I am beginning to love unexpectedness, and starting to enjoy the fact that I have no clue what my life is supposed to look like. Trusting the Lord is actually becoming fun. I'm craving adventure more and more. I'm loving new experiences, and still enjoying the typical ones. I really like learning about myself and who I am...I really enjoy discovering myself as God sees me. I like listening to new music, and laying on a couch all morning talking to Jesus. These couple of weeks in my new house before school starts has allowed many opportunities to take in life in ways I've never been able to before. I've gotten to lay in bed and giggle and have all kinds of heart-to-hearts with my roommates, stay up late talking and not worry cause I have nothing to do the next day, have lots of time in the mornings to lay around and eat cereal for as long as I want. This definitely won't last...my reality will start again in a week, so I'm enjoying this for all it's worth. But you know, as someone who has always really hated change, life still changes, and it's starting to be fun. Seasons aren't forever...thank GOD! So, I guess all I'm really getting at is that I'm taking life with a grain of salt. It's way better that way.




PS.

influence.

So, this is a pretty old article, but it sums up Case pretty well I'd say. As football season begins to role around again, and all the hype starts back up again, I'd love for everyone to understand Case's heart behind it all. He's not just a football player, he's an ambassador of Christ. And for that, I love him.


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/houston/6708259.html




in·flu·ence   –noun
1. the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others

simplicity.

welll dear friends, it's been quite a long time since I've been so excited about life. The brink of a new season is always an exciting place to be. Summer's almost over...which is insane considering it was yesterday that I was pondering what I wanted to come from this summer...right? wow.

Looking back at the way I was looking forward to this summer..I definitely wouldn't say that everything I hoped to accomplish was accomplished, or every goal I set was achieved. This summer has turned out entirely different than I would have hoped or even thought possible. I'm coming to learn the truth of Proverbs 19:21 is true..."many are the plans in a man's heart, but the Lord's purpose prevails." I haven't been learning what I thought I would, I haven't been growing like I thought I would, I haven't had the adventures I'd hoped for. But, despite all this, I am confident that the Lord's purposes have prevailed.

So, through all the emotional days of wildly pursuing Jesus, the times of searching to find the joy in the monotonous journey, and the starving moments of seemingly unending dryness that this summer has brought, the same words of Jesus resonanted in my spirit.

"My dearest Lauren, 'Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.'"
Romans 12:12-13

He's teaching me you see to be---
joyful in hoping for what seems impossible.
patient when it seems like I'm attacked from every side.
faithful in seeking to understand what stirs God's heart, and pray accordingly.
quick to give, share, and lend, trusting that the God of everything can provide.
always always always doing my best to welcome people, accept people, and compassionately love people with no reservations!


through this, my life will be radically changed.
through this, many lives will be eternally impacted.
through this, our world will never be the same.


and it's just that simple.

at the cross

Take a few minutes today, and worship Jesus. It's fun :)

i won't despise

well, another monday. another beginning to a seemingly endless week. or at least, those were my thoughts waking up this morning. I've found it hard in the midst of a dreadfully dull couple of weeks to find joy and excitement in much of anything. It's hard to find refreshment when it seems like nothing new or fresh is anywhere to be found.

But, thank you Jesus that when hope can't be found, You are the Giver of all good things. And even when all seems hopeless, hope is never far off.

In the midst of all this blandness, I had such a restless spirit. I long for so much more than typical and mediocre, yet those are the only two words I can think of to define the season I'm in. So, I guess I was expecting the only way for anything to change would be some huge, crazy revelation or a major work of God, or maybe a mind blowing experience that will change the course of my life forever. Well, if you've lived for more than 2 years, you know that's not always the case.

A recent look at the life of Nehemiah shows that life is made up in the majority of just walking day by day. I'm sure Nehemiah would not have been opposed in anyway to a huge work or marvelous miracle from God in which all the walls of Jeruselam suddenly reappeared with all the trimings in a massive combustion. But, instead, he chose to diligently work little by little, and to still believe that despite all appearances of God's uninvolvement, He was not far off. His plans were still sure, and his promises were worth depending on.

And so, I wrestled with this. "Ok, Jesus, if step by step is how You've called me to live now, I'll suffer through until I finally get to a season of growth and revelation and excitement!" Hmm..well...I still wasn't satisfied.

On my way to work this morning, I put my ipod on shuffle, asking the Lord to play just what I needed to hear. Funnny. The beautiful voice of Alli Rogers makes its way into my car. Here are the lyrics to the song.

I am afraid of beginning,
cause I don't know how to end.
But you told me that the mountain before us
would become a plain in our eyes.
So I won't despise,
I won't despise the day,
I won't despise the day of small things.

Even when you tell me
oh, even then I'm shaking

Cause I am afraid of believing,
The plans that we make seem so big.
But you've shown me that we're never alone,
and your spirit will stay by our side.
So I won't despise,
I won't despise the day,
I won't despise the day of small things.

Goodness. It's so funny that the 15 millionth time you hear a song can mean more than it did the first. The song is based on a verse in Zechariah that asks, "Who despises the day of small things?" I've read the passage before, and just glanced over it. But it came this time directed right at me, "Lauren, are you despising this day of small things?" Well, yeah, as a matter of a fact I am. And man, that is NOT at all what I want to be doing. I'm desiring only the fabulous end product, the perfect ending, the grand finale, the finished wall of Jeruselam, but despising the small beginnings, the steps to get there, the process, the slow monotonous building. Nehemiah would call me a fool I'm sure.

So, you know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna follow Nehemiah's lead. I'm gonna start from the ground up. I won't let the fear of beginning hold me back. I'm going to take the Lord at His word; that His plans are real, that He's involved, that He's excited, and begin building. Brick by brick. One hand with a sword if I have to. Building, and rejoicing in the day of small things!



Because, all big things started out small. mmmmmhmmmmmmmmm!!

en to the courage.

So, encouragement is addicting. I love getting it, love love love giving it.

needing some refreshment?
ENCOURAGE SOMEONE!!

feeling a little down about yourself?
ENCOURAGE SOMEONE!!

wanting to see someones life get changed?
ENCOURAGE SOMEONE!!

a bit insecure, are you?
MAKE SOMEONE ELSE FEEL AWESOME! then you'll feel awesome : ) it's win-win!!!

I'm starting to realize how simple, yet necessary DAILY encouragement is. Genuinely looking someone in the eye when they're talking. Smiling at someone you don't really know. Saying "hi" to that person you "sortaknow,metmaybeonce" or that guy who you "usedtoknowreallywellbuthaven'tseeninforever,thisiskindaawkward," or even just a text to that friend you've thought about twice today and haven't talked to in a couple weeks.Seems small, but people loved to be cared about! Love to know that someone is interested. I know I do...and I'm affected by someone who genuinely cares about me. IT MEANS SO MUCH!


Yes, I know what you're thinking at this very moment, I know. "Lame Lauren, I've heard this 20 times." Yes, indeed. I'm in the same boat as you. But seriously, this world is longing for genuine, loving people. It may not know it, but it is. Why shouldn't we, as the Beloved of the most Genuine, in turn be the Genuine to the world!?! I mean, it could really change things.


And I'm all for changing the world.

"but encourage one another daily,
as long as it is called Today."
Hebrews 13:3