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.