Better Late Than Never, People

I have a heckuva a That Girl Moment...

for tomorrow.


Right now, I want to remind all of you locals that I will be speaking in Washington tonight. Women's AGLOW starts at 7pm and all are welcome. It's on NW VanTrees Street.

You should really come. I am wearing my best shoes and hopefully a fedora.


okay, so the fedora might get a little distracting.

see you there!

And now a rather shameless plug from the sponsor of this blog....

Just to let you know, I am now prayerfully accepting speaking engagements for the fall. If this is something in which your women's group, church, girl's youth ministry, or other organization is interested, please contact me at lauren.thatgirl@gmail.com

I will work with your budget in planning the event and I look forward to communicating with you regarding your need for a speaker!



Not to mention I love you more than Roger Federer love his tennis racket.

High School Musical Meets Camp Rock!

Next week I will only be with you intermittently. I am going to brave the hormones, heat, and high drama and spend a week with some teenagers at Indian Creek. I will be working the High School camp and personally, I hope this age group chooses to walk around and sing like they do on the Disney Channel so blessed much.

I do love love love the Disney Channel. My niece H and I were watching Camp Rock! (Can you tell I love that exclamation point) for the first time and she skipped to the end scene of the DVD. I said, "Miss H, what in the Jonas Brothers do you think you're doing right now?"

She looked at me and said, "I wanna watch my favorite paht. I'm borwud."

Being the adult in the situation, I thought it was important to teach her something in that moment.

It wasn't about me at all. I mean, I could have walked away and never found out what happened to Mitchie Torres. Please! Twentysomethings like me never get into those Disney movies. It'd be pretty immature for me to put Princess Protection Program into my Blackberry calendar so I didn't miss it.

I made her skip back and watch the entirety of the film with me while she crossed her arms and pouted.

"Aunt Laur, can'tcha just watch it some other time?"

Nope. Sorry kiddo.

It's your own fault. I hadn't even heard of these films until your four-year-old voice started singing songs like "We're All in this Together" and "This Is Me."

(you know you're a preacher by nature when you hear titles like that and think they'll be nice sermon illustrations....)

But I hope to relive it this coming week!! Minus all that drama--I can do without the Sharpay Evanses and the Tess Tylers of the world. Pray for the girls in my cabin. I want to connect with them, build community with them, and ultimately show them Jesus.

and maybe do a couple of musical numbers with them.

You Do All Thing Well...

I think God wants me to say to my readers today that He doesn't make mistakes. He doesn't make anything that is sub-par or not as good. He makes nothing He doesn't think is beautiful or creative or unique. He does all things well.

If you are feeling less-than-gorgeous
having a bad hair day
having insecurity issues
feeling ugly or fat
if you glanced in the mirror only to wish you hadn't this morning
if you have bags under your eyes from being up all night with a sick or hungry child
if your hands have dirt underneath them from cleaning house or garden
if those around you have trampled on you by words or actions, leaving you feeling unwanted
if no one has recognized the beauty within you, leaving you doubtful that it exists


Satan would like for you to feel completely defeated today, therefore keeping you from offering the beauty of your life to those around you.


let our very real Enemy be silenced with this:

"You are the one who put me together

inside my mother's body,

and I praise you

because of the wonderful way

you created me.

Everything you do is marvelous!

Of this I have no doubt.

Nothing about me is hidden from you!

I was secretly woven together

deep in the earth below,

but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed.

Even before I was born, you had written in your book

everything I would do.

Psalm 139:13-16, CEV

Read that out loud until you believe it. Let it sink into your spirit.

You are beautiful, my Bloggerotsky!

Father, I pray that you would reveal the beauty you have placed inside each of my readers. Show them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. We know that you do all things well. Helps us to believe that about ourselves and free us to always look for the beauty in others without envy or jealousy. In the strong name of Jesus, AMEN.

How can God empower you to offer your beauty to the world today without fear of rejection?

That Girl Moment #917: Expanding My Awkward Repertoire to Include Others

So there I was....

sitting at the college girls' retreat I worked this weekend, listening to a great message by my dear friend Lola.* She told the young women her story and then opened it up for questions. The talk was called "Single Life" so some of the questions were about boyfriends, dating, and the like. At the end of question time, I raised my hand and said something like, "Lola, can you pray for all of the girls in this room and their purity and their future husbands?"

Innocent enough, right?



They should buy me a muzzle.


So she says, "Um, not really." And then her family, sitting next to me, informs me of why.


In my defense, I did not know that it makes sweet Lola nervous to pray out loud.




DANG IT. dangitdangitdangit.

So here I am, in a roomful of people and feeling like an idiot. The same thing happens every time I assume. You KNOW what happens when we assume. (ahem.)



I turned three shades of crimson and so did she.


Finally some saintly person I cannot identify spoke up and ended the awkwardness. It may have been Lola herself, come to thinkof it. She had mercy on my needy, needy, idiot self and said, "Lauren, you can come up here and do it." As soon as I got to the stage I hugged her and told her I was sorry.


I am very thankful she is forgiving like Jesus, because some folks would have gone psycho-billy ninja on my heiny for calling them out like that.

All I could think of was Simon Birch when he hit Ashley Judd in the head with that baseball and killed her.
"IIIIIIIIIIII'm Saaaaahhhhh-rrrrrrryyyyyyyy!!!!!!!"

Oh Lord, why am I this positively freakish person who can make absolutely everyone in any given room feel totally weird withotu regard to race, creed, or gender. I will say this: now no one has to be nervous to come to the two churches I will be at this week because I have learned my pastoral lesson and will strive never to make anyone uncomfortable again. At least by asking them to pray out loud. I know I can't promise no awkwardness outright. Promises are designed to be kept and that's a promise we all know I cannot keep.
*Names changed to protect the victims of That Girl's awkwardness.
________________________________________________________________

I did have lots of joy this weekend--I got to lead worship with my BFF since grade school, Ashley, and we had a total blast singing and dancing and praising with the sweet girls and the retreat team!

Although we forgot to do the standard cliche "Big House" by AudioA which is way old-school but still a total classic and that broke my heart just a little.

Here's the other thing: I had two blog lurkers finally come out of the shadows this weekend! Isn't it great to walk in the light? hee hee

So hello to sweet Emily and Erin--

Pray for Erin as she heads up to Michigan this summer to do some work for Campus Crusade (I think that is what she told me but it's Monday and I didn't get much sleep and I didn't have any coffee today and so I guess she will have to leave a comment finally to set the record straight :D

And pray for Emily as she lives in DC and works for the government and her family is back here in the heart of the midwest!





How can I pray for you, sweet and precious Bloggerotsky?
(It's okay to admit you have been lurking, too! I don't mind lurkers...I welcome them!)

So You Want a Revolution? Get on your knees and ASK!

In the time it normally takes you to read my (almost) daily blog, I ask you to pray for the three speaking engagements I have coming up...

In order to see God move, we have an opportunity to seek His face!

Thursday night
REVOLUTION!!!! REVIVAL
Winslow Indiana--Winslow Community Center 7PM Fast Time
Hosted by IRONMEN men's group
Open to public


Friday Night
Springs Valley Wesleyan Church
Ladies Dinner
7PM Fast Time
Open to Women--if you would like to attend, please email me at lauren.thatgirl@gmail.com

Saturday Night
Plainville Christian Church
Mother/Daughter Banquet
6:30 PM Fast Time


As you can see, I will be doing a lot of traveling this weekend. Please pray for safety as well as every person under the sound of my voice this weekend without exception being touched and changed by the power of God.

Thanks. I love you little Bloggerotsky Babies!

FINALS//Rays of Sunshine in the Storm....

Finals.


need I say more?



Rays of sunshine in the bleak gray skies:

Faith Baptist Church Ladies' Spring Tea

[Seeing Eli Tamru Ausbrooks (pics on Monday!!) for the first time

plans to get him in the car when Kristi's not looking]

First Church of the Nazarene Mother-Daughter Banquet Saturday afternoon



back after next week with some more substantial posting. I look forward to seeing some of my regular readers this weekend!

Simple Fool.

Wow--I rediscovered a love from years past today and I want to share with you today.


My first year as an RA, one of my sweet residents, Melissa, introduced me to this band called Simple Fool. I wore that CD OUT! I have yet to find another one, but I found their myspace and I think you should GO TO IT and listen to my favorites:
I Know Now
and
Daughter

Daughter is such a great song for a woman like me. It's one of those songs I would have liked to have written--was someone following me around as a sophomore in college and writing songs about my life?

I feel like somebody needs to listen to this song today.
Maybe it's just me.

Man, that line...
I'll wrap my arms around you when you can't sleep...

gets me every time.


My mom used to talk about Jesus holding her a lot. She loved that painting of the little lamb in the arms of Jesus. She said she was that little lamb.

I don't know who needs this today but here it is...Believing He will use this to heal your heart a little, sister.

tears fall
lips quiver
she wears her heart on her sleeve

her mouth smiles
her eyes don't sometimes
life's hard to believe

door's been closed
and blankets pulled over her head
her mind goes over
the things that have been said

I will love you unconditionally
I'll wrap my arms around you
when you can't sleep
and I'll hold your head
when you just weep and weep
Daughter, I'll love you

Can this be
when I've failed You
again and again
there are days
when I don't even talk to You, oh
and I don't deserve this
I don't deserve You
I don't deserve this
I don't deserve You

You say
I will love you unconditionally
I'll wrap my arms around you
when you can't sleep
and I'll hold your head
when you just weep and weep
Daughter, I'll love you unconditionally


Daughters, He will love you unconditionally--His love is not like the love of this world.

Love you all.

She Speaks!

Hello Bloggerotsky and sweet ones! Proverbs 31 Ministries is hosting the She Speaks conference in Concord, NC in late July. This conference is for women like me who desire to reach the masses of lonely, hurting women who are desperately wanting to touch the hem of His garment and find healing for past hurts, learn to forgive or face a tragedy, and learn to become Biblically literate (as I am doing right now in seminary!!)

Lysa TerKeurst and the ministry are giving out a scholarship to one blessed recipient (You can sign up to win right here!!). I am competing and I am so thankful for the opportunity. It would be such an amazing opportunity for such young woman in ministry like me to be able to sit under such beautiful teaching and learn some helpful hints (and maybe have some That Girl moments as well....check the sidebar) to offer more to you, my friends, on this blog!

So I am doing my blog post in an unorthodox way. Since the conference is called "She Speaks" I am asking YOU, dear readers and friends, to tell why you think this opportunity might be helpful for me and what you think I will learn and gain from the encouragement and the time spent with other women (I am the only girl and the youngest one in the seminary, you know. So will you comment?

Thanks for your help. Thanks, Proverbs 31, for reading my entry and the notes of my friends below.

It's so good to have family members of the Body of Christ with whom we learn and grow!!

That Girl's Bookshelf.

So a couple of weeks ago, I was at work minding my own when I received a fabulous email from Julie Dowd. Julie works for Abingdon Press, and she wanted to share one of their newest books with me.

Girls, I wouldn't lie to ya. And if I know anything-it's books. After all, I spent many an afternoon devouring every book in sight at my parents' bookstore. I have offered book recommendations to many of you and now I have a new one to share with you:

One Wish for You: Celebrating the Women in Our Lives by Celia Whitler.
I liked it so much I called Julie Johnson, a BFF and our bookstore manager to say, "You hafta get this book to sell for Mother's Day!"


This sweet coffee-table book made me smile, made me chuckle, and made me tear up a little in places too.

This sweet little book is all about celebrating those women in our lives who have ministered to us in so many ways: as mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, co-workers, Sunday School teachers, grandmothers, and cafeteria ladies. It's not a story about a certain woman, but rather encouragement for any woman that has reached out and offered grace to us at one time or another.

It has great photos of landscapes and flowers and such. The author, Celia Whitler, has written a song titled One Wish for You, and the lyrics to the song as well as some of Celia's writings on friendship and some selected scripture verses, fill the beauty of each page. In the back of the book, there is a CD of the song One Wish For You as well as four other songs. It would make a great gift for a mom who is a music lover or a friend who loves looking at photography. Celia has a beautiful way of waving God's Word with her own words to spur on any woman toward love and good deeds.

(don't judge on the eyebrows. I am gonna see Bev to get them fixed on Friday. It's been a busy couple months, alright? :D )




It truly would make a delightful Mother's Day gift or a "just because" gift to a woman who has taught you more about loving Jesus.

plus, the cover has a really pretty picture of a cute summer centerpiece you can use for your fourth-of-July party. (That Girl is nothing if not practical!)

put this at the top of your list. I know Blessings will have some for purchase (Don't everyone go out at once at pull a Tickle-Me-Elmo at Blessings Christian bookstore or anything) as well as amazon and the Abingdon Press site.


so girls....
Question of the day:

Who is a woman you love and respect and why do you love her so much?

Ladies Day 2009/Spurgeon GB Church (aka it's MondayandIneedanenergydrink...)

Picture it: French Lick, Indiana, early March, the sun peeking through the trees....


Okay, I tried to do a little Sophia action from the Golden Girls but let's face it, I am tall, thick, and don't have a cute little Bronx accent. But I am lacking that same filter Sophia lacks from time to time.


ehh, I digress.



But I want to tell you about the amazingly blessed time I had with the ladies who attended the event at Mt. Lebanon on Saturday. I think that God did answer my prayer for Him to touch every heart without exception, and He certainly did not exclude me. I am so thankful for the women that I met who shared their stories with me and allowed me to pray with them, and the relationships I was able to build and nurture.

Thank you, ladies, for listening to the Holy Spirit, for being so encouraging, and for a wonderful day. Thank you to the folks and Mt. Leb who made me feel like I had been there all my life and for the wonderful lunch and worship art we had the privilege to watch. Thank you to Deanna, Amber, and Charlotte for leading the charge into His presence. That Girl was blessed beyond measure and it looks like we will get to party again soon--this time in Paoli and another place that my brain is too tired to remember...hee hee. More details to come, obviously, but I think it will involve a Friends Meeting.

{Yes, that's right. That Girl is going to speak at a Quaker ladies meeting. I am SOOOO EXCITED! My precious friend Royce issued the invitation early this morning. She is a brave one. And That Girl needs a lot of prayer....you know how I am.}

Anyway, Miss Leslie from my hometown wrote a blog that talks about the day: if you couldn't make it, check out her blog, because I could totally tell she took some amazing notes :D
I just love her.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday morning, I had the distinct privilege of sharing a friend's pulpit. He trusted me to care for his delightful sheep while he is on holiday (ADD interjection: doesn't going "on holiday" sound so much more jazzy than "going on a vacay?" let me know your thoughts on this...)
and I had the best time with them. They were warm, welcoming, and encouraging. I am so thankful for the way that they love each other--the children get to take up the offering too and that was just totally precious. Thanks Marc and Spurgeon GB >Keep fighting the good fight!

--------------------------------------------------------------

I am so blessed to do what I get to do and every time I speak, I thank the God of all creation that I can't imagine doing anything else with my time and my life than preaching His Gospel and encouraging the brethren.


I hope I have a few new readers now...thanks for stopping by and please come back!


You are dearly loved by God and me, little ones.

Mt. Lebanon Ladies Day

Starts at 10AM fast time TOMORROW...

RSVP by e-mailing my friend Sherri at horton486@verizon.net

Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church is located on State Rd. 56 just outside of French Lick. It is the little white church across from the Donald Ross Golf Course.


God is going to move, and you don't want to miss it! I would appreciate your prayers as I discern what God wants to say to these women tomorrow.


are you going?

El Roi.

The Lord gave me a scripture twice yesterday. I love studying the Hebrew and in Genesis 16, Hagar is forced by Sarah to flee to the desert, alone and pregnant. (I hear being pregnant is no picnic sometimes, but in the desert...yikes!) Then the Angel of the Lord ministers to her and in verse 13 she calls him El Roi, the God who sees.
Becky Boyles gave me a names of God sign with the name El Roi on it yesterday.
Then I spoke with Heather McPherson and asked her little boy Mason what his memory verse was this week.

Yep, you guessed it. "Thou God seest thee" (they memorize in KJV--too cute, huh?!).

I shared this in an email with some friends this morning but God prompted me to also share it with my loyal Bloggerotsky.


Our God sees you. He sees your frustration at the prayers you have prayed that have yet to be visibly answered. He sees the things that make you joyful and the things that have broken your heart.
He also sees your future and your past.
He sees you right now, sitting at a desk or teaching a classroom full of kids.
He sees you as you deal with clients and as you struggle to make ends meet in this recession.
He sees you as you care for your own children and rinse their sippy cups for the fifteenth time today.
He sees you as you lay in bed and cry because you think that He can't really see you because if He could, He would end your hurts.
He sees you beg Him for the dream in your heart to become a reality.

The God of the universe sees you. Unfiltered. Unrefined.

In 2 Chronicles 16, God tells us a little more about His character.
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

At the end of ourselves, we find a beauty in the knowledge that God has seen every tear we've cried, every song we've sung, every prayer we have prayed, and every moment we have gotten it right.

May the comfort of the God who sees everything about us and still loves us be what carries us today.

Retreat.

WE are postponing the retreat until April, due to lots of other conflicts. WE made the decision on Monday, and it was confirmed as I got snowed in at the Thompson household.


Thanks for your faithful prayers, please don't forget these young women.

Dilemma (Un)Solved.

Remember this post?


Yeah, that's not gonna work. My domain name choice happens to be the copyrighted or trademarked series of that precious TV show. I do love it. But I don't want to break laws I know nothing about.

I need a name for the domain. The bigger question is what will the ministry be called?


So I need your help.

Why do you read this blog? Some of you have heard me speak and that might be good for you to answer as well given that I am seeking the Lord to give me a name for what I do.

Lauren Biggs Ministries sounds....weird/awkward. And I don't want to have change the name someday (well, let me rephrase that...I want to change my name someday but not the website or ministry name)

Why all of this now? I am looking at investing in a graphic designer to rig me up a website.


please help. Comment or email. (don't make me beg, it's sooo unattractive...)


Thanks friends. You are awesome at life!

S.O.S.

I was having a meeting with one of the other leaders of Response (Women's Bible Study on campus) and we were talking about our annual retreat and we decided to have it at the end of this month....

January 30, 31st, and February 1st.

WHAT HAVE I DONE?

It's either that or not have one since I am working a flight, a walk, and a journey with partridge in a pear tree.

Our theme is "Marvelous Light" and it comes from I Peter 2:9. I will post the graphic as soon as it's done.



But I desperately need your help to make this happen.

1. by your prayers.
2. by your help--

----I need a location! Last year we had it at the Power House, but they closed on Friday night and I would hate to ask them to do that again (although it was an amazing location and worked perfectly...) If you know of a location, such as a cabin that is pretty local and cheaply rented, or a church hall with a kitchen and such, please email me at lauren.thatgirl@gmail.com
----I need donations of food/$$. We ask each girl to pay $20 to attend the retreat this year, but you and I know that even $20 can be a stretch for a college kid. So I am looking for a few of my local blog readers to help out. If you areinterested in donating a batch of cookies or a bag of chips and some soda (or whatever else your heart tells you---chocolate....) please email me at lauren.thatgirl@gmail.com


Thank you, Bloggerotsky....I knew I could count on you!!

Love you all--and thanks for being the hands and feet of Jesus!

Updates and News.

Just some stuff--


1. My dear friend Andy is working diligently and putting his graphic design skills to good use as he works on the design for my website and blog. Pray for him as he seeks inspiration--I want women to feel welcome when they find the site! I am hoping that God will provide the finances and make the path straight to have the website up and running by the first of the year!! I covet your prayers toward this end as it is my desire to be able to minister to women all over the US and this will be the best way to connect with those looking for a speaker for their event.

2. I can now officially announce that I will be a part of Crossroads Worldwide's team to Arizona/Colorado in April of 2009! We will be ministering to the Navajo Nation, which is especially exciting as this particular group is a matriarchal society, which hopefully means I will be able to preach and lead in some ways I could not in other cultures. BUT BLOGGEROTSKY, I need your help! I am looking for creative ideas on how to raise the funds. For my Haiti trip I sent out support letters, and if it comes to that I can do it again, but I would really like to minister to women and share my heart for missions and raise money for the trip at the same time! So if you have suggestions, let me know asap....
Tiny "That Girl..." moment: They were having trouble filling the trip so I mentioned to Seth that he might want to pray about going. He kept asking me when, and I emailed him the dates, etc...Well, I didn't really check it over, I just knew I was supposed to go and signed up without really thinking about it. Today, I get an email from my sweet guy, and it says, "Lauren dear, I would love to go except it's over EASTER."
Can you just hear Ted Bessell saying "THAT GIRL"?
Welcome to his poor life...


3. I am not patient. I read on someone's blog today that it means that I think my time is more important than someone else's, which is a sign of pride. Pray that my pride will continue to die as I learn to have more patience.

Laundry Room Pics...

Thanks to Mandy for posting a slideshow of the event at Providence!


Now go check it out. It's too cute to miss!

Rhetoric.

I was listening to my friend Matt Watson preach last night, and he said something that caught me ear. I thought it was brilliant. Here's the loose quote:

"We need to make sure that we put our talent behind our rhetoric."


Just in case--
RHETORIC
/ˈrɛtərɪk/ [ret-er-ik]
–noun
1. (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast.
2. the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech.
3. the study of the effective use of language.
4. the ability to use language effectively.
5. the art of prose in general as opposed to verse.
6. the art of making persuasive speeches; oratory.
7. (in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience.
8. (in older use) a work on rhetoric.


I feel that sometimes I have heard more flowery speeches promising the world from pulpits than from politicians. I have heard so many believers wax eloquent about the things in this world that need to change. It's good to have passion.

However, if your mouth is writing checks that you are not willing to cash, maybe it's time to consider being still.


For example, I am really, really passionate about the Church helping young women. Specifically, young women that are caught between a rock and a hard place.

The Church in the U.S. speaks daily of passion for life. A passion to see abortion stopped. Once and for all. I, like everyone else, desire desperately to see that day come. I look forward to that day and pray for it to come.

However, we need step back and mull over the way we approach issues of life. Lots of groups are marching daily in Washington. Political Action Committees are working day and night. Some of us even support those PACs with our hard-earned money, which is awesome.

But we have a greater opportunity in which we often miss the forest for the trees. You see, in the heart of Washington and Vincennes, there are two agencies that are making a difference not on Capitol Hill, but in the hearts of young women in our area. The Pregnancy Care Center in Washington and Heart to Heart in Vincennes are two pro-life centers dedicated to not only helping women make the choice for life, but helping them more once they do. They have programs to help underprivileged moms and moms-to-be earn points to get free stuff for their babies by teaching them parenting classes. These centers are empowering them to take responsibility as parents and rewarding them for doing so. They also talk to young women about abstinence and God's plan for healthy sexuality. They share the Gospel with them and hold Bible Studies and meet with the women to pray. They work tirelessly to provide for the needs of these women. It doesn't stop there, either. There are often classes provided for women who have experienced abortions. The course is great, from what I have heard, and it allows women to receive forgiveness and healing in a community that understands-a safe place- where women can truly grieve for their lost child(ren) and finally get some closure. I volunteered at the PCC in Washington my senior year of high school. It changed my life and messed me up for the TRUE Gospel in so many ways. By true Gospel, I mean that cup of cold water Jesus talked about. He knew that we have some the gov't does not. We have the Hope of the Nations. We have the compassion for those in need. And Most of all, we have a directive from the King:

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Deut. 15

So while some of us are talking a big game about how anti-abortion we are, there are some women who are putting up actual points on the scoreboard. They run and volunteer at these centers. My friend Kim Williams from Knox Co. is a great example. She volunteers her time at Heart to Heart. She is a CPA and is great with money and numbers. She shared with me about a month ago that there is one couple who brings in their check to her every month and she budgets with them and trains them to spend their money wisely. Their finances have improved with Kim's help and they are optimistic about their future. That is being the hands and feet of Christ. Way to go, Kim!
The government is not the solution. Yes, they can outlaw abortion. And I hope that they do.


Then what?

Will we get better at loving single moms that we see every Sunday? Because, praise God, there will be a lot more!

Will we get better at remembering them not just in our prayers, but with a sack of groceries on their doorsteps or a twenty in their hand once a month?

Will we keep the disapproving looks to ourselves as they face the consequences of their choices daily for many years and don't need us to judge?

Will we become as passionate at ministering to the needs of single moms as we are about marching on Washington, DC?

Someday, some of the Church will wake up, and abortion will have been outlawed. I fear then that the rhetoric will not be backed up by our gifts and talents. They will nod their heads and never think a thing about the obvious: outlawing abortion is just the beginning.

ALong those lines, part of placing what we have to offer behind our rhetoric is the desire to personally adopt or facilitating the adoptions of other families. Let's face it, there will be lots of children without homes if abortion is outlawed. It is OUR RESPONSIBILITY, not the government's, to care for the orphans and widows. Want proof?

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

If you have extra kids clothes, or stuff your babies never got to wear, or bottles, or money, or the time to teach a class, or gifts for administration/organization, make sure that the Church's gifts are backing up the rhetoric.

I love you all.
Lauren

The Laundry Room: Follow Up.

Can I just say that I adore the ladies of Providence Mennonite Church. They were incredibly hospitable to myself as well the 100+ women who attended Ladies' Day. They made everything look beautiful and the food was AWESOME. I think that most of the women who came felt loved by God because of the way that he girls in charge handled even the details with excellence!

I also had the great joy of hearing Jamie Miller's awesome testimony...If you are struggling with issues in your marriage, know that God HEARS your prayer and is acting on your behalf! He has saved Jamie's marriage and it's a beautiful story. You alone, Oh Lord, could do something of that magnitude. It's a Sun Stand Still kind of story.

I had a great time...It was great to be back home--and it was great to hear from several women that they had been reading the blog. It is really encouraging to hear that these thoughts are ministering to so many--some I didn't even know. If you read this blog and you ever want to comment, please visit this post to learn how. We would love to hear from you.

I am really excited about what God is doing at Providence--through Pastor Shawn and Greta's and Chris and Rose's efforts, discipleship is happening like crazy and I know God is using this church as a beacon of light for those who are desperate for Jesus.

I love you all. Let's do it again sometime!

As for my speaking schedule, I will update so all of you can be praying. I am speaking tonight at OCU, and I have a meeting this week for a speaking engagement in the spring, so I covet your plans as I work with Sherri Horton and Carol Singlestad to plan Mt. Lebanon (French Lick) UMC's women's conference in the spring--more info to come!


I love that Jesus can redeem people like me--awkward, clumsy and inadequate--and then let them speak to His people on His behalf. Lord, I never ever want to take that precious truth for granted!


Also, I need to let you know that Saturday afternoon, my button finally came off once and for all. I guess God was reminding me that we had a date in the sewing room, and if I keep skipping those dates, I won't be able to "hold it together" anymore--in more ways than one!!



Thanks for a great day, girls.