Sponsoring Hope.

A couple of years ago, BFF Jami and I found ourselves staring at a table full of faces. We were working summer camp at Crossroads, who had a strong relationship with an organization called New Missions. I had approached Jami to consider sponsorship with me and for a week we prayed about it separately.

Isn't it funny that we had to pray about it? I mean, after all as Francis Chan says, "Did God tell you to watch TV last night?"


ahem.



So the Table. The Table full of little faces. Some smiling, some looking cute, some royally ticked off because they had to get a picture made. Some whose eyes felt like they were boring a hole through my soul.

As we scanned the Table, it became clear to me in a hurry which little one would be ours. It was a little girl with about fifty baby barrettes in her hair, and they were all neon colored. She had dark brown eyes and she was not smiling. In fact, maybe it was my imagination but she looked like she had a little attitude.


Come to mama!



Without saying a word, a moment later Jami picked up the photo of the little girl with the massive amounts of barrettes. She scanned her profile and said, "Her name is SARAH."

Jami knew that I love the name Sarah because it means Princess. I always call my nieces Princess and I had always wanted to name a daughter that, but it's so popular in the US that I didn't want her to be one of forty Sarahs in her school or something. So the fact that this little one's name was Sarah was complete confirmation!

Her full name is Sarah Prosper. She was four years old when we picked up that photo.


I have never once regretted that decision.

We started corresponding with Sarah and sending her pictures and other things. Our lives have never been the same.


About a year after we started sponsoring Sarah, I had the privilege of going to New Missions to see the ministry firsthand and to spend a week with the Haitian people. I was scheduled to meet Sarah and her mom on Thursday, but God had other plans. People had been fasting and praying for me daily on the trip, and the biggest blessing would come on Wednesday of that week.

My journal:

We came back and had an opportunity to purchase good from the local Haitians. This was partly frustrating because we could not give everyone business and some of them were pretty aggressive.
But then, the coolest part of the whole trip came. I walked toward one of the shops and almost ran into someone as I was looking down and walking (not a good plan) around to find Seth a nativity. I looked up at the man with whom I had collided and immediately began to apologize in the most broken form of Creole ever heard.
He looked at me for a minute.
Then he said, "You have child?"

People, I am a slightly rotund individual, but even I had not had that many bowls of beans and rice.

Trying not to become offended, I was thinking in my head, "Was that a Haitian fat joke?"
Finally I shook my head no. He then said,

"No. You have Haitian child. Sarah."

It took me a second for it all to come together.

"Yes!" I said. "How did you know?"


He responded, "Sarah is my sister. There she is, right over there."

Perched on the wall separating New Missions from the Village of Bord Mer was my little princess, wearing a bathing suit and nothing else. Her brother's name was Charles, and he had recognized me from the picture we sent. What are the odds?

But then again, why am I surprised?


I promised to take Sarah to the clinic later that day due to a skin problem she had (NM covers all healthcare procedures) and I kissed her and told her I would see her then.

So I thought!
We went to a church service and Scott (team leader) tapped me on the shoulder. "Is that Sarah?" He asked.

Sure enough, it was. So I got her and took her to sit with me. As we stood and sang Trading My Sorrows, and as Sarah clung to me like a koala and would not let me put her down, tears of joy rained down my face at God's amazing blessings and His extra grace to give me the chance to meet Sarah and spend extra time with her.

****************

Through my experiences with Sarah, I have learned how amazing it is to sponsor a child. So when my friend Nicole decided to go on the World Race for a year, I wanted to contribute to her mission trip. We were discussing how I could do that, and then I remembered Jose.


Nicole has been sponsoring a little boy from Nicaragua named Jose through Compassion International for a few years now. In our apartment, his picture hung and we spent time praying for our sponsored kids (although not nearly enough!). I saw his sweet face daily and I knew that as Nicole was working hard to raise funds so that she could meet the needs of people all over the world who are just like Jose, someone had to be this little boy's sponsor for a year to free up Nicole's finances. Just for this year, i get the honor of meeting Jose's needs.

Now Nicole is heading to Nicaragua tomorrow on a 17-hour bus ride. She will be spending a month there Would you join me in prayer that Nicole will have the same experience as I did? Please pray that somehow, God would work a miracle and she would get to meet Jose!



Also, I would like to ask you to consider getting involved with child sponsorship. For just a few dollars a day, you can have the blessing of reaching a child with the love of Jesus Christ. With a little sarificial giving, you can sponsor HOPE in a child's life. If you have children, it's a great project to help the understand God's love for the nations and to teach them about giving.

One more thing, some Compassion Bloggers are set to hit El Salvador in the next few days. They will be blogging their experiences and I encourage you to take time to read their stories.



For your comment consideration:
How are you reaching out?
If you're not, how are you going to?



What if we?

And We're Back...

...after a weeklong blogger's block and bad time managment, I am now taking questions. I'm sorry for my lack of blog interaction this week. I have neglected you in order to plan this wedding in 152 days (but who's counting, right)! I have a book to tell you about later this week and I am trying to do better!

Here's a little That Girl action to tide you over...


Yesterday I was taking Communion at a church service and we were communing by the intinction method. That's where you take a piece of bread, dip it in the juice, and then eat it. So I got my piece of bread, went to dip it in the juice cup....


and I dropped it. Right in the cup.


I blame it on my acrylic fingernails. I am not used to not having nails and they got in the way. Good thing my friend was administering communion! I quickly, at her urging, tore off another piece of bread and dipped it. As we were walking away, my friend said, "Well now you have your That Girl's Communion Experience story!"

It really did make me think about some things involving the Lord's Supper. I was reminded that the table of the Lord is the only level playing field in this life, and that I serve a God who not only serves screwups and eats with sinners. He has never had a "no shoes, no shirt, no bad attitude, no service" policy at His table and I am so thankful. Aren't you?


My friend Darrell preached a killer message about philoxenia, which in the Greek means "love of stranger." He talked about how easy it was to love those we know, but how hard it is to welcome those we don't know. He told a story to prove his main point: "If she ain't welcome, ain't nobody welcome."

I thought about that as I stood to praise God after being welcomed at the Table even with all my failures, shortcomings, and quirks.

And if That Girl ain't welcome, ain't nobody welcome.

Thank you Jesus.

Where in the World is ThatGirl Sandiego?

Sorry, friends, for my lack of blogness. Stick around, I promise I will be back at it soon and very soon. OCU is a very busy place what with my precious students returning and such. I haven't had time to breathe the last four days. But I do have a couple of That Girl moments waiting in the wings.

Love you all and see you back here soon!

Happy Birthday From God

I will be twenty-four years old this coming Saturday, and I get so so so excited when my birthday comes! I have been like that since I was a little girl and generally was unable to sleep every year on the eve of my birthday party. People keep telling me I should quit that after I get so old, but I really hope not. I love to celebrate LIFE and the fact that God saw fit to give that gift to me, so I will hopefully always look forward to it, no matter what anyone says! I often start to feel guilty because I love birthdays so much...I don't want people to think it's all about me.

I just really enjoy celebrating with those I love, and being thankful to God for each day I wake up. I talked with Him about this just yesterday and I told Him I was sorry if I had made a rear out of myself at any time--'specially when I bug my dearest to NO END about my surprise that's coming. He has a mantra now: "NO HINTS! NO HINTS! NO HINTS!"
He's like Stonewall Jackson, I swear.

Anyway, today I was checking blogs and I got a huge surprise. A week or two ago, I began following a blog called Presh Web Design. I really liked the look of the designs that Crystal created and I have been trying to save money and prepare for a new Blog makeover.

I have also been praying about God expanding the impact for His Kingdom using this blog. I SO want to be a blessing to all of you and I want you to know that I pray for every single person that reads this blog--whether it's one time or every day.


After all, since I love each of you cutie patooties so very much that I feel like you deserve the most aesthetically pleasing blog possible! Anytime people use zebra print and bright pink, it makes me realize one thing:

I can tell that we are gonna be friends.

Turns out Crystal just started giving away one design a month for those following her blog.

Who would've have guessed that when I opened the window to read her blog entry, this is what I found....

I was so excited I started fanning my face like Miss America. I couldn't even speak real words for a couple of minutes. Finally when Candace turned around I got it out--"I won! I won! I never win anything and I WON!!"

Of course, the potential student and her mom in our office and the time looked at me strangely and laughed, but I didn't care. She'll learn after awhile...


I was just so happy and thankful and amazed at the goodness of our God to do something so cool for me! I want to give Him praise and glory today for blessing me like that this week and letting me know it's okay to enjoy celebrating life and being a part of His family.


Jesus I love you!

Q & A Time!

Hi, sweet friends...


I know some of you are very to new to this blog and to what God has been doing in my life. Some of you have even posed questions to me in your comments. I have done several Q & A posts in the past (if you'd like to read them, click here) but they, for the most part, were very specific questions from people who already know me in Bloggerotsky-land and in real life!

I will try to address the questions that some of you left in your comments on other posts but to make sure I don't forget, you might want to remind me :D

As usual, you can either submit your question in comment form or drop me a line by email at lauren.thatgirl@gmail.com


nothing is off limits. nothing! So ask away.

I am still wading through comments but I will have more time in a couple of days to visit some of your blogs for the first time...I can't wait!


Beyonce just came on my playlist and I am doing my best white-girl hoedown right now. Aren't you sad to be missing it?

I know, right?

much love.

For This Reason.

Hello Friends!

I want to welcome you if you came over to visit from Bring the Rain. I wish I had a fruit basket for each of you.

Edible Arrangement, anyone?

I am deeply honored and humbled that Angie decided to share about my mom, Cheryl. Here are some stories and different things I have learned through my journey-first with her, and then without her. Jesus has made that journey with me, and I pray that you'll know how I feel about Him.

I am 23, and I have a knack for giving awkward a capital "A" and if you promise not to laugh at me too much, you can read about those here.

Fell free to pull up a seat and stay a while. I'd love to hear your story and get to know you. Most of all, I want you to know that I prayed for YOU! This morning I got up and asked God to use my story to help you and encourage you through whatever your journey looks like today. I thanked God for you and told Him that He is most worthy to receive praise and honor because of the way He weaves together the intricacies of our lives.

For this reason I got on my knees early this morning.

I hope you'll stay and get comfy! I want to know what God is doing in your life too...

God loves you, and I do too. I am totally grateful to Angie for introducing us. Now I want to know your name.

Can we be friends?

...because most of us are already sisters in the Family of God. I encourage you to join in on that. He really is the best Father, and I hope by getting to know me, you'll be introduced to Him through my inadequate words.

It is for this reason that I bow my knees before Him and thank Him for you, dear friends.

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!)

This One's For You, ED.

So my friend Christy texted me to let me know that she caught her husband Ed reading my blog last night. I told her to tell him to step out of the shadows and walk into the light. Don't be stalker/lurker, be a follower! Loud and proud!


Ed, thanks for reading and I do love ya, buckaroo.


How about anyone else? Do you want to admit it?

come clean. You've been lurking in the dark for long enough!



love you all.

My friend Charie has a delightful blog. She is really eloquent and tells beautiful stories as well as encouraging other women by sharing her struggles.

Please go check it out HERE. Stop by and say Hi to her. Tell her That Girl sent you.

GIVEAWAY WINNERS.

Hey friends! You six loyal blog readers that signed up for this awesome, no-strings-attached book giveaway,

I applaud you!
Those of you who didn't sign up--shame shame...I am forgiving and will hopefully have another giveaway very soon, though.



The three book winners are....

{drumroll please}

Abbie at Rise to Find the Sun

Kathryn at Expectant Hearts

Christy at To Be or Not To Be


{In case you thought it was rigged--like I am smart enough to do that, please-- down on the bottom of my blog you will find the random integer generator I used to determine the winners.}

Girls, holla back at that girl's email on the sidebar and let me know where to send your classy copy of "One Wish For You" by Celia Whitler.


YAY!! Those of you who didn't win, try again next time!!

The Fence gets a Facelift....

Check out Seth's new blog look and read this post about being transformed...


It's really good--do we let God have every part of us, or just a part of a part of us?

!! GIVEAWAY !!

Remember how I was telling you about the book One Wish by Celia Whitler?


we-he-ell, have I got a surprise for YOU!


My new friend Julie Dowd at Abingdon Press has been so kind as to offer three free books to give to my blog readers! I am so excited...and I know you are too!


Leave a comment and tomorrow afternoon I will use the random integer thingy (as WhittakerWoman, aka Heather, so kindly taught me about).


maybe it will be you, sweet bloggerotsky :D

let the comments begin...

Help me Pick...

I am submitting one of my blogs into an online magazine. Remember that some of my posts are not right for the magazine because it's a one-time article.



Which one is your favorite?


let me know and help me pick....

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!

Chinese New Year. BLOG PARTY!

My roommate Nicole mentioned receiving an email from our friend whosenameiwontmentionherebecauseidontwantertogetintroubleinchina, asking us to seek the Lord during the week of Chinese New Year.

Let me explain. The way that our friends reach out to the university students is to have parties. Chinese New Year is a week-long celebration, so there are plenty of opportunities and excuses to party. My friends in China party with a purpose: to share the Gospel with Chinese students.

So they have asked us to pray for them on Monday January 26th:
*that the students are open and receptive to the Gospel.
*that our friends are protected by the Sovereign hand of God. (Some have already had run-ins, so to speak)
*that their ministry will continue to see A MIGHTY MOVE OF GOD in China as people are being saved there DAILY.
*that he will provide for our friends' every need and that they will stay encouraged and we would stay faithful to pray for them.


I know your hearts, Bloggerotsky. I also know that Kristi's presentation on Ethiopia is on Monday night. I promised her I would be there, and I will...

but my friend whosenameiwontmentionherebecauseidontwantertogetintroubleinchina had an idea. She asked us to go to eat at a Chinese buffet, and while fellowshipping, to pray for them and their work in China to be effective....then take a photo and mail it to them!

Sooo, I am wondering if anybody in Blog World wants to rendezvous at China Wok, on Monday, January 26 and then have a cross-culturally amazing time a Faith Baptist Church. We can help out two cultures, each thousands of miles away from us and each other, and change some lives.

Will you come to my party? It's like the Blog World Tour.

Come on, you know you want to have a Blog Community Prayer Party/Shower.


Let me know if you are in. Hubs and kids are totally welcome! But FBC Bicknell girls need to go to Tracy's first Encountering God Bible Study!

Let's go Around the World in one night!!

Caption Please.

Christy and I.

Wow.

Please give this photo an amazingly funny caption.
See, I am not bitter that no one captioned the other photo I put up this week...
Maybe someday I will be able to tell you why that pic was so ironic.

Humbled.

That is what I am when I read emails like this one from Kathryn.

Lauren, do you have a paypal account? I'd like to send you enough $$ to buy 200 pieces of chocolate.. like Dove or those new Hershey Bliss.... I just recenty realized that Seth lived for 200 days and I"ve been praying for an opportunity to honor that (and a more "long term type of ministry.. still praying on that one). I'll figure out about how much that would be and how many packages, if I can easily get the $ and you could pick them up..

Baby Seth lived for 200 days. His legacy will live forever. I never got to meet him and neither did my girls. But their lives will be touched by his.



Please go read their story and encourage them today.

Ausbrooks' Blog. YAY.

http://ausbrooksfamily.blogspot.com/

check out my delightful friend Kristi, her hubby Josh, and their sweet kids Sam and Cora, and their little boy in Ethiopia, Eli!! Journey with them as God gives them faith for the next step--getting Eli....


Praise God for you, my friends!

wellIwouldtellyouthatmyboyfriendhasbeenblogging
likeacrazymanandyoushould
goreaditbutIdon'twanttojinx
hisamazingprogress
intheworldofbloggerotsky.


go encourage his SKILLS.




Just a note for Susie--I made it to Joines Chapel exactly three minutes before the Christmas Extravaganza started.

"I'd Like to Thank the Academy...."

...over at the Graber Gab for this

FABULOUS BLOGGER AWARD!

(how much do I love the word fabulous by the way???)


Here are the rules if you are playing along at home....
Here are the rules to receiving this award:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous bloggers in a post.
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.


I am going to nominate five Fabulous Bloggerotskys:


1. Christy @ To Be or Not To Be

Christy is a wonderfully encouraging and funny blogger.

2. Carol @ Everyday Blessings

Carol is an inspiration to pretty much everyone she knows.

3. Becky @ My Mind's Eye.

B is a photographer, a scrapbooker, a creative mess, and a dear friend. Hilarious too!

4. Shannon @ From the Grove

A delightful writer who's crazy in love with Jesus and Chad makes SC fabulous in my book.

5. Kim @ What's New With Our Crew

Kim's a sweet encourager who is precious and has a beautiful family!



Now Five Fab Facts:

1. MY family nickname is "Lolly"
a word on this--I hated this nickname until the song Lolly Lolly by the Three Six Mafia came out....I kid, I kid.

2. My favorite board game is STILL Pretty Pretty Princess.

3. The most fabulous fast food restaurant on the planet for me is Chick-Fil-A.

4. I love my Blackberry--it goes where I go. Period. If it dies I will have to be treated at a mental health facility near you.

5. The most played song (out of over four hundred songs) on my iPod is "How He Loves" by Kim Walker.


Have a FABULOUS weekend, and thanks again to Martin County's own Guatmama for this special honor!