....for the Joy set before him endured the cross....

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. "

~To fix our eyes on Jesus.....

I believe is very powerful, and can change our perspective of any rough, or trying situation that comes our way. When I think of the cross, and remember all that he did for me, all he took on, I then look at my life, and smile. My little things that weigh me down, don't compare to all that Christ went through, yet he had joy. If God can take on all the sins of this world, then I surely can endure all satan throws my way, leaning on Christ.

Whatever is front of me, I choose to sing Hallelujah! - Bethany Dillon

No matter what comes my way, I choose to sing Hallelujah! God is worthy. period. That will never be taken from my heart, my ability to praise him through and through.

Though sometimes, my love feels small and not big enough it is there. I believe that no matter the ounce God sees it and my love matters to him. I don't believe that love is something to be measured it just IS.

.................~ " Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?......No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."~..............................

-Romans 8:35-37

Hi there friends, just wanted to update you all.

So I am currently at home, in good o'l Hartville Ohio :)

I am in a time with God where, I feel grace from him to be intentional about the people close to my heart. I am taking this time as a gift and amazing opportunity from God to really go deep with my family and friends. A lot of people here in my town have played a key role in my life and have guided me to toward Jesus. Some people have played key roles in my walk with Christ, and I am honored to have this time to glean from them and thank them for being in my life and supporting my YWAM trips.

Though I don't feel done completely with YWAM and missions, I am choosing to remain faithful with the tasks God has placed before me and to obey his command to remain here until he releases me.

It has been challenging to be here, and feel God is saying to rest pour into people's lives and draw near to him throughout all of this, finding a job, how much to get involved with church are some of the obstacles I have been facing, but relying on the truth, that "we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord. " -Romans 8:37

It has been a joy and honor to be home at this time. I know that God is strengthening my foundation in him and shaping me to more look like Jesus.

As far as being with the YWAM Harrisburg PA group, God has closed the doors for me to run with them right now. - :( They are an amazing crew of people and I can't wait to see how God brings me to run with them in the NEAR future! ( my prayer anyways)

Be blessed everyone! :)

~Lauren

I hope this message finds you all on a lovely day!

Thank you to all who have read my newsletters and kept in contact with me throughout the past few years. Those that have been there before I knew God, was a brand new creation in him and are with me now! You all mean so much to me, I am truly blessed that God has brought you into my life.

I thought I would update you as to what God is doing in my life and where he has placed me! Some of you know I was planning on going to Harrisburg Pennsylvania to join the YWAM base there - amazing people!!!

My heart desires to be involved in prayer ministry, whether it is a season in the prayer room or hitting the streets. The doors were all being opened for me to go there and spend some time with them.

UNTIL......

I came home ( Hartville Ohio), after my brother Brandon's wedding. The full peace that I had in my heart, suddenly had left. I was put in a place of wonder and really seeking God as to what He was DOING.

As I continued to press in and hold onto his word, he wasn't speaking a release day, nor did I have the peace to just choose.

He began to burden my heart for my friends and family here at home. And the more I prayed about going to Harrisburg the more I didn't have peace.

This brought me to a place of confusion, because I know God spoke me to be there. So I decided to give things as far as my friends and family here a real chance. I decided to humble myself and settle on the fact that God knows BEST where I need to be.

As I started to meet with friends and talk with family, my eyes were being opened to the mission field, so to say, placed before me.

So, I am trusting God, for strength in this time, to wait on him. For him to release me to the next location. I absolutely love what he is doing here and am truly honored to be a part of it, because the people I have been ministering and praying with are ones who are part of the nameless and faceless generation. They seek God with all they have and won't settle for less! They have hearts of praise and desire to worship him in spirit and in truth!

As for me, I am in a place of learning to a greater depth who I am in God, and how to abide in him. To surrender all my Lauren plans and choose to follow his. I am discerning in my heart what is God what is satan and what is me. It is a challenging time but, I couldn't be more thankful ot be where I am.

God has blessed me with a community who know how to love and live authentic family. As I am learning more about God, I'm finding him in the times of weakness and doubt. When I can't literally see any hope, he comes.

He swoops down and hold me heart, letting me know he is near and is not going anywhere and that " nothing is impossible with him!' - Luke 1:37.

Loving fall time in Ohio!

The colors of the leaves, the smell of fresh apples picked right off the tree, pumpkins, friends.... the list goes on and on...

Fall.

does something to my heart.

I love seeing the beauty and creativity of the Lord displayed on the earth. We are so blessed and loved by him!

Each little vein in every leaf, every dip along the blades of grass, were all hand crafted by the king. mmm, makes my heart sing and my soul leap inside for joy, rushing up my stomach through my throat and out my mouth! Glory! Jesus is good!

When you find yourself in a barren field, empty all that you once knew and held dear, lay in pieces at your feet, all you got is the hope that comes with each sun rise, and the word of God that always remains. It is those broken places, where our hearts are revealed, raw and open for all to see. Inside brokeness is where true beauty lies.... It is a beauty that you can't create or make up. It allows you to be you with no masks or cover ups. And in that place, the broken torn areas of your heart begin to change, when you call upon the name of Jesus. He awaits our call to him in brokenness. OOh I believe it is his delight to come rushing in and save the day! If we let him....and if we are open to his plans and ways....not ours.

That is where I find myself struggling to accept his plans, when I am broken and torn inside. Every time I choose to let him in and work on me, I come out of dark situations smiling bigger than before.

On September 18th, 2011,

My brother Brandon got married to his now beautiful wife Celeste Baroni. I had the honor and priviliege of being with her and her family the week prior to the wedding. It was such a time of peace and joy with her. I loved being able to share this wonderful time with her. As we would live life throughout the week, from laying by the pool to watching movies late at night, I saw a lot of Jesus in her. The quiet strength she carries and love that spills out of her heart are two of the most remarkable qualities a woman can have ; at least in my opinion.

As I was looking up the definition of the word marriage, here is what I came across :

~to bind by close or lasting ties

~to blend together or unite inseparably

Marriage is a beautiful thing, and something I believe is very close to the heart of God. Watching Brandon stand before family and friends, and proclaim the name of Jesus and honoring him and vowing to keep God first and to love Celeste no matter what may come their way, was very encouraging. I feel Brandon set a standard for our generation as to what it means to vow ones; life to another. Though he has not yet walked this out, I know he is a man of his word and stands on what he says.

I an thoroughly excited to have a new sister in the Lord close to my heart and now in my family. I am looking forward to doing life with them, and one day far off in the future of being an aunt ;)

OC Uprising!

~Orange County California~

Being here in California has been so wonderful. God's heart beat is strong over this State!

We arrived and hit the ground running the next day. We started off each day together in a church sanctuary with worship and sometimes a short message from one of our leaders about unity. After eating lunch with everyone which is: about 100 of us from Kona, and 200 from Denver Colorado's YWAM base, we would head out to the streets. The main area we felt God was leading us to was he pier area, at downtown Hungtington Beach.

There we would post up and have some worship time and prayer time in groups of 7, to have a taste of the fahter's heart and where he wanted us to minister. Man, down those streets and on the beach, we saw God move in such a great way. Several people got healed from sickness, pain and heart wounds. Also, about 100 people came to Christ!!!!!

There is an outpouring of fruit from all of the intercession that has gone up for this place.

I am so honored that God would allow me to be his hands and feet here in California.

Short Testimony:

~ I got on the bus last week to go down town to pray for people. I had gotten the privilege to hand out flowers to women that day and pray for them. As I was holding them in my hands i started to feel like I wasn't supposed to hand any out, got discouraged- totally the enemy. In the mean time, a young lady walked on the bus, and was standing in front of where i was seated. I said hi to her, and began to ask her how her day was going. She seemed, kind of down a bit sad. As I continued to talk to her, God began to speak through me. He started to tell me how she was created, so I started speaking them out over her and encouraging her. At the end of our conversation I handed her a flower and she walked off the bus smiling from ear to ear. God totally lavished his love on her, and he used me. So crazy. When I was talking to her, it was as if I was standing above the situation, watching God speak to her.

Only for his GLORY.

"I am laid down in the dust ;

preserve my life according to your word. I recounted my ways and you answered me ; teach me your decrees. Let me understand the teaching of your word.

Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. I have chosen the way of truth ; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statues,

O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands. "

~Psalm 119 : 25-32.

This Psalm is the cry of my heart the past few days. The very opening line has struck my heart, and resounds throughout my body. My life and all the "good" ideas, and plans that I could make up are laid down in the dust. Aware that some of them may be from God, I would rather them be in no other HANDS then the maker of the universe, who is enthroned on my heart and is so FAITHFUL to give them back to me…for his glory and his glory alone.

My selfishness has risen to the surface, along with pride and all the value of having a good reputation in the eyes of others, and the building up of my name….only to make myself feel better….Something inside of me screams! And says how dare me! How dare I live a life, only to puff up myself!

Then a deep cry from deep within my heart exclaims : "It is for HIS GLORY! That the lamb WOULD receive the reward of his suffering! ALL FOR HIS NAME! ONLY FOR HIS NAME! "

Nothing else matters now, and nothing else can stand in light of who Jesus is! This man who I am living for…..who humbled himself, took on MY SIN and said all for my father's glory, I love you Lauren enough to die for you. That you would know the father, that I would rule and reign on the throne of your heart… Because I am coming to rule and to reign again!

ahhh!

He is coming! He is coming! Will I be ready? Will oil be in my lamp? Will I even recognize the bridegroom….!?

I must have Jesus…. I MUST have him.

I can no longer hold onto religious formulas and patterns, and grumble in my puddle of distress and petti circumstances, when all that is happening is things aren't going MY way…..there just isn't TIME to be held back and bound by LIES from Satan!

UUUGHhh. Jesus!

Hi friends!
It's been a while since I've updated you on all that is going on in my life my apologies.

{ December 20Th - July 5Th}

I Returned home December 20Th from the beautiful land of Israel :)

Christmas was seemed to sneak up around the corner, which was a great time fro me to spend with my family and friends. Lots of sharing storied from the past 11 months of my journeys with YWAM and all that has happened in their lives.

After being transformed by the love of God, I began to notice my life wasn't quite the same since I had first left January 7 2010.

His love touched my heart in such a deep vain, that has left me knowing I am never going back. I am never going back to comfortable living, blurred vision and uncertainty of God's love.

He began to show me where he was moving and working here in Ohio, which is overwhelming if you sit down and look at all of the places he is working in hearts.

I started to ask him, okay God where is best for me? Where do you want me? You know I desire to see this generation step into their identities and callings, free from Satan.My little heart began to burn for the city of Canton. I began to see his hand pressed so divinely on the hearts of those people and on the ministry they are doing. I started to feel his heart and desire to see the city become a dwelling place of his presence, like no other place.

I believe God has invited me tp partner with him here, and to steward his visions and dreams for the city. As I have begun to say yes to him, my heart sinks, and longs for the time of me being released into the nations. There are a few places on my heart I burn to visit. For now I will be here and faithful to what he is calling me to.

Check out my page titled from Glory to Glory to find out more details of what that is going to look like.

~ Blessing anf favor on your life!

Keep your eyes open for more updates!

~Lauren

"Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few be there that find it." -Matthew 7:14 NKJV

Being home and carrying a heart that desires to seek the face of God in the secret place and in prayer, has been amazing and challenging all at the same time.

I want to be found on the narrow path, what ever it takes what ever I have to leave behind and run in the opposite direction from. I am in a place where all is placed on my plate, and the question / invitation I feel from the Lord is, will I count all else as loss for the sake on knowing him?

A time of God searching my heart, what is inside that is of him and what needs to go.

~I am set on a journey to seek the face of God, my sail has been raised and one goal in mind...to know him~

Home for over a month now.....

Tiny ice flakes falling from the sky and crash into the ground. Slush on the roads and sidewalks, make a nice invite for fuzzy slippers after a long day.

Beauty, I can not escape the beauty of the Lord. Everything that he has touched, formed and created is breath taking! Our magnificent king is a creative one, every snowflake is different...interesting - just like humans.

There is something going on here in Ohio and I can't quite put my finger on it. But God is moving. His people are praying, fasting and not sleeping....

O Lord may I not miss what you are doing here, what you are saying, I want to be found praying, laid down at your feet seeking your face.

Now i have a purpose, now I have a destiny, you made me for your glory!

Woke up to this phrase playing over and over in my head, the first week I came home. It always brings me back to DTS, when one morning during class, our school leader Amy, said let't wait on the Lord for a minute. So we did, and she began to sing a beautiful song over us. I remember singing along the lines of: He is never going to leave you, you don't have to be afraid anymore... and in that moment in class I remember, my mind shot ahead to me going home after DTS.

And this song brought so much comfort to my heart about not knowing about my next step after DTS - at this point I had no ideas of what was next, I didn't even know there was a second phase.

I didn't have a fear of being at home, but not knowing what I was going to do when I was there. God had already shifted so many foundations and false ways way of looking at him it was as if i was starting new, and to go back home and undo everything he did there, left me not feeling too excited!

After Amy sung this song over us, tears streamed down my face for hours....

The Lord began to sweetly speak and say Lauren, you were created for my presence, that is where you belong, and I will never leave you!

Prior, to DTs I remember thinking that I was going to finally find out what country I was called to. i had never felt called anywhere before, so I thought that during my DTS I would find my key to lead me!

I was wrong. lol

So here I am at home, and the first week of being here this phrase to an amazing song popped into my head.

Ahhh! Then during phase two I was reading Leonard Ravenhill's "Why Revival Tarry's" and the Lord gave me revelation. How we were created for him to dwell inside of us. We were created for that very purpose, that the creator of the universe, almighty God, would delight in dwelling inside of our hearts! To be with us! He just wants to simply be with us! That wrecks me, so deeply!

Home.

I have been home now for about 2 1/2 weeks. It has been so good to be here. Seeing my family after almost a full year with two trips in between, it's good to be here! Getting to see family from out of town as well was so wonderful!

I have had such great time with the Lord, just him and I. There is nothing like just the Lord and I, no one can replace it or compare to it. He has been speaking to me about this net season of my life, where I will be and what I will be doing.

I feel like he has said that he wants me to be home, in Ohio for a while, sowing into and plugging into what he is doing here. He is for sure up to something in this region, and has a plan to use me here.

As for right now, I am on a journey set out, to find what he wants me to be doing here. So I have been spending my time leaning on my beloved, listening for his heartbeat, to put myself in tune and rhythm of his heart.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

~ Have a blessed year in 2011 ~