....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.