GOING!!!!

Training Oct. 16th- Oct. 25th for the World Race! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2fNI2Z4BCk&feature=player_embedded

Prayers!

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6 Father, You are good! You are sovereign- I surrender to You! I go lifting up so many precious friends that are burdened. Your yoke is light- please draw near to them! Thank You for Your LOVE (Hosea:)

"Therefore I am now going to allure her;

I will lead her into the desert

and speak tenderly to her.

¹⁵ There I will give her back her vineyards,
and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
There she will sing as in the days of her youth,
as in the day she came up out of Egypt.

¹⁶ "In that day," declares the LORD,
"you will call me 'my husband';
you will no longer call me 'my master. '

¹⁷ I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips;
no longer will their names be invoked.

¹⁸ In that day I will make a covenant for them
with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air
and the creatures that move along the ground.
Bow and sword and battle
I will abolish from the land,
so that all may lie down in safety.

¹⁹ I will betroth you to Me forever;
I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,
in love and compassion.

²⁰ I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge the LORD.

Go praying! Love ya'll!

GOT IT!!!

Spoke with a lady on Friday who called to share some great news...that's right...I got it!!! They want me to go! Celebrated, said great now what...like I was a for sure yes...where do I sign...then realized wait...I still need to pray a/b this HUGE decision! I totally ruined the moment by saying can I still have a few more days to pray a/b this but she said, "of course and I didn't ruin it. It was my moment anyways." Somewhat funny, honestly I guess I was just shocked for the green light again (maybe secretly I've been looking for a red light). So there ya go...please continue to pray with me on this (esp. the next few days, considering I have to make a decision as soon as possible- the ball's in my court now).

There is a verse the Lord has given me multiple times the past couple of weeks that I want to share with you. "Go therefore and make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19 He has reminded me that He commands us all to "go." They were called to leave their homes and comforts and follow Him. It's almost more like we need His permission to stay. Guess, I'm asking for permission to stay (b/c there is a cost)?!? In Luke 9:57- 62 Jesus instructed those that wanted to be His disciples to drop everything and go and follow Him. He didn't instruct them to get everything in order 1st, to care for their relationships 1st, and He definitely didn't give the details of what they would be doing or what would happen in the future. He said follow me. Matthew 6:33- seek ME 1st! hmmm...I truly do desire in my heart of hearts to be willing to lay EVERYTHING down before Him, but man is it hard!

Excited, scared, overwhelmed, etc...,

Lauren:)

Well...

Sorry it's been forever! Truly do have sooooo much to update/tell ya'll a/b but have not have the time lately and sadly enough this is not going to be one of those catch up posts! Just wanted to say hey and let you know I'm still alive. I took a vacation day from work today to pray and search the Lord a/b a LOT of different things going on in my life. I want to share a little with ya'll so you can join me in prayer (if you would:) This has not been common knowledge (honestly, I can count on 2 hands the ppl. that know- so don't feel left out:) If you're reading this right now...consider yourself privileged (only a few of my close friends even know a/b this blog:) NO worries...not engaged or anything!!! (that would require a boyfriend 1st:) BUT I am praying a/b a HUGE life decision. Brief version:

Last Thursday I had an hour 1/2 phone interview about going onto the mission field for the next year! It's an 11 month program with a branch of AIM called the World Race. If I go, a few facts: I would have to raise over $15, 000.00 in support in the next 3 months (will need your help in telling ppl./getting support if I go- this is def. God-sized challenge), would require me to quite my "good" job (where really I'm content & in this kind of economy) and leave in January!!! Crazy, I know!!! Right now I'm really struggling with a lot of fears, doubt, etc... but ultimately I want to trust the Lord and be willing to lay everything down and go if He calls me. I know some of you are prob. thinking...what...where is this coming from!?! It's definitely not a decision I take lightly at ALL...and definitely not impetuous! This has been on my heart for the past 7 months and something I've been considering and started praying a/b when I couldn't shake the idea. For the past 2 years the Lord has been growing and stirring something inside of me. Since my 1st overseas mission trip in September of last year (Budapest, Hungary) the Lord has really been growing this desire in my heart for other cultures/missions. There is A LOT more to say about all of this, but I've got to keep it short for now. Just wanted ya'll to know what's going on with me (esp. if you haven't heard from me in a while- sorry- there's been a lot on my mind/going on in my life), but know it's not because I don't love or care about you! Seriously! ALL this to be said...I might hear back from the W.R. this week or next and they could def. say I'm not even accepted, but if I am then I have to make the call. I'm really praying if the Lord doesn't want me to go He will just let them say, "no" because right now my heart is truly split. Please go to the Father with me and pray for discernment, His will, faith, etc.... I told God that if He put something in my lap and I had a desire for it (job wise esp:) I would step thru (and I have w/ another job opportunity working with high school girls, but have been scared to step thru this door...but I have). Please join me in praying! Thanks...love ya'll!

Home Sweet Home

just got home from Kenya a few hrs. ago (24 hrs.= 1 day of traveling/pure flying) Already miss it, but glad to be home. GOD should Himself in a mighty way! ...AMAZED! Lord, keep my focus on You! a/b to go to bed...to drug myself or not... that is the question...hmmm...debatable...am going on over 48 hrs. of no sleep.

Wahooooooo

1st off sorry a/b the semi-melt down the other night (almost didn't write exactly how I was feeling b/c I felt a little stupid/vulnerable but then I thought no...just be real...it's okay. God can break down walls bt/wn people and bring true healing, fellowship, etc. by being transparent, and that's what I want (you never know how the Lord my use diff. situations/struggles/etc. for you or others) His ways are not my ways.- prob. didn't make sense anyways- I feel like my mind has been like a pinball machine lately). I haven't even been able to get excited b/c I've been that busy- (exhausted...just want to sleep for a day) BUT at least now I can get excited a/b the trip- yay!!! Praise the LORD that I made it thru the week- talk a/b a rough week AND work- out of control! Pretty sure I worked enough over time to make up for the 2 weeks I'll be gone (no seriously)! I finally can THINK a/b the trip- can't believe I leave tomorrow!

This whole thing is surreal! AFRICA in the morning- for 2 weeks!!!! Well, this is going to be SUPER short but just wanted to say bye or "kwa heri" since I'll be out of pocket for a bit! Please keep me, my team, and the Kenyan people in your prayers. Pray that the Lord goes before us (paves the way, prepares hearts, etc). Can't wait to see what He does b/c goodness knows this week was___,yeah, you know...minus a fabulous night last night with some of my favorite girls (which I will have to tell you a/b when I get back and really have time to blog:) I know He's going to move- I can feel it (esp. considering the leading up to this trip and how tough, crazy, etc...things got. Thinking a/b going to serve the Lord in a different country- no distractions-mmm! Few closing thoughts: Please pray the Lord speaks to me a/b one thing specifically (personal). Pray for His LOVE to be shown and draw people to Him (so they too can experience Him and have eternal life). Pray that we encourage. Pray for His will to be done. Etc...covet your prayers! Prayer is our power source! Rom. 8:26-27

God of Justice, Saviour to all

Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served

Jesus, You have called us
Freely we’ve received
Now freely we will give

We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go

To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in every way
Walking humbly before You God

You have shown us, what You require
Freely we’ve received
Now freely we will give

We must go live to feed the hungry

Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go

Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord (x4)

Acting humbly
Loving mercy
We must go, we must go
To the broken
And the hurting
We must go, we must go

We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We MUST GO!!!

Faith is action! Got to go pack!!!!! Night!

Spent

Just got home from work a/b 30 mins. ago (yes, it is 11:15p.m. on a Friday- does that give you a hint as to how my day/week has been!?!)...didn't get to eat dinner and still have to go back into the office tomorrow to tie up some lose ends after my 8a.m. meeting for Kenya...under so much spiritual warfare the past 2 weeks it's unreal! If anyone reads this- don't worry about me (i'm okay...though a little emotional...just need your prayers- please)...just spent and still have SO much to do in these next 2 days to try to prepare...some tid bits and thoughts that are bouncing around in my head right now...sorry just have to clear my mind before I go to bed...to much stuff:

Luluhola

40 minutes ago from web

just got home from work-exhausted! This week has murdered me (finishing up christmas packets & everything else- pulled in every direction)!

helped Munson w/ the gallery (nice) STILL, SOOOO much to do before I leave for Africa Mon! Under a lot of spiritual warfare- big time- tough!

& to top it off i miss my friend:(heartbroken). love him- y can't he love me and come after me- I prayed that the LORD would have all of me

and that i wouldn't be distracted & fall in love w/ YOU...but seriously, God...did you have to take the one thing I wanted and loved away

y couldn't I have both- wish i understood- struggling with trust and faith...guess my faith is becoming my own- I will still bless YOUR name

"YOU give and take away, YOU give and take away, my heart will CHOOSE to say, LORD blessed me YOUR name"-mmmm....

Another early morning- last meeting for Kenya 8a.m.-10:30a.m., work, pack, and get to spend some sweet time with some precious friends (Hen, Mos, Abby, and Krish)tomorrow night...very much needed! Sleep. Thank you, Lord for the rain (love falling to sleep listening to rain).

Africa!

I'm exhausted- so this will prob. be pretty short, BUT I wanted to give ya'll a quick vip update (hope to give more details later, but at this point not sure that's gonna happen...so we're going with the basics:). I've been meaning to email ya'll but with all the 13 hr. work days, etc...trying to get ready for this trip it just hasn't happened (CRAZY busy...work has been out of control...thought I'd have more time...yeah...not so much). SO the big news, I'm leaving for a Mission Trip to Kenya thru JFBC August 24 –September 3, 2009! Here's a little info. about it:

Team Members:

Lawrence Benson

Brian Fox (Leader)

Iraj Ghanouni

John Herzer

Bill Marsh

Lauren Sims

Glen Taylor

Judy Taylor

I'm the youngest one. Brian Fox is the closest to my age at 38:) Most are over the age of 50 and married...really didn't think this was the trip I was suppose to go on...BUT the Lord thought otherwise...should be neat to see what He's going to do!

Few Of The Activities We Will Be Doing:

•Conducting two medical clinics

•Leading Men’s and Women’s Conferences (extra prayers- I'll be speaking for part of it- over an hour- feel very unprepared, nervous, and inadequate- will be over 120 Kenyan woman there- pray the Lord gives me the words to say & speaks thru me)

•Leading Marriage Conference (ironic...yeah...hahah...still waiting on my rock... was thinking what do i have to offer...really felt like this wasn't the trip for me and in the meeting when that thought 1st ran thru my mind...Wayne W. the original trip leader stopped in the middle of the meeting and what he was saying and said, "Lauren you will be PERFECT for this trip. The young girls at First Love International are going to LOVE you:) Sweet...so the Lord affirmed me quick, hah

•Visiting Kibera and Nakuru Reserve

•Speaking at local churches in Nakuru

Prayer Requests:

• battling spiritual warfare (esp. this week- everything that could be thrown at me- physically, emotionally, spiritually, work, personal, etc...everything that could happen has)- guess the Lord is really going to move

• prepare the Kenyan's hearts

• personal request- might share later- but that the Lord will speak to me on this trip (w/o distractions) direct me & make it clear

–That we will…

• be spiritually prepared and will submit to God’s leadership

• focus on God’s agenda, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us

• be filled with God’s love & compassion, and that it shows to Kenyans and each other

• have safe travels and that those around us see Christ through our actions an words

• follow God’s leading as we try to disciple those precious men and women at the conferences

• minister to the sick children and adults to help them physically and spiritually

• be guided to worship at the churches where we can best minister and encourage

• function as a Christ-centered team

• be safe and healthy for the whole trip

Scriptural Encouragements:

• Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the

gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to

salvation for everyone who believes, for the

Jews first and also for the Greek.”

• Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it

with all of your heart, as working for the Lord,

not for men…”

• Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider one

another in order to stir up love and good

works, not forsaking the assembling of

yourselves together, as is the manner of

some, but exhorting one another, and so much

the more as you see the Day approaching.”

SORRY I haven't gotten to write a/b this before now:(just ran out of time:) I'm SUPER excited!!! Glad I finally got to share with ya'll!

2128 Hemingway Lane

Roswell, Ga 30075 (for those of you that said you wanted to support me financially...it's not too late:) Please keep us in your prayers!THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Looking forward to what the Lord will do!!! La