Holy Encounter...

I have always been fascinated by angels. Last night was no exception. Highland hosted its annual monthly instrumenal praise service. I love these nights. If you are new to this blog, worship is one of my passions. As I was lost in God's Presence during a couple songs, I felt a strong knowing that I just couldn't shake. I asked the Lord what He was up to and he said, "Look, Lauren, you're entertaining the presence of one of my heavenly angels." The man was sitting right in front of my daddy and I couldn't get enough of him. I kept my hand where he was residing the entire night it seemed. I have contemplated this angel all day today as well. I want to be so lost in the likeness of Jesus that His angelic messengers and beings befriend me, protect me, and come to just be with me in His Presence. It was a feeling I'll never forget. As soon as I knew an angelic presence was being manifested, I quickly put my angel training taught by Amy Black to good use. I slowly swept my less dominant arm, in my case, it is the left, and did that until I felt a cool presence and knew that an angel was indeed in my midst. I've wondered today what kind of angel he was. I think its going to take time for God to reveal that to me. Anyway, I was enthralled and so I'm so eager to entertain more. Angels showcase God's intention and showcase His joy and His care for His kids. I adore them. I want to be inhabited by them. I want to love them with everything I have and I want to heed whatever messages they bring me. Bless you Mr. Angel, please grace me with your presence again soon. Bless you and your ministry.

Favorite Things Friday...

Places I Dream of Visiting Soon...The International House of Prayer (IHOP) Kansas City -

This is a very, very, very dear place in my life. I haven't had the blessing of experiencing it yet, but I pray about going soon every single day. Many a dream has been authored by me and the Lord for the plans He has for me in this place when He and I are both ready. I can't wait to go to Kansas City Mossouri and walk through these doors. There is such a powerful and tangible sense of the Presence of the Lord that resides here. I have prayed many times to take part in a school sometime soon. IHOP, you are loved, treasured, and dreamed of often. I WILL get to Kansas City.

Bethel Church - Redding, CA

This is the home of my beloved Bill Johnson. God has used Bill, Beni, Kris, and Danny to make me want to pursue higher things of God in a new depth. It is my prayer that Highland can assume the culture that this church embodies. I have learned volumes about miracles, honor, prayer, and walking in signs and wonders in this hour in our world. Bethel has so many ways to be equipped and prepared to fight the good figt and see enormous victories in the process. Bill has taught me how important it is to be mentored and in community with others - believers and those who are not yet. I cannot say enough good about this beautiful and sanctified place. Redding is drempt of every day as well.

Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship - Toronto, Canada

This is another one of my beloved churches. I have learned so much about the Father heart of God in this place. John and Carol Arnott are the senior pastors here. This is another place that I've prayed about visiting. Another wonderful violinist that attends TACF is someone I could listen to 24 hours a day, Ruth Fazal. There are so many prophetic leaders in this church family. I'm thankful I have this place to learn from and go deeper in Jesus. My friends Amy, Latimer, and so many others have brought back unspeakbly rich things as a result of being in the Lord's Presence with this group of believers.

ISRAEL

I have longed and yearned to go to this most holy and sacred country for so long now. I have dreamed about the holy encounters I would experiece as I witnessed baptisms in the Jordan River. I have traveled down the streets of Jerusalem in my dreams professing the Name of Jesus. I want to take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. I want to go to Galgatha and experience what torturous last moments Jesus went through. I want to see Jerusalem form the top of Mount Zion. I want to say that I traveled the roads of Jerusalem and experienced the Presence of the Lamb in that most treasured Kingdom city. It holds such a cherished place in my spirit. I want to see the stable where Jesus was born in Nazareth. I want to say that I've seen the empty tomb in physical form. So, so many memories are waiting for me in this hallowed place.

Thank you for sharing in this little piece of my future and dreams with the Lord. :)

Exciting Stuff is Brewing...

Oh, my! I am ecstatic right now. Life is going right along, I am learning some rich and lasting truths about my Jesus, and my church is in for such an unbelievable change. God is just rocking my world and it is so, so, so wonderful that He is. Change is a beautiful thing. It's hard, don't get me wrong, but it is amazing to behold. God is just the most wonderful partner and anchor that there is in this world. I couldn't do change if He wasn't in control of every single thing in this life.

First of all, Jonathan, Leslie, Eden, and Samuel Storment are on their way to Abilene. I truly couldn't be anymore excited about them as a couple and as a family than I already am. The Cunninghams are so ready to meet the Storments. They will be in town on June 9th for a welcoming reception and you better believe I'll be in line to hug, encourage, and meet all of them. Our church body has been in a process of discernment and vigilant prayer for 9 months and we are so very excited about the family the Lord has sent to us. I would ask that you would pray for the Storment family as they transition to Abilene from Richland Hills and Fort Worth. Jonathan's first sermon is scheduled for August 22nd. August cannot get here fast enough for me to be completely honest.

Secondly, Randy Harris is such a beautiful proclaimer of the Word. Our church family is so blessed to have him as a teacher, preacher, a former of disciples, and an example of recklessly following God at all costs. He has really redefined some things for me this year. I love how he presents age-old truth in such a fresh and relevent way. The Church of Christ monk is beloved to us. Thank you, Father, for using your servant Randy to form people who cling to your truth and try to live in a way that points others to eternity.

I have prayed so hard for our future as a church, as I know many others in our body have. I am overwhelmed at how God chooses to equip who He sanctions as His leaders. My daddy has known for weeks who would assume the Preaching Minsistry position. He just had to keep it quiet. That drove me absolutely crazy. The week Jonathan was named as that candidate, God gave me a name and I began to pray. I was overjoyed to find out that it indeed was Jonathan Storment. I've heard absolutely wonderful and such life-giving things about him as a man and as a leader. You can know this for sure, Highland is in for an abundance of good things. I will be vigilant in my prayers for him and his precious family. I can't wait to see what blessings are in store as we as a church go further with God into our destiny in Abilene and the world.

Bless you this day, dear reader.

Tour De Fabrics...

Today I want to take you readers through a tour of my favorite patterns. I will save my very favorite until last. I am a person who happens to adore pattern. I think they add so much wonderful personality and fun to life. Here we go:

Toile - I love this pattern because it is rich and it often tells a story. Whenever I run across this favorite I catch myself wanting to ask the figures in the pattern about their lives. I also love the informal nature of this pattern. Toile just seems so comfy and cozy in my mind. There are also little toile touches in my home, so that is another reason why its a favorite of mine.

Polka-dots - I love this pattern because it is so cheery. Polka-dots seems to give me a boost in life. This pattern is just tons of fun in my book. Another reason I love them is because they are so festive and celebratory. This pattern brings a smile to my face every single time. Who knew polka-dots could add so much to life? Damask - I think this pattern is so classy all the way around. It makes me feel so luxurious. I also happen to think this pattern is just lovely to look at and take in. It adds so much sophistication to life. It says opulent to me.

Houndstooth - This, my dear readers, is my absolute favorite pattern of them all. Houndstooth brings such joy to my life. In my book, it is the classiest and most sophisticated of all the patterns. I gravitate toward this pattern, no matter the article. It could be on clothing, stationery, fabric - whatever. I love it to pieces. And oddly enough, the only two things I own that are houndstooth are a stationery set and a most beloved scarf.

I hope this tour into some of my favorite things has been a delightful little glimpse into what makes me who I am.