Favorite Things Friday...

OK, ya'll, I have a confession to make. I know its Favorite Things Friday, but seeing as though the creative gene somehow missed me as I was developing in my mother's womb, I will share one of my other favorite things: my favorite brands and flavors of hot tea. I adore hot tea and hot chocolate. I love these two beverages any time, but I especially enjoy them during the wintertime. It most definitely is my hot beverage of choice. So here we go:

I LOVE Twinings Lady Grey Tea. In my opinion, it is a wonderful blend, with a very faint citrusy flavor. This delightful tea is one of my very favorites to drink in the morning to wake me up. This tea is just wonderful all around. I adore it.I love plain 'ole Earl Grey as well. This tea just warms my soul. My favorite time to drink it is on a bitterly cold winter day wrapped up in a comfy-cozy blanket. I have a deep and tall mug with precious cherries on it that I love to drink plain Earl Grey out of. Every time I get to enjoy Earl Grey this way, I feel as though all is right in my world.

Here is where another confession comes in. I have a new love affair beginning when it comes to hot cocoa. This is Stephen's Candycane Cocoa. I had my first soire with this delicious concoction today, and I will never go back to plain hot cocoa. Candycane Cocoa is addicting. Try it, you'll love it too. I truly want to hug whoever invented this yummy beverage. This company will have my business forever. I love this stuff. The candycane notes that are in this cocoa just make me feel good and they make me smile. Sorry its taken me until after 8 to get this typed. I really want to try the English Breakfast Tea blend from Twinings. I think that will be my next tea-reated purchase. So now you are aware of my fervent and undying love of hot tea and hot cocoa. Hope you enjoyed peeking into this part of my personal world. Until next week, go enjoy some hot tea :)

Favorite Things Friday: Music Edition

I know it is Friday and I know the theme for Favorite Things Friday this week is small kitchen appliances, but I don't have many to share. I thought instead of going with that theme, I'd share some of my favorite music. I absolutely adore music. I mean, I think I'm addicted to it. My genre of choice is Contemporary Christian. I just love the message and hope this genre brings to my life. Regularly listening to this type of music just encourages and sharpens me so much as a follower of Jesus. So enjoy the tour of some of my favorite music :)

I absolutely LOVE Hillsong United. I often get lost in the message and the worship that just spills out of their hearts. Plus, I love Darlene Zschech. This is a definite staple in my iPod music library. This album "From the Inside Out" is so awesome. It just fills my soul with unspeakable joy. In fact, worship is one of the deepest passions of my heart. Hillsong United never disappoints. I love the deep hunger for more of God that resides in this album.This is an artist named Kim Walker who is on a worship team at Bethel Church in Redding, California. She has a very unique voice that I love. I really like the fact that her music flows out of her time in God's Presence. Her album that I've connected most with is called "Here Is My Song". It is wonderful. I love the purity and devotion that come across in every song. She is part of a group called Jesus Culture Music. Check her out, she's amazing.

Please let me introduce you to Brian and Jenn Johnson. They are a husband-wife worship pastoring duo out of Bethel Church in Redding. Brian's dad, Bill Johnson, is the senior pastor along with his wife Beni. I love this couple so much. My journey has been immeasurably blessed with the worship that they are invested in. There is such a beautiful simplicity about every thing they produce. This album is called "We Believe". If you are looking for some new worship music, this is great. I can't say enough good about this couple's heart for worship.

Now, I know this is not a Contemporary Christian group, but just allow me this indulgence. I love the Eagles. They are just pure classic. I can't get enough of Wicked Woman, Hotel California, and Easy Feelin'. I don't think their music will go out of sytle any time soon. The songs are so easy to learn and listen to. There have been many roadtrips made with this awesome band. So there you have it, a tour of some of my favorite music and artists. Be sure to tune in next week.

Favorite Things Friday...

Here are my favorite things in the bath and body department. Hope you enjoy:

The shampoo and conditioner collection I use is wonderful for me. I use Herbal Essences infused with orchid oil and coconut milk. Whenever I forget the flavor, I just look for the blue bottles. I am very big into loving the way things smell. This shampoo and conditioner collection just makes my heart happy.

I love this St. Ives 24-Hour Moisture lotion. It makes me feel so clean. I love using it especially during the winter months.I feel so soft when I wear it.

I absolutely adore this Dove Necterine body wash. In fact, I think it is my very favorite step in my shower routine. I love the sweet smell to pieces. This product brings me a lot of joy. I believe every one should have this in their cabinet, but, that is only my very biased opinion. I also thoroughly enjoy the Clean Cucumber smell Dove produces.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Burt's Bees lip balm. Right at this moment, I have two tubes in my purse just in case I run low. I adore how it makes my lips feel. It has a wonderful soothing effect on very chapped lips. I also love that is has a touch of peppermint flavor in it. I know some people who cannot stand it. I happen to think it is such a great invention myself.

Why I Love Blogging...

I really enjoy blogging. There, I said it. The number one reason I really like it is because it allows me to stay in contact with friends near and far. I have absolutely no idea how many people read my ramblings, and that is not why I blog. I blog because it is fun and it allows me to have an outlet for my thoughts. I hope this space in the blogosphere is a place where people feel encouraged and loved by God. I also hope that the things I type here can sharpen and bless the people that read what I choose to share. One of the deepest yearnings of my heart is to be a life-giving student of the things that stir God's heart. God is the one all-consuming passion I have chosen to give my life to. I want to be wrecked and ruined for no one else but Him. I pray that everything said here brings glory to His name. So, whether you blog or not, I hope you feel blessed whenever and however you may visit this space.

Favorite Things Friday, Saturday Edition...

My sweet and wonderful friend Ashley got me hooked on Fridays last year reading about some of her favorite things. I adore things like this that give someone a chance to peek into the lives of people they love in order to get to know them a little more, so I thought I'd join in on the fun. Here we go:

This was a Christmas present from my brother and sister-in-love this year. I adore big bags and I also adore plaid so I know I will get years of use out of this little treasure! It is still waiting to be packed for its inaugural weekend getaway, but it smiles at me everyday and makes my heart feel good.

I also have an on-going, ever=strengthening love affair with monograms. The pillow has a home on my couch and says 'LEC' inside the diamond. The blanket was given to me by my mom but I don't remember the occasion. It sure does keep me warm on a cold day. I love it to pieces.

OK. You know how when alchoholics go to an AA meeting they have to stand and introduce themselves? Well, instead of being an alcoholic, I need an intervention for my love of candles. I probably have 5 in my kitchen cabinet at any given time just waiting to be used. I cannot tell you how at home my soul and my heart feel when I bring out one of these little jewels. It's like I'm in my own little piece of heaven on earth. Right now, my candle of choice is a Red Currant one I picked up at the grocery store. My little home is not big at all so the smell permeates every square inch within about 15 minutes. It is pure bliss in my book.

Until next week, go surround yourself with some of your favorite things :)

Hello To 2010....

Wow. I find it hard to believe that it is already time to begin another year. It seems the older I get, the faster time seems to fly. As I look back on the year behind me, I have to say that it was good--full of opportunites and seasons of growth. It was a year I am thankful for; a year in which I found new depths in my walk with the Lord. There are so many things I adore about my relationship with the Lord, but one of the most precious things to me about it is that there is ALWAYS room to go deeper, to become better, and to learn to love Him in a more intimate way. On the days when I fail Him, I find such comfort in that!

I am ready now to say hello to 2010. I don't know about you, but in my head 2010 just souds different. I am so very excited about the many opportunities and seasons this year will hold. I cannot wait to see where the Lord will take me in this new year. I am greeting this year with a different level of expectantcy than I did the last. I know this to be true: Wherever I go and whatever I do, I will wait and listen to the Lord. I have a feeling that is going to continue to be a place where I can grow. My goal is to not to be one step ahead of the Lord or one step behind Him. I want to be going at His pace in His divine time. One fact that always seems to come back to me year after year is that God's timing is always perfect. He is never late, but He is always on time.

One of my prayers for 2010 is that I will learn to love and rely on God fiercely; in the process of doing that, to love all people in His name and for His glory. And really, those are the two things that will truly matter eternally. I pray that all of you have a very blessed new year.

Not Much To Report...

I cannot believe it is already December. It seems like this year just has gone so quickly. I guess that is the way it is as a person gets older. It certainly seems to become more true in my life with every passing year. In all honesty, there has not been a whole lot going on in my life that is blog worthy. I did see "The Blind Side" with some friends and LOVED it. I think that is a movie I will have to own. If you have not seen it, GO. It is absolutely wonderful. The story is awesome and Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw are great.

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday in Abilene celebrating with my parents, my mom's whole side, my Nana and Pa, my brother and sister, and some family friends. It is always wonderful to see them. The meal was delicious and our home looked beautiful. I just love when a home is full of people. My mom and dad are such wonderful and warm hosts. I love to watch and learn from their hospitality. We spent most of our time together eating and watching some great football. I was very proud of how well the Aggies played against the Longhorns. Our holiday came to a close with an Abilene High game in North Richland Hills and a very restful lazy Saturday with absolutely nothing on the books. All in all, a great Thanksgiving. I adore the holidays :)

I'm Still Here...

These past few weeks have been hard. I've had to say goodbye to a mentor. But through it all the Lord has been good and He has been so faithful. My blogging has taken a back seat the last few weeks. Throughout this time of experiencing the loss of a friend, the Lord has shown me every single day how immeasurably blessed I am. I have a wonderful family, a wonderful, heaven-sent community of friends, and a God who never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I find so much comfort in that fact.

Blessings of Friendship...

I have been unbelivably blessed with the community of friends the Lord has given me. I don't think this life would be bearable without friends. Truly, the Lord, plus friends, plus family make my life what it is. Two weekends ago, I got to see my sweet friend Ashley and I got to meet her precious baby girl Emma Grace and that was so much fun. I've also recently had fun having lunch with two precious sisters, whom I love, Summer and Kate. And I had the pleasure of having lunch with my new sweet friend Karen who has three adorable girls with one on the way. I honestly don't know how I've been so blessed. I think these sweet friendships are just a gift of God's goodness.

God has also given me precious friends that don't live where I do, so I don't get to see them as often as I would like to. I am so grateful for these relationships as well. The Lord says that it is essentially important to be very careful with the people you surround yourself with, and I agree. I just have to say that I believe the people that surround me in life are some of the most devoted, humble, authentic, and precious men and women that I've ever met. I praise the Lord for each of you and the place you have in my community, I am blessed indeed.

It's That Time of Year....

It is the beginning of November. I love the beginning of November because it starts my absolute favorite time of year. What, besides fall, is Lauren's favorite time of year? The answer is the holidays. I adore the holidays. There is so much that I love about these special times. I LOVE tradition. I love, love, love being surrounded by my family. I love the special foods we prepare. My absolute favorite part of the hoidays is getting to celebrate the blessings and bounty of Jesus' goodness to all of us. When November and December roll around each year I am reminded once more how blessed I am. The holidays always serve as a yearly reminder on the calendar to stop and realize just how much the Lord has done. To me, the hoidays are so much more than gifts under the Christmas tree. They are a time to appreciate and treasure the things that really matter in life-- the people that make my life what it is and my God that makes this life so worthwile and full.

Recent Joys...

I've gotten lots of joy out of many different things lately. Anyone who reads this blog knows what a high-school and college football fan I am. The first joy I will share is this...

...I got to experience the joy of watching Texas beat OU in the Red River Rivalry. I am not the biggest Texas fan, but I route for them when they are playing an out-of-state team. That is not to say that I couldn't be pursuaded to become a Texas fan though :) It's just that my Daddy went to A&M for three years. But let's face it, A&M just cannot produce a winning football team. We'll see how they do against Texas, I'm already prepping myself for a complete domination by Texas. I've also gotten behind Tech. First because Taylor Potts is an Abilene High graduate, like me and secondly Grant attends Tech, so I pay my allegiance to the school. Let me just say, Stephen Sheffield has done great. OK, moving on...

...I've gotten to see Grant twice recently and that ALWAYS makes me happy. Since he and Laura have moved to Lubbock the family and I have missed them so much and it has been a blessing and a treat to see him. He came in for the A-High game against Weatherford and rode with us along with his best friend Cole. In case you haven't figured it out, I absolutely adore my family. I think family is to be cherished, treasured, and highly esteemed. I don't know what I'd do without them. They just make life so much fun :)...

...I've gotten to do one of my absolute favorite things - - celebate. In our family, October is a busy month and it is chalk-full of opportunities to have fun. We have my mom's birthday, my birthday, my uncle's birthday, and Halloween. Plus we usually try to fit in a trip to Fredericksburg, and that is always cause for celebration if you ask me. I love to travel.

I'll leave you with a picture of my favorite Eagle-in-training, my cousin, Emma Beth

Cozy Days...

There is something about Fall that makes me enjoy days like today more than usual. I didn't have anything I HAD to get accomplished today so I just took it easy. I have done some of my favorite things. Things like watching my favorite cooking shows on Food Network, and catching up on what I've missed on Little House on the Prairie. Keeping to myself sometimes is just so comforting and restful. I've truly enjoyed going at a slower pace today. Days like this remind me of what things are really important. Thank you Lord for slow, cozy days!

Birthday Celebration 2009...

Celebrating with our best family friends at Cracker Barrel
Daddy celebrating his two birthday girls: Mom first and then his Little
L

My precious Grandma and Papa joined us
I am always blessed to share my birthday celebrations with my precious and wonderful Mom! I had a wonderful family-filled birthday. I love sharing my birthday with my best friend, my Mom, one day apart :) My Mom's birthday is on October 5th and mine is on the 6th. I've always secretly thanked the Lord for that because I think it is so special. I think He knew we would be so close as mother-and-daughter friends and I am thankful for that little life detail we share with one another. I fully expect and believe that my 27th year will be blessed and full of the activity and Presence of the Lord, and for that I am unspeakably grateful. I desire to grow and become more of the young woman He desires me to be to fully embrace and celebrate the destiny and calling He has specifically ordained for me. Thanks to everyone who made me feel cherished, loved, encouraged, and blessed. The Lord is so good.

(I'm sorry the spacing is so wierd on this. Blogger is so wierd and unpredictable :)

27 Wishes...

Here is a list of 27 wishes as well as things I would like to accomplish during this new year. I am borrowing this idea from my friend Katie.

1. Go to the International House of Prayer in Kansas City for a weekend (this has been a fervent desire of mine for a long long time!)
2. Grow an intense and ever-more fervent love for my Father God
3. Be more intentional about setting aside time to practice focused intercession
4. Grow deeper friendships
5. To be on the lookout every day and every moment I'm alive for the Presence of the Spirit
6. To stay in better contact with precious friends
7. To soak in the Lord's Presence every day
8. To love my family with a fierce and intentional grace
9. To watch my reactions and the words of my mouth
10. To take more pictures :)
11. To learn to not be so tied to material possessions
12. To listen before I speak (God gave me two ears and one mouth :)
13. To celebrate something every day
14. To heed the callings of the Lord
15. To be more organized :) This one is hard for me!
16. To allow the Lord to continue to show me how to manage my home in a godly manner
17. To be still
18. To read 1 new book a quarter (I'm a slow-let-it-sink-in kind of reader)
19. To encourage 5 people a day
20. To enjoy every day even on the days where I can't find anything to be happy about
21. To engage in meaningful work
22. To try to flesh out the Lord's Prayer with the grace of Jesus helping me
23. improve my writing
24. To take time and be thankful :)
25. To listen to music everyday (This one is NOT hard for me because I am a music lover, but I find that listening to good-for-the-soul, Christ-focused music drives away darkness and I'm all about that!!)
26. To love on the elderly in my sphere of influence
27. To have a pliable teachable and ever humble and pure spirit so that the Lord can have His way!

27 Things...

Tuesday Makes Another Year...

Boy I'm thankful to be alive at this time in my life. It's been interesting and rewarding to say the least. When I say interesting I mean I've really enjoy watching God, even when I don't physically see results, working in my journey. He is always always always making me new, teaching me His Truth, and making me a more perfect representation of Jesus with each new detail. I welcome all of these activities of the Lord because I never want to become complascent and stale. I always want to become stronger and grow in the knowledge and precepts of God.

Speaking of this, this coming Tuesday will mark my 27th year of life. I am so thankful for almost 27 years growing, changing, learning, loving, and more. There are so many things I desire in the coming year for myself. More on that will come later. God has done unspeakable miracles in my life the most notable being that I am alive and healthy and growing in Him every day. I am grateful beyond words for this precious precious gift of life and I can't wait to continue my journey this year. I am knowing and claiming BIG, BIG things to take place in my character, my walk with the Spirit, and my journey with people. My prayer is that I will learn to walk in an even deeper, more authentic love than the previous year. I want to go into depths with the Spirit that I've only drempt of and prayed earnestly for.

Worshipping With Kari Jobe...

I do believe, my friends, that I experienced one of the best worship times I've had in a long time last night at New Hope Church in Abilene. Kari Jobe has been one of my favoite female voices for a long time, and I ADORE her genuine heart and spirit when she worships. Well, seeing her LIVE was beyond my expectations. I've been looking forward to this time for months. There was such a tangible spirit of worship in that place. I was escorted into true worship and I loved every single minute of it. Kari is just precious in every way. I knew why my heart had really connected to her in her music. She is only a year older than me, and she exhibits so much of the worshipper I want to be before the Presence of the Lord. Kari is from Southlake, TX and she was one of the worship leaders, and still is I think, at Gateway Church in Southlake. If she comes anywhere close to where you are in concert, go see her. It is so worth every penny. The older I've gotten, I'm not really crazy about loud concerts, but this particular evening was so far away from that. It was my favorite kind of heart-hungry time with the King -- it was an intimate two hours of worship being poured out to the Healer and mighty God. There was exteremely free and intensely extravagant praise being lavished on Christ Jesus. It was absolutely fabulous.

Sharpened and Spurred On...

There are many things that encourage me. Today I got to partake in a class that really touched on my passion for intercessory prayer and heigtened my desire to be white-hot in laboring for other people in prayer. I have had a ton of respect for Josh Ross for a long time now. From the very beginning stages of his early ministry at Highland, when he was an ACU student, an M.Div candidate, and now as a husband, father, and minister of the Word in Memphis Tennessee, my deep respect for him has only grown and deepened. To be honest, even though Josh is only a couple of years older than I am, he is one of my absolute favorite servants to watch because of the authenticity he chooses to show in every aspect of who he is, even if he doesn't realize it. I know Josh is human and that he has limitations, the truth is we all do. What I am saying is that I am always made more into the image of Jesus by allowing the influence of the disciple that he is filter down into my own spiritual formation. Josh, can you tell you are loved? I just want to say thank you for being so invested and passionate about the call of Jesus Christ on your life, on your family, on your ministry, and on the legacy of who you are and who you will become in the years to come.

Another blessing God gave me today was finally formally meeting another young man I've heard wonderful and life-giving things about, Collin Packer. Collin has also served as a young mentor of the servant I desire to become. I am always taken deeper into the things of the Lord by having the privilege to learn form Collin's example of humility and truth. I feel so grateful to have these two true-to-life, authentic, Spirit-saturated men to learn from, to look up to, and to pray for. I pray God would grow their ministries in Memphis and in Littleton and I pray that the Holy Spirit would rest mightily on their marriage covenants, on their households, and on the men after God's own heart that they are on the journey of becoming. God is good and faithful in all things and I just wanted to say thank you to Josh and to Collin for calling me through the fruit and the gifts of your lives into the depth and reality of who Jesus really is lived out in who you both are in His kingdom. Kayci and Holly you and Truitt, Noah, and Maddox are so blessed. May many blessings fall and rest on the Ross and Packer families by the power and provision of Jesus Christ.

A Day At The Movies...

I love movies. I enjoy watching stories unfold. This week I spent one day watching a saga that I had recorded off the Hallmark Channel. It was an old western saga based on Janette Oke's Love books. Throughout the time spent watching these wonderful movies, I kept wondering where the godly, ever-present core values that were characteristic of a by-gone era have gone. I have to say that I adore Hallmark movies and shows because of those values. I am a sucker for a good family-friendly series. These type of movies are very very few and far between in our world today. Why is that? Sometimes I desperately miss those movies that Hollywood has deemed 'dinosaurs' and ancient in the culture today. I get so tired of seeing such blatent and overt sin present in our movie theaters today. Don't get me wrong, there are some really good things that come out of our movie theatres that point directly to God, but for the most part, they are sorely lacking. I think I'll stick with Hallmark-esque movies, series like Little House on the Prairie, and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman any day. I am constantly reminded that God has placed me in a depraved and lost generation to be set apart and different. He wants me to be in the world but not of it, but that is harder said than done. I'm mindful that God is with our world even when signs to the contrary exist, and I am thankful for that. Stepping off soapbox now :)

One Thankful Heart...

This week I've been reminded of the indescribable sacrifice God made for us through His precious Jesus and to say the least, I'm thankful. In recent weeks, I've been going through the book of Hebrews and I have fallen in love with this book even more as I really have taken the time to sit down and really let what Jesus accomplished for me soak in. In my natural state of being I can't comprehend it but the eternal most alive part of me just wants to lavish my Father and my Savior with every ounce of praise this earth and heaven have in them. To think that God loves me with a passion that is ever-growing and deepening with every passing moment, I am just overwhelmed. Hebrews has always been one of my favorite parts of the New Testament. It just has treasures everywhere I turn.

One of my very favorite portraits in Hebrews is the one detailing the fact that Jesus is my High Priest. I am just immensely grateful that I did not have to go through all of the rituals, laws, and diffrerent aspects of the Old Covenant. Sure there is inherent value in all of God's story, but I'm just endebted to Jesus that He is my one and only sacrifice to accomplish a station in life that I am so unworthy of on my own - - eternal life. As I've gotten older, my joy has been increased to encompass and celebrate the fact that I am powerless on my own. Only through Jesus am I abe to love, serve, live, and enjoy every part of this present life that He died to give me. I realize with every day that I am blessed to wake up, breathe, and thank Him, that life is only most fully enjoyed, made rich, and made truly fulfilling when a life is given back to Him in praise, devotion, and passion to live it out as an offering for the indelible price He paid to make me His.