More Then Just a Pretty Face

My sister, Shannon, has never really shared with me much. For the most part, she keeps to herself and that's fine for us- we still love each other dearly. But recently, that has changed. Shannon is beginning to open up to  me, even if it is bit by bit. And her story is so special and incredible I think it needs to be shared.

This girl is so unique and beautiful. She is an absolute treasure, and all who know her will agree. But like everyone, she isn't perfect. I suggest you watch the included video to learn more- but the story she has to share is so special:

Shannon has a few learning disabilities, but she isn't afraid to tell people about it. She wants others to know there is hope in the face of any challenge. She wrote this whole speech herself just so other kids with learning disabilities will know they are not alone.

I hope you will watch this video and be inspired by Shannon, my 12-year-old sister. I also challenge you to not look at people for who they are on the outside, but to really look at their heart, because everyone has their own struggles, weaknesses, and also their own strengths.

Looking Forward

"I don't know what my future holds, but I know who holds my future." -Tim Tebow

The future can be a terrifying thing. Not knowing what will happen next, not knowing who you will be, not knowing where you'll go. It feels a lot like you have been thrown into a dark room where you can't see more than two feet in front of you. Nothing really seems to piece together.


But everything will fall into place, and everything will end up working out. I often have to remind myself, "Sometimes things have to fall apart so that they can later fall into place." God HAS a plan for the future, a plan especially for me, and a different one for you.

Many miles may separate us,

And people may come between.

But I know that the Lord has a plan-

Greater than anything heard or seen.

I don't know where I'm going,

You aren't sure what's ahead,

To the Lord I cast my trust

And to you I'll give my hand.

We will walk to Him together,

And when unsure of days to come-

We will cry out to our Father!

Our God will guide us home.

I pray my faith will grow;

I pray the same for you.

Whatever happens between us

I trust in God's great view.

Take a moment

Everything's flying past and the stress levels are mounting. You probably even don't have time to read this (I definitely don't have time to write it!). You just want to go crawl in a hole and cry yourself to sleep; maybe things will work out and be better when you wake up.
Do yourself a favor: take three deep breaths. Drop everything, shut your eyes, and take three deep breaths. Lean into the fact that you are loved, and that God will not send you into a situation that you can't take on and survive (with His help, of course). Trust that peace. Maybe things won't end as you hoped or planned, but everything will be alright in the end. If it's not ok, it's not over yet.
Breathe. Let go. Inhale, exhale.  Your life is a crazy and beautiful thing. Just don't get so deep into the crazy that you lose sight of the beautiful.
While your eyes are shut, take a moment to thank God (even if you've never talked to Him before and feel crazy doing so) for just three things today. Maybe they were challenges or times people forgave you or just seeing a flower next to the sidewalk. It's just between you two.
Breathe and trust His Peace. You're gonna be ok.

1 Corinthians 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 136:26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Prayers and love,

Lauren

Prom with Daddy

Prom is JUST around the corner. It's in all sorts of advertising, and on many people's minds. In some ways it consumes people. Guys think about who they are gonna ask, how they are gonna ask that girl, if they are going to get a tux, and how they are going to pay for everything. Girls spend hours dreaming about their dress, hoping to get asked by that one guy, flipping through millions of magazines that tell them how to look absolutely wonderful, planning exactly how the night will go, and making sure that every detail is taken care of.

"Prom, it's like the Olympics of high school." -Disney's Prom

One night. It may be fun and memorable, but at the end of the day it's just one dance and then it's over. How can it become something we can remember?


This year, I'm going to enjoy prom with my Daddy. No, not my father whom I live with, but my Father in heaven: God. I am just a sophomore and therefore am not even old enough to attend my high school's prom. I will be helping out because I'm in student council, but the point is that I will still be dressed in the most beautiful of clothes and dancing.
Jeremiah 31:30 tells us how when the Lord is found "Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."
I may not have a dance with the boy I like, but I will be dancing in the delight of the Lord. I may be bummed that he didn't ask me- but I will still be joyful because my Daddy is with me.
God is the King of Kings, and therefore I am His princess. In Psalm 45:13-14 it says how God dresses up his daughters, "All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. In embroidered garments she is led to the king." And just before that in Psalm 45:11 it says how "The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord." He dresses us in His righteousness, not because of anything we've done, but simply out of unconditional love.


I may not be going to our school's prom, but I will be dancing with my Daddy who thinks I'm beautiful.

Who I am is not my relationship status

One of the things about my generation that blows my mind is how we determine a relationship's seriousness and sincerity by how it comes across on Facebook, especially via the infamous relationship status. If something isn't "FB official" we doubt the commitment level and whether the two people can handle having the world know.


In truth, some of us just don't think it's needed to post about our little lives constantly. If you want to know where I stand, ask me. I'm not condemning Facebook or using it to keep up with others. But I also don't think we should assume where anyone stands based off of posting online in any medium.


See, it goes like this. I'm not worth anything because of who I know, what I say, or what I do. That feels like pretty basic head-nodding material, but think about it. What you do and say means nothing if you do it for and by yourself. Essentially, I am worthless without Christ.


And in Him, I am worth everything.


Whether Facebook or anything else says I'm in a relationship or single, it doesn't matter. That doesn't make me worth anything more or less. Even if I AM dating someone, that still doesn't change my identity at it's purest and most raw level. I am loved and beautiful and freed and a dancing daughter of the King because He made me so, not because he made me so. If you catch my drift.


If not, let me break it down for you. God is the only one who gets say in my worth. If any boy (or girl) calls me beautiful or valued or sweet, they're certainly right, but not because they said it. Little he (boy and/or man) can certainly speak worth to me, but his approval or lack thereof doesn't change me one iota. Sorry, boys. Big He (Daddy/God) says I'm all that and more. He gets to say that, see, He kinda made me like that. Can't argue with how I'm made.


You tracking? If not, email me. I'm pretty sure my email is somewhere on this page...


My point is this: because I am everything in Christ, I am free to relate to people. If I run into people (boys particularly) and date or not, that's cool. I just am looking to share life. Whether or not we're dating or "FB official" or at whatever marker that says how committed we are doesn't really matter to me. As long as we're happy, we're just gonna go for it. The last thing I want to do is ever shape a relationship because of how I'll have to explain it or how people will think of it.


"In Christ alone, my hope is found."
May that be true in all our lives.


All my love,
Lauren

Dear Boys, an Apology

Dear boys,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the horrible treatment, the gossip, the judgement, the pressure, the expectations and the double standards.
I'm sorry that for years us girls have been showing off how we deserve to be treated better, but all the while, we're refusing to even care about how you are doing that day.
Sure, we kinda care. We'll check in occasionally. We definitely care if something will affect how you feel about US. For our selfish ways, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for the times I have broken your heart and walked all over it. Even if you broke up with me, that was no excuse to flirt with every boy in front of you, try to make you jealous, or tempt you.
Sorry for thinking that we need to tempt you in order to get your attention, especially when that attention is already on someone else.

I'm sorry for thinking that men who care don't exist, while pressuring you to be the tough ones.
I'm sorry for thinking that you didn't have feelings.
Thank you, brothers, for being such men. Thank you for treating us right, for treating us like princesses and for holding us when we cry. Thank you for how blatant and honest you are with us. Thank you for the genuine smiles, and the laughs that we share. Thank you for trying to be the best man you can be.
I'm just sorry we don't treat you better.

Sincerely,

These Dancing Daughters of the King

Get Over It

Today is official "Get Over It" Day.

Really. Just type it into Google, and you will come up with March 9th as the official "Get Over It" day. Now, let's be honest, we all have things we should probably just get over. Just be done with them and move on.

I understand: Sometimes it can be difficult to find something to get over. Therefore, I decided to make a list of all of the things that you could get over (if you can't come up with them on your own, of course). I can promise you will find something to get over today.

• A recent break up
• Failing a test
• Getting in trouble at home for something you did
• Losing a big game for your team
• Getting pulled over on your way to something important
• Getting a concussion
• Losing your phone, iPod, or other fancy gadget
• Wrecking your car
• The loss of a loved one
• Someone calling you a not-so-nice name
• Putting down a dear pet
• Technology not working
• Being late to class
• Not getting Manning as the Broncos quaterback
• An ugly picture of you posted on Facebook
• A not-so-recent breakup
• Missing one point on a quiz
• Accidentally killing the fly that landed on your desk
• Losing a bobby pin
• Getting a paper cut on your pinkie
• The ending of The Hunger Games
• Having your chips stolen. In second grade.
• Your sibling eating the last cookie
• Missing breakfast
• Not having enough shoes
• Not having enough followers on twitter
• Not being able to reach the popcorn from the very comfortable position you are in
• Finding out that Tim Tebow and Taylor Swift are dating
• The bad hair day you had in September
• The AWFUL school picture from 7th grade
• When communists arrive in the summer house
• The death of your three times removed second aunt's birthmom's pet goldfish
• The fact that you are paler than the moon
• Reading this obnoxious post, which you though would be very serious
• Your best friend calling you "mom" on accident
• Being stuck behind the ice cream truck in traffic
• Having Friday by Rebecca Black stuck in your head

If you have any more ideas, feel free to tweet them to me @MadeleineIs3rd with hashtag #getoverit. :) Any more, and we will include them in another piece.

Now go out there, and GET OVER IT!