TGIF!

TGIF! TGIF! TGIF! TGIF! TGIF! TGIF! TGIF!

TGIF! everybody!!!!! Hope you've had a great week........I have! We had Praise Team Practice last night---it was nice to be back with the "gang" and we had a lot of fun praisin' the Lord too! GO GOD! (We missed Sylvia, too!)

Tonight (Friday) our niece, Portia, graduates from OHS, and then this weekend, our nephew, Adair, graduates from FHS. Busy times......busy people.

It never ceases to amaze me, though, in the middle of this thing we call "life", there are so many "God-moments" and times to share our faith in the day-to-day things around us----everyday! Many call this "Lifestyle Evangelism" and it will be seen and heard more (whether good or bad) so much more than the sermons in our churches on Sunday. Don't get me wrong, I do think that we need our churches, but many people just want to GO to church.......we are to BE the church. Amen. It's all about the Kingdom of God and not a church building. It's a Kingdom-thing. The revival taking place in Lakeland, FL is an outpouring, that is to be taken out into the streets.....the highways and by-ways of life and shared with all people. God is doing incredible things in these days, and we need to use the gifts, talents and abilities, as well as just pray that we have spiritual eyes to see, and a spirit of Isaachar, to know ~~~ these times and what, when and how to do what God has not only called but created us to do. It may seem "foolish", but that is okay. It may not make sense to us at the time......that is okay, too. As my pastor says, "JUST DO IT!" Go for it!!!

I challenge you to look for the opportunities today and the days ahead for times that God wants you to step-out and step-up to the plate and share Him with others, do something for others --- with every word, deed --- not only in your actions, but your re-actions. It may seem like just some little something to you, but it may mean so much more to someone else. The world is watching and waiting for us to BE the Church. JUST DO IT!

God's love & mine,

Nonnie

aka Lauren

Shout out to the Graduates

Hey everybody! The week is nearly over (amazing!!!). Anyway, I want to send a shout out to two more graduates.........our niece, Portia Grant graduates on Friday night from O'Donnell High School and our nephew Adair Stoerner graduates Sunday afternoon from Frenship (Wolfforth) High School. Way to go!

Clay & I are FINALLY gonna be back "in-town" and back at our home-church this weekend. YEAH! Really excited and "pumped" about that one. It feels like it has been an eternity, because we have had several out-of-town and I have been on-call several weeks now in a row. LCF rocks!!! (our church) I think we will be in-town for the next two weeks, and then back out to Ruidoso, the weekend of the 14th for Clay's birthday.

We got 2 1/2 inches of rain at our house on Wednesday night (and some hail). THANK YOU, LORD! \o/ We still need some planting rain at Clay's parents home, though. They guys are really busy in the field. Keep the farmers lifted up for safety during these days of long work (and for continued rain, too). I think Clay's is only going to have to re-plant one field (and possibly another, but they'll give it a day or two and look at it again probably about Saturday).

My mom had a little eye surgery this week, and she seems to be doing better. PRAISE GOD! She'll stay home, here in West Texas for at least another week or so, before heading back to Ruidoso, New Mexico.

That is really about all that I know. Keep on pressing into the Lord, and living life LARGE and advancing the Kingdom! GO GOD!

God's love & mine,
Nonnie
aka Lauren

The Rebel (Re-Blog)

Here is another re-blog from Ambs' pastor, Mark Batterson, the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington DC (I LOVE THIS ONE!!!)

~God's love & mine,

Nonnie

aka Lauren

**********************************************

I was reading a Fast Company article about the way Microsoft is trying to re-image itself. They've hired an ad agency called Crispin Porter + Bogusky. Creative genius, Alex Bogusky, made one of those statements I can't get out of my mind: "Life conspires to beat the rebel out of you."

It's true isn't it?

One of the things I love about Jesus is that He remained the rebel his entire life. He didn't bow to the Pharisees. He didn't bow to Pilate. Truth is, He didn't bow to anyone except His Heavenly Father. That is what it means to be a spiritual rebel.

In the words of Dorothy Sayers: "To do them justice, the people who crucified Jesus did not do so because he was a bore. Quite the contrary; he was too dynamic to be safe. It is has been left for later generations to muffle up that shattering personality and surround him with an atmosphere of tedium. We have declawed the Lion of Judah and made him a housecat for pale priests and pious old ladies."

Booyah!

More Deck Pics

Views of the new deck of Casa Shalom, in the beautiful mountains of New Mexico (built in just 4 days by my hubby, Clay, our brother-in-law, Bill, and Clay's sister, Kathy and myself-----mainly the guys, and Kathy pitched in a lot too).

VIEW from the forest floor, looking up (in the eastern direction):

View from on the deck, looking toward the open-sky (southern end) of the deck:

View from the entrance onto the deck, looking in the northern direction, where the table and chairs are (and this 2/3 of the deck is covered, as you can see):

One of the views from the deck, down onto the forest floor. GO GOD!!!

Have a super-blessed and SUPERNATURAL week!

God's love & mine,

Nonnie

aka Lauren

P.S. ~ In case you are wondering, the deck measures 12 feet from the trailer door out (westward) and 26 feet from north to south long. The northern end is 6ft x 10ft (so the deck is not a plain square, is what I am saying here). You get the picture, anyway......yes, a pun was intended......so laugh! LOL!!!

Gotta go to bed!

Deck Building

Well, we got the deck built this long holiday weekend. Check it out for yourself.....

BEFORE
(on Thur, 5/22/08):

& AFTER

(on Sun, 5/25/08):

Hey everybody!

Well, we made it back in from a 3-day visit to Casa Shalom (in the beautiful mountains of New Mexico). Wanted to show you (first) a few pics of the inside of our 33 foot 5th-wheel. Here they are:

THE DINING AREA:

THE LIVING ROOM:

THE BEDROOM: (w/Queen-size bed)

This is our home away from home!

God's love & mine,

Nonnie

aka Lauren

Quick Post

Just a quick post to everybody! Hope you have had a very blessed and great week.........I have! (It has been busy, but good). Clay is out at Ruidoso, and I am on my way later today to join him there. WOO HOO! (Can't wait!!!). Pray for traveling mercies. Thanks!

My niece, Jessica Eaker, graduated from Farmington High School last night. I didnt' get to be there, but I am sooooo proud of her. Our other niece, Portia Grant, will graduate from O'Donnell High School next Friday, and then our nephew, Adair Stoerner, will graduate from Frenship High School next Sunday. WHEW! Lots of grads! We are soooooooo proud of them all.

A Prayer Request:
LAMESA SCHOOLS - a threat has been made that a gang from Lubbock is coming to town to “shoot up” the high school (gang wars). They were to arrive today (Thursday, 5/22/08) or tomorrow (Friday, 5/23/08). This is a valid threat. They did not come today (5/22). Please pray for protection (for all) and for God's Divine Intervention that will even further usher in the Kingdom of God into Lamesa and Dawson County. GO GOD!!! We know that with GOD .....ALL THINGS are possible! ..... and that He can take things that were intended for bad, and turn them right around into something marvelous.......even miraculous! WOO HOO! \o/

This is the town that I work in, it is my hometown AND it is the town where Clay & I go to church. Anyway, our Church (Lamesa Christian Fellowship) and Pray Dawson County have "staked claim" to the County and our schools, and satan has no place to come in there and especially to wreak havoc. God, we declare and decree that those things that have already been claimed for the Kingdom of God, will not be "invaded" by the darkness......in Jesus' name! Yesterday there were cops EVERYWHERE (Praise God! for them, and pray for their continued protection) and things in town were a little tense. Pray not only for God's protection, but His peace!

Peace to you and yours and God's richest blessings!

God's love & mine,
Nonnie
aka Lauren

Sharing thoughts rollin' through my head.....

Hey everybody......

It's been a while since we just sat down and ......well......chatted.

I have a few thoughts rolling through my head (yeah, scary, huh!?! LOL!!!). I was reflecting back on the events of the last year or so that Clay and I have been through.....the good and the not-so-good. They have ALL been growing times, though and learning times. Thank You, Lord!
I was thinking about how to effectively minister to others and what has brought me comfort and been "good" and what has not. So, just from my own experiences (yes, these may or may not relate to you.....we are all created differently..........UNIQUE!)..........anyway, through those uphill times as I will call them, I had some "church-friends" as we will say, that are looked up to as mature Christians (really, that is only for God to decide, huh!?! and really doesn't matter). Anyway, they came to us and spoke some real "churchy" answers that seemed empty and compassion-less. They brought no comfort, and on some fronts, to someone going through a dark time, sometimes felt like condemnation......that somehow we (and me myself) didn't have enough faith, etc. But, there were others, and many were NOT Christians, or would be considered what we churchy-people call, "Baby Christians" that were just real, some cried with me, some held me, others just let me "vent", etc. They didn't necessarily offer any "solutions", but they were so full of compassion and this brought GREAT comfort to me and to Clay. That has brought me to the conclusion, that sometimes we let RELIGION (yes, I still hate that)----which is man's rules and regulations in their attempt to reach God---present something that has no compassion or comfort for the individual, while others, were just there and REAL. Thank You, God.
I am encouraging us ALL (myself, especially included) to show compassion to ALL our brothers and sisters, regardless of whether or not they go to church, live a lifestyle like your own, etc. When we truly learn to LOVE each other with God's unconditional love, we, just by that very lifestyle evangelism will win the world to Christ. (Many times without even uttering a single word.)
Think about it!

God's love & mine,
Nonnie
aka Lauren

NCC Re-Blog

Here is a GREAT Re-Blog from Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor of NCC: (NOTE: He is at a conference with Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church & Author of the Purpose Driven Life).

Really enjoyed sitting around a round table with a group of pastors from across the country and talking with Rick Warren. Just thought I'd share a few things that made my synapses fire in new ways.
Rick is the king of one-liners! Has a unique way of saying so much with a few words.
"Every conflict is the byproduct of immaturity."
"You cannot have control and growth."
"Art needs a frame."
"Be a proponent of the new not an opponent of the old."
One of the things we talked about was the importance of decentralization. He talked about Saddleback's transition from a mid-week service where about 1000 people would attend to small groups. They have 26,000 people plugged into 3400 small groups that span a 100 mile stretch from LA to San Diego. That is the power of decentralization.
I think multi-site is another dimension of decentralization. Launching locations keeps you from becoming too centralized. Another topic that came up was criticism. Rick made some fascinating observations. We live in a day and age when anybody can say anything and the criticism is global, instant, and permanent thanks to Google. Rick shared some wise advice.
"If you wrestle with a pig you'll both get dirty."
"Define yourself or others will."
"Bless those who curse you."
"Separate fact from opinion."
"Hurt people hurt people."
"Insults are insecurities."

Now, that is GOOOOOOD Stuff. Be blessed!

God's love & mine,
Nonnie
aka Lauren

Casa Shalom

Clay & I are safely back home from our weekend trips. I am including a picture of Casa Shalom in her new place, and YES we are building a deck onto the front side, so don't worry about the steep slope by the door. All is well, but thanks for your concern! LOL!!!

Have a super-blessed, SUPERNATURAL week..........I'm gonna!

God's love & mine,

Nonnie

aka Lauren

Casa Shalom

Well, Clay got Casa Shalom moved to her new, more secluded spot up in the mountains of Ruidoso. I am having a great time with my step-mom, Anna and Aunt ReRe in Arlington, TX. I will head home sometime Sunday afternoon. Hope you and yours have a super-blessed rest of your weekend.........I'm gonna!

God's love & mine,
Nonnie
aka Lauren

I was reading through Ambs' pastor's blog (yeah, Mark Batterson of National Community Church), and he said something that was worth repeating:

Change of pace + change of place = change of perspective

How true dat is! That is exactly what we have been experiencing, with "Casa Shalom". I hope that you take time to experience that as well. It is vital!

God's love & mine,
Nonnie
aka Lauren

TGIF!

Hey everybody!!!

Clay & his dad made it out to Ruidoso. (They are moving our trailer.....Casa Shalom......to a different spot in the park that will be more secluded and with a BEAUTIFUL view of the forrest). YEAH!!! They will be traveling back home today......so pray for traveling mercies for them.

I made it to Arlington. My aunt (my dad's sister) is here from Tupelo, staying with my step-mom. We always have a lot of fun together. WOO HOO!

My call week last week was interesting, but "do-able". Kinda got a little crazy at the end, but I survived. Thanks for your prayers for me.

Hope you have a TGIF and a fantastic weekend. I'm gonna!!!

God's love & mine,
Nonnie
aka Lauren

P.S. ~ Keep my pastor, Gwen Aldridge, in your prayers, as she is traveling to Colorado for a week of rest.

Another New Childress Zoo Addition

Hey everybody!

Well, we now have another new addition to the Childress Zoo..........

INTRODUCING, Wylie:

Yeppers, about a 5-week old coyote pup.

Clay ran across threee of them on the farm yesterday, and caught them. His sister has one, her name is Cheyenne, and his cousin is keeping the third one. Don't know where this will go, but I think we are starting to amasse animals for the ark. LOL! (We haven't started building the ark yet, either, by the way.)

We'll keep you updated.

God's love & mine,
Nonnie
aka Lauren

Another pic of Wylie (yes, on the bear-skin rug in our living room, and NO, we aren't keeping him inside, we just bring him inside......on a leash so he can't run off and under somewhere we can't get to him).

P.S. ~ In case you are wondering, he is about the size of a little chihuahua (right now, anyway). LOL!

DREAMS

REBLOG from Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor of National Community Church:

If ever there was a dreamer, His name is Jesus! And when we put our faith in Christ, we become part of the greatest dream ever dreamt--the redemption of humankind. Our Heavenly Father doesn't just want to save us from our sin. He wants to turn us into kingdom dreamers! And one way He does it is via the Holy Spirit conceiving God-ordained and God-sized dreams in us.

I just love that....... "Our Heavenly Father doesn't just want to save us from our sin, He wants to turn us into Kingdom-Dreamers." What are your dreams and hopes? I shared a few of mine last week with you......what are yours??? I read another devo today from Bob Gass Ministries:
"(1) Seek wise counselors. It's the last thing you'll feel like doing because misery loves company. But when you "Refuse good advice...your plans fail" (Pr 15:22 TM). In fact, "The more wise counsel you follow, the better" (Pr 11:14 TM). (2) Stop listening to your fears and listen to God: Standing among the ruins of his life, "David found strength in the Lord" (1Sa 30:6 NIV), and you will too!

Think about it! Find wise (and Godly) counselors and seek counsel and then STOP listening to your fears and listen to God. He will strengthen you. GO GOD!

You know, since we have started taking a few breaks here and there from "the normal routine and racing pace" and going to "Casa Shalom" in Ruidoso (read below, to find out what I'm talking about....LOL!).......I have to admit that my mind is clearer, and it strengthens me. I encourage you to find that place in your life, as well. I have heard a lot that Satan's biggest way to "wear us down" is keeping us busy! (BUSY = Being Under Satan's Yoke). We get distracted, discouraged, and depressed soooooooo easily when we are just busy-busy-busy AND we miss out on so many "surprises" in life that God has for us.....we just pass them by and don't even realize it (and others miss out, because we just pass them by).

SO, right now, wherever you are.....whoever you are.........take a couple of deep breaths. AAHHHH.......a couple of more..........LOOK for those special God-moments that He has all around you.......really seek HIS counsel and the counsel of other wise and Godly counselors......DREAM BIG! We miss out on so many things that God has for us and others because we don't dream big enough.......and take time to smell the roses all around you........and then finally, stop listening to your fears and listen to God. He will guide you, strengthen you, direct you and provide all you need to see those dreams turn into Truth.

WOO HOO! Have a super-blessed, SUPERNATURAL week! I'm gonna!

God's love & mine,
Nonnie
aka Lauren

G'Day!!!

\o/

Video of Britt getting ready for his party!

Quatro de Mayo

Last weekend, Ambs (our 23 year old daughter who lives in Washington DC) flew into Nashville (where our son and dtr-in-love live), for Britt's "Quatro de Mayo" party (they celebrated on Sunday instead of Monday). They had a ball, and I am attaching a picture of our son, Britt, they took.

Ideas & Wishes

Just wanted to share some of my ideas that I have.....
Kinda as a form of a prayer request, I guess.....

Anyway, I truly want to learn how to design websites......from start to finish, but have been unable to locate the right classes or person to sit down and help me, one-on-one. I am REALLY interested in learning Computer Graphic Design, but don't know where to go to get the help I need with this.

Please pray that God opens up the doors, and leads me to the folks that can help me with this.

I looked at some on-line classes, but they are expensive, and include a lot of stuff that I really don't need (and don't need to pay for). I really want to find SOMEONE that can sit down with me one-on-one and teach me. I am a fast learner, and very passionate about this. Thanks for your prayers!

God's love & mine,
Nonnie
aka Lauren

P.S. ~ My call-week is going GREAT! Keep up your prayers for a quiet call week (and weekend). PEACE BE STILL!

GO GOD!

REBLOG: Aesthetics

Aesthetics

By Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor of National Community Church

Washington DC

I was reading the latest issue of Fast Company and came across an article that inspired me. Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide are known for their extraordinary customer service. upscale hotels. Here are some of the ways they serve their guests and create a unique hotel experience.

They recently hired French Composer, Henri Scars Struck, to orchestrate a 24-hour soundtrack for their hotels so that their guests would be greeted by a melange of sounds. Sorry, couldn't resist using the word melange. Don't really know what it means or how to pronounce it. But I like it.

Their goal is to catch customers off guard. They want to surprise them. They actually hired a cultural curator whose job description is "to create unique experiences for the guest that stimulate all five senses."

One way they do that is with limited-edition key cards designed by artists such as Michael Lin and Sam Samore. The key cards double as free passes to a local art institution. Guests also get a complimentary copy of adult fairy tale book as a take-home souvenir. By the way, all employees from desk clerks to housekeepers are required to visit the art institution they send people to and familiarize themselves with the variety of artists partnering with Starwood.

Starwood has partnered with a perfume design team to create a unique scent for their lobby. And they have partnered with master chefs to create a unique menu.

Listen, that may sound extravagant. But what if we put half that effort in welcoming people into our worship environments? What I'm trying to say is this: aesthetics are important. If you don't believe me, then why are a dozen chapters in Exodus devoted to the aesthetics of the tabernacle. God is in the details. He details everything from the color of the curtains to the recipe for the incense!

I'm always trying to find ways to rethink everything we do at NCC. Articles like this help my synapses fire in new ways. Are we doing everything we can to create an optimal environment for worship and fellowship?

Dinner and a "Deer"

This is from our campsite in Ruidoso on Sunday night. As you can see the deer come right up to it, and we can sit outside, enjoy the beauty of the scenery and creatures. GO GOD! AWESOME!!!

God's love & mine,

Nonnie (aka Lauren)

Back home (again!)

Hey everybody!

Clay & I made it home (again) today from Ruidoso. We LOVE it up there! It is sooooooooooo peaceful and relaxing (and beautiful!!!). Attended Grace Harvest Church. It is a really nice church. They had a great service yesterday. We had 12 deer come right up to the trailer to eat last night. I will try & post a pic(s) soon. We are making new friends there and God is really opening up and even doing some "God-things", just like He always does. GO GOD!

Please pray PEACE BE STILL over my call week that starts tomorrow (Tuesday, 5/6). Thanks! God has already begun to work prayer out about my call week and I am so thankful for that. My mom, Kathy, sees an opthalmologist in Lubbock tomorrow about a problem she is having with one of her eyes. Pray for complete and DIVINE healing for her (and her foot that is giving her problems, too). Thanks!

We missed being at our home church this past weekend. Clay will be back with them this week, but I will be working. :(

Hope you all have a super-blessed, SUPERNATURAL week. I'm gonna!

God's love & mine,
Nonnie
aka Lauren

P.S. ~ Ambs (our daughter) had flown to Nashville to be with our son, Britt, this weekend, and she too has made it home safely. THANK YOU, LORD!