Picture credit

The snow here is melting. The sun is shining. The grass is green!!

...What a tease. :P

Have a happy new year everyone! :D

Beauty Will Rise

This CD, Beauty Will Rise, from Steven Curtis Chapman, is the most incredible collection of music I have ever heard. Words can't even describe the beauty of this album... From first song to last, it's like listening to a story play out.

When his little girl, Maria Sue, died in a tragic accident, Steven Curtis Chapman channeled his pain, his thoughts, his hope, into his music. Thus, this album was born.

I remember the first time I listened to it the whole way through; it was such an intense emotional experience. I was laying on my bed, in the dark with my headphones in, just listening to the words. Each song is so impactful, with so much emotion poured into it. There were moments while listening where I just couldn't help but sob; other moments simply required silence, and recognition. And then there were the truly beautiful moments, the glimpses of joy and hope that provoked smiles and even a tiny laugh here and there.

The layout of this album is so...real. Yeah, I know, that sounds funny. But what I mean is, it starts out with so much hurt, so much pain that you can't help but to feel it with Steven as he sings. But by the very last song, you realize that the hope, and the promise of seeing his Maria Sue again outweighs the pain. By the end, you've heard the faith that Steven has, that leads him to sing out "You are faithful", "I will trust You", to our Savior. The very last song, "Spring is Coming" is just the most perfect ending to this album; it's uplifting, and tells of how spring is coming! The darkness and dreariness cannot last forever...and we have the promise that spring is coming.

This CD is like a book of psalms...and the words are wonderful. There have been so many times where I've been feeling down, or negative, or whatever, and like a Bible verse would pop into your head, so do Steven's words.

Give this album a try; you won't regret it. ;)

"I mean, that's all any of us wants: to find a nice person to hang out with till we drop dead. That's not a lot to ask!"

-Lorelai Gilmore

Amen, sista friend.

I looove Gilmore Girls. It's pretty much the only good thing on TV ;)

"Over the mysteries of female life there is drawn a veil best left undisturbed."

I absolutely adore this movie. And the fact that right after John Brooks says that quote ^^^ the scene goes to the girls dressed up and play-acting, being completely silly!

This has been one of, if not, my favorite movie for as long as I can remember. I find it fascinating...and I'm always envious of the relationship the sisters have: they're the very best of friends, who share their "most appalling secrets", and are constantly playing, despite their mature ages. I just love getting pulled into their story, and laughing with them, crying with them.

"Doesn't he have a noble brow? If I were a boy, I'd want to look just like that."

Embrace Life

So I saw this a while ago, and found it to be so incredibly "Wow!". I love love love it.
Seriously, watch it. It's so impactful.
Oh, and make sure your sound is on ;)

An Idea...

I like the idea of sharing little things I find inspiring, or touching, or whatever...So I think I just might change the focus of this blog to things more like that. I mean, I'll still share little moments that are all ME every now and then...but I'm going to make a point of posting at least once a day something I find snazzy. A video, a song, a quote...This is also a good way for me to actually have a little bit of dedication when it comes to blogging!

I'm also working on tweeking my blog layout...fun fun!

So yeah! Enjoy, my very few followers ;D

-Lauren

"I finally understood what true love meant...love meant that you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be."

-Nicholas Sparks, Dear John

" 'It isn't Narnia, you know," sobbed Lucy. 'It's you. We shan't meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?'

'But you shall meet me, dear one,' said Aslan.

'Are-are you there too, Sir?' said Edmund.

'I am,' said Aslan. 'But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there. "

Voyage of the Dawn Treader? So so so so good. Intense. But had so many moments that gave me chills...

Beautiful, beautiful.

You're Beautiful by Phil Wickham

I found this song and simply fell in love. It's so incredibly beautiful...One of the comments on the Youtube video of it says "Learn this song if you don't know it yet, because we will sing it together on that day!". How awesome is that?

When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing
You're beautiful.

A Mother's Hope

The sky has burst into a million vibrant colors, as the sun departs, and nighttime draws in. It is a beautiful sight that sets a feeling of awe into anyone who takes it in...So glorious, a little hint of what God is capable of.

Yet there, on the lush green hillside, sits a young woman whose tears distract her from the beauty before her. She's come out here to be alone; to get away from the noise of life. But with the absence of noise has come the overwhelming pain...thoughts of her baby girl flood her mind: images of her chocolate brown eyes, her tiny hands and feet; the sound of her first cry; the months of holding her inside of her belly, feeling her hiccup and kick!

The young woman holds her head in her hands, the tears streaming between her fingers...I just want my little girl here in my arms.

Up in Heaven, there's a little girl sitting on a beautiful man's lap. He bounces her on his knee, and she giggles hysterically. But suddenly, a look of worry comes over her angelic face. "Jesus, why is my Mommy so sad?" she asks him, her voice full of concern. "Well," he begins in a gentle voice, "she misses you, and sometimes wishes that you were with her, instead of here with me."

The girl's eyes grow wide. "But I love it here!! It's so pretty, and there are other little kids to play with, and you're here!!" she says, with a tone that conveys that she believes that this is the obvious answer.

"I know that," he says, "and your mommy knows that too. It's just that there are some days where she feels sad that she's not getting to celebrate your birthdays, see you grow up, or even just hold you in her arms!", he squeezes her tight to him, forcing another fit of giggles out of the girl. After she's settled, he looks into her brown eyes, a warm smile on his face.

"But Mommy's going to see me again! Daddy too! Oh, I can't wait until they're here with us!!" she hops off of his lap, and dances around, throwing her arms in the air in excitement. Abruptly she stops, and looks up into his kind face. "But, I wish Mommy realized that more. Then she would never have to be sad! Because I'm right here, waiting for her and Daddy! I don't want her to cry...I didn't go far."

Back down on that green hillside, the young woman lifts her head, the tears coming to a sudden stop. She looks around her, but finds that she's alone; that's funny. She could've sworn she heard a little girl's voice, right next to her.

A blanket of peace now surrounds her...she's surprised at it. Just a moment ago, she had been so upset, so brought down...but it's as if an angel had come and whispered encouragement to her soul.

She stands up to walk back to the house, just down the hillside, wiping the tears from her face. As she's walking, a smile lights up her face, for a magnificent image has popped into her head: her little girl being bounced on her Savior's lap.

For Jackie and Lacey

A Name Above All Names...

At our church, our pastor encourages us to prayerfully pick a name of Jesus to focus on for the year. I've never done this before, but I've also never been as serious about my relationship with Jesus as I am now.

I've been thinking about it, and praying about it for a few weeks now, and I've picked my name:

Beloved Bridegroom.

Now, that name doesn't appear in that exact phrasing in the Bible; it's a combination that I feel is just all too perfect, at least for me, at this moment in my life.

See, I've been struggling with worrying about the man God has for me, and worrying about when it's going to happen, if it's going to happen...over the past two years, it's definitely something that's caused me a ridiculous amount of stress! (which in itself is ridiculous, considering I'm only 17!)

But I've come to the point where I realize, I need to "let go, and let God". I need to chill out, and leave it up to Him! And I need HIM to be my ultimate focus, no one else.

The name "Beloved Bridegroom" was actually inspired by the song "Beloved" by Tenth Avenue North, which is an incredibly beautiful song, that tells of how we are His beloved, and how He truly loves us, and holds us close to His heart. And I thought...if I am that to Him, shouldn't He be that to me?

The bridegroom part is obvious: Jesus compares us to his bride, and he as our bridegroom, and considering my worrying and fretting over who I'll marry and such, what better name? What better promise than the one that HE is our bridegroom, and loves us more than a husband ever could?

Therefore, "beloved bridegroom" was born. And they fit together perfectly! The goal of this name is that over the next year, I will really, truly learn to think of Jesus as my Beloved Bridegroom...and that I will hold him very dearly to my heart, as he holds me dearly to his.

A rant about...hair?

So last week, I made a realization: things are changing in my life. Subtley, over the past few weeks, things have just become . . . kindof drastically different. So of course, what is my immediate thought? Life changes call for another type of change: a hair change!!!
So of course, I decide to go crazy. Cut off a few inches, go for bangs (I haven't had bangs since I was super little). So for about a week, I beg my mother to take me to get it done. Finally, yesterday morning, we go to the hair salon. I explain to the nice lady what I want done, she seems to think she can do it, and off she goes! I'm super happy, anticipating a fun new hairdo, until I look up into the mirror. And then...my eyes get wide. My jaw drops. My stomach is filled with angry butterflies. Horrific memories of the haircut I had the summer after freshman year fills my mind: short. Short, short, short. She has cut my hair horribly short.
I make a quiet protest; "It's too late!" she says. So, I endure the next 20 minutes of the haircut with a smile, trying extremely hard not to upset the hairdresser.
Later on, we get home, and I mess with my hair, styling it as best as it can be styled...and the tears start coming. My goodness, the tears. It was ridiculous. I kept on thinking "It looks like I got gum in my hair and had to chop it all off!!"
All the while, through the tears, I keep thinking "You're being ridiculous. It's just HAIR. Not to mention, you're being totally vain..." Well, that's a humbling thought! And true. I mean, I was seriously crying about a bad haircut?
Well, yes. Yes, I was. But I learned something: headbands and a positive attitude can fix just about anything. :) Life is so much more than a bad haircut...

Day Seven!

Four things people do that you hate

1. Um...hmm. Be openly hypocritical.
2. Put up super dramatic Facebook statuses!! "My life is terrible. I just wish he would text me." Ok, ok, I understand that you're going through a sad time...but don't be so dramatic about it! And...don't advertise it on Facebook. :/
3. Wear nasty clothes. AKA tiny little shorts, super low shirts...wow. Maybe that sounds judgmental... but it's so unnecessary. And it can't be comfortable!! Ya know?
4. Bite their nails. I can't stand seeing people bite their nails...it makes me cringe!

Day Six

Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever)

1. Emily
2. Alyssa
3. my mom ;D
4. my Nan
5. Abby

Day Five

Six things you wish you'd never done

(while I'm not much of a regrets person, I can still think of a few)

1. I really wish I hadn't eaten all of those bubble gum jelly beans over the span of those few days when I was like, 5 years old...It's traumatized me for life. I still get nauseous 12 years later just thinking about them... *gag*

2. I wish that I would've made better choices with the books I bought when I worked at a bookstore, and got a nice little discount. Booo

3. I still feel kindof bad when I think about the 6th grade. Ha! But really. I was...kindof...mean :o

4. Watched/read scary things when I was younger.

5. Ah. Here's one. Very serious...Once, in FYE, there was an Alice in Wonderland snuggie. I still, to this day, many moons later, wish I had bought that snuggie. *sigh*

6. I wish I had never gotten sick of Dr. Pepper. I really liked it, ya know? But I drank so much of it, that it finally started to taste like cough syrup...blech!

Day Four

Seven things that cross your mind a lot

1. I'm sooo tired

2. Wow, the sky is so beautiful!! (I think that just about anytime I go outside)

3. I really need to get some schoolwork done.

4. It's time to go to a different country ;)

5. I need to get a job.

6. I just love (insert person on mind's name here)

7. "I am so irritated." (this is something I desperately need to work on)

Day Three

Eight Ways to Win Your Heart

1. God comes first and foremost, obviously ;)

2. Be a good listener...not just a good talker.

3. Don't be arrogant.

4. Don't EVER touch my Cocoa Pebbles. For real.

5. Sing!

6. Umm...be clean?

7. Be good with little kids!

8. Smile, laugh, be contagiously happy!

Day Two

Nine things about yourself

1. I sometimes feel like I've grown up too fast.

2. Everyday I read the LoveGivesMeHope and GivesMeHope websites. I love them!

3. I often wish that I were a better big sister.

4. I write constantly; and when I'm not writing, I'm thinking about writing. It's my vent.

5. I'm so skilled at hiding my thoughts and feelings. Like, I should work for the CIA or something.

6. I'm a cryer. Crier? I don't know how to spell that. In other words, I cry. About just about anything. Especially if I get frustrated; cue the waterworks.

7. I love looking back and seeing how very much my life has changed these past few years, and seeing God's hand in my life.

8. I truly believe that God has someone for me...and I've learned that it is possible to be in love with someone you've never met ;)

9. I know that I've been called to GO, in one way or another. And I so can't wait to get out there and GO!!

Day One

Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now:

1. You will never be anything less than beautiful to me.

2. I so badly wish that you would realize that He is ALL we need.

3. There are days where I wish we were still friends...but then I remember how different we are, and how my life has changed so much for the better, and that going back would do no good.

4. I'm really afraid I screwed things up with us. Which is so crappy, because we could've been great.

5. Thank you for letting me be me; for letting me make my own choices; for letting me follow His plan for my life with your blessing. That means SO much

6. You're my best friend. We share the same thoughts, the same laughs, the same tears, heck, I'm pretty sure we're just like, the same person. Thanks for always being here.

7. You were always my hero growing up. Now I realize that you're not what I thought you were...which is so disappointing.

8. I try so hard to be patient; I'm always here for you. But every once in a while, it'd be nice if you could be here for me too.

9. You are so inspiring.

10. Thank You for always being there to pick me up when I fall, even when I least deserve it. I cannot wait for the day when I'll see You face to face :)

Ten Days!

Wow. I am a failure at blogging. Seriously.
Anyways. Maybe this will give me a good, new start! I'm going to do a 10 day blogging challenge, which should be fun! I love stuff like this. So I will commit! And perhaps it will get me into the spirit of blogging! So here it is:
Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now
Day Two: Nine things about yourself
Day Three: Eight ways to win your heart
Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot
Day Five: Six things you wish you'd never done
Day Six: Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever)
Day Seven: Four things that people do that you hate
Day Eight: Three things that people do that you love
Day Nine: Two smileys that define your life right now
Day Ten: One confession

A Memorable Guy

A year ago today (well, June 30th, that is), my 19 year old cousin Adam went home to be with his Savior, after a car accident. I remember that day, and those following very vividly...

When I was little, Adam was just another big brother to me. We'd bury each other in the sand, play hide-and-seek, watch movies on rainy days. When I think back to being a little girl, it's him and my actual older brother Tyler who pop into my mind as my friends and playmates. Adam and I would always make fun of each other; with a few moments of physical abuse here and there (memories of getting slammed into lockers at school come to mind). It's funny how

you can not realize how much you really love someone until they're gone. I loved my big brother very much, and I miss him: his obnoxious laugh; the smirk that was always on his face, no matter what. I even kindof miss getting kicked in the shin pretty much every time I saw him! Jerk.

But ya know, when he died, I didn't cry a single tear for him. Nope. Not a one. On the 4th of July, just a few days after he passed away, as I sat and watched the fireworks with my family, I found myself thinking "Adam's never gonna get to see fireworks again...", but that thought was immediately replaced with a grin when I thought of what my brother was seeing on that day, and has seen every day since. No, I didn't cry for my cousin, and still don't. Rather, I'm constantly finding myself envying him! You see, my big brother knew the Truth...and is walking with Him now on streets paved with gold. No, I don't cry for him. And I don't cry for my

loss either; I know I'll see him again someday. I'll be walking those streets with him.

So here's to my big brother. The one with the vibrant smile and the cocky attitude. The one who told us to "live life with no regrets". The one who did THE most random and obnoxious things ever. Ha! His are footprints on our hearts that we won't be forgetting anytime soon.

"When we walk through life's darkest valleys, we will look back at all You have done...and we will shout, our God is GOOD, and HE is the faithful one!"

things that make me smile :D

~Rainbows after a spring rain
~Giggling!!
~Gazing at the awesomeness of the night sky
~Christian concerts!
~Thoughts of graduation…mmm
~The feeling of getting into a heated car in the middle of winter

~Sitting on the beach listening to the waves crash onto the sand
~Super-late night conversations
~Laughing so hard it hurts
~The little moments of warmth from the sunshine on a breezy day
~Sitting in a hammock swing with a good book on a sunny afternoon ;)
~The sound of waterfalls
~Inside jokes!
~MR PERSCH!! (refer to last)
~When someone plays with your hair :D
~Cotton candy skies
~Finding money in your pockets
~Packing your bags to go somewhere exciting
~Jesus music!
~Singing insanely loud and ridiculously in the car
~Cherished memories that you wouldn’t trade for anything
~Bare feet on grass :)
~That nervy “I’m gonna puke” feeling. The good version!! Hahha
~Laying on the trampoline (safe, away from bugs), looking at the stars
~Pugs!
~British accents. Awe yeah.
~Screaming and laughing hysterically when bats decide to take a sip of the pool at night
~Dreams you don’t want to wake up from
~Making forts out of blankets and pillows :D
~The way Forrest says "Jenny"
~“As you wish”
~Chocolate cereal! Duh
~Pushing the little buttons on a soft drink lid
~Orange Tic-Tacs…
~Biting the heads off of animal-shaped food. Heh heh
~Popping bubble-wrap!
~That feeling of accomplishment you get when you’ve just carried something really heavy (despite the immense physical pain you’re now in)
~Boys with blue eyes ;)
~Blue eyes in general…
~Putting olives on your fingers and eating them one by one!
~Disney princes :D
~When someone gives you a nickname you actually like
~Waking up in a good mood
~Google!
~The 24-pack of Sharpies :D
~Fireworks
~Knowing you’ll see him again someday
~Blankets that just came out of the dryer!
~“If you’re a bird, I’m a bird…”
~Seeing someone you’ve missed
~Making shapes out of clouds
~Mark Hall’s voice. Don’t know what it sounds like? Look it up :D
~LAUGHTER!!!
~Love songs :)
~Big brothers; both biological and not ;)
~Watching the world come back to life after a long winter
~Handwritten letters
~Crayons!
~Newborn puppies. Newborn babies. Newborn kittens. Newborn anything! But not bugs. No, never bugs.
~Harmonizing
~Blowing bubbles
~The smell of fresh cut grass
~Catching lightning bugs
~The moment you realize you’re OLDER than some of the American Idol contestants?!?!
~Thunderstorms
~Talking animals. Heh heh
~Irish accents
~“Don’t let the balloon touch the ground!!”
~Seeing an old couple holding hands
~That feeling when you wake up, and the horrible, horrible sunburn you had doesn’t hurt anymore. Ah.
~The feel of a really smooth pen on paper
~Discovering new music
~Getting woken up in spring by birds singing :)
~Getting to know another person’s tones of voice, facial expressions, mannerisms…
~Burnt marshmallows!!
~Songs that tell a story
~Being home alone and belting out random songs as you go throughout the house
~Chocolate-covered strawberries
~Singing for Jesus :D
~Spontaneously, yet casually, jumping into the pool at night when you’re already in your pj’s :D
~Purple pen ink
~Competitive Easter egg hunting. Heh heh
~The smell of books!
~Laughter through tears
~The way the sky is a million colors when the sun is setting
~The one-eyebrow lift :D
~Those moments in the middle of the night when EVERYTHING is hysterically funny
~Holding a newborn baby
~Those nights when the moon is so bright, you can literally see everything
~Happy endings ;)

(This list is mostly my own with a little help from some friends here and there. Enjoy!)

Sunshine and "Hello"s :D

The first day of summer... The trees outside my window are bathed in golden sunlight; The birds are out singing their melodies, flitting from tree to tree; The air is HOT, forcing thoughts of swimming pools and orange popsicles to enter my mind (that's right, orange. It's the best!). A friend of mine once said "Sunny days are like a big warm hug from God". How awesome is that?? Well, anyways. Here in lovely PA, nature is living up to its own little day of official recognition...and it's living up to it beautifully.

So I suppose I should give you an introduction, eh? Simple enough.

Hello there! My name is Lauren. I'm 17 years old, but I'm not your typical American teenager... in fact, I'm pretty sure I was born in the wrong generation. I'm a poet, a singer, a dreamer, a wisher, a thinker... I have so much hope and faith that it freaks people out sometimes. Music is therapy to me... But above all else, I am truly falling in love with my Jesus more and more everyday. I go against the grain of this world...and live for the day when I'll finally get to meet Him face to face. :)

I'm starting this blog simply because I love to write! I'm not a brilliant writer, not even close. But I don't love it any less. So in this blog, you'll basically be getting a preview of my thoughts, along with some creative writing here and there. But overall, I can hopefully share some of the passion I have for my one true love, Jesus Christ. In these past few months, he has become incredibly important to me...He has, and still is, changing me from the inside out. Thus the meaning behind the title of this blog that you've stumbled upon: Everything is Different. Because everything truly is different, now that I've really found my Jesus. So along with my random thoughts and ramblings, maybe I can help you to see Jesus as I see him. :D