busy, busy

Senior class play

driving lessons

craft sale

Thanksgiving Day celebration

board meetings

fund raisers

college applications

tennis practice

discipleship groups

food fair

track meets

welcome back party

not to mention actually being at school for classes!
Super busy, super fun.

♥, Lauren

- I still manage to be fascinated at God's awesome will for our lives.
- He never gives us more that we can handle.
- And those big challenges that seem to be hurled at us... we are prepared in small steps for them.
- Although the tasks set before us can be very difficult and seemingly impossible, we must always remember that Jesus will provide us with the strength that we do not have on our own.
- Prayer is always the key in any circumstance. Being a teenage girl, I love to talk, and i've found that God is the One who always listens.
- Today's society asks us to have open minds. While this can be considered either positive or negative, may we continually have open hearts.


[Since I refused to write anything more for our prayer letters, I decided to write a few thoughts on the blog.
Disclaimer: Most of you will not fully understand the circumstances surrounding these thoughts, so just take them generally.
♥, Lauren]

A Living Example

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

As we were cleaning the house on Saturday, a loud knock on the door got our attention. We were so happy to find Sarah and Joshua waiting to greet us! The girls quickly ushered them in, served a mineral, and we began chatting. My heart overflowed with joy as I just stared at Joshua's deep dimples and listened to his belly laughs. A week before I wasn't sure if I would ever experience them again...as he was in some unknown place with kidnappers.

Why do I continue to share Joshua's story? Because he is a living example of 1 Timothy 4:12. During his captivity, he woke every morning at 4 am to sing praises and pray. He even asked his kidnappers to join him. When the men called his father, they asked for prayers that they would not continue living in their sin. They said they were worn down from Joshua's continued prayers. Little Joshua.....What an example!

My heart overflows with thanksgiving.

So Thankful For.....

*America - my home country
*a husband who is full of integrity and unconditional love
*music...of all kinds to fit my many, ever-changing moods
*a home filled with laughter
*an almost teen daughter who is learning to cook...and willing to share what she makes
*the internet which helps me stay in touch
*faithful supporters who bring such encouragement through letters, prayers, finances, and care packages
*friends who help me conjugate verbs for a good laugh
*special places I go to spend time all alone
*my 'baby' who dissects snakes with her pocket knife and yet still loves to cuddle
*students I call friends
*grace that cost Him so much
*a successful bore hole dig
*Nigeria - the country I call home
*a daughter who loves deeply, still
*and the blessing of another year of life.

International Food Fair

The school's biannual food fair was held on Saturday. Injera, schwarmas, jollof rice, samosas, falafel, pastries, hot dogs, snow cones, and cotton candy were some of the highlights. Proceeds of the sale will help school projects and scholarships. We had a good time eating different foods and enjoying the company of friends.

Safe

Joshua is now with his father and heading home! Details aren't real clear, but the father has been able to get Joshua from the kidnappers and is bring him home right now! We are SO very thankful and relieved. Thank you for your many prayers. We are shedding tears of JOY!

Freedom Excursion

After a difficult week of classes, ACT tests, and progress reports, we were in great need of some fun. We loaded up the van and went out to eat and then up to my favorite hang out.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

Please pray for the safe and immediate release of Joshua, a 4 year old boy we love so very much. He was kidnapped from school yesterday. Pray for his family's comfort and wisdom as they go through this most difficult time.

Track Meets

Each weekend we've been watching track meets. Categories include long distance runs, sprints, hurdles, relay, long jump, shot put, discus, javelin, and high jump.
This weekend is the largest meet...multiple schools have come in for the events.