2015...

2015 had it's ups and downs, for sure, but all in all, It was a pretty good year.. In no particular order, here's my 2015..

I turned 16 and got my driver's license! (And yes, freedom is so, so sweet)

I took a trip to Pennsylvania and shopped at a 2 story Target!!

aka Heaven

I went to one of the most haunted places in America, Eastern State Penitentiary.

I decided that peaches are my favorite fruit, and green beans are my favorite vegetable.

I saw NeedToBreathe at the Ryman! They easily have some of the best voices I've ever heard.

I read Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury and cried to a fiction book for the first time. Well done, Mrs. Kingsbury

I got my first Chaco tan (insert heart eye emoji).

I watched the entire Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl series...

I saw Alan Jackson, who is i n c r e d i b l e. 

I bought my first pair of Jacks and Hunters!

I started taking up calligraphy, It's harder than it seems.

I went to Chicago, again, and got to tell some kiddos how much their Creator loves them.

I started taking Zumba classes and definitely now call myself a Zumba lover.

 I went hiking for the first time! I didn't hate it, but I don't think I'll go out hiking on my own..

I bought my first Lilly dress...LOVE.

and while I was discovering just how much I love Lilly, I went to their headquarters in King of Prussia.

I relearned that roller coasters are not really my thing. Too fast and too many chances of getting hurt.

I consistently held the B spot on my golf team, behind a senior.

I only got sunburned 6 times!!

I lead my first Bible study with some middle school girls.

I lost my hearing at Jason Aldean's Nashville stop.

I went to Vancouver and drank waaaay too much Tim Hortons.

I got the chance to work with Nashville's Lunch Box, a nonprofit ministry that feeds underpriviledged families in the metro-Nashville area.

I learned to play chess.

I got to hug this girl's neck after her OPRY DEBUT and album release.

I got to hear Taya Kyle (nd Marcus Luttrell) speak.

A lot happened in 2015. Lots of concerts, lots of conversations, and lots of coffee. 2015 had its ups and down, but most importantly, I really learned that it's okay to be me, and I wouldn't trade that for anything. 

It's okay that I like purple more than blue and 1 cream in my coffee. It's okay that I'd rather strength train than run. It's okay that I prefer mysteries to love stories.

It's okay to be me, and 2015 taught me that. 

May 2016 be YOUR year to discover who you are and to embrace all that comes with. Make a difference in 2016. Life is only what you make it after all.

love,

lauren

"'Maybe I don't want a happy new year,' she said. 'Maybe I want an intense new year with a lot of growth experiences,'" 

-StoryPeople

Christmas Eve 2015

It's Christmas Eve, ladies and gents!! How exciting!!

I may be 16, but I feel as though I'm 6. 

There's something about these few days of the year that set themselves apart from the rest. Maybe it's the family coming all together. Maybe it's the food. Maybe it's the refocus on the beauty of the Gospel.

Like each and every year before, my family attends our church's Christmas Eve candlelight service (yes, we all go to the same church, both Mom and Dad's side). And like every year, we sung Christmas carols and heard our pastor say "this is my favorite picture of the year," but like I've said a hundred other times, this year was different to me. 

As we lit the candles throughout the congregation, we sang "All Is Well" by Michael W. Smith. 

"For tonight darkness fell

Into the dawn of love's light"

When that baby was born in Bethlehem among donkeys and hay and dirty shepherds, love came down and the darkness that was there was taken over by this little bundle of joy.

When Pastor Mike lit the candle to that first deacon, the darkness that was there was taken over by this little light.

Light always overcomes the darkness In a little sanctuary. In a little barn. In the halls of your school. In the world. 

Light always overcomes the darkness. And that's worth celebrating, even if it is 70 and sunny.

Celebrate! The Light has come!

Merry Christmas,

Lauren

Little Drummer Boy

18 days until Christmas. I can not wait. As we've come into this Advent season, for the first time really, I've understood what this season is all about.

Yes, for the past 16 years of my life, I've known that Jesus was "born on Christmas" and that it's important because He offers us hope and redemption, but for the first time, I'm beginning to understand how great of a sinner I am and how badly I need Him. 

“Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.”

-Acts 17:25, HCSB

The song "Little Drummer Boy" came on the radio as I was driving to school this morning. This time, the words stuck out to me more than the "rum-pum-pum"s did, and I heard a beautiful story that we all can identify with. 

"'Come,' they told me...A newborn King to see"

There is a new King that everyone says I need to see.

"Our finest gifts we bring...to lay before the king."

We bring our best things to give Him.

"Little baby...I am a poor boy, too...I have no gift to bring...that is fit to give our King"

I do not have much. I don't even have a worthy gift to bring You.

Isn't that all of our stories?

I've been told of a king who has come to save me, and once I got there, I realized I didn't have anything to offer Him?

"Shall I play for you...on my drum?"

My drum is the best I have, so I am offering that to you.

Once we understand our inadequacies and begin to acknowledge just how little we are compared to Jesus, don't we all try to bring our best to the table? 

For this little boy, it was his drum, and later in the song, we learn that Mary lets him play his drum, and Jesus smiles and is pleased by it, even though it was just a song on a drum.

Jesus wants our best, no matter what it looks (or sounds) like.

 "He is neither served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and all things breath," but He wants us. He doesn't need us by any stretch of the imagination, but He, the maker of the universe, wants us despite what little we bring to the table.

I need Jesus daily. I need Jesus hourly. I need Jesus minutely. I need Jesus every second of every day of my entire life because I am so unworthy. Even though I am so unworthy, He still loves me unconditionally, so that is why I wait for His arrival.

-Lauren

Christmas

December,

I am SO happy to see you.

You bring my favorite weather, my favorite drinks, and my favorite music (not to forget my favorite holiday).

You're just totally lovely.

December brings many wonderful things, but really, December means it is now socially acceptable to play Christmas music. Since so many artists have Christmas albums and there's really only about 15 different Christmas songs, it makes it a little tricky to have a solid playlist without hearing the same song 3 times in a row by a different artist...So I decided to help you out. 

Here is my Christmas playlist for this year! 
(I had a little fancy widget on here, but I'm still trying to figure out this whole "HTML" thing.)

It's a tie between Shane and Shane's "A Worship Initiative Christmas," "Christmas With Scotty (McCreery)" and "On This Winter's Night" by Lady Antebellum for my favorite Christmas album, but "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" by Matt Maher is easily my favorite Christmas song. 

Considering this is me since December started, this is only fitting.

And remember, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

-Lauren

Vancouver

O Canada! O Canada!

I now understand and agree with this song. 

I. Love. Canada.

A few weeks, I was asked to go on a trip to Vancouver, Canada, I accepted, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. 

I went on a 5 person team to hang out with some friends who wok on a college campus. We worked in their offices, organizing and inventorying, and we also facilitated a staff retreat for them. Two from our team lead the retreat, while the rest of us provided childcare for their kids, so they could have the best atmosphere possible to focus and to learn. (The women were so so grateful for our services and it made me realize that I didn't ever think about church planters' difficulty finding childcare. When you think about it, who's going to leave their baby in a day care full of strangers in a foreign country? This detail made keeping the kiddos that much more challenging because they had never been away from Mom, but also really gave God a chance to work in our hearts to develop patience and trust for those around us.)

There's not much to share about the retreat itself, but there is so much to share about the trip.

Let's just jump straight to the mountains.

I go to the Smoky Mountains every year and their beauty is always astounding, but these mountains were different. Maybe because they had snow. Maybe because they were so big. Maybe because it was rainy. I don't know, but even in the fog and the cold, there was beauty all around us.

Snow topped mountains and trees, cascading waterfalls. I think there are few things that are prettier. 

Going back in chronological order..

We took off from Nashville early Tuesday morning at 6:00. After lots of turbulence, a connecting flight (that we almost missed) and Starbucks, we made it to Seattle, where we would drive over the border into Canada.

But what's the good in going to Seattle without stopping on Pike Street?

There's the Pike Place Fish Market, where they throw fish and sing. It's just a great atmosphere.

There's Pike's Place, the "original Starbucks." (The first one was actually at 2000 Western Avenue)

and the best Mexican salad I've ever had from a cute little shop named Michou.

There's just something about the people in Seattle that just look so put together. Even though it was rainy and gross, people still wore their pumps and fur jackets. In our tshirts and leggings, we looked only a little out of place..

After being tourists for a while, we made our way across the border and into our destination city.

While in the city, we visited some friends we have at a church up there and helped them with various things. In return, they took us to the International House of Gelato, and yes, it was every bit as glorious as it seems. 

218 flavors of gelato.

218 flavors means 218 samples only to decide to get the first that one you tried 💁🏼

A photo posted by Lauren Reed (@_laurenreed_) on Nov 4, 2015 at 11:23pm PST

Apple pie gelato brings the American delicacy to a whole new level honestly.

We also went to Granville Island. On Granville Island, there are a whole bunch of little touristy shops with souvenirs and snacks. We went to the public market that is also there with produce, coffee, and flowers.

Where I got the best bagel sandwich of my entire life. 

(This is the view from the dock and isn't it just so pretty) 

Vancouver is interesting..I didn't realize how culturally diverse it is. On every corner you turn, you see a different restaurant type, you hear a different language, you smell a new food. It's amazing. And to then realize that's exactly what Heaven is like is a humbling moment more than words can say.

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2:9-11

To actually facilitate the staff retreat, we went to Manning Park, where we literally went off the map. No TV. No internet. No cell service. Nada. And if we're being honest, it was actually kind of nice. 

It was a chance to realize just how entirely too consumed we are by wanting to be constantly connected. I had so many good moments with the Lord and His people while being disconnected that made me wonder how many moments I have missed out on before.

While we were off the grid, it snowed and you can bet that this girl built snowmen and had snowball fights with the kids.

We also made "fake snow" for the little boy's trucks to drive through from shaving cream and corn starch. 

It's literally just spray some shaving cream, add some corn starch, mix, and repeat until reached desired consistency. So easy and we got hours of play from it.

I can't say too much about we saw at the church for safety reasons, but God has His hand on Vancouver and is fighting hard for that city. I left part of my heart in Vancouver when we drove away from the cascades, but I now see my God's beauty in new ways: people, languages, snow, baby laughter.

                          Vancouver, I hope I get to visit you again, sooner rather than later.

~Lauren

note: I can not disclose the name of the church for reasons relating to the well being of the church. Like here, there is persecution, but there, it could end in the disbanning of the church.

Patriot and Proud

Last night, Team Never Quit’s Patriot Tour came to TPAC and I was lucky enough to share the room. Simply being surrounded by hundreds of veterans and first responders in itself is awe striking.

To think that the people around you are all so selfless to volunteer their lives for people they do not even know is a humbling experience in itself.

If you’ve never thought about the sacrifices made every day that go unnoticed, I challenge you to take two minutes and just think about the selflessness involved with that.

Anyway, last night was amazing.

Pete Scobell, David Goggins, Chad Flemming, Taya Kyle, and Marcus Luttrell took the stage and shared their stories.

Chad Flemming had the honors first and acted as the “host” of the night, guiding the transitions and the introductions throughout the program, but he also shared his history of service and sacrifice. Captain Flemming earned the Meritorious Service Medal, two Bronze Star Medals with valor, and three Purple Hearts throughout 6 deployments, including 5 deployments as an amputee. The post amputation deployments exemplifies the idea behind Team Never Quit— to never give up, no matter how hard it may get. After his amputation and deployments, he’s taken up marathons, triathalons, and cycling events, removing the boundaries so often placed on amputees.

After Captain Flemming was my girl, Taya Kyle. Most well known as the widow of sniper Chris Kyle, Taya shares a story much like my own. She was never in the military. She was never a first responder. She was never an amputee, but she is still a patriot and she still loves America despite everything it has taken from her, Taya’s story is one of a lot of heartache, and she acknowledges it.  Despite persevering through the stressful deployments and death of her husband, Taya still remains positive and strong. People often try to make her story in two parts of before Chris and after Chris, but that’s not what her story is. Yes, he changed her and impacted her life, but Taya is Taya and Chris is Chris. They are their own person. Taya formed a strong base of faith before marrying Chris, but it was tested during their marriage and after his passing. She admitted her questioning of “what if he doesn’t come home?”, “is his country really his priority?”, and “why did he have to feel called to do this?”. I thank the Lord that I haven’t had to deal with the first one, but she uses her experience with it to comfort us who fear it and think of the second two almost every day. Her entire message was reassurance of the greater plan that is in store for us that we may not understand but should trust whole heartedly.

But just because we don’t understand what has happened or know what is coming doesn’t mean we should live in fear. We should actually do the opposite and live with no regrets. To look back and think “I should have…” instead of “dang, that was fun” would be miserable, so live with no regrets and seize the day! Taya saw how Chris lived with no regrets and saw the impact that made on his life, especially following his death. She was at peace with the life he lived and knew that there was not a thing he would have changed.

Being that she never served, Taya doesn’t feel the exact same things her husband did towards her country and said she often found herself questioning if she even really was a “patriot.” Only to be answered with a big, fat yes.

 It looks different than the sense of patriotism that servicemen experience, but family members of service men are just as much patriots as their loved ones. They make sacrifices. They love America. They never quit. Everyone has a part. They just are different because a body of eyes doesn’t do any good to combat the evil that they can see.

 Taya Kyle is such a woman of faith and example and grace and I would do so many ridiculous things to be friends with her.

Pete Scobell followed Mrs. Kyle and showed a different but obvious way of coping – music. Pete is a Nashville recording artist (at Wyonna Judd’s studio, actually) and writes music to handle his experiences. I will warn you that if you’re a softie, Pete’s stuff is not for you. They are heartfelt and sincere, but that also means they are very real, almost too real if you’ve lost someone in service.

On a much, much lighter tone, David Goggins spoke next. Coming from a poorer background all the way to retired SEAL, but his story is much more than just that easy uphill climb. There were down points, like gaining back over 100 pounds he had lost and BUDS was definitely a low point. It went back up though, and currently, he is a world record holder for the most pull ups and a crazy good endurance athlete.

At this point, everyone knew Marcus was next, and Chad could barely get out his introduction before Marcus had a standing ovation.

Despite a filled preforming arts center giving him a standing ovation, Marcus is easily one of the most humble guys I have ever laid eyes on. (Later edit: Check this out. Point proven.) For the first little bit, he couldn’t have said the alphabet without getting applause and cheers, but after we all settled down, Marcus dove right in talking a mile a minute. He started at his childhood with his twin brother and himself going through a “training” type thing where their instructor drew a line and then asked them to push through the pain and cross it. Once they had crossed that line, he drew another line several feet away and repeated this process until they completed the daunting task. As Marcus went on, this became more and more important. Through broken legs during BUDS and even Operation Red Wings

 

, Marcus continually drew this line and completed this process until he became successful. Nothing is ever too big, and even when it seems that way, draw yourself a line and cross it until you’ve run out of lines to cross. Never quit.

Marcus’s other big point was respect. Unlike many people today think, respect isn’t given. Respect is earned, and that’s the key to Marcus. He spoke to the older people in the room and asked how they’re using the respect they have earned to impact those around them. But he also spoke directly to us younger people and explained that not all older people deserve your respect. Just like we have to earn theirs, they have to earn ours.

Marcus left the stage making me want to be a better person than I came, and for that simple desire alone, Marcus changed me. (Later edit: It’s been almost a month since the event and I still think about this.)

I’m a patriot and I’m proud of it. I love America despite the heartaches that come with her. There’s not a place on this earth I’d rather call home.

Cross those lines.

Don’t ever quit.

And God bless America,

Lauren

Kacey Musgraves on the Rhinestone Revue

It is always a good thing when I get a phone call at the end of 4^th period with a 615 area code because that can only mean one thing: I won concert tickets.

This particular time, I happen to have forgotten that I even entered for these, but I was still excited when I found out I was seeing Kacey Musgraves at the Ryman on the Rhinestone Revue tour.

And it was every bit as spectacular as it sounds.

My mom and I do our best to keep up with ABC’s Nashville, so of course I was familiar with the talent of the first openers, Lennon and Maisy.

Being on "Nashville," they have filmed a few scenes on the legendary stage, so they did have a leg up on their successors, nerve wise.  They were as calm and collected as could be. With some help enhancing their stage presence, Lennon and Maisy could headline some big tours one day. Without a doubt.

From watching "Nashville," I knew they could sing, but after seeing them live, I can attest to Maisy’s unreal range and Lennon’s natural grit. They only sang a handful of songs, but their standouts were “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” and “Call Your Girlfriend.” Their cover of Cage the Elephant's “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” had the entire venue on their feet. Really. They got a standing ovation. They’re absolutely incredible.

Andrew Combs on the other hand...I wish I could say the same about the Hank Williams wannabe.

With a crooked hat and outlaw stage persona that I just don’t think matches his sweet, down home character off stage . As a musician, he was good for the first few songs, but they soon all sounded the same. Slower, indie vibes and the same chord progressions were all I got from him.

(His drummer did have a thing with his left foot that he would shake/tap it ridiculously fast regardless of what tempo the song was. It made his set more entertaining for sure.)

After a 30 minute set change, it was finally time for Miss Kacey Musgraves to take the stage.

Y’all. She is so ridiculously talented. It is absolutely absurd. Listening to her live in comparison to listening to her album, there is no difference. She is so true to her simple “Dime Store Cowgirl” sound and roots, both live and recorded. Between songs, she was sure to give the song’s background or thoughts about her nerves, boots, or personal trainer with her standard colorful vocabulary, giving her not only a better and more memorable stage presence than her openers, but also coming off as one of the most personal artists I’ve seen. I really love seeing artists for who they are, so for there to be no censor really earned some brownie points with me.

She sang her old hits, her new hits, and other people’s hits. Doing an acoustic rendition of “Merry Go Round,” a disco dancing performance of “Pageant Material,” and a jamming cover of TLC’s “No Scrubs” gave a different feel for every section of the concert.

Her “No Scrubs” cover was my favorite performance of the night (only second to her acoustic, tear inducing edition of “Merry Go Round,” of course).

Her stage décor was so perfect for the theme of small town pageants with streamers and a disco ball.

And yes, her band is wearing pink light up suits.

 The Rhinestone Revue was easily one of the most dazzling nights of the year (ha, pun totally intended) and reminded me that there’s still hope for me even if I’m not “Pageant Material.”

Stay sparkly,

Lauren

Tuesday Treasures

September 8, 2015

A.P. English is going to be the death of me, so I'm at least requesting proper grammar on my tombstone, since that will be my cause of death after all. The work load is absolutely ridiculous, and I'm not one to mind working a lot. I just keep reminding myself there is more to life than English. But anyways...

Since being 16, I've gotten to be all cute with Ems. For our first celebratory cute date, we settled on the Egg and I. 

The Egg and I is a regional brunch restaurant chain that I just love. You sit on wooden benches and they give you a whole pot of coffee, which is always a selling point for me. Our cute little brunch date consisted of ordering the same meal (and taking pictures of it), drinking an entire thermos of coffee, and solving all of life's problems. After years of not liking eggs, something in me has changed, and I've recently started to  love omelets and scrambled eggs. Emma and I actually both ended up ordering the Egg Byte Omelet (mine without the mushrooms) with hazelnut coffee. 

Twas a good morning.

One of my favorite aspects of God is his faithfulness. He is exactly who He says He is, and He does exactly what He says He will do, which makes my heart rest at peace and reassures me of my future daily. Over the past few weeks, She Reads Truth  has done a study through Daniel, chapter by chapter from the lions to the dreams and prophecies. 

Daniel is a story of faithfulness on both ends. Daniel remains faithful to God and more importantly, God remains faithful to Daniel. I finished this study on Friday, and looking back, Daniel 10-12 ended up being my favorite. Though I love Daniel's attitude in Daniel 3 ("And if not, He is still good"- Daniel 3:18), Daniel 10-12 impacted me the most. 

You should totally read it for yourself, but in short..

After years of praying for God to let him and his people return to Jerusalem, a decree is issued that allows that, but at this point, Daniel is too old and frail to travel. He knows those who are going will face hardship and he mourns those hardships, so he prays. He prays night and day and fasts for 3 weeks straight for wisdom for the new nation. After 3 weeks, He finally hears back from God in the form of an angel.

Much like us, Daniel had to have been discouraged because he did not hear God. The angel tells Daniel that his prayers were heard on the first day, but the angel was caught in battle against the prince of the kingdom of Persia, a spiritual demon, for 3 weeks. 

It is such a literal depiction of the war going on all around us, but it is also a example of how God allows suffering for greater good. Daniel's persistence until he heard God serves as an example for us, but there was probably also spiritual growth for Daniel, drawing him much closer than ever before. The angel continued on explaining a prophecy so grand that the only One who knows it is the One who holds it in His hands. 

"When evil forces work hard to thwart God's purposes, we can only be sure that something significant is at stake." 

-Missy Fuller, She Reads Truth

I take so much from seeing this example in Daniel. When it feels like there is no answer and you are diligently praying and seeking God, just know that He hears you and He is coming!

She Reads Truth is just starting a new plan, and it's never too late to join! Sign up here to join an amazing community of sisters.

This week has also been full of good music. Maddie and Tae came out with a new album, Thomas Rhett released new singles for his album that is coming soon, Brett Eldredge released "Wanna Be That Song," Ben Rector did too...and he was really the selling point.
I used to say "if it ain't country, it ain't music," but in recent years, I have learned that's not true. Believe it or not, Ben Rector is the one who really made me believe that. I was actually obsessed with "The Walking in Between" for a while, and it is still in the my top 10 favorite albums ever.
He has so much control on his wide range and the right amount of elegance and ease when he belts that is is impossible to not love listening to him. His true lyrics, minimal editing effects, and soothing voice won me over in a heart beat. I'm not too sure what to call his genre...most of his songs are also what I would call "easy listening" or "feel goods." Some are upbeat, cruise worthy songs but some are also slower, bluegrassy love songs. They are also clean and real and pure and cute and I just love him. I also think that personally, he is also a good person. If you ever have a chance to go look through his twitter, check out #BenOnAPlane. Or even just go through his regular tweets. He's funny. He's real. He just seems like a solid guy, you know? (His wife is also a VERY talented writer, this is her latest writing and my current favorite)
"Brand New" is his fifth studio album, sixth released album if 2014's Live in Denver counts, too, but eighth if all of his EP's are included. All of his albums have done exceedingly well on the charts, and he has gone on tour with big names like Dave Barnes and Five for Fighting. I have no doubt that 2015 and "Brand New" will be any different.
You can get "Brand New" through iTunes or Amazon. You can also listen to some of my favorite BR songs through Spotify as you finish reading this post.

My aunt moved to a new apartment this summer, and on Friday, I went down there for the first time since moving all of her boxes. It looks very nice..very Pinterest, if you ask me, but I got to spend some bonding time with her and her roommate. We ate dinner, and I learned to play a new game..It's called Ticket to Ride. 

Your board looks like a map with trains going all directions, from city to city. Basically, your goal is to complete the most/longest routes and to block your opponents' path to complete their routes. I am totally obsessed. I loved it, and I'm buying it as soon as I can. Stephanie said it used to only be sold at Barnes and Noble, but it's available at Amazon, too. (Honestly, what isn't available on Amazon?)

If you even sort of know me, you probably know how excited I was on Saturday, considering college football came back. I got to watch my boys do my favorite thing and sing my favorite song with my favorite people, and I couldn't have been happier. It may have had a 90 minute delay, but rain or shine, it's great to be a Tennessee Vol,

 

xoxo and gbo,

Lauren