The Pendergraffs

September 14, 2012

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Ryan and Natalie

September 14, 2012

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Courtney:

Cute couple and session!

 (09.15.12 @ 04:05 PM)
Lisa Mahl:

These are gorgeous! What lense did you use with these? I am in the process of buying a new lense for portraits and I want to make sure I get the best one for the job!

(09.19.12 @ 12:00 PM)
Shana:

LOVE the hay photos!!!

 (09.30.12 @ 09:53 AM)
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The Foster family

September 8, 2012

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Julie Foster:

I love them Lauren! So glad you got some of Sam smiling even though he was fussy! Thanks so much!!

 (09.10.12 @ 01:25 PM)
Luke:

The pictures with them all reading a book makes me want to have kids RIGHT NOW! Lovely as always, Lauren!

 (09.13.12 @ 09:48 AM)
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The good samaritan in modern times

September 8, 2012

It get kind of fiery when people are in need, especially when injustice is involved.

I guess it is all of the sermons on justice that I've been listening to. I've been reading a lot in the major prophets and it talks a LOT about how the people of God turned a blind eye on the widows and orphans in need and don't plead their case and get them justice when they need it. 

I have known my friend, Tammy-Dawn Gibson, for almost a year now through a local Bible Study and she has been trying to adopt three Haitian children since last winter. The government just threw them for a loop and threw out their adoption because of a paperwork problem that was SO wrong on (and their hefty $35000 that they have been raising for the last year, yes, that was three zeros), and their deadline is looming because if they don't make it before then then the adoption will for sure be delayed a year or two.

Long story short, they have a few days to re-apply and raise at least HALF of the $35000 fees in order to get their children that they have met and been promised. Yes, this seems insurmountable, but nothing is impossible with God, and He works through His people.

Now I have a little bit of fire on this topic because I feel like most people don't really believe the words of Jesus. They like them, but taking action on them is another story. Remember when the person asked Jesus who his "neighbor" was supposed to be after Jesus said that the second greatest command was to love your neighbor as yourself?

Jesus went on to tell a story about a total stranger in need who was badly beaten and stolen from. He was lying there on the side of the road, helpless. Remember, this is a total stranger.

The Priest saw him and walked by. Think of this guy as the head pastor.

The Levite saw and walked by. Think of this guy as the support staff at church or a well known Christian around town.

A Samaritan saw and had compassion. Think of this guy as a very poor person in today's world (Samaritans were half Jews and half of a tribe from the nations, they were looked down on by the Israelites because of their half heathen heritage, they were the lower class of the culture).

He took the time to bandage his wounds and let him ride on his donkey, and then PAID for him to recover at a hotel. 

Jesus asked the man which one had been the neighbor to the man in need. 

Wow. I LOVE this passage.

Do you really believe that you will have treasure in heaven when you give to those in need? Do you really believe that He will give it back to you pressed down, shaken and running over?
Would you give in secret to a total stranger when no one else will ever know about it?
Is your faith sure enough in those promises and in God to actually give of your financial strength to an orphan that you will NEVER meet?

That is faith in action. That is the challenge that I set before all of you readers today.

If you aren't a Christian, then please skip this post because it will seem silly to you to give to someone that you won't ever get a thank you card from, but if you call yourself by the name of Christ then I ask you to reach into your heart and give to a stranger to help three orphans that they have been promised.

Donate here through paypal:  jetgibson@yahoo.com


This is not a hoax, this is real life. 100% of your donation goes straight to retrieving their 3 children.

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Donnell Gray:

Sent my donation in! Hits close to home since my husband and I are in the process of adopting. Can't imagine. Praying!! So glad that our God is bigger than any circumstance!

 (09.09.12 @ 09:07 PM)
Hal:

Just wanted to say that non-christians give all the time, thanks for the link for this precious family.

 (09.28.12 @ 10:08 PM)
Summer Lee:

Hi Lauren,
I have followed your work for quite some time and always enjoy reading your blog. I was saddened by how you closed this post however. You said, "If you aren't a Christian, then please skip this post because it will seem silly to you to give to someone that you won't ever get a thank you card from." I disagree wholeheartedly with your worldview that non-Christians would find it "silly" to give to others without receiving a thank you. There are atheists, Jews, buddhists, muslims, and people all over the world of different faiths and beliefs who help those in need, whether a thank you is given for the gesture or not. You do not have to be a Christian to be a good, kind human being. Christians are not the only people in the world capable of selflessly doing good works in their communities. I sincerely hope this family is able to complete the adoption of their three children, and I hope that eventually more people in this world understand that disparaging people whose beliefs differ from your own only creates more hate and more conflict.

(09.29.12 @ 03:45 PM)
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The Campbell Family

September 1, 2012

And Callen's first birthday pictures!

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