Solomon, 6.5 months

January 22, 2012

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He's crawling, standing and pulling up!



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shannon j:

oh my goodness! i can't believe how much he is doing!! my son is a week older then him & just last night started pulling up on his bed rail. he has NO interest in crawling yet. lol he started sitting up at 4 1/2 months but then everything else seems to be on hold. im kinda happy about that bc i think he is growing way too fast anyway. & no teeth yet either.

 (01.22.12 @ 11:54 PM)
Brandy Malyn :

He's just too adorable!! Love that sweater too!!

(01.25.12 @ 04:46 PM)
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Hope For Honduras, DONATE NOW and get a FREE session in return

January 21, 2012

A few years ago Josh and I were able to go on a photo-mission trip to the Hope For Honduras mission in Tegucigalpa. We witnessed the people living in extreme poverty and this mission was giving food, shelter, clothing, education and the gospel to the people in their area. Like all people from America that go on mission trips, we were touched by the love of these people and the selflessness that they had amongst their poverty, while we Americans remained selfish in our wealth. It was really the root of the change in Josh and my marriage and part of the inspiration to downsize in Stillwater. 

They have a few children who need sponsoring to attend a Hope Academy before February 1. They need $9000 to put these 5 children into the Hope Academy, a Christian private school where they will learn how to read and write and excel in the future. They will also be provided with food, clothing, medical care, tutoring and the necessities to excel in school and in their faith.

If you donate $500 or more toward their cause then I will give you a DVD portrait session in return ($700 value). All you have to do is email me the receipt showing that you sent the money to the mission through paypal or to their account in Spring, Texas. The session can be used at any time either in Stillwater or Lubbock.

Each child needs $2000 by February 1.


Click HERE for more information on the Hope Academy.

HERE are the children that still need to be sponsored. Sami, Naydeli, Anyoli, Estiben and Caleb. Naydeli only needs $1000 donated.


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ashley o:

What an awesome idea! Way to use your gift for impact! I also made a trip to Teguc (a medical mission with Lifechurch back in '07). The Jones have such a heart for the Hondurans, it's beautiful what they are able to do! Love all you pics from there :c)

 (01.22.12 @ 07:13 AM)
Wynne:

amazing idea lauren! love that!

(01.24.12 @ 10:32 AM)
Jamie Kutter:

Oh Lauren...I loved seeing this today! We moved to Tegucigalpa at the beginning of this month to be the directors for another ministry here...I love that you are doing this, what a great impact it will have!

 (01.24.12 @ 03:34 PM)
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Repent... the end is near (long encouragement to think about)

January 18, 2012

Well it is 2012, isn't it? 

Everyone is getting hyped up and thinking back to the Y2K experience, while the "kooks" are burying train cars of food and supplies and others are storing up booze for the big party before the earth disintegrates from a massive solar flare. 

We love the movie 2012. Josh and I just love it. It's so gripping, scary and emotional. It brings you to the point in your mind that you think of what you would do if you knew that the end was coming and that you might fall into the earth, drown in a tsunami or burn up in a volcanic cloud. Wether you believe in the end of the world or not, the end is coming. Are you prepared?

I don't mean to get into the nitty gritty here, but for all of the Christians who read my blog (and I know that this is my main audience), have you thought about this? If you knew that your life would end in a week or even a month, what changes would you make in your life? Would the cars, houses, pinterest folders, and gourmet meals matter? The only thing that would matter would be spending time with those you loved, spreading the gospel to others and turning your hearts to the Lord. 

I have spent the last month thinking about this, wondering how I would live differently if all I had was a month or two and am trying to change how I live now. I may live to be 90 or I may not, but if we are lucky enough to see our death coming months ahead of it and not be killed without notice then we are all faced with the gripping fear of the unknown afterlife. Those who say that there is no God, will sadly be mistaken. Before anyone is about to die money, fame, houses, cars, clothes, good looks, body shape, pleasure, and pride doesn't matter anymore. Have you ever thought that we, in today's society, believe that God is for US and that we were not made FOR God? He is not a cosmic genie that we can call on when we need more money to buy a bigger boat, WE were made for HIM! We were made to glorify Him in everything we do, but sadly instead, we bring glory only to ourselves (this is exactly what Satan wants us to do). 

The entire earth is FILLED with God's glory. Have you ever thought about it? Where do people want to go on vacation to feel peace and tranquility and "get away from it all"? Normally it is the beaches or the mountains, the places FILLED with His glory, where no man's hands have polluted it with their own manmade things. This is not a coincidence. God put this in the hearts of man to draw us to sing of His wondrous works and His glory... to praise Him. 

I have spent the last 6 years of my adult life spending nearly a million dollars to find happiness. I have traveled, eaten, dieted, shopped, built house after house, created things, picked up hobby after hobby SEARCHING for something to fill the void in my heart. I had a vacuum inside of me that just ached for more. The things that I would "get into" would pacify me enough for about a week and then I was "over it". It was disastrous and my life was known as something that just couldn't find happiness in anything. 

The Lord knew that I needed to experience all of these things before I realized that only HE could fill me wholly. I no longer care about fame, money, and pride (I say this, but of course, I am a work in progress, but I am 75% better than I used to be at it). I am learning to give the Lord my entire heart and mind and to love my neighbor (those in need) more than myself. It is AWESOME and I've never felt this peace in my soul. I am not a hungry for the things of the world anymore and it is all because He rescued me from it! Praise the Lord!

Now, I know. You are thinking, who are you and what have you done with the Lauren we know on here? I haven't posted in... like... forever, and here I am getting pretty preachy. Well, I just feel a burning in my bones to tell you that NOTHING satisfies other than knowing JESUS and serving the Lord with all of your heart, soul and mind. 

Let the bad comments come, and the good ones if they will... but I am throwing in the towel from this place of seeking fame and money through photography and I just want to honor the Lord in everything that I do and say. (PS- this is NOT a resignation letter from photography, I will still do it, but just not for the motivation of fame or "self" :)

Have a good day and let the soberness of the famed "2012" hit you square in the face, don't wait until tomorrow to change you life, do it today!





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Donnell Gray:

Thanks Lauren! :) Been feeling this lately too. I'm just ready to see God erupt in our churches! Something big is coming, and I can't wait!

 (01.18.12 @ 11:57 AM)
tomi:

preach on friend. preach on.

i love your heart. you inspire me to know HIM more and keep in check the gift of photography, that it is to reflect HIM and HIS creativity and HIS beauty and HIS people.

thank you.

 (01.18.12 @ 11:59 AM)
Alvina:

Well said, love this post!! I'm so glad that I'm not the only person that has been thinking exactly that!!!
Thank you for being an inspiration!! :)
God bless!! :)

 (01.18.12 @ 12:01 PM)
Luke & Cat:

Very well said, Lauren! Just what we needed to hear! Thank you!

 (01.18.12 @ 12:12 PM)
Carrie Keenan:

Thanks for the post, Lauren! I know a few people that are searching for the money, fame, acknowledgement, etc. They go from person to person or hobby to hobby thinking the next one will be THE big one! It's nice to hear that from someone that I follow and look up to, not only as a pro photog, but also someone whom I believe has a genuine heat. God longs to give us far more than we can ever imagine!

 (01.18.12 @ 12:18 PM)
Laura:

We all need a little "Preachy Preach" now & then. And furthermore, because of your "fame" as a photographer, your reach through this blog is much larger than most. I commend you for using the platform that God gave you to preach His Gospel!!! You are an amazing photographer - you took pictures that made me okay with seeing "me" in a picture for goodness sake!!!! But its when we do EVERYTHING to HIS glory that things unfold in a manner we could never imagine. I am excited to see what God has in store for you and the talents that he gave you! Keep up the good work. . . . you are earning crowns, love!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :)

 (01.18.12 @ 12:18 PM)
Julie Gorski:

Lauren, that is right on and so TRUE! Thanks!

 (01.18.12 @ 12:21 PM)
Kristin:

Just posted on my own blog about this very thing.

Go here and watch this video on Amazon. It's been burning up my heart all day! http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m31AGO67I6MNEM/ref=ent_fb_link

 (01.18.12 @ 12:31 PM)
Alex Blair:

This definitely spoke to my heart. I am realizing that the things of this world are not worth what we put into them. This is truly inspiring and motivating.

 (01.18.12 @ 12:47 PM)
October:

Amen!

 (01.18.12 @ 01:08 PM)
Kari Nichols:

Lauren... You are so wise for your age... Most women don't figure these things out until SO MUCH later in life (if ever). I'm so PROUD of you! You don't even know me personally, but I am just that... Proud of you! As someone just breaking into the professional world of Photography, now I just need to figure out how to tie the two together for myself. It will be so much more rewarding that way... THANK YOU!

 (01.18.12 @ 01:22 PM)
shannon j:

thanks for the inspiration!! i always love reading your blog & this is one of my favorites of yours! thank you thank you!! :) i needed this!

 (01.18.12 @ 02:06 PM)
Peyton B:

Thank you Lauren! I have been feeling a bit lost lately and thinking I needed to make a change. This spoke to me and now I know I need to just turn it over to God and learn to live for Him.

 (01.18.12 @ 04:56 PM)
Sara Virdell:

:) God is good, all the time.

 (01.18.12 @ 07:49 PM)
Michal:

Amen. And amen. I'm comforted to know I'm not the only one that has traveled, eaten, dieted, shopped, and the list goes on...to fill the void. And I'm expecially comforted by the reminder that Jesus is the only ONE that satisfies. Thanks, Lauren.

 (01.18.12 @ 07:53 PM)
Crystal:

Lauren- thanks for this blog post! These have been some of my thoughts lately! Preach on!

 (01.18.12 @ 08:57 PM)
Hannah :

Thank you for sharing your heart. I relate to always feel like I am searching for something to "fill" me (hobby after hobby), but when my heart it the most satisfied it's always when I feel closest to God. He is the only thing that can fill that spot that is purposely in every one of us. Thank you for the reminder, I know I needed it.

(01.18.12 @ 10:21 PM)
Kendal:

Hi Lauren. I've come across your blog, and I enjoy your work, and I enjoy the blog. I, too, am Christian, and a young mom, and I think it's great that you take the opportunity to share your testimony on your blog. When I first read this, I either read it too fast, or you added a PS, because I was thinking about your post today and came back to say that you have been blessed with an incredible talent. I know this wasn't your resignation letter, but I think the Lord has blessed us each with different talents. He doesn't want us to burry them, but wants us to share them, and use them to uplift others. ....which is what it seems like you do. Think of the lasting photographs and memories you give to people. Think of the contribution of genealogy you give to these families. I don't think it's evil if fame and fortune come with it. Now if that's your motivation, I'm sure there's a different argument there. You seem to have your priorities set straight, with Christ in the center, surrounded by your sweet family. I love that you take the time to share your testimony. Seems like you're an example to those around you. Keep up the good work, and nice to meet ya. :) -Kendal

 (01.18.12 @ 10:42 PM)
Georgia:

The truth will set you free. Never regret saying it regardless of the cost. And what is it worth to gain the world but lose your soul? Keep seeking, speaking and being held accountable and challenged. Peace out-G

 (01.18.12 @ 10:47 PM)
Marta:

beautiful words.

 (01.19.12 @ 06:14 AM)
Heather Ladd:

Amen, sister.

 (01.19.12 @ 08:35 AM)
Sophie:

Preach it sister! No beating around the bush, just lay it all out! My heart is cheering for you. Thanks for the encouragement!

 (01.19.12 @ 09:57 AM)
Sharon:

Hi Lauren! I just finished doing a study on I Thessalonians and we talked a lot about the end times. Reading your blog this morning reminded me of the urgency we have to spread the gospel just like Paul did. Thank you for living your faith out loud - you are such an inspiration. Praise God! :)

 (01.19.12 @ 11:02 AM)
janet:

so. hi. i never comment.

but today was a must.

because i read your beautiful post. the one written from a heart filled with passion for Jesus. love it. and i wanted to tell you as a "friend" AND as a client, please continue with your unbelievable talent. because you know what? Jesus used YOUR talent to bless MY life and the life of my family. you captured memories for us in a way that documents who my kiddos are. so right now...please thank Him for giving you an amazing talent. and share that with others. BECAUSE of Him.

there. i'm done.

 (01.19.12 @ 12:24 PM)
Natalie Mitchell:

See...I told you I check in on your blog whenever you post something powerful and what I need to hear. I am now actually starting to realize that this happens to me EVERY TIME I visit. Your most recent post is something like this. Thank you!! I myself have deleted my facebook...just for this reason. It was a hindrance to my quiet time. I also ran into a few incidents that made me feel down (back down to where I was the year before). But I keep having to remind myself the promises that God has ALREADY fulfilled!! I'm working on not worrying about what the world thinks, but about pleasing Him. I have withdrawn myself from seeking the popularity that you talk about and more on Him, and secondly my family. I have so much more peace this way. And you know what? He still provides the sessions. I'm not exactly sure HOW (well, I do! Him!)...they just come when I need it the most. Thanks for this breath of fresh air. I really needed it. I was hard on myself tonight and realized I needn't be!! Thank you thank you thank you!

 (01.19.12 @ 08:59 PM)
Natalie Mitchell:

See...I told you I check in on your blog whenever you post something powerful and what I need to hear. I am now actually starting to realize that this happens to me EVERY TIME I visit. Your most recent post is something like this. Thank you!! I myself have deleted my facebook...just for this reason. It was a hindrance to my quiet time. I also ran into a few incidents that made me feel down (back down to where I was the year before). But I keep having to remind myself the promises that God has ALREADY fulfilled!! I'm working on not worrying about what the world thinks, but about pleasing Him. I have withdrawn myself from seeking the popularity that you talk about and more on Him, and secondly my family. I have so much more peace this way. And you know what? He still provides the sessions. I'm not exactly sure HOW (well, I do! Him!)...they just come when I need it the most. Thanks for this breath of fresh air. I really needed it. I was hard on myself tonight and realized I needn't be!! Thank you thank you thank you!

 (01.19.12 @ 09:00 PM)
Joanna:

Reminds me of the song I heard on KLOVE... Mandisa ~ Waiting For Tomorrow.
Big fan of your photography, and of this post :)
Here there or in the air!
~Jo

 (01.20.12 @ 12:18 AM)
Kristen:

Amen!

(01.22.12 @ 02:12 PM)
Teresa K:

I too have felt that emptiness and tried to fill it with all the wrong things, including, to a certain extent, my photography. This is a good reminder that we can only truly be satisfied and made whole through our lord and savior Jesus.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

 (01.30.12 @ 12:54 PM)
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Where have I been lately?

January 14, 2012

The zoo. Once last weekend and once the weekend before. We love the Zoo.
And... I've been home, doing nothing but housework and relaxing with my hubby and son. 

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I like Jonah's "have you taken the photo yet" look in this photo, I'm sure that Solomon's will be even better by this age!
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Mimi and all of the grandkids
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And here is one of Josh and Solomon by the chiminea...
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abby:

The last picture of Josh and Solomon is my favorite!! Priceless:)

 (01.16.12 @ 06:40 PM)
Wendy Ellis:

I love how you can see tiny hands and a little camera in the reflection on the orangutan pic. And the last image is breathtaking - truly priceless!

(01.18.12 @ 12:09 PM)
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Solomon's 6 month video

December 30, 2011

Has it already been another month? Sheesh! I've been neck deep in my IHOP E-Schooling and it is making this month fly since I have something to do! This video is pretty short, I don't have a ton of good clips from this month, but oh well! Here goes...

As always: shot with the Canon 5D Mark II and the 35mm 1.4 lens and edited with Imovie.


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Harold Clark:

A great video of a beautiful family. Lauren, we always enjoy your video's but this one was especially nice during the Christmas season. Thanks for sharing! Love Uncle Harold

 (12.31.11 @ 11:41 AM)
Kate Leverenz:

I am so amazed at how you manage your time. I feel like I have way to much to do and I know I am not taking on as many sessions and weddings as you are... We are finally getting into a nap routine so that is helping. You are doing a great job at balancing work and being a mama! At least from the outside looking in.

 (01.01.12 @ 03:10 PM)
Luke & Cat:

Awesome! I love the part where the guys are opening their gifts with gloves on! Also, the little scooter thing you and Soloman are riding around on made us laugh! Keep 'em coming! ~ Luke and Cat

 (01.04.12 @ 01:53 PM)
Leah:

What a great way to capture Sol's first Christmas! So stinkin' cute!

(01.20.12 @ 01:53 PM)
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