Least in the Kingdom: June 2008

...My Aunt and Uncle gave me a gift certificate to Hancock fabrics recently.(Definitely one of the most wonderful ways anyone can bless me! :) Well I took a trip to our local store a couple weeks ago, and here is the result.

...While at Hancock's I found the beautiful, very "springish" fabric. The only problem was, I needed about two more yards than what was actually on the bolt. After long deliberation I decided to buy the fabric anyways, and hope it would be enough. I knew from experience that I could cut back the amount of material required with most patterns these days, but still this was a little more than I normally would go. But at last I made up my mind to go ahead and take the risk. Now I am so glad I did.

...Thankyou Aunt Karen, Uncle Jack and James! I had a lot of fun sewing this!

...Here are a couple details. And the Back.

...I am a subscriber to Voice of the Martyrs extreme devotion emails. Every morning I look forward to this little bit of wisdom and encouragement before I start the new day. Sometimes they are disturbing, jolting me from any state of self complacency or comfort I may have. It is good for me to realize how far I have to go, and how much I am lacking. Here is a story I received from them awhile back. May God use it in your life as well!

The young, brown-eyed girl looked up at her mother. What would her mom decide? Earlier that morning, the young girl’s mother, their pastor, and twenty-six others in her North Korean village of GokSan were bound and taken before a screaming crowd of Communists. One of the guards ordered Pastor Kim and the other Christians, “Deny Christ, or you will die.” The words chilled her. How could they ask her to deny Jesus? She knew in her heart he was real. They all quietly refused. Then the Communist guard shouted directly at the adult Christians, “Deny Christ, or we will hang your children.” The young girl looked up at her mother. She gripped her hand knowing how much her mom loved her. Her mother then leaned down. With confidence and peace she whispered, “Today, my love, I will see you in heaven.” All of the children were hanged. The remaining believers were then brought out onto the pavement and forced to lie down in front of a large steamroller. The Communists gave them one last chance. “Deny this Jesus or you will be crushed.” The Christians had already given up their children; there was no turning back. As the driver started the heavy piece of equipment, the singing from the villagers started softly. “More love, O Christ, to thee, more love to thee.” More. It’s what God gave when he sent his Son. More. It’s what Jesus gave when he was crucified. More. It’s what believers give simply out of love for Christ. They want to give more to the One who gave so much to them. In a worldly age that values giving only what one must to get by, believers set a new standard. “More love to thee” is more than just words in a traditional hymnal. It’s a lifestyle without limit. Each day is a path of discovering how to give more love to Jesus Christ. For some believers, this path has led to their death. For others, “more love to thee” has meant financial sacrifice. What does “more love to thee” mean to your everyday life?

Oh lift up your eyes,
Look ahead with faith,
The Lord our God is wise,
Through Him we run the race.

Oh lift up your eyes,
Sing a new song,
See the stormy sky's,
He has taken our wrong.

Living faith for He lives,
Throw off transgression,
By the power He gives,
Death defeated by the Son.

Lauren East

Above me the somber sky so high,

Rages in storm-like waves,

If so cold my frame,

Why is my heart aflame?

There's a fire so hot its ire,

Sets alight the dampest heart,

The kindling's not of dwindling wood,

the flesh and bone of each martyr.

So I laugh at heavens stormy threatens,

For I am a child of my God,

I've been beckoned and covenantly reckoned,

Redeemed and sanctified by His mercy and rod.

Lo how the Son bursts forth as One,

With the father and Spirit, all three,

Brilliantly outlined for me to see,

In contrast to the past of darkness.

The clouds of gloom and dimness of fog,

Sharpen vision and scatter apparition,

Leaving the bones of truth and reality of God,

Rain that does not stain, pain that sanctifies.

Copyright of Lauren East

...Well its been a couple days since I last posted on here. Actually I had a small traumatic episode the night before last, which I am still recovering from. Having Diabetes can be pretty scary at times, especially when your blood sugar drops to low. Which is what happened to me. I can usually catch my lows and treat them with juice before they drop too low, but sometimes I have to give myself a glucogon shot. The other night I dropped to about 29, very scary. The norm is between 80 and 130, so this was really low. Praise God though, I did not lose consciousness. (sometimes you can go into a coma) Instead I actually had the presence of mind to come downstairs and get help. After a long night I think I am back on track now, just tired.

...In the whole nine years of having Diabetes I have only passed out one time. What a testament to Gods goodness! Still, when something like this happens it does shake me up a bit. I have to remember to trust God and remember He is in control of all things. And this is where Diabetes is a blessing, it keeps me close to my Savior-trusting Him. It also gives me the opportunity to bless God even when suffering or in pain.

...Here is a Psalm that really helps me to trust. Psalm 61, especially verses 1-2. " Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name. You will prolong the king’s life, His years as many generations. He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him! So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows".

...When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to a rock that is higher than I. What a beautiful prayer, its saying we do not have it in ourselves to save. God does, Christ is our rock and strong tower. I also look at this verse in another way, I should stop focusing inward on myself and instead focus up and out. Focus on bringing God glory in every situation and pour myself out in love for others because of His love for me. His ways are higher than mine, I cannot comprehend them. But I know His ways are perfect and He is accomplishing all of His purposes in me.

...These are just a few of the things I have learned through having Diabetes. And I would not give up these precious lessons in faith, trust and hope. And this in itself is a testimony of Gods work in my heart, that I can embrace this trial He has brought with joy-bittersweet though it sometimes may be. It is my prayer that all those suffering with physical ailments/disability's as well as those dealing with loss may see a glorious opportunity to bless God. In this we are privileged to be able to show the world the power of Christ at work in our lives!

The Great Physicians Bride

Praise God all ye healers,

In His hands are strength and life,

Make Him the hearer of your prayers,

When undone by plight.

What a beautiful Savior to me,

Healer of mankind’s ills,

Unchanging in perfect constancy,

Great Physician of powerful will.

Hands that make broken whole,

Feet that pressed on to the goal,

Blood that makes white my soul,

Gods Self written role.

If I should die, t’would be gain,

For what have I to loose?

The Son of God has made it plain,

Why continue to muse?

Death is not my husband,

He lies crushed under Christ’s feet,

Arrayed in white shall be my end,

When my Maker I one day meet.

At what great price this peace,

Has come unto my heart,

His suffering knew no ease,

To paint His bridal art.

Jesus shall bring me home,

When this body’s done,

My soul will no longer roam,

But gladly cease to run.

By His infinite mercy,

I’ll be Christ’s holy bride,

Enraptured for all eternity,

Bound to His wounded side.

Our God gives us wedding clothes,

Perfectly fit to His body,

For He fashioned them by His woes,

And now covers our sin freely.

Who has a lover like this?

Tell me if you can?

Death can only shake his fist,

While on this rock I stand.

I want to be buried in white,

Bridal veil lifted above my eyes,

Signifying this brides first sight,

Of her husband who draws nigh.

When death comes twill be the usher,

Who leads me down the aisle,

The cleansing bath that prepares-

-The bride, is well known trial.

On earth our humble victories,

In Heaven He makes our crown,

By His sacrifice she breathes,

Who clasps close the wedding gown.

As “His Love” we’re beckoned,

Wooed by irresistible grace,

Among the Fathers children reckoned,

While held in the Sons eternal embrace.

Copyright of Lauren East

...One of my favorite things to do is write poetry. I give all the glory to God, because I know its by His inspiration not my own. In the next few months I will be posting some of the poetry I have written throughout the last five years. Some of them have been published and some have not; it is my hope that they will encourage you in your walk with Christ.

The Whole Armor of God

Give me marching orders Lord,
What should be my Battle cry?
My armor is Thy holy Word,
My goal to lift Thy name on high.

Though enemies should me surround,
Thy beloved cross shall spur me on,
I'll take my stand on holy ground,
Until my life on earth is gone.

I raise my helm and lift my eyes,
Fighting for a worthy cause,
Both slave and free, foolish and wise,
For Christ has kept Thy holy laws.

You've gone before and cleared the way,
I gird my waist with Thy truth,
Christ has taught me how to pray,
Preserve me the Serpents tooth.

The fiery darts that Satan throws,
I quench with my shield of faith,
I surrender to the God who knows,
And bringeth me to see His face.

Jesus is my joyful marching song,
My Prophet, Priest and King,
He holds me when the race is long,
And to Him I will sing!

Copyright of Lauren East

...Dinner in a large family is bound to be interesting. And in my family it usually is. ...We try to stick to a regular schedule around here. Some of us get up earlier than others of us, but we are almost always up by seven. Then on to chores, breakfast and school. Around noon we take a short break for lunch and more chores, then we launch our newly refueled rockets back into the large fuzzy area of school. ( I call it large and fuzzy because anything counts. My latest cooking disaster is not a waste because I file it under the title of "Chemistry Project - muffins gone wrong", and so forth...) ...Although we have many days when the schedule is just "off", and no one is sure why; and again, we have those days where its "off" and most do no why; or, we have those "off" days where the reason is because someone sat sipping their tea for too long among other things, we always have dinner-no matter what time it is. So what is the typical dinner like for us? Well it goes something like this. ...It's 5:00 pm and Mother starts by saying " Girls, I'll need your help making dinner in a little while". From corners of the room erupt sighs as books, coloring, writing and dolls are laid aside. A couple girls try to be cheerful while a couple don't, and then half way through dinner preparations they switch roles. So there's a couple cheerful and a couple not alternating throughout. "I only made enough cornbread batter for 12 hot dogs" says one. "But there are 15 hot dogs!" says another. "What, she told me their were 12", interjects a third sister. ...Mother intervenes as the youngest daughter dutifully stirs away at the dough. We stick the first hot dog into the batter to find it will not stick. "Good grief, what's the matter with it?" someone wants to know. Just at this inopportune moment my middle brother comes in to find out "What's for dinner?" Close on his heels is the baby boy, not so babyish any more being five. ..."Did we hear someone say corn dogs?" they both ask in unison. "Yep", informs nine year old Julia, "There homemade too." The boys look slightly concerned, "We usually have the kind from the store", Daniel comments while watching us attempt to keep the batter on the hot dogs. "Yes well, these will be healthier" Mother answers him and sends them both out of the way. ...In the end we just add more flour and plaster it to the hot dogs. "That will do the trick", and it did. I put on some vegetables and good feeling is restored. God's grace floods our souls and we laugh together, even when the vegetables boil over and the dishwasher breaks. ...5:45 pm, its time to set the table. The younger girls, that being all of them but me, go to get the tablecloth. We hear giggling and exclamations from the other room. "Boy does this stink" a voice says. I wonder if I should go investigate, but put it off since I am doing dishes. A few minutes later I hear the sound of a spray bottle being sprayed profusely and decide now is the time to find out what's going on. Before I get a chance though it is 6:00 pm, and our captain rises from his leather recliner. "Time for dinner", Mother announces. ...A mad rush for seats ensues. Most people have a usual spot and yet there are always a few drifters in every family, those who must try a different seat each night of the week. "Where is Julia?" was asked during this process and Father called her on our intercom. (A very handy and necessary tool in a two story house with nine inmates) Eventually, we all find a seat, prayers are said and the food dished up. Then someone asks again "Where is Julia?" ...A quick cross-examination of the family reveals that no one has seen her for the last fifteen minutes. So with horrors flitting through our minds we all jump up, search the house, drain the pool, scour the backyard and question the neighbors before she is found locked in the garage. Wearily we make our way back to the dinner table and sit down to our now slightly cold dinner. ...The topics of conversation range from "Let's discuss who left the lights on upstairs" and "Why aren't more people voting for Ron Paul", to "Who wants to hear my latest dream" and "Were the Etruscans important in the establishing of Rome as a nation?" Its a jolly time, a feasting time and a sharing time. Half way through the meal Mother cautiously asks, "Does anyone else smell that awful smell?" Immediately nine pairs of nostrils, big and small, are extended sniffing the air. "There is a funny smell". "I don't smell it because I have allergy's". "Did someone leave the downstairs bathroom open?" ...Suddenly I remembered the spraying sounds of earlier and turn to observe my younger sisters. They were tittering and look bashful. "It was her fault" the littlest says pointing at one of her older sisters. "No, we all sprayed it" she responds. "But you were holding the bottle" reminds the littlest again. "Holding the bottle of what?" asks Mother. The girls look at each other. "Well the tablecloth stank from its last washing so, we decided to spray it with the bathroom room spray to get the stink out" one of them finally offers up. Stares. Suddenly one of the boys says"And so you replaced one stink with another eh ?" Everyone starts to laugh as the whole situation becomes ridicules. With no more ado we finish our cold dinner on our delightfully twice stinky tablecloth with an abundance of love and goodwill.

...How much beauty God has put in this world for us to wonder at! Even the ungodly can appreciate a breath-taking sunset or the birth of a butterfly. Yet it is a privilege reserved for God's own, those who by His mercy have eyes to see and ears to hear, to be able to turn that marvel at God's creation back to Him in praise!

... I love wandering about taking pictures of God's tiniest manifestations of goodness towards us. What would we be like if we had never seen a flower? Or felt awed under the mighty night sky? Often I need to remind myself not to take for granted the beauty around me, in the place where the Lord has placed me.

...Yesterday we went to a park near us, one difference between Washington and Texas is the number of parks! At least, where we lived in Washington there where we lived in Washington there were not too many! But here we have several within walking distance. I brought the camera along and had fun taking some of these shots!

...Some of my younger siblings are studying Helen Keller right now. As I listen to them give reports on her and her condition, she was both deaf and blind from infancy, I marvel at the way God created us. Helen Keller had never seen a butterfly, yet she wrote of them - comprehending their lightness and grace because she had been told of them. She had also read of them in books created for the blind. If she who was blind could appreciate what she had not seen, how much more I who have eyes to see should love what God has created!

5:48:00 AM

Here is a cute member of my family you all have to meet! My brother named him "Florien Douglwoof Wilfachop". Isn't he adorable? We actually call him Fussy, the male version of Sassy.

..Here is a more formal introduction. My name is Lauren Ashley, I am one of seven homeschooled children, and I was born in Guam.(A small island near the Philippines) Then when I was two years old my family moved to Scotland. To my great chagrin we only lived in Scotland for two years before moving back to the States; and being so young I scarcely remember my time there. It is one of the small disappointments of my life :) But I reconcile myself with the fact that I was there, even if for a short time! ...We moved from Scotland to TX, (talk about a climate change!) and lived in TX for eight years before moving on to TN. Just in case you are wandering, my Dad is in the Navy, which explains why we move so much. ...After living in TN for three years we packed our bags and moved across the country to WA. That was some trip! We had a camper at the time and drove ourselves, my Dad driving our rented moving truck. It took us several days but we finally made it. ... Washington was fun, although colder than what I was used to. God really worked in my family and I while we lived there. We had scarcely lived there three years however when, you guessed it, it was time to move again. This time it was back to TX. ...So we bought a travel trailer to pull behind our 12 passenger silver van and again made the move ourselves. My Dad and brother drove a rented Penske moving van from WA to TX, with the family following them pulling our travel trailer. It took us about a week, as we stopped every night at a KOA to sleep in our trailer. The quarters were tight, but it really brought us closer together in more than one way. ( "Is that your dirty sock on my bunk!") ...When we arrived we did not yet have a house, so we set up our trailer and lived out of it while trusting God to provide. It was an interesting life and I am grateful for the experience, but needless to say, I was also very relieved when after a few weeks God provided the house we now live in. We actually found our house on my eighteenth birthday and there was a big beautiful double rainbow in the sky over our house! The Lord is so faithful in providing exactly what we need, exactly when we need it. ...For now we are living in what we call our "town house". It is in a friendly, quiet suburb. One day when my Dad gets out of the Navy we hope to move to the country. But till then are content to be where the Lord has placed us. ...We are just now finally unpacked. (Well, nearly.) Life is busy as we attempt to start school back up. I am also trying to do more sewing again, we needed a wardrobe change anyways now that we live in hot TX again! And it is such a good excuse for me to spend time at my sewing machine. My family has been visiting an OPC church that is only about fifteen minutes from our house and we are thinking about joining . Our move, and indeed our life, has been a testament of Gods goodness and grace towards us. ...I hope you know a little more about me, and my family. Soon I will post more about the daily happenings around the East house! God Bless!

...My readers will probably all fall under three categories, those who know me; those who do not; and those who think they know me and find that they didn't know me as well as they once thought. You will have to decide under which you fall. In any case introductions must be made.

For those who are reserved and prefer a calm post, which simply lays out the facts; Please refer to post "Introduction, Version Two." I do not advise you to continue reading this post unless you wish to get to know me very well, so read on at your own risk!

And for those who like to laugh and want to get to know the odd side of me, keep reading...

...We are not yet acquainted, so let me introduce myself to you. In short, I am eighteen years of age and a smidgen taller than my liking. My major interests are reading, writing, art, music and acting. My passions are poetry, drama, fiction, piano, singing(especially opera), watercolor, sewing, Jane Austen's books, Charlotte Bronte's books, any missionary stories, flowers, and the list could go on forever!

...All for the glory of God. In everything I desire to serve Christ. And when I fail, which is often, His grace and mercy picks me up again and compels me to go forward. Lately God has laid missionary work on my heart and I am praying for wisdom in this area.

...I must admit that I have a tendency sometimes to be somewhat vain, or at least to think about eighteenth century clothing to much! That being said, I would wish to spare you a description of myself-or rather spare myself the temptation of vanity. Yet knowing that a brief description would be helpful in picturing me (well I know I like to be able to picture someone when reading a blog), I shall attempt a small humble portrait. :)

...My eyes are blue and my collection of dead skin cells which rests upon my head, more commonly called hair, is reddish-brown. The red hints in my capillus (hair in Latin) are primarily the effects of an unfortunate coloring last year-a long story I shall keep for some other time. It suffices to say, the red never came out, nor was it originally intended to be red.

...The shade of my skin is extremely fair, in consequence I burn easy. Which then produces freckles, cause and effect if you will... I have one crooked tooth, and it is a great accomplishment to have produced but one crooked tooth let me assure you. The downside is that the crooked one is very crooked and very visible; O well, it keeps me humble!

...One rather peculiar feature I posses is the "rat face." At least thats what my brother calls it. The "rat face" is my ability to scrunch up my face in an unusual way, especially the nose. It looks rather feral in its way, which explains the name. I only produce the "look" on rare occasion, or when I can't help it.

...By now you probably know more about me and what I look like than you ever wanted to. And you have figured out which category you really fall under. But there is still more! We haven't even got to discussing a certain organ called the pancreas. "O my goodness", your exclaiming! "Lets not even go there!" Yet we must, because in my case its important. Actually my pancreas died when I was eight and because of it my whole life was changed at that point. I usually wait and inform people after after I have known them for awhile. But if I did not say something on here you would never know, so I might as well put it in the introductions.

...I have Type 1 , Juvenile diabetes. Which basically means that my pancreas stopped producing insulin and now I have to give myself insulin instead. I feel very blessed to live in a day and age where they have discovered how to produce insulin, before this people died from diabetes and they did not know what it was. I used to take shots of insulin every time I ate, but now I have an insulin pump which delivers insulin continuously through a cannula in my stomach. I change out the cannula every three days and refill my insulin reservoir. Aside from this I have to check my blood sugars quite a few times a day. (It means pricking my fingers to draw a small amount of blood and testing it on a strip with a little machine)

...Diabetes is one of my greatest trials and at the same time one of my greatest blessings. It took me awhile to get to the place where I could see it as a blessing, but God has been so faithful in showing me that He can bring joy in suffering. It has taught me to trust Him, among so many other things. Some time I will post more on the topic, with further explanations of what diabetes is.

...There is so much more I could go into, but I need to save things for future posts! I've enjoyed writing this, be on the lookout for version two. I hope to be faithful to this blog, and to bring glory to God!