...Bella...

I recently watched a movie "Bella". It is a beautiful story about the very life of a girl who gets pregnant and yet she knows it will change her life. As the story goes on, she is complicating whether to keep the baby or not. A man moves into her life and shows her the life of a daughter that he took from a mother and yet he gave up the life as a professional soccer player. She finds love within his family and yet still contemplates about how to raise to child to herself. The movie gives such a great message and its not only about the story itself.....but what is even more beautiful is the story behind it!

Bella the movie trailer

Eduardo Verastegui directed this film. He has such an amazing testimony with his career! Eduardo was like the Brad Pitt of Mexico! He was the top 50 most beautiful people in the top magazines for 3 years in a row. They called him the Latino Lover Boy. He had offers to star in the big movies like 300 and X-Men. He was very well known but he didn't know much English. So he had a tutor come and teach him to speak English. It ever so happen that his tutor was a Christian and she asked him the hardest questions of life. One question she asked was if he thought he was a good person and how is he pleasing God? He has always told himself he was a good person and that the things he is doing is pleasing God. He was lying to himself.

Soon, God gave him such a changed heart and mind. He gave up all that was about his career. He then wanted to create something that was against how Hollywood made productions and stars and all the secular things about it. So he had a passion to create this movie "Bella". The thing was he couldn't find anyone who had that same passion, who saw the same view as he did, who were willing to go for it! By God's Grace he found 2 other guys who were very much into the filming business and yet had the same passion as Eduardo.

It's amazing how someone as well known is able to give up his career to give a message. The Movie did become a success and gave the message that Eduardo wanted to give to go against the negative stereotype which the world was viewing.

I am very inspired by this movie and to see it in a bigger picture is just a true and awesome way to give the message! I highly recommend watching this film. Such an amazing story both within the movie and behind the scenes.

Thanks fOr REadIng!

TRUE love and what it means...

ok I found a new favorite song EVER! its called LOVE by Jeason Ma and its a fantastic song with amazing words! After hearing it I felt heart souly-beatingly happy! (if that's even in the dictionary! lol)
I thought a lot about what HUMAN love is and what TRUE love is. There's a HUGE difference between TRUE love and the worlds definition of love. Its not like those romantic movies you see, its not like those fairy tales, its not even how you feel about a person. LOVE is not feelings. LOVE is a choice. LOVE is sacrifice and without the suffering of that sacrifice....you will not be happy nor satisfied! That's part of the reason why the world struggles with LOVE! Many many people are confused by love, many many people are blinded by love, many many people never felt TRUE love. It takes guts to even give 1/4 of what LOVE is! But HUMAN love is no comparison to the TRUE love of Christ! We are here to SHOW HIS love. God has used us in such a way to show the world what TRUE love is! But I know a lot of times even the world is confused by TRUE love.
It's not a question of if you have that TRUE love.....because you already have it! God doesn't create junk, He doesn't make mistakes, He makes everything work together for good in HIS time....so who are YOU in Christ? How are YOU showing His love to the world?
Love is a choice.....and God chose YOU!

Thanks fOr REading!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73kZ6wBoqTk


Here's the lyrics to the song "LOVE" by Jeason Ma....
http://www.lyrics-celebrities.anekatips.com/song-lyrics/love-lyrics-jaeson-ma

Now Hollywood wants to make you think they know what love is.
But I'm a tell you what true love is.
Love is not what you see in the movies.
Its not the ecstasy, its not what you see in that scene
you know what I mean? I'm telling you right now, true love is sacrifice.
Love is thinking about others before you think about yourself
Love is selfless not selfish. Love is God and God is love.
Love is when you lay down your life for another
Whether for your brother, your mother, your father or your sister
Its even laying down your life for your enemies,
That's unthinkable, but think about that
Love is true
Think.

Chorus
I'll put you in front of me
So everybody can see
My love, this is my love
I know that I'll be alright
As long as you are my guide
My love, this is my love

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast
It is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs
You see love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, it always perseveres
Love never fails. Love is everlasting
Its eternal, it goes on and on, it goes beyond time
Love is the only thing that will last when you die
But ask the question why? Do you have love?

Chorus
I'll put you in front of me
So everybody can see
My love, this is my love
I know that I'll be alright
As long as you are my guide
My love, this is my love

There is no greater love than this than he who lays down his life for his friends
Now are you willing to lay down your life for your friends?
You're probably willing to lay down your life for your mother
your father, or your best friends
But are you willing to lay down your life for even those that hate you?
I'm going to tell you who did that
The definition of love is Jesus Christ. He is love
The nails in his hands, the thorns in his brow
Hanging on a cross for your sin my sins
That is love he died for you and me while we still hated him
That is love
God is true love, and if you don't know this love
Now is the time to know, perfect love

Chorus
I'll put you in front of me
So everybody can see
My love, this is my love
I know that I'll be alright
As long as you are my guide
My love, this is my love
(repeat)

Life Lesson....

I'm reading this book called "Tuesdays with Morrie". I felt very inspired to read it. It's not a Christian based book but my favorite part about it is how the character of Christ is shown through it. Reading this book is like taking you through a life lesson: Through the struggles, through the passions, the success, the joys, the pains, the hurt, the shame of life.....what does death have to do with it?

It made me realize that later in life, my troubles won't even matter. If I'm dying a slow humanly death then why put myself through the things that will not matter after death?? This is present, after the past and the future is near. God brought us these times for a reason: its called "life".

What does your "life" mean to you? Is "it" Living for Christ? Is "it" counting down the time?

I'm inspired to do more in my "life", not just to fill in the gaps or fill the empty spaces or loneliness of self or giving something that makes me feel its worth it or to try making a difference........but just Living in Christ! Making HIM look GREAT!

Thanks fOr REading!

My Adventure in Colorado!

Video of my Adventure in Colorado!

Here is the video of my amazing adventure in Colorado! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yC81eNxuMA

My recent Trip to COloRAdo!

I recently just got home from Colorado which was an amazing trip for these reasons.....

First, people who became family during our experience in New Zealand and Fiji have once again come together for the past week. Just seeing each one of them and seeing how God has worked in their lives has been an awesome experience. Catching up with each one of them, sharing stories, enjoy great fellowship, doing activities together, sharing many memories and most of all, gaining a closer relationship in our family!

Second, in our NZ family, one of them just recently got married. It was a blessing to be there in witnessing the marriage of Sebastian and Aimee Jarrett.

Third, most of the members of our NZ family got to experience the IPS workshops we had in Manitou Springs, CO and many other people who we got to see again or had a chance to met new people. These workshops showed a lot of the business side of things of photography. I learned a lot through these workshops. I see a bigger picture in my photography and also has gained more passion with my photography! But what is most important is who I am in Christ as I am using my skills!

Fourth, after the workshops, we had a big reunion of all the students of IPS (Institute of Photographic Studies). Turned out to be at least 40 people at the reunion. It was awesome! I got to see many familiar faces and get to meet those who I never met. Each one of us had to give a 2 minute presentation about anything. Some people shared their recent projects, some shared about their passions in photography and many of them shared about how Christ brought them to who they are today! It was amazing to hear from each one of them as they stood up in front of 40 others who also have a story to tell!
We also got to explore around the little town of Manitou Springs. It was a town known for the hippies! I can say it shows the personality very well!

We also explored even further out to places that many have never been to like Garden of the Gods, Ghetto Falls, sunset shooting on the mountains, and much more! I love to capture the moments of of our great experience together but not even a photo can show all the great times we had together!

It was sad to leave all these amazing people but sadly there had to be an end for it. The goodbyes were sad....but it makes the hellos even sweeter!

I Surrendered

So I am writing today about my life at the moment. Right now the Holy Spirit has done some wake up calls for me and its the time to act! I say I been asleep (mentally not there) for the past 5 months and just last night I couldn't sleep for the life of me! Mostly because I have reunited my passion for photography and for making such an impact with my camera. ever since I been back from New Zealand I have faced new challenges, hardships not only with my family and friends but also with myself spiritually. It all hit me one after the next from the moment I came back. I knew it was God putting me up for the test! It all overwhelmed me! I just shut down and went into my comfort zone. I didn't want to face the new challenges God set for me.....I didn't want to face those issues I left behind. So my passion that I had in New Zealand has slowly faded away and that motivation to reach out wasn't in me. Each time a rejection or challenge comes to me I felt so discouraged and kept pulling myself away from it! I was also pulling myself away from God.

I haven't realized where my life is going til I looked in my bank account.....I haven't had a job for over 6 months and no income coming in. I been living off for what I had. I have searched for a job in photography but I felt so discouraged for the rejections I got. I stopped trying and gave that up. I then have searched for just any job just to keep an income coming. Still to this day I haven't had a job......but just last night I realized....I'm pulling myself around in my own strength instead of relying on God's strength! I have been sitting in my little comfort zone where I was content and avoiding any discouragement that comes to me.

I have felt discouraged Spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially, and not only that but I was in pity with myself. I knew I was waiting for something but I didn't know what. And the whole time I been asleep, God has spoken in my heart saying "Come to me....Come to me.....Come to me Lauren!" I didn't listen to that voice for 5 months. Last night, I surrendered that! I felt my passion again! That fire rolling in my soul is yet rolling again! I'm alive! I have a God who all powerful and I can win this race with victory! Even through those challenges I face or rejections.....I can stand relying on the ONE who gives me that strength!

At the moment I'm in the middle of a job search again and promoting to bring my photography into a success! I am aiming to achieve my goals by doing the Will of my Father! What would happen next? I cannot tell....but I am so ready for it.....I say "BRING IT ON!"

Thanks fOr REading!

Who Would Of Thought.......

I am now EXTREMELY excited!  Since I been home from New Zealand and Fiji, I been really wanting to post everywhere (and I mean everywhere, even if I have to spam! lol) that we are getting a book published about our amazingly awesome trip EVER! =D Today I just got a message from one our very awesome leader who mainly put the book together and said the book was finished and now published! AHHH! I just wanted to scream with excitement!!!!! I was LITERALLY jumping up and down with a HUGE smile on my face and with a face of excitement!!! I felt like a kid again on Christmas!

Anyways.......I want to share and would love it if you checked it out! Here's the link:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/539217

AHH! I just can't wait to get it and opened it up and see for myself and even share it with everyone!!! Enjoy and have a Super- Fantastic DAY!!!!

oh and Thanks for reading! =P

I Am Second.....

I don't know if many people did this also but when I drive down the highway, I keep seeing the same billboard every 5 miles. I didn't understand it or know what it was about but it made me very curious and anxious to know what it was. It is a blank, white billboard which says "I Am Second....." and it has a web site at the bottom. Of course as curious as I was, I wanted to check it out and see what it was about. So I pull up the web site and read about it. They had videos of different testimonies and just real people who had suffered from an experience in life. One after another I was watching them and just hearing each one talk abut their experience......it was like I could feel their pain of their experience and I felt just so inspired! It's such an AWESOME organization! I'm spreading the word out and sharing with everyone about this site. It's incredible! Here's the link: iamsecond.org

Check it out! I really love the way they approached the advertising and how they can get you curious of what it's about. It gives people a feeling of seeking to know what it is. I love that about it! It's like it draws people to learn what they seek and that's where the seed is planted.....the seed of the Holy Spirit. It's AWSOME! I just wanted to share what inspired me today!

Thanks for reading!

GOD IS AWESOME

I must confess I have let a few things come before I got to write anything but there's still a good excuse, right? Anyways, I just got to say......GOD IS GOOD! heh lately I felt like.......GOD IS AWESOME! I mean I can't even imagine life without Him! Wait......that IS life! =D

So, I'll write about something I feel God is showing me on my spiritual journey! Gosh where to start......well a few years back....I discovered something of myself. I discovered that I have a gift to encourage people but not only that but I also show compassion for others. It's the spiritual gift I have which is the gift of mercy. Well its a great thing to have in life but it can also be dangerious to myself and others around me. Using this gift of myself can draw others and others who are in pain and are hurting. I feel such a need in my heart to reach to them when I see others hurt or in pain. Yes its great to be there for that person but I also have to be careful how I approach it. Others can have a different perspective of myself. I didn't discover that til just a few months ago. It was actually just right after I got home from New Zealand and Fiji. I realized that my actions can be misinterpreted as love. It's not a normal thing when someone is there for a friend and cares for them and yet only seeking for a good friendship. That is a healthy friendship with my girl friends, but for some guys I know my actions can be misinterpreted. And thats where the danger comes in. I realized using my gift with some of my guy friends was misinterpreted and later our friendship couldn't be the same. When things get complicated and ends up hurting one or the other, that friendship leaves a mark. I have marks in my friendships I know I can't ever fix or cover up. But I know I can use it to learn from my mistakes and do better for the furture.

I feel God is showing me to be aware of my actions but continue to be strong. This is part of my testimony with my relationship with God and again I got to say GOD IS AWESOME! I'm just looking forward to continue my journey on my life at a better view. I know this post may not make sense but if you knew me you would understand. Thanks for reading and leave any comments if you wish!