the countdown ends...

I can't believe I leave tomorrow morning. I've been quiet on the blog this week, saying my goodbyes, packing, and getting odds and ends into place. I've been unbelievably blessed through words, gestures, and money from every one and it's now time to go.
This morning was spent at the farmer's market with the family! I had a blast. I will miss them so much. So many friends stopped by to say goodbye. There were laughs, pictures, giveaways, takeaways, and many hugs! Thank you for all who have shared and loved with me!

I have raised over 5K and I'm so close to my goal! I will get there, because my God will provide! Thank you for all your prayers and blessings!

Here is where I will be staying:

You can reach me on skype, instagram, twitter, foursquare! Haha, I have too many social media outlets! 

See everyone on the interwebs!

7 Questions #2

I'm linking up with Gentri Lee today for 7 Questions

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1. Do you ever have reoccurring dreams?
Yes, one that comes to mind is getting into a car as a young child and being chased by cops on a highway. Car chase scenes in movies are my favorites... hmm
2. It's the first day of Fall (or Spring for you southern hemispherers) in a few days, what are you looking forward to most?
Sweaters, boots, leggings, scarfs, falling leaves, smells, cookies, hot chocolate, chai, pumpkin spice latte, reading, rainy days.
3. Because a lack of coordination, would you rather not be able to tie your shoes or cut your own food?
Tie my shoes. I always wear slip ons or just slip on my shoes. :)
4. Would you rather live in a house made entirely of glass or a house with no windows?
Entirely of glass. You can put curtains up, but no windows is no fun.
5. Would you rather walk on you toes or heels forever?
Toes. I love dancing on my toes.
6. What's your favorite sense? (you have 5 btw)
Listening.
7. What's your favorite movie quote of all time?
This isn't fair... I have too many. Probably the entire "Remember the Titans". I can quote 95% of the movie. I get in trouble when watching it the with the family.

In One Week!

Matthew 19:26

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²⁶ And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

In one week, I will be in North Carolina!
In one week, I will be starting my YWAM training.

In one day, I raised a little over 1000. I cried. A lot. My church family was so generous, with their words of wisdom, hugs, and their giving. People who I know this will be a major sacrifice. They have blessed me so much! I have raised enough for the training portion, now I'll just keep praying for provision for my outreach. My God is a good God.

I talked last week about the "magic of God." It isn't magic, but miracles. And a miracle happened this week. I believed God, and I saw his promise come true in a matter of minutes!

In one week, I'll be starting a new adventure with the One I love. My savior Jesus Christ. Who has never left me, nor forsaken me but loves me more than I will ever fathom.

AMEN!

Expectations Part 2

Yesterday I shared with you WHO WHAT and WHY about my upcoming YWAM trip. Which is in 10 days! (Ok, breathe Lauren, just breathe!)

Now onto Where When and How.

WHERE? -- I will be in Monroe, North Carolina for the first three months. Then overseas for the next 2.5 months. YWAM has bases all over the world and I chose YWAM-Charlotte because I had a deep connection with one of the staff members. She called me and checked up on me continually just to chat, see how was I doing, how she could pray for me, etc. That meant a lot. And I knew, that was what I needed. I also love NC. It's one of my favorite states. My grandparents live a few hours away, so for the holidays, I can stay with them.

We (as in the incoming YWAMers) won't find out where we are going until we are in North Carolina. I'm excited about this unknown piece of the puzzle. I mean hello! I have to plan out all my days, and this is just a great way for me to exercise patience, trust, and the knowledge that it will all work out alright!
As soon as I found out where I'm going, I promise I will let you know!

WHEN? -- I will be gone from September 23rd - March 9. My plane back to NE is March 11. I should have stayed longer with the grandparents in NC. I get Thanksgiving and Christmas off, which is awesome, because of fore mentioned relatives. Follow my travels on instagram @lmwilliams2009 and twitter @ ren_was_here.

HOW?? -- This is the question I've been dreading because reality hits and I realize it's only by the grace of God I've come so far.

If you have read earlier posts, it comes down the money. Which has been coming in. Just slower than I thought. I thought the flood gates would open and pour down a blessing of gigantic proportions. But, that's now how it has happened. The Lord reminded me yesterday that it's not about if He provides, but that He will provide. That is so scary for me! Because I realized that my thought process went more like this:

I will believe God will provide if checks keep pouring in. Instead, I believe God will provide (no ifs).

I can't expect "snapping of fingers" and "poof" the money magically will appear. But, with that being said, my God will provide.

Ok, I really have ignored the HOW!

Because I am willing, and HE will provide.

Want to see an old blog I didn't even know I had until a few minutes ago? The URL is renwashere.blogspot.com. I always wondered who had taken it!!?? I didn't even remember setting this up. I wonder if I have an email address with that name? Hmm... :)

As always, let me know if you can support @ lmwilliams2009(@)gmail(.)com

7 Questions #1

I'm linking up with Gentri Lee: 7 Questions

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1. Do you have any weird food combinations that you love?
I like swirling greek yogurt in my oatmeal. Is that even weird?
2. Have you ever written a blog post, published it, then immediately deleted it?
I just have the tendency to unpublish versus deleting because I found errors.
3. What is a hair style you wish you could pull off, but would never be brave enough to try?
Short and curly. I think I could rock it. But for the umpteenth time, I'm trying to grow out my hair.
4. Would you rather have to always use the sun to tell the time or directions by the stars?
Directions by the stars. I still couldn't tell you time by the sun. Also, how cool would it be to understand my ancestors then learning how to follow directions via the stars.
5. What is a fall trend that you are excited to try?
Mixed jean prints. But, I'm not spending any money, so if someone would like to send me a pair, I'd be more than happy to rock the trend.
6. Who is your style icon?
Lauren Conrad. Various bloggers. Zoeey Deschenel
7. What's your favorite outdoor activity?
Soccer and hiking.

Expectations Part 1



via bing search


I pretended to hate those 5 w's and the h. But, secretly I loved and adored them. I remember as a first grader learning them, and knowing that in order to answer correctly, most, if not all of these facets needed to be used.

So, I thought I would answer these questions about YWAM! Today I will talk about WHO WHAT and WHY. Tomorrow I will talk about the Where When and How

WHO? -- That would be me. I'm a 25 year old, single gal, who is ready to experience what this World has to offer. I had such big goals in college 1) Traveling the world 2) Living an adventerous life.  I think you get the point. Then I graduated and I got sucked into the idea that you need to have the perfect job to earn the perfect amount of money that will get you all the things you need and desire and get married...

I hate living in boxes... I'm back to the original goals, 3 years later. Me = soon to be world traveler. I want to go South America, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, India, South Africa, Europe (yes all of it), Japan, Cambodia, San Fransisco. Are you getting the idea?

WHAT? -- What is YWAM? I'm so glad you asked. It stands for Youth With A Mission. A mission for what? Knowing God, and making Him known. Not by passing out tracts but showing love through service to the least of these. If you want more information, please visit their website. It's very informative. If you want to know the beginnings, I suggest you pick up a copy of Is That Really You God? by Loren Cunningham. It's a beautiful tale of a man who followed God with all his heart and saw the world change. YWAM has bases all around the world with many differen't "schools" and emphasis. Every person, young or old, starts out with a DTS (Discipleship Trainining School). Some of these DTS's will have a theme or focus like mine. I'm doing Justice & Mercy -- learning about human trafficking, etc. Others are just a DTS.

WHY? -- Why YWAM? Simply, I heard God say go. I've learned that ignoring God, just lengthens the time between being miserable and joyful. I want to go. I need to go. I have to go. And I'm going! That's why. :)

Stay tuned for expectations part 2 tomorrow... If you have any questions you can reach me via
twitter: @ren_was_here
email: lmwilliams2009(@)gmail(.)com
or leave a comment!

12000 Views

This is crazy talk people. My little spot has generated 12000 views since it's birth in 2006? For a person who doesn't do a lot of advertising, this is huge!

Today has been one of those crappy days. Very crappy days. Like everything goes wrong crappy days.

#1 - Forgot to set my alarm due to yesterday being Labor Day // Had to get ready in 15 minutes (no shower for me :()
#2 - Spilled coffee all over my brand new sweater I bought this weekend
#3 - My hair is completely frizzed out
#4 - I forgot my wallet at home (my mom came out twice to work to help me out)
#5 - JJ charged me way too much for my food


I know most of these are superficial things. Maybe that's why I'm not sitting on the floor having a good cry. Maybe that's why instead of defeat I feel victorious! Life is awesome. I prayed for joy. And I have it! Thank you Lord for answering a prayer that seemed minuscule and selfish.

Short but sweet. Will be updating my list and a progress report on my $$!

Future of Blog

I've written on this blog since 2006. Needed an outlet while I was in college, then I just liked sharing. Tried sponsoring other blogs and reaching out to other bloggers. This blog is going back to it's roots.

I'm now using this as a way to share to my friends and family who want to follow along in my journey as a missionary in training.

On the 23rd of this month, I embark on a new chapter of my life. I would almost come close to saying a new book. A long time in the making, but, I'm more than excited, I'm estatitic!

Please stop by and say hi, I will and try and update this blog as much as I can. If you would like to sponsor me, please email me at lmwilliams2009(at)gmail(dot)com!

God Bless,
Lauren