He is Risen

Happy Easter!!

Journaling vs Blogging

I've realized I haven't blogged at all this week. It's not because I don't have anything to blog about. Because I have 3 months planned out. With a mixture of being busy and just journaling my days, I'm not as eager to share with my readers. I'm not hiding anything, but I'm learning what's important and what can stay in my journal. But, next week has a lot of good content.

If you are reading my blog regularly, what are you enjoying about my blog? I would love to hear from you!

Water Day 2013

What are you doing for the crisis that is going on around the world? I know it sounds silly. We as Americans have clean drinking water. We waste millions of dollars on bottled water when the same water is offered when we turn on the faucet. i know some may filter their water and that is ok.  

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of hearing about horrible drinking situations. When I was in Cambodia, we drank filtered water that had gone through an osmosis filtering system. It was cheap to buy bottled water there. I mean really cheap! But, Cambodian's still are drinking water from the tap, which is gross. One of the members on my team even got sick from a tiny bit. The water is scary to look at it! So, how can you help? 

I'm so glad you asked! There are so many organizations that you can donate to... But, let's dig a little deeper!

Starting Monday, I'm going to give up all drinks and only drink water from the tap. I will not be buying water and I will only be using refillable bottles. I have three to choose from, so I should be ok. Every time I have an opportunity to get coffee or soda, or if I want to make hot chocolate at home, I will put a dollar in a jar (or an IOU) designated for this! Even though I'm broke, I still seem to find money for coffee and pop! I've got this! Wanna join?

I will be starting on the 25th of March. C'mon, let's stop wishing for the world to change and start working towards it ourselves! Every time I put money in the jar, I will pray for the situations around the globe to be changed!

Blood:Water Mission - 2 Weeks of Sacrifice

Ren is Currently Reading

I love reading. It's no surprise. My room is filled with books, actually my entire house is filled with books. My parents taught me at an early age the important of books and reading. I love opening up a book to a new world. Narnia, The Shire, District 13. I just get lost. The characters become my friends, when they grieve, I grieve. When they are happy, I'm happy. 

I am currently reading:

Fiction: 

• Tribulation Force (reading)
• Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien (on nightstand)
• The Horse and His Boy by CS Lewis (reading)

Non-Fiction:

• Crazy Love by Francis Chan (reading)
• The Book That Transforms Nations by Loren Cunningham(reading)
• Beautiful Battlefields by Bo Stern (on nightstand)
• The Book of Judges from The Bible (reading)

Magazines:

• Relevant Jan/Feb (on nightstand)
• Women's Health Current Issue (reading)

Check out my Goodreads profile!

I've recently finished:

Fiction:

• The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien★★★★★ (re-read)
• The Magician's Nephew by CS Lewis ★★★★☆
• The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by CS Lewis ★★★★☆
• Left Behind by Tim Lahaye & Jerry B. Jenkins ★★★☆☆ (re-read)

Non-Fiction:

• Wrecked by Jeff Goins ★☆☆☆☆
• Out Of the Far Corners by Peter Iliyn ★★★★☆
• Fire and Fragrance by Sean Feucht & Andy Byrd ★★★★★
• Genesis - Joshua from The Bible ★★★★★

Magazine:

• Relevant (Current Issue) ★★★★★

Getting Things Done

Life still has no normalcy.

I still haven't heard back from the places I'm waiting to hear back from.

I did have the luxury of getting out of the house the other day and working on some stuff at my favorite coffee shop.

I can say that I have accomplished a few things -

I have cleaned up both of my email addresses.

I've found a meal plan that I like and will start next week.

I've started to go through my items. I've tackled my books and my DVDs. I've already started going through all my old college school papers. I've eliminated everything but the papers I wrote in school. Next, comes the organization.

I've gone through a lot of my music on my iTunes and purged a lot music I don't listen to or will never listen to. Also, I had many duplicates.

Everything is such a big process. A stressful process. So, at least I've made a dent in my organizing and purging.

I realize that blogging is therapeutic  I love writing. I want to get past just my day to day life hiccups and talk about spiritual topics, book reviews, life in the kitchen, life as a working girl (when I get a job), sights and sounds on the internet, my fashion loves and hates, my process in losing weight. So, let's get past my whining and complaining and do this! And when I say let's I mean ME!

Let's try this blogging thing again!

Action Steps

My life needs some action steps... Ok, not some, many!

I need to simplify...

Well, I need to simplify just about everything.

My bookshelves, my wardrobe, etc.

My computer needs to be completely re-hauled. (I had to order an update for an update).

I need a budget... Well, first I need a job.

I need to organize things I'm getting rid of for a garage sale.

I need to make a newsletter of my experience, along with thank you cards, and prayer card for all my supporters to give/send with their gifts.

Workout routine and some sort of eating plan...

A daily routine.

Blog ideas and execution.

Action steps would be great.

But, where do I start?

Prayer...

Oh, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Dear

It has been 15 days that I've been in the states and 7 days since I've been in Lincoln.

5 months have flown by so fast.

God has done so much in my life.

He's given me ideas, inspirations, loves and passions, and just an amazing desire to know Him more.

I am currently waiting to hear back from a couple of places for a few things.

My mind is still spinning from this past season of my life. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. It's weird not being in a routine, it's weird that I'm having to watch what I put in my body again, and it's weird being broke.

What's not weird is my relationship with Jesus. It's grown, it's bloomed, and it's the kickstart to my day. I wake up thinking about Him; praising and thanking Him. I go to sleep praying to Him. It's the best love affair in the world.

My thoughts are scattered, but I need to get into a routine of blogging, working out, spending time with Jesus, and living a life that's ready to give!

Not sure how that works out in the blog, but I'm going to work and pray about that!

Love everyone!

Lauren