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

my God will provide

Sometimes, I'm scared.
I'm scared I won't raise enough money.
Scared that I'm not doing what God wants me to do.
Then I realize, that My God will provide.
He will make a way.
Why is my faith so small.
I try to put God into this box.
He is the all-powerful, miraculous God.
I'm doing a No-Spend September. Like nothing. I have a few GC I can use, but that's it.
Unless the money is going towards my trip.
But, is that enough?
Am I being lazy?
Is there something God wants me to be doing that I'm not?

Praying for more faith daily. God will provide.

Currently #1

Currently, I am... 

Listening: The folk radio station on Spotify. I adore music.

Reading: Paradise Valley by Dale Cramer (It was free on amazon, reading via amazon kindle), it's pretty good so far. It's a compelling amish tale. 

Watching: This Means War. I rented it via amazon. I thought it was cute. Tom Hardy is dreamy, maybe it's just the accent. I also just saw Bourne Legacy. It was good.

Thinking about: the list of things I have to do... and maybe a No SPEND September! Save some $$

Anticipating: YWAM - 24 days! Also, first husker game of the season on Saturday. GO BIG RED! That's me from a few years ago in my one and only Husker shirt

Wishing: My packages I ordered on Friday would get here already!

Making me happy:  The realization that my dream is becoming reality!

Weekly Goals 1

8.27 - 9.2

1 // 2 // 3 // 4


1. Finish odds and ends in my bedroom

2. Catch up on Soul Detox and #shereadstruth in proverbs... I'm so behind (You can find both reading plans at youversion.com)

3. Start packing... I've been laying things out, I'm just waiting for my suitcase from leftlanesports.com, I hope it's big enough!

4. Revamp blog... I've already started, what do you think of the new header and background?

5. Keep up water intake... I did really well yesterday, I'm a bit behind today

6. 30 Day Shred : Daily... So far, so good!

7. Jean shopping... not looking forward to it

8. Craft and notebook shopping... to make my notebooks and bracelets

9. Make bracelets.. I've found so many ideas via pinterest

10. Make notebooks from Wild Olive

UPDATE // 26 Days Till YWAM

I think I have my counting wrong on FB. Oh well! I will get this right! Here's an update on what I need to accomplish before leaving.


1. Mail Letters - I've mailed out many but still have more to mail out - Need to print, get more stamps and envelopes (If you would like to receive a support letter please email me at lmwilliams2009{at}gmail{dot}com) (4 to send)
2. Order Glasses from Warbyparker.com (I know, I've been planning this since February) (They are in the mail! I hope they work)
3. Order Contacts (online hopefully)
4. Contact Health Insurance to see if I'm covered overseas / Get overseas insurance if needed.
5. Make magnets or cards with prayer points
6. Mail my deposit and check
7. Mail items I have of other people (I should probably get addresses!)
8. Email Doc (my choir director to let him know I won't be in choir this year)
9. Buy Backpack (Bought it on REI Outlet Online)
10. Make TY Cards for Sponsors
11. Plan Party - need ideas!
12. Jeans - Thrifting should do the trick...
13. Unmentionables (Thank's to Kohl's for a great sale)
14. Close WF bank account - Can't stand WF! (Decided to keep it open)
15. Purge Items - I still have some clothes and about 50 books to get rid of!
16. Cancel Birchbox/Beauty Army (I was sad to see my Birchbox go! I really liked it! Beauty Army - not so much)
17. Cancel Netflix (It ends on the 28th of August - Need to finish #drwho)
18. Buy long skirts (Got one on sale @ Kohl's and a friend gave me another one!)
19. Cancel extra insurance phone insurance @ Best Buy
20. Buy running shoes / tennis shoes (Awesome deal plus discount @ Famous Footwear)
21. Get my hair done
22. Leather Journal - not a want, just a need (Going to decorate some composition books instead, they are on sale at Target!)
23. Buy Plane Ticket to NC (Accomplished 8.16! - Believing God will provide for the rest of the money).
24. Toiletries - Things I need
25. Need Bandanas
26. Need an alarm clock
27. Buy sleeping bag (Another REI sale!)
28. Buy thermarest (Backcountry Edge.com had a sale on these super expensive items)
29. Create mailing list - halfway done
30. Get immunization card
31. Get two passport photo's for visa
32. Buy Suitcase (leftlanesports.com)

16/32 - Halfway done with the list, and I added one as well!
26 days till I leave!

YWAM TO DO LIST // I Just Bought My Plane Ticket

I leave for YWAM in 37 days. I can't believe it. My to do list is out of control! I have over 30 things! Let's see what I have to do, and what I've gotten done!

1. Mail Letters - I've mailed out many but still have more to mail out - Need to print, get more stamps and envelopes (If you would like to receive a support letter please email me at lmwilliams2009{at}gmail{dot}com
2. Order Glasses from Warbyparker.com (I know, I've been planning this since February)
3. Order Contacts (online hopefully)
4. Contact Health Insurance to see if I'm covered overseas / Get overseas insurance if needed.
5. Make magnets or cards with prayer points
6. Mail my deposit and check
7. Mail items I have of other people (I should probably get addresses!)
8. Email Doc (my choir director to let him know I won't be in choir this year)
9. Buy Backpack (Bought it on REI Outlet Online)
10. Make TY Cards for Sponsors
11. Plan Party - need ideas!
12. Jeans - Thrifting should do the trick...
13. Unmentionables (Thank's to Kohl's for a great sale)
14. Close WF bank account - Can't stand WF!
15. Purge Items - I still have some clothes and about 50 books to get rid of!
16. Cancel Birchbox/Beauty Army (I was sad to see my Birchbox go! I really liked it! Beauty Army - not so much)
17. Cancel Netflix (It ends on the 28th of August - Need to finish #drwho)
18. Buy long skirts (Got one on sale @ Kohl's and a friend gave me another one!)
19. Cancel extra insurance phone insurance @ Best Buy
20. Buy running shoes / tennis shoes (Awesome deal plus discount @ Famous Footwear)
21. Get my hair done
22. Leather Journal - not a want, just a need
23. Buy Plane Ticket to NC (Accomplished 8.16! - Believing God will provide for the rest of the money).
24. Toiletries - Things I need
25. Need Bandanas
26. Need an alarm clock
27. Buy sleeping bag
28. Buy thermarest
29. Create mailing list - halfway done
30. Get immunization card
31. Get two passport photo's for visa

8/31 Done - yikes!

It's an epic list that needs to get accomplished. It's just stressing me out! But, God's word says in Phil. 4:10 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! If you would like to support me financially, please email me at lmwilliams2009@gmail.com. Prayer also works wonders!


I just bought my plane ticket without having any money come in yet. I'm not worried, I'm putting all my trust in Jesus! I'm very excited. I can't fear, because I have complete faith in God's destiny for me!