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

Cambodia Beginnings Part 1

I've been here for a little over a week and I feel like I've been here forever! I thought my life had completely changed in the lecture phase of DTS, but God is radically doing a new work in my life right here in Cambodia! I thought just maybe missions was something I just needed to get out of my system and go back the the real world, but God is already shattering these thoughts. Missions is my calling! It's scary to think that I will have to rely on people to support me, but my God will provide.
Cambodia is a fairly new country. In the sense that most of the people living in Cambodia are under 35 because of the Genocide in the 70s. Most are quite friendly! I was a bit scared to come to an Asian country only because I know a lot of them do not like black people. But, my skin color is close to a darker Cambodian. I am in love with these people! They are sweet and most have servant hearts! The first month of ministry we are working with a local church. The pastor is an older Cambodian, amazing man of God! He is always serving our team in one way or another, even if its just a smile. The church has an English school which we are primarily working with. The students are between the ages of 14-20s. The age varies though. We also help out with the Sunday morning service and Sunday school. I gave the sermon last Sunday! It was so fun! A lot different then the states since I spoke with a translator! I spoke on Freedom, Change and Hope. We also help with youth group on Sunday evenings.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

It's today! I'm going to Cambodia for 2 months! I'm sitting on the floor of the airport, charging my iPhone and reading a book, while sipping on Starbucks. I'm leaving the comfortable for the adventure of a lifetime! I've been bad about updating on this here blog, but I do exist and am doing well! My team is holding up well and we are all giddy with excitement, playing on our devices, reading our books, and buying Skype credits! Which is what I will do so I can call home!
Thanks for all your prayers and support, all my my money came in right on time! Hours before I left for Christmas! In the last few hours of the night the rest of the money that people needed came in 1500 bucks! God is so good!
I hope to send out an update in Korea! Love and bless, and Happy New Year!

Silenced

I'm here. I exist. And I am ruined for the ordinary. Extremely busy is the best term. Learning to live in community where you have no controls over your life and time has been challenging but also rewarding! I should be working on my homework but thought I would blog really quickly.

I've been wanting an iPhone for so long now and have been trying I scheme how God is going to get me one. Today I was finally done trying to take control and He fixed a major problem with my phone . He is amazing and I needed to share that!

So Far...

This post is so over due, but life has been crazy busy!

I write this in the early hours of the morning before our schedule starts.

My schedule for today looks a little like this...

5:15am - Alarm goes off, snooze
5:25am - Alarm goes off, snooze
5:35am - Alarm goes off, snooze
5:45am - Get up
6:20am - Blog for a few minutes
6:45am - Breakfast
7:20am - Walk to class by local Presbyterian Church
7:30am - Quiet Time
8:30am - Group Scripture Reading // Steps of Justice
9:15am - Kids Chapel - Where a few of us go and work with the preschool class at the church. I'm on today and will be teaching on forgiveness and love, using "The Prodigal (lost) Son as my illustration/story.
9:45am - Lecture
12:30pm - Lunch
1:00pm - Lunch Cleanup
3:00pm - Dinner Prep
5:30pm - Dinner
6:15pm - Dinner Cleanup
7:30pm - Homework//Reading//Thank you notes

That's what my day will look like. There's not much time to write unless I stay up late or get up early. I happened to get up early, so I decided to update. Emails are always apreciated and I will try responding in a timely manner!

I hope all is well! God is doing a new work in me. He's been revealing to me while I've been here His great love and affection for me! It's powerful when you truly begin to feel and understand His love!

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!