The Life and Times of a College Student
20. Tall. Love to read. Not the best blogger. Trusting God. Learning as I go. Aspiring nurse. Serving on a healthcare team in the Philippines this summer.
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This past school year has been a whirlwind of highs, lows, emotions, and craziness. But throughout it all, I was never alone. One verse that has been my constant reminder of this throughout this year is Joshua 1:9. It says: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.“
I AM NOT ALONE.
Last night was the final REFUGE at my BCM. It was a great night of worship and fellowship on the lawn outside in God’s creation and wonder. As we were singing and praying, I began to realize that right there in those few short hours would be the last time I would see many of my friends until next year. Some of them I may not see even then, as many of my close friends are graduating. It began to really sink in how blessed I am to have a place of refuge in our BCM. I know for a fact that I would not be the person I am today if I had never walked in those doors. And being the typical control-freak and worry-wort that I can sometimes be, I began to fully realize that this summer, I can’t control anything back home. What if something serious happens? I’ll be so far away that I won’t even know about it for maybe days later. I’ll miss out in milestones of my nephew’s life; I won’t get to see him walk for the first time, or crawl. I won’t be able to call my mom for comfort if I’ve had a bad day or I’m feeling sick. All of these things and more came flooding in, and I was overwhelmed.
But during our prayer time, Stacy had us take a rock. On that rock she asked us to write down a verse, or a word, anything that helped us through or described our year. On that rock, I wrote Joshua 1:9 on the front; on the back, I wrote I am not alone. As I was crying and letting my fears reign for that moment there on the lawn, I looked down at what I had written only minutes before. And I remembered. I remembered all the times this year when I worried, or stressed, or cried, or laughed. But most importantly, I remembered that in all those times, my God was with me always. I took comfort in that. While I may be half a world away from all who are near and dear to my heart this summer, I will not be alone.
This summer will test me, strengthen me, grow me, and stretch me. Of that, I have no doubt. And through all the moments… be it happy, sad, sick, exhausted, stressed, or on top of the world, I will look at my little rock from that night on the BCM lawn and I will remember.
I AM NOT ALONE.
-LMac
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Hello again!
The yard sale this weekend did pretty good considering the bitter cold weather! We made a total of $435 and I was able to put $173 of that towards my summer missions goal! Our carwash did miserably however, as no one came. So we rescheduled it to this Thursday from 930-100; if you live in the Clarksville area come get your car washed by some fun, God-loving college students who need the money to put toward their summer missions goals!
As for me, I still lack around $1000 toward my final goal which is due May 2nd, so as you can imagine I’m beginning to stress a bit although I know God will provide! Please continue to pray for me as I prepare for my summer and continue to raise funds. If you feel led to contribute financially please let me know and I will let you know how to do that!
Until next time,
-LMac
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Hey everyone!
Sorry it’s been a while since I’ve posted; this semester has been crazy. I keep getting closer and closer to the day that I leave for The Philippines and I couldn’t be more excited! I’m still raising money to help me get there, and I would love for you to be a part of it! Myself and a few others are having a couple fundraisers coming up to help us reach our goals. April 21 we are having a yard sale at the BCM at APSU starting at 630, and we have a variety of stuff so you may find something you like! The next day, Sunday April 22, we are having a car wash at the KMart on Madison. That will start at 130! So, please tell your friends and family and come out and support us if you can!
Also, I will do my best to keep updating you all when I get a chance throughout the summer. From what I’ve heard I will have internet/computer access 3-5 times the whole summer. Which means there is a good chance that I won’t be posting too much. But I will definitely have lots of pictures to share when I come home!
Finally, prayer requests!
Please pray that I can raise the funds I need by the deadline: I still lack $1325 and it’s all due May 2. Pray for the team, there will be about 16 of us total spread out on health care teams; pray that we ready ourselves spiritually, mentally, and physically to do God’s work this summer.
That’s all I’ve got for now!
Until next time,
-LMac
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Then He sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.(Luke 9:2 NIV)
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[To have Faith in Christ] means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)
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Only 2 1/2 months until I leave for the Philippines! I made these prayer cards (well its really just a photo) to send out with my support letters. But I have extra! If you would like one to hang on your fridge or wherever to help you remember to pray for me and the people of the villages I’ll be visiting please let me know and I will get you one :)
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Got some new shoes! Anyone that knows me well knows the way I see fitness. I’m tall, therefore my weight doesn’t show… erego I never workout. BUT sadly enough I’ve come to the realization that I need to be in good shape for this upcoming summer so I’m kicking it in gear. That’s right. I’m gonna workout. Let’s see how long this lasts!
Love,
LMac
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We must go.
This is my theme song so to speak for this coming summer. God calls us to GO. And I, along with 50 other TN students, have answered that call. I will be serving in the Philippines on a rural health care team this summer for 10 weeks. How are you serving the “least of these?”
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About an hour ago I received a phone call that very well was the most exciting and most anticipated of my life.
After spending the last 24 hours in Brentwood, TN for “interview weekend,” I finally know where God is sending me for the summer! And if you know me at all, what I am about to describe to you will make you wonder how I could be so excited to live for 10 weeks in the conditions and lifestyle I will be in. But I am so incredibly excited. I know God has something huge in store for me this summer, and I cannot wait to keep you all updated! So, without further ado, this is where I am going to live…
THE PHILIPPINES. That’s right. Your eyes haven’t deceived you. I will be living and serving in and around Butuan City on a rural health care team. To get a brief idea of the position, here is what www.nehemiahteams.com says about it:
In recent history in a remote village of Butuan City, several children died within a few days because there was no clean water, no transportation, and medical services are at least 3 hours away. Poverty has been described as “Not a lack of money, but a lack of choices.” By being a part of this rural healthcare team, you will work with a Filipino healthcare workers, live in remote villages, learn from those who live on less than a $1 day, and bring Christ’s love and help to the “least of these.”
Obviously being in remote villages means I am not going to be living with the luxuries that we as Americans (and especially me) are used to. Those that know me even a little know that hiking, backpacking, etc., is not my idea of fun. But that’s exactly what my life will look like this summer. I will be living out of a legitimate backpack. The kind you hike with in the Grand Canyon or on the Appalachian trail for weeks. I have to wear clothes to bathe in some places, bring hiking meals (the freeze dried stuff) and my own utensils/plates (girl scout style), and so much more. It’s like my dad’s dream come true. He has wanted me to backpack with him for so long, and now I’ll be living it. And I cannot wait.
I’m sure you probably are wondering if I got hit over the head with a bat. Lauren? Excited to live out of a backpack? To essentially be doing what she’s avoided for so long? But, it’s true. I know it is going to be a serious challenge, but I also know that my God has a rhyme and a reason for everything on this earth and I know I am going to experience some amazing things.
I am so overwhelmed with emotion and excitement that I feel like I could go on forever with this blog. But I know it’s already long and I will definitely continue to update before I leave. As far as I know right now, I probably will have little to no access to the internet this summer. So I’ll do my best to share my enthusiasm with you on here until May 31. ;)
-LMac
-P.S.- If you would like to know how you can support me through these next months leading up to and during my summer, please message/mail/email/call me and I would be more than willing to give you prayer requests and financial need information or just to share in my excitement with you! Love you all! <3
