Hey all! I know I have been a total butt and I haven’t posted anything (literally nothing at all since my first post) and I apologize! Blogging is HARD. I have at least three or four partially written documents on my computer because I start to type something, then forget the point of what I was saying, and end up letting it sit on my computer until I forget about it…

So instead of attempting to actually be an interesting blogger, I’m just going to give you all a lil’ update on my life! 

First off, I am just about 25 days away from graduation (not like I’ve been counting or anything). So naturally, I fight the daily urge to skip school and chill at my house with a cup of coffee and Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix but I’m still finishing strong! My first period is an all seniors class and my teacher has actually started brewing coffee in the classroom, just to bribe kids to come to class. It’s fabulous.

Not only am I working on finishing school strong, but also finishing strong with rugby! This past month has almost completely been rugby before anything. My amazing team has made it to our state championships again this year. Last year we won, and this year I am praying that we take the state title again, before I leave my high school team for good (as a player, that is..) 

Lastly, I am completely ecstatic about fundraising! I love you all SO much and I cannot believe how generous everyone has been. Currently, I am a little over 13% funded, which doesn’t include some funds that haven’t gone in yet. 

THAT. IS. AWESOME. I find it funny because every other day someone goes “Hey Lauren, how’s fundraising going??” and it goes a little like this:

me: “oh really, really good!”

person: “thats great! how much have you made so far?”

Me: “I have just about $2,000!”

person: “wow! that’s awesome. How much do you need altogether??”

me: “well.. about $14,000 or so”

person: “oh.. wow that’s a lot of money…”

*cue awkward silence*

Yes.. I am more than aware that $14,000 is a lot of money.. Thank you for the reminder.

I mean, in the grand total, $2,000 may not be a lot but hey, you gotta celebrate the little victories right?? 

And this is all because of you guys! I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to the people who have decided to donate to my trip. It means so much to me that people are actively helping me go on my trip. Honestly and seriously, fundraising started off as a huge burden.. There seemed to be a weight on my shoulders daily, reminding me that If I don’t make the funds, I can’t go. Theres doubt, there’s embarrassment and there’s shame that comes along with taking on such a big mission. It’s hard to put yourself out there, and ask for people’s hard earned dollars! I prayed (and still pray) continuously about this, and came to realize that fundraising has brought me as close to the Lord as I’ve ever been. Fundraising has been a huge test in my faith. Not only has it proved that my community of people LOVES, and CARES about me, but that my God is behind that finish line, rooting me on, and providing me with the means to get through. I have been shown, time and time again that He has placed you guys in my life to be my support system; and I am not referring solely to finances. With emotional support, life advice and prayer, you all have made this trip a reality. So yes, fundraising is difficult, but it has also been a major blessing. I’ve gotten to reach out and connect with so many different people, and It’s shown me just how good the Lord is. 

With that, my first deadline is $5,000 by July, and I have complete faith in God and my community, that the funds will come. Thank you all who have already donated, and thank you to the people who are still going to give. You guys are truly making my future become reality.