I wanna start by saying thank you to everyone who messaged me or reached out since I last shared I was switching routes. I was worried people would perceive it as uncertain or flaky, but everyone was so kind and affirming and I was yet again, blown away by the friends and family in my life!
I’ve been so blown away by the goodness and faithfulness of Jesus in my life these past 3 months!
My last Sunday at home, the choir sang a sweet song, called “Safe Thus Far” you can find it HERE on youtube. I sat there with tears in my eyes and thought about how faithful the Lord has been in my life and all he’s brought me through. At one point, during the second chorus, the song says “I really don’t know what lies ahead. But I have no doubt no fear no dread, I’ll still be standing telling my story safe thus far.”
& that’s the truth. I have no clue what this next year holds for me, but I can certainly look back and see just how faithful Jesus has been in the past and in my present and rest assured He’ll continue to be faithful, as the song continued to say “this is my story, I’ll give Him the glory, I’m safe thus far!”
That being said, here’s a little 3-month update!
Last time I gave a monthly update, I was planning to go in October and obviously since then a lot has changed since I’ll be going in January now!
A month ago, I shared THIS post, giving an update on how things are going two months in. & today, I’m doing it again. This month has flown by!
Last time, I shared I had raised $3,123.91 for my world race and since then I’ve raised $597 more dollars, bringing my grand total to $3,720.91! Wow! God is so faithful! I still have a lot more to raise, but I’m honestly not really worried about it. He’s been so faithful to provide thus far and I have no doubt that He will continue to provide for me in the days to come! Honestly, I’m 20% funded. In 3 months, I’ve raised 20% of the funding needed. That’s really good – so thank you to everyone who has been so gracious and generous to give, to lift me up in prayer, and support me these last 3 months!
& also, almost equally as exciting, is the fact that I have my backpack! I mentioned earlier, that I stopped in REI to check out their backpacks, be sized, and all that jazz and I ended up finding one that I really liked. It also was on sale for 40% off with a 5-year warranty and a year to return in, just in case I decided to go with something different!
I’m a little obsessed with it/worried about it. I packed for the Host Rally in Atlanta the other day and for a 3-day conference packed a fairly large weekender tote! The thought totally crossed my mind that I was insane for thinking I could live out of this for a year…. but insane or not, I’m excited none the less!
So, past the finances of it all and the ways, He’s physically provided and revealed Himself to me this month, He’s also taught me SO much!
1. For starters, He’s reminded me that He always uses the unexpected. I mean, you’d think that would be obvious and expected because His word is full of examples and times when He defied people’s expectations. I mean think of David, Hoses, Jonah, Saul/Paul, all the tax-collectors, the poor beggar Lazarus, even Mary the Mother of Jesus, and so many others. Yet, somehow it always makes me stop and look to Jesus again when He provides using seemingly unlikely people at random times.
2. He rewards faithfulness. I hesitate to write this, because I’m not a believer in a prosperity gospel or the idea of tithing or giving, just to get more money back. BUT, I do believe and have learned this past month especially that when we do our end, He will always do His! When we go where He called us to go and do what he’s called us to do, He’s always faithful to provide and supply.
3. Very similar to the statement above, but He’s reminded me that I can never outgive God and not just in terms of money, but certainly true for finances as well, but in all things time, energy, resources, efforts, ETC.
4. Perspective is everything. If I focus on the good, I’ll see the good. If I focus on the negative, I’ll only see the negative. (duh! right?) Fixing my eyes on Him, the author and perfecter of my faith really does make a HUGE difference.
I shared three ways that I’d love for people to be praying for me. Honestly, that list hasn’t changed much. I’d still really love for people to pray that the Lord continues to give me a passion (& even places more people around me who are passionate about it as well. It’s SO much easier to be passionate about passionate people!) Continue to pray that the Lord would help me teachable and finally, for finances – I’m a little more considered about how to fundraise when I’m at school, so if you have any ideas, certainly shoot me a message!
“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11
Much Love & Many Blessings, Lauren
