I titled this post "3x blessed" because this will be my 3rd trip back to El Salvador! Yes....that crazy Lauren is going back to El Salvador. I am so grateful that the doors will once more be opened for me to travel and spend the month of August serving in El Salv. But...I'm sure you may be wondering...what in the world have I been up to? Let me explain....
As many of you may have already read or know, I returned from El Salvador in October and have been home since. I've been working different jobs and am currently coaching middle school track and field in my hometown. This has been such a blessing and I look forward to it everyday!!! Our first meet is next Tuesday and the season will last until May. Track & Field has been a passion of mine since I was in middle school and it carried me all the way to college. I feel that it is a great privilege and responsibility to invest the knowledge and love for the sport that I have. It's been great being able to coach, but I know that this may only be a short season.
I continually cry out to God.."when is my life going to start?" or "when am I going to have a career and use my degree in something?" But during these months, God has so gently reminded me that my life HAS started and I AM using the talents and wisdom that He's placed within me. I know I am not the only one who gets wrapped up in wanting to have a great career, living comfortably, and waking up to a purpose everyday. While all those things are good things....when we focus on them too much and place them before God, that is when it is not good. Ever so kindly, Jesus has been telling me that He is the ultimate source of my joy and the meaning of my life. Without Him, nothing else really matters. May we be enraptured by the Creator of all things, rather than the things created!
Shifting our eyes solely upon God frees us to worship and adore Him as He truly deserves. However, because the Lord is so kind, He still sees our needs/wants and constantly meets them. For me, I had been asking God to provide a job for me so that I could pay off the few student loans I have. Then, I will be debt-free and able to serve Him in whatever way (whether more schooling or another mission trip) without any finances holding me back. Long story short....I have been offered a good job in a Sports medicine office that is close to home, and will allow me to have quite a few different responsibilities. One of the best parts about all of this is that they are flexible and okay with me leaving for the whole month of August to travel to El Salvador!!!! What a blessing!!
God truly has His hand in more ways than we can expect! Going back down to El Salvador means so much to me because I will be able to enjoy two things I love: serving God's precious people and also spending time with the wonderful man of God that has been placed in my life. Please know that I rely on your prayers and your support! I literally can feel and see the love you pour into my life as it comes to fruition throughout these processes of the before, during, and after part of my mission trips!
I hope to write soon and am so excited to be sharing this with you all....AGAIN! :)
With much love,
Lauren
