.laurendru.

a sojourners thoughts

I want to move up north! May 25, 2007

Filed under: Uncategorized — laurendru @ 9:17 pm

So on Wednesday Aimee and I started our adventure up the east coast. From Jacksonville Florida to Cape Cod Mass. It was really fun. I love driving and I love being able to see scenery as you drive. Going through NYC and then Connecticut was my favorite! NYC just fascinates me and then Conn. is beautiful! All the tree’s its so green and makes me feel like I can breathe better. There’s something about the North that I love and it makes me smile. Maybe it is because I spent the first part of my life up here. I don’t know, but i like it :)

We stopped at a hotel in Virginia; we made it their at 9:01 pm…just in time to watch lost! haha it made me laugh. We were running down the hallway to get to our room. Then the next day we headed out for the last part of the trip (my favorite) The only part I didn’t like was the fact i was 34 miles away from Philly at one point! I wanted to go soo bad! That’s what I don’t like about driving, it makes you realize all that your missing. When you fly you don’t really think about it. If Iwould have had more money I would have definitely stopped in PA. I haven’t been there in at least 5 years!

So its been good so far. Today were just going to take it easy, we went out to the beach for a little, then got some coffee at Honey Dew.  I can’t wait to go to Boston. I told Aimee if I only see one thing I want to see Boston College. My whole life since I was little I wanted to go to school their. And seeing that didn’t happen I at least want to go visit!

Well that’s all for now :)

 

missions May 1, 2007

Filed under: missions — laurendru @ 6:17 pm

       So lately I’ve been just trying to figure out my life. I think I’ve come to the realization that I’ve been planning my future all on my own. When I first started learning about missionaries and hearing their stories I was in awe. I was so impressed and moved by their lives and how God lived through them. I sparked a passion and desire in my heart. So I then ended up here at BCF. I didn’t know exactly what I would do in life, I just knew I loved missionaries and wanted to learn more. I wanted to be one. Now somewhere along this path I’ve lost my passion for this, to the point of where I was highly considering changing my major. And right before I was going to e-mail Dr. Jumper to make an appointment to talk to him about it. I just had a feeling that I shouldn’t and I need to just stick with my major. So I did and lately I’ve been seeing my desire for mission to come back. Somewhere within the past two years I had decided (on my own, I might add) that I was going to be a missionary in North America and that I wasn’t called over sea’s. Now I’m not sure (or can’t remember) how I came to this conclusion. But I think God is just looking into my heart now and seeing all my plans and my desires and my dreams. And that’s a little scary. When I became a Christian at almost 16 I fully gave God my life. I happily wanted his will because mine was about to kill me…literally. And those days I remember having to deal with some really hard things, but at the same time I was so joyful letting God direct me. It was different, and I fought it from time to time. But in the end when I let go of all my plans I saw God’s hand leading me. And I was never happier. Around that time is when I felt called to be a missionary. I didn’t know much about God or theology. But I knew I wanted to be able to let God lead and live through me and to share with others. Slowly for about two years now I’ve been taking my life back. I slowly started making my own plans and dreams because it’s what I wanted and everything I wanted would make me happy and in the end glorify me           

       Now that I’ve come to the realization that for the past two years I have been making my own plans, God is telling me to surrender my plans and dreams and hopes. They all are serving my needs. They are all selfish. So I’m scared one, to tell people that everything I’ve been telling them isn’t true. (pride issue) and two, that I’m back to nothing but trust and telling God “I’ll go” even though I don’t know what or where.           

        God, I am SO selfish and am living for myself. I struggle with giving you the glory because my flesh so badly wants it for itself. Lord, help me to know you and glorify YOU. Help me see that I am nothing unless you are my all. Continue to break me down so all I can depend on is you. I’ve been playing it so safe with you in fear that you will break me and I will lose all the comforts I have right now. But Lord, PLEASE take them away. Help me to realize I can’t live without you and that YOU are the only think I need! , help me to bring back the missionary heart you gave me back in high school! I don’t want to throw that miracle away! I want to glorify you. Help me to let go of the pride and selfishness and self centeredness. I want to be God centered. I want people to see how you Jesus suffered to save us from ourselves and death. Thank you Jesus for the life you have freely given to me, you are my greatest sacrifice. I love you and just want to glorify you in the time I have on this earth. Amen.