changing. I have gone from living in a house of four girls in Three Hills, Alberta, to graduating from a nursing program, to living in Calgary, to staying back in Three Hills, to travelling to Mozambique, Africa for a three week community nursing practicum, to living back at my home in Southern Oregon! At times I have felt like a sojourner, and I just in all reality (and in light of eternity) I am simply that, a sojourner. I have learned a lot over the past several months, from travelling and spending time with wise mentors. So here is just a brief update as to what I have been and what may be in store for me in the coming days.
Like I said I spent three AMAZING weeks in the bush of Mozambique learning about the culture and teaching basic health to children and adult women. It was simply eye opening and a trip I will never forget. It was restful and purposeful. We did a lot of community nurse type things, stayed with a local family (I even got to help carry water from the river and wash dishes African Style), we helped at the local health post, and helped give immunizations to women, children and babies in three local communities (partnering with the local hospital team). 
We laughed and ate really good meals together. We spent time reading, chatting, and listening to one another. I loved our team of eight (six ladies and one manly "Spiritual Leader")! I would love to go back someday if the Lord opens that door, but no matter what I will always be remembering: the people, our host families, the missionary couples (Lynn & Dwight, Earl, and Franzwa & Alta), the morning and evening walks, the drums at night and the most marvelous starry nights. Africa is a country of great need -- beyond what we in North America can ever really understand or imagine. We can help through prayer, visiting, and encouraging our neighbors to remember to 
Thank God for our many undeserved blessings (like clean drinking water & the opportunity to learn how to read). So Africa will always be in my heart and prayers...It was an incredible adventure!At this point I am now living back at home in Oregon. I love my home, my family and simply resting. I am humbled and overwhelmed by how much I have been given at time, in all things physical health, a beautiful place to live, my own room, a good church, and so much more. Within the next couple months I will be taking the National Boards for Nursing (called the NCLEX). After passing this exam :) I will be licensed to practice as a Practical Nurse! This is very exciting and scary at the same time as this will a challenging exam. After this I am hoping to work somewhere local for the next few months, but not for no longer than a year. All my "plans" at this point are simply steps...or to put in another way it is like I am throwing many different casts into the water and waiting to see which one catches the fish! This is an exciting time and there are so many possibilities for the future I am excited to see where the Lord leads me! I am also doing several different volunteer things for the time being (trying to gain as much experience in areas that I can) like being a volunteer Fire Fighter for the Town of Butte Falls and I will soon be volunteering with Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. I am also applying to the NewLife International School of Midwifery in the Philippines. This would begin next August, I am praying that it will work out! I love looking into things, things that I dream about -- I know I can't do everything, but God is Big and His ways are higher and wiser than my ways, so I will seek Him and allow Him to work out His perfect plan for my life! I am enjoying this time, even though it is a time of waiting -- it seems that there is enough to keep me busy learning! My parents have been an invaluable support and encouragement to me at this time too, so I just want to say THANKS to You Mom and Dad!
Well I think that pretty much covers the majority of my life at this point...I trust that you all are doing well. May the Lord richly bless you, as you Bless others around you. For as we are given much, much is required of us, thus let us be willing and ready to act and live out the LOVE and message of the Gospel of Christ everyday that God grants to us on this earth.
"Grace and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" - II Thess. 1:2
Love,
Victoria Lawrence
Well I think that pretty much covers the majority of my life at this point...I trust that you all are doing well. May the Lord richly bless you, as you Bless others around you. For as we are given much, much is required of us, thus let us be willing and ready to act and live out the LOVE and message of the Gospel of Christ everyday that God grants to us on this earth.
"Grace and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" - II Thess. 1:2
Love,
Victoria Lawrence
