On Saturday, May 23rd, 2009 my home phone rang. It was my Dad on the line. A minute passed my throat tightend. "What is wrong Pop?" I said with increasing desparation and bewilderment? What he said to me next changed my life forever. He said, "Vicky, Daylon Harrington has been killed in an airplane crash."

^Summer 2008 - "The Dream He Lived"
Daylon, otherwise known as "Day" was 25 years old. He loved the LORD with all his heart and sought to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ everywhere he went. Daylon was a wonderful pilot, who loved flying and dreaming of flying into remote areas to bring encrouagement and hope to the people. His love for the LORD was made visible through his love and thoughtfulness toward all those around him. He was always smiling and eager for spontaneous adventures. I admired him in so many ways, as a best friend, for the way he dreamed and lived, for his selfless leadership, for how he adored his family, and as man recklessly abandoned to truly live for Jesus Christ. The world will be a darker place without Daylon as Heaven just got a lot brighter. On the other hand we who have been touched by the Light of Christ that beamed, like a torch in the night, through Daylon's tender touch and ingiting encouragement will be spread all around this world. I know for a fact I will never be the same again -- my life is not the same. Daylon always told me, "It's the little things in life Vicky..." so "...don't worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, or what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body is more than clothing." (Luke 12:22-23) This is one thing I learned from him, to LIVE Life, to LOVE Family, and to Focus upon the upward calling of Christ Jesus no matter the cost.

^Sunriver - Springbreak 2009

Daylon had a passion for serving others and for sharing, through word and deed, the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He knew for an absolute fact where was going after he died. The reality of Heaven is more real than the breath in our bodies and I whole heartily believe that Daylon is praising His Maker, His Pilot, the Lord who is sitting on the Throne in Heaven right this very minute. It was Daylon's goal (and mine too), to share the Hope of Eternal Life with those who have not heard. If you are reading this and do not know with absolute certainty where you will go after you die, just simply call upon the Name of the LORD and believe, by Faith, that Jesus is the SON of GOD who was Born of a virgin, Lived a perfect life, Died to save us from His wrath and from our sins, then Rose again on the third day, and is now Alive in Heaven sitting upon His Throne! This is the Truth of the Gospel.

Until the Day when we see Him again may we LIVE and FLY, as Daylon did, with reckless abandonment for Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord. To Him be the Glory forever.

"Aub & Day Best of Buds"

PBI Three Hills 2006 "Dancing at Prairie?!?"

Three Hills, AB. 2006 -"Let's Fly Day!" >

^Summer 2008 - "Determined to Win!"

Daylon -- I love you.

"Lift up your eyes on high and see who had created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing...Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power....Those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:26 & 28-31

Mother's Day, The Garden, & A New Job

I thank God for my mom! How fortunate my family is to have a mom like her! We had a great "Mother's Day" weekend together -- the boys came down and we played "Settlers of Catan", worked in the yard, hiked the Lower Table Rock, and went out for Mexican food :)!

I am discovering that I LOVE Gardening! Cultivating the ground, sewing vegetable seeds, and watering the plants. Another reason why I believe I find so much joy and satisfaction from working in our Garden is because I am reminded of the ways the Lord works in our lives. The Garden is a place I can go to think, to relax, and to pray. The Garden is looking great and I anticipate a bountiful crop this year, but for the time being I must water and allow time for the seedlings to grow.

On May 11th I officially became a Federal employee at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics in White City, Oregon. I am working in a small 16 bed Infirmary/Treatment Room serving approx. 400 U.S. military veterans. I am thankful to have this job opportunity at this time "...serving those who have served us [our Country]." The environment is friendly and community orientated. It is my desire to cultivate a Christ like love for those whom I come into contact with (both coworkers and Veterans) at the facility. I would very much appreciate your prayers for wisdom as I step into this new season and how I can best serve the broken and wandering souls in the Name of Jesus.

May the Lord's abundant Grace and Blessing be poured out upon you today and during whatever season YOU are in right now. One thing I have learned lately is to listen...listen for the birds who sound the hopeful call that the Sun is Rising and the Day is Dawning. May your Joy be made full.

Simper Fidelis (Always Faithful),

Victoria P. Lawrence

PRAIRIE - April 2009

Graduation & Friends at Prairie Bible Institute - Three Hills, Alberta, Canada

^ The Pseudo-Fam (well almost everyone) At Grad!

^Keren & Sarah

^Sarah & Victoria at Grad (Together Again!!!)

^Happy Graduation to the Grads at the Massey's house! (Happy Birthday to Jordan too!)

^Lunch with George & Ruth Foxall - The Foxalls are retired Missionaries who served in Nigeria, Africa for 40 years (Ruth worked as a Nurse while George trained future leaders through Bible school education). I have been richly blessed, time and again, by the Foxall's loving friendship, delicious meals, and Godly mentorship.

^Marji Krahn & Me at Grad - Another sweet reunion with a dear Friend

^Tea & Desserts at the Mission with Nursing Buddies :)

- A Beautiful day out on the Prairies -

^One childhood memory I have from living in a small community out on the Prairies in Alberta is climbing atop the big round hay bails and rolling them in the fields. When I saw these two lone hay bails out in this field near the old Catholic church I said, "Keren lets try to roll the hay bails!" She said, "Vicky those things weigh a ton (literally)!!!" Being the good friend that she is, she agreed to help! So we climbed on top of the one ton hay bails and pushed with all our might, but those bails were not going to roll. We huffed and puffed and laughed until our energy was drained, but it was worth trying! That afternoon we drove around the countryside looking at old barns and churches, I was once again reminded of the beauty of the Alberta Prairies and her vast open sky!

Overlooking Calgary, Alberta...Goodbye for now "O' Canada "

A New Season

Life is an adventure especially when the Creator of the Universe is the Guide. I seems like after nine months of resting and preparing for the next place God will take me things are starting to move. It is like knowing Spring is fast approaching because the wildflowers are budding. As of February 9th I became a Licensed Practical Nurse! This came to me as quite a shock, but as I am learning God's ways and plan is higher than mine -- so I praise Him for the success and the ability to pass the licensing exam. Throughout February I applied and waited to hear back from several different jobs all over the world you might say. As my mom put it, "I laid out several different fleeces." Yes, they were answered in suprising ways.
In the Fall of 2008 I applied to attend a Midwifery school in the Philippines. My heart was set on this plan, I thought it would be a perfect fit for me. But as it turned out, and I am very thankful now, this was not the case. By mid March I received one of the most encouraging letters from the Director telling me that although they really liked my application I was not accepted to the school for this coming Fall term. God is so good though, because the month prior to this letter I believe He had been preparing my heart for this news. He was telling me that all things are made Beautiful in His time, and now was not the time to go midwifery school in the Philippines. I was also planning on possibly going to Angola, Africa for three months to work in a hospital over the summer, but that door has also closed, but I believe will be open in the future. Then there was Alaska. I would love to go to this wild American land someday. So I thought way not apply for some jobs up there! I did but nothing came about, so again maybe at a later time in my life. The door that God opened up for me is one door that I never seriously considered to be a viable option, especially with our economy the way it is right now. But my God is bigger then our economy! On March 13th I had my first interview at the Southern Oregon VA Rehabilitation Center for an LPN position in their Infirmary. I had no idea they were even hiring! I was overjoyed and a bit fearful for an interview then when they called me and offered me the job (unofficially) I knew this was a God thing! As far as I know I will be starting in May. It seems like a new chapter in my life. I am excited to see how God will use this time, as I know it will be challenging I am ready. Until then I will continue working at the Sugar Pine Company Cafe in Butte Falls and what a treat and joy it is to work there! I love the people, my coworkers and boss -- God is Good!

I will end with this verse from Ephesians, a passage that has become more tangible to me in over the past several years. As Paul prays this it is my desire too for you and me:

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the Glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)

No matter what kind of season you are in right now I promise you that Jesus Christ is guiding you and knows, better than anyone, the blessed joys and torment of trials that life brings us. May you rest in HIM and may His Word rightly fill you with a great knowledge of HIS LOVE FOR YOU.

In His Service Always,
Victoria Lawrence