text: Simply Trusting: 2014
  Posted by Lauren Holland at 11:56 AM No comments:
  There's great power in memory, no? Through memory, we re-live, reminisce, keep alive, learn, grow, change. Some of us live in fear of forgetting, because we fear if we forget, we run the risk of leaving behind part of who we are. Memory motivates us to action. Like many people, I enjoy a good ramble down memory lane, and I try to retrace those steps regularly. I've been doing a lot of remembering lately, and reading through blogs and journal entries from before I went to Germany the first time, in the fall of 2010. As I write today, I find myself in a similar situation to when I first began to write about "Simply Trusting." Today, as then, I have a great financial need to be met before I am able to depart for Germany. Today, as then, I have seen God meet a large part of that need through His people. Today, as then, I am hopeful and confident that He will complete the work that He started, not only financially, but in my life longterm. Today, I have the richness of friendships and experiences to remind me why I so strongly desire to return.
  Over the weekend, I discovered that my monthly supporters had nearly doubled! So for those who are giving and those who are praying, let me say thank you, for not only responding to my need, but for allowing God to move and work through you.
  So reminisce with me, and let me share with you a brief excerpt from one of my very first posts in September of 2010:
  "For now, I am trying just to keep things in perspective, both long-term and short-term. My long-term goal (obviously) is to get to Germany, in God's time. Short-term involves following in faith, daily. I am coming to appreciate the vital importance of immersing oneself daily in the Word, and having done that, meditating on what I've read throughout the day. Short-term also involves doing the next right thing, i.e. sending support letters, addressing envelopes, talking to churches, and talking to potential supporters. My prayer is that people will see this as an opportunity to partner with the work God is doing at and through BFA...Please pray with me that many will want to be involved, and also that I will not worry, but instead learn to trust God in an even greater way!"
  "And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
  If you would like to be part of meeting this need, please click here: Partner with me!
  Posted by Lauren Holland at 10:23 AM No comments:
  Over the last few weeks I have received much encouragement, from both sides of the ocean. Many friends have joined my team of ministry partners, and I can't thank you enough!! I wanted to share a couple of thoughts with you today. First from my time in the Word just this morning, in Psalm 81:10, "I am the Lord your God, Who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." This verse follows a retelling of the deliverance of Israel from captivity. God has been faithful to them and He reminds them here that He is faithful, and that He is who He says He is. How can you hesitate to trust a God like that? So often I am guilty of a Pinterest-like Christianity. I hear something that resonates with me about Who God is or what He asks of me at church or Bible study, and with the best of intentions, I file it away for later. I continue living a walk that does not put that belief into practice. This weekend I have been under intense conviction over doubt, and failing to act when I have clearly been asked to trust and to act in the confidence of my calling. God has called me, so what is there to doubt. Giving in to doubt because God hasn't supplied my need the way I might think He should is not an option. He is faithful, He loves me and He knows how great my needs are. If you are familiar with my story, you will recall that last time I served in Germany, God provided financial support for me in incredible ways, and through some of you! "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." Not asking for millions of dollars, a huge home or designer clothes, but simply trusting that God will provide as He has in the past. Because He never changes.
  Second, I want to pass along the following statements to you. These have appeared on my Facebook news feed over the last week from well-wishers and prayer warriors at BFA.
  "Lauren, I miss you a ton, tell your supporters that we all really want you to come as fast as possible" - Mike*, student
  "Praying for God to supply the remainder! Students can't have piano lessons until you come..." - fellow BFA teacher
  "We're eagerly anticipating your arrival! (And Jon* cries in my office every day! so HURRY!) - fellow BFA teacher
  With cooler temperatures here in NJ, and school in full swing at BFA, my heart is aching to return to these people and this place that I love. I am praying today for 14 people or families who will commit to partner with me for $100 per month. Would you consider being a part of the way that God supplies for me to return to BFA? To partner with me by giving, visit this link: https://give.teachbeyond.org. or email me (see below) for more information. I am so excited to see how God will continue to supply the remainder of my support! Thank you to all who have given and are giving!! I can't wait to be posting here from across the ocean and sharing all that God is doing at BFA.
  If these thoughts have impacted you in any way, please email me here: Lauren's email
  Posted by Lauren Holland at 8:39 AM No comments:
  I have been trying all week to write, but the words have not come easily. However as I grieve with my country today, the words are finally flowing. This will not be a support update post. Look for that in a day or two. For now, remember with me.
  As I sit at home in New Jersey just hours away from the site of each attack, I am listening to the names of all those who perished on that awful day, September 11, 2001. Individuals who are in some way connected to the fallen are reading the names of their own loved ones and those beloved by so many others. Most heart-rending to me are the ones reading in memory of their parents, siblings and spouses. I know where I was that day, what I thought, and the way it has changed the way that I live. But that is not important in this moment. In the face of very real grief, the qualities of those who have passed are being remembered. I can't help but wonder, if my name was on that list, what would be said of me? What words would immortalize my memory? The sacrifice was inadvertent for many of the victims. Each one started the day just like everyone else on the East Coast, unaware that it would be their last. How am I living now that would be remembered if today were my last? I know how I want to be remembered, but what impression am I leaving? If the lady filling the coffee pots at Wawa were the last person I ever spoke to, would I have left her with a kind word and a smile? If the UPS guy at our door were the last person to interact with me, would I have shown him Christ? And then there are those closest to me, who see me in all of my tattered, human glory. What would live on in their memory after all of the kind words from others had drifted away?
  Titus 2:7 says, "Show yourself, in all respects, to be a model of good works and in your teaching show integrity, dignity..." Recently it was pointed out to me that this idea of being a "model of good works" is that of being a form or mold that once it makes an impression on the clay or other molding material, leaves a impression that looks like the mold. This is the kind of impression we are to be leaving on each other. I pray that the way that I live will not shape lives after Lauren, but rather that after knowing me, others will look a little more like Him.
  If this is confusing to you in any way, or if you have questions about what it means to follow Christ and to have a relationship with them, please contact me. Click here for Lauren's email
  Posted by Lauren Holland at 8:40 AM No comments:
  "No, you keep it. So you'll have it when you get back." - Tyler
  These words held confidence that made my heart sing. He was putting music back in my hands that I had held all summer; music for his senior recital. Tyler is cellist, and a senior at Black Forest Academy. By God's grace he believes that I will be back to accompany him.
  When I first embarked on this journey into missions, I had a REALLY hard time asking people for money. Why should people give money so I could go to Europe? Through communicating with supporters as well as my organization TeachBeyond, God has changed my perspective. Please hear me when I make the following:
  Giving to missions is not a one-way street. Did you get that? If not, read it again. Please.
  In certain parts of the United States, we have attendants that pump gas into our cars for us. No matter how you may feel about that, it enables our vehicles to run. He puts the gas into the vehicle, we give him money, and then we drive away. The attendant does (likely) not refine and produce the fuel before it gets delivered to the station. Nor does (likely) get into our vehicle, much less get into my driver's seat. But by putting fuel into the vehicle, he plays an integral role in allowing the vehicle to run. Even though he may not ever see where the vehicle went, he played a vital part in getting it there. In a similar way, you as an individual have the opportunity to enable ministry to happen. When you partner with a missionary by giving them money, you are metaphorically linking arms with them, helping to "fuel" the vehicle of ministry. You enable them to live in a situation in which the Word of God is taught, people are shown what it looks like to be like Christ, and training for life happens. This kind of ministry cannot happen on its own, just as a car cannot run without fuel. BFA serves many, many families around the world. The students come from many different cultures, family situations, and home environments. Regardless of how you may feel about boarding schools, these are students who God has called us to love.
  Partnership is a two-way street.
  Just like any other human relationship, giving one way as a ministry partner can be extremely exhausting and unfulfilling. What has been exciting this time around is to pray for support to come in, and then as people give, to continue praying specifically for them. At this point, I want to say a huge thank you to those of you who are already partnering with me. It means the world to me to have you on my team! Please know that I also partner with you in prayer as specifically as I can! *Also as a side note, if there is a way I can pray for you specifically please email me here: Lauren's email. As a missionary, I want to stay in touch with my ministry partners and supporters to the best of my ability, giving as much feedback as possible. I do my best to post pictures here and to Facebook, blog here to keep you in the loop, and communicate prayer requests through family and friends at home. Finally, as you contemplate partnership, with me or any other missionary, please do so prayerfully. For many of us, funds are limited, making giving difficult. I encourage you to lift these needs before God and to ask Him to direct you as to where He would have you give.
  So my question is this: will you partner with me, and enable me to fulfill the calling God has placed on my life to love the students at BFA?
  School at BFA starts tomorrow. Will you help get me there so I will miss as little of the school year as possible?
  If you would like to partner with me, please click here: https://give.teachbeyond.org
  I would be honored if you would partner with me. May God bless you as you consider partnership and ministry!
  Posted by Lauren Holland at 6:34 PM No comments:
  FAQ's - the August Edition
  Over the summer, I have been asked numerous questions that I wanted to take some time to answer. This is in no way a frustrated post, but simply a means to articulately and adequately answer the questions which so many have kindly thought to ask. Thanks for wondering and being interested!
  1. When is Carolyn getting married?
  Answer: She did yesterday!!! We are SO excited to announce that my dear sister Carolyn has now taken the last name of Dignan! She and Jimmy were married this past weekend, and the wedding was gorgeous! I maybe a wee bit biased, but I've never seen a more beautiful bride or a more smitten groom. Enjoy the photo of them below! (Photo creeds to Robby Berkstresser) More photos will follow when they become available!
  The happy couple - Jimmy and Carolyn!
  2. Are you still planning to go back to Germany? When do you leave and what will you be doing until then?
  Answers: YES! At this moment, I do not have a departure date and until I reach commitments of 90% (and preferably 100%) of my support, contacting people to partner with me will be a full time job. Once I reach 90%, I can book a ticket to fly to Germany. Currently, I am at 20% of my support, and I am very thankful for all of those who have committed to partner with me. Many people are asking when I leave and are praying for me, so I want to say a huge thank you to you who are doing so!! Prayer is powerful!! Please pray that those who are praying and are capable of giving financially will do so. I have been mulling over some thoughts on partnership and missions and hope to post them here over the next week or so. Stay tuned!
  The clincher? School starts at BFA in one week. God is completely capable of bringing in more than 100% of my need before that time, and I am asking him to do so. Will you partner with me in this amazing ministry to the students at Black Forest Academy?
  Click here to give: https://give.teachbeyond.org
  Also, for more information about the school, click here: http://bfacademy.com
  Below is part of my inspiration to return and continue loving on the students at BFA:
  3. What did you do with your summer?
  Answer: I was the Lead Counselor at the Csehy Summer School of Music. This is an official title for a lot of administrative and logistical work, which I loved! This year, the Lord blessed us with our largest group of students in the history of the organization, and He also gifted us with an extremely capable and joyful group of counselors. I was honored to help lead this group.
  Csehy Counselors 2014
  Posted by Lauren Holland at 6:24 PM No comments:
  I've been wanting to post for a while, but we are in our fourth and final week at the Csehy Summer School of Music and life has been hectic. Also, if you haven't heard, my sister Carolyn is getting married in a little over three weeks, so our family is abuzz with wedding planning. Needless to say, excitement is everywhere!! Because of the busyness of life, I have not had time to contact and follow up with potential supporters, but I intend to start doing more of that next week. Since time has been an issue, it does not appear that I will meet my goal of returning to Germany by the end of August. I do plan, however, to continue plans to return to Germany, and the Black Forest Academy, as soon as possible. God's timing is perfect, and I trust Him fully to bring my support in. I am praying for monthly supporters who will partner with me for at least $10 per month. I am still currently just above 10%, and in order to return I need to be at 90%. Every partner makes a difference, no matter how large or small the amount. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me?
  A quick Csehy update: I am currently serving in the role of Assistant to the Head Counselor and Director of Staff, which essentially translates to Counselor for the counselors. I have held this role for the past 5 years, and I love it! This year, I have taken on a bit more of the administration, schedule and travel coordination and general logistics. I am amazed with the way that God uses past experiences to build and prepare us for new ones. This year's team of counselors is phenomenal, and each one has a sincere desire to serve and love. It is my privilege to work with them, pray with them, and assist them in any way possible. I am so grateful to serve with the counselors, faculty and staff here, and to interact with our incredible students!!
  To wrap up, I again ask you to consider partnering with me, both prayerfully and financially. You are a vital and enabling part of my ministry, both in the US and at BFA. Please feel free to contact me here if you would like more information. I would love to hear from you if you would like to partner with me in prayer support as well.
  Posted by Lauren Holland at 7:37 PM No comments:
  Normally a winter in NJ brings a dash of snow here and there, but I'm beginning to think I brought back more of Germany than I realized! The past several weeks have been littered with snow days, for which both students and teachers have been grateful!
  Last week I had the privilege of traveling to upstate NY, one of my favorite regions in the US, with our church youth group for their winter retreat. We spent several days in a cabin with no internet or running water, and had a fantastic time! The purpose was to remove distractions for the kids in the youth group, but I needed it just as much as they did. I was so grateful for the chance to get away with our teens and make time with God an even bigger priority. How often do we think about spending time with Him, and tell ourselves 'I'll do it later'? We make time for that which is truly important to us. Our actions and words stem from our hearts, therefore putting Christ first in our lives starts in our hearts and minds as well. This happens when we acknowledge Him in all our ways (Proverbs 3:5-6), are still before Him (Psalm 46:10), and seek Him first (Matthew 6:33). His Word is a lamp to our feet, a light to our path; in His presence is fulnes of joy. There is nothing more important in life than Christ and our relationship with Him, and the way that we live should exude that.
  We are also told to take the good news of the Gospel to others, and with that in mind I would ask for prayer. I am prayerfully considering where God would have me go in the coming years, and doors are opening. Please pray for wisdom and discernment, and that I wouldn't second guess His leading. His way is perfect, and I trust Him to continue guide as He has been so faithful to do before.
  Also, it may seem a bit early, but I am also preparing for another summer with the Csehy Summer School of Music, another ministry to which God has called me to dedicate my summers. Each year I am amazed at the group of people God brings together, so please pray even now that God will direct exactly the faculty, counselors, staff, and students that He desires to be there, and that He will begin to open hearts to be changed and molded into His likenes.
  God is truly good, all the time.
  Posted by Lauren Holland at 12:52 PM No comments:
  Today is definitely not Saturday, which means that I'm late in posting, but I want to put out a short, sweet request this week. Due to a holiday and two snow days (which has to be some kind of record??) tomorrow marks the delayed start of second semester. I love the fresh newness of beginnings of things. Middle times can be difficult. Endings bittersweet. With especially these last two in mind, I would ask you to pray with me for the students and staff as they begin tomorrow. That they would come with a mind set to please Christ most of all. That they would really truly love Him. That we would all run our race with patience. That nothing would rob us of our joy. And that we "may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:10
  I can honestly say that I am looking forward to what this new semester will bring. Thank you for your prayers! I look forward to sharing with you again soon!
  Posted by Lauren Holland at 4:17 PM No comments:
  Resolutions (sort of) and a wedding!
  I'm not normally one for making New Year's resolutions, primarily because I'm not very good at following through with them. However, a little over one week ago, I decided to blog once a week, and here I am following through :)
  School has started up again, and with it, all the joy and drama that Academia brings. During Christmas break I attended the wedding of some family-friends and while the I was challenged, rather indirectly, to live each day with joy. I realized at that time that joy was something that I had not been seeking, at least on a regular basis. How convicting! It was rather startling to come face to face with the fact that I was attempting to live without one of the essential elements of the Christian life. Of course I had been asking God for courage and strength, because those seemed to be the obvious things one would need when doing something difficult. But joy. So this week I've been asking for joy. And with it has come a lifting, both of my spirits, but more than that, of the eyes of my heart beyond myself to the needs those around me. I am not able to meet needs or fix hearts, but that's not what God is asking. His grace is sufficient. He's asking me to be available so He can work through me. This week was good, but I have a feeling this is the beginning of a much longer journey steadily upwards, and I cannot wait to see what He will do.
  So that wedding I went to? Well, some dear friends, Timmy and Kristi Gaster (Hooray! I can finally write that!) got hitched in Seattle a few days after Christmas. What an incredible, joyful, emotion-filled time of celebration we had. Guests came literally from around the worlld, which was in itself amazing. But in the faces of those present, one could see the luster that only comes from having been changed by God through another human being, and in the case, because of the willingness of Timmy and Kristi. Many words were spoken, memories shared, stories told, and encouragement given. But beyond that, there was hope expressed, for the future these two will share, and what God will continue to do through them. It was so sweet to see BFA friends and former staff and students and reminisce and share about how each of us is handling our transitions. What amazes me is how God has a distinct path for each of us, and how He has been guiding us all individually. So although I was sad to say good bye yet again, I look forward to the next meeting, and to all that will happen in the meantime. So to my BFA family: May God make His face shine upon you until we meet again! Love to you all.
  Here's a pic from the wedding:
  Posted by Lauren Holland at 3:26 PM No comments:
  So it's been a while since I posted last, and there are lots of excuses, and maybe some valid reasons. But so much has happened in the 6 months since my last post. I made a heart-wrenching move back to the US, worked another summer of Csehy, got a new job at my old school, started transitioning back to life with my family, had German 'Danke's' caught in my throat every time I was at a cash register, got grafted back into the loving community of my church, and tried to maintain some degree of 'normal' without really knowing what that meant. All the while, I was dearly missing the people, places, smells, sounds, and emotions that composed BFA in Germany. Tears and waves of emotion stronger than I'd experienced in my short life were my constant companions. And still are sometimes. The reason is simple: I have loved hard, long, and at great cost. This left me feeling much like a worn out piece of elastic, with about as much energy. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Because when God calls us to love others, He doesn't only ask for half of our hearts. It's His greatest commandment.
  This year God has allowed me to keep on loving in an opportunity I didn't expect (more on that later), but the call is the same. There was need, there was me; God said go and I went. Every day I ask God for strength to serve, and every day He is faithful.
  As the new year begins, and the smell of snow is in the air, I have hope.
  And this is why: "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6), "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever." (Psalm 138:8)
  "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.