I'm Lindsey, I'm 18, and I'm moving to Australia... "Hi Lindsey..."

I thought about not even posting, because there is so muuuch to say. But so much I don't even know how to express. But here goes...

The countdown is now at 11. Eleven days until I say my final farewells and hop on the plane to Australia.
I am constantly reminded of all of the amazing blessings that have led up to this point... my family has had wonderful time together (including the game Settlers!), my friends have surprised me in more ways than one, and my church family has shown incredible love and support. I'm so thankful.

I don't intend to, but I find myself growing increasingly distant from people. At home I try to hide in my room, writing songs that can somehow convey what I'm feeling. At work I feel tired, and I am constantly writing TO DO lists in order not to forget anything. When I'm with friends I try to stay involved, when really I'm having constant dialogue in my mind. When asked if I'm excited, I almost don't know how to answer. Yes, I am excited. But it still does not feel real.

I've been dreaming, praying and hoping for this for 8 months and now that it's finally here, there's a sense of melancholy about it all. So many feelings, so many emotions...So much to say, and so much to process. So many things I can't figure out until I'm there. Which also makes me a little nervous! It will be culture shock to the max!

So please forgive me if I have acted distant, unattentive or stressed. I do wish to have meaningful time with everyone before leaving.


Farewell for today. May you be reminded of God's goodness, thankful for His promises, and attentive to His Spirit.

Walk On The Water

Sometimes I fear that I'll get to the terminal and refuse to get on the plane...


What in the world am I doing?! Then I realize all of the miracles that have already taken place, and I am confident that God is faithful. I guess it's just beginning to hit me. And I really am excited. Don't worry, I'm not doubting my decision! haha
Last night, my family had a girl over that had attended Hillsong for two years and it was great to have some more information about everything. In a way it was overwhelming, because although I know a little more, there will be so much to figure out once I get there. 


But I feel ready.... I think. 


You know the peace that it talks about in Philippians 4? (verse 8...And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.) I totally can sense that. I believe God is protecting me so much. And comforting me more than I know! And I think he's protecting my family too. Honestly, my family and I don't talk about it more than we have to. We go over details, but don't talk about how much we'll miss each other, etc. I try to think about the new things I'm going to experience and not the things I'm going to miss. 


Below are the lyrics to "Walk on the Water" by Britt Nicole. This song has been a huge blessing, and every time I listen to it, I instantly feel God rebuilding my faith.

You look around, staring back at you
Another wave of doubt, will it pull you under? You wonder
What if I'm overtaken? What if I never make it?
What if no one's there? Will You hear my prayer?

When you take that first step into the unknown
You know that He won't let you go

So what are you waiting for? What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities, they try to hold to you
But you know you're made for more, so don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes, and you can walk on the water, too

So get out, and let your fear fall to the ground
No time to waste, don't wait, and don't you turn around and miss out
Everything you were made for, I know you're not sure
So you play it safe, you try to run away

If you take that first step into the unknown
He won't let you go

So what are you waiting for? What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities, they try to hold to you
But you know you're made for more, so don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes, and you can walk on the water, too

Step out, even when it's storming
Step out, even when you're broken
Step out, even when your heart is telling you
Telling you to give up

Step out, when your hope is stolen
Step out, you can't see where you're going
You don't have to be afraid
So what are you waiting, what are you waiting for?

So what are you waiting for? What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to hold to you
You know you're made for more, so don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes, and you can walk on the water
Walk on the water, too

One Minute At A Time

Yesterday marked the one month countdown until I leave. And as it quickly approaches, I feel as though there is so much to be done. Christmas gifts to be made or bought. Final coffee dates with friends and family. My room must be overhauled. Which will be no easy task... Packing all of my things into two 50 lb. suitcases. I'm getting a headache just thinking about it!

But in these 30 days, life continues to swirl around me. The lights of our tree sparkle, the monotony of work seems even more apparent. I'm in the process of planning my sermon for Sunday and although I am so excited, I feel as though there is sooo much I wish to say, but don't have enough time. Isn't that how we all feel? The common phrases, "So much to do, so little time," and "if only there were only more hours in the day..." make me feel guilty for not making the most of the time I do have.

In my eighteen years, I feel as though I haven't accomplished much. I feel so small. And yet God still chooses me. I've learned that instead of having a "change the world" outlook, I need a "change the environment" perspective. Not the environment as in global warming, but the environment as in everywhere I go. Every person I meet. Every minute. Every second.

I'm sure at one point or another, everyone has wished to be famous. To be able to make an impact on a huge scale. But often what happens is that once people receive the recognition, it becomes all about them. I do not wish to be famous. I wish to partner in making God famous.
This impact begins in our homes. It spreads to our schools, our workplace, our churches, our communities, our city... so on and so forth.

So in this hectic season, look for ways to love. Love without conditions. Give with an open heart. And see every moment as a gift. And as you do that... you will change the world.

My First "Big Girl" Christmas Party

As I navigated my way through the room of women I thought to myself, I do not even deserve this title. I have not been to college, I have not married, and I don't have children. And yet, I felt totally accepted. When you look at a woman, what do you see? I see faces, filled with color, brimming with life. Mouths with words of encouragement and significant stories. I see hands that are gentle and productive. I see eyes that  are filled with the thoughts of life. I hear laughter, that comes even when I know there are probably loads of laundry at home waiting to be done... When the dishes are piling up, and the Christmas tree needs to be decorated. But for a few hours, we escape. We join together. And we are simply women. We eat, we laugh, we sing. No sweeter sound than that of women from all ages, all personalities, all walks of life. I feel so blessed to have such women in my life. Valiant women, full of grace and sincerity. Bold women, choosing to live Spirit led lives. 

Someday I hope to be like them. To have joy in rough seasons. To comfort like only a woman can. To understand, without need for words. 

To the women of Gateway, you are what Proverbs 31 describes. Thank you. 

You mean more to me than I know how to express.

I look forward to the seasons to come. Learning from you, laughing with you, and loving you. 

I'm a girl with many moms, aunties, sisters and gramma's. It can't get much better than that. 

The Sparkle of Life

Emotions. "The sparkle of life." In this season, so much is going on, that I fear I am numb to the sparkle. Numb to feeling anything. Because if I were to feel anything, I would feel too much. I have no idea if that makes any sense... I was discussing this with friends the other day, and we talked about how quickly life is going on around us, and we don't have time to catch up or really realize the immense changes. 

As a girl... I want to cry, and giggle, and know that I know I'm doing the right thing. 

I want to feel the crisp air of autumn, and dance in the pouring rain. 

So I ask myself, when will I feel again? 

Maybe I'll begin to feel, when my family and friends are thousands of miles away. When I'm left to navigate through the next year having no one I know constantly encouraging me or keeping me accountable. I'm excited that it's just me and Jesus. I know that my reliance on Him will become so much greater. Because He is all I'll have. I'm not saying that I'm going to completely ignore everyone back in the States, it's just that in Australia, I'm going to have to grow up really fast. That is exciting. And scary too. What am I made of? What are my passions? How do I think of myself? It will no longer just be Lindsey Schaub, pastors kid, singer and ice cream scooper. The people I meet will know NOTHING about me. I can be whoever I want to be. And I just want to be me. But I'm still finding out who "me" is... 

And won't I always? 

So as I reflect on my life, take a moment to reflect on yours. Who did God create you to be. Y.O.U. Only you. What is it that makes you tick, that makes you get unimaginably excited? 

"The Greeks did not write obituaries. They simply asked one question... Were they passionate?"

So here's to being passionate. Even when I can't seem to feel. Sometimes you have to make a choice and then later your heart will catch on.