Droll Digression

Another post hijacked by talk of Mission, TX!

2012-01-23T07:26:00.000-08:00

Two weeks since the beach, a week since we started the drive home... time really does fly by! I can't even begin to comprehend what it must be like to be outside of time like God. I mean, besides incredibly awesome.

Yesterday was my first Sunday back at my dearly-loved church home. It was so wonderful to see so many sisters and brothers that I am very close to! But at the same time, I kept thinking about our little church in Mission, and churches (and non-existent churches) around the world that don't have the incredible church family I do. I can't imagine living without it. I'm praying for missions like never before.

I didn't really plan on blogging about the trip again. I was mixing up a post about death and Judgement Day and vegetarianism in my mind when I logged on. But for some reason my fingers only want to talk about Texas, so I guess that's the direction this post is going to take!

The fact is, I didn't expect too much from the trip. I was interested in the language school, and if I went to the language school, I would be going to Cristo El Rey, so I thought it would behoove me to go help with VBS and get a feel for the area. I didn't think I'd fall in love with the people. Actually, until two weeks ago, I hated Texas. With a passion. My parents used to talk about moving down there, and I would cry myself to sleep. There are no trees, no hills, no snow. It's truly a supernatural work of God that I want to go back.

The trip has brought me to the end of myself in many ways. Emotionally, I'm having to turn everything over to God repeatedly. Financially, I'm totally broke - broke like I haven't been since... I can't remember when. I always knew I had "no" money, but I did have some, just none I could spend. Now I really have none. I didn't realize what an idol I'd made of that tiny bit of security. I'm thankful that the Lord has taken it away, but at the same time, it's rough learning to trust Him in a whole new way - especially when I thought I already did!

It seems like some answers are beginning to come together. At this point, I really think that I will go to the language school. It's dependent on many things falling into place, but for now I plan to cautiously move in that direction. Whatever the Lord has planned for me, knowing Spanish could only help.
Beyond that, I don't know. At this point I need to work on wrapping up my current responsibilities by August. I'm thinking I should try to get a job again. I'd like to go to the Valley again before school, but I don't know when. And then there are a few other opportunities that I'm prayerfully considering. I don't know how it all is going to mesh together in the end. But God does!

I feel like this post as a very somber tone. Don't get me wrong; I am joyful and excited! But at the same time, there is a weightiness to these decisions. Please continue to pray for me, and for the rest of our group! I know that everyone else appreciates your prayers as much as I do. We serve a beautiful, powerful, caring God; how could (and why do) we hesitate to bring everything to Him in prayer?

May His Name be praised and glorified in my life and yours!

Peace,
Sarah

Now far away the road has gone... and I must follow... if I can...

2012-01-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

Well, what to say? This is my second full day at home, and I thought I should give some sort of final update. I miss the Valley and the whole trip so very much. But I'm also very thankful to be seeing my family again. I wish I could just take them all back down with me.

So here I am at another opportunity to trust God. I have a lot of questions for the future right now. Should I go to language school? Should I get a job? If so, where? Should I go on an entirely different sort of mission trip? When can I go back to Mission? With my future so volatile, how much can I commit to?

I'm eager for answers and action, but I know that everything will come together in God's perfect time. I just have to trust that yes, He will continue to provide all I need, and He will show me which way I should go. There are ways that I very much hope He will lead, but everything is in His hands, and I can rest in the trust that He will take care of everything perfectly.

On the way home, Billy shared a verse with us that has given me a lot of comfort as I consider these questions, and I'd like to end with it. I'm also tempted to steal one of his amazing pictures, but since he's not here to give me permission, I guess you'll just have to hunt one down yourself.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

Proverbs 4:18

Peace,

Sarah

El es bueno! (a summary of the final four days of the VBS mission trip to Mission, Texas)

2012-01-15T22:02:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry that my updates on this trip have been so sporadic! Hopefully you've been following our adventure through Billy's blog, but if not, I'll try to summarize these past few days here and now.

When we last left this thrilling tale, the Bible school was off to a rocky start - and by "rocky" I mean "mass chaos". Everything was out of control, but there was hope for the morning. There's always hope for the morning.

The next night (Thursday) was incredible. Had the first night gone better, we may not have been so impressed with the second, but in context it was absolutely amazing! The kids listened, they participated, they learned, they had fun - it was shockingly wonderful. The change was so dramatic that, even though we had changed the schedule and tried to organize everything better, it was obviously the Lord. We went to bed encouraged and joyful (well, all all but poor Rachel, whose "Flying Chanclas" - the littlest kids - never did shape up completely).

God is amazing. He works things as He so wills, and though it may not seem good to us, it is all working toward the greatest good possible. I'm not skilled in thought, and I'm not very good at expressing what thoughts I have, but it does seem to me that when Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good for those who are called, it's saying something amazing. The Standard and Creator of goodness Himself has so worked out every second of a believer's life to work together for good!

That being said, let's move on to Friday. On Wednesday, it seemed as though Pandora's Box had been opened. On Thursday, it seemed like it had been closed. On Friday, it was like someone knocked the lid off by accident, and hurriedly replaced it. It started off difficult. We were lacking in volunteers, and the kids didn't listen well for the first activities (Recreation and Snack). When we moved on to the Crafts/Music/Bible Study part, things went a little more smoothly - sometimes. The church was covered in little grains of rice, and filled to the brim with the shouts of unruly young people. But they came from Music singing and from Bible Study eager to tell about the parable they'd learned. All in all, the night was a relative success, but one we prayed we wouldn't have to repeat.

Saturday morning, Billy, Rachel, and I woke up ridiculously early to go see the sunrise at the beach. We loaded up, backed out of the driveway, and realized that we hadn't asked the groundskeeper to open the gate early. He was asleep, and we were locked in until 7AM - by which time the sun was rather high in the sky. Disappointed but laughing, we went back to bed.

Saturday evening Bible School was good. Sure, it wasn't at Thursday levels of perfection, but it was a great improvement on the night before. Throughout this week it really seems like the Lord has been teaching us that nothing is in our control. Using the toughest situations, He blessed us abundantly, and has continued to do so.

Today the kids were great. All we had was Recreation and Bible Study, but they participated admirably. The atmosphere had lost much of its wildness, I think partially due to our upcoming departure. I'm really, really going to miss these people, and I think many of them feel the same way.

And that's about it! Right now we're all packing up so that we can leave by 4AM to try one more time to see the sunrise.

Continue to pray for our team. There are a lot of questions that need answering regarding what to do from here. And I can't wait to come back! I wish I could just take Mission home with me. God is good. He's amazing! He's blessed me beyond my imagination on this trip, and I trust that the decisions we each need to make will be made in His perfect time and way.

To God be the glory!

Sarah

Bumbles Bounce! Right?

2012-01-11T20:44:00.001-08:00

Wow.

I don't even know what to say about today. I think VBS should be renamed VHS - Very Humbling School (although people who still watch movies on cassette may not appreciate that much). Goodbye, silly notions of yore that thought I could actually handle a craft class. Good grief!

I'm not complaining, just stating the facts: this evening was utter chaos. Comfortingly, it was utter chaos in EVERY area, not just crafts. We're not really sure if anything we said got across to any of the kids.

AND YET!

Our God is sovereign! He is good! Every second of our lives is working together for His glory and our good! This insane evening is the most perfect thing that could've possibly happened. I truly believe that. And somehow, I can rejoice in it. How great is our God!

However, we do need to change some things, and no change seems up to the daunting task it faces. Pray for us!!!

I'm, like, published!!!

2012-01-10T18:50:00.000-08:00

I promised to share my guest blogger post, so here you go!

Arriving in the Rio Grande Valley

It's not my best work, but it's definitely not my worst. Enjoy!

¡O que bueno es Jesus!

2012-01-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

¡Hola!

So sorry I haven't updated much. I really haven't had time. And right now I'm about to pass out. BUT I have some exciting news for anyone out there who may read my blog (the few, the brave): I'm going to be a guest blogger! Exciting, right?

Remember Billy, who had that amazing offer for anyone who donated a certain amount of money for the trip? Yeah, that's the blog. So now I'm trying really hard to summarize everything I've experienced this far, which is a crazy difficult task. (Crazier still: we haven't even started VBS yet!)

So be on the lookout for a link to my very special post!

Prayer Requests:

1. If you read this sometime before 8 on Tuesday morning, please pray that our last team member will be able to make it down. Job schedules are making that seem rather impossible right now, but it seemed rather impossible that $125 would show up by Friday, and they did! Our God is able to do ANYTHING.

2. VBS begins Wednesday evening. Please pray that we will all be able to get the messages across to the kids, that we would love them with the affection of Christ, that we would be strengthened a and encouraged even when we're exhausted, and that we would be a great blessing to this church.

Love & Peace,

Sarah

So Blessed are We, Savior, Lord, in Loving Thee!

2012-01-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

We're on the road! I'm sorry for the shockingly short post, but I HAD to share an exciting bit of information.

ALL OF THE MONEY CAME IN! God has provided! Wow! I've known for several hours and I'm still amazed. Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!

And pray extra for me now. I kind of feel a little more pressure to do my best. Which pressure I probably should have already felt. Thankfully, I'm comforted by the fact that I cannot do anything in my own strength. Solo Deo Gloria!

Thank you all for your prayers! And if my mysterious donor is reading this, thank you, thank you, thank you! You are obviously an answer to prayer. I hope that you have been as blessed in your giving as I am in receiving. Thank you!

Peace,

Sarah

Cute T-shirt DIY, or Sarah has spent too much Time on Pinterest

2012-01-03T23:00:00.000-08:00

Are you a girl who owns fantastic t-shirts, but feels manly when she wears them? So am I! Thankfully, after lots of online research and just a few experiments, I've found a great way to make manly t-shirts feminine. Here's how I do it:

For this project you will need:

A Manly T-shirt

Scissors

Straight Pins

Thread

A Safety Pin

A Sewing Machine

Step 1: Cut the collar off of the shirt. Cut as close to the stitching as you can!

Step 2: Cut a slit about an inch long in the center front of your new "collar".

Step 3: Turn shirt inside-out, fold the collar edge over, and pin all the way around.

Step 4: Sew the fold as close to the edge as you can get.

Make sure you're leaving a little tunnel of space between the fold and your stitching!

When I reach the front again, I like to put an unnecessary line of stitching, just so it looks uniform.

You might have puckers and wrinkles - that's okay! But if you really can't stand it, just pick it out and fix it. :)

Step 5: Cap sleeves! Cut the sleeves at a slant, making the sleeves as long or short as you like.

The remnant should look roughly like a triangle.

Step 6: Take one of the sleeve remnants and cut off the very edge.

Step 7: Make t-shirt yarn (The coolest stuff in the world)! Stretch that little piece of fabric until it's long and pretty!

Step 8: Attach your safety pin to one end of the yarn, and thread it through the tunnel you made in the collar.

Step 9: Put the shirt on, and tighten collar to preference.

Step 10: Tie ends in a secure knot, and cut off the excess. Hide the knot, and enjoy!

Special thanks to mental_floss and instagram. I couldn't have done this DIY without you!

Peace,

Sarah

Update on the "Sitch".

2012-01-03T19:52:00.001-08:00

Well! It looks like I'll be going! The money hasn't come in yet, but I have enough so far that the powers that be think we can get by even if the Lord doesn't lead someone to donate more (although we're still praying that someone would!).

I am so excited! And nervous. But it's a good nervous - the kind that leads me to joyful prayer for strength.

Add to your prayers: I have a few commitments here at home that I need replacements for. Please pray that people would volunteer quickly and joyfully.

Thank you for your prayers! It was pointed out to me this evening that I've never been away from without my family for longer than a week. 10 days might be tough (especially for my dog). But I have every confidence that the Lord will sustain us. Praying that He will use this time to grow all of us in Him!

Joy and Peace,

Sarah

I don't care too much for Money; Money can't buy me Love.

2012-01-03T12:36:00.000-08:00

Well... I have no idea what to say. I've had several thousand post ideas slip through my mind throughout the holiday season, but no time to write them up. Or I couldn't get the ideas to complete themselves, and so to type them would've been a waste of my time and either an irritation or a headache-maker for you, since I guarantee whatever I wrote would've been incomprehensible.

And so here I am, January 3rd, 2012! I am extremely excited about this year. I have no idea what it may hold, but whatever it is, it's sure to be glorious. For one thing, I feel that I've left most of my insecurity in 2011. I still don't know what I'm going to do with my life, (or rather, what God is going to do with my life), yet not knowing isn't as scary as it used to be. But maybe that's just because I have a tiny bit of a plan. I guess we'll see!

At the moment, I'm waiting on the Lord in more ways than usual. Specifically, I'm waiting to see if He's going to provide the funds required for me to go on a short-term mission trip to south Texas. If the money comes in, it will be soon, and it will be a miracle. I need $125 by Friday (the estimated departure date). I have no job, everyone is poor from Christmas and such, and I haven't asked anyone for money, although I did pray about that for a while. Although, I suppose posting this *is* sort of asking for money.

Really, though, I'm just asking for your prayers. Pray that no matter what, God will be glorified in my attitude and manner of living. If it is His will that I go, the funds will come in, I will go, and my ultimate goal will be to glorify God by enjoying Him and living in such a way that that enjoyment and grace pours into the lives of all those around me. If it is not His will that I go, the funds will not come in, I will not go, and my ultimate goal will be to glorify God by enjoying Him and living in such a way that that enjoyment and grace pours into the lives of all those around me! There are plenty of ministering things that I can do here at home that week, but I would really, really like to go on this trip. Whatever my God ordains is right! At least this way I'll know for certain that I'm not stepping outside His will by going or staying.

On the off-chance you would like to donate to the team, you should check out my friend Billy's blog. For one thing, it's way cooler than mine, what with him being a learning, world-traveling missions photographer. For another, he has an incredible gift for donators. I'm probably way down on the list of people needing funds, but whether it helps me or not, you should definitely support this trip. First, in prayer (it's free AND most effective!), and second, if you feel so inclined/led, with money or donations.

I don't know what the internet situation will be like down there, but if I go, I promise to do my best to keep ye updated, as a thank-you for your prayers.

Peace,
Sarah

*Taken from "Can't Buy Me Love" by John Lennon & Paul McCartney. Used without permission, but with the utmost respect.

Um... Jammer Lammy?

2011-12-04T22:21:00.000-08:00

Saturday night I went to my first Roller Derby. You may wonder how I of all people ended up at a sporting event known for tough girls and bruises. Or maybe you're wondering why this is my first. Or maybe you're wondering how you even ended up on this blog. I can't help you with that last one (welcome, by the way!) but I can tell you how I ended up cheering for The Smashinistas.

A long time ago (May 10th, 2010, to be exact) I read a nifty article by mental_floss. I wasn't entirely sure what they were talking about, but this ancient skating sport sounded pretty rad. Then I read a few comments, and decided that Roller Girls had to be some of the most adventurous, exciting people alive. I thought to myself, "Wow, I'd really like to see that someday," then closed the browser and went back to writing a paper that had nothing to do with skating.

After that I came very near to forgetting that Roller Derby even existed. Until one day not too long ago when my father told me something amazing. He said that his workplace is a Roller Derby sponsor, and that are rather frequent drawings for tickets to bouts. After telling him about my year-long (albeit dormant) desire to see one in action, he agreed to enter the next drawing. Not many people typically enter that drawing, and so Saturday night saw dad and me on a Father-Daughter date to see the Arch Rival Roller Girls do their thing.

At first it was a little overwhelming. I hadn't thought to go back and look up the rules and system of the sport. Honestly, I was just expecting a race. Thankfully the program explained how everything worked, and about halfway through the first bout I was able to understand enough to know when my team of choice was doing well and when they were being crushed.
I had a blast, and my dad had fun, too. I had been afraid that there would be too much promiscuity to enjoy myself, but besides the Roller Girls "uniforms", it really wasn't too bad, for which I was extremely thankful!

I know I could never be a Roller Derby Girl myself, but I am fascinated by the whole thing. I haven't skated in years, and now I'm dying to go to the roller rink. I've even started creating a sort of Roller Derby Girl Alter Ego. Is that creepy? Maybe. And I'm not sure how it jives with my hippie-ness. But hey, if it motivates me into getting some exercise, I'm more than happy to be Princess Slaya!

Peace,
Sarah

What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call?

2011-11-26T21:22:00.000-08:00

Last night I had a dream.

All of the people I’d ever helped were there. You know, all of those clingy people who drive me out of my mind, but whom I love so very, very much? All of them. Even people whom I hadn’t realized I was helping in that way, like a cousin of mine, who I had unknowingly helped when we were five (this is my dream, remember, not based on actual events).

There came a day when suddenly my friends didn’t need me in that respect any longer. Everyone was self-confident, balanced, and happy. Though startled, I was very glad, and actually pretty relieved. I had to learn how to cultivate 50/50 friendships, but I had lots of practice in that, and life was good. Soon, though, I noticed that I had some health problems. I went to the doctor, and by the next week I was in bad shape. I think I had bladder cancer, but I’m pretty sure it was in at least some of my bones, too. There were several other health problems involved as well. I was bed-ridden and miserable.

I’m not sure where my family was at this point, but they weren’t really a part of my dream. I suppose they must’ve moved far away, or maybe even died. The only people in my life that I could turn to were all of those friends who had "sucked my life away" for so long. And WOW did they come through! One friend came and stayed with me all day long almost every day. Even though my mouth was dry and I couldn’t really have a real conversation, just having her in the room helped me so much. My friends brought me flowers, food, entertainment, love. They made sure the hospital was taking care of me, made sure my bills were being paid, made sure to check with the doctor on my progress and such. One friend, who had gone on to become a lawyer (albeit the worst lawyer to ever pass the bar) was trying to make a case for the hospital to pay my bills because my cancer may have been caused by their earlier mistreatment of a Urinary Tract Infection. He was pathetic at it, but I appreciated it so much.

The love and care and self-sacrifice my friends poured out on me blew me away. It brought me to tears. It humbled me, and it raised my spirits. Most of all it encouraged me. I got the feeling that my friends were helping me because I had lived the Gospel for them when I had helped them, and God had taught them through my example. It was as though God was telling me through this very difficult and painful time, “Look, I’ve used even you! The life you’ve lived HAS been to My glory, even when you thought you were failing.”

One morning two of my friends came to visit me, and I was in an unresponsive state. They weren’t sure if I was asleep or comatose, but after trying unsuccessfully to wake me, they called for the doctor. The doctor said that they had done all that they could do, and suggested they put me on hospice.

Though I couldn’t open my eyes or move, I could hear what was going on. I smiled inside and thought, “Oh good. Now my friends can finally rest.” I was filled with love and thankfulness.

Then Mom woke me up and asked if I wanted to go shopping before everyone else woke up.

I briefly considered falling back asleep and trying to finish the dream, but decided against it. I’m content with this ending. And I’m thankful for this dream. And I'm thankful for those great deals I got on Christmas presents this morning!

I ♥ Trees.

2011-11-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

On Facebook this month it's popular to post something you're thankful for every day until Thanksgiving. Today, the 3rd of November, I am thankful for trees. So thankful, in fact, that rather than write a book of explanation on my status, I've decided to blog about it in what may turn out to be the most poorly-written post in the history of Droll Digression. Sorry.

Trees.

Where to begin?

Well, to start, they don't sin. They do exactly what they were created to do, and never have an evil intention. Ever. They're always pointing to their creator. I mean, seriously, they grow pointing up! How crazy cool is that?

They symbolize death and rebirth with their changing leaves and new growth in the spring. Unless they're evergreens, in which case we can be reminded of Eternal Life.

If it fell, a tree could kill you. Crush you flat! You couldn't live without the carbon dioxide recycling that it does. You couldn't live without the ecosystem it's a part of.

They're older than us (created three days before us), and they're tougher than us. We eat their fruit, we live in houses made from them, we use furniture made from them. We imitate them in our art. We beautify our land with them.

Aside from the obvious sustainability factor of oxygen and food, think of where we'd be without the tree.

Nowheresville.

No fire, no tools, no weapons, few shelters. No ships, no discoveries, no cradles, no wagons, no Noah's Ark. Cursed is anyone who hangs on a... what? Christ's sacrifice on what?

Even the Ark of the Covenant was made of wood and covered with gold.

So, this great creation that lives to give, that does nothing but grow to the glory of God, wave it's branches in the wind to the glory of God, and die to the glory of God, it would seem that this creation is better than us. It produces, we consume. It provides food, shelter, shade and oxygen, we bring sin and blight into the world. It lives to serve, we live to be served.

And yet...

WE are made in the image of God. WE can think. WE can use the resources (like trees) that God has provided for us. WE have been given charge of this planet.

Christ died on a cross of wood for US!

Look at the trees, my friend. Be in awe of the God who has created something so magnificent. See the forest.

And then remember that God likes you even better than them, even though they've never sinned.

Let them remind you of your insignificance. Then remember that you are their legal guardian. You're more special than a tree! That in itself is a mind-blowing grace!

But more than that, you have the opportunity to be adopted by the God of creation! A tree does no wrong, but it isn't righteous. It is corrupted by the disease of sin that we continually cultivate, and it can never clear itself of that corruption. Neither can we. But Christ didn't die for the trees to be saved. He died to save us, sin cultivators! He took our place, and so we can take His righteousness.

Think on that as you rake this Fall,

And worship the Creator of the trees!

Inspired by the Beauty of Psalm 29...

2011-10-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

Genesis 1:1-3

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

John 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

When I think of language, these are the first two passages of scripture that come to mind. I don't know when God made language. I imagine that He created it long before Creation. I know for certain that it existed before light. Before light! Think of it! Light is necessary for almost everything, especially living (no photosynthesis=no plants=no life) and seeing. But to create light, God used words. And not some magical spell, but simple, everyday words. "Let there be light." The power is not in the words, but in the Speaker. They are a tool - perhaps the most powerful tool in existence.

What did God use to create the the world? Words.
How did God communicate with Adam? Gen. 1:28 "And God blessed them. And God said to them..." Words!
How did the serpent deceive Eve? With words. (Gen. 3:1)
How did God both curse and prophesy redemption? Words! (Gen. 3:14-19)
How did God speak to Abraham? With words.
What did the prophets speak and write down? Words.
Who is Christ? The Word!
How do we know all of this? Through the printed Word, i.e. the Bible!

God uses language for creation, for communication, for blessing and cursing, for judging and redeeming.

On a human level, words are still powerful tools. The Magna Carta, Mein Kampf, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Common Sense, The Communist Manifesto, what do these titles have in common? They're collections of words that changed the world, for good or ill. And that's just written word! Who could count the speeches that have influenced people over time? As portrayed in Mark Antony's speech in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, words wielded correctly are powerful enough to change someone's mind completely.

Bullying has been a major topic lately. Children and adults alike are driven to desperate acts of depression and violence by words. I once heard R. C. Sproul say that when he was little and would say "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," he knew it was a lie. Words do hurt. "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Hurting and Healing are powerful things, my friends!

Consider the gift you are using right now. Reading this, you're setting yourself apart from the rest of creation; you're proving that you are indeed made in the image of God. It is a powerful, magical, holy tool that has been put into your mind, mouth, and hands. Use it wisely!

And THAT is why I am an English Major.

Merciful God, oh abounding in Love! Faithful to all who draw near You!

2011-09-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

Dude.

So you know how God has recently been showing me that I need to pray more confidently and trust Him completely? Well, guess what!

Shortly after posting "Confidence is Keen" (which desperately needs a better name, btw), my friend and brother in Christ received a preliminary diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. This is a particularly terrifying diagnosis to me. Your lymphatic system spreads all over your body, so when the cancer is there it soon spreads everywhere. I know this, because that's the cancer that killed my biological father.

My friend did some research and said that this type of cancer has a very high survival rate. My brain wouldn't accept this, but of course I didn't tell him that. Instead I prayed. I prayed and prayed and prayed. Several times I was tempted to pray my doubting prayers of before, but God gave me some remarkable confidence. I knew of course that He was completely in control, but that didn't change my earnest pleading that the cancer be taken care of quickly. When I learned that it was, in fact, a preliminary diagnosis and not set in stone, I prayed that there was no cancer. That the doctor was mistaken. More than anything, I prayed that salvation would come to my friend's family through this. I know firsthand that God makes all things good, and uses the darkest moments to create the most beautiful results.

Guess what my friend learned yesterday.

No cancer! None! How gracious, how glorious, how merciful our God is! I've been thanking Him off and on all morning and evening. I'm so thankful to the Lord for sparing him that trial, and so blessed to have been able to pray for him. If you want to read his full story, you can find it here.

What a beautiful, caring God we serve! Rejoice in Him today, my friends. He is always good, always! But sometimes, like now, His goodness is readily and abundantly apparent. Praise Him for His goodness.

Peace,

Sarah

Ooklay in the Agbay

2011-08-27T14:46:00.001-07:00

What I'm about to show you is top secret stuff. Don't tell ANYONE! Okay, actually, just don't tell my brother. At least until after his birthday.

I know he doesn't read my blog, so I know that this is a safe place to announce my first steampunk-ish creation (or modification, as the case may be). I am VERY excited that it turned out.

Behold, the BEFORE picture!

Well, it's sideways, but I'm not sure how to fix that.

At any rate, you can clearly see that it is an orange, yellow, black, and grey Nerf gun. This is actually called the Sharp Shot in the Dart Tag series.

Please excuse the screws and such. I actually took this picture to help me remember how I disassembled it so I wouldn't forget how to reassemble it. It was pretty nerve-wrecking!

Now, after lots of sanding, spraying, and general messiness in the mad scientist laboratory that is my room, I am happy to present the finished product.

Behold, the AFTER picture!

I admit, it looks much cooler because I wanted to use Instagram. Without camera effects, it looks thusly:

My brother is celebrating his birthday with a Nerf/Airsoft War, so hopefully this gun can hold its own. I tested it, and it still works great!

So there you have it! Rejoice with me, and don't tell my brother!

Peace,

Sarah

P.S. That little slashed cylinder that you see on the final product but not the original gun is a flashlight.

"There is more than what the naked eye can see...

2011-08-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

Clothing all our days with mystery

Watching over everything

Wilder than our wildest dreams

Could ever dream to be.

There is more"

Andrew Peterson - More

Last night I had this crazy dream. I dreamt that my vision kept wavering between seeing the physical world and seeing the spiritual world. I'll explain through the scenes that I remember.

Basketball:

I was in a group doing basketball street evangelism. We went to a random basketball court in the city and just started a game with whoever wanted to play. I could feel a lot of tension in the air, as some people in my group were very nervous about being able to give the Gospel through a game (me, I was just hoping I wouldn't make a fool out of myself and break a finger). When we started playing everything looked a little different. When the Christians spoke, their words came out like a whitish steam, but I didn't see anything when the nonbelievers spoke. Everything someone said did something. One sister shouted some encouragement when someone made a mistake, and her word-breath went behind that person and lifted them up and pushed them on. Another brother said something hurtful and a "snare" (okay, I admit it, it was one of those evil item blocks from Mario Kart - the kind that zap you when you run into them) was thrown out in front of the person. That person ran right into it and I felt a huge surge of anger from her.

The Alley Behind the Restaurant:

Two good friends ended up in an alley behind a restaurant. Friend number one was chewing the other out. It was dreadful! At first everything he said had to do the the escapade that had led to them being in the alley, but then Friend 1 started digging up character traits that annoyed him.

It was at that time that my vision switched to "spiritual". Friend 2 was surrounded with "snares", but had been very careful not to step on any of them. She was looking at her feet for a way to get out of them, and when she prayed a clear spot glowed slightly. But every time she tried to step out, Friend 1 would make another insult-the character traits, remember-and a stone the size of a six-year-old's fist would hit her. When it fell, it would create another snare, but though she winced, she would not move. Then Friend 1 threw something in her face, something that only the best of friends would be trusted to know. When he said it, an ugly black arrow shot into Friend 2's arm, and she lost it. She started hurling stones and arrows of her own. The snares had disappeared, because they were both caught. They clawed at each other, and blood was running down their arms and faces.

Then my vision changed back to the physical world. They were standing where they had been at the first, shouting vehemently at each other. With a last jab at each other, they stomped off in different directions. They looked angry, but unharmed. As they left the alley, my vision switched back to spiritual. A light rain was falling sadly, and the darkness of the shadowy alleyway happily soaked up the pools of blood they left behind.

There were many more scenes, but I can't remember the storyline, and it's all beginning to fade from my memory. The alley scene has a few aspects from other parts of my dream (the glowing safe path, the rain, the darkness seeming to have emotions), but everything here was in the dream at some point. I know it was just a dream, but it's had an impact on me. Hopefully I'll remember those friends next time I want to say something harsh!

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18

Peace be with you!

Sarah

P.S. I told my brother about my dream, and he said I should write a book like this. ^_^

Confidence is Keen

2011-08-14T20:22:00.001-07:00

Wow today was a wonderful day! It was our annual Church Picnic, and was such a blessed time! It amazes me how much I've grown up even in the last year. Today was full of conversation and fun like my introverted self of yesteryear wouldn't believe!

One of those conversations focused on prayer. I asked some friends if they ever struggled with weakened prayers because of their understanding of the sovereignty of God. I find all over Scripture that we are supposed to pray confidently, assured that God will answer our requests, but very often I found myself leaving God a loophole, so to speak. Instead of praying, "God, please heal this person," my prayers often were more like, "God, please heal this person if You want to. Because, ultimately, Your will is going to be done, and You know best. So really please just do whatever you want. Personally, I would really like it if you healed them." I may not have said those words, but that was the feeling and the understanding that I spoke with.

Ultimately, I didn't want to open my heart up to be broken just because God had a better plan. I understood very well that God's plan IS perfect, and whatever He decides to do is so much better than what I've asked, even if it is painful at the moment. But the more passionately you pray for something, the more you are opening up yourself to some serious pain. I know this from experience, but I didn't share that experience with my friends today, because I wanted to stay on topic. But I think I'll share it with you. Maybe writing sappy stuff will get my blog noticed in the world (HAHA!).

It's funny how weird things from your childhood impact you, even if you don't realize it. For example, until last year I hated going into Subway, because that's where my mom, aunt, grandma, stepmom and I met before we picked out the flowers for my daddy's funeral. And I honestly think that, along with the heat and the noise, 4th of July is my least favorite holiday because of what I'm about to share.

I was only six when my biological father passed away (until this year I did my math wrong and thought I was seven). I wasn't really very aware of my daddy's illness until the very end. One Independence Day (or at least I think it was - there were fireworks going off somewhere for some reason) a great group of people got together and laid their hands on my daddy and prayed for him. They prayed and they wept and they prayed some more. The fervency of their prayers scared me, but they prayed so confidently. They were asking God to heal my father, and expecting Him to do so. I think that night may have been the only time before he died that I felt there was a great sadness coming into my life. But I was so young, and a new Christian. I prayed so hard that night. I remember it was humid. I poured out my heart, and then rested easy. God wouldn't let anything bad happen to my daddy.

I'm not sure what day or what year that prayer meeting took place, but I do know that my daddy passed away on July 28th. And it shook me.

I didn't blame God for taking the coolest guy I knew. I certainly didn't understand His sovereignty, but I did firmly believe that God was good. Over time I have realized that everything, EVERYTHING happens for His glory and our good. My life would not be what it is today if my dad had not died. I would not know God like I do today if he had been healed from his cancer.

But at the same time, I let some things latch onto me in that time. Things that I didn't realize could be a problem. Like I've already mentioned, Subway made me sick. Thankfully I've overcome that. I developed a slightly superstitious dread of the laying on of hands while praying. The first year I went to Mexico our group was at the front of the church and our church came to lay hands on us and pray for us before we left. The whole time I was scared to death that I was going to die - and I was 14 (I think)! Last year God set me free from that fear (may His Name be praised!).

But another leech that I wasn't aware of until this afternoon was that, while I certainly trusted God with my life and everything minor in it, I didn't really trust Him with my prayers. This has actually manifested itself in many ways, and I never noticed before. It was fine with me if God ruled the world and everything in it, including my life and the lives of my loved ones. But I didn't want to pray, because that makes hard times harder, or so I thought. Did I really think that if I asked the Lover of my soul for something dangerous (salvation, healing, radical provision) He would intentionally crush me? I did. Oh, God forgive me, I did! How could such a monster have hidden in me for so long? And what a fool I am if I ever think no monsters like it could be left.

And so, through my friends, and recruited wisdom from some of the wise men in our church, God revealed to me that I really just need to trust Him (doesn't it seem to always come back to that?). Yes, I should pray confidently and boldly! Yes, I know that God is sovereign, but that should not affect the fervency of my prayers. If I remember that all things are ultimately in His hands, rather than taking that as a reason for me to pray in a wishy-washy manner, I should cling to it as a confidence that no matter what God's answer, He WILL give me the strength to live through it, and it WILL work out for His glory and my good!

What a beautiful God, what a beautiful God, what a beautiful God we serve!

The funny thing is, I hadn't even thought about this topic in months, and it just jumped out of my mouth before I realized what I was asking. Hmmm. Coincidence? HA!

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:32

Peace.

Sarah

[I would just like to mention that because I was very young, my memories of that prayer time may not be entirely accurate. I've never spoken to anyone about it, at least, not since it was a recent occurrence, so I don't have any verification. But it did make a huge impact on my life, and I did faithfully record what I remember. If my memory is a traitor, please forgive me.]

Now and Forever

2011-07-17T19:45:00.000-07:00

I just found my List of Things I'd Like to Do Before I Die. I think I wrote this in 2008. That seems like it was much longer ago than it actually was...

1. TP a house [√]

2. Learn to play a bizarre instrument [√] (if you count ocarina)

3. Publish a book [ ]

4. Learn to dance [ ] (I can dance if I have an extremely talented, patient partner...)

5. Learn Russian [ ] (As of yet, nyet)

6. Go to Scotland [ ]

7. Ride to California [ ] (And because I no longer have a motorcycle, I'm not sure if this one will ever happen)

It's amazing how many things have happened in my life that have something to do with this list. I taught myself to play the ocarina long after I'd lost this list (and then I promptly stopped practicing and forgot most of what I'd learned).

I decided during college that writing really isn't what I want to do, and yet lately my thoughts have been turning that direction more and more.

I went English Country Dancing with some friends, and absolutely loved it! I waltzed and discussed English literature with a complete stranger. If you would have told me that was going to happen when I wrote this list, I would've thought you were crazy.

I now have access to Rosetta Stone's Russian program, and have gone through a few of the lessons. As with the ocarina, I have a hard time being disciplined enough to teach myself anything.

My interest in Scotland has, frankly, waned. Although I still love Scottish accents.

And my desire to return to California (especially on a motorcycle) has increased dramatically.

This moment of reflection has made me all the more thankful for my Sovereign Lord. Around the time I graduated, my lifetime achievement list began with TP-ing a house. Seriously? I was wanting to get married when I wrote this list. Granted, most of the list is pretty normal, and I would still really like to do them, but I marvel at what a different person I have become. Maybe it's not obvious to those around me, but life is a much more serious, beautiful thing now. Part of it is maturity, and all of it is God's grace.

I didn't know that my view of life would change so dramatically in just a few years when I wrote this list. But God did. He's orchestrated it all, every second! He knew what I would like and dislike at this time. He knew what would change, and what would stay the same. He has used every person, every moment, every atom to continually build my life toward its great purpose: His glory. God is the most eco-friendly Being that has ever existed, because He doesn't waste ANYTHING! Not even a millisecond can slip by that He has not used to its fullest potential. No success, no failure, no mountain, no eyelash, no drop of water, no speck of dust floating in space, no bit of calcium clinging to a stalactite in an undiscovered cave, no ant exoskeleton, no snap of static electricity, no tree falling in a forest where no one can hear it, no oil leak, no birth, no death, no injury, no sickness, no medical advancement, no medical blunder, no argument, no affection, no kernel of corn grown by Monsanto, NOTHING has existed, happened, or been felt that has not been exactly the right thing to create some sort of huge, intricate, most God-glorifying piece of art possible. My brain aches trying to imagine it! And one day, when this world has ended and we can step back and see this great masterpiece the way it is best seen... oh how will we not explode into a thousand God-praising pieces? I get teary-eyed just thinking about it.

Imagine, just try to imagine a goodness so great that it has taken the worst corruption our sin has created-cancer, aids, pornography, etc.-and turned it into something beautiful and pure! Praise to our incomprehensibly glorious God!

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18 (emphasis added)

Prayer Request...

2011-07-05T11:12:00.001-07:00

Hello!

Um... so... You know how I've been praying for direction a lot lately? It is possible that I've gotten some. I don't know. But prayer is definitely needed. Pray that I and others would have wisdom. I don't really want to say anything else, because nothing has really happened. Someone told me I had a good idea, and that's about it. I don't want to build up excitement or anything, I just want to request prayer. So if you think of me, please pray that God would grant me much wisdom and clarity!

Thank you!

Down With The Bloody Red Queen!

2011-07-02T21:19:00.000-07:00

Good-bye, June! I think that was the most exhausting month I've ever known. I was gone so much that I actually felt like I'd moved away from home. It was... interesting.

So now that July has attacked with its devastating sword of heat and humidity, it's time for me to try to figure out what normal is going to look like. I really don't want a real job, but for now that seems to be the next step, so off I go, filling out applications and making *gulp* phone calls.

PRAISE!!! I've struggled for years with some severe telephonophobia. I not only HATE using a phone, I fear it. In the past I have felt physically ill at the thought of calling someone. It was dreadful. Granted, it could've been much, much worse, but it was very inconvenient and kind of embarrassing. For the past few years my dearly beloved family has been forcing me to step outside my comfort zone and make phone calls. The result? I'm much better now!

For me personally, my problem was (and is) pride. I couldn't see the face of the person on the other end of the conversation, and I am not very good at expressing myself vocally. I would hold a phone in my hand, ready to make a call, and think, "THERE WILL BE CONFUSION AND THEY WILL BE ANGRY AND I WILL JUST LIE DOWN AND DIE!!!!!!!" Which is, of course, a far cry from the que sera, sera, what-e're-my-God-ordains-is-right attitude I'd like to have at all times. The trick is not to think about it. The fact is, I need to make a phone call. I could blow it up into a tornado of terror, confusion, and fear, or I could just hit the "call" button, say what needs to be said, and hang up. Praise be to God that I'm finally decreasing my hesitation time before making each call!

And that's how I want to live my life. I tend to think things into the realm of impossibility. "Oh, that'd be great, but I can't because..." At this point in my life, I don't need to worry about what might happen in the conversation, and I don't need to worry about future phone calls. I just need to buckle down, bite the bullet, and hit "call". By God's grace, it won't be a wrong number.

He is good, my friends! So very good!

Peace,

Sarah

Yellow Spider, Yellow Leaf, Confirms my Deepest Held Belief.

2011-06-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

You know what I hate?

Death.

I hate that I just killed a spider.

Most of the time I can get by without thinking too deeply about it, but when these times of contemplation hit, they tear me up inside. That spider died because it was doing what it was created to do. It was in my home because it had an instinct to survive, and it survived best in my home until now. It had nothing against me, nothing against my way of living. It did not know that there is a no-spider rule in this house, and there was no way to tell it that.

And in one smash of a shoe, I extinguished life. Life! You can't replace that! I can't dispose of a little life and make more later (and if I could, it would end in a long-winded, yawn-inducing intellectual monster like Frankenstein's, I'm sure).

Don't misunderstand me. I don't think of myself as a murderer, or a trampler of arachnid rights. The spider needed to die. I needed the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the spider is not going to crawl into my bed and bite me. My issue is with the fact that the system of our world is death. It troubles me. It's wrong. It doesn't fit with the world God created, and I can feel it. All death is a result of sin, even the death of my tiny nemesis.

Off and on, whenever I have time and I'm not distracted, I've been reading The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky. So far it is a fantastic book (although I must admit, I seem to be a sucker for Russian literature). The issues and mindsets that are brought up in this book make you think, whether you accept them as your own views or no. Whenever I am struck by the grimness of mortality, whenever I find a dead bird or mouse, or smash a spider with my shoe, I think of one of the characters in Karamozov.

"Birds of heaven, happy birds, forgive me, for I have sinned against you too." None of us could understand that at the time, but he shed tears of joy. "Yes," he said, "there was such a glory of God all about me; birds, trees, meadows, sky, only I lived in shame and dishonoured it all and did not notice the beauty and glory."

When I first read these words, I dismissed them as extreme, impractical, and misdirected. And yet, as I discover more and more how all creation groans and suffers in its slavery to corruption, I find myself wanting to apologize to all that is touched by death's cold hand. The wages of sin is death, and though Christ has taken my death for me, my sinful actions take their toll on Creation.

Ultimately, whether I sin or not has little effect on the death in this world. There was quite enough sin in Eve's bite of fruit to ruin all of creation. But when I sin I show utter disregard for every crushed insect, for every withered flower, for every blue jay-raided nest, for every dead animal on the side of the road, for every cancer, for every star gone super nova. And more than these things, when I sin I show this disregard for the Death that brought Life.

This isn't a guilt trip for you or for me. It's simply an observation, and the voicing of a thought that I have long held in my mind. It's the reason I could never hunt, and the reason I sometimes go through vegetarian phases. But more than that, it's fuel to my desire for an eternity full of God's holiness, glory, and perfection!

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Romans 8:18-25

The title of this post comes from the song "Yellow Spider" by MewithoutYou.

Nabawl lamdangnate hangin, Topa nang kongphat uh hi.

2011-06-19T20:23:00.000-07:00

Hi-ho! I hope this post finds you well and joyful in the Lord. After two long weeks of waiting, I'm finally ready to tell you what happened after I made my last post. Sorry to leave you all on the edge of your seats for so long, but life has been rather insane (on a side note, when has life ever been sane?). So here we go. Hopefully I won't forget too much.

The week of June 6th was absolutely amazing. In fact, though I'm trying to only use this word when I mean it in its fullest sense, I would go so far as to say it was an awesome week. "Well now Sarah," I can hear you saying, "care to describe this week as anything other than vague adjectives that begin with the letter A?" Absolutely.

I've been trying to find a good way to sum up the week, but these attempts have been rather unsuccessful. The best I've been able to come up with so far is to rush my listeners through what a typical day was like. So imagine this.

You wake up in a very nice apartment after a very nice sleep. If you're me, you have your quiet time and then dress and eat very quickly, as you enjoy sleeping more than you enjoy eating breakfast. Once you're presentable, it's off to the classroom to worship with your classmates (I'm not sure what else to call them) and then hear a devotion brought to you by someone who has worked on the field as a Bible translator.
Now that your morning is sufficiently off to a fantastic start, you get a taste of translation and linguistics. You learn about phonetics, or grammar, or literacy, or how technology is used in Bible translation. Some days you even get to try hands-on language learning with refugees from Myanmar/Burma. More than anything, you learn about difficulties in translation that never would've crossed your mind. Things like, how do you translate "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson,they shall become like wool." (Is. 1:18b) for a culture who cannot comprehend what snow is, and who do not own sheep?
After many, many short breaks, a lunch, and about half an hour of free time, the day winds down with a meal from a certain country. One night you eat chicken in a peanut sauce from Côte d'Ivoire, another night is full of yams and plantain from Papua New Guinea. After your delicious meal, it's back up to the classroom to hear field reports from Wycliffe workers around the world. If you're me, one of the best parts of your week is getting to mingle with people who have not only travelled the world, but who have been directly used by God to get His Word to every people, tribe, and tongue.

I want to thank everyone who prayed for me while I was away, and who may be praying for me still. True to its name, that week gave me a Taste of Translation and Linguistics. To my palate, it was full of exotic flavors that, though I was fascinated by them, I could not digest. Through the little homework we did, and all of the lectures we heard, the Lord made it very clear to me that I have not been given the mind of a linguist. As much as I love words, things like phonology and grammar were very difficult for me. I actually wonder if they were so very difficult for me because so many were praying for me to see clearly what the Lord would and would not have me do.

In the end, Wycliffe needs teachers, and would love for me to be one of them. I don't really want to be a teacher, though. In fact, I've been against having a future as a teacher for a very long time. Wycliffe also gave me some fantastic advice, however. They instructed me to go to the adult Christians who love me and know me best, and ask them to pray and counsel me. Naturally, I went to my parents. At this point I highly doubt that I will work with Wycliffe as more than a prayer partner and hopefully someday financial supporter, but I'm trying to remain open to whatever the Lord would have me do. If He makes it clear that He would have me go as a teacher, then by His strength I will go.

So, as I'm sure you can tell, prayers are very much appreciated. This past week God really had to work in me, and one of the things He worked in me was a renewed patience and peace. I still do not know the way I go, but oh, I know my Guide!

Soli Deo Gloria!
Sarah

P.S. Another thing God showed me during TOTAL It Up was what amazing people He can make! His diverse taste is beautiful. I met people of different cultures, and people who far, far surpassed me in intelligence, and yet we all worshiped our Great God, and He received all of the glory. It was a beautiful thing, and made me long for Heaven even more! It also made last week, which I spent at a Baptist camp serving in the kitchen feel rather culturally stifling. But that's just me.

The title of the post is translated "For the miracles you did show us Lord, we praise 'n adore Thee." Taken from the Zokam hymn A Beitheilo Hehpihna

I may not know the way I go, but oh! I trust my Guide!

2011-06-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I really thought that when I posted again 'twould be with something cheery, but that doesn't seem to be the case. We'll see, I suppose.

'Twas the night before Wycliffe, and deep in the house,
Sarah was shaking like a timid little mouse.

This moment is so very much different than I expected it to be. Back in February, when I signed up for TOTAL, all I wanted was direction and a husband. Actually, I would've just taken the husband. When the Lord promised me that June would hold some answers, I was ecstatic! All of my worries were blown away with one word: June! Not sure if I should invest in a car? Oh Lord, hasten June! Not sure if I should get a job? Oh Lord, hasten June! Struggling to keep my heart captive? Oh Lord, PLEASE hasten June!

At some point in the Spring, I think I really did have this idea that on June first Dad was going to say, "Sarah, I just had a very interesting conversation with [insert name of some godly young man that I'd probably meet before June here]..." And maybe, just maybe, that [scottish?] young man [who lived in California?] would want to translate Bibles! Yeah! In June, everything I wanted would come to be. With fireworks and a parade.

Instead, I find myself five days into June (which is miserably hot and full of cicadas) scared to death. And single. And fat due to gluttony. But amazing things have happened in the past four months.
One of the most amazing of which (I believe) is that I am content to be single! I noticed it the other day, and I'm honestly afraid to think about it much at all. I'm afraid I'll wake up from this blissful dream. I'm not struggling to keep my heart captive, and I don't feel lonely! I'm content, and I pray that I will stay that way until I meet my husband. To see this growth is, to me, worth ten times the wait.

Another is that I'm not really worried about the future. I'm afraid of what I may encounter in that future, but I'm not worried about how I will get there. Whatever I find-pain, sadness, comfort, joy-will all be part of one great story. I trust the Author, so why worry? "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

I am such a fool, though. Seriously, I'm afraid that I'm going to mess up God's sovereign plan. My head knows that that is impossible, but I still feel afraid. What if I think God's not calling me to Wycliffe only because I chicken out? What if I go that route only because I don't know of anything else to do, but that's not what God has planned for my life and it all ends in tears and misery?

These are the thoughts of a fool, and it's a fool who lets them into her brain. Typing them out has helped me, however. Tell me, Timid Heart, do you honestly believe that your God, who has brought you through so much (though it is so little), would leave you stranded? That He would ignore all of the pleas you, your parents, and your brothers and sisters in Christ have been offering? Prayers begging for clarity and direction? You honestly think that the God who loved you enough to die for you would now leave the life He purchased with His blood floundering in some sort of cruel mirror-maze of doubt? Fie upon thee!

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?"
Matthew 8:23-27 ESV

When I began this post, my heart was heavy with doubt and pre-departure homesickness. But if my God is with me, whom then shall I fear? Bring on the storm! It will only serve to give me a clearer understanding of my Lord!

"I may not know the way I go, but oh! I know my Guide!
His love can never fail!
His love can never fail!
My soul is satisfied to know His love can never fail!"

That being said, you will pray for me this week, yeah? ;)

Ours is not to complain.

2011-05-19T13:15:00.001-07:00

It's been a rough couple of days.

Tuesday evening I started feeling sick.
Wednesday morning I woke up with a full-blown cold.
When I walked outside to enjoy the morning, I found a dead momma bird in my garden.
I then began to develop a strange rash, which I'm guessing is poison ivy (I've never had it before, so this is an unpleasant new experience).
I learned that my friends' dad has cancer.
Today I woke up feeling a little better! ^_^
But then I felt terrible again.
It's raining, and we are supposed to go camping.
There's a strong possibility that my wii is dead.
C-group is cancelled because our leader is suffering extreme mouth pain.
et cetera

But you know what? God is good. He is so good that even when I feel like getting in bed and staying hidden under the covers for the rest of my life, I am comforted by Him. Everything is in His hands. NOTHING catches Him by surprise. As I told the little kids in Sunday School last week, "God is Never-Tiring, and He sustains us." What need have I to complain? He is not unaware of my inconveniences - He planned them for my good and His glory. I will glory in my Redeemer, and rest in His faithfulness. Praise be to our Eternal Sustainer! ¡El Señor es siempre bueno!

[Note: My wii is NOT dead, and after some spicy egg drop soup, I think I'm on the mend! I am so blessed!]

And so what we have learned applies to our lives today... Part 2

2011-05-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

Previously on Droll Digression:
God has allowed me to unwind, and taught me to trust Him with my future and see the smaller picture.

Once I was able to grasp the concept of viewing every day as my full-time ministry, life was a little easier to take. On a good day, I would wake up, have my quiet time, and look around for ways to serve. On a bad day, I was either incredibly lazy (big shocker there!) or right back to my worrying self. Things were looking up, but I was still praying for a more long-term direction with my life. Having peace wasn't the same as having an answer for those who wanted to know what I was going to do with my degree. There was always someone asking, and every conversation along those lines left me frustrated with my lack of direction. I still felt stranded in darkness, but I was no longer afraid, because I knew that I wasn't lost, but right where I was supposed to be.

Around this time God began to show me that this has often been the way He does things. For example, in Sunday School we are going through the Gospel of John. One Sunday my teacher noted that John the Baptist was led out to the desert, and spent some time there before his ministry began. It was so comforting to me to know that I wasn't the only one who felt they'd been taken out to a desolate place before their life's purpose came to fruition. What was John doing in the wilderness before he began to preach? I can only assume that he was drawing near to God.

That Sunday it became clear to me that even though I don't know what my future holds-I don't know if I'll ever get married, I don't know if I'll ever have a great job, or if I'll ever have enough money to buy a motorcycle or restore an old volkswagen beetle or bus-I do know that I have a great God, and that I could never cease to know Him and His Word better. I also realized that, rather than sit around waiting to be told what to do with my life, I should be preparing for whatever it is that God would have me do. If He called me to the mission field, would I be in-shape enough to work for Him? If He calls me to teach His Word, do I know it well enough to teach it? If He calls me to be a wife and mother, am I disciplined enough to care for a household and support my husband and children? Even if the answer was "maybe," it was obvious to me that I needed much improvement in all of these areas. This improvement became my day-to-day mission.

As I slowly grew closer to the Lord in these ways (and oh, oh! how far I have to go!) He began to answer some of my prayers. When I was willing to set long-term goals aside, He gave me a few. First, He allowed me to remember that I would have the free time to serve at Camp this year - something I very much wanted to do last year, but couldn't get the time off for.
Second, He allowed me to remember Wycliffe.

Back when I was still swamped with schoolwork, a missionary and good friend of our pastor's family visited my church while on furlough. She works for Wycliffe Bible Translators as a teacher to the children of missionaries in Africa. At the time, I was considering working to become an English teacher, so I was very interested in what she had to say. The next day I got online, and while I was looking for information regarding teaching, I discovered something called T.O.T.A.L - a Taste of Translation and Linguistics. It was a week-long workshop-type-thing in which you could see if Bible translation was something you could do, or you were interested in. It sounded amazing, but the only one near enough for me to attend happened to fall on my finals week.

For months I had completely forgotten that TOTAL existed, or that I had ever considered working with Wycliffe. Then, one evening, I was talking to Mom about the future. I don't remember all that was said, except that I mentioned the missionary who had visited earlier. As soon as I said her name, I remembered TOTAL. The next day I excitedly looked into it and signed up. During the first week of June, I'll be TOTAL-ing it up! It's been wonderful waiting for it. Whenever I am tempted to grow discontent, the Lord reminds me that He gave me a plan through June, and that He is faithful to take care of me after that, too. I don't know what to expect when I go. It could be that the Lord calls me to Bible translation, or it could be that He calls me to work in another area with Wycliffe, or it could be that He uses this to show me that He isn't calling me to such missions. I'm open to anything, and I'm praying that I stay that way.

God is good, my friends. Even when the future looks very bleak, we can trust Him! Even when all of the wisdom being given to us doesn't seem to mesh with our lives, He can make sense of it! He is marvelous! Who is like Him?

I want to end with a bit of realism. While God has been showing me so many things, I have not been receiving them perfectly. In fact, far from it! The more He blesses me, the harder it is to fight laziness. Some days I don't even struggle, I just give in whole-heartedly. I hate it. I hate the sluggishness that clings to my eyes when it's time to wake up, I hate feeling so lethargic when I need to work. I am so LAZY! If you don't believe me, you should see my bedroom. But I do hate it, and I am fighting it. God is faithful. By His strength, I will win this battle.

He is worthy of all praise! Worship the Good Shepherd, my fellow sheep! Bow before Him, for He is faithful!

And so what we have learned applies to our lives today... Part 1

2011-05-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

Hey look! I have a blog!
I'm sorry that I haven't written here much lately, but the fact is that I just don't write much of anything these days. Part of me would like to blog weekly or something, but then I'll have to find something to blog about. We'll see.

For now, I suppose I'll give an update on my life situation.
It's been about seven months since I graduated with my BA in English. Since then I've had one job taking care of an elderly lady who went to my church. That job ended in December, when her need of earthly assistance had ended, and left me in the dark. I had no idea of what I should do with my life - nor what I wanted to do for that matter. I felt lost and frozen. Everyone kept asking me what I was going to do with my life, and I was terrified in my lack of direction. Looking back, I see that it was very good for me. In the roughest bit, God began to teach me many, many things - things that I knew in my head, but had never accepted in my heart.

First, He used this time to help me unwind. I didn't know how stressed I was during college until about two months without a deadline. I'm able to enjoy things again, whereas if I had enjoyed anything before, it was with a streak of guilt that marred the beauty of the moment. To enjoy something then almost certainly meant that I was neglecting an academic duty.

Second, He has taught me trust. There is no terror like the unknown. Any good suspense or horror writer knows that people are most afraid when there are unanswered questions. My future was one big unanswered question, and it paralyzed me with fear. Before I could take a single step in any direction, I had to learn to trust God's sovereignty. It's like they say, "I may not know what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds tomorrow." It wasn't that I stood pointing my finger at the sky and crying, "You don't know what you're doing! You have no control over my life!" Rather, my thought process was that if God has a plan, and I can't figure out what it is, something is wrong with the way things are being handled. Before I could begin to deal with the future, I had to be able to consciously trust God with every moment.

That led to the third thing that God has been doing in my life: He has been teaching me to see the smaller picture. The questions I was asking were good questions - things like, Should I go back to school? Should I volunteer full time? And if so, where? And if I did volunteer, wouldn't that mean I'd have to get a job so that I could pay for a car? What kind of job? - but as time went on God began to show me that while my questions were good, they were too big. I viewed my time in months and years, but when Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow (Mt. 6:34), He wasn't kidding. Each day is all that I'm promised. Each day is my future. My mother has often reminded me in this time that God's Word is a lamp unto my feet. When you're using a flashlight to walk in the dark, you can only see a few feet ahead of you, and that's all you need. That is so easy to hear and agree with, but so hard to apply, and doubly so when you're not even sure if you can see the light at your feet! But God has been teaching me that my feet are standing in one day: today. Until God says otherwise, each morning I am to seek His will for that day. Not the day after, or the week after, or the year after, but that very day, that very morning, that very hour. I am to do at that moment whatever would glorify Him most. Sure, it never gave me an answer for the "what are your plans for life?" question, but when I was finally able to grasp this concept, it brought me so much peace!

Well, the hour grows late, and morning comes swiftly. I will end here and try to pick up where I left off tomorrow. Things get pretty exciting after this point, so I'll try to finish soon. :)
May God bless you, and keep you, and cause His face to shine on you! He is good! Whatever happens, He is good!

Things I Dreamt About Last Night

2010-11-12T06:55:00.000-08:00

1. I was reaching my hand into a candy dish, and pulled out a paper lunch sack with an AMAZING creme-filled chocolate-covered long john doughnut that was all cold and amazing and for me. Just before I took a bite, I woke up.

2. A friend asked me to take her to Outback Steakhouse, and I had to drive across Illinois to get her there. When we finally arrived, I found out that she wasn't even meeting anyone, but I couldn't stay because I needed to get Savannah back home in time for her piano lesson.

3. On the way home, Savannah was watching a Beatles video on YouTube via my mom's iPhone. When I looked down at it, my dream changed to it. At first it was really boring. They were putting away their instruments or something, and John was talking about love. Then Paul said something about Mother Mary, and John went berserk. He was shouting about how stupid Christianity was and how anyone who believed those lies was an idiot, and IF Jesus existed He was an idiot, too. George ignored him, Ringo laughed at him, and Paul was like, "Why do you always get so upset about it, man?" John was starting to talk again, and I woke up.

4. There was this CIA agent guy person, and he was showing a video/telling the history of some of the agent people in the room. It was hilarious. I can't remember most of it , but the situations they solved all ended up producing YouTube videos years later. The only one I can remember is this: In the video, an agent broke down a door and found two or three children left as orphans when someone kidnapped their parents and killed them. The agent took the oldest one and sat him in a chair. He put a red bandana on his head and said, "Antoine, I'm going to find the person who did this to your parents. I'm going to tell the world about him, because the scariest thing to a bad guy is when the whole world knows about him. If someone ever climbs into your window, tell the world!" Then the agent ran out and the video ended. The lights came on, the Bed Intruder song started playing, and Antoine Dodson came out and shook hands with the agent who had given him that advice when he was little. The next video had something to do with the army, but I woke up before it finished.

5. One of the times my alarm went off, I was having a dream about a church fellowship. When my alarm went off, everyone in the Fellowship Hall started singing "Chupachups is my lollypop! Chupachups is my lollypop! Chupachups is my lolly-lolly-pop!" Then they all stuck their fingers in their mouths and made that lollypop *Pop!* sound. As they began snapping and I woke up, I was very sad that it was just my alarm.

There were many more, but I can't remember them. I'm really shocked that my dreams were so normal tonight. Usually they're more like Alice in Wonderland than these. But hey, I'm not complaining!

Life is good, God is better!

TTFN!

You say Goodbye, and I say Hello!

2010-09-19T23:23:00.000-07:00

Hey there! So what's up? I haven't typed at you in like, forever. Arbor Day of last year, wasn't it? And now it's September, 2010. My how time flies. Well, enough chit-chat. Let's get right down to business.

As has been observed, I've pretty much abandoned this poor blog. Not that many people noticed. I think maybe one person mentioned it. Anyway, I'm a sorry excuse for a blogger, but I have a good reason: Facebook. It's a terrible disease that makes your face crave a certain social networking site specially designed to suck hours of your life away. And I love it.

But I've been thinking about little Droll Digression recently, and about you, the random reader who found this blog by accident. I've wondered to myself whether I should just euthanize my dear old companion and clean up a little of cyberspace. I never have anything interesting to say, and even if I did, I keep forgetting my log in information.

Today, however, I made a glorious discovery that changed this, and other similar thought processes I'd been having.

My muse stirred.

You must understand that I thought that my muse was dead. Being an apprentice in the Christian Writer's Guild brutally tortured her, battering her into a comatose state that I feared she would never leave. Then I finished High School and began an intense, two-year journey to a Bachelor's Degree. The stress and dullness of deadlines and papers continued to hurt my poor muse, and I was forced to leave her for dead. I finished my last course two months ago, and didn't even give a thought to her. I've become so used to living without her, that I've finally accepted my inability to write.

During the past two days, however, something has begun to slosh about in my mind. Ideas–crazy, imaginative, entertaining storylines– have started whispering where before there was only silence. I didn't notice at first, but this evening, as I sat debating on whether I would write such a story in first or third person, a little lightbulb came on. My muse is coming back to life!

This discovery has filled me with more joy than you may be able to imagine, and has set me to remembering what I used to enjoy before school and facebook consumed my life. I remembered this blog, gave it a makeover, and now here I am. I can't promise that I'll post regularly. Zounds, I can't even promise that I'll post before next September. But I remember you now in a happy light, and I'll try to collect my thoughts for your enjoyment. Maybe no one will read them, and maybe no one will benefit from them, but I will enjoy writing them. May they be ever-glorifying to God, the Creator of imagination!

Hullo again!

On Being a Christian Planeteer

2009-04-27T08:35:00.001-07:00

This is from a note I wrote for Facebook, and I feel that I should give a brief explanation so that no one is left in the dark. I was talking a lot about Earth Day and Arbor Day on Facebook this past week. This should be expected, because I'm building a reputation as a Planeteer on there. I have several friends who tell me of environmentally destructive things they've done just to get on my nerves and stuff like that. It's fun. But with my extra talk of Earth and Arbor Day, a few things were said and implied that made me feel that I should defend my celebration of these holidays. I really do care about taking care of our planet, and I feel that Christians should take extra care of it. Read on...

*******************************

Alright, people, here it is.

Let's imagine for a moment that I inherited some money, and that you and another friend of mine were both in desperate need of a car. Since I now had money coming out of my ears, I decided to buy two identical cars and lend them to you for a while, free of charge. My only requirement was that you use them and take care of them, and that when I got back from my trip to Scotland I'd get them back.

Well, since my friends tend to be slightly... different, the other recipient of a car decides that nothing can happen to the vehicle. He keeps it carefully stored in a garage, polished to perfection, and in perfect running condition. He goes to great lengths to avoid ever having to use it, and when he does, nearly goes insane if so much as a speck of dust touches it.

Now you, correctly assessing that my friend is most likely insane, and not wanting to appear insane yourself, decide that you're gonna use this car for all it's worth, which is great, since that's why I gave it to you. You drive it everywhere: to the store, to your job, to a game, to a movie, off-road (even though it wasn't really built for that), and for midnight runs for munchies. However, when the time comes to keep it clean, change the oil, or replenish the gas tank, you look over at my OCD friend and decide to do as little as possible. After all, you don't want to be like him.

So the fateful day arrives. I show up with 5,000 pictures of sheep and castles, bearing souvenir kilts for both of my dear friends, and asking for my cars back. When I go to my first friend's house, I find my car looking just like the day I bought it, and my friend no better off for having it in his garage. This, of course, offends me, even if it doesn't surprise me. I spent good money for the vehicle, and expected him to use it, even though I knew he wasn't quite right in the head.

Disappointed, I go to your house, and boy do you have stories of what a great time you've had in my car! I hear all about your fun and accomplishments, and am very glad. At least one of my friends got some use out of my gift. Then I take the key out to the curb (you didn't bother keeping it in your garage) and nearly faint. The dinged-up piece of junk sitting before me is nearly unrecognizable as the brand new vehicle I left you with. After I slide into the cracked leather seats and manage to slam the door hard enough that it stays closed, I force the key into the ignition and turn, only to hear a sound that would make the guys on Car Talk cover their ears. Once it finally does start, I'm barely able to get it to my house, partially because the smoke billowing out from under the hood obscures my view of the road - and it should be noted that I live just around the corner.

Am I happy about the way you've treated my gift? No! Why? Not because I needed the car. If I didn't have one of my own, I could use the one that my OCD friend never used. As it stands, I'd intended to donate both cars to Ranken Technical College for the automotive students to learn on. But I'd trusted you both to take care of and appreciate my gift, and neither of you did.

I know that this is a poor illustration. I mean, what do you expect? It's 2 AM. ;) But I hope that maybe this helps to explain why I get so excited about Earth Day and Arbor Day.
It is not my intention to ever worship the earth. If you ever catch me singing the praises of a plant or animal without mentioning its Creator, give me a good, sound slap across the face.*

But if I'm singing with the twenty-four elders in Revelation 4, "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created" because I've seen God's glory unfold in a leaf, then join me!

If I'm trying to be a better steward of what God has provided by recycling or planting trees, does that mean that I'm worshipping the creation over the Creator? Christ said that one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much. Is being wasteful being any more faithful than worshipping the earth?

Before I finish, I want to acknowledge the fact that I talk a lot about Global Warming, planeteers, endangered species and such on Facebook. That's pretty much all a joke. I don't really believe most of the Global Warming hysteria, I think the planeteers were rather extreme (not to mention that whole "Mother Nature" junk), and so far as endangered species go... well I'd like to see them stick around, but people come first. Hopefully I make it pretty clear when I'm kidding, but if you're ever confused then please feel free to ask if I'm serious or not.

Please understand that I'm not trying to get people upset or anything like that. I just felt that I should try to explain where I'm coming from when I celebrate these holidays, especially as there seems to be a lot of confusion about this subject.

God made the seed, that made the tree, that made the cross that saved us.**

*By "singing the praises of" I hope you realize that I don't mean saying that someone's dog is cute or something. Don't just be looking for an opportunity to slap me... ;)
**Taken from Caedmon's Call's version of Mystery of Mercy.

The Countdown: TOMORROW!!!

2009-04-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Easter! Huzzah! Everyone is cleaning, and I think we may be close to as good as it gets...

Everything is blooming beautifully outside, and the two trees that I planted last week have already grown a little!

I suppose this is a rather pointless post, but it seemed that I should send one out on Easter Eve. Especially since I most likely won't post with nearly as much consistency after tomorrow.

Oooo I'm about to burst! I can't wait so scream "He is risen!"

Praise God for Easter!!!

Hello, Lamppost! Whatcha knowin'?

2009-04-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

First, I must get this exciting news out: 4 MORE DAYS UNTIL EASTER! Huzzah!

Ok, now that I've done that, I'll report on today's big news. I took my Humanities test and passed with flying colours, which I think is rather shameful, as I didn't study. I mean, I skimmed through the study guide, but I'd just studied everything in it, so I took a practice test and pretty much ignored it after that. But anyway, I passed with a higher score than any test thus far, and you know what that means...

SPRING BREAK!!!

While it's not supposed to officially start until Monday, since I have no more school work until then, it starts today! *Does a happy dance of glee*

Of course, the weekend is packed, and so is next week, but not having a test hanging over me like Damocles' sword is such a relief! *Does another happy dance*

Well, mother's made some frappuccinos (when you live in the middle of nowhere, you have to learn to make your own) so I must go consume one! Have a loverly evening!!!

The Countdown: 6 More Days

2009-04-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

There are only six more days until Easter! Huzzah! At long last my favourite holiday is almost here! I've been eagerly awaiting it since before Thanksgiving.

The decorations are beginning to appear, things are getting cleaner, and I've read my note from last year's Sarah. Every year Savannah and I write notes to ourselves and leave them in our Easter baskets. It's kinda cool to see how different your expectations were from what your life turned out to be. For example, I asked myself if by this time I would almost have my Associate's Degree, and if I'd still be teaching Sunday School. I don't teach Sunday School, and I've almost earned my Bachelor's Degree. I wish that this neat-o tradition was my idea, but it wasn't. I'm just copying Savannah.

So anyway, the house is getting decked in pastel, which I don't usually care for, but Easter makes pastel cool. I need to make some bunny ears for Mr. Happy Guy so that we can match.

And, of course, this is the final countdown to Easter Break - a whole week of no studying! Huzzah! On that note, I'm going to be taking my last test before my break at some point this week, so if you'd like to pray for me, that'd be awesome. Oh, and I don't intend on going to see "The Widow's Might" any longer. It'd be fun, but I just can't organize it. Nor can I justify the 7 hour trip. Talk about being eco-unfriendly. I think that the DVD is already out, so maybe I'll just buy it and save myself a lot of trouble.

So six more days until I can shout "He Is Risen!" Six more days until I can wear bunny ears and hide eggs for young cousins to find! Six more days until a week of rest! Six more days until I can eat a ginormous can of chocolate pudding and get on facebook!

It'd be kinda funny if Christ returned in 5 more days...

Love ya lots like tatertots!

The Widow's Might

2009-04-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

Howdy! (Wow, that's a very not-me exclamation...)

So I just found out about this movie called The Widow's Might and I'd like to see it. You may have noticed that huge official-looking banner thing. There's another little one at the bottom of this blog. I've always thought this blog needed something like that. Anyway.

I'm putting the trailer on here so that you can see why I want to see it. It's going to be in theaters for one week, but not anywhere around here! Waaaah!

However, it is going to be in my out-of-state friend's town (betcha didn't know I had a friend who owned a town, huh?) so I'm considering recruiting people for a mini road trip. Anyone interested?

60 Second Trailer Spot, Widow's Might from John Moore on Vimeo.

By the way, this movie beat out Fireproof in the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. As Fireproof is one of the most well-made Christian movies I've seen, I'm eager to see what this has to offer. At the very least, it looks cute. Especially after the nonsense of my recent film expedition. ;)

Seriously, let me know if you're interested in this random venture.

Everybody Say Al-right! (al-right!) Oh Yeah! (oh yeah!)

2009-03-31T20:16:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I passed English Lit.! Praise God! Furthermore, with this test out of the way, I now have the credit hours equivalent to a junior! Awesomeness!!! Next week I take a Humanities test, and then I get a break! Huzzah!

So now that I've managed to end every sentence with an exclamation point and an expression of excitement and joy, I shall wish you good night and go to bed. I don't feel up to a reading marathon tonight. ;)

May God bless you richly.

I Just Can't Seem to Come Up with a Decent Title...

2009-03-31T08:42:00.000-07:00

I suppose I don't really have time to be writing this, as I have a test coming up at a dizzying rate (two more hours), but I thought that maybe someone would read this before 1 and pray that I'd pass the test. It's English Literature, and after taking the practice test yesterday I feel much better about it, but that doesn't change the fact that I had a hard time concentrating on my studies these past two weeks. I've actually just been online clearing up a few things that I was absolutely clueless about on the practice test.

Before I go, I have to tell my readers about one of the most random things I've ever done - one that could cost me the test today. Last night I read To Kill a Mockingbird. Not finished it - read it. From cover-to-cover, beginning at 10:30 pm and ending at 3:30 am (to be accurate, in that time I stopped when we read our bibles, and I stopped to say goodnight to everyone, and I stopped to get a drink). It's a very good book. Atticus Finch is awesome. If I get married and have more than one son, I think I'll name one of them after him.

I guess it sounds pretty stupid to have done that. After all, Spring Break is only 12 days away, and then I could stay up until 4 without it affecting my study habits. I decided to go through with the idea for three reasons:

1. I love to do random things, and I wanted to be able to say that I'd read a book in all of that 'extra' time I was supposed to have received when I gave up Facebook.

2. I've wanted to read it for a while, and I couldn't have my sister beat me to it. She was considering reading it, and I don't like much to be beaten in reading contests by her. ;)

3. I knew that if I didn't finish it last night, I'd forget the everything I'd read and probably wouldn't pick it back up again for a year or two. I must agree with Edgar Allen Poe that a good piece of literature should be able to be read in one sitting. It does wonders for keeping up the illusion.

I think I might start reading books in one sitting more often. Although most books that I want to read aren't as easy or short as To Kill a Mockingbird. And it was rather strange to dream in HarperLee-speak...

STATUS UPDATE! Sarah has set up a new poll!

2009-03-23T22:03:00.000-07:00

So I'm curious. Do you think that I'll actually make it until Easter without caving in and logging on? Let me know via the anonymous poll featured on the right side of this blog. Yes, you read that right. Your answer is completely anonymous! Vote, and I'll have no idea what you said. Seriously. So please be honest. =)

What Happens When I Don't Want To Study

2009-03-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, I admit it: I'm stalling. I don't want to study. I've put it off until today because I could, but it's Monday now and I must have 6 days to study, else I probably won't pass.

Random: I just received a form letter from Missouri Baptist University. They still want me! Huzzah!

So... um... I cut my hair!

Well I actually didn't. A student at the Beauty College that my grandma teaches at did. Anyway, she did a great job! It's relatively easy to style, comfortable, and everyone has complimented it.

On that note, I can fill up more time by talking about Gamers' Nite. I don't think I've talked about it on Droll Digression before, so I'll explain.

Gamers' Nite is a monthly tournament thing at a church far from my house. It's usually either Super Smash Bros. Brawl or... um... another game. I don't remember which, as I don't play first-person shooter games, and that is the kind of game it is. Anyway, yeah. I have some friends there, and I try to go every month, but I usually can't make it. I have been able to these past two times, however.

Anyway.

So on the event info it said that there would be both a Smash Bros. tournament and a Guitar Hero III tournament, and that dressing like a rock star was encouraged. I'm not much for Guitar Hero, but, as many of my readers will know, I absolutely adore any opportunity to wear a costume (even if said costume is just jeans & a t-shirt).

I hadn't much of a clue as to how rockstars dress, aside from a few 80's rock stars that I've had the misfortune of catching glimpses of - and there was no way on earth I'd do THAT to my hair - so I had to look online. I found a few how-to guides, ran to the store to get some makeup and such, and then spent most of Saturday hair-spraying my head to death (while thinking that it was cool that I had red streaks, as that was suggested in one of the how-to guides), painting my fingernails black, and generally making myself not look like me. By the time I was finished, my brother said I looked scary, my mom said I wasn't allowed to claim that I was a member of the family, and my dad said that I couldn't get upset when people judged me for the way I looked (he thought that the style change was permanent). I kinda freaked myself out. Looking myself in the heavily-makeuped eye via mirror, I thought I must be looking at someone else. I definitely didn't look like my usual good-girl self.

I was finished an hour or two before we had to leave, so my sister and I ran outside with my brother's guitar for a quick photo-shoot. After waiting another hour, we finally left (I'd expected to be about 15 min - half an hour late) and arrived almost exactly on time. And then, I had a surprise.

I was the only rock star there.

Pretty much no one recognized me, and I kept forgetting just how different I looked, so it was kinda rough at first.

At one point Nextdoorneighbor and I went to get sodas. I got a Mountain Dew, she got a lemonade. Glancing down at my Mountain Dew can, I observed remorsefully, "You make me look like the bad girl." Nextdoorneighbor's reply was a look of shock that had me comparing our appearances... and then laughing.

So in the end it was a lot of fun. I managed to get out of singing on Guitar Hero, and did ok with the guitar on beginner level. However, I will not be dressing so drastically again unless I know that at least one other person will. It's lonely being a star. ;)

P.S. I have since been tagged in two pictures on Facebook by my friend who was at Gamers'. It's killing me that I won't know what they look like for 20 more days. I'm not extremely photogenic, so they could be pretty scary...

P.P.S. I have begun to study English Literature, and it's fascinating. So you're not alone in wasting your time reading this post - I'm slightly regretting the time I put into writing it. Slightly.

Life Without Facebook - The Movie!

2009-03-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

Here it is, everyone! We've finished it at last! Enjoy!

On Tests, Temper Tantrums, Grace, & An Abundance of Postscripts

2009-03-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

I need to go to bed. Here it is 11 pm, I have a test in the morning, I haven't really finished studying, and I'm sitting here staring at the computer screen. I always get like this the night before a test. Usually I have Mom to wait up for, but she won't be home until perhaps when I leave in the morning. She changed her shift and schedule and such, which is great news for the part of me that wants to see more of her, but pretty sad for the night-owl in me. No more excuses. That's tart. Ah well, I'll be halfway to Pphbbfft next month. I suppose I can stay up late and face the consequences. But that doesn't change the fact that tonight I need to sleep.

I don't really want to sleep, though, because I haven't taken the practice test that I'm supposed to take the day before the test. I really don't want to sleep because I haven't even finished reading all of the material. As I've said a million times (though perhaps not on here) I am a VERY bad student. The sad thing is that I have a good chance of passing. I'm not really overly worried. Prayers would be appreciated, though. The only way I'll ever pass is if God wants me to pass.

Did I mention that I'm over Facebook? I can't remember if I have or not. Well, I am. I mean, I'd still love to be on there, but it's no longer depressing me or making me break out in a cold sweat when I think about it. ;) I had my priorities so incredibly messed up. Very often I wonder why God sticks with me.

On that note, a simple, yet profound thought came to me the other evening.

To give you a little bit of a background, the past month has been pretty rough emotionally, but God sustained me in that marvelous way He always does, may His Name be glorified. However, at the end of the chaos that erupted sometime last month I felt very drained spiritually. It was at that low point that I decided to throw a temper tantrum. I wanted to do what I wanted to do, and God said to wait. This I found very unfair. If I wasn't His child, I wouldn't have to wait. I could do whatever I want. How come everyone else always got their way when I had to wait on His timing? It just wasn't fair... - painfully pathetic, I know.

So, like I said, I threw a fit. My close relationship with God went downhill at a dizzying rate, and for a week or two I was absolutely miserable. I knew that the only way to get that relationship back was to repent, but I just couldn't humble myself that much. And so it dragged on for another week. I was so God-hungry that if someone even mentioned Him, or read a verse from the Bible I wanted to cry. I finally grew desperate enough to ask forgiveness, but I was too ashamed to do it where anyone could hear me, and for a few days it seemed as though I couldn't go anywhere without someone being nearby, so again my pride was in the way. Then a few Sundays ago I could take no more. I didn't care if the whole church knew how terrible I was, I had to get right with Him.

He is so gracious and forgiving. You know what? I wasn't asked a single question! Not a one! All of that stupid fear of looking like what I am, and God hid it from all eyes. Isn't He amazing?! I didn't deserve to be taken back into His never-ending love, much less to have the whole deal kept secret, but He did that for me!

As I contemplated that fact, it crossed my mind that had God known what He was getting in to, He would have been wise to leave me to myself. Then I heard Him say: "I did know."

Wow! He knew every single instance where I would stumble, fall, think of stumbling, outright run away... everything! And yet He DIED for me! Hallelujah!

Hmm... now I want to dance, not sleep! And yet I feel that I can sleep ever so much more peacefully. There's nothing like talking about the one you love to put you at blissful ease. I hope you all have a fantabulous day! May God bless you richly!

~Sarah

P.S. I mentioned that I was writing the script for a movie a few posts ago. I wanted to let you know that it's nearly finished, all of the filming is done. I've proven that I am a better writer/directress than actress, but it's been fun. I'll post it just as soon as I've completed it.

P.P.S. I know I need to stop stalling and go to bed, but I just had to at an additional postscript. It's such fun.

P.P.P.S. I don't think these exist, but it's fun to pretend they do. I wanted to explain my use of "Pphbbfft" as an age. I do not want to have another birthday. Seriously. I do not want to turn the age of the next number on the list. I don't like it. And so both because I'm in denial and because my family is insane and wonderful, I refer to my next age as being "pphbbfft" (meant to be read as that sound that is made when you blow air through your lips which are pressed lightly together).

P.P.P.P.S. Sorry this has ended up such a long post...

One Week Into It....

2009-03-03T18:02:00.000-08:00

I've officially been off of Facebook for a week tonight. It hasn't been a complete week since Ash Wednesday yet, but I turned my social life off the night of Mardi Gras, and I haven't opened it since. Well, sort of. I did have to look at a message today, but that lasted at most two minutes. They were the worst two minutes of my life, but I survived. And before you start thinking that that's against the rules or something, you should read my note explaining how to get a hold of me during Lent. In it, I said that I would read messages. Anyway, yeah...

This is going to be a very, very long time to wait. It's kinda funny. This has been the week of Sarah thinking she's something special and then getting shot down. I should rephrase that. This has been a week of Sarah thinking that she's something special APART FROM CHRIST and then getting shot down. I've pretty much proved to myself that without God I'm nothing but dust. With Him, though... that is an entirely different story! His faithfulness is amazing!

It's made me very sad to see how addicted I was/am to Facebook. I had to take the link off of my browser because it was too hard to see it every day and not be able to click on it. Is that pathetic or what? Granted, most of my interaction with others happened through Facebook. I went from knowing exactly what was going on to knowing NOTHING! What are they doing? Where are they going? How are they feeling? What are they listening to? Watching? I have no idea, and I will not know for 39 more days. I find it incredibly unfair that when they say "40 days" they mean "40 days not including Sundays."

The fact that I can't tell the world every trivial detail about my life has made me extremely long-winded online, as I'm sure you can tell by this post. I've pretty much spent the last week studying my head off, praying, trying not to think of Facebook, playing Clue (R) with my family, and playing Um Jammer Lammy (an incredibly random video game). Oh yes, and I've also written the script for a movie I plan to make very, very soon.

Status Update! Sarah is going to find another board game to play with her family! ;)

TTFN!

Choose Wisely

2009-02-25T14:13:00.000-08:00

Just a few moments ago, I decided to do something I never do and listen to music while I study. I actually don't usually listen to music unless I can enjoy it or I'm driving. Anyway, I opened iTunes, started the song Prestidigitation (both because it's a soundtrack song and because I like the name) and got back to work.

A very few songs later, shuffle wound up in the Caedmon's Call section and started the song Manner and Means. I was just about to click next, when I listened to the first line for the first time in a long time: "The heart is a lonely thing to lose in the dead of the night."

Usually I just nod and either go on with life or go on to the next song. Yes, that's nice, so true, but that's not a big issue right now, and I'd rather listen to something more upbeat or something. Not today. For various reasons, losing your heart has been on my mind a lot for the past few days. I've seen in a new light both how easy it is to do, and how terribly it can hurt when the heart that you gave is broken.

So when iTunes suddenly gave me a mournful-sounding voice singing of losing her heart, I was intrigued. I immediately looked up the lyrics, and what I found was so shockingly applicable to me that I felt that I had to share them.

The heart is a lonely thing to lose in the dead of night

The heart is a sad thing to lose in the throws of a fight

The heart is the match to the fire

And the embers of desire, to keep it burning

I am a shell of the manner and the means

Mine is a story of nothing as it seems

But when we have come this far

And still don't know who we are, does it keep burning?

When it's over, and you see it with your eyes

Would you rather have the truth or a lie?

I call for angels to breathe holy on this rust

I call the snakes to come out slowly from the brush

I need a massive overhaul

A revival to fall, to keep it burning

The heart is a costly thing to sell in the prime of the years

And my heart is thinly veiled in the usual fears

The heart is the dream, and the kiss

That there could be more than this, to keep it burning

Found Here

When it's over, and you see it with your eyes, would you rather have the truth or a lie? Very often I'd rather have a lie. It's so easy to let your heart go after a mirage, so easy to blind yourself to every flaw until you've painted for yourself someone completely unlike the person you've given your heart to.

Well, that's all I have for now. Maybe I'll expound on this further at a later time. I'd like to clarify that I know that eventually there will be someone to whom I can give my heart to, and I'm eagerly awaiting that day. Until then, though, I can't throw my love to every guy I see. That's pretty much all I'm trying to say. Again, I must stress that you don't have to worry about me, I haven't had my heart broken. ;)

On the Experience of Facebook Withdrawals

2009-02-25T10:23:00.000-08:00

So I gave up Facebook for Lent... and it's killing me.

This is SO HARD! I want to know what's going on out there! AUGH! I feel like I've suddenly lost all connections to the outside world. Almost Helen Keller-ish. I knew I had an addiction, but this is ridiculous!

Granted, it has led me to be praying a lot more today. In between studying and such, my day has pretty much gone like so:

Facebook!

*Wiggles finger on mousepad to turn off screensaver*

No Facebook! No connection with anyone! Ahhh!

*Remembers Who is most important to stay connected with, and prays*

That doesn't change the fact that a bazillion fantastic ideas for status updates have gone through my head today, or that I want to upload a picture of ashes on my forehead.

When it comes down to the nitty gritty, though, I would rather have a good relationship with my Lord than ever mess with Facebook again.

Zounds. Mrs. K just commented on my status... stupid email updates...

Anyway, this has all been an excellent reminder to me that I am but dust, and to dust I shall return. I don't have the fortitude to give up 40 days of my social life without help and accountability. How on earth could I save myself? I am in desperate need of a Saviour, my friends. Desperate need.

At least maybe now I'll be better about writing on my blog. I haven't done much of anything since I joined Facebook.

Wish List!!!

2008-11-25T06:24:00.000-08:00

Well, Christmas music is playing on the radio, so I thought I'd re-post my wish list, just in case someone wanted to get me something. =D

Ok, so here we go:

I'd love to get an ipod touch, but I don't think anyone should spend that much money on me, so if you'd like to contribute, that'd be fantastic!

Anything from my Amazon Wish List

(especially the Bible)

I would like the following shirts from Mental_Floss:

*English Major

*When Life Hands You Scurvy

*There's No Right Way

*Hobbits

(It says that these shirts run very small, so I'll probably need an XL)

Do Hard Things Tee

iphone

Any old book

Gift cards/certificates to:

Museum Replicas Ltd. (www.museumreplicas.com)

--Borders

--Barnes & Nobel

--Starbucks

--iTunes

--Bread Co.

--Walmart

And of course, cash is always marvelous.

So those are the gifty things. Other things I appreciate are:

Notebooks

Nice pens

Pretty/cool Journals

An Observation from Western Civilization I

2008-11-13T13:53:00.000-08:00

So I'm sitting here studying about the Germanic Kingdoms, and I've come to a conclusion. Charlemagne's family had the best names.

First, you had Pepin the Short. Aside from making you picture a dwarf king, which is fun, Pepin is also Pippin, one of my favourite hobbits.

Then, of course, there's Charlemagne himself. Besides getting the best Christmas present ever from Pope Leo III (crowned Roman Emperor), his very name means Charles the Great. Why couldn't I get a name like that?

His son, Louis the Pious, had a pretty cool name, too. Not very exciting, but at least he sounds like a clean guy, even if he couldn't keep the empire together.

However, Louis' kids (Charlemagne's grandsons) take the cake.

My personal favourite has to be Charles the Bald. Doesn't exactly have the glory of his granddad.

Then there's Lothair, who just has a cool name, not really funny, but definitely cool. No wonder he inherited the imperial title.

Sadly, Louis the German has all the funness of his dad - actually, maybe less. It'd be like calling me Sarah the American. THAT'S exciting. Not.

So anyway, hope you enjoyed that extremely weird history lesson. And don't be surprised if I name my first kid Lothair, or Sarah the Great (would that be Saramagne?)

TTFN

~Sarah

2008-11-06T12:46:00.001-08:00

I PASSED!!! Huzzah! Ptl!

*to clear this up, I passed my American Government CLEP test. I wasn't sure that I would, so this was a huge celebration. Can't fit much in a text, though. =D
===============================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

2008-10-16T15:48:00.000-07:00

I have the best mom ever! Birthdays rock!

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

Multimedia message

2008-10-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

2008-10-12T15:12:00.001-07:00

Wowsers! Creation museum was amazing!

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

2008-10-11T08:00:00.001-07:00

Leaving 4 KY. Love you all. Dasvidania.

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

Huzzah!!!

2008-10-09T12:51:00.001-07:00

Passed the first test of my college experience just now. Wonderful feeling, that.

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

Into the West

2008-10-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

Yeah, so... I haven't posted anything in a while. I need to be studying, but I just can't seem to concentrate on more US History. But don't worry, I'll get caught up.

Right now I'm sitting at my grandma's computer and listening to my uncle play his guitar. He's actually very good. I like music.

When I went to the symphony and heard the Lord of the Rings Symphony two weekends ago, I had a bunch of thoughts that I wanted to blog, but I didn't get the chance, and they were lost in the chaos of life. I'll try to bring them back to the surface of my mind, but I have to apologize. They won't be nearly as grand or profound as they were that night.

Alright, so first of all, I think that music is the soul's language. I know most of you are thinking "Whoa, Sarah, how original - not," but bear with me. I think I've probably heard people say stuff like that a million times, but it really hit me while I was sitting there listening to that beautiful music. There were times during the symphony that I didn't have a thought about Middle Earth. As I sat there, often with my eyes closed (despite a beautiful slideshow by one of my favourite artists), I was first struck with the beauty of many people playing their part in harmony. Then, I got that feeling.

You know the feeling, I'm almost sure. I've probably talked about it before. That horrible, wonderful feeling that you get when Fall's change is in the wind, or after a party. That feeling that everything is so good, but there is something WONDERFUL that you don't have. You want something, but you don't know what. You're maybe even afraid of something, though you have no idea why or what it is you're afraid of. Change? Who knows. I used to hate that feeling.

But now I love it. It makes me indescribably happy, because I know what that wonderful thing is that I want: God. But more than that, I know that someday I'll get there. I'll see Him! So then this feeling is like a preview, showing me just enough to make me want it.

Anyway, I got that feeling. I listened to that music and my soul screamed "Yes! THIS is what I understand!" For the most part there were no words (or at least none in English) until the end credits songs. But my soul understood. Those beautiful notes said more about the beauty of God than any words could have.

And then, at the very end, she sang Into the West. Oh I love that song. I've often thought that it is so close to a Christian song, and after the worship service of the music before, I felt so even more. It so perfectly describes my view of death. It made me cry a little - well not cry cry, just wipe a few tears. Everyone else probably thought it was because I'm a LOTR fanatic (which 1. They probably weren't even looking at me & 2. I'm not anymore).

Well, that was my experience. I guess I pretty much rambled and did a terrible job of capturing the beauty that I felt. Sorry. If it ever comes again, I would strongly recommend going.

Have a glorious day.

Bak 2 Skool!

2008-08-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

I'm very happy right now, the slightest bit nervous, but still very happy. Why? Get ready for it...

I start my college studies in September! Isn't it wonderful?! Sure, I'm no huge fan of hard work, and sure I was enjoying the respite, but it feels like such a waste of time not to be learning something new while everyone around me is - including my dad!

So, not to be outdone by my father and friends, I'm going to shoot for the almost ultimate goal: my bachelor's degree in English.

Why English? Because I love the language. Why a BA? Because my associate's wouldn't really be very helpful, I mean, maybe slightly, but I can't learn much more about English if I'm only doing advanced High School stuff. Yeah, I looked it up - it's incredibly boring. Gotta balance it out with more words!

So not only am I going to get my bachelor's degree, I also intend to graduate with everyone else that started school this year. So that means that when Dad and Nextdoorneighbor and Kim and anyone-else-that-I'm-forgetting-at-the-moment graduates, I'll graduate. Two years? Indeed.

It's called CollegePlus!, and so far it sounds awesome. I guess only time will tell, but the benefits are terrific. First of all, it costs much less than your typical college, and I have a personal coach who's going to guide me through everything. I'm going to learn all sort of neat-o stuff like speed reading and memory, which will make my studies much more productive, and through the process called Credit by Exam, I can test out of many classes by proving I know what the class teaches, thus saving a lot of time.

I'm very excited, as I'm sure you can tell. Sure, it'll be tough, but I love to do things just because they're extra-ordinary. Actually, two years sounds like a very long time, but I think it's the best I can do. Celebrate with me: Huzzah!

Looking & Sounding Like a Jesus Freak

2008-08-06T22:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm not sure where this will end up, but I've got half an hour to kill and little that I can do in a dark room with a sleeping sister, so I figured I might as well get some thoughts out of me that have been simmering for a while. Hopefully they're not too goopy and sticky to make any sense (or to scrape out of my mind). First I want to mention shining in a way that shows how glorious Christ really is. Tonight I was talking with an individual about a specific food that this person enjoys immensely. I personally don't care for this food very much, and he was trying to describe to me what I was missing out on. As I watched his eyes light up and a smile spread across his face, there was no doubt in my mind that he really did like that food. Then it hit me: how do people know that I "really like" Christ? I say "really like" with quotation marks, because obviously I feel much more strongly about my Saviour than this man did about his favourite snack; but it helps my point. Looking at me, would the world think I really like Christ, or would the world look on and see a glow in my eye that says "He is wonderful! You must go to Him! You must know what it is like!"? I can only hope I shine like that. Yes, I know that these little paragraphs didn't tell you how to shine, or even if I do shine, or what I intend to do to shine better. That's not really its purpose. On a selfish level, I wrote them to help me, on a sharing level, I wrote them to make you think. Misery loves company, you know? Moving right along, I'll scrape out more sticky goop, this time focusing on conversations. I really don't want to bring up this subject, because I have major pride issues and this is gonna hurt me. What should a Jesus Freak's conversation sound like? Well, considering that I'm using the term Jesus Freak, you would assume that it would be freakishly full of Jesus. And if Christ is really so wonderful as I believe, that would make perfect sense. Since Christ is in me and I have given myself body and soul to Him, every aspect of my life is affected by Him. So if I'm talking about any part of my life, Christ should come up, right? I don't know what your answer is, but I would agree with myself (big shocker there). Well any of you that have talked to me (and since probably all of you are my friends on facebook, you've all had some sort of conversation with me at one time or the other) know that this is not the case in my life. Sure, sometimes I'll squeak something out, but for the most part my speech barely acknowledges my Lord's existence. And this fills me with such shame. So this has to change. I don't care how long it takes, I've got to start redeeming my conversations. So to begin this process, I figured that I need to lay out why I don't glorify God in the way I talk. 1. I don't think to. This is probably the saddest thing I'll be listing, because after realizing that I just don't think to say anything, I realized that it's because I just don't think of Him. Why? Because I'm not as close to Him as I should be. I mean, if I had my husband standing beside me in every conversation, wouldn't it be extremely rude to completely ignore him every time? Oh God, forgive me. 2. It seems awkward. Ok, so you're sitting there talking about video games with your friends. I'll be nice, and say that something actually popped into your head that makes a little sense, say, um, the disastrous result of a character in the game insisting on his own way. It blares at you as a little lesson to stop fighting for your own way and give in to the Lord's plan. So the question is, how do you bring this up in a group of friends that would probably consider your observation completely random and weird? Well if you're like me, you don't. So two little observations here: a) you don't really know what their reaction would be. b) who really cares if they do think you're weird? We're not called to be normal. We're called to be radically different. In fact, if the most radical you ever get is talking about a pathetic little metaphor from a video game, you're probably not radical enough. Sorry, that was a note to myself. 3. I'm in the "wrong" group. Well, here are the painful facts, Sarah. There is no "wrong" group. I don't care if the person is saved, is living in sin but saying they're saved, or if they're outright atheists. If there is one wrong group, they're all wrong groups. You need to get your thinking straight. Stop hiding behind your pathetic excuses. Well, I guess that's about all I have for that subject. If you're ever talking to me, feel free to remind me of what I just wrote. I want to show the world His greatness, and I can't do that if I'm only talking about chocolate chip cookies. I don't have much time left. Well, I suppose I have all the time in the world, but not if I want to wake up tomorrow without ice-cold water poured on me (I'm just kidding. My family hasn't ever done that - yet). At any rate, I need to wrap this up. I don't know if this has been beneficial to you at all, and honestly, I'm not certain it will help me. Like I said in the beginning, these are just some thoughts I've been thinking. I hope you enjoyed them, and that it wasn't a waste of your time to sit there staring at your computer reading them. May God glorify Himself through you. ~Sarah

My Wishlist

2008-08-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

So this year I'm not turning 18 or graduating, but maybe someone would like to get me a birthday gift, or Christmas eventually. Anyway, thought I'd make it available!

(as before, links are in the sidebar ⇗ )

In order of need:

Do Hard Things Tee

Wireless mouse

St. Louis Bread Co. Giftcards

$2-$200

Starbucks Giftcards

$5-$100

an iphone 8 or 16 GB (giggle!)

BOOKS:

Anna Karenina by Tolstoy

War and Peace by Tolstoy

The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis

Hangman's Curse by Frank Peretti

Nightmare Academy by Frank Peretti

Any old book (old as in 100 years or older)

Any Classic book

I want to be an Imagination Nation Ranger!

A Touchsmart Computer!!!

Giftcards to:
--Walmart
--Starbucks
--iTunes

--Borders

--Bread Co.

--Barnes & Nobel

--pretty much anywhere
--Cold Hard Cash

Some links will be here, some on the sidebar. Some links will lead to pricier things, some to more reasonable. I don't really expect anyone to get any of this stuff. Just thought I'd leave it out there, though. Just to be helpful. 8D

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

2008-07-21T07:13:00.000-07:00

STARBUCKS BY CHURCH IS CLOSING!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHH! Woe is me! :'(

Oh no! Waaaah!

Just can't hold it in...

2008-07-13T22:44:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry that this is so choppy and broken up. I was just about to go to bed when I just had to tell someone... anyway, I wanted to share it with even more people, so I copied what I was typing in my IM and posted it here for you to read:

I've felt kinda distant from God for awhile, like I'm just cruising through life barely supported by Him. I knew it wasn't right, but didn't have the guts to just stay in one place praying until I was right with Him

Today I've been a little scared, because I'm taking these girls to camp to learn about Christ, to give them an opportunity to get away from 'normal' life and focus solely on our Awesome Father

...but how on earth could I show them how worthy He is of our unwavering adoration if I myself didn't feel it?

And so I said the simplest prayer ever

I just said, God, please bring me close to You so that I can show them Your glory

...and he heard me Tacia!

He was always listening

even when I felt miles away, He was right there beside me

so now I feel a little scared, because I can 'see' Him again, and He's glorious, and Powerful, All-knowing, and so... holy

so high above my highest

like we're not even in the same universe

and if I was to draw near to Him i would burn up in an instant

man, I'm just gonna have to blog this

anyway, I'm also so encouraged!

I mean, after seeing how unworthy I am, I've seen how worthy He is

and yet He's taken mercy on me a Sinner with a capital 'S'

WOW!

I don't know whether to cry or shout

But I'm going to have to go to bed

I just have to tell you one more time how GREAT our God is

not just our God... THE God

The Only God. The One True God

If only I can get that One point across to these girls this week, my whole life will have had a purpose.

If one more person could see what it is that makes me ridiculously happy for no apparent reason...

If one more person could see why... I dunno... why I'm happy!

I know I keep going back to that, but I am SO happy!

And trust me, I haven't had anything, haven't done anything out of the ordinary except one whispered prayer

And I didn't even 'feel' anything then.

Mr. Schembre said it best one Wednesday - "We live by faith, not feel." or something very, very similar.

I just wish I could always feel like this.

Praise God for being God! Praise Him for the air we breathe! Praise Him for the ability to read this, to type this! Praise Him for the mercy He shows us in not wiping us out and starting over with a perfect creation! Oh how great God is!!!

"Let the godly exult in glory;

"let them sing for joy on their beds." -Psalm 149:5 ESV

Good night.

On Fear, the Abolition of It, and What I Think of a Murderer

2008-07-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow is the 4th of July. That's really shocking. It seems like July 2007 was just a few weeks ago. I guess that's just a sign that I'm getting old or something.

Well, I've been sitting her trying to dream up something worth your time to post, and haven't really come up with anything. So I guess I'll just cheat and talk about this week's news.

If you live in the midwest, chances are you've heard about the eight murders that have taken place this week in Illinois and Missouri. They were brutal and bloody. Plus two of the bodies were found not that far away from my house. Creepy! So now that I've made all of the dear people that read this and care about me faint dead away, I'll mention the fact that they've caught the guy.

I'm not usually one to freak out over dangerous situations. For instance, I wasn't afraid the entire time I was in Mexico. Now granted, that's not necessarily dangerous, but usually a trip out of country would be considered more worthy of fearful thoughts than a night spent at home. Now suddenly there's a creepy killer guy with no apparent motive lurking in my peaceful little town.

So I'm not going to lie to you - I was scared. Very scared. Scared to the point that being in my locked home with a strong father on alert ready to protect me didn't help ease my fear at all. It's not a pleasant feeling.

Then I turned it over to the Lord. I knew that letting my fear take control of me was the same as telling God that I didn't believe He would protect me, so I asked for peace and I asked Him to forgive me for doubting His strength. And you know what? The strangest thing happened...

I wasn't afraid anymore.

Yeah. Just like that. I knew that the murderer was out there, but I knew that God was there first. To quote a song I learned in Children's Church:

"My God, He is big, He's gigantic, He's enormous. He is powerful and strong. He is amazing and He's awesome; and there's nothing in this world that He couldn't pulverize... so I know I have nothing to fear, no, no! So I know I have nothing to fear!" (play that in your head really fast with an English accent - it's fun to sing)

And so the next morning I hear that the suspected murderer (you have to say 'suspected', even with a lot of strong evidence against him - otherwise it's not fair) was caught. Yay!

It's strange, though. I feel sorry for him. I mean, what's more frightening than whatever could push him to kill innocent people? Whether it was the drugs or something else, what kind of state was his mind in? But when he's afraid, and I'm sure that even his twisted self feels fear, he has no one to turn to, except maybe his drugs, and that would just leave him more messed up than he was originally. Yes, I feel sorry for the murderer, because there but for the grace of God go I. I feel sorry for him because I have no idea what kind of nightmare goes on in his mind, and I desperately hope that he has a chance to hear the Gospel before he dies. I hope more than anything that his heartless, sin-scorched soul could feel the cool and gentle stream of forgiveness cover it once and for all. He hasn't hurt me, so maybe that's why it's so easy to pity him. Maybe if it was my parents he had killed, or my friends, or any of my family, maybe then I would hate him and thirst for his death. But he didn't. Yes, I believe that he should pay the price for his actions, but first I want him to have a chance at grace.

Hey, I'm really tired. Hopefully this made sense. If it didn't, I'm very sorry.

Home Sweet Home

2008-06-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

Home, home in the humidity!

Yep, back home! Yay! I miss playing with the kids every evening, Carmen's cooking, and our team, but I'm still really glad to be home. For one thing, I don't have to worry about dehydrating. I am such a mess when I'm dehydrated - just ask Marissa. Well, don't, since she'll probably tell you all about it and that would be kinda embarrassing.

I had a very good time this year. I want to thank you all for all of the prayers - they were vital! I'm sorry that the updates weren't all that great. I can't say much in a text message. Hopefully you were able to get the picture, though.

I'm not sure what all to talk about, so let me know if you have any questions. I will be more than happy to give you answers.

p.s. My name isn't Bandana

2008-06-26T11:35:00.001-07:00

Home sweet home! Told u we'd make it back safely. Luv u all!

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

2008-06-26T10:03:00.000-07:00

In tulsa but not getting off of the plane. The plane ppl are funny. Nxt stop St. Louis!

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

2008-06-26T08:15:00.001-07:00

In Houston. Hopefully we wont have a huge layover again.

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

There & Back Again

2008-06-25T20:50:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord!

I'm in Texas - in that loverly hotel with the cookies - and so have the internet. I have to make this fast b/c there's a line.

The mission trip was really cool. One of the little girls remembered me from last year & I made a few friends. I was a lot closer to the kids than I have been in the past, which was a big blessing.

I had a lot of fun, but I was dehydrated at varying levels for the last few days, which makes for some scrambled memories. It's my fault.

Anyway, our flight home leaves tomorrow morning & then I'll try to post more. I didn't take much of a journal this year, so you're going to miss that.

TTFN

~Sarah

2008-06-25T16:09:00.000-07:00

On the bridge over the Rio Grande! Cannot wait to take a shower! Love u all! (dad, mom will call u soon)

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

2008-06-20T07:51:00.001-07:00

Headed over border. Totally safe. We have a HUGE group! Love u all! Thanx 4 ur prayers!

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

2008-06-19T19:33:00.001-07:00

SO tired. Listened 2 last team's testimony & feel encouraged. U'll hear from me Thursday. We're all safe in

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

2008-06-19T09:53:00.001-07:00

Flight delayed so long we're taking a dif. plane. Crazy!

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

2008-06-19T08:20:00.001-07:00

Made it 2 Huston. Plane ride cool. Nxt stop Harlingen. Love u all!

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

They're taking the author to Mexico!

2008-06-18T15:42:00.000-07:00

So EEEEARLY tomorrow morning we're heading out for Mexico. Sorry that I didn't give you poor readers more warning, but things have been a hair on the chaotic side. At least you have some warning with this one, unlike the Wisconsin trip.

As I said, we are leaving very early in the morning and I will do what I love to do - something new! Huzzah! Unfortunately, this New isn't quite as dramatic as most of my News, because this New is many peoples Old. I get to fly in a real, live aeroplane! Again, I cry "huzzah!" and sway to the gentle music of Leaving on a Jet Plane.

I'm leaving with a feeling that I would describe as a mixture of nervousness and excitement. This year seems so much different from the last three, so I don't know what to expect. In addition, this is probably the last year we have the opportunity to go for a while, so it's a little sad. Not that I am ever guaranteed another opportunity to travel to Centenario, or even to take my next breath. I just get into the mindset that 'this is how it is, this is how it always will be' and it's a little rough realizing that everything changes, not just most things. Now I've gotten off subject.

I'll post via cell phone when I get to Harlingen. I'll be electronically mute once over the border, but I'll send you a text when I'm back in the USA.

I love you all, and I covet your prayers. Thank you so much for your concern and attention. I promise to let you know when I'm back.

Adios!

2008-06-07T12:33:00.001-07:00

Having a great time! 38 got maj. lapped :( wisconsin weather is crazy! Love 2 all. Bekky

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

2008-06-05T18:31:00.001-07:00

Had a spare moment so i thought id say hi. Made it safe 2 wisconsin.

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

Bible Study Jem

2008-05-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

23 Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."

Jeremiah 9:23,24 ESV

I Hope these verses bless you as much as they did me! With a God so great, why would we need to boast in anything else?! How sad that we are so blinded by the glitter of man's praise that we can't see what really matters, what our entire lives should focus on - The greatness of our loving, just and righteous God!

Why Matrix is better than Equilibrium

2008-05-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

Before I begin, I want to clarify that when I say "The Matrix" I mean "The Matrix" - the first movie. I have never seen and never intend to see the second and third movies. Try to only remember the first if you can. It'll help.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After having the movie Equilibrium highly suggested to me by Kim and Brady, I forked up the cash and rented it, with the greatest of expectations after hearing that it was "Better than The Matrix."

I have just finished watching it, and have to disagree - Equilibrium is not better than The Matrix. So sorry.

Here are some of my reasons:

1. It's been done.

While this is a pretty lame excuse and I don't really care in the long run, the basic plot behind Equilibrium has been done many times - this just looks better. For example, see 1984 or Fahrenheit 451. Intriguing and terrifying ideas and possibilities, but not new.

2. The Matrix looks better.

Once again: lame excuse. There were a few times in Equilibrium that tried too hard to be like The Matrix but not copy. For example, when Preston is fighting the Librian policemen so that the sense-offenders can get away, the scene is slowed down. Whereas the bullet-time of The Matrix is cool, the slow-motion beating just feels bogged down.

3. The Perceived Underlying Message

The Matrix has a strong, if subtle, Christian theme. Whether this was intentional or not, I don't know, but it goes beyond the last city of men being named Zion. I'm not one to dig this kind of stuff out of movies, but who couldn't notice that Neo is searching for the truth, has a rude awakening to how the world really is, is "in" the Matrix, but not "of" the Matrix, and eventually dies to conquer evil? I'm not entirely comfortable with the thought of Neo being an example of Christ, but that's another discussion.

Equilibrium, however, has quite a different view. To begin, Libria's insignia is a cross. Sure it looks like a swastika, but it's still a cross.
Second, Prozium is referred to as "the opiate of the masses" - Karl Marx's view of religion.
Third, and most blatant is the "Father". In Libria, the people are to follow Father's will with an unquestioning faith - dead to all enjoyment of life in the false security of obedience. A view of Christianity?

4. Personal Scruples

I didn't like Mary O'Brien and I didn't like the way Brandt died. It was gross.

In Equilibrium's defense, it had it's good points. For one, it was a little cleaner than The Matrix. Yet despite it's being a good movie and entertaining to watch, I cannot agree that it is better than The Matrix. However, you are free to think what you like about either of the movies. This isn't Libria, you know.

~Sarah

Reepicheep Rocks!

2008-05-19T15:42:00.000-07:00

So I saw Prince Caspian yesterday. It was pretty cool. Book lovers beware, however, as it's different than C.S. Lewis' work. The best advice I was given before watching the movie was not to read the book again - and so I'm passing it on.

Now don't get me wrong, they basically stick to the story. I mean, they did a much better job than, say, Eragon. (yeck) I'm just warning you that some things are a little more fleshed out, some things are left out, and some things are completely new. But it's still a really good movie. I'll gladly watch it again!

What kinda freaked me out was the violence - or lack thereof. I mean, it's a war movie. It has battles. People get killed left and right - but somehow most of it you don't see. For example, a man is beheaded right on screen, but you don't see the decapitation. I still haven't figured that one out.

So all in all I liked it. I don't think I'll add it to my top 5 movies, but it was fun, had some good take-away moments, and had the most adorable mouse ever.

Oh yeah - and on a final note: The Telemarines are Spaniards. It's blatantly obvious, so don't think they're supposed to be from the desert or something. They're not. Read Don Quixote.

For Narnia!

Sarah

Just wanted to share...

2008-05-14T06:22:00.001-07:00

This morning in my quiet time I read the first chapter of Jeremiah. I was really blessed by this chapter, and I wanted to share a few verses with you.

"Do not say, 'I am only a youth';

for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,

and whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Do not be afraid of them,

for I am with you to deliver you,

declares the LORD."

(verse 5)

"18 And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you."

Wow! Isn't that awesome?! Praise God!

All scripture comes from the ESV

Fighting for Health

2008-04-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

Well I've got a little problem. It didn't really occur to me that I had a problem until my alarm went off this morning, but now that I've realized it I've gone semi-frantic.

See, there's this youth retreat thingy Friday night. Which is tomorrow, because it's Thursday. And I'm still sick!

Don't get me wrong. I'm not really sick. In fact, every morning I'm doing much better! But I've still got this cough and nose thing going on. Anyway, I really don't want to head off to Bates Creek spreading germs like Johnny Appleseed spread little apple seeds.

So if you happen to think of me today, please say a prayer and ask the Lord to make me better by tomorrow. It would be awesome. And it wouldn't really be unbelievable because I'm almost better. Just gotta get over this little bit.

Thanx. Also, for any wish-listers, it's right under this post. But you really don't have to get me anything.

A Txt on How I Feel...

2008-04-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

I hate being sick!

--
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated

2008-04-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

I'm very sorry that I haven't posted in such a long time, but I've been busy. This past weekend was awesome! We had a "Camp Meeting" conference thing at our church and it was just what I needed! I really needed to hear the preaching, but the funny thing is I think I was blessed just as much by being able to help serve! I know it's crazy, but I had so much fun getting meals ready and cleaning bathrooms! I guess it must just be the Lord, because I'm usually a lazy bum. Like I said, the weekend was awesome!

Unfortunately I'm not quite used to going nonstop like that, so it sorta knocked my immune system down, and with so many people around (people from all over - not just our church) there's always a bug to be passed along. So I've gotten myself a little cold, but I'm ok. It's nothing like the terrible flu-like sickness I had before. This is just a normal little stuffy nose thing.

It's strange, but it seems like I keep getting sick. Where before I was the healthiest person in the family, now I'm the first (and sometimes only) one that gets it. Weird.

Well, I guess that's good for now. You've gotten a little update and everything, so I don't have to feel guilty for depriving my dear sweet readers. I'll try to post more this week, but I'm going to a youth retreat this weekend and I graduate next weekend, so my life is going to be pretty crazy for a while!

Oh yeah! Because of everyone asking if I want anything as a graduation gift, I've updated my wishlist. You should always be able to find it underneath the top post, and if you go to the "labels" list in the sidebar, click on "wish-list" and it should take you right to it.

Thank you for your generosity.

Speed Racer Visits the Pollys

2008-04-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

Little brother toys beware!

They're Taking the Hobbits to Isengard!

2008-03-29T08:23:00.001-07:00

Proof of my Intelligence

2008-03-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

I PASSED MY CLEP!!! YAY!!! What's kinda funny/irritating/great is that I was supposed to take a different test but they gave me a different one on accident - and I PASSED! Yay! Except that I had to write 2 essays instead of 1, which was not fun. But I passed! YAY!!!!

HE IS RISEN!!!

2008-03-23T04:22:00.000-07:00

He is Risen Indeed!!!

Happy Easter!!!

00000000000000000000000

Good Friday, Sad Blog

2008-03-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

I don't have much time - but I think I probably owe it to you readers to explain why my blog went from happy green to sad black. That would be because it's Good Friday.

At our house we go into 'mourning' during the time between Good Friday and Easter. We decorate the house in black (including black balloons filled with confetti - I'll get to that later) and blow out all of our Easter advent candles to give us a sense of the darkness of the world without Christ.

I usually take this a little more extreme than the rest of my family - I take the whole dressing in black thing more seriously and try to go through life in a little more sad way. That's kinda tricky this year because I'm so excited about what the Lord has done for me that it's hard to be sad. It is, however, easy to get teary-eyed when I think of how little I deserve what He has done for a worm like me.

Anyway, I decided that this year I would spread it to my blog. When you visit, think of what Christ suffered for you - not just death, but separation from His Father.

The Gentle Art of BRAGGING!

2008-03-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

When you're going to brag, you need to consider many things. Bragging is very difficult to do tastefully - and believe me, you want to do it tastefully!

First of all, try not to brag on yourself too much. Now I know that you're all thinking that I need to direct this to me, but I'm still working on this whole pride thing. Oops, I've gotten off subject.

As I was saying, your bragging needs to either be for the right reasons or very scarce. Bragging on yourself too much just makes you look pathetic, but every once in a while there are crazy relatives that want to know when you've done something cool.

Bragging on someone else is tricky. It seems as though it would always be ok, but you need to understand that not everyone has an amazing little sister - and you're not bragging on her to make people jealous, are you?

Here's an example. If you constantly rub it in people's faces that not only does your sister have an amazing personality and artistic skill, but she also won an award at a very popular Arts and Science fair they stop paying attention to how great your sister is and start comparing your life to theirs. In fact, if you keep harping on the fact that your sister is going to an awards ceremony that night, they might even start interrupting you and talking about how their little sister drew a cool picture of a dog one time. And if you mention that it was a photograph from an interesting perspective, they might just make a lame excuse and walk away.

And so, after much consideration, I have decided not to brag on my little sister too much. I can only say that she has recently done something great, and I'm very proud of her. But I'm sure that the picture your little sister drew of a dog was very nice. Even if it didn't win a major award.

American Chocolate Week

2008-03-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm very, very sorry, but I've missed the first few days of National Chocolate Week. I had great plans for this week and this blog, but I might just start it next week. Anyway, it's never too late to celebrate, so you might want to have a piece of chocolate right now. It couldn't hurt anything. I just finished off a box of Starbucks Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans myself.

Have a sweet day everyone!

Cool Website

2008-03-17T08:22:00.000-07:00

Check this out - Animator vs. Animation

It's pretty cool.

Bountiful Brawl

2008-03-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

I know that everyone is probably sick of me talking about my wii game, but I have to add on this little bit.

I ordered the game because it was going to take at least a week to get here, right? Guess what I got in the mail today. Super Smash Bros. Brawl!

So now I have two games in two days. Kinda makes me look rich or something, but I really have to return the new one! Next-door-neighbor didn't want it at this time, so off to you-know-where:

This should be fun. I was going to put a picture of my two games on here, but I don't have time.

Anyway, eventually this trivial excitement will die down and I'll get back to my boring old posts.

_____________________________

PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS:

_____________________________

Today I ate Cream-of-Wheat for breakfast. It's pretty outside.

Have a wonderful, fabulous, marvelous and truly terrific day. I love the word terrific. It looks so cool.

Adios amigos!

Rated: G

_____________________________

SMASH!

2008-03-11T04:28:00.000-07:00

Well I suppose I owe it to all of my adoring readers to tell them of my recent droll digression. And even if you, as an adoring reader, do not want to read about it - too bad.

I'm sure that everyone remembers my post about my new game being in the mail, right? That game (as I did not seem to specify very well) was Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I pre-ordered it way back in October because I thought that you wouldn't be able to get your hands on one when they finally came out.

Wrong.

No sooner does it come out than I go to Wal-Mart and see so many that they won't fit in the slot! Grrr. It's sitting there in piles and mine is in Kansas City!

Then I got an Idea, an awful Idea. Yes, I got a wonderful, awful Idea. (paraphrased from How the Grinch Stole Christmas)

It suddenly occurred to me that it would be simple to buy the game now. Who knows when something will show up in the mail, right? But what about the one that's in Kansas City? I mean I already paid shipping for the thing.

Then I had a vision of armies of ungrateful people lined up in front of a certain desk the day after Christmas. Of course! I could return it!

This revelation was followed by extensive research into the possibility of returning something purchased online and whether this was an incredibly stupid waste of time or just fun.

I opted for the fun.

So I played Smash Bros. for the first time last night. It was a lot of fun, but a little tricky to get used to. The controls on the wii remote are a little hard to get used to, so I guess I don't have to worry about people wanting to play every time they come over! (I've been considering getting some more gamecube controllers or classic controllers)

So there you have it! The update on my situation. I hope you enjoyed it, and that you have a wonderful day today!

The Effects of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup with Carmel

2008-03-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

As I sit here with the last bit of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup with Carmel melting in my mouth I don't think anything could bother me. Yes, my friends, I've found a new favourite candy. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups with Carmel are wonderful. They're even worth saying (and typing) Reese's Peanut Butter Cup with Carmel!

No, nothing could bring me down. Not even having to give a speech at my graduation. These things are so good that the fact that it's daylight savings tomorrow and I lose an hour of sleep doesn't even phase me!

Mmm that was good.

Sorry to be posting so much today, but that moment had to be posted!!!

I hope you have a great day that's full of much deeper and more satisfying moments than a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup with Carmel!

Life is Good.

2008-03-08T05:23:00.000-08:00

Well, I don't really have anything important to say right now. I just found out that Smash Bros. shipped! Yay! I don't really know how that's possible since it's not supposed to be out until tomorrow, but I guess they know that it's unfair enough that it has to be mailed. Anyway, I'm glad to finally be getting the game that I spent so much money on so long ago.

Well, besides that there's not much to report. God is good. Life is good. Everyone is still asleep.

So even though this is pretty much a waste of time on both our parts, I hope you enjoyed it.

Have an awesome day everyone!!!

2008-02-18T07:26:00.001-08:00

I'm trying 2 blog from my phone. It would be so cool if i could get this 2 work. Then i could blog much more

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

You talk the most when there's nothing to say...

2008-02-17T16:51:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a while since I put something on here. Unfortunately I don't have much to say right now - it just seemed irresponsible to not say a single thing for so long.

So yeah, I just got home this morning from spending the weekend with my Step Mom and Grandma. And aunt. and uncle, cousins, grandpa and some people that I'm not entirely sure if I'm related to. So yeah. I went 4-wheeling. It was fun!

Oh yeah! I just opened a yahoo group called Pigeon Paparazzi. Well, actually it ended up being called coo_coo. I'm not joking. Anyway, you should join! All you have to do is take a picture of a pigeon and post it on there. The fact is that I love taking pictures of pigeons. They're so round and cute, and you can find them anywhere. So check it out. I've made it very easy with that ugly little button thing down there ⇘

Thanks for reading!!!

Tiny Note

2008-01-25T10:49:00.000-08:00

Thank you for letting me know that you wanted the way this blog looks to change. I hope you like it. I know I didn't change it much - I like green!

I'll have a new post soon.

Thanks for reading!

100th Post

2008-01-16T14:45:00.000-08:00

Well, here it is! The 100th post! I've needed to put it on here for a while, because there's a lot of information that everyone needs to know about my life right now. So read on.

Why My Life Will Soon Be Upside-Down & Backwards:

by Rebekkah Lockert

Chapter 1: The Problem

Well, it's like this. Dad's job is pretty much toast because they got rid of a shift or something. Great - I had this all down pat and now I'm getting things mixed up. Anyway, only people with major seniority (that Dad used to have but got taken away -> different story) will work. The rest of the workers are indefinitely laid off. Well, what are we going to do?

Chapter 2: The Solution

Mom goes back to work as a nurse, Dad goes back to school to be a mechanic. I will graduate in the Spring as planned and then when Dad goes to school in the Fall, I'll be the one in charge. Of course, I won't do EVERYthing. Mom will only be working three days (or will she be off three days?!) so anyway, I'll have plenty of help. Mostly I'll just be making sure the house doesn't blow up or anything - kinda like glorified babysitting.

Chapter 3: The Enactment of the Master Plan

So Mom started her first day of work yesterday. It went very well. Dad's doing an awesome job teaching my siblings, and I'm getting my work done like I did before. I'm starting to study for another CLEP test (English Comp.), so it'll be nice to have that done. Oh yeah, while I'm helping be a mini-mommy, I'll keep taking my CLEP tests and probably an online course or two, so don't think that I'm abandoning my higher education or anything.

Chapter 4: Conclusion

If you want to do anything for us, then you can pray. Pray, pray, pray. We have sought God's will along every step of this journey and so far everything is falling into place. Pray for me, that I wouldn't be selfish with my time and that I wouldn't botch the whole thing completely. Pray for my parents as they take up roles that they haven't had in a long time. If you'd like to do something else for me, then just try to understand. That's all I ask. Just try to understand why I seem as busy as a mother. It's kinda sorta gonna be that way.

The End

Ok, so on a lighter note, we went to the Symphony today, which was very cool. We're also going to prayer meeting tonight - which means that I need to find something to wear because all that I have left are nice clothes (TMI?).

I hope you have a truly wonderful rest of the day! Adios!!!

OH YEAH! Don't forget to check out the new poll!!! ->

If you could click 'yes' or 'no', I'd be very much obliged.

Christmas Trees fell gently from the sky...

2008-01-02T09:16:00.000-08:00

This is us tossing the Christmas Tree out for the new year.

Enjoy!

This is also posted on YouTube.

New Year's Eve and getting on the same page

2007-12-31T11:35:00.000-08:00

Well, I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I did!

I want to tell everyone thank you for being so generous! I really don't deserve anything. You guys are awesome!

Ok, so first thing I'm going to do is tell you what my reader's like:

Cats!

Results From my Pet Poll:

Cat - 35%

Dog - 28%

Dragon - 21%

Lama - 7%

Turtle - 7%

Thank you for participating, everyone! I'll be putting a new Poll on soon.

Also, I thought you might like to know that it didn't snow on Christmas. Sad.

Anyway, I'm back! I just got back Saturday from visiting my family in the middle of nowhere. :D

It was a lot of fun. I'm not usually a very sport-enjoying person, and have never had an interest in Basketball, but the whole time I went to a tournament and really liked it! I think it was because it was live. Anyway, yeah. I had a good time.

Tonight some friends of the family are coming over like they did last year and used to do more often (or at least I think they did). Anyway, they're like family. I've known them my whole life. So everyone is really looking forward to the celebration.

So yeah, God is Good and life is cool. I'm having a hard time because my sister's birthday wasn't very long ago and I'm not able to give her her present yet. A lady at our church is helping me with it and I have to wait until Wednesday to get it, finish it, and give it. But hey, her actual party isn't for a long time, so I'll look really good compared to a lot of people.

Well, I guess I'll sign off for now.

Thank you for reading!!!

☝

2007-12-12T19:10:00.000-08:00

Hey, so I guess after the weird post that I had on here yesterday you're wondering what happened today, right?

Not much.

I didn't die.

I didn't meet the man of my dreams.

My house didn't burn down.

And it didn't snow.*

*It's also not Christmas, so that doesn't count.

Anyway, it was a much better day than yesterday because I was in God's word a lot more today. See, yesterday I didn't have it figured out yet, but today I've got it. I just have to keep praying and reading the Bible. I know that sounds kinda cliché, but I mean it. Nothing else will do. Awesome, huh? I wish it could be like this all the time, only sunny outside.

So I'll sign off for now.

Be sure to take advantage of my little survey ⇘

Only 4 days left to vote!

So anyway, have an awesome night, everybody! I love you guys!✌

A little update on my life

2007-12-11T19:44:00.001-08:00

Well, I left everyone with a pretty boring post, so I guess I'll give a little update.

The wedding rehearsal went well. I learned my easy part and everything. Bridesmaids really do have it easy. They just walk up and stand there through the whole wedding.

The wedding itself went well, too. Sheila looked beautiful. It was very emotional in the changing room. Everyone was crying and trying to keep the bride from crying. I kept thinking about when we were little and we used to dress up as brides. If that won't get you teary-eyed I don't know what will.

Anyway, the reception was pretty wild. We left really early. I won't go into any details.

So everything is absolutely crazy. Please pray for me. At least the dog is behaving.

And the sun hasn't shown in days. It's never gotten to me before, but it's getting to me now. Praise God that he is greater than sunlight. Greater than recreation, greater than the world's view of a good time and so much greater than I.

I know that no matter what happens God is in control. He already knows what's going to happen. He's got it all figured out. All I have to do is go with His flow. Whether it means I die tomorrow, or I meet the man of my dreams tomorrow, that my house burns down or it snows on Christmas. His grace is sufficient. Wow.

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do!!!

Clarification

2007-12-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

Ok, I think maybe there might be some confusion on the whole Bandit nightmare, so I'm going to try to make everything clear.

Bandit is a bad dog.

We love Bandit even though he is a devil dog.

Bandit has bitten everyone in my family.

When Bandit is good, he's very good.

But when he is bad, he is horrid.

Bandit bit Dad.

That was supposed to have been the death sentence.

My family just couldn't make up their minds.

We took Bandit to the vet to see if there was a cheap alternative.

We came home with Bandit and some tranquilizers.

We gave Bandit a tranquilizer.

It worked.

We love Bandit.

Bandit is still alive until further notice.

Sorry if my ranting and raving left you confused and depressed. Just be glad you weren't me.

Anyway, everything is back to normal. Unless the tranquilizers stop working it looks like we're stuck with my precious mutt until he dies. What a relief!

He's Alive!

2007-11-30T07:35:00.001-08:00

We've got tranquilizers to try!