tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75292017855204927872024-02-19T06:49:23.750-05:00Talk TimeTalk Timehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066875178063443738noreply@blogger.comBlogger226125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-23706176655771644372015-01-09T23:01:00.004-05:002015-01-09T23:01:37.568-05:00Do You Ever Worry? -- A Story From the SidewalksSeveral weeks ago a sweet lady came up to me at church. She always rejoices in the number of saves for the week and comes to encourage me in the work on the sidewalks. She also had a question: "Do you ever worry when you're talking to these moms that the environment that the baby will be born into is going to be very bad? I mean, I would just think about the possible abuse and bad situations this baby is being born into."<br />
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To put it mildly, "Yes."<br />
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I think about that all the time. There is no way that you can sit with someone for 2 hours and hear all the reasons why they can't have this baby and not really feel in your human heart that they're right - they can't have this baby. It's too hard. It's too dangerous. It's too sad. Yes. I worry about it all the time. But on the sidewalks God often gives you real-life stories to show you that He is God and you are not.<br />
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Several months ago L came to the mill and didn't even make it into the parking lot before deciding to come on the mobile ultrasound unit with me. The counseling session was tense (at least for me) for a lot of reasons. One of the biggest concerns was that this was a high-risk pregnancy to begin with for health reasons, not to mention all of the environmental difficulties. The whole time I'm thinking, "I completely understand why she feels like she can't do this." But then she had the free ultrasound that we offer and she just melted. She was so in love with her baby and couldn't get over how "Lil Peanut" was so perfectly formed and so safe inside of her. It was at that moment - not because of anything I had said, just because of what she saw that God had made - that I knew she had made a choice for life.<br />
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Ever since that day, she and I have been in touch. She texts me the sweetest things. Just tonight she replied to one of my texts and said, "Love you more."<br />
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In the middle of November she texted me to tell me that she had lost the baby. She was nearly 20 weeks along. Just another 4 days or so and that would be termed a still birth. We talked and cried.<br />
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A few weeks later I hadn't heard from her in awhile and I texted to make sure she was doing ok. She called me a little later and said, "I just wanted to tell you something. I didn't really know how to tell you in a text but when you texted me earlier I was standing in the bathroom with a handfull of pills just thinking that I could end all this pain. At that moment my daughter was calling for me to help her with something and when I went into the other room I saw my phone vibrating. It was your text. You saved my life and I just stood there and said, 'God, you are good.'"<br />
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<b>That</b> is my answer to "do I ever worry about what these babies will be born into?" Yes. You cannot go to the sidewalks without thinking about what a life in this world could mean. But people don't make life. God does. God opened the womb. God spoke, and there was. And God can take it away. God gave L the gift of life for a very short time and then God took it, and that too can be a gift. If L had never been pregnant and had never come to the mill then we wouldn't be friends right now, and no one would have texted and saved her life that day in December. Of course, God saved her life and He didn't need me to do it, but He chose to use me. He is doing much greater things than we can see and so we have to trust Him. We have to let God be God. We have to go to the sidewalks and say, "I don't have all the answers to all of your questions, but I know a God who does. His name is Jesus and He will leave you in awe at what He can do in a life that trusts that what He has said is always and only for good."Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-61375336586738206952014-04-30T21:30:00.002-04:002014-04-30T21:41:54.862-04:00Why You May Be Doing the Right ThingAs many of you probably know, my sister and I go to one of the abortion clinics (mills) in our city once a week. We are sidewalk counselors with Cities4Life, which, I'm sure, engenders all sorts of questions you'd like me to answer. But that is not the scope of this post; I apologize.<br />
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Wednesday is our "mill day," which means that we spend 3-4 hours on the sidewalk on Wednesday mornings, pleading with mamas and daddies for life and offering them help and hope.<br />
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So why? Why do we go? I mean, the answer is simple. I'm sorry, I don't have a shocking answer for you. Quite simply, there are little people that are murdered in our city every. single. day., and if God's people won't speak, who will?<br />
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But as I post my mill report each week on Facebook; and as people stop me at church to ask all kinds of questions; and when the stranger at Harris Teeter wants to know where I got my sunburn so early in the season (and I think to myself, <i>"gee whiz, does she really want to know? I mean, what if she's had an abortion? What if she blows up in my face because, after all, it's her body; her choice?"</i>), I feel very conscious of the fact that people sometimes view me as "more holy" for doing what I do. And I also feel very keenly that this ministry is not for everyone. . . nor should it be.<br />
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Many people tell me, "I could never do what you do." Or, "Wow! You're right on the front lines of God's work!"<br />
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May I say to you, "So. are. you."<br />
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You see, this sidewalk counseling thing just sort-of happened. I have wanted to do something like it for a long time and wasn't sure how to. On top of my own personal desire, I have a friend who was already doing this, and took me and my sister out one day to get an idea of what it's like on the sidewalks. And then, on top of that, my sister and I had the same morning available, and it was the morning that Cities4Life was needing additional counselors. So, now we go.<br />
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And your Wednesday morning looks something like getting up and making coffee and getting the kids started on math and jotting down a few things you meant to get at the grocery store on Monday and folding a load of laundry. Before you know it, it's time for lunch. Or maybe you get up and head to the office, and come home at 6pm, and eat dinner and do the dishes for your wife, and tuck the kids in, and turn out the lights, and thank God for another long day and a good bed to sleep in so you can get up and do it all again tomorrow.<br />
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May I say to you, your work under the sun is for Him. At this season of my life, I go to the sidewalks on Wednesday mornings. And I love it. I love counseling. I love seeing mamas choose life. I love working with the Wednesday team. I love making dear baby things for little people. This is the season I'm in. This is what God's put in front of me to do, and I hope that, should this season ever end, I've been found faithful in doing what He's given me to do now. And putting laundry in the dryer is no less holy than telling a mama that abortion is murder. A proof of this is simply that Jesus didn't show up on this planet as a 30 year old man and start preaching to the multitudes. No; he grew in the belly of a woman and was born of her; he played in a carpenter's shop and "got lost" in temples and ate good food and drank good wine and lay down and rose up and walked by the way <i>for God.</i> It's all for Him! It's all holy.<br />
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Maybe you should be doing hard things that you're not doing. That's a problem. But God loves daily faithfulness and He puts us where He wants us to grow and sets things before us that He wants us to do for Him. So go and do, for the glory of God! May He find His servants faithful in all their work for Him under the sun.<br />
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<i>Some have asked if there's a way that they can help with the ministry since it is not realistic for them to be on the sidewalks right now. The answer is always </i>yes!<i> There are always things to be done. But personally, I put together blanket bundles to give to the mamas that choose life, and I am working on a website where donations can be made for specific items to go in the bundles. I will be posting that in the next week or so. I am always thankful for your prayers. My work is not more holy than your work, but it is sometimes harder. . . sometimes. I am grateful for your prayers. And I thank God for the work that He gives you to do under the sun, and the unnumbered ways that He lets us work for Him. This is the good life.</i>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-45433239181395026692014-03-22T11:36:00.001-04:002014-03-22T11:36:44.948-04:00My Room -- Before and After<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span>s many of you know, nearly a year ago my sister got married. My sister and I shared a room since the day she was born, so there was just a little adjusting to do after she got married. Just a little. It took me forever to actually "move into" her side of the room because I'm too sentimental and can't just make big changes all at one time. But I eventually managed such feats of change, and then, over Christmas holiday, I completely redecorated the whole room. That was the biggest project I have ever undertaken. By the end I was in tears, as everything I touched seemed to suddenly need more work. I'm pathetic. We already covered this. See my last post.</div>
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But anyway. . . so I redid the whole room, and I absolutely. love. it. Lily has been asking for pictures of it for quite a while now, so without further delay (nearly 4 months seeming to be delay enough), here is my room.</div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">B</span>efore</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklbKmAQTD5DSflXuey3UzzeTaB3tIlS2gup2Z7zhIAAL7L_keI-JzB-V7gh4OiZle-8QCiXUlsTGL_7T_G08QdKq2KUr80mQF24ON_SqtF2-8uDf4rVQgnEutKEjfNcbxEg8_hKpskP0/s1600/IMG_4147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklbKmAQTD5DSflXuey3UzzeTaB3tIlS2gup2Z7zhIAAL7L_keI-JzB-V7gh4OiZle-8QCiXUlsTGL_7T_G08QdKq2KUr80mQF24ON_SqtF2-8uDf4rVQgnEutKEjfNcbxEg8_hKpskP0/s1600/IMG_4147.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mama painted this room for us and made the curtains when we moved into this house nearly 11 years ago. Whether Leah had gotten married or not, it was time to refresh the paint, even though we both loved the yellow color and the sweet, girly feel of the room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRRV2K5YR7g5G_6Q_k869fqA5C7eoTep9Do4Y7KMOIrqnMS4dBMPvi0aQmz8KkMMLXbQcSbzPp8tqTvBnIfDfeuxMbR8tGSRjCgS1PSsq4_pamh5QErAx_Qqb_HlsYfmnhsAxXmZntuo/s1600/IMG_4148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRRV2K5YR7g5G_6Q_k869fqA5C7eoTep9Do4Y7KMOIrqnMS4dBMPvi0aQmz8KkMMLXbQcSbzPp8tqTvBnIfDfeuxMbR8tGSRjCgS1PSsq4_pamh5QErAx_Qqb_HlsYfmnhsAxXmZntuo/s1600/IMG_4148.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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This was actually Leah's side of the room, which I successfully took over after about 4 months of her marriage :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjBYLorLwuDTI16mGPnDomCNL9BcZEx7FAZAk0xK1DNSbvU6IoDqTyAR4zjXlLBv2C1a9_pyihvL4MUTlUn-59NmRsQCxTqU3oEw9s7H0sfB8OMWWpz3_K9ZM5TjalYIjVPSRxDgpzKs/s1600/IMG_4154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjBYLorLwuDTI16mGPnDomCNL9BcZEx7FAZAk0xK1DNSbvU6IoDqTyAR4zjXlLBv2C1a9_pyihvL4MUTlUn-59NmRsQCxTqU3oEw9s7H0sfB8OMWWpz3_K9ZM5TjalYIjVPSRxDgpzKs/s1600/IMG_4154.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Leah calls this set of pictures the Wedding Shrine. You can't see them in this photo, but they're all from her wedding, partly because I love her a ton, and partly because those are the best pictures we've ever had. Below the shrine is my tea table which looks a wreck. Basically, I knew for months that I would be painting and refreshing the whole room, I was just waiting for Christmas Holiday to have enough time for the project. So everything is sort-of sitting in my room waiting to be put in its intended place after I paint, etc.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyrwhBFi2WTjldsts7yLT3Czy7WuqOEsigDUh1yswpy98c1acq7coU-LglwMdd-DBRQgX3OpDyD5srSO1Q56emDIXiqPmzBN2MwEmYW4s0pXsu_VLLFO5f-AwqjxgGeC_HlzizYLkNe8/s1600/IMG_4157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyrwhBFi2WTjldsts7yLT3Czy7WuqOEsigDUh1yswpy98c1acq7coU-LglwMdd-DBRQgX3OpDyD5srSO1Q56emDIXiqPmzBN2MwEmYW4s0pXsu_VLLFO5f-AwqjxgGeC_HlzizYLkNe8/s1600/IMG_4157.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my favorite spot in my room. My hope chest serves as a bench. But my favorite part is the hat and flowers hanging above it.</div>
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Oh no! It appears a boy got into my photo :)</div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">A</span>fter</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQlZY8mfeb3ZzsiNguWEhrNf999n92BrY51HQ3TwuM2ZC2shaBBThL9vUwRFNlyCCHRKb9QgIwGnkHvJH50yCzjvXumikpD0iQ67ihgzHkOo8amMjDNGOATxoiXD1yIQD4WMUgpCL4Uk/s1600/IMG_4270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQlZY8mfeb3ZzsiNguWEhrNf999n92BrY51HQ3TwuM2ZC2shaBBThL9vUwRFNlyCCHRKb9QgIwGnkHvJH50yCzjvXumikpD0iQ67ihgzHkOo8amMjDNGOATxoiXD1yIQD4WMUgpCL4Uk/s1600/IMG_4270.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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So in the "new" room, I went for the fresh, clean look. I absolutely love everything about my room! I love all the blue with pink accents. I love the white everywhere. I love the touches of embroidery (you can't really tell from this picture but the frames above my bed have pink and blue ribbon embroidery samplers in them). I just love everything about it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFpLKeulHAMb3uKe335bCeDwvKwh9BuPuE8igPtVZ_WW82xn1jaTsGdMkzfUWAjBOF_4Nj21jegiUv8LRGR4gx_PGYk6iWq2R8Gf4KTGCjTylU6QKR3qG70lHwcnp7A57Be_NKKuS6dc/s1600/IMG_4271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFpLKeulHAMb3uKe335bCeDwvKwh9BuPuE8igPtVZ_WW82xn1jaTsGdMkzfUWAjBOF_4Nj21jegiUv8LRGR4gx_PGYk6iWq2R8Gf4KTGCjTylU6QKR3qG70lHwcnp7A57Be_NKKuS6dc/s1600/IMG_4271.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And, I love that I get to share it with people. Every week when we have co-op at our house, the ladies who aren't teaching come up here for tea and fellowship. It just makes me so happy that I get to share all of this with other people. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f7Qx8W9iv-4rRE2DyGf4r-nYUoUo5TnFadNcNprZcsub46pwTstKluV2CvQstqhevUv46Pc6LT0cj6vsB7pYwBKvV3pPMKKi0RamhLnGf3svEfdg-_TZURNWCXWCEG0V5cv5YLBBxt4/s1600/IMG_4274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f7Qx8W9iv-4rRE2DyGf4r-nYUoUo5TnFadNcNprZcsub46pwTstKluV2CvQstqhevUv46Pc6LT0cj6vsB7pYwBKvV3pPMKKi0RamhLnGf3svEfdg-_TZURNWCXWCEG0V5cv5YLBBxt4/s1600/IMG_4274.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZtkqwRdpyugoMtIctqR1c9ie3lR0rainQoNKOEX_IxqEgb0pena0kRI0oWyM4fq6aSJPWjn4NV3s7RmPcd8LrhCyI6VFpKlkruNLX-NlTqXwspuw5zbvJtOjV7S_yspm0ut4TZgdjzA/s1600/IMG_4275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZtkqwRdpyugoMtIctqR1c9ie3lR0rainQoNKOEX_IxqEgb0pena0kRI0oWyM4fq6aSJPWjn4NV3s7RmPcd8LrhCyI6VFpKlkruNLX-NlTqXwspuw5zbvJtOjV7S_yspm0ut4TZgdjzA/s1600/IMG_4275.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't think I got a good picture of it in the Before Pictures, but my desk used to be an ugly yellow laminate countertop. With some ideas from friends via Facebook, I painted it with chalkboard paint. I love it! I can write verses and quotes on it; to-do lists; welcome notes to people coming to have tea with me, etc. And the boys come in and draw pictures, or leave me messages. It's so fun! I also love the contrast of the black with the blue walls.</div>
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The bunting says "His banner over me is love." </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbS88NQ_YV02vZp7HdRX3rGuZb6mUXoXjf6PLEK76D-hUpT6gRc1Ouj1g1ZpYCw2nGYtrEmekFFX9tbl-D60a7zZo7Ohf76kxoLOtNSDMN6ThCLyRKQMqh8Nwy285oGc7qF_y1YFday0/s1600/IMG_4277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbS88NQ_YV02vZp7HdRX3rGuZb6mUXoXjf6PLEK76D-hUpT6gRc1Ouj1g1ZpYCw2nGYtrEmekFFX9tbl-D60a7zZo7Ohf76kxoLOtNSDMN6ThCLyRKQMqh8Nwy285oGc7qF_y1YFday0/s1600/IMG_4277.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my refreshed tea corner. It's so fun to have girls from church over for tea, or just to wake up in the morning and have tea and read before starting the day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKwTAgbUQv9g052dN9kPMNbkag7tbO1_QOBGAt5I4KuGvF8Gf5LSgsF3cpnAkEC4Qf61Jkg8cMhFL3LKiakYTb25g7IskOmO72qheO3YldXKMlkDR6UN3s-Ehf3jVKzGv3Z7NHhO3gv4/s1600/IMG_4278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKwTAgbUQv9g052dN9kPMNbkag7tbO1_QOBGAt5I4KuGvF8Gf5LSgsF3cpnAkEC4Qf61Jkg8cMhFL3LKiakYTb25g7IskOmO72qheO3YldXKMlkDR6UN3s-Ehf3jVKzGv3Z7NHhO3gv4/s1600/IMG_4278.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Lily, this picture is especially for you, because I wanted you to see the drawer pulls. They have little vines etched on them. I thought you would appreciate the completely refreshed look of the desk :)</div>
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As I write this, I flatter myself that anyone in their right mind cares what my room looks like. I mean, really. . . But I am so thankful for the Lord's provision for me. None of this is deserved. It's a gift. I had tremendous fun putting it all together and decorating it. But I am utterly grateful to the Lord for His provision. Having my sister leave was one of the hardest things for me. But I have so enjoyed getting to pull this room together and then share it with so many friends: having them in for tea, or leaving them to fellowship while I go teach for co-op, or having my sister over. It really is a wonderful outlet for me. </div>
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So there you have it. Lily, I hope you enjoyed this post because you've been very patient for it :)</div>
<span id="goog_1550865952"></span><span id="goog_1550865953"></span><br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-76646367987966548902014-02-13T18:35:00.000-05:002014-02-13T19:01:49.928-05:00Thank You to the Man at IKEATo the man who helped me load a huge box into my car at IKEA, I just want to say "thank you." I will probably never see you again, and I doubt you'll ever see this, but the world should know that there are still people like you out there.<br />
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Yes, I'm that girl who drove clear across Charlotte during rush hour to find a huge blue and yellow store she'd never been to before (getting slightly lost along the way) and then wandered around feeling a bit claustrophobic; finally found what she was looking for; waited for 35 minutes just to check out; and tried to be back in time to take a boy to rugby practice. Yes, that was me.<br />
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It all started with parking in Lot E. Where are we, the zoo? Can I get a safari bus ride to and from my car, please?<br />
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So after finally finding the huge section of this windowless warehouse that I needed and waiting in line behind several Swedish families, I finally get to the counter where I asked the guy where to go and what to do, because I've never been here before. When guys answer your questions with "Oh, that's cool," that is not a good sign. No, sir, I'm sorry, it's not particularly <i>cool</i> that I've never been here before; nor that I'm clueless about what I'm doing; nor that I asked you for help. You work here. This is your job. There is nothing between you and me, other than that you were the next available assistant. I would have gladly gone to any one of you at the desk, so you can stop smiling and talking and explaining in a condescending, "let me help this poor clueless girl" kind-of voice, as if I'm particularly partial to you over any other employee I don't know. What's more, when you have to ask me to help you load the box onto the cart, re-assuring me that I really am strong enough, that does not endear me to you. I'd be way more impressed if you called the other guy you work with, who was standing 10 feet away to come help you. How about some manly service, because, after all, I asked you for help knowing that I can't lift pieces of furniture by myself.<br />
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And with that in mind, I wish it had been in my mind when I left the building. I'm not really sure how I thought I was going to lift the box I couldn't lift in the store, into my car outside the store. That doesn't make much sense, but I have to tell you, they're not much into <i>assisting</i> at IKEA. I was hoping the checkout personnel would realize I couldn't lift this on my own and send someone to help me. But they didn't. So I thought, at least I have it on this cart and I can sort of tip it into the back of my car. And I was in a hurry. No time to wait while they call someone from half-way across the IKEA continent to come and help me.<br />
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So by the time I walk all the way out to Lot E with a cart that is lopsided and wants to turn in every direction I'm <i>not</i> going, I finally get to the car. Ya know, the back of the car is a lot further off the ground than I remember. There's no tipping to be had. I think the guy in the car behind me saw me sigh in a depressed, life-is-miserable sort-of way. I just couldn't imagine walking all the way back to the store with the uncooperative cart, finding someone to help me, walking all the way out to my car again, and then loading the box. That just seemed like way too much. I'm pathetic. I know.<br />
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Enter the man in the car.<br />
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First of all, I would like to thank you for leaving your warm car for the freezing cold. That is not something to be taken lightly.<br />
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I would like to thank you for using your manly strength to do what you clearly knew I could not do on my own.<br />
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I would like to thank you for doing the job you came to do, and no more; realizing that seeing a guy walking towards you in an empty parking lot can be scary for a girl.<br />
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I would like to thank you for talking coherently and cheerfully, not creepily; acting chivalrously; looking manly. . . like, with pants that are significantly higher than your knees, and hair that doesn't look like you live in bed. High bar, I know.<br />
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I would like to thank you for not complaining when it was hard. . . harder than you thought, to get that box in the car.<br />
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I would like to thank you for having a girlfriend who realized this was harder than you thought it would be and came to help. She will make it possible for you to serve others, by serving you.<br />
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I would like to thank you for keeping gloves in your car. Clearly this is not the first time you've helped someone.<br />
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I would like to thank you for accepting my thanks in a modest, unassuming manner, and then being on your way.<br />
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In short, sir, I would like to thank you for treating me like a lady by being, yourself, a gentleman.<br />
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You may think I go too far. But I think otherwise. There are very few men, I find, who balance strength with sensitivity; manliness with modesty; brawn with brains, when there's nothing in it for them. God made you a man. Thank you for fulfilling your calling, whether you knew that's what you were doing, or not.<br />
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Thank you.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-22888032181588222342012-12-15T17:23:00.001-05:002012-12-15T17:23:31.896-05:00Weekends Are For Rejoicing With the Best of Friends<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: x-large;">W</span>eekends are for sharing the best of moments with the best of friends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDLKYzGOtuhmoDA_QlprojTe4BsThyphenhyphendtht7KW_tZ8LCIRQyGFmjKiPQd4M45OyD6NOO0zSmGWho9JrVTxCqpP9R1kfXpLBMd6D-Rr5JFoX6CLSAw3P2V7LCrlUhxqzWK8ZRNzkFM4TMg/s1600/294810_2310806744031_1633709726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDLKYzGOtuhmoDA_QlprojTe4BsThyphenhyphendtht7KW_tZ8LCIRQyGFmjKiPQd4M45OyD6NOO0zSmGWho9JrVTxCqpP9R1kfXpLBMd6D-Rr5JFoX6CLSAw3P2V7LCrlUhxqzWK8ZRNzkFM4TMg/s320/294810_2310806744031_1633709726_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And maybe you've heard it an hundred times and maybe it'll take a bit to tell in this quiet corner – how I love her and how we've shared a life together, but it must be retold again. There's no way around it...the retelling of all this wonderful goodness.<br />
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You see, we met in September – that September when she was 8 and I was almost 8. We just weren't so sure about each other in those days, and you know, her sister's name is Sarah, too, and so maybe I should only be friends with Sarah and Leah should be friends with Lily? But our moms made us play together and we hid in the bushes and romped through a field and got red clay all over our clothes and that was the beginning.<br />
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And we didn't go to the same church and we were homeschooled so we didn't see each other very often. But we would play our hearts out when we were together and the things we made and the voices we had for everyone in our families and the games we played. And the best was when we could have a long weekend together and we would play house like you've never seen anyone play house before; and we would have doctors appointments and children would be born; and we would play church and we would draw our wedding pictures and make phonics curriculum and make dinner and discipline our children and all of this was the forging of a friendship. Birthdays were always spent together. And every Saturday there'd be that ringing of the phone and the retelling of all the "motherly" things we did that week and our "failures as mothers" and "what the kids were up to" and it was all part of our longing to one day be wives and mothers and we just couldn't imagine anything better than pretending until the time.<br />
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But then in 2003 we both moved away. Lily and her family moved south and we moved north and for about 6 months we didn't have each other's phone numbers and what if we never talked again? And there were tears and loneliness and longing for the best of friends. And I remember it clear as day, that one afternoon on the porch, me so sad and missing Lily, and Daddy coming out and saying that he understood and that he and Mama had planned a surprise and Lily and Sarah were coming to visit for a few days! And that began the annual tradition of spending a week together. Some years we would go there and other years they would come here, and even one year we spent one week there and one week here, but for the past 9 years we haven't missed a summer visit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu7YlFRwP6RGqUCwgoTHNVelJiP5ARc4wfpD4_k6MMwBMDmvmHx83t1P9HrTV44lnPhG7VDasTPOpKXzxKl_3Wqcc9FUHT8azp6zehovLcLGYxRdxiJ1SqhnkkqSdSv10dj3ejizOSYU/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu7YlFRwP6RGqUCwgoTHNVelJiP5ARc4wfpD4_k6MMwBMDmvmHx83t1P9HrTV44lnPhG7VDasTPOpKXzxKl_3Wqcc9FUHT8azp6zehovLcLGYxRdxiJ1SqhnkkqSdSv10dj3ejizOSYU/s320/IMG_0246.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Oh, there are a thousand, thousand memories wrapped up in those visits. And of course we still talk on the phone every week (sometimes more), but there's nothing like our annual visit. There was the year of the Pride and Prejudice video and those...what exactly were those accents? And there was the year where we disagreed about modesty for a week. And there was the year when our sisters were sewing all week and we were enjoying all the times that we weren't driving them back and forth to sewing. And there was the summer that we sipped tea and made quiche and had photos taken, us all matching, and read together and talked together and played together. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojg2mmrY9QEboKCrik_YITVFjmmQuJYAVJYX_yUuOZ2q2J1WDmB4vyZvfE80I5ibqZdQBcraxj-AFAkFMEfFLCG3t_jXR92-xTwk3pGt7qPcKdpjjqxk2rP2h4xwfV2qU9x-HqPCQ0Ak/s1600/IMG_4374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojg2mmrY9QEboKCrik_YITVFjmmQuJYAVJYX_yUuOZ2q2J1WDmB4vyZvfE80I5ibqZdQBcraxj-AFAkFMEfFLCG3t_jXR92-xTwk3pGt7qPcKdpjjqxk2rP2h4xwfV2qU9x-HqPCQ0Ak/s1600/IMG_4374.jpg" /></a></div>
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And then there was the summer that so many longings started coming true and Lily stayed up way into the wee hours texting a boy whom she loved. And the waking hours were spent giddily tiptoeing to her phone to "see if it was him." And we talked about him and how they met and what he said and what he did and what she was thinking and I was standing there the time he first called her. And we would read together at breakfast and we would sip tea in the afternoon and we would go to Amelie's and order French Lavender Lemonade and we would take pictures together and make jewelry together but always, it always came back to the boy and what he was doing and what he said today and what he wanted her to know and what he was working on and...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEnQVNnshaDt-PWhguKKgsQ3GdBhT7SHxUNAOlEV4BXiWK5Fo4Sj9t4tBZRVGntnyaybDYxSnEg8lg2IObXMEVc90uC0AqwK9OV-8Ke6gt4nwS-vq4r3_5Sm2x305znCsmRixpFireMI/s1600/400197_4321294244962_564423195_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEnQVNnshaDt-PWhguKKgsQ3GdBhT7SHxUNAOlEV4BXiWK5Fo4Sj9t4tBZRVGntnyaybDYxSnEg8lg2IObXMEVc90uC0AqwK9OV-8Ke6gt4nwS-vq4r3_5Sm2x305znCsmRixpFireMI/s320/400197_4321294244962_564423195_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That was this past summer...July 21st. And these posts from the boy, they became known between us as The Daily David. And so we started talking more because, me, I'm so far away and I want to feel close, and so I'd call and ask for The Daily David and she'd tell me and my heart would catch a little bit...with joy that there was that perfect someone to love her, and with sadness that there won't be another summer, just the two of us doing things. And there won't be another Christmas where I send an ornament just to her. And there won't be many more letters to Miss Freeman. And someday soon I'll edit my contact list to say "Mrs. Bowman." And you see, there's been a lifetime of waiting for this. Since the day we met in September of 1999 we've played wife and we've played mother and we've longed to be married and we've made wedding pictures and wedding plans and we've sent family newsletters and we've prayed long and hard and we've shared all of this together and been so excited for the day that it would all be happening for real.<br />
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And so on Friday morning – me, I'd been up late and was sleeping in just a bit and the phone rings at 7:44 and Mama brings in the phone and says "It's Lily." And my heart just skips a beat because I've been waiting for this and they'd been to The Messiah the night before and I was just so hoping that he'd ask her after that concert in the city at Christmastime. And I say, "Hello this is Sarah" and I'm trying not to sound giddy before she's said a thing. And she says it, just like she always does, "Hi, this is Lily," with that little dip on "Lily." And then, "I just have some news I wanted to share..." And we talk and I'm the one who's on the ceiling whenever there's the least little bit of excitement and Lily, she just sits like a lady and enjoys it all on the inside. And then, the part I've known all along and it still catches me by surprise a bit, "So will you be my bride's maid?" And, "Yes, of course, with all my heart!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaWMnUDHEIosfspTDrnRzbuK5MWGYdVOgn48-Csq6BYkIjw_BZ_txlme5S8LsfOYEEQwBbWx2jURLn6P0ghs_eEzwlcIyn5SdSF-GERutn-1HRm85oiPJctPqb_qrl-xoW3WYr8f-vBQ/s1600/191088_10151368199406388_1827677174_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaWMnUDHEIosfspTDrnRzbuK5MWGYdVOgn48-Csq6BYkIjw_BZ_txlme5S8LsfOYEEQwBbWx2jURLn6P0ghs_eEzwlcIyn5SdSF-GERutn-1HRm85oiPJctPqb_qrl-xoW3WYr8f-vBQ/s320/191088_10151368199406388_1827677174_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh, this has always been how I've wanted it to be – a phone call at an unexpected time and us getting to share it all together. And she told me everything I would want to know and she promised to send pictures of the ring and she told David he couldn't post anything on facebook until she had called me because there's been a promise made for these 13 years that we would find out in no other way than the way we've shared everything every Saturday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgR5yxlMiAWEQx3pZfbSCf8Ld-oyvsAJVXcqaM-gyOezmijP333Qkc2JA8GcCaHD-afEY7Oztqo5FqVoHTziVsADiiy-KRWUac0B5Monnp98HOmIQYUljY1mZoUx8ANk05a6_4SOByTN4/s1600/272685_4583194072294_1204416700_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgR5yxlMiAWEQx3pZfbSCf8Ld-oyvsAJVXcqaM-gyOezmijP333Qkc2JA8GcCaHD-afEY7Oztqo5FqVoHTziVsADiiy-KRWUac0B5Monnp98HOmIQYUljY1mZoUx8ANk05a6_4SOByTN4/s320/272685_4583194072294_1204416700_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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To David and Lily ~ I am so excited for the both of you and wish you a wonderfully blessed-by-Him marriage from the bottom of my glad heart.</div>
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Lily, dearest, I love you exceedingly and am so thankful to our God that He has kept us over many years and given me such a friendship as this. I am thankful beyond words to share all of this with you, just like we've always imagined.</div>
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David, you're a blessed man and frankly, because I know all of the Daily Davids, I know she's a richly blessed girl. Love her well, because we take care of God's good gifts.</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-73574577275006562102011-12-31T12:51:00.000-05:002011-12-31T12:51:04.075-05:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlk6sucKHlg_hrnFiln7UVAVtSxUT1MpXiG94yR1QLEQbXNSwvUqWxZryo-pdXROqJv8ztaIU_ZFB9stuRWHWncGpzRQ_gxw5Ke8OyETM_lsRMUCLVVOO5UzsrREzHHKyqfHDhOcNeg/s1600/Familyphotos2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlk6sucKHlg_hrnFiln7UVAVtSxUT1MpXiG94yR1QLEQbXNSwvUqWxZryo-pdXROqJv8ztaIU_ZFB9stuRWHWncGpzRQ_gxw5Ke8OyETM_lsRMUCLVVOO5UzsrREzHHKyqfHDhOcNeg/s320/Familyphotos2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331833065075737759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-37323228376599790452011-12-26T10:54:00.002-05:002011-12-26T11:45:10.278-05:00Merry Christmas from the Blairs!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSr5DN5-B-6ogi7FV4rfgCTZwjetqXz-9YpLwzG6oYjlzmdKlhp4iYspfnT6lMBb69vEYPGrwCXvjRKmHY-X0hgjPKA6gIuf3pqDFiGh-kH1FsTn0xx-8C2UU0u72WYSB47xxbovuov9w/s1600/Christmas+2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSr5DN5-B-6ogi7FV4rfgCTZwjetqXz-9YpLwzG6oYjlzmdKlhp4iYspfnT6lMBb69vEYPGrwCXvjRKmHY-X0hgjPKA6gIuf3pqDFiGh-kH1FsTn0xx-8C2UU0u72WYSB47xxbovuov9w/s400/Christmas+2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690478745381921074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>(Multitude Monday post coming later today?...hoping. Thank you for grace. And a very Merry Christmas to you this day!</i></span>)</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-54828795638412308152011-12-19T23:34:00.000-05:002011-12-19T23:35:21.343-05:00More thoughts...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.visionforum.com/news/blogs/doug/383687_2334100832221_1240810003_32062731_1467057009_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.visionforum.com/news/blogs/doug/383687_2334100832221_1240810003_32062731_1467057009_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was very encouraged today by this <a href="http://www.visionforum.com/news/blogs/doug/2011/12/9819/?fb_ref=blogindex&fb_source=profile_oneline">message</a> from Doug Phillips (Vision Forum). My heart breaks for the Sproul family. It is difficult to recognize the gifts of God in these circumstances. This evening, I read R.C. Sproul Jr.'s <a href="http://www.ligonier.org/blog/can-you-remember/">article</a> revealing his thoughts and his faith in God through this trial. The Lord's grace is surely manifest. He loves us more than we can know. Can we truly trust His goodness? Will we follow him wherever He leads us?<a href="http://www.visionforum.com/news/blogs/doug/2011/12/9819/?fb_ref=blogindex&fb_source=profile_oneline"></a><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"And with that he took my hat from its peg, wrapped my hand in his and led me from the room. My hand in Father's! That meant the windmill on the Spaarne, or swans on the canal. But this time he was taking me where I didn't want to go! There was a railing along the bottom five steps: I grabbed it with my free hand and held on. Skilled watchmaker's fingers closed over mine and gently unwound them. Howling and struggling I was led away from the world I knew into a bigger, stranger, harder one..." (<i>The Hiding Place</i>)</blockquote>
Lily<br />
<br />Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331833065075737759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-45531932164513145312011-12-18T15:03:00.003-05:002011-12-18T15:41:30.109-05:00Earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot healMy heart is heavy today. After a long struggle with cancer, Denise Sproul has gone to be with the Lord. Pray that the Lord will be near to the Sproul family in this difficult time and that they will feel his tender, loving embrace and the comfort of our heavenly Father.Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331833065075737759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-56564214132250370242011-12-10T23:06:00.004-05:002011-12-10T23:37:55.805-05:00Thoughts on Music and WorshipWe've been discussing church music as a family, for quite some time. Recently, it's been a fairly central topic due to a research paper that I wrote for my college music history course (which I shall post later). The paper was on Martin Luther, and his impact on music. The whole subject lead to different areas of research in the area of reformed music and the principles which the reformers held. I have been pondering this list (below) of principles written by a present-day pastor, which I found on another <a href="http://www.reformedpraise.org/">blog</a>. I think there are several excellent points which all reformed churches should consider in order to enable each body of believers to worship God heartily. Would love feedback. (Sarah, perhaps this shall enter into our "talkin' about the issues" conversations ;)<div><br /></div><div><blockquote></blockquote><div></div><blockquote><div>God-Centered Orientation: The service in general, and the songs in particular, should point people to God, not self.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gospel Focus: The service and songs should remind participants of the gospel—that they are sinners saved by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.</div><div><br />Theological Richness: Songs should not only be doctrinally true, but theologically rich. Preference will be shown to modern hymns, and shallow, repetitive songs will be avoided.</div><div><br /></div><div>Historical Connection: The great hymns of the faith should be sung, either with their original tunes or with modern revisions of them, allowing today’s worshippers to be connected to their brothers and sisters of the past and their depth of expression.</div><div><br /></div><div>Modern Expression: The best of today’s worship songs should also be used,</div><div> allowing for modern expression of ancient truths, while still preferring God-centered, gospel-focused, and theologically rich songs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Indigenous Style: The “feel” of worship music should suit the place in which the church is found, allowing the people of that community to give appropriate voice to their praises.</div><div><br /></div><div>Liturgical Flow: The structure of the worship gathering should have a certain flow, ushering people through the gospel to the throne of God. To say the gathering is liturgical speaks more of the thought put into the service than the feel produced by it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Diverse Instrumentation and Involvement: Diverse instruments and different believers (ethnically, generationally, etc.) should be utilized to lead all the saints in praise, while keeping a stylistic “center” to the gathering.</div><div><br /></div><div>Participative Nature: The goal of worship music is to engage and lead the saints in worship. Therefore, arranging, playing, and mixing of music that encourages a</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRx08RLrPpBEHgIqnjO_hbo4-bMkQAQ1IQFPGOuERMVZxMoD-Ag4oxPdY1xenJ6zY8WecEDd1kG0qcXVyY1xz2RyD8yltM5s-W3tWuuNLac0viBnmFGi6kAXJoSf1XXkam5BSS8ZKvg/s400/Luther%2527s+Ein+Feste+Burg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684722706506092530" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 261px; " /><div> performance-spectator mentality will be avoided. The voices in a worship gathering should be the main instruments.</div><div><br /></div><div>God-Glorifying Excellence: The music leader and team will strive to lead in such a way that God is glorified, and that the saints will not be distracted either by their mastery or by their inability. This will be accomplished partially through weekly rehearsals.</div><div><br /></div><div>Musical Beauty: God-glorifying lyrics must be matched with fitting, beautiful music that images the beauty of the Creator God who invented music.</div><div><br /></div><div>Non-Negotiable Importance: As singing is commanded throughout the Bible and serves as the most supreme voice of amazing truths, its importance must be taught and modeled by church leadership. “I don’t like to sing” is an unacceptable statement for a believer of Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lifestyle Understanding: Worship encompasses all of life—certainly more than Sunday morning, and especially the Sunday singing time. Singing is just one aspect of a worship service, and calling it “worship” confuses the people of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gifted Leadership: As the song leader sets the tone for the gathering of God’s people, he must be a gifted musician, passionate worshipper, and loving servant who can plan and lead God-glorifying singing times.</div><div><br /></div><div>Elder Involvement: The final responsibility for the songs sung during the worship gathering falls to the elders, so they must be involved closely with the planning of services. They must not completely delegate this responsibility due to the critical teaching component of corporate singing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Believer Orientation: Singing in corporate worship gatherings should be geared to facilitate the worship of believers, not appeal to “seekers.” Worship can only be truly done by believers in Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div>Multi-Generational Appeal: A diversity of songs should be sung that appeal to all of God’s saints, not just a certain age group. However, a congregational “center” should be ascertained, enabling for an indigenous expression of worship by the bulk of the congregation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Multiple Settings: Small groups, family devotions, and youth groups, just to name a few, are other venues that should encourage musical worship.</div><div><br /></div><div>Corporate Emphasis: Believers should be encouraged to worship God primarily as a corporate body, not as individuals, during the weekly corporate worship gathering. This will affect songs chosen (preference for “we” songs over those “I”) and prayers uttered (“God, forgive us,” over “God, forgive me.”), as well as numerous other aspects of the meeting.</div><div><br /></div><div>Passionate Expression: Christians must be taught to desire strong affections in worship. Hypocritical, heartless singing is to be avoided, while heartfelt passion is to be pursued.</div><div><br /></div><div>Loving Deference: Church members must put the desires of others above themselves, not fighting to see that their musical preferences are honored as best.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unified Praise: The unity of the local body must be pursued in worship gatherings. This is achieved, first of all, by having all the believers gathered in one room, with one voice. Multiple worship gatherings, and multiple, different-styled worship gatherings will be avoided.</div></blockquote><div></div></div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331833065075737759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-70337601933224827912011-11-09T11:06:00.007-05:002011-11-09T14:01:28.467-05:00To Sarah<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshvA1Y8PwrgJ8Ut5ryamXaLC0n43O5jT8PVFKTkYxSoa34tBJW-C2efvWl7tBEPIZ4bsIqUMumeqT6B0I06ekTNQJ7Hxmcq32lJIBjqhAtvlOfgKMZjU-sNAa-P81WGZcwq1OhyphenhyphenzGNA/s400/IMG_4072.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673035950510944946" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">A very Happy Birthday to Sarah!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span">It gives me great pleasure today, to take a pause from the ordinary demands of life and reflect upon the Lord's mercies and grace which are new every morning. His blessings are numerous, but today I want to focus on just one: friendship. What a privilege it is that God should place people in our lives - fellow pilgrims, traveling saints - and that we should find strength and encouragement in one another. Today, I am thankful for twelve years</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> of friendship with Sarah. Twelve years of growing. Twelve years of phone calls, emails</span><span class="Apple-style-span">, pillow talk time, summer visits, book discussions, sermon sharing, laughter, celebrations, and close fellowship. We've been through so much together. Nothing can ever change our love for each other. Our dedication to each other is not based on external likenesses, but on internal convictions and shared desires.</span><br /><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">On another note: Today, Sarah is two decades old! That's right. Twenty! </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">After all those years of being teenagers together...today is the close of a chapter. I pray the Lord's blessing on the years to come, that each day might be another step heavenward.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "></span><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; ">Thus nature has no love for solitude, and always leans, as it were, on some support; and the sweetest support is found in the most intimate friendship.</span><span style="line-height: 21px; text-indent: 24px; ">- Cicero</span></i></blockquote><i style="line-height: 21px; text-indent: 24px; "></i></span><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Mml4LiBM9CAednE0woce0dOSv22IpRH_wnN894uYsYBICpt7TRhurz6gsv-vJ8zmpcpANPXoq1oVNF3d7r0bzqh8nfvsmF7whTBEp7PCkGkgDeTuQnGpH0WcCMs4lxLVAvY2lJ1-Lg/s400/IMG_4374.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673037498510335826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: left; "></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi418EEFF5gBeF5wKOhXLIV5IAC0lXETFowZNqD_yXsUjQ3zoU304u00KpqspoWXpf7PYjBYhhlrg5VhZ5wjnRQFe7im2iV6PeWMyc9MT-TCPE8Ru4vxxBZUUsH5PbZJDmYdDGd5j7hzg/s400/IMG_4081.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673036651956689666" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331833065075737759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-85011532125676125992011-10-11T17:27:00.001-04:002011-10-11T19:39:03.536-04:00Why I Joined Facebook (For Now)Ahhh...so today I joined the masses on facebook. Why? I don't know if you're asking that question, but I certainly am.<br /><br />The reasons are several. Allow me to bore you. (I suddenly sound like Ben Miller...I don't really know why).<br /><br />First of all, let me say that since I have joined (some 4 hours ago) I have not enjoyed my experience and may delete the account at any moment. Maybe I should give it 24 hours? Ok...I'll do that at least.<br /><br />Secondly, I, for the first time in the long history of "Sarah needs to get facebook" assaults, felt that I'm missing something. There have been lots of events planned in recent months that have been involving me, and yet I can't see who's coming (not that I care that much), I don't know who's bringing what (glad no one else was planning to bring chips and salsa), I don't know the details of, etc., etc. Ok, so maybe that's a lame reason.<br /><br />I also sense (and maybe I'm just a little slow on the uptake) that this is the way of things in my generation. People facebook. It's a noun, a verb, whatever part of speech it needs to be. And while I have resisted the trend for a long while (despite the "Get Sarah to join facebook page" on facebook [how counterproductive is that?]), this is what's going on in my world right now. And just because this is what's going on does not mean that I have to "conform to the pattern of this world." I can take this "thing" and use it as a gift and a tool. It doesn't have to demand of me things that I'm not willing to give (time would be a good example).<br /><br />Other details: my friends are real friends. Like, I know them. Like, I would walk across the parking lot to say "Hi" to them. I would give them a hug if I hadn't seen them in a month. I would visit them in the hospital. I don't do fake friends. I'm sorry...maybe I'm just not cut out for the facebook world. We're finding out together.<br /><br />Also, not that you need to know, and please don't take it as an insult, but I don't care that you had grilled cheese for lunch. I'm glad it was the best grilled cheese sandwich you've ever had, but I'm not going to comment on your post about it. And I won't be updating you on what I had for lunch. If you want to know, please come join me some afternoon...I'll make you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and we can sit and talk for a while. Doesn't that sound lovely?<br /><br />May facebook never replace the real conversations, really hearing your voice; real meals together; real laughing rather than emoticons; real doing life together; really seeing you, face to face. And thus my first facebook status:<br /><br />"I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face" (III John 13-14).<br /><br />So, I'm not sure how long I'll be on facebook. I would guess until my 20th birthday and then I'll be done. I'm not sure. I guess we'll all find out together. Thanks for listening. I constructed this post in my head this afternoon while I was fixing my hair. Thought you might like to know.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-38343443790007048592011-09-30T17:28:00.003-04:002011-09-30T17:33:13.220-04:00Another FridayMight you please forgive the lack of Fitness Friday posts in this place? I was going to write a post for today and then found myself very unmotivated. It's been a slow workout week. Some weeks are just that way, when nothing lines up, making time for the workout. And then there's today. I slept late this morning because I wasn't feeling very well, and still, not feeling so well. Maybe just allergies? So maybe I'll slip in a workout tomorrow before the week's out, but it's not been a very inspiring week for this Friday post. Perhaps Lily can write about her buying new running shoes experience? That might be asking too much. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thank you for grace.</span> Maybe back here tomorrow with Weekends Are For...? should this body feel up to it and the schedule give a little room. Blessings to you, friends.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-50975761815786490042011-09-23T17:42:00.003-04:002011-09-23T19:27:35.175-04:00Fitnes Friday: More on SnacksI was going to comment on <a href="http://novelteatalkers.blogspot.com/2011/09/fitn.html">Lily's post</a>, with more snack ideas, but then I thought I'd just make the comment into a post: Part Two.<br /><br /> greek yogurt<br /> almond butter on anything (english muffins, fruit, toast, etc.)<br /> celery and peanut butter<br /> peanut butter smoothies<br /> almonds<br /> cheese and crackers<br /> fruit (and some fruits are really yummy frozen, like grapes)<br /> small salads (there are so many things you can put in a salad to make it yummy and interesting)<br /><br />There are so many good snack ideas. We might be back on another Friday with Part Three, but for now, I'm signing off. Back tomorrow, perhaps? with a weekends are for... post.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-48690064252102240432011-09-17T22:45:00.002-04:002011-09-17T22:54:40.800-04:00Weekends Are For Just a Bit of Grace?<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Just late on a Saturday night, might you please forgive? The days have been wild and crazy and messy here, so thank you for grace. I haven't been posting much lately as I'm running to catch loads of laundry and siblings at math classes and a snack for the hungry ones and a sewing project just finished late and a friend to see here and little ones to watch there and oh the rush keeps me always running, always finding grace in the messy business of </span>now<span style="font-style: italic;">...</span>here<span style="font-style: italic;">...</span>this place<span style="font-style: italic;">. So might I try a fresh start on Monday morning? A little of the Gospel trickling into this hard soul...softening a spot in the desperately parched places? All this on His Day. And how He sends us into the week with fresh views of the Savior. How He loads us up with </span>shalom<span style="font-style: italic;">, just enough to get us to the table again next week. So with the feast coming, </span>thank you for grace.<span style="font-style: italic;"> If He wills I'll be back on Monday morning, counting the ways He loves...never-ending grace! And maybe...just maybe...a little more regular posting this next week? All's grace!)</span></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-76870491408658564282011-09-08T08:57:00.002-04:002011-09-08T09:00:45.268-04:00One Year Ago TodayWell, I'm not quite sure how to write this post, but I feel that I do need to write something...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wETj4tjAYCdDTRo4-sPPUYrLTaT1Yww57KJdc-_Ye1KV71zrytDhDNn80uRwjKSoWvsohx7ETQGwnTdHV2J9UQY2ZbBuzQLyRpwAc6f1GwZex18HOvSFj3x319V7q0wjgtq99uVum_w/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wETj4tjAYCdDTRo4-sPPUYrLTaT1Yww57KJdc-_Ye1KV71zrytDhDNn80uRwjKSoWvsohx7ETQGwnTdHV2J9UQY2ZbBuzQLyRpwAc6f1GwZex18HOvSFj3x319V7q0wjgtq99uVum_w/s320/IMG_0526.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">It's been a whole year, today, <a href="http://novelteatalkers.blogspot.com/2010/11/september-8th-september-29th.html">since I first left for New York.</a></span> </div>
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Well, I'm not really sure how to write this post, but it has been fun to remember that day and all the ways the Lord arranged for me to go and blessed the time that I was there. I really do have some of the sweetest memories from that trip. I wish I could say in words what is felt in the heart. The whole trip was so outside of anything I've ever done before and it was fun and wonderful and the Lord began building friendships and He let me hear sermons from that pulpit in Franklin Square and He brought great conversations (ones I still think about often) and lots of laughs, and chocolate and children and trips to the beach in jeans.<br />
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So I suppose I found <i>something</i> to say...thank you for listening as I remember that special day. Thank you for grace.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-27943853046749741932011-09-04T15:52:00.002-04:002011-09-04T16:17:56.419-04:00Fitness Friday: On Snacks<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>...a bit late!<div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbsxr1s-B_QQ62IfhscppF2e-GBpNni9-SlZ7rsi0he2dftVf5dg9p2cx0oa9-8bIzA03pi-FlvAAr9jNK6yqAyJOB7MvkQzFeYrZQVNVvVghjMKRD7GAuQc4NLI0Q8hiI0tvxTsgVg/s400/apples.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 225px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648600829498882498" /></div><div>The running has gone well my first two weeks of school. Of course, I do not have <i>time </i>to run, but everyone must make little sacrifices in order to do what is needful. :P</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I thought it would be a good idea to bring the topic of snacks to the tea table! In a very fast paced environment, finding healthy on-the-go options is rather difficult. It's easy to become imbalanced and give into cravings or quick fillers. So let me share a few snacks of my own and <b>please share your own in return</b>!</div><div></div><blockquote><div>Sliced apple and almond butter</div><div>Nuts</div><div>Popcorn</div><div>Trail Mix*</div></blockquote><div>*Here's what I put in my trail mix. (I know! Not all of it is healthy, but it's better than opening a package of Pringles!)</div><div></div><blockquote><div>Mixed Nuts</div><div>Honey Nut Cheerios</div><div>Apple Cinnamon Cheerios</div><div>Craisins</div><div>Raisins</div><div>White Chocolate Chips</div><div>Peanut M&Ms</div><div>Pretzels</div></blockquote><div>Nuts are very filling, and adding a bit of sugar (chocolate!) helps give me a quick energy boost as well.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Hope to get some more snack ideas!</div><div>Lily</div><div>
<br /></div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331833065075737759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-57383343603652168522011-08-26T10:32:00.003-04:002011-08-26T11:35:41.186-04:00A Bit Late...A dear sister sent this to me on Wednesday, but in the wild and crazy this week I haven't gotten to post it until now. Perhaps we'll miss Fitness Friday this week in favor of just this?
<br />
<br /><span></span><blockquote><span>Good morning beloved, <div>Thought of you and wanted to celebrate the anniversary of this saint's passing into glory. A day like this do we all long for; when we shall see him as he is!
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=" line-height: 24px;"><p style="text-align: justify;">The day before his death, Owen wrote to a friend...</p></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=" line-height: 24px;"><blockquote style="font-family: Times,serif; font-size: 1.1em; font-style: italic; margin: 1em 1em 1em 2em; border-left: 3px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1em;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>I am going to Him whom my soul has loved, or rather who has loved me with an everlasting love—which is the whole ground of my consolation…I am leaving the ship of the church in a storm; but whilst the great Pilot is in it, the loss of a poor under-rower will be inconsiderable. Live, and pray, and hope, and wait patiently, and do not despond; the promise stands invincible, that He will never leave us, nor forsake us.</em></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">The next day, William Payne, a Puritan minister of Saffron Waldon, arrived to tell Owen that the first sheets of Meditations on the Glory of Christ had passed through the press. With uplifted eyes and hands, Owen replied...</p><blockquote style="font-family: Times,serif; font-size: 1.1em; font-style: italic; margin: 1em 1em 1em 2em; border-left: 3px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1em;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>I am glad to hear it; but, oh brother Payne, the long wished for day is come at last, in which I shall see that glory in another manner than I have ever done, or was capable of doing, in this world.</em></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">328 years ago today, (<a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 136, 204);">August 24</a>, 1683) John Owen met his Savior face to Face. He was buried in Bunhill Fields beside many of his Puritan contemporaries.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Few there are that die so well.</p></span></span>
<br /></div></span></blockquote>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-1069166230167592562011-08-19T10:21:00.005-04:002011-08-19T11:00:55.496-04:00Fitness Friday!
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Welcome Friday!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I am currently sipping a morning cup of tea in a bright and sunny kitchen getting geared up for another day. This week is almost over and so is my summer holiday. On Monday, things (school) will be again as normal. It's been a fabulous holiday: Trip to England, Cassie's wedding(!), visit with the Blairs, and our 6th annual Edisto family reunion were just a few of the highlights. Meanwhile, I've worked through a couple of books: <i>Passion and Purity</i>, by Elizabeth Elliot; <i>The Problem of Pain</i>, by C.S. Lewis; <i>The Chestnut King</i>, N.D. Wilson; <i>Why We're Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be</i>, by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck; <i>One Thousand Gifts</i>, Ann Voskamp.</div><div><div>
<br /></div><div>AND...the moment you've been waiting for (or "for which you have been waiting" to be grammatically correct)!!!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>...I started a new habit of exercising! SarahB can tell you that for years I have been untouchable on the subject: disinterested and unmotivated. In a little over two months I've gone from no exercise to jogging/running a couple times a week.</div><div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj21_w3bYKBUOd9aA_Egqd4sOXCjT7UEe3Dc5FHETuPiXRKgz-agiXIQliV4aoJrkJbWz3ZHQRYLBK48EcM0xIUr2DWRDc-hiCFBxFDyu0y1cynCHv01DPl1JWzFZWJhSANgCZorzKA/s400/download" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642581808665562882" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 212px; " /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>I began by walking our dog (Tebow) and adding a few jogging intervals to keep him paced with me. (He's a Jack Russel /Greyhound mix.) It worked tremendously well. And, it was good for both of us! After that, a friend of mine, Brianna, suggested that we run together. Now I had a partner! (Which helps a lot in the area of motivation.) After two weeks of running together, we ran a 5K. It was hard! However, it felt really great to work so hard and feel so good afterward. Since then, we've been training to run a 5K on Labor Day.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>This morning, we ran a flat course and timed ourselves. In the next two weeks we will be running the entire 5K distance to practice leading up to the event.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>That concludes this Fitness Friday update! Have a marvelous weekend!</div></div>Lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01331833065075737759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-14879802564979390672011-08-18T10:15:00.002-04:002011-08-18T10:20:09.000-04:00Sports Announcing<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">*Danelle, this post is written with you particularly in mind*
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<br />Over the summer (actually for the past four summers) my brothers have played rugby here in Charlotte. Our family has enjoyed learning the game and Daddy has found a treasure-trove of games on You Tube (some as far back as 1994). After lunch we've started watching 20-30 minutes of rugby before we get back to the school and work, etc. This was a "conversation" that the boys had while we were watching the other day – just a little peek into personalities:
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<br />Noah: "Oh yeah, come on! Do your stuff! Nail it! Drive it!"
<br />Ethan: "I don't really care what you do, just make a point."
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-50950485203666247952011-08-08T11:21:00.001-04:002011-08-08T11:54:35.504-04:00Still Counting How He's Always There in Grace<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">"How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings."</span>
<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">~Psalm 36:7</span>
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<br /><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">#598-621 ...of the thousand, endless gifts...numbering His love...</span>
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<br />598. long Monday conversations with dear friend – so good and He knows how to cheer us on our way
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<br />599. moderate workout...modifying it for the sick days
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<br />600. yes!...Cassie's house today
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<br />601. late night prayer times and He hears and oh, how it rejoices and soothes quiet this faint-weary, struggling heart
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<br />602. just this: how He takes all that's broken and sin-wracked – all this ugly and makes beautiful. Just how He takes the black and broken notes of this life and turns them into the beauty-song of grace
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<br />603. knowing enough of Him to trust...on cloudy days the sun's still shining
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<br />604. "ya know, the Lord's not really concerned about our comfortableness"...and how it rings true today
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<br />605. hard thanks...still good and so faithful and oh, how He helps us to trust until that day – oh for the faith to melt into sight
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<br />606. pearl earrings
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<br />607. all the laundry folded and stacked neat so late on Saturday...still good
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<br />608. fifty-six pairs and twelve strays and the feet that they hold
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<br />609. sweaty workout clothes and prayers on the run – how He loves to hear
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<br />610. just this morning
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<br />611. waking the boys up gentle, whispering of His Day in the dark
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<br />612. all this joy spilling over on His Day
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<br />613. fellowship and eating together
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<br />614. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20133&version=KJV">"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity."
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<br />615. ice cream with chocolate sauce and friends on a hot afternoon
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<br />616. how He provides a cool place to worship on so warm days and us all cheerful and working hard to carry books and bulletins and cups of water
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<br />617. singing so loud – how it cheers the heart
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<br />618. red hymnals
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<br />619. the way good friends can just talk with each other
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<br />620. curtain rod getting hung
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<br />621. chocolate chips
<br /></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-42169369058841359332011-08-04T20:48:00.004-04:002011-08-05T08:06:14.577-04:00Fitness FridayWell, I was going to write a post about running shoes but.... I decided to write my workout schedule instead. It seems logical to begin the Fitness Friday post venture with my fitness routine. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hopefully (!) Lily will write hers next week</span> and then... <span style="font-style: italic;">maybe</span> a post on tennis shoes.<br /><br />So, here's my normal, when everything goes as I plan, fitness schedule, without explanation (for now) or apology:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Sunday:</span><br />The Lord's Day. It's a taste of Heaven: we don't count carbs; we don't read how many grams of sugar are in anything; we don't jog or sweat (except for church clothes reasons) or strengthen and stretch. Really? Do you think we'll be doing all that in heaven?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Monday:</span><br />running (usually, but sometimes I just do resistance training and no cardio)<br />legs and lower body muscle strengthening<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Tuesday:</span><br />jump rope for 10 minutes, run for 10 minutes and bike for 10 minutes<br />arms and upper body muscle strengthening<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Wednesday:</span><br />STEP aerobics (sometimes...I haven't been able to get a STEP yet so this is a bit tricky and it depends on how motivated I am. But when I do it, I do it on Wednesdays and when I don't, I bike)<br />legs and lower body muscle strengthening<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">Thursday:</span></span><br />off day<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Friday:</span><br />bike<br />arms and upper body resistance training<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Saturday:</span><br />running<br />legs and lower body resistance trainingSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-54765561401706389432011-08-02T20:39:00.004-04:002011-08-02T20:50:11.550-04:00Ten Followers and Tuna RecipeThis recipe is the result of some follower envy and comment love today. <a href="http://cheaperbythebakersdozen.blogspot.com/">A friend of mine</a> (yes, I'm privileged enough to know this hilarious, godly lady in real life) asked for the recipe that I mentioned <a href="http://novelteatalkers.blogspot.com/2011/05/pressed-down-shaken-together-running.html">here</a> (#282). It's been a fun round of comments today resulting in this recipe. Enjoy! It's one of my most favorites.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Sesame Seared Tuna</span><br /><br />4 (6-8 ounce) tuna steaks<br />1/4 cup soy sauce<br />1 tablespoon honey<br />2 tablespoons sesame oil<br />1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar<br />1/2 cup sesame seeds<br />wasabi paste<br />1 tablespoon olive oil<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >1.</span> In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, honey and sesame oil. Divide into two equal parts. Stir the rice vinegar into one part and set aside as a dipping sauce.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >2.</span> Spread the sesame seeds out on a plate. Coat the tuna steaks with the remaining soy sauce mixture, then press into the sesame seeds to coat.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >3.</span> Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Place steaks in the pan, and sear for about 30 seconds on each side. Serve with the dipping sauce and wasabi paste.<br /><br />This serves 4-6 people (depends on the gender ;)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-31125659674141569162011-07-29T07:50:00.004-04:002011-07-29T21:35:59.935-04:00Fitness Friday PictureIntroducing my new best workout friend.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDCc38Ov5EysBRnp9eDEHaG_VGOluTpQnIsUXsxqyskbxFaADz7MUAsXB3CzSXxR4wmp8hyphenhyphenGFLExZRisJWowPBRvf0-ClxJU10PRk8qYWNmOrGGu_Zo9TbhfVFMrRuhyphenhyphenNApa-oO53BOw/s1600/IMG_2056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDCc38Ov5EysBRnp9eDEHaG_VGOluTpQnIsUXsxqyskbxFaADz7MUAsXB3CzSXxR4wmp8hyphenhyphenGFLExZRisJWowPBRvf0-ClxJU10PRk8qYWNmOrGGu_Zo9TbhfVFMrRuhyphenhyphenNApa-oO53BOw/s400/IMG_2056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634950983519675794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Ryka Revive 2)</span><br /></div><br />They're with me every step of the way ;)<br /><br />(more on shoes next week, Lord willing, if I can pull the post together early enough in the day)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529201785520492787.post-80821295689508379822011-07-22T20:34:00.002-04:002011-07-22T20:44:32.201-04:00Fitness Friday KickoffWhile Lily and I were together one of the things we did, somewhat regularly (never as regularly as I'd like, but I'm pushy (and getting pushier), especially when it comes to the area of fitness) was to workout together. I love to workout. I have since I was a little girl. And Lily has loved to workout before and has recently become quite a faithful runner (with some cautions from the workout fanatic, here). I believe her plan is to run a 5K tomorrow morning. Rock on, Lily! <br /><br />While we were together we went running, did some resistance training and stretching, and I threw out the idea of Fitness Friday on the blog. Lily said she would actually post if we did that, so I said, "Deal. Done." <br /><br />So we kick it off this week with this introductory post. We may not post every week, but if we do it'll be on Friday. We might even use Mr. Linky so you can link up to your own fitness posts (which, in my book, includes nutrition, etc., etc.) So....Welcome Fitness Friday! Next week: a picture.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09309556732892580324noreply@blogger.com2