Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for sound words.

Many people in my life have offered sound words over the past 27 years...husban, parents, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and...pastors. Every Sunday morning I sit under someone I trust to provide me with sound words.

We will be voting on a new pastor this Sunday, and let me tell you...it's going to be a very bittersweet transition. Our current interim pastor is absolutely incredible, and we love him like crazy. He's loved us, encouraged us, and guided us during a rough time...thank you, God, for blessing us with Dan, and thank you, Dan for your obedience! It is going to be terribly hard to say goodbye.

Last night when I was doing a short devotion, I was led to some notes from past sermons. On April 17, 2005, Pastor Chris Burrell preached on John 2:1-11, "Turning from Death to Life." These are some of the points I took time to write down:

1. I am special.

2. Do you say every single day when you get out of bed, "Lord, I'm Yours," or do you wonder if He's even there?

3. As children of God we will still fall down, but as we fall, we can hold the hand of Jesus and trust Him!

4. NOTHING is too big for God.

5. "Don't give me a miracle--just give me Jesus."

6. God does not need directions; He needs submissive hearts.


Thank you, to all of you, who have provided me with sound words when I needed them most.

"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
2 Timothy 1: 13


What are you thankful for today?


Big Love,
Sarah

ER Visit

Why do E.R. doctors lack so much personality? I understand that they tend to deal with 'emergencies' which most likely doesn't consist of a 2 1/2 year old with fever, but really, how hard is it to be goofy and raise your voice just a few pitches--for 5 minutes?

Okay, I'll stop and take a deep breath.

:)

So we spent Friday night in the ER with Maya---she had a temp of 102.8 for 2 days, not eating, not drinking, dark circles around the eyes, decreased activity...you know, all those symptoms that fall under the "take your child to the emergency immediately if" category.

After 5 hours, they sent us home. Chest x-ray negative, the doctor said, "Everthing looks good. It's a viral fever."

So thanks for the prayers. She's doing much better today, and her fever finally broke this morning. Now we just have a set of extremely tired Mom & Dad. :)

Love you all!
Sarah

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for being ________.

I'm thankful for being Sarah. We (yes, myself included) waste 3/4 of our time attempting to be somebody or something else. And, generally, the "somebody or something else" is a result of expectations of one or several others...or by our own unfair and unrealistic expectations brought about by trying to please others.

Eh, I'm kinda tired of wasting my time. Tired of trying to live out unfair and unrealistic expectations that I was never intended to meet. I'm the only one with THIS matchless set of abilities, experience, thought process, and (non)creativity. There is nobody else in all Existence exactly like me...yeah, I know what you're thinking...HUSH! lol

I LOVE it! I LOVE that it's just the two of us. God & Sarah. Sure, others have their inferences. And, contrary to my old way of thinking, it DOES make a difference to whom I choose to listen. I know some people who lift me up with a glance & a smile, and I also know some people who can lower me right back down with a frown or a glare.

But the truth is: it's nobody's responsibility but my own to build, authenticate, and flourish my attitude, demeanor, communication, self-talk, character, and walk of faith. And, you know what? It's nobody's responsibility but YOURS to see that YOUR attitude, demeanor, communication, self-talk, character, and walk of faith are strong, authentic, and growing. Put your name in the blank I left up at the top and see what you come up with.

I am somebody. I am Sarah. I like being me. And I need nobody to make me somebody.

Neither do you. You & I are different because we're supposed to be.

Father, thank you for who You are and who You are making of me. I no longer am a single, childless, college student. I do not routinely walk campus...study...or care for only myself. Being a wife, mom, employee, daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter, layman, & friend tends to be a bit demanding. So many speak of the psychological whirwhind life can bring on---it can and certainly does when I get my eyes off of who You have me being in the nowness of my living. Help me get me eyes, mind, and spirit back on who You have me being right here, right now...talk to You in a little bit.

So, what are you thankful for today?

Big Love,
Sarah

*Yawwwwwwwwwwn*

Howdy. Just checking in with you all for a short minute. I am blessed to have today, tomorrow, and Friday off work, so I'm planning on posting at least twice! lol

been staying busy with maya's infected toe, gabriel getting into business that isn't his, and sam working...and working and working and working.

so until next time, peace!

big love,
sarah

Easter 2009

Thankful Thursday

Sorry I've been slacking a bit...been terribly busy!! Will try to get back to posting regularly now.

What a beautiful day this was...so glad I didn't have to spend the evening inside typing for 4 hours! :) As a matter of fact, my dad came over tonight, and we all spent the evening together outside working in my yard. With the help of Sam & my dad, my yard will eventually be beautifully covered in flowers and other garden accessories--I can't wait!! :)

Well, today I'm thankful for dirt & worms. And after today, I think Gabriel is thankful for worms also--especially since he seemed to enjoy sucking on one for his afternoon snack--*puke!* I'm thankful for the days that I spent playing outside as a little girl, squishing the mud between my toes and pulling worms apart to see how long they would wiggle before they died. I'm thankful for a dad who used to let me get dirty with him while he was planting flowers, and I'm thankful that today, I had Maya right up my nose while I was planting flowers, too. What more could a mama ask for on a beautiful spring day, than to spend it with her hubby, babies, and dad outside in the dirt & worms?!?!?!

What are you thankful for today?

Autism Care Walk

First and foremost, a very special thank you, again, to all of you who were so kindly thoughtful and generously giving to help support Dominic. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU.

The kids and I got up early Saturday morning, put on our snazzy CareWalk shirts, and out the door we went! We picked up Papa (and I switched over to the passenger seat), and we met Nana, Steph, Dom, and Grady at McD's for breakfast.

Then we arrived. The place was packed. There were hilarious kids--everywhere; jumping, hopping, skipping, swerving, screaming, shouting, twirling, arm-flapping, rolling, you name it--they were doing it all. And that's why we were there. So many tendencies, so little education.

There were 3 moonwalks--all 3 completely full with kids bouncing off the sides. There was popcorn and cotton candy--and of course, our family was right in the middle of it! There were balloons and animals. All for one cause that so many people know so little about: autism.

The 1.5 mile walk was fabulous...and interesting, to say the least. Some kids were tired and ready to quit before we even started. Others were disgusted at the slow-pace and verbalized for everyone to, "MOVE IT, PEOPLE!" lol

Dominic was a trooper the entire time we were there. He did a fantastic job. He chose to ride in the stroller and hold Papa's hand...what better way to take a stroll on such a beautiful day?!

After we made it to the finish line, Stephanie, Dominic, Dad, and I went inside the conference center and gathered some information that we thought would be useful and helpful for Dom. Dad bought a book for Stephanie, and she has already read the entire book--so has Mom & Dad, and I'm in the process.

So, yes, it was a tremendous success, and again, we thank all of you for being so supportive, generous, and understanding! I think the main thing we achieved that day was just seeing that we are not alone...there were hundreds of kids just like Dom, some not so bad, and others significantly worse.

For those of you waiting for your "special something," keep waiting...lol...I'm currently working on it.

In the mean time, here are a few pics from the CareWalk.

Big Love,

Sarah

GROUP PICTURE!

Back Row: Anita, Rex, Sarah, Lita, Lou, Amy, Elizabeth, Cameron

Front Row: Grady, Gabriel, Maya, Dominic, Steph, Grandma Luna

I absolutely LOVE this pic of Dom smelling his mama's hair...one of his very, own, unique, special ways that he displays his affection and love. I'm sure he sensed that it was a very special day for him!!

The Dingos...always there to support, protect, and love each other: Gabriel, Maya, Grady, & Dominic

Please continue to remember Dom & Steph in your prayers as they endure the new lessons, new challenges, new frustrations, and new blessings that they encounter each day.