Lately, I've had quite a few people in my life go through upsetting situations and heartbreak. I've dealt with a small amount of it myself, but I'm almost convinced it's worse watching it happen to those you love most, than to feel it for yourself. You feel so helpless, and there's also this uncertainty of if and where you should step in to help. Or, even, HOW involved you should get or not.
And then there's also helping them to a certain extent - trying to encourage them, give them advice, etc. - but they are too blinded to see the truth in your words. That's hard too.
What I've been noticing, though, is that sometimes just being there and listening helps, or doing so much as to make them smile or laugh. That's huge! But another important thing I've figured out, is it's best to step to the side a bit and just let Jesus help them directly. Sometimes he likes to help heal people through others, but there are many times when he needs to directly help them. He is after all titled our Comforter, and I know from experience he is the best comfort. He knows how to help those who are suffering by giving them exactly what they need. We earthly beings can only offer what we've learned and of what we know ourselves. Taking those people who are hurting and (figuratively speaking) taking them by the hand and leading them to God is the best way to deal with situations. We can try by our own power to help people, and they may be satisfied, but only momentarily. Jesus...if you bring those who are hurting to him, he can heal them and satisfy whatever it is their heart is desiring or needing to hear to heal. We may be used as instruments by God, but in the end, it's Him who can heal people the best, and it's He who can comfort those who are hurting.
"I find rest, O my soul, In God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
~ Psalm 62: 5-8
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken."
~ Psalm 34:18-20
Recently, I went for a hike with some of my really close sibling-like friends, and we were walking down this trail that eventually forked. As we were walking and were coming near the fork in the road, something suddenly hit me. My friends and I are traveling the our spiritual journey together. No matter what goes on, no matter how rocky the road may become, we've stayed on the path together, and we're walking it together. One picture I've always had of us, since the day I became really close with them, is this. The silhouetted forms of my brothers, Lukey and Jesse, and my sister, Sary, and I walking along our our journey, with are arms around each other, and walking towards our destination - the Kingdom of Heaven - and to our Father. For some reason that picture has implanted itself into my mind. And, it's no lie either. As the months have past, I see how much we are growing together, both in our faith and in life. We help each other, support each other, give each other the encouragement that one of us or all of us may need, and truly and purely treat each other as siblings in God. Even when we become weak, and get to a point where we aren't sure if we can keep going, God uses all of us to pick each other up, and help us to keep going.
God knew our journey wasn't going to be easy. And he knew that we'd need people to help us along the journey. And, so he's created us to help one another, and more so to help each other to bare the burdens we are given. :)
Also, God has given us each other to help us in our walks with him. Sometimes we are walking side by side, and other times I notice that we take one another by the hand and push them closer to God. It's really incredible when you think about it! God uses us to help each other grow closer to him! :D I find that incredible! In my life, I've had quite a few times where friends have "taken me by the hand" and led me to God, because they knew he would and could help me the best. I've done that with friends too. I think that is the most incredible way to help someone, although, I have to admit I enjoy helping them more than that if I can. :) However, from my own experiences, i know that going to God with stuff is the ultimate best. Sometimes he talks through friends and family, and then other times he'll talk to you directly. I find that that usually happens when I feel like I'm constantly complaining about stuff to friends, when I'm just having an awful week verbally, and also just when I don't feel like talking to anyone or am afraid to incase I say the wrong thing. I can't say I haven't been that way with him, otherwise I'd be lying, but when it comes down to it, especially in these times God is the most incredible person to talk to, and he knows you and your heart better than ANYONE ever could, so he knows exactly where to help you. :)
Tonight, I've been having a rough night. It was one of those times when I just felt like a good portion of the world was crashing down on me, and so I found myself running to God. I pictured him scooping me up in his arms, and just craddling me, telling me things will be alright. He also said some other stuff, and that was the most comforting. Songs and verses in the Bible quite frequently talk about how God is our refuge in the storm and in times of trial. This I know is SO true! When life feels like it's falling down, or a ragging storm, he's the one you can run to, to find the comfort and the security you need. He's truly our refuge!
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9
"1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139
I hope you all have a fantastic week/weekend, and if anyone would like prayer, don't hesitate to drop me a comment. I'd be happy to pray for you!
I love you all as my brothers and sisters in Christ!
Shalom! (Peace)
Amar tu hermana en Cristo,
Sarah
~ " Be devoted to each other in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourself." Romans 12:10 [NIV] ~
When I say this, most people would think I've got something seriously wrong with me, but in all honesty this has been an incredible grounding. The only EXTREMELY SUCKY part is that I've been grounded from speaking with three of my bestest friends, which sucks SOOOO bad and I miss them terribly. But God is teaching me SO much!
For the first few days of being grounded, I was seriously SO upset. It wasn't even that I was grounded, it was that I couldn't talk to my closest friends. I cried more in those few days than I've cried in AGES, and I was missing them so much I actually felt sick for a while. Some people would see that as being ridiculous and overly dramatic, but because i love them so much and think of them as my siblings I think it's understandable. :S I hope anyways..... Over that week, it was also my birthday, and my really close friends - Lukey, Jesse, and Sary - and I were supposed to hang out on the Friday. Many of us had been anticipating this day for a long time. That was REALLY hard. I kept hoping and praying that God would allow the rest of them and I to be able to hang out after all. However, God said 'not yet'. I accepted that, but I was still really sad about it. Then the day after my birthday my brothers, Lukey and Jesse, called me to wish me a belated happy birthday. I was seriously SOOO excited! I was smiling more than I had in days, and my mom couldn't help but be happy for me. :P That made my week, and that plus the fact that it was a gorgeous day made that day incredible!
Every now and then, after that, I keep/kept having moments were I REALLY missed my brothers and sister. Then, the following week I received in the mail letters from Lukey and Sary. I was seriously SO mega excited, and I was beaming with joy! And, Jesse sent me a couple of things over the internet. Those totally made my week!
Then a few days after, I was going through one of my continuous fazes where I miss Lukey, Jesse, and Sary SO much, and I had to go in an online meeting with my school, and Sary and Lukey were there. I was SO glad to finally be able to "see" them again, but unfortunately I wasn't able to talk to them. Eventually, though, our teacher decided to put us in to groups, and incredibly enough he put Sary and I in the same group. We were required to talk and Sary and I were SO excited, and talked for a few minutes. I was SO excited!!!
From those few things that happened over those several days, God really showed me that he cares and that he pays attention to us and what we are feeling. He knew when I was nearly ready to give up, or when I was missing my siblings/friends. And he gave me those few moments with them to keep me going. God is SO great!
I've also been feeling really afraid lately. As much as I love and trust Lukey, Jesse, and Sary, I was afraid of what would happen when I was eventually allowed to talk to them again. I had questions running through my mind, such as 'how will they react when I can talk to them again?', 'Will they be mad? Happy? upset i didn't tell them i was behind?'. I wasn't and still am not sure, but as time went on and these thoughts kept growing in my mind, and the fear that they'd be really annoyed with me continued to grow in me as well. Then, God decided to interviene. He brought back all these lines from things they'd told me. My oldest brother he told me at one point to "...have faith in yourself, in your friends, and more importantly God." I took that statement for granted at one point, but as I haven't been able to talk with him in a while, I've had time to think about this and I realize that I need to have more faith in my friends. Then there other things they've quoted such as "friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the lord of them, and a friend will not say never, cause the welcome will not end..." ~ Michael W. Smith; "..and in this marriage of our hearts, there is no death do us part, for you are eternal, and I am eternally yours. I could never lose your love to sickness, I could never lose you to divorce, and there's no concept of abandoment for I am safe within your arms..." ~ Sanctus Real; "Hold fast to God" ~ my other big brother; and "A friend loves at all times...." in Psalms 17, in addition to SO many others. All of these, God has brought back to mind, and I'm ashamed to realize that I've been doubting in my friendships with my three of bestest friends. But, I've realized now how stupid I was. I still haven't had a chance to talk to them, but I know full well that they will be there when I get back. And that no matter what we'll be friends for a long time. I'm always telling them they don't need to be afraid of me judging them and that our friendships are built on the solid foundation of God, so they don't need to be afraid to tell me things cause I won't be shaken and neither will our friendship. Then one of my brothers quoted me on that, and I've been learning that more and more. God's got his enormous loving arms wrapped around Lukey, Jesse, Sary, and my friendship and he's helping us to stay together. If it weren't for him we wouldn't even be this close or know each other.
Basically, God has shown me that they are true friends who I won't lose easily. He also is protecting our friendship, and he's shown me and told me that they'll be there when my grounding is finished. They are all incredible people!! :D
Then another cool thing that happened, occured last Sunday. I'm getting baptized soon, so I was having a meeting with an elder, just to discuss my beliefs, why i was getting baptized, etc. (my church requires it). The elder I had was SUPER nice and we had a fantastic discussion about faith. Towards the end, he asked if he could pray for me, and I was all for it. I was a bit uncertain, though, cause as he was praying he kept pausing. I thought it was because he was listening to God, but I wasn't sure. Then God gave him a picture. The elder, he said he saw a picture of me kneeling before God. I wasn't just kneeling for myself, but for others. And God told him that I want to help people. Then the elder who I had, continued to pray and prayed that I would fall to my knees in front of God for SO many people/things as my life continues. It was SO incredible, and I was truly amazed by it for days!
So many people would be down about being grounded, and as sucky as it is, I'm sorta glad that I am. I've missed Lukey, Jesse, and Sary SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXTREMELY much, but I've also learned a lot. And, I've realized how strong our friendship is. I know to others this would seem a small thing, but I know I've got them as friends for a long time. So..... THANK YOU JESUS!! :D
The verse that I think best suits all that I've been going through and learning is Psalm 139 " 1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
And, even if I don't know you I love you all as my siblings in Christ, and you've got me and Jesus! And, if anyone has prayer requests, feel free to drop me a comment. I'd be happy to pray for you! :)
God bless,
Sarah
Today, after I watched this movie, I was thinking. And I SO want to just drop school all together and go after God with all that I am. I want to SOOOO badly, but I know my parents wouldn't let me. However, I was talking to God, and he told me that I've been focussing on school way to much and making it this enormous thing in my life. He said, though, that I shouldn't make it as big a thing and that I should have HIM be the biggest thing in my life, and that He wants to be my number one focus. School is just to be a small pebble compared to him. I know that I've been making school a WAY bigger thing than it should be, and I'm SO tired of that! It's a pointless goal, because after I'm home with God, none of it's going to matter. The only things in this world that really matter are God and the people here with us. As much as I want to drop school, I'll have to stay in school (mostlikely my parents orders), but I'm gonna hold onto the words in this verse. Psalm 37:4 states "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." So God knows my desires, and if I go after him he'll grant those desires, whether it being today, tomorrow, or years from now. And another verse that I'll hold onto is Matthew 6: 25 - 34 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]? 28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." And one last verse that I'll leave you with is Jeremiah 29:11 - 14 " 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
Love you all! And I hope this wasn't a preachy and harsh post. I didn't mean for it to be. My heart was on fire for God while I was writing it, and it might have come out a little harsher than intended. I hope I haven't offended anyone. I love you all! :)
Love your sister in Christ,
Sarah
(P.S. If any of you need prayer or just someone to talk to, whether you know me or not, I'd love to help. :) Just leave me a comment and I'll reply as soon as possible. :) )
Love is such a purer emotion and reality that people don't see anymore. Instead they are blinded by a false and polluted version of what love is. In the Bible it says that "God is love" so we receive love from him and his way of loving is an unconditional love. No matter how major or minor anyone could think the mistakes they've made in their lives, God loves you anyways. It doesn't matter where or on what you've messed up on, God still loves us and that is unchanging. That is how God has designed and desired for us to love each other, but the media is saying that we are to give up on the people in our lives who do wrong and to hate them. However that is wrong.
In the past few weeks, any readers who read this blog have heard a lot about my dear friends Luke, Jesse, and Sarah. Well this post, too, will be including them. As our time together has lengthened, we've grown closer to each other and to God. Our friendships with each other are the most precious treasures anyone could ask for. We love each other as siblings, yet we aren't afraid to stay stuff . My brothers tell my sister and I that we are pretty, and my sister and I tell our brothers that we think they are attractive and/or cute. In most friendships now days, that would be considered SO wrong or extremely weird, and most people would think that we are peaking towards falling into a dating relationships. But this isn't the case with us. As we grow closer as friends and as siblings in Christ, we realize how much we mean to each other and that we don't want any relationship like that. Our friendships and my siblings mean WAY to much to me to lose to some hormonal feelings.
The way we love is SO different from that of our world. We are truly like siblings in our hearts and minds. So often my sister and I will make mistakes that we'll remember or that have recently occured. It doesn't matter how stupid the decision was that we made but we forgive each other and realize that it isn't our place to critisize or lecture each other over the decisions that we've made. We simply say "that wasn't a smart decision" and "I love you". And that's it. Through love we help each other, and realize that the decisions we made were stupid, yes, but that it is something we don't have to be guilty of. And of course we also direct each other to our Father in Heaven. And we tell each other that as longs as we've made things right with God, we don't need to worry about the mistake we made any longer.
That there is the purest and most beautiful type of love I have ever seen or known. But, it's not by our own will or power that we are able to love the way we do. It all points up to one person, and that person is God. If it wasn't for God, and for him sending his son Jesus to die for each of us on the cross to take away ALL of our sins so that we can be forgiven. We'd never be able to forigve each other or love. God IS love so from him we receive the love we have. And are therefore able to love others. But it is from God's example that Jesse, Luke, Sarah and I are able to love each other the way we do. Anyone can love like that, you just have to seek that type of love from the source of all love - God. He's the ultimate lover and from his example all of us learn how to love each other. Just like how a Father teaches his son to play a video game or baseball, or how a mother teaches her daughter how to sing and cook and run a household, we too can learn from our Heavenly Father the way to love fully and purely.
" Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity." 1 Timothy 5:1-2
Lately, life has been really amazing! No words can fully or properly describe all that's occured this last little bit. I've continued to grow close with my friends and develop even stronger brotherly and sisterly relationships with my brothers, Luke and Jesse, and my sister, Sarah. No matter how much I say it, no words will be able to describe how much these three mean to me. They are the bestest friends I could have only imagined in my wildest dreams. They've totally turned my world around, and where as before I felt that if I stumbled no friends where completely there or always there to catch me, now no matter how insain life is I know I can run into the arms of my brothers and my sister anytime. We do it to each other all the time. As our friendships have continued to grow, through them God has been helping me to begin to REALLy see things that used to be a bit of a blur to me before.
When people get hurt, we always complain - A paper cut, a scraped knee on the pavement, or even a sore leg muscle. Not matter how severe or how minor our injuries, we complain. Recently, I was talking to one of my brothers and my sister about all the pain they have to go through. Both of them have some pretty harsh pain that they deal with daily, but they are still living their lives to the fullest. I realized after talking with them that I really don't have anything to be complaining about. Compared to them, I've got it good in the pain department.(Although I don't for a second wish that I couldn't take those pains upon myself or at least help them to bare that pain. I'd take those pains in a heartbeak if it would lessen or help them to never feel that pain again.)
After realizing that, I remembered how Jesus died on the cross for us. He went through MAJOR pain! He was TORTURED for goodness sakes!! And, even though he knew it would cause him SO much pain, he did it anyways. That is MAJOR love right there!! No one in all my life, I could ever imagine doing that for me or anyone, except Jesus. I only recently discovered how badly pain Jesus was put threw! It's SO sad and awful, but I'm glad I'm seeing it more clearly.
Easter is just around the bend, and I don't know about the rest of you, but as the years pass, what Jesus did for me and all of the rest of mankind hits me harder every year. Things that I didn't understand before, I'm finally understanding. Things I couldn't imagine before, i can finally imagine. And it's all because of those two wonderful friends and siblings of mine who've been used by God to help me to see things more clearly.
This has only been our second week together as mega close friends, but even in that short period of time, God's spoken to me through them. God has used them to majorly open up my heart and my mind. Before, I used to always be afraid to say "I love you" as my brother in Christ to a boy, incase they'd take it the wrong way, or they'd start to develop emotions toward me that i didn't have for them. I also just believed that it was wrong and weird to tell one of my spiritual brothers that I loved them. Finally now though, I see that it's not. There are times to say it, and times to restrain, but in the end it's okay to tell someone you love them as long as it's a pure love from God. The way my brothers, sister and I love, is not of love from this world. It's love that only our Heavenly Father possesses and gives to the rest of us to pour out on others. His love is the purest of loves; he loves unconditionally. And that is how my brothers, sister and I love. The love we have for one another, seems SO sur-real even to me. It's the most incredible type of love though! The amount of true love that I've received from our Father through my brothers and my sister, have completely transformed my heart. Now I can look at a guy at my church, and not just see him as another random person. I can look at him and say in my mind that he's my brother.
These three incredible best friends of mine, have also helped me to do another important thing. They've helped me to hear God more clearly. Before I used to struggle a bit with that. Then after hearing their voices a few times over the phone, even when I chatted with them over some sort of instant messaging mechanism, I felt as though they were sitting right in front of me...nearly anyways. So many times I've rethought about conversations we've had, and many of them I've examined them and came to the shocking realization that that was only an IM conversation. I could basically hear their voices. And, that's helped me to hear God a lot clearer. It's like a passage in my mind, that has been open, yet sorta closed, if that makes any sense at all. And now that I've begun to talk to them, it's like God has taken them and through them opened up that passage so that it's wide and I can clearly hear his voice. It's SO incredible!
All that I can say, is that I love Jesse, Luke, and Sarah more than any possible words could depict or describe. They mean the world to me, and I REALLY TRULY believe that God has given them to me. With them, I feel completely accepted. I don't have to worry about anything with them. And they are completely true friends who take me and help me in my walk with God. We all do. And it's the most incredible and Godly brotherly and sisterly friendships that I've ever had!! They are like angels who God has sent at just the right time. And I truly hope that no matter where we are, whether we find spouses or not, or even if we remain in our hometowns we are currently in, I hope that we will be friends for eternity. God has connected our paths, and together we are walking and helping each other towards our destination. Our destination being to grow stronger in our walks with God, and to honor him in all that we do. And to one day live together in peace in God's kingdom.
So, one of my dear friends has had to deal with a lot of pain lately. It's worse today than it was a few days ago, and I hate that he's in pain. I've told him SO many times that I wish I could take that pain upon myself so that he doesn't have to bare it. Every time he says though that he wouldn't want that. I feel so helpless, and wish that I could do more. I know this won't do a whole lot, but I hope through a poem that I wrote for him this afternoon that he'll just be able to remember that I'm here for him and remind him that he's not alone through anything. He's got his friends, family,and even more importantly God there for him. And, if everyone could help me to pray for him, we'd both appreciate it SO much. So without further ado, I give you my poem.
My Brother Is In Pain
My brother is in pain
and there is nothing I can do.
My heart feels so helpless
and I really want to help you.
I’d willingly take some of it,
If it would decease your pain
or even all of it
so that you’d never feel that pain again.
My brother, my dear brother, is in pain
and there is not much I can do.
So, I’ll stay here by your side
and do what I can to help you.
By showing that I really care,
maybe even a hug or two,
Some prayer, some smiles,
and maybe some laughter too.
My brother, my dear brother,
let me help you if I can,
to help you bare this pain
until we are all together in Heaven.
~ Sarah Fung
And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is my poem for my brother, who is also my best friend. I love you, man, as my brother in Christ! And I'm here for you always! :)
Te quiero!! (That means 'I love you' in Spanish) I truly and purely love all of you as my siblings in Christ!!
Amor, tu hermana en Cristo, (Love, your sister in Christ)
Sarah
So, lately I've been writing a lot about my friends Jesse, Luke, and Sary. They still are and will always be the bestest friends any chic could ask for.
Tonight really showed me, though, how much they care and love me. I was having a rougher night with someone from my family. And, as soon as I signed on to skype, they were asking if i was okay. I seriously couldn't ask for better friends. :) And it really helps to know that I have them there, even when things are tough. You guys, you are SO amazing, and I REALLLY TRULY mean it when i say that God is SO evident through each of you! God's used you all, too, to help heal those wounds that have been in my heart for a long time. And, he's teaching me SO much through you guys. I love you guys more than words can possibly describe!! <3
Also, tonight, while things were a bit rough, I decided to write a poem. It was about how that person has hurt me and stuff (and for all of you, poetry writing is seriously REALLY relieving. It helps you to dish out all of the feelings you've been having and to just express how you feel. Very theriputic! :D), and then I decided to write a poem for Jesse, Luke, and Sary. I wish I woulda added more, but this is how I was feeling at the time, and I'm sure there will be another poem about them at some point. XD So, without further ado, I give you.....my poem.
How Much You Mean To Me
When I’m with you,
my heart is happy
and overflowing with love.
You make me laugh at everything,
your life, your deeds, your words.
My heart is never hurting for long,
And you have never broken it into two,
So all I can do, say, or think is how much I love you.
Your love is from our God above,
I know it’s real and true
And because of that, I never fear when we say “I Love You”.
Those three little words mean so much to me,
and they never seem to fade.
For I know you always mean them.
No words can say how much you mean to me,
no matter how hard I try.
They always seem to come out as something from another’s mind.
Your words, your deeds, your laugh, your love,
Shall never leave my mind,
And I truly hope that we are together for the rest of our lives.
~ Sarah Fung
There you guys, that poem is for you, and I mean EVERY word of it! You three are SO great!! God has truly blessed me with and through three! I love you with all of my heart and more!!
Your Sister in Christ,
Sarah
This week, I've felt so loved. In the past few weeks, I've felt like a screw up, that I can't do anything write, and like everything around me is negative. At one point, too, I seriously felt like everything that came out of my mouth was crap and just bugged everyone. I was at a point where I didn't even want to talk to God because I thought I'd irritate him with what I said. That night I came to him anyways, and he told me that he always wants to here what I have to say. Nothing I say will irritate him, and I don't have to be afraid of that. Then this week, God's blessed me with Jesse, Luke, and Sarah. Guys, i know i've writen a blog post for you all already, but you guys have seriously turned my world around. I feel accepted again for who I am, and you guys have helped me to look at the positive side of things. God's also filled me with love from you three, and I've been filled up again, so I can love others. thanks for that! And thank you for all of the "I love you"'s. They never become stale. Each time they hit me were it counts. You guys are incredible. :) I love you three SO much!! Word's can't even describe how much I love you guys! :) <3
Here are the lyrics to our songs, which say the words that we can't seem to find to say and that express how much we love each other:
"Eternal"
I know this life I lead will pass away
Along with every other earthly thing
So I will set my heart on a higher plain
Where my treasure lies with You
And in this marriage of our hearts
There is no death do us part
For You are eternal
And I am eternally Yours
And I could never lose Your love to sickness
Oh I could never lose You to divorce
And there's no concept of abandonment
For I am safe within Your arms
And in this marriage of our hearts
There is no death do us part
For You are eternal
And I am eternally Yours
Oh I am eternally Yours
I am eternally Yours
(No abandonment)
(Safe within Your arms)
I never had enough until I found You
I never knew love until I met You
I never had enough until I found You
And now I have everything
And in this marriage of our hearts
There is no death do us part
For You are eternal
And I am eternally Yours
And I am eternally Yours
Oh I am eternally Yours
I could never lose You
No I will never lose You
I could never lose You
And this life will pass away
But You will never change
Oh this life will pass away
Oh but You will never change
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Me And Jesus"
When there's nowhere else to turn
All your bridges have been burned
Feels like you've hit rock bottom
Don't give up it's not the end
Open up your heart again
When you feel like no one
Understands where you are
[chorus]
Someone loves you even when you don't think so don't you know you got
Me and Jesus by your side through the fight you will never be alone on your own you got me and Jesus
After all that we've been through
Be now you know I've doubted too
But everytime my head was in my
Hands you said to me
Hold on to what we got
This is worth any cost so
Make the most of life
That's borrowed
Love like there's no tomorrow
I love you three SO much!! I'm fighting for our friendship, and I won't let it go easily. :)
Your Sister in Christ,
Sarah
In the last few days, God has blessed me SO much. At the beginning of the week, I was thinking that this week would be dull. It's Spring Break, and I still have school work to do. Then out of no where, I decided to add this girl, Sarah, to an IM thing that my school website has. We started talking, and then we decided to add our friend, Jesse to the conversation. He was having a really rough day, and so her and I talked with him and to our amazment we helped him a lot. It was SO great, and we were called angels! We we're extremely happy, and very glad that we could help our dear friend. Sadly, after a while, I had to leave the conversation, though.
After I returned, Sarah messaged me again and we were chatting. Then we decided to add our othe friend, Luke, to the conversation. We had a lot of fun, and just chatted away. The day was SO incredible though, and God really blessed me with these three people. Ever since then, we've been talking a lot, had like three or four different conversations going at the same time, and we've even taken the time to chat verbally through a phonish device! It's been REALLY incredible!
Now I'd like to say some things to them.
Jesse: Even though I'm SO mean to you and I tease you like crazy all the time, you still put up with me and appreciate me for who I am. You're also always willing to help me out, whether it's with life or school work. You're a really great friend, and no words can describe how great you are! God's thoroughly blessed me wiht you! You also have a really big, caring, and manly heart! :P I really enjoy being able to chat with you on a daily basis, and I really love having you as a big brother! You're the best friend and brother any girl could ask for! And, 'Superman doesn't need the world, the world needs JESSE! (or Clark Kent. :P) I love ya man! You're awesome! <3
Sarah: Words can't describe how blessed I am to know you. You're like my long lost twin sister! We've only just begun to get to know each other, yet we're already so close. We think the same, nearly speak the same, and we're just SO much alike! You're amazing! You're also a pile of fun, and I'm SO glad that we've been able to share in so many experiences together. And laugh together even when we are extremely nervous! I really appreciate you, too, because no matter what you're always there for people. You have such a big and beautiful heart! I love you like crazy! And, our #1 line, "I"M SO CONFUSED"! :P Lol...I love you! <3
Luke: Lukey, you're amazing! :P I'm SO blessed to know you! You love Sarah and I so much, and I know that you truely care for both of us as your friends and sisters. You also love everyone unconditionally, and no matter how ackward a comment I make, you still remain my friend. Thanks for stickin' with me through this insain grade 10 year, and for laughing with me at rediculous things! I seriously couldn't ask for a better friend. You, too, have such a big and caring heart! And, thanks for not being afraid to tell Sarah and I and everyone else how much you love us. It's SO great, and Sarah and I really feel loved every time we talk to you and you tell us you love us. You're the best friend and brother any girl could ask for! Yours, mine, and Sarah's numer one line "I"M SO CONFUSED"! :P
To All Three of You: Thanks for always being there for me. You're really incredible friends, and I'm SO lucky to have you three there all the time, and to be able to talk to each of you daily. Also, thanks for always making me laugh. There is rarely a time when I read your emails/chat messages or skype messages when I don't make some sort of noise, whether it being me laughing SO hard at your comments or whether it being you all saying something really sweet and/or heartfelt. :) I hope to know you all for MANY more years to come! Also, without you three our weird senses of humor wouldn't be complete. Our skype conversations, are extremely entertaining and their's always an epic moment! We SO have to do them more often! You all are incredible, and I love you all tons!
God has truly and thoroughly blessed me with these three people, as well as all of the number of other people I know. I know that I really don't deserve any of them, but God's given them to me anyways. God, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Well, that's all that I have to say for now. I love you all SO EXTREMELY MUCH, and God bless each and every one of you! :) <3
Your Sister in Christ,
Sarah
(There is a verse that Luke found that goes with our friendships, but I can't remember where the passage is found. When I find it, I'll for sure post it though. :) )
P.S. The song "Me And Jesus" ~ by Stellar Kart I dedicate to Jesse, Sarah, and Luke, as well as everyone else who is reading this. :) I love you all! <3
Life is like a rollercoaster ride. Sometimes it's up and sometimes it's down, and sometimes it's level - there isn't much going on so it's neither bad nor good. Like everyone, though, I too have harships and dislike the downs in the ride of life.
In life, there are many dissappointments, frustrations, and things that don't make sense. I've recently been set in one of those - where i'm frustrated. Someone from home has been making things challenging. I'm frustrated with them way too frequently, and there really isn't anything I can do about it. The most is that I can pray about it, and focus on God and how he wants me to handle it. The hardest part, though, is when that person interferes with my life. I'm not one of those people who go out to cause trouble, in fact i'm far from that, but this person still doesn't let me do a whole lot. It's very rare when i'm with just my guy friends, even though i'd trust them with my life, and this person refuses to let me be with them. Those friends are the best. They are truly like brothers to me, and they wouldn't never hurt me or influence me to do anything that would go against what God has told us to do. I don't argue with this person about that, but I see them as being very rediculous. I think this is because they don't know me. They think they do, but really they don't. This person couldn't even say what my favorite colour is. Tonight was the worst though. I felt like opening up and sharing what I desired to do with my life. It wasn't a career that made a lot of money, but it was fullfilling, and i'd be living like and apostil. That is the best way to live. I'll be honest on here, and trust you all enough to tell you that I desire to be either a camp counselor or a missionary. I don't care about money, finances, or anything like that. I'm here on this earth to serve God, not collect a pile of worthless materialist things that I will one day no longer possess. If I were to be a camp councelor, as well, I wouldn't have to worry about food or finances. I would simply have to focus on the people I serve, and my relationship with God. That is what I desire for my life. But this person in my life, doesn't want that. They want me to get an education, and have a successful money-making materialistic sort of job. I don't know how to act, or what to say. I just know that I need to hold onto God at this time. It's VERY frustrating since I should be allowed to make my own decisions by now, but I know that God will help me to know what to do. I just need to hold onto him, focus on the present, and not worry about what the next step in life is.
So frequently, we are worried about the next step in life. What school we should attend, what we should do after graduation, what job we should take. In Matthew 6: 25 - 34, God says: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
We are not ment to worry about the next steps in life. Instead, we are supposed to look into the face of our Loving and Caring Father, and trust him with every step. We are here for his glory, not for ourselves.
So the next time you are fretting about something, pray, tell God everything that is on your heart (worries, sorrows, pain, joys, etc.) and trust with every step in life. He loves you and wants the absolute best for you. He's the ultimate friend and father, and no matter what, he'll make the seemingly impossible, possible; "With God all things are possible" Matthew 19:26.
I love you all as my siblings in Christ! :) <3
God bless,
Sarah
This one goes out to all of you lovely ladies out there - and by lovely ladies I mean each and every one of you ladies out there that are reading this right now, for I believe and know that each of you are beautiful and I know God thinks you are beautiful too! 
Every so often, we go through times in our lives where we feel like we've hit rock bottom, or at least close to that. Break ups with your boyfriends, a dissagreement that you've had with your girl friend, family life isn't going all that great, or life just seems totally against you. Our automatic reaction, and ladies don't deny this, but we all turn to food for comfort. Had a rough day? Well, the #1 comfort for that is chocolate or ice cream. Instead of running to God, we automatically turn to the worldly things for comfort. But God wants you to come to him.
We may feel like these worldly things are the solutions to our problems, but really they aren't. They just make life seem a bit better for a split second, while you enjoy some sort of snack. I've done it so many times too.
What I've noticed, though, is that the one that we really need to turn to during these times is God. He is the ultimate comforter, and, as weird as it might sound, the ultimate comfort food. Feeling awful? Run to him and go and enjoy some of the Bread of Life. Dig into what God has to say through is word, and savor the verses that you find. In fact, in Proverbs it says " Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." ~ Proverbs 16:24
Recently, I was having a really rough day. The morning had gone alright, but then the rest of the day just felt like a downhill slope. My monthly visitor - ladies, you know what I mean - came that day, and I was just having a rough day with school. I was so relaxed for most of it, and then I suddenly realized that I was soon to begin social studies. After that, I was just thrown into a panic. I couldn't focus on anything, and I was just so stressed out. Eventually, I just started to cry and my mom talked me through it. But, the rest of my day still sucked. I just felt so lowsy, and so eventually I just walked away from my desk and sat by my bed and read my Bible. It wasn't anything specific, but just reading the Word calmed me down a lot until I was eventually able to cope with all that was going on. It was SO cool! Then only a few days ago, I went to have a meeting with my math teacher. I admit that I was a bit nervous. I knew what he was like, and I knew that he was a really nice person, just from the conversations I'd had with him online. But, that went REALLY well. It was awesome, and I loved finally meeting my teachers in person! (my math teacher, english teacher, and my socials teacher) They were all super nice! So that was good and the meeting went well too. Then afterwards, my mom took me to McDonalds for a late secondish lunch. It was SO tasty, and then I was reminising about the week I'd had and about this journal entry, which I've been working on for a while. And then suddenly I thought, God is like comfort food. He's known as the Bread of Life, so why don't we take that into context? Finally that name for God made sense. No matter what you're feeling or what situation you are in, God is the ultimate comforter. Reading his word is food for our souls, and his ''food'' is the ultimate comfort food. He's called the Bread of Life because he feeds our souls, spirit, and body. And, he comforts us in a way that no one else can. So, the next time you are feeling lowsy, instead of grabbing cookies or some sort of snack food take a few moments to read the Word. I promise you that you'll feel so much better after you do. :)
As one goes through life, they are blessed with many wonderful things/people, and do their best to hold onto them. I am one of those people. To me, one of the most valuable things that are in my life, are my group of God-given friends. We are a like a mini family of teens, but it's great. The boys are like big brothers to us girls, and the guys treat us like little sisters. We always are looking out for one another, and aren't afraid or untrusting of the others if we are going through something in life and need to talk about it. And, we can be really awesome friends and not totally worry about if someone is getting a wrong impression. Sadly, though, my guy friends will be graduating this year, while us girls will be in high school for two more years. It's hard knowing that they are leaving at the end of this school year, and I've been "holding onto" them. The group of friends that I have now, I've also been clinging onto. I fear that we are all going to split up, and that lots of us won't stay in contact. I love each of those people SO much, and I really fear losing them.
Recently, I had a conversation about this with one of my really good friends, and it's totally effected me. He told me this quote that I never heard of till then. It is something that parents tell their children and goes something like this; "if they truely love their bird, they should let it free into the wild". The bird is just a metaphor, but the quote can be applied to life. So, what he was telling me was that if I truely love our friends, I'll let them go and do what God has planned for them to do. This has been really hard for me. I still want to hold onto them, but at the same time God is telling me that it's alright, and that I need to let go and give them to him. And, he's also shown me that if I hold onto them, they are going to distance themselves. This has been really hard to learn and put into practice, but I'm beginning to see and fully understand it's meaning. When we love someone or a group of people, we want what is best for them and what will make them happy. But, by holding onto them, we are sort of preventing them from that, and from what God has planned for them. So, as hard as it is to see loved ones go, we need to give them the freedom to do those things, or we will lose them all together. We also need to trust God more.
God is the best person and the only one who we can fully trust to keep people safe. He knows what is going to happen to them, and where he wants them to go in life. So, we need not fear what will happen to them. He sees everything, and knows more about them than we do. So, we aren't doing anything for them or ourselves by holding onto them and not trusting God to keep them safe. So, we need not worry about them, for they are in the hands of our Creator and Lover. And, if God wants us and our friends to be together for life, he will create make it happen.
Thankfully, though, God is the one friend in our lives that we shall have forever. In Deuteronomy 31:6, it says "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." ~ Biblegateway (www.biblegateway.com) New International Version. Therefore, we need not fear losing our closest and most loyal friend. He'll always be there, and he'll go through both the good and the bad times with you. There will never be a time when he's not with you.
So, as I conclude this entry, trust God fully. He knows what your hearts desire, but he also knows what is going to happen in the lives of your friends or family. So, you need not fear. And, if you love your friends and family enough, you'll let them go and do what they are called to do. And, pray for them, no matter if you are still in touch with them 20 years from now or not. For you never know, where God will take them on their life path, but you can be sure that he'll do what is the absolute best for them, and for you as well.
This is one of my favorite songs. I heard it in the summer, on a cd that my family and I bought my dad for his birthday. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do. Oh! And feel free to leave your comments on the song. Or any of the other songs on my playlist. :)
God bless!
Sarah
"Love Is Here" ~ Tenth Avenue North
Come to the water
You who thirst
And you'll thirst no more
Come to the father
You who work
And you'll work no more
And all you who labor in vain
And to the broken and shamed
Chorus
Love is here
Love is now
Love is pouring from His hands
From His brow
Love is near
It satisfies
Streams of mercy flowing from His side
'Cause love is here
Come to the treasure
You who search
And you'll search no more
Come to the lover
You who want
And you'll want no more, no
And all you who labor in vain
And to the broken and shamed
Yeah
Chorus
And to the bruised and fallen *Captives* bound and broken hearted
He is the Lord
He is the Lord, yeah
By his stripes
He's paid our ransom
From His wounds we drink salvation
He is the Lord
He is the Lord
Chorus
Love is here
Love is now
Love is pouring from His hands
From His brow
Love is near
It satisfies
Streams of mercy flowing from His side
Streams of mercy flowing from His side
'Cause love is here
Love is here
Here are the lyrics to most of the main songs that the team and I listened to on the Missions Trip. Enjoy!
"No One" - By Alicia Keys
I just want you close
Where you can stay forever
You can be sure
That it will only get better
You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything's going to be alright
People keep talking they can say what they like
But all i know is everything's going to be alright
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you, you, you
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
When the rain is pouring down
And my heart is hurting
You will always be around
This I know for certain
You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything's going to be alright
People keep talking they can say what they like
But all i know is everything's going to be alright
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you, you, you
Can get in the way of what I feel
I know some people search the world
To find something like what we have
I know people will try try to divide something so real
So till the end of time I'm telling you there ain't no one
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you, you, you
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Love Addict" - By Family Force 5
Hold up, wait a minute, put a little love in it
Doctor, Doctor, I've got an emergency
It seems I'm head over heels, a case of L-O-V-E
It's like I'm glowing inside
Yeah, a light I can't hide
And if this feeling is bad then I don't wanna be right
What I've got in my soul gives me the highest delight
Oh yeah it's better than drugs
In fact it's sent from above, huh huh
Hold up, wait a minute, put a little love in it
Hey, Can't kick the habit
Yeah, I got to have it
Yeah, I 'm what they call a
Love addict, Love addict
Hey, can't live without it
Yeah, G'on shout about it
Hey, I'm a symptomatic
Love addict, Love addict
Need a refill cause I just can't get enough
I've got a fever, oh yeah, and the prescription's love
So lay the truth on me
Cause that is all that I need
Hold up, wait a minute, put a little love in it
Hey, Can't kick the habit
Yeah, I got to have it
Yeah, I 'm what they call a
Love addict, Love addict
Hey, can't live without it
Yeah, G'on shout about it
Hey, I'm a symptomatic
Love addict, Love addict
I'm blessed, I must confess
My heart is pounding in my chest
Cause this love's the best
I'm just a love addict
Coming down with something outrageous
Lookout now cause it so contagious
This feeling's got me reeling
So amped up that I hit the ceiling
Gotta clear my throat
Huh huh, now I gotta have some more
Hold up, wait a minute, put a little love in it
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Lollipop" - By Mika
What's the big idea?
Yo, Mika!
I said sucking too hard on your lollipop
Oh, loves gonna get you down
I said sucking too hard on your lollipop
Oh, loves gonna get you down
Sucking too hard on your lollipop
Loves gonna get you down
Sucking too hard on your lollipop
Loves gonna get you down
Say love, say love
Loves gonna get you down
Say love, say love
Loves gonna get you down.
I went walking with my momma one day
When she warned me what people say
Live your life until love is found
'Cause loves gonna get you down.
Take a look at the girl next door
She's a player and a downright bore
Jesus loves her but she wants more
Oh, bad girls get you down.
Sing it!
Sucking too hard on your lollipop
Oh, loves gonna get you down
Sucking too hard on your lollipop
Oh, loves gonna get you down
Say love, say love
Oh, loves gonna get you down.
Say love, say love
Oh, loves gonna get you down.
Mama told me what I should know
Too much candy gonna rot your soul
If she loves you let her go
'Cause love only gets you down.
Take a look at a boy like me
Never stood on my own two feet
Now I'm blue as I can be
Oh, love only got me down.
Sing it!
Sucking too hard on your lollipop
Oh, loves gonna get you down
Sucking too hard on your lollipop
Oh, loves gonna get you down
Say love, say love
Oh loves gonna get you down
Say love, say love
Oh loves gonna get you down.
I was walking with my momma one day
When she warned me what people say
Live your life until love is found
Or loves gonna get you down.
Sing it!
Sucking too hard on your lollipop
Loves gonna get you down
Sucking too hard on your lollipop
Oh, loves gonna get you down
Say love, say love
Oh, loves gonna get you down
Say love, say love
Oh, loves gonna get you down.
Mama told me what I should know
Too much candy gonna rot your soul
If she loves you let her go
'Cause love only gets you down.
Waa-oh waa-oh waa-oh lollipop
Waa-oh waa-oh waa-oh lollipop
Sucking too hard on your lollipop
oh loves gonna get you down
Sucking too hard on your lollipop
oh loves gonna get you down
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Awakening" - By Switchfoot
Face down with the LA curbside endings
With the ones and zeros.
Downtown was the perfect place to hide.
The first star that I saw last night was a headlight
Of a man-made sky, but man- made never made our dreams collide,
Collide.
Here we are now with the falling sky and the rain,
We're awakening
Here we are now with our desperate youth and the pain,
We're awakening
Maybe it's called ambition, you've been talking in your sleep
About a dream, we're awakening
Last week found me living for nothing but deadlines,
With my dead beat sky but, this town doesn't look the same tonight
These dreams started singing to me out of nowhere
And in all my life I don't know that I ever felt so alive,
Alive
I want to wake up kicking and screaming
I want to wake up kicking and screaming
I want to know that my heart's still beating
It's beating,
I'm bleeding
I want to wake up kicking and screaming
I want to live like I know what I'm leaving
I want to know that my heart's still beating
It's beating... it's beating...
I'm bleeding
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The missions trip was incredible. Words can not describe how incredible and fun it was!It was SO SO SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! I arrived home today, at about 12:10, and I'm just now slowly coming to the relization that it really is over. It was so hard to come home, but we all did it. Colin, my youth pastor, who took us on the missions trip, seemed SO happy to be home, cause he really missed his family. It was so cool!
The trip was very successful too. My friend, Jessica, as well as a couple other people, were used by God to bring these two young girls to him, and the one girl, Isabella, was so excited!It was so awesome to see!The lady we were working with also gave her a Bible, and ever since, she has carried it around with her everywhere. It was so cool!
The Children's Day camp was also fun. I met some really awesome kids, who were unique and incredible in their own ways. I got tackled by young boys a couple of the days too, and it was so fun!I got my flip-flops taken away by them too!Good times.....good times... So many other incredibly fun things occured ,too, but I don't feel like writing them all down. I'll add pictures and a list of inside jokes, though, soon!
Well i should go
God bless ya'll!
Sarah
So, in a couple weeks I will be off on another journey. During the middle of July, I will be going on a Mission's Trip with some of the other grade 9's (going into grade 10) to Vancouver, BC. I'm really excited! God has lit this fire in my heart to serve people, and he has also given me a nack with kids. And, I will be doing/working with both! He has also shown me lately that he wants me to do this. I'm not sure why, but I'm sure in time I will know. If all of you could pray for me that would be super. Thanks!
God bless,
Sarah
So, on Sunday at about 5:30 PM, our journey down the coast came to an end. We had a great time on our trip, and we got to do some really interesting things. It was a good, too, cause it gave us time to hang out together,and I think it brought us closer together. We had some rough patches, but the Good Lord helped us through them. I am happy to be home now, and back to see you all. I missed a lot here, since it is my home, and I expecially missed church and all my friends. I'm happy to be home for those parts of it. But, sadly, this week has already been filled with things we have to do. Like piano, our home teacher coming on Wednesday, and piano lessons for my younger sister, who will soon be doing a piano exam.So, that kinda sucks. I am excited though, cause I get to go to a Team Building Session this week, for the mission's trip I will be going on next month. I am looking forward to it, but i can't believe that it is only a couple of weeks away. It's frightening, yet exciting!
One of many things that I enjoyed about being on our trip, was that I had time while driving to talk to God when I chose too. And, it was cool, cause one of the days, I asked him if he could teach me about his creation. I know that he created everything to resemble him, so I was curious to know what each piece of creation resembled. I can't remember them all, but the one that stuck out to me the most, was that he created the sky to show us that he is everywhere. I thought that was so cool!And, the other one, is the trees resemble his strength and beauty. I thought that was so cool. I really enjoyed that time with him. God is SO darn cool!
Well, I should go!
I will post pictures as soon as I can!
God bless you all,and I will see you all very soon!
~Sarah
So, we are heading home now. We are in Redding right now, which I don't think is very well know. I haven't seen a whole lot of it, so I can't really say if it's nice or not. But, it is fine, since we are just dropping in for the night. I can't believe our trip is almost over! It's so crazy!The first week went by really slowly, yet quickly if that makes any sense. But, now it is the opposite - slow yet quick - but things are going pretty good. I think we are starting to get sick of each other though, but then we have those times when we have a great time together. Yesterday, we stopped in Hollywood. SOOOO CREEPY DOWN THERE, GUYS AND GIRLS!!!!
That is definitely a place that needs God. It's so scetchy down there. Girls dress really skimpy, and guys are........well, they are your typical non-christian guys. Being down there was really scary, but I definitely noticed how desperately they need God. Some of the girls there also don't respect themselves, and basically are prostitutes. It is really sad! Guys and Girlies, we need to pray for that place and the people that live there. I don't know if they know it, but they REALLY REALLY need Him.
Then we went up into Beverly Hills, and I was nice, but I just don't really like Hollywood very much. That place scares me!After dinner, at a hot dog place called Pink's, we continued on our way, and kept driving til about 11 something. I was SO TIRED!!But, yeah.
Today, we got up at about 8 or so, and at about 10 or after, we headed off to Denny's for breakfast, and then we started on our drive. Today, we also visited the Jelly Belly factory, and we got to hear about and see from a movie how jelly belly's are made. It was pretty cool!And, I bought quite a bit of jelly beans. They are so good though!They have some new flavors out now too. Such as: Birthday Cake, Mint something, and several other ones that i can't name at the moment. But they are really tasty! So, yeah! Now I am in my dad and brothers hotel room, writing to you all. Tomorrow, we are continuing on our way back home, so yeah. Please pray that God will bring us safely back to Abbotsford and to you all. I'm excited to be coming home. Well I will let you all go.
I will talk to you all soon!Love you guys!
~Sarah