Rocks 4 Sale

Gotta love it. Little boys selling rocks out of the back of their Gator.

Their slogan, which Eli shouted over and over, at the top of his lungs..."Get your shiny rocks here"...they're quite the salesmen, they offered free flowers (weeds) with purchase. Price of the beautiful shiny rocks:$.50. You bet I bought some...I know a good deal when I see it.

Happy Mother's Day!

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It's Early...

Dear Mom,

How does one, especially me, put into words how thankful I am for you!?! I'm trying (very) hard to resist doing it in list form :) Here goes...

This is your 30th mother's day :) I'm pretty sure you probably have all the cards you've ever received (from anyone) somewhere in your hope chest :) And yes, I know you'll print this off to show to the ladies at work ;)

As I look back over the years of my life, not one has existed without you. From the beginning...from the moment you found out that you were going to be having a baby, at the tender age of 18, God has been working all things together for good. The choice to get married, although teenagers and probably not ready, you did it...and it was a good choice. It was the right choice. You created a home for me, that was filled with love. Not perfect, of course, but stable and loving. In some ways...we grew up and matured together.

We met Jesus, in such a real way, together. I, just a young teenager, and you 30 something with a husband and 3 children. Growing in our faith looked much different in each of our lives. As a 15 year old, there's definitely a lot less re-learning to do! God knew...what was in store. He knew, down the road, hard times were coming. I will continually praise Him for His timing. Together, we experienced the pain of deception and lies. You as a wife...and me as a daughter. The pain of the divorce, after 20 years of marriage, is never forgotten, by a wife or a grown daughter. But it is healed! Had God not drawn us to Him those years before...I know, we would not stand where we stand today.

Looking back I can now also see how God has used each of us to help the other grow. I'm sure that raising me (and my mouth) caused maturing and patience in you...and long-suffering :) Your life, the good and the bad, God has used to teach and train me. It is not over yet. The good and the bad will still come...it's part of living. It's the assurance that He's seen us through before, and He'll surely do it again, that brings peace.

I am thankful for you...and for Dennis. For the home and family that over the past 7 years you have created...blended. I know, that as you look at your children, God's grace and mercy is so evident in each of our lives. You had a big part in that.

Now, as a mother myself, I understand the prayers and the sacrifices. Thank you for always doing the best you knew at the time. And for growing and changing when God revealed to you it was necessary...I'm pretty sure that's the sign of a great mom...that and your grand-children adore you. (feel free to come get them anytime, by the way, :)

Happy Mother's Day...early (because no one will read this on Sunday...trust me:)

Much Love,

Sarah

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The Big One

It's tradition...or something like that. It's my 100th post...which means that since the end of February...I have blogged, ummm A LOT! Wonder how much time I've spent reading blogs? *cough* Let's not go there. Anyways, (or neways as I discovered the youngins are texting these days) its been a big week for me in blog-land. This week I had the MOST comments I've ever had on one post...24, I think :) AND I finally had over 100 visits in one day!! I'd been so close, 95, 97, but yesterday FINALLY! WOO HOO! I know, I know, it's not huge, but those of you with piddly little blogs, like myself...you get it.

So here's stuff you already know, or maybe wish you didn't know...and maybe a few new ones. Maybe.

1. In the words of DC Talk...I'm a Jesus Freak : avid enthusiast. Love of my life.


2. Wife to an amazingly loving, patient, handsome, gentle and forgiving man


3. Mom of boys


4. friend, daughter, sister


5. I love...Red shoes


6. patent leather shoes


7. heels


8. ballet flats


9. the smell of cut grass


10. Coke Zero


11. chocolate (anything)


12. Starbucks


13. Target


14. Gap


15. J Crew


16. Not cooking


17. Tulips & Daisies


18. blogging
    
19. Having a tan!


20. my cell phone


21. caffeine
22. The Living Bible


23. Leeland, Toby Mac, Casting Crowns


24. The smell of my boys after a bath


25. baby clothes


26. photos


27. being with other believers


28. I was 20 when I got married


29. 23 when I had my first baby


30. 24 when I had my second baby


31. and 27 when I had my 3rd baby


32. I always wanted 4 kids...but now I think 3 is good :)


33. love women's ministry


34. I get annoyed with people who take themselves too seriously


35. I could eat McDonald's french fries every single day


36. I always wanted to be a stay at home mom


37. still have a crush on my husband


38. love days when I don't have to go anywhere


39. but not too many of them in a row, because then I get stir-crazy!


40. Our dog's barking makes me want to pull my hair out


41. I'm a bit obsessive compulsive...blogging, for example


42. I have no self control if sweets are around. Can't eat just one. Ever.


43. I love to listen to music LOUD...if its soft, it annoys me.


44. I do not have an appreciation for art, classical music, etc. I am not "cultured"


45. I am very bad at returning library books on time...so I avoid the library


46. I have never eaten in a restaurant by myself...just the thought of it horrifies me :)


47. Did I mention I don't enjoy cooking ;)


48. I like the house neat and organized...but it's too big of a job


49. I have learned to appreciate hymns, but I prefer more contemporary


50. I became a follower of Jesus when I was almost 15.


51. My first car was an '82 Cutlass Supreme...the size of a boat.


52. I adore my 2003 Dodge Caravan...its silver and for no reasonable explanation, I love it...


53. I am very impatient about waiting in lines.


54. I can't sing...or carry a tune!


55. My parents divorced when I was 21 years old. So far in my life, it is the most difficult thing I have lived through...but God's grace has proved He works all things together for good...no matter how bad they may seem.


56. I was baptized, as a believer, in a river.


57. I eat honey nut cheerios for a snack at night...or during the day


58. I love living close to family.


59. I scrapbook, although right now I'm burnt out and don't want to do it


60. God has blessed me with amazing friends


61. I went on a missions trip to Tijuana Mexico the summer I graduated from high school...it was life changing.


62. I've always wanted a Basset Hound named Gus.


63. I have ginormous tonsils :)


64. Never broken a bone or had surgery.


65. I have had a car accident and totalled our car...no injuries.


66. I am paranoid about letting my boys use "men's" public restrooms...I may make them go in the ladies till their teenagers :)


67. I very rarely make my bed


68. I don't care if my kids make their bed


69. I hate stepping on Legos


70. I like thunderstorms.


71. I am a total grouch when I'm tired.


72. I have to force myself to eat breakfast...unless its a donut


73. love love love coffee


74. Do not like sponge bob


75. Love Tetris


76. I adore my in-laws


77. I adore fashion


78. I heart IKEA


79. I really like politics


80. I'm a die-hard conservative


81. I can sing every word to 99% of DC Talk :)


82. I was meant to have boys


83. I can get along with most anyone


84. I'm pretty easy going.


85. I love to laugh


86. I love watching movies with my husband


87. I spend the summer at the swimming pool with the kids.


88. I heart Facebook


89. I get allergies in the spring time, but not the fall


90. I love boneless buffalo wings


91. and fresh salsa with chips


92. I am hungry....a lot


93. my boys make me laugh all the time


94. I love rearranging furniture


95. I can't take a hint, unless its SUPER obvious!


96. I can't imagine not being in the ministry


97. I often wonder what my life would have been like if I hadn't become a Christian.


98. I wish my relationship with my dad were different. I wish he'd stop running from Jesus.


99. I love something or hate it. Hot or cold :)


100. I'm surprised how easily I can ramble off junk about me!

I admit, I have never read all 100 items on other people's lists...I'll blame it on the self-diagnosed ADD. I barely read all of mine!

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A Day in the Life of...

I am amazed at all of the really WONDERFUL Pastor's wives that I have met while blogging. I wish I could explain what a blessing it has been in my life...to describe how it has ministered to me, and "filled my cup" so to speak...but, I would need to come up with some eloquent words (and for those of you who read this blog, ever, you'll know that's not likely to happen) so I'll just leave it at that. Big Blessing.

If you are a Pastor's wife...you're so gonna get this post, and if you're not...welcome to a day in the life of...


When it rains it pours. It's the phrase I can best use to describe it. I don't know why it is, but it seems that when people need you....they ALL need you. I can be going along for days, even weeks with not so much as a peep from people. Then, it happens. The days where my phone(s) do not stop ringing.

The first time it happened, I wasn't prepared. I felt like they'd all caught me off guard! How dare they not give me warning that a crisis was approaching?!? I wanted a do-over. I didn't have the right things to say. I didn't feel like I'd really helped anyone. God taught me some huge lessons through that day.

1. There is always a calm before the storm. The storm will hit without warning. I can't let the calm lull me into being unprepared when the storm hits. It is in the calm times that I most need to be preparing for the hurricane.
2. I need to constantly be filling myself with Him. If I don't, when others need me, I will have nothing to give. Instead of desiring to help them, I will resent them. I need to be filled with Him...constantly.
3. Sometimes, all I will do is listen. I may have words, I may have wisdom and practical advice, but they will not always want to hear it. I cannot judge success based on outcome. It's not my job. My job is #1 &#2.
4. It is a precious gift to be able to lend an ear, encouragement, prayer, support, whatever it might be. A gift...a high calling.
5. Remind myself of this ALL the time, because I will forget too easily if I don't.

I sometimes wish I could fast-forward 20 years, grab the wisdom I will (hopefully) have then, and then come back to the present. I can't. My church, friends, family, everyone I come into contact with is stuck with the current, inexperienced, Sarah. Today, I am praising God for the direction and discernment of His Spirit, for His written word, prayer, endless books & studies, godly counsel, and life lessons learned...He uses them to equip me...not to make me an expert, but to equip me for the work He has planned. Wow.

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For the Love of the List

I'm a list person. I always have 10 different lists going...usually in several different notebooks (which I can't keep track of.) I am always formulating them in my head. Grocery list, Wal-mart list, bills list, to-do list, boys list, on and on. There are other weird lists in there too...The other pastor's wives list, the vehicles we've owned list (why!?! I don't know), stuff I want to ask Jesus when I get to heaven, and What I'd buy/do if I came into a ton of money. Oh, there's more...but I'll stop.

Today is the "What I'd buy/do if I came into a ginormous sum of $" (in no particular order....because the list is coming off the top of my head...where it lives...the list changes daily, AND let's assume I'd do all the stuff that good people do, FIRST...give to missions, feed the hungry, find the cure to cancer etc.)

• Build on to our little church...big gym, class rooms, office for hubs at the church (you get the idea)...oh, and Ben could be just a full-time pastor :)



• Pay off debt, and help out loved ones.



• Hire a cook and gardner



• Build a public swimming pool in our tiny town



• Get a spray tan (HA! I just thought of that one...)



• Buy Ben a big beast of a truck



• Build a big guest house for all my friends to come stay in when they visit!



• Buy a bark collar for Odie...or send him to obedience school (a good one, that can re-train an 8 year old dog)



• Adopt a baby girl....from anywhere....



• which would cause me to need to add on to the parsonage...a baby girls room and a padded room/sound proof room for my boys to play in.



• A personal trainer....Jillian from Biggest Loser! She could whip my butt into shape :)



• A pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, for me, and Heth (like the ones we admire on Facebook's Shoe Of The Day.)



• Pay for all my kids, nieces/nephews, (grand kids someday) college.



• Then, I would set aside the money needed to live at our current standard of living, and give the rest away. Because, frankly, if I had a ton of money, I'm afraid my reliance on Christ would fade...I know myself that much...the money would have to go.



• But first...I would buy one of these for all the pastor's wives I've met in blogland...my favorite T-shirt...

Because, seriously, EVERY PASTOR'S WIFE, should have a Barbie and the Rockers T-shirt....don't ya think?!? (it's my favorite...I thought it was lost, but now, it's found...reminds me of a song I know...)

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Hmmmm

For some reason, I can't seem to come up with anything other than randomness on Mondays! Why is that?!? It brings back the words to a song that I recall loving in Jr. High..."Things That Make Ya Go Hmmmm." HA! Please tell me I'm not the only dork out there who remembers this song :) ...after this post I will have to venture off to You Tube and find it...it's a tad-bit frightening...all you can find on there!

Sorry for the random bullet list...

• This weekend was fairly uneventful, but fun and relaxing...which I always enjoy!
• Yesterday I planted flowers and did some yard work. I have NO IDEA what I'm doing. We'll see if anything grows/stays alive. I planted some elephant's ears bulbs...by myself...I mean no supervision. Afterwards, my husband asked how deep and in what direction I had planted them...I explained how I dug a hole...yay deep, and then tossed in the bulbs, covered em up and watered. Done. He went into an explanation of how they should have been placed in the hole...while in my head I thought to myself how I would add "hire a Gardner" to my list of "Things I would hire done if I came into a ginormous sum of money"....which now makes me think that I should do a post on THAT! ...maybe tomorrow.
• God keeps taking me to Psalms 119...I LOVE it in the Living translation. Today I'm thinking on V7-8 "After you have corrected me, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey! Oh don't forsake me and let me slip back into sin again."
• My house is a disaster....kind of like it barfed up its innards all over. Gross. But sadly...true. I'm off to start cleaning now...until lunch, and then, since it's finally nice out...I'm going to sit outside and try to give my pasty-white skin some color...but not in my swimsuit. So NOT in my swimsuit...just for the record :)

Happy Monday, friends!

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Six Thingys

I've been tagged by Beefy. Which works out great, because it's Sunday...and I'm at a loss for a post idea!

I am supposed to come up with 6 words or phrases that best describe me.


Rules are as follows:

1. Write your own six-word memoir
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you'd like
3. Link to the person tho tagged you
4. Tag 5 more blogs with a link
5. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play

So, these probably aren't the "Best" words to describe me...because I'm a little too lazy today to come up with the best...how about "good enough" ?!? :)

These are signs I have on display around my house. Coincidentally, they sorta wrap up who I am (ignore the really terrible shots, I'm no photographer!)

1.

Without His saving grace, who would I be?!?

2.

My hand is covering up my last name (you know, so the Internet axe murderers don't find me) but this sign represents our marriage commitment and the establishment of our little family...huge part of me.

3.

No explanation needed.

4.

Something I'm always reminding myself to do.

5.

I have no idea how to shut the flash off on my camera *sheepish grin* so it's hard to read, but it says "Notice! Cursing & Swearing will be cause for removal" I wish it also said "Potty Talk": which includes anything to do with a natural bodily function, which my boys find hysterical.

6.

This is a big long sign that hangs over the doorway from my dining area to the kitchen, it lists all the fruits of the spirit...which I'm continually asking God to produce in my life.

I won't tag anyone because I can't remember who has done it already, but if you haven't....you're it.

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