Thursday, July 27, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
A Tribute to the World's Silliest Dad
To my husband, father of my children...
How fun for our children to have a pops like you! May you always delight in tickle torture, tossing the children up in the air (and hopefully catching them), chasing them till they're overcome with giggles, and spoon fighting (being much more practical at this juncture than swords, though Sophia still delivers a good "rap" on the knuckles now and then!).
You are a great Dad!
Love,
Your Sarah
How fun for our children to have a pops like you! May you always delight in tickle torture, tossing the children up in the air (and hopefully catching them), chasing them till they're overcome with giggles, and spoon fighting (being much more practical at this juncture than swords, though Sophia still delivers a good "rap" on the knuckles now and then!).
You are a great Dad!
Love,
Your Sarah
Friday, July 14, 2006
A Day In Our Life...
To my most amiable readers;
Why such a soggy Dustin?? Well, for some reason, our chimney pipe overheated or imploded or something, and as I sat in our kitchen of an evening, I smelled something "funny". Thinking I had perhaps put the clothes drying rack too close to our woodstove, I went to check, only to see a flickering brightness near our ceiling.
It took a second from seeing the flames jutting out across the ceiling till in my mind's eye the whole house was a fireball...but I did manage to yell for Dustin that our ceiling was apparently on fire. He sent me to go find Mike, our coworker who lives above our apartment, whose windows look out onto our roof. So, grabbing Edison (Sophia being seated safely out of harm's way) I ran outside and into their home, dashing into their living room (with a noticeable lack of decorum), looking to see if our roof was ablaze. Their living room was filling with smoke but I couldn't see any flames. Not finding Mike, I dumped Edison in their eight-year old's arms and dashed to their kitchen to find a pot to dump water with. Spotting an enamel stockpot which was dutifully soaking some utensils and dishes, I fished them out (more of that aforementioned lack of decorum here), and took the pot, potato chunks and all, and flung the dishwater out over the roof, hearing much sizzling and commotion below, as Dustin was in the process of throwing water up at the ceiling
in a mad frenzy. The fire was put out, and Mike and Dustin took apart the stove pipe to try to ascertain the cause, but nothing obvious was found. Very scary!
Such adventures we have. They make for good laughs after the fact. Like our hotpot bursting into flames, leaving hot melted plastic and a scorched table in its wake. Or the time Dustin was away in the mountains and the fierce wind wrenched one of our windows open in the middle of the night, making me think someone was in the house, and I the only one to protect us! And of course in rowing, my tales are endless...curious sea lions, huge waves, boat traffic, amorous fishermen!
Not every day is startling or jarring, but the adventures are never few nor far between!
But our greatest adventure has been to trust God in His leading us here; to trust His purposes are at work when we struggle to communicate or relate to the people here. Please continue to lift us up in prayer as we walk out our call here in Chile.
Blessings!
Your Most Devoted,
Sarah
Why such a soggy Dustin?? Well, for some reason, our chimney pipe overheated or imploded or something, and as I sat in our kitchen of an evening, I smelled something "funny". Thinking I had perhaps put the clothes drying rack too close to our woodstove, I went to check, only to see a flickering brightness near our ceiling.
It took a second from seeing the flames jutting out across the ceiling till in my mind's eye the whole house was a fireball...but I did manage to yell for Dustin that our ceiling was apparently on fire. He sent me to go find Mike, our coworker who lives above our apartment, whose windows look out onto our roof. So, grabbing Edison (Sophia being seated safely out of harm's way) I ran outside and into their home, dashing into their living room (with a noticeable lack of decorum), looking to see if our roof was ablaze. Their living room was filling with smoke but I couldn't see any flames. Not finding Mike, I dumped Edison in their eight-year old's arms and dashed to their kitchen to find a pot to dump water with. Spotting an enamel stockpot which was dutifully soaking some utensils and dishes, I fished them out (more of that aforementioned lack of decorum here), and took the pot, potato chunks and all, and flung the dishwater out over the roof, hearing much sizzling and commotion below, as Dustin was in the process of throwing water up at the ceiling
in a mad frenzy. The fire was put out, and Mike and Dustin took apart the stove pipe to try to ascertain the cause, but nothing obvious was found. Very scary! Such adventures we have. They make for good laughs after the fact. Like our hotpot bursting into flames, leaving hot melted plastic and a scorched table in its wake. Or the time Dustin was away in the mountains and the fierce wind wrenched one of our windows open in the middle of the night, making me think someone was in the house, and I the only one to protect us! And of course in rowing, my tales are endless...curious sea lions, huge waves, boat traffic, amorous fishermen!
Not every day is startling or jarring, but the adventures are never few nor far between!
But our greatest adventure has been to trust God in His leading us here; to trust His purposes are at work when we struggle to communicate or relate to the people here. Please continue to lift us up in prayer as we walk out our call here in Chile.Blessings!
Your Most Devoted,
Sarah
Saturday, July 08, 2006
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock..."
To My Most Amiable Readers,
Blessings! To my Christian readers, I have a prayer request. It seems that God has opened a door for Dustin and I to host a Bible study in our home weekly with the youth from the rowing club. We've been making inquiries here and there if there would be interest in that sort of thing, and the response has been a resounding "Yes!". Praise be to God for this opportunity!!
As for preparation; we would like a covering of prayer; that we would have wisdom and ears closely listening to the Father as we speak of Him in word and deed. Also, please pray that I would be able to translate discipleship materials in a way readily understandable and clear to the youth. We are excited that God has opened this door; we're excited that we can rest in Him, that He holds all the plans, we being tools in His hands.
Today we were out on Tenglo Island, participating in the weekly Kid's Bible Club. What a gorgeous day!!! And what sweet children! They learned today of Moses being put in the Nile and taken up by the Pharoah's daughter as they munched down their jam sandwiches and hot chocolate. Their mothers come too and talk around the woodstove, passing the mate (a tea served in a common gourd). Their older brothers also come, mostly for the ping-pong playing and soccer. As we were walking home we saw a brilliant rainbow arching out over the ocean and I had to smile, remembering God's promise, His love. How blessed we are to be His children!!
To my non-Christian readers, so sorry to have ignored you, won't you come and know Him who calls to you? He loves you. He desires your love in return. In Him is life, and love, and joy abundant! But He won't force you; it is His way to let His creation choose, that He might have the joy of being freely loved! Won't you speak with Him? What do you have to lose?
Your Most Devoted,
Sarah
Blessings! To my Christian readers, I have a prayer request. It seems that God has opened a door for Dustin and I to host a Bible study in our home weekly with the youth from the rowing club. We've been making inquiries here and there if there would be interest in that sort of thing, and the response has been a resounding "Yes!". Praise be to God for this opportunity!!
As for preparation; we would like a covering of prayer; that we would have wisdom and ears closely listening to the Father as we speak of Him in word and deed. Also, please pray that I would be able to translate discipleship materials in a way readily understandable and clear to the youth. We are excited that God has opened this door; we're excited that we can rest in Him, that He holds all the plans, we being tools in His hands.
Today we were out on Tenglo Island, participating in the weekly Kid's Bible Club. What a gorgeous day!!! And what sweet children! They learned today of Moses being put in the Nile and taken up by the Pharoah's daughter as they munched down their jam sandwiches and hot chocolate. Their mothers come too and talk around the woodstove, passing the mate (a tea served in a common gourd). Their older brothers also come, mostly for the ping-pong playing and soccer. As we were walking home we saw a brilliant rainbow arching out over the ocean and I had to smile, remembering God's promise, His love. How blessed we are to be His children!!
To my non-Christian readers, so sorry to have ignored you, won't you come and know Him who calls to you? He loves you. He desires your love in return. In Him is life, and love, and joy abundant! But He won't force you; it is His way to let His creation choose, that He might have the joy of being freely loved! Won't you speak with Him? What do you have to lose?
Your Most Devoted,
Sarah
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Crawl Your Way to a Skinnier You!
Before crawling...
After crawling!!!Need we say more?? Order your Crawl Kit today! For the low, low price of $19.95 you can start crawling your way to a leaner, trimmer You! Kit includes knee pads and one-size fits all helmet (for safety from table corners!).
And, order today and receive a box of Cheerios, a $5.00 value, FREE!
Send check or money orders to: Crawl Kit, 911 Tinyheiney Blvd., Funnysarahville, MT, 59404
Friday, June 30, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Of Joy Abundant...
To My Most Amiable Readers;
My heart is enjoying His peace. When these sweet times come it's so nice to dwell in their rich, warm embrace; His very Presence reaching down, enfolding us, giving us a foretaste of Heaven. This is what we are here for, to enjoy, and be enjoyed by, God. This is Heavenly consolation.
What brings it; how can one summon it? Why does it leave?
I let the day's events run through my mind and found that nothing extraordinary occured. I did laundry, taught Sophia and read to her, changed Edison's diapers and fed him, checked e-mail, cooked, read in Luke. But, gradually it stole upon me; an infusion of joy. Edison has a fever so I held him until he fell asleep, his hot little head tucked under my chin, listening to his soft snore...my heart full, brimming over, thinking how wonderful a task it is that God gave us to look after our dear children when they are ill; how much of ourselves He gives us to pour out in compassion on our wee ones. These feelings, these thoughts alerted me; God is giving His consolation to me...
I laid Edison down and went to fold a basket of laundry. Our bed was now full of stacks of clean, dry clothes, neatly folded. The Spirit was in me because instead of thinking, "oh boy, now I've got to put all these clothes away..", it was "Wow! Thank you God, look at all the nice, warm clothes you've blessed us with! Lord, how many people must have sat in some factory sewing them up, may You bless each laborer!"
In moments like these we are quite capable of joyfully giving away everything we have to the poor, quite fearless to share what God has done for us with everyone we meet; we are full to the brim with the joy and fellowship of our Lord! Now, why does it go away...
It's a gift, given by Him when, in His perfect judgement, we are in need of it, or perhaps simply when it pleases Him to bless us especially. The in-between times of life can vascillitate between happiness, contentment, frustration; the full array of our human emotions, but the lack of Heavenly consolation is most noted by a presence of spiritual "dryness". Our prayers feel feeble, God seems distant, doubts about His reality hound us. Our perceived "need" in that moment is for God to do some trick; send an angel with a message, something to "prove" He's there.
I've been reading, "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas A Kempis, and in its pages I've found the heart-cheering news that God gives the times of dryness too. In them we grow; in them we find our desperate need of Him, in them we have an opportunity to bless God with our devotion despite our "not feeling like it". An offering that costs.
"Even when You expose me to various temptations and hardships, You order these entirely for my own good, for it is Your way to test Your chosen servants by many trials. During trials of this kind my love and praise is Your due no less than when You fill my soul with heavenly comfort." -Thomas A Kempis
Your Devoted,
Sarah
My heart is enjoying His peace. When these sweet times come it's so nice to dwell in their rich, warm embrace; His very Presence reaching down, enfolding us, giving us a foretaste of Heaven. This is what we are here for, to enjoy, and be enjoyed by, God. This is Heavenly consolation.
What brings it; how can one summon it? Why does it leave?
I let the day's events run through my mind and found that nothing extraordinary occured. I did laundry, taught Sophia and read to her, changed Edison's diapers and fed him, checked e-mail, cooked, read in Luke. But, gradually it stole upon me; an infusion of joy. Edison has a fever so I held him until he fell asleep, his hot little head tucked under my chin, listening to his soft snore...my heart full, brimming over, thinking how wonderful a task it is that God gave us to look after our dear children when they are ill; how much of ourselves He gives us to pour out in compassion on our wee ones. These feelings, these thoughts alerted me; God is giving His consolation to me...
I laid Edison down and went to fold a basket of laundry. Our bed was now full of stacks of clean, dry clothes, neatly folded. The Spirit was in me because instead of thinking, "oh boy, now I've got to put all these clothes away..", it was "Wow! Thank you God, look at all the nice, warm clothes you've blessed us with! Lord, how many people must have sat in some factory sewing them up, may You bless each laborer!"
In moments like these we are quite capable of joyfully giving away everything we have to the poor, quite fearless to share what God has done for us with everyone we meet; we are full to the brim with the joy and fellowship of our Lord! Now, why does it go away...
It's a gift, given by Him when, in His perfect judgement, we are in need of it, or perhaps simply when it pleases Him to bless us especially. The in-between times of life can vascillitate between happiness, contentment, frustration; the full array of our human emotions, but the lack of Heavenly consolation is most noted by a presence of spiritual "dryness". Our prayers feel feeble, God seems distant, doubts about His reality hound us. Our perceived "need" in that moment is for God to do some trick; send an angel with a message, something to "prove" He's there.
I've been reading, "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas A Kempis, and in its pages I've found the heart-cheering news that God gives the times of dryness too. In them we grow; in them we find our desperate need of Him, in them we have an opportunity to bless God with our devotion despite our "not feeling like it". An offering that costs.
"Even when You expose me to various temptations and hardships, You order these entirely for my own good, for it is Your way to test Your chosen servants by many trials. During trials of this kind my love and praise is Your due no less than when You fill my soul with heavenly comfort." -Thomas A Kempis
Your Devoted,
Sarah
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Rowing 101
Lock and Load: make sure your oars are locked in tight; if those puppies get loose you're in a world of hurt!!L
et's go! Remember to push first with your legs, blades in, then tummy, lean back, finally pull with arms, cock the wrists, withdraw blades, slide forward, don't flip, repeat....and look out for water traffic, sea lions, and buoys....When it gets too dark to see, or more importantly, be seen, row on home...
Carry your boat, oars, and seat back to the clubhouse...
Rowing 101- Part Deux
Now, it's very important at this point to gather sympathy for any and all battle wounds incurred during rowing...even if this sympathy is no more than "Guess you should have cut your nails, huh?".
Make sure you hug your friends and help them put their boats up...
And on the walk home make sure you pick up some nice, healthy snacks!!
Friday, June 16, 2006
This Side of the Andes
To My Most Amiable Readers,
I have tried unsuccessfully many times to post pictures; I'm not quite certain why they aren't uploading, but alas, the woes of the modern age...
Sophia is currently learning her letters; we do "school" for about a half hour each morning while Edison is snoozing. We're up to "E" now. It's eye-opening when you teach, because you go into it with all your education and experience behind you; which makes it easy to forget that you had to be taught to write from left to right, to develop fine motor skills, and to space letters apart. I'm no expert at teaching, so my methods are a little comical (an "A" is up the mountain, down the mountain, cross the mountain; a "B" is down the mountain, hop, hop; "C" is a circle but not; "D" is down the mountain, one big belly and so on). We have fun.
Edison is getting longer and leaner as he crawls quickly all over the house. I call him a little cat...he loves to burrow his little face into pillows to sleep, is very cuddly, and is most content to be warmly wrapped in someone's arms, his ample cheek resting on someone's shoulder (preferably feminine). I find his one-year birthday arriving with a bit of a shock; where did that year go?? But...then I remember all the loads of diapers I've washed and memory returns : ).
Dustin has been busy out at the island getting the bathroom out there finished, trying to get that project wrapped up so our coworkers can have showers, and eventually even windows!! Funny how poverty changes one's perception of luxury. It's funny how happy I feel when I go into someone's home that is well-heated...such a treat! Dustin also has been making trips to the islands and soon to the mountains; me and the kids staying home for now while the weather is particularly harsh. Soon I hope to go again, but I wait on His timing.
I've been busy with rowing and along with that weight training and running. I feel strong and healthy from the exercise, and spiritually renewed by the opportunities I have of sharing God's love with the youth as I get to know them better.
If you'd like to lift us up in prayer, here are a few requests: continued improvement in language comprehension, servant's hearts as we go about our work, wisdom from God as we make decisions, and guidance as we are soon writing up our "Core Values" as a mission team here in Chile. Thank you, God go with you!
Your Devoted,
Sarah
I have tried unsuccessfully many times to post pictures; I'm not quite certain why they aren't uploading, but alas, the woes of the modern age...
Sophia is currently learning her letters; we do "school" for about a half hour each morning while Edison is snoozing. We're up to "E" now. It's eye-opening when you teach, because you go into it with all your education and experience behind you; which makes it easy to forget that you had to be taught to write from left to right, to develop fine motor skills, and to space letters apart. I'm no expert at teaching, so my methods are a little comical (an "A" is up the mountain, down the mountain, cross the mountain; a "B" is down the mountain, hop, hop; "C" is a circle but not; "D" is down the mountain, one big belly and so on). We have fun.
Edison is getting longer and leaner as he crawls quickly all over the house. I call him a little cat...he loves to burrow his little face into pillows to sleep, is very cuddly, and is most content to be warmly wrapped in someone's arms, his ample cheek resting on someone's shoulder (preferably feminine). I find his one-year birthday arriving with a bit of a shock; where did that year go?? But...then I remember all the loads of diapers I've washed and memory returns : ).
Dustin has been busy out at the island getting the bathroom out there finished, trying to get that project wrapped up so our coworkers can have showers, and eventually even windows!! Funny how poverty changes one's perception of luxury. It's funny how happy I feel when I go into someone's home that is well-heated...such a treat! Dustin also has been making trips to the islands and soon to the mountains; me and the kids staying home for now while the weather is particularly harsh. Soon I hope to go again, but I wait on His timing.
I've been busy with rowing and along with that weight training and running. I feel strong and healthy from the exercise, and spiritually renewed by the opportunities I have of sharing God's love with the youth as I get to know them better.
If you'd like to lift us up in prayer, here are a few requests: continued improvement in language comprehension, servant's hearts as we go about our work, wisdom from God as we make decisions, and guidance as we are soon writing up our "Core Values" as a mission team here in Chile. Thank you, God go with you!
Your Devoted,
Sarah
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Not Overcome
To my most amiable readers;
As of late I have been sorrowful of heart, starting with a dream several nights ago. In my dream a woman had just given birth, the baby in the arms of a another woman attending her. My mind's eye zoomed-in on the mother's plain face while she nodded assent. I looked to the attendant who started to twist the babies head, snapping it's neck and literally tearing the head off. Dark blood flew. I awoke.
I can't describe the horror I felt, the nausea, the darkness of it. I lay awake, the dream replaying itself in all of its terror. I thought of violence, how real it is, how far removed from it I usually am. I began too to think over the horrors of warfare, the maimed, the raped, the orphaned. 'How?' I thought, 'How could people do this? How do you get to the point where you can be so cruel, so merciless?'. I took comfort for a moment that I am on the side of the Light, that my side combats the deeds of darkness. Then I thought of the Old Testament, how God directed His people to take an entire city, leaving no survivors. Surely there were babies there, toddlers, pregnant women. To think that God had endorsed such atrocities...I could not bear it. I was shaken.
Today I was told that two babies had been found dead in trash cans here in Puerto Montt. One was newly-born, still had the umbilical cord attatched. The other was an aborted baby, seven months along. They were discovered because the dogs had found them. My dream flashed before me; two women, consenting to murder, innocent little baby newly-born. This was too much. 'How?' 'Dear God, why?'
In this state I prepared to attend a birthday party for a girl from rowing. I felt far from strong, full of sorrow in my heart. This girl does not know the Lord, and my heart's desire was that I would be able to share with her at the right time. Towards the end of the party, Deborah and I asked if we could pray for her on her special day. They turned off the loud music and we prayed, sitting on either side of her, blessing her life, asking God for wisdom for her in this her fourteenth year, thanking God for her life and friendship. I had to go, so after saying goodbyes all around, I started to go outside to catch a bus home. She followed me out and stopped me on the sidewalk, thanking me for my beautiful prayer (how forgiving of my poor grammar!). This was the softest I had seen her; usually she holds a proud, mocking front. God gave me words for her. She stayed with me until a bus came, standing in the rain, while her party went on without her. After many hugs I hopped on the bus...overcome with joy.
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19
I think I still need help to understand the Old Testament, to more thoroughly understand the character of God and His motives. If anyone has any help for me in this, I'd greatly appreciate your insight. All I know in my despair is that God is good, that He loves me, speaks to me, and that I am completely lost without Him. Clinging to this hope, I am not overcome.
Your Devoted,
Sarah
As of late I have been sorrowful of heart, starting with a dream several nights ago. In my dream a woman had just given birth, the baby in the arms of a another woman attending her. My mind's eye zoomed-in on the mother's plain face while she nodded assent. I looked to the attendant who started to twist the babies head, snapping it's neck and literally tearing the head off. Dark blood flew. I awoke.
I can't describe the horror I felt, the nausea, the darkness of it. I lay awake, the dream replaying itself in all of its terror. I thought of violence, how real it is, how far removed from it I usually am. I began too to think over the horrors of warfare, the maimed, the raped, the orphaned. 'How?' I thought, 'How could people do this? How do you get to the point where you can be so cruel, so merciless?'. I took comfort for a moment that I am on the side of the Light, that my side combats the deeds of darkness. Then I thought of the Old Testament, how God directed His people to take an entire city, leaving no survivors. Surely there were babies there, toddlers, pregnant women. To think that God had endorsed such atrocities...I could not bear it. I was shaken.
Today I was told that two babies had been found dead in trash cans here in Puerto Montt. One was newly-born, still had the umbilical cord attatched. The other was an aborted baby, seven months along. They were discovered because the dogs had found them. My dream flashed before me; two women, consenting to murder, innocent little baby newly-born. This was too much. 'How?' 'Dear God, why?'
In this state I prepared to attend a birthday party for a girl from rowing. I felt far from strong, full of sorrow in my heart. This girl does not know the Lord, and my heart's desire was that I would be able to share with her at the right time. Towards the end of the party, Deborah and I asked if we could pray for her on her special day. They turned off the loud music and we prayed, sitting on either side of her, blessing her life, asking God for wisdom for her in this her fourteenth year, thanking God for her life and friendship. I had to go, so after saying goodbyes all around, I started to go outside to catch a bus home. She followed me out and stopped me on the sidewalk, thanking me for my beautiful prayer (how forgiving of my poor grammar!). This was the softest I had seen her; usually she holds a proud, mocking front. God gave me words for her. She stayed with me until a bus came, standing in the rain, while her party went on without her. After many hugs I hopped on the bus...overcome with joy.
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19
I think I still need help to understand the Old Testament, to more thoroughly understand the character of God and His motives. If anyone has any help for me in this, I'd greatly appreciate your insight. All I know in my despair is that God is good, that He loves me, speaks to me, and that I am completely lost without Him. Clinging to this hope, I am not overcome.
Your Devoted,
Sarah
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Some Certain Sentiments
To my most amiable readers,
Due to technical frustrations, my writing has been impeded, but now I go on, bravely into the foray of digital communication once again! Take heart, young writer, and type!
Well then...surely that should be followed up by some profound insight or something of that nature....hmmm. Our dog got hit by a car, again. He's alright, he always gets babied after run-ins of that nature, and besides favoring his one leg is up and chasing away any and all other dogs who might seek to usurp his position of benefactor of our home. To my unprofessed delight, he follows me to the rowing club and sits on an old leather van seat while I lift weights and awaits me on the dock when I row back in. I've developed quite an unexpected fondness for the now-familiar streetdogs too. Especially one named "CHA CHA" who is a bundle of energetic muscle, vaulting off the sidewalk at every motorized vehicle attempting safe passage through her territory, giving them a good barking-at, and then sauntering cheerfully back to her perch.
I'm currently reading Middlemarch by George Elliot, having just finished Candide by Voltaire, both of which I am greatly pleased with. I'm a little startled by the similarity of Candide to Gulliver's Travels and The Odysey, and quite, even Pilgrim's Progress. If you have read Candide, please be sure to let me know what you thought of it.
May this find you in good health, high spirits, and close communion with God,
Your Most Devoted,
Sarah
Due to technical frustrations, my writing has been impeded, but now I go on, bravely into the foray of digital communication once again! Take heart, young writer, and type!
Well then...surely that should be followed up by some profound insight or something of that nature....hmmm. Our dog got hit by a car, again. He's alright, he always gets babied after run-ins of that nature, and besides favoring his one leg is up and chasing away any and all other dogs who might seek to usurp his position of benefactor of our home. To my unprofessed delight, he follows me to the rowing club and sits on an old leather van seat while I lift weights and awaits me on the dock when I row back in. I've developed quite an unexpected fondness for the now-familiar streetdogs too. Especially one named "CHA CHA" who is a bundle of energetic muscle, vaulting off the sidewalk at every motorized vehicle attempting safe passage through her territory, giving them a good barking-at, and then sauntering cheerfully back to her perch.
I'm currently reading Middlemarch by George Elliot, having just finished Candide by Voltaire, both of which I am greatly pleased with. I'm a little startled by the similarity of Candide to Gulliver's Travels and The Odysey, and quite, even Pilgrim's Progress. If you have read Candide, please be sure to let me know what you thought of it.
May this find you in good health, high spirits, and close communion with God,
Your Most Devoted,
Sarah
Friday, June 02, 2006
Play Me a Tune
To my most amiable readers;No, it isn't a world-famous rock band...yet. This is our church worship team, from left, Elizabeth, Constanza, Deborah, and Consuelo. The music is beautiful and inspiring. Liz and Deb are our co-workers' daughters and give selflessly of their time in leading worship and teaching the younger children in sunday school. Consuelo and Constanza are amazing young ladies who are gifted in music, teaching, and have a missions call on their lives. I so appreciate all of these ladies' approach to worship, not as a performance, but as a guide, leading God's people to adoration in song. You guys rock!
Even Dustin and I get in on the music scene sometimes...the other day we had a surprise birthday party for a guy in our church, and we were all sitting around laughing and talking. Someone got out an old out-of-tune guitar, an egg shaker, and the rest of us grabbed anything that made noise (including coffee cans and broken toys). As we beat out the rythym, we passed the Bible around and each sang out a line of a Psalm to the beat. It was so fun.
At home I'm still practicing guitar, and Dustin is still honing his i-Pod skills. Also, a couple from our church in the states sent us a hymnal, which I'm loving!! We have an echoey (did I just invent that word?) house, and it's very fun to sing in.
Well, this has been a bit of a rambling blog, but I just rowed 8 km. along with racing drills....and whew....
Blessings! Your Devoted, Sarah
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Leather-Bound Journey
To My Most Amiable Readers;
What an odd thing it is to dip your mind right back into memories, emotions long past. I've been skimming through my dear journal. It's content is mainly imported; scripture verses, quotes from the famous and the familiar, songs, and recipes. Between these, scribbled-in with a fervent tilt, lay my writings, be they rants, be they raves, be they poems half-finished. As I read these I was astonished by the clarity with which I could plunge again into the very chair, into the very room or lakeside or rock edge, into the very mentality of when and where I put down my words long ago. I was there again, emotions surging again, pain or joy rocking me in turn.
Excerpts:
Argentina, April 18, 2006: "Would that I could run unheeded down steep trails cloaked in dark foliage, slapping wet leaves, pacing faster. On a small clearing to gather new breath and turn, running on hidden trails. Faster and faster, hearing water flowing. Seeing jewels through the mass of trunks and branches, cutting right to meet their brilliant rays. Ah, stream full of sun, I meet, I greet you. Happy feet slap you as I run, up to know your secrets, your falls, your pools. How peaceful you are and what a torrent am I. If you were as I am, I would be as you are. I must have some turbulence, in me or not...."
October 1, 2004: "Today we found out that Mom has breast cancer. We don't know what to do so we hold her a lot and we cling to hope. Cancer...even the name leaves you cold inside..."
November 1, 2003: "November is here and the day is unseasonably warm and sunny. The short days make the sunlight a coveted pleasure. Today we raised our noses to the reality of Autumn and stole back a few hours of summer. I laid Sophie in the thick green grass, naked and content, and subtly dared winter to show its frosty face..."
March 2006: "I want to be where You are! I want to please You and bring You joy!! Bind me to your side! I fear this mortal coil that can bring immortal death..."
As I read, it became clear to me the value of recording our history. In a way, it redeems the past; it makes us remember what God taught us, and how He brought us through despite our waywardness. By looking through our words to the heart of who we were, we can see the measured steps of growth and grace in our lives, or even perhaps, be shocked at our current state in light of more joyful, close times with the Lord.
As we read in the Old Testament, we find few characters who don't in some way let us down. David, a "man after God's own heart" robs another man's wife and orders his death. Samson, a man set apart from birth to serve God frequents prostitutes. We make an error if we read the Bible looking for "morality plays"...looking in vain for clean-cut models of beliefs we hold dear. So why read this twisted history? Not to look to be like Rebekah, or not like Rebekah. We read to discover the history between God and man; not to focus on the imperfect, stumbling, boorishness which pock-mark our living story, but on how it illuminates God's character. In knowing how we have been, we see how God has been in contrast. Our darkness, His light, our faithlessness, His enduring love and patience, our fickleness, His unchanging righteousness.
I look back on my story, the good, the bad, the ugly; and the beautiful thing is, I see redemption. God is redeeming me, redeeming my history, making my life a stone in His temple, something beautiful, and intregal to the kingdom.
Your Devoted,
Sarah
"He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud." -Psalm 103:14
"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." -Jeremiah 31:3
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Of Wildness Born
"Ocean Park" by Stephen PittReally, I don't know how to begin...so many thoughts pressing...
Have you ever been taken hold of by a yearning, so fierce and bright with pleasure...
....when you plunge into a cool lake at evening, to just go on swimming, needing no reprieve, like a fish to the depths?
.....when you leap off a rock to not follow earth's tug downward, but to defy it, flying up and out, faster, Faster!?
.....when seeing shady, ancient woods draped in moss to go romping wildly through them, more deer than man?
....to meet a wild beast not with terror, but camaraderie, walking together?
.....when listening to music, to dance with abandon, joyous, laughing, embracing Celebration?
.....when in prayer, to be lifted up in loving arms like a child delighting in his father's attention?
I'm unsure to what degree you may be able to relate to any of these...but at times they possess the whole of my mind. This wildness, this unbelievableness, this passion which I believe to be more familiar to our original nature than what we are now. The more I have come to hope and live for the world yet to come, the more frequent these pangs of longing come upon me. Is it an odd way to anticipate eternity? Perhaps, but I have good reason to believe that God engages our imagination to express things we have no vocabulary for.
I think we do Heaven a great injustice to imagine it a solemn choir meeting...
I think too we forget God too much...
These surely are weapons of the Enemy, driving us to love this life so tenaciously, to make possessions of such delight, to fret so over our jobs, our money, our education, our theology, our very beauty. In the process of this, becoming fattened, petted, pampered, unsatisfied, fearful creatures. Oh to break free! To play and laugh like children in His company!! What, oh Earth, can you offer that does not break or rot or die?
Surely some will think I've lost my head. Very good that you should know regardless what is always humming below the surface of your dear,
devoted,
Sarah
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Cleaning the World and Other News
To my Most Amiable Readers;
Sophia took the northern hemisphere, and I the southern. We met around the equator, hands covered in bubbles, sponges and brushes flying, giggling. The shower curtain in our apartment features a world map, and yesterday found us scrubbing it clean in a fit of giggles on the bathroom floor. I've found that curtain to be quite informative...I've started memorizing capitals, locations, and flags of countries...which probably means my showers are too lengthy.
In other news, my race on Saturday was quite the experience. Rising early we strapped the boats onto a makeshift rack on the back of a pick-up and made the beautiful drive to Valdivia, the mecca of rowing in Chile. Getting there we warmed up our muscles and took the boats out to get a feel for the river. Sea lions, BIG sea lions, were lying all over the shores! Apparently this is where they come when they're very old and ready to die. When it was time for my race, I took my place with five other rowers and assumed starting position.
At Go! I was right with the pack, getting a good quick, controlled start. But about 100 meters out, my sliding seat jumped its tracks, coming to a sickening stop. I raised my hand and called for the judge (they do a restart when a seat jumps in the first 100 meters) but he didn't hear me and didn't look my way in time. When he finally saw me, it was too late and I had to stand in my boat and fix my seat, by this time way behind. But I still had to finish so away I rowed...alone...in front of a big crowd...and a pep band.........smiling at myself. But I felt good about the day; at least my last place finish wasn't quite my fault, and I had a good time with the youth.
Your Devoted,
Sarah
Sophia took the northern hemisphere, and I the southern. We met around the equator, hands covered in bubbles, sponges and brushes flying, giggling. The shower curtain in our apartment features a world map, and yesterday found us scrubbing it clean in a fit of giggles on the bathroom floor. I've found that curtain to be quite informative...I've started memorizing capitals, locations, and flags of countries...which probably means my showers are too lengthy.
In other news, my race on Saturday was quite the experience. Rising early we strapped the boats onto a makeshift rack on the back of a pick-up and made the beautiful drive to Valdivia, the mecca of rowing in Chile. Getting there we warmed up our muscles and took the boats out to get a feel for the river. Sea lions, BIG sea lions, were lying all over the shores! Apparently this is where they come when they're very old and ready to die. When it was time for my race, I took my place with five other rowers and assumed starting position.
At Go! I was right with the pack, getting a good quick, controlled start. But about 100 meters out, my sliding seat jumped its tracks, coming to a sickening stop. I raised my hand and called for the judge (they do a restart when a seat jumps in the first 100 meters) but he didn't hear me and didn't look my way in time. When he finally saw me, it was too late and I had to stand in my boat and fix my seat, by this time way behind. But I still had to finish so away I rowed...alone...in front of a big crowd...and a pep band.........smiling at myself. But I felt good about the day; at least my last place finish wasn't quite my fault, and I had a good time with the youth.
Your Devoted,
Sarah
Monday, May 08, 2006
Remembering...
May 13, 2000
Was it really six years, two children, three countries ago?
So many adventures since then:
-flying ten feet above treeline up in Alaska, chasing bears in a fabric plane
-braving the wilds of Saskatchewan, basking in the Northern Lights in sub-zero weather while studying Hermeneutics, Philosophy, and Tim Horton's Donuts
-living in the ghetto, getting robbed, and learning parallel parking on a hill, with stick shift, at night in Lancaster City, Pennsylvania
-flying to Ireland, finding my 5Xgreat-grandfather's grave, and then driving all around the grand isle
-the birth of our dear Sophia Grace (insert inexpressible joy here)
-God's call for us to be missionaries in Chile
-living in San Jose, Costa Rica for five months studying Spanish, peering into volcanoes, surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, teaching English, and romping through rain forests
-the birth of our precious son, Edison James (more of that aforementioned joy)
-arriving in Chile, our new home for three years, adapting to life here, learning the culture, loving the people, being loved and cared for by God in an intimate and tender way
I thank God for my husband, whose winning smile and fun-loving nature have always lifted my spirits. What a gift. What a blessing
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