Delighted to Meet You!

Simply Sarah

Readers come. They splash. To be open, real, vulnerable. Life laid bare for people to wade through unseen in this land of blog. This place, my story, only a puddle. But if someone accidentally steps in, joy splashing on their boots, and walks away carrying the footprints ... then this place has served a purpose of glory, step by step ...

When I started to type instead of simply pen, a momma on the mission field, I never quite envisioned what might happen. I've been joyfully splashing ever since. New friends, it is a joy to meet you. But who am I? Who is the woman sitting in front of this computer screen, sharing her life, lessons learned?

Me in a nutshell ... think yummy cashew.

Spontaneous princess, learning to be all that God made me to be and all that my prince hubby deserves. A pillar (wobbly at times) to uplift and encourage as he pours into the nations. A model of God's love in my family armed with hugs, tickle wrestling and nose nuzzles.

Crazy and passionate warrior princess. Jeans and t-shirt gal that speaks God's Word and radically believes everything that it says. Think polka dot storm trooper armed with a serious weapon.

Arrow sharpener for the nations. Completely sold out on reaching an entire generation for Jesus. If you sit with me, you'll catch my fire passion to equip children today to reach the nations. Lived it, Seen it, Believe it, Teaching it.

Encourage wildly. Hug, Praise loud. Forgive even louder. Dance crazy. Choose joy. Blow bubble snakes. Snuggle. Ooze grace. Smell like cantaloupe. Simply Sarah.

And now my friends, would you take a moment, in the rush, in the mayhem of busy schedules and time ticking away, to introduce yourself to me. In the busy of life, I have come to realize, relationships dwindle and wither. To stop the blur of life whizzed by, to cultivate relationship, even here in this puddle of grace.

A name, a note, a tidbit of your life tucked into the comments. And across this unseen land of blog I can offer a hug (because in real flesh life, that is exactly what I would do)

Blur My Vision

I need to see like this. My eyesight blurred by Him. His grace and mercy the lens that filters the way I see the world. I sit here ache growing in my heart. An ache to live it loud. To live His love with absurd abandon.

Life only makes sense to me anymore through the lens of the Word. Soaking it in deep. To take all of what my Jesus commands and live it, breathe it, blur it into my world view.

My natural eyesight screams that I am foolish. How could I love someone that hurt me so? How could I give all that I am to share His love with one who might choose no? How could I trust Him to provide always? Do I dare to believe all of His promises are for me? To step out of this comfort bubble to obey His voice. Blur my vision. I only want yours.

I have lived a life of sharing Jesus, trash dumps, red light districts, indigenous huts of rainforest villages. Coming back to the United States, I see the same poverty. Wrapped in materialism, indifference, utter pain, a lack of Jesus, true poverty. To see this nation as you do Jesus. Blur my vision.

Wake us up. Wake us up to hear your heartbeat. To dare to come close enough to feel your breath on our spirits. To pick up the Word and realize it is truth and choose to live it. That when others look on me, my life blurs their vision.

Cantaloupe Flavored Life

The simple thought of cantaloupe, makes my mouth water, in the I think I might be sick sort of watering. Honestly, I cannot stand the flavor, the texture, the anything about this poignant fruit. Yet even this piece of the garden that my taste buds reject can teach.

The simple things. The small wonders. Eyes open wide, I learn.

A simple mixed fruit salad, tossed for us all to enjoy. Scoop up a slice of mango, a few red ripened strawberries, while maneuvering around the orange chunks of yuck. How many times have I done this, scooping only the favorites of life? Fork in hand to enjoy, the flavor startles ... darn cantaloupe, it tinges the whole salad.

As I sit with a bit of disappointment, a smile spreads across my face. Cantaloupe has a way of rubbing off on everything, flavoring an entire bowl with its fruity flavor. My life, can learn from the cantaloupe ways.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." - 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

My life, fragranced by God. Needs to be a bit more like cantaloupe. To mix in the world, tinging the whole salad with the aroma of grace and the flavor of His goodness.

Call me cantaloupe. I might just have a new favorite fruit.

A Day to Change the World

I have no doubt the day will come ... This lady lu will be reaching the lives of His little ones. Taking the kingdom to the ones to which it belongs, to those who have yet to hear. If you sat with me, sipped some green tea medley and chatted, it would bubble out. No secret, children around the world hold countless strings to my heart. The ache remains down deep. The good kind that spurs us on. Burns passion alive with hope for what is to come.

A day will come to change the world. I just realized it's Today.

For today, a joy sets before me. To pick up heaps of little boy clothes, damp with boy sweats of wrestle and play, and breathe in deep. To stand at the sink scrubbing dishes and clinks of glasses for far too many hours, giggling as dish soap bubbles overtake the never polished fingernails. To realize that the cans that fill so quickly with trash will one day never quite seem to fill fast enough. To sit at the top of the stairs, surrounded by puppy kisses, random cars and baseballs, laundry that awaits and be lost in the sheer bliss of mayhem that encircles.

And to embrace today and change the world. As baseball scorer, mighty dishwasher, princess warrior bringing heaven, tummy tickler, snuggle reader, laundry folder ... As momma.

Change your world today. I am.

How To Choose A Path

Walking down a path ... a path of choice. Each day a choice to be led by the spirit or by my emotions. Step by step, learning the difference between the two, sharing what I'm learning along the journey.

No blame game. I cannot shift the focus and lash out. I must take responsibility for the paths I have walked down, the paths I have chosen to trod. I know it's not the norm. Blaming parents, God, circumstances seems so much easier. Ultimately the facade of ease and blame lulls me right back into the prison. A prison locked tight by uncontrolled emotions.

"When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." -James 1:13-14

Straight up, there it is. Our own evil desires drag us away. When my uncontrolled emotions lead my choices, my behavior, they pull me away from the path my God has for me. No place to blame. No reason to blame. The path I'm on, I chose it. Good news though, if it's not the path I need to be on, I can choose another.

I determine which path my emotions take. Woohoo! Doing a little happy dance. Don't you see, I can choose. When I blow it and meet Mrs. Grump, I can stop right there, standing on the path. I can choose to hop to another one and skip along. I'm not bound by the thistles along the paths, the circumstances that line the day. I make the decision and determine the path of my emotions.

I can choose to

"Set my affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:2

And with each choice I make, choosing to set my emotions on Kingdom good stuff, the earthy icky fades away. I'm choosing a path that leads to a beautiful today and doesn't kick up dust on others around me.

Of Celebration and Things to Come

Bright eyes, early morning. Rubbing sleep away, joy overtakes my thoughts. It seems like just yesterday, we stepped out in faith. Once more, letting God lead us to a new place. From the mission field back to our home country.

Simple faith to lay down our dreams for His. To trust that as always He would be our Jehovah Jireh and His provisions would be seen. To step out of the boat onto the crashing waves as He called us to come home.

Tears well up in these sleepy eyes. Tears of joy for all our God has done in us. Leading us into a time of refreshment, rest, and rejuvenation. Of strengthening and showering us with His love and blessings.

We came back to change the world. Our passion for reaching the lost and teaching the truth of His love and grace only grows stronger. Our God, faithful always.

Be encouraged today. Wherever you are as you follow your dreams for your life, trust in Him. We have forever been ruined for the ordinary and look forward to the extraordinary days ahead.

Less Talk More Walk

A rock of stone, held gently in my fingers. Smooth. Perfect palm size. A gift from little fingers to momma. As I stare it seems to remind me, call me, challenge me, teach me.

In this life of loveprints, leaving marks of love on those around, we can grow cold. Cold as stone. So much talk. So much preaching. So much discussion and rhetoric on love. Talk does little.

Love is not a feeling. Love is not talk. Love is an action.

Returning to the well worn pages crinkled with use and colored deep with pen. I flip my fingers, the same ones that stroke the stone, to 1 Corinthians 13. A letter to me. A guide on the action of love.

With pen in hand and heart in mind, I write. The verses in action for me. Love is an action.

Love waits for the boys to tie shoes and get ready without rushing them and allowing hectic to creep in my tone.

Love always has only good to say, gentle to touch, no harshness anywhere.

Love never looks at what others may have. Rejoicing in the blessings showered upon me and being thankful ALWAYS.

Love keeps my mouth held quiet, tight. Not sharing my successes in a spotlight of my own. Sharing the highlights of others and ushering them into the kudos of others.

Love takes the time to ask questions, find out about their day instead of pushing my own need to talk adult in front of the line.

Love picks up the dirty clothes lying on the bathroom floor with a smile, over and over again. No grumbles on my lips. With a joyful step that for 13 years I have had his life with mine.

Love showers the truth and does a little dance when open hearts receive it.

Love defends my family, speaks only positive to others of them. Love proudly walks head held high beside my son when the task was too overwhelming, hand on his shoulder.

Love never gives up. No matter what the situation looks like.

Love always wins.

What action is love to you? Please take a moment and share and leave a loveprint for us all.

Snake Bite

When you blow it, step on the snake, it rears its head to strike. I stepped on some snakes last night with my mouth open wide, spewing words, and I got bit.

Hearing about a situation, I criticized. I complained. I disagreed and made my point loud and clear. In essence, I tore down. I destroyed. I opened the door wide and welcomed snakes.

Thankful beyond belief, I have a loving Abba who has the serum for my poison words laced with strife. The still voice and the calm hand of my hubby, guided me towards forgiveness. Asking and believing, He forgave. The others involved showered on me as well.

This morning, with boys snuggled close we read about the Israelites and their problems with snakes. I smiled. God knows best. I knew who the lesson was for. We read and I learned. God had given His chosen people blessing upon blessing. Freedom, direction by fire and cloud, supernatural miracles, provision of fresh water and bread from heaven. In the midst of the day to day, they took their eyes off the blessing and wanted more. They complained. They criticized. And the snakes came.

When bitten, the people would die. Desperate the Israelites went to Moses. Pleading for his prayers to God, he agreed. The Lord answered his prayer and gave him the solution. Place a snake on a pole. If anyone was bitten by a snake, they simply must look at the pole and they would not die. Looking up in faith, they would live.

I'm looking up today at a cross shaped pole. One fashioned for my Jesus. A sacrifice that provided me direct access to God without having to go through a Moses to pray for me.

I recognize the problem. Guided by His loving hand, I see my need. Repent. Receive forgiveness. In faith, seeing my scaley words nailed. Turning from the habits of old. Forgetting my past mistakes, I look to the future. I fill my mind, my mouth with His words.

"Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. " Ephesians 4:29-32

See friends, I'm a real person. I am learning. We all are. When we turn to the Word of God, we can truly see our lives in truth's spotlight and change. Aligning my life with the Word of God, I commit to guard my tongue and squash the snakes. Just call me snake stomper Sarah.

At the Top of My Lungs

Ever feel like shouting? The kind of shout that shakes the doubt. The kind that wakes from sleeping slumber. The kind that sends vocal waves through the valley and resonates with hearts who hear.

A simple phrase I shout today with pen and ink. Take a deep breath, God given breath of life. Molded dirt forever changed with the breath of life. Breath fuels our praise. Our words. Our sighs. Our prayers. Without breath we cannot say much can we?

At the top of my lungs, I shout for all to hear today. GOD IS GOOD!

You smile at the simplicity. My heart does as well. Yet I need to shout it loud.

In the past, I walked in a daze so many stumble in. A haze of doubting with the confusion the enemy sent to muddle my heart. I see the same haze hovering over His body in some places and all I can do is shout from the mountain.

Words spoken. Beliefs lodged deep into hearts in the midst of pain. 'God gave me this cancer to teach me a lesson.' 'I guess God wanted this precious little one home in heaven so he took her home.' 'This sickness is a gift.' And my own mutterings of my heart in the past I could add. The list is long.

I shout today. GOD IS GOOD! My eyes opened to the truth. Seriously, open eyes wide to see .... The pain of cancer, the sorrow, the misery, can that be from my Abba? Would he send misery and death? Would the same God who gave His own son that I might have life, force me to open a package of pain with his name attached? Does He delight in tears of sorrow and create them for us to taste? He cannot. God is love. And love never wraps itself as such.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10

I look around, slightly winded from shouting over my own life. The icky, the pain, the disease, leave thief fingerprints. Anything that attempts to steal my joy, destroy my health, kill the full life that Jesus gives me ... I recognize the source. Simply put, my Jesus only gives life abundant. If there's any destroying, killing, and stealing I know from which camp it comes.

I have yet to understand it all. The whys, the uncertain pleas, the wonderings. I understand that the Word of God is true, always. I see that my loving God can take the sludge heaped on and somehow, bring His good into the situation. I know the sludge never comes from Him.

Today, I unwrap His gifts and they are always good.

"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

-James 1:16-17

But Sarah

"But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God."

- 1 Samuel 30:6

But David.

Amidst all that David faced that day, the loss of his wives and children, a camp raided with the smell of smoke lingering, a weary army crying out all of their strength, his people discussing the art of stoning him .... He chose a different road.

But David.

He looked past the burning circumstances, dreams gone up in smoke. He chose to listen to God's voice over those clamoring to kill him. His heart beating with pain for his own loss, he turned to the Lord to find strength.

But David.

He sought the Lord. He heard His plan for their lives. He went out in the Lord's strength, overtook the enemy, gained the victory, took back what was stolen, and then some.

Will there be a But Sarah ...

The story of my life, written on the lives of those I have touched. A woman known for standing her ground refusing to budge from the promises of God. A mommy who relies on God's strength regardless of the circumstances around her. A wife who supports and encourages her husband to reach the dreams God has placed in him. A friend who loves lavishly with God's love that never fails.

But (and enter your name). What do you want to be known for in this life? Would you share with us friends. Let's splash each other with all of the potential God has placed in our lives. Dare to believe it. Dare to live it. Dare to trust that with God all things are possible.

Blur My Vision

I need to see like this. My eyesight blurred by Him. His grace and mercy the lens that filters the way I see the world. I sit here ache growing in my heart. An ache to live it loud. To live His love with absurd abandon.

Life only makes sense to me anymore through the lens of the Word. Soaking it in deep. To take all of what my Jesus commands and live it, breathe it, blur it into my world view.

My natural eyesight screams that I am foolish. How could I love someone that hurt me so? How could I give all that I am to share His love with one who might choose no? How could I trust Him to provide always? Do I dare to believe all of His promises are for me? To step out of this comfort bubble to obey His voice. Blur my vision. I only want yours.

I have lived a life of sharing Jesus, trash dumps, red light districts, indigenous huts of rainforest villages. Coming back to the United States, I see the same poverty. Wrapped in materialism, indifference, utter pain, a lack of Jesus, true poverty. To see this nation as you do Jesus. Blur my vision.

Wake us up. Wake us up to hear your heartbeat. To dare to come close enough to feel your breath on our spirits. To pick up the Word and realize it is truth and choose to live it. That when others look on me, my life blurs their vision.

Shout it, LOUD!

Confess it, say it, proclaim it, scream it, shout it, whatever it takes, get the WORD in you.

As I sit here, realizing all that has changed, transformed, renewed in my life over the past few months. From leaving a way of life I loved, missions, people, rainforest, to settle once again in the desert. Along the way, a path of learning, soaring, singing, dancing the happy dance.

Raw, real, I promised to share my path, step by step. One of the major steps, the starting point, simple, profound, the WORD of God. Seriously, no joking. No magic bean to swallow and transform over night. We had seen our marriage in the light of truth, our family, lay down all ministry, focus on His Word. The truth transforms.

Like a seed, planted, words bear fruit. They are wrapped in faith or fear. And they produce a harvest after their kind. Faith filled words hand you victory. Fear filled words lead to defeat. I had enough of fear words in my life. Time to plant some faith words. But where to start?

"So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God." -Romans 10:17

Hearing it, means someone has to say it. And you know what, I tend to believe my own voice over anyone else's. I took the step to the tune of the music. Not just reading God's Word, saying it, out loud. Starting my day with scriptures of victory, love, hope, faith, joy, all wrapped in promises for me.

When the enemy roared, I had life in words to cling to. Over and over saying them, defeating him with every syllable. Continuing, change began. My heart hearing my words began to believe and faith grew. Today, I continue, getting more of His truth, the WORD in me, saying it, shouting it, speaking to the mountains the power of the Word of God.

Imagine the dancing that goes on around here as I watch a mountain crumble into dust at my feet.

Fearfully, Wonderfully Me

Simply me.

I could post a great pic of me, all dazzled up, makeup hiding blemishes, smile perfected for camera. Not today.

Today a shot from my 6 year old's angle. His mommy, fearfully and wonderfully, hanging laundry on the line, wearing comfy pants, hair tossled and tucked.

As I count towards mil gracias, tackling a truth and proclaiming thanks. Choosing to rejoice and return to Jesus and thank Him for making me, every part, in perfection, fearfully and wonderfully me

9. slightly curly slightly straight hair perfect for tucking on rainy days

10. stretch marks in places only we see, reminder of the blessings sleeping down the hall

11. height of tower, tall enough to reach things for strangers in stores, smiling thanks

12. eyes blue and filled with dreams

13. slivers of gray peeking, a crown of wisdom

14. girly shape shifting a bit, not noticed by love of my life

15. uniquely bent smile, showing the spunk in my personality

16. noticeable birth mark, always helped me to remember right from left

17. dainty size 10 tootsies, that can still out race my boys.

18. TRUTH wrapped in Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. "

19. fearfully, wonderfully me

Join me this morning in starting our week in thankfulness. On this Monday, what part of you can you wrap in fearfully and wonderfully thanks?

Crossing the Line

I've crossed the line in my life. Crossing over from hope to faith. With each step, with every faith filled word that speaks from my mouth, faith takes deeper root in my heart.

As a Christian, a missionary for goodness sake, I thought I understood faith. I thought I lived it. I thought I walked it. I certainly talked it. In reality my words were hope not faith.

I always hoped for the best. Hoped for God's promises to become true in my life, some day. Hope focuses on the future. Faith is now. I had mixed up my words and my heart.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him:" - Hebrews 11:6

Pleasing God, bringing a smile to His face, my life goal. Going after faith, studying in depth, digging deeper, what does the Word say? He's placed the ability to walk in faith in my hands. He says I need it to please Him, so it must be attainable. A realization that the responsibility rests with me whether or not I have faith propels me forward.

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the word of God." - Romans 10:17

Simple, but the greatest truths always are. Hearing God's Word, the real stuff, straight from Jesus' lips, the Word made flesh, not relying solely on other's teachings. Whatever need I have, the faith to receive my answers comes from hearing the Word of God.

No more if prayers (if this is God's will ...) No more doubt filled words. The prayer of faith, speaking the Word over any situation, changes things. My old words of "if" simply a badge of doubt I refuse to wear any longer.

Determined, I am feeding upon the Word continually. Meditating on the Word, speaking them, the truth sinking down deep. Taking root in my heart, the abundance will produce a harvest of faith. Circumstances around me, won't matter. I know I have all that God has promised me. I am seeing my faith grow, and with it my ability to receive the promises of God to His children.

I know Jesus smiles on me and I'm finally getting it. And the sand on this side of the line feels delightfully squishy between my toes.

Anyone want to join me in this faith splashing journey? Will you splash us today with how a promise of God has unfolded in your life or words of faith to drench us in God's goodness.

Today Simply

Today, I will be like the light of the morning at sunrise, like the brightness after the rain. (2 Samuel 23:4)

Today, I trust in You with all my heart, leaning not on my own understanding. I acknowledge you, knowing you will direct my every step. (Proverbs 3:6)

Today, the voice of a stranger fades into background dribble as I hear my Shepherd's voice and follow. (John 10:4-5)

Today, world overcoming faith bubbles inside of me because I am born of God. For greater is He that is in me that is in the world. (1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:4-5)

Today, the peace of God rules in my heart and I refuse to worry. (Colossians 3:15)

Today, my eyes will remain focussed on the Word of God, life to me. I have found it and will never let it go. (Proverbs 4:21-22)

Today, I walk as a child of the light. Once surrounded by darkness, no longer lingering in the shadows. (Ephesians 5:8)

Tomorrow, no I live for this day and tackle tomorrow when it is my today. (Matthew 6:39)

1. To begin my countdown, thankful for simply today.

Living, Laughing, Loving It

Adding more snapshots to the album of my life. Photos of me, splashin' in life.

I challenged myself to start, and I jumped cannonball style.

We headed to our local zoo one afternoon. Sticking out our tongues with the Komodo, climbing trees with the monkeys, holding hands with my love, roaring with the lions. Living, laughing, and loving it.

I'm still learning. Cultivating joy in my life and my family, a lesson worth learning. All of your ideas have brought a smile to my heart and creativity to my day. Would you consider joining me?

There is room for all of us, to encourage one another, to laugh with new friends, to spread joy for life in the land of blog. Leave a comment on how you are livin' life this week, playing with your family, going on a walk in nature, snuggling up to finish a good book, and of course leave me more ideas :) You can even join in, and post this week about it. If you decide to jump into this joy pool, make sure to include your link so that we can stop by and splash with you.

And don't forget to sign up for the Red Letter project (the book of Matthew in music) giveaway.

On His Toes

I see His feet.

I hear the sweet music captivating me.

I long to dance with my King.

In shame, I hang my head.

I'm afraid I don't know how.

The steps, the rhythm, letting Him lead, only blurs of hope.

In majestic gentleness, He lifts my chin.

I cannot focus on His face, not yet,

His words change my life.

'Stand on my feet, my daughter, and we will dance.

I will teach you the steps as you learn to trust me.'

Holding me close, I step on nail scarred feet.

The dance begins.

With each step, more freedom, lavish love, surrendered trust.

My life's dance, standing on my King's feet.

Today, I am learning the rhythm and the song He sings over my life.

As I stand on His feet.

It doesn't matter where we are, the steps we may have forgotten or never knew.

The dance can begin today. For you sweet friends, for me. Do you have a relationship with your Creator, the intimacy, where you can hear the song of heaven? He is waiting to dance with all of us. Step by step, He is teaching me. To trust. To let Him lead. To hear the heartbeat of heaven and dance along.

Sippin' Sunshine

Hugs of thanks and squeals of joy splashed our day as we moved into our new mission field of sunny Arizona. We're unpacking and settling the dust as we venture into a new realm of ministry to equip a generation to reach the nations.

Sweet friends, thank you for your prayers and notes of encouragement. You have blessed my heart beyond measure. I had to share with each of you, just can't keep it inside. We serve an amazing and faithful Lord ... read on.

With just 9 days until we moved to the US, God provided in amazing ways. We have a house to rent beyond my wildest dreams. 2 months ago, the Lord led me to a sweet time of surrendering Costa Rica, our life, my little home, furniture for the first time ... And truly began to rejoice in obeying Him.

I was free to dream. Hand in hand I began to sprout wings in my heart and soar into the possibilities. He took me to this house that I had been to once in my life. My dream come true wrapped in His love. I knew God was using it show me that He could provide and that he would. I never envisioned what He had in store.

During that time, I also was studying the name of God Jehovah Jireh, God Will Provide. It fit our situation. The first time this name was used was when Abraham was about to sacrifice his son on the altar. It wasn’t just his child, it was the fulfillment of God’s promises to him. We were in the same situation. God was asking me to lay it all down on the altar, trusting Him to provide.

Our friends emailed us and said that they wanted to rent one of their houses to us. Not just any house, THE house that I had been dreaming of with God.

We were amazed and in awe at the provision of our Lord. Then I saw the address of our new house. I gasped, covered my mouth as the tears came.

The verse that God spoke to my heart a few months ago, when I was dreaming with Him. It was when I was studying His name Jehovah Jireh. That very same verse is the one that I put in my prayer journal to pray over us, to increase my faith, and claim God’s perfect provision.

“So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” - Genesis 22:14

Our home address literally signifies mountain. On the mountain of the Lord, it will be provided.

God has shown us that He provides when we step out in faith. He provides the ram when we lay it all down and say, I will go Lord, wherever you ask, even back to AZ. I will lay down my dreams of serving on the mission field, to reach the nations your way, not mine. I will surrender our little home in Costa Rica on your altar.

In childlike faith, I was looking for the ram. I have seen it it caught in the thicket of His faithfulness.

Death Has No Sting

I savored the privilege and the honor of being with my Gram as she went home to dance for eternity tonight. Miraculous describes the past 48 hours. From the miracle of getting us here (with the cheapest international ticket prices anyone has ever seen) to the sweet time of singing and dancing with the Lord in a hospice room, ushering her into His presence.

Too many amazing things and I'm a bit tired, exhausted really. But tonight is a night to celebrate and carry the torch from her heart to mine.

So many thoughts, emotions mixed with awe swirling in my mind. How can I possibly capture in words the events of this day? I close my eyes and can only see one picture, a wrinkled sun spotted hand, gripping a child's gift of love.

My boys made a foam cross for my Gram and we sent it. The envelope arrived in time to bless her hospital room. We had no way of knowing she would fall when we sent it, God's timing. The pictures and verses we sent greeted me on the hospice wall when I arrived weary from a day's full travel.

She held the cross throughout the past few days. This afternoon someone put it back in her hand. Loosely tucked in her fingers, Gram couldn't communicate but her spirit was rejoicing.

We realized after she went home for eternity that the cross was still in her hand, but she was gripping it tightly. Her other hand lay limp.

She held on to the cross, a beautiful symbol of the heritage of Christ that continues on through her great grandsons!

All praise to God. Death is beautiful, there is NO sting, thank you Jesus!

The tears are finally spilling. I will miss you Gram. Thank you for the life you lived for our Jesus. Thank you for dancing with me to bed so many times. It was a joy to dance with you tonight.

Until we dance again,

Sarah Dawn