Bullseye

Do I have a target in the middle of my forehead? Why is it that guys give me a hard time all the time? Am I intimidating? Am I scary? Am I mean? (I'm not saying this in anger at all...it's almost kinda funny). The guys can be in high school or they can be a 40 year old co-workers. Doesn't matter what age. I mean, how can a person that's barely taller than 5 foot be scary? Or intimidating?

I know some other girls that are just as confused as I am. Is it a way for them to say they care about us, instead of punching us in the shoulder or giving a "good game" like they would their guy friends? Or is it that they just like to see us all riled up and mad? I don't know. I think on some level I appreciate because then I know they care, but then I wonder if there's something wrong with me or if I'm mean. And I can dish it back if needed. Which is fun sometimes....okay most of the time:) But after a while it does wear me out. And there are times that I get carried away as well. I'm not perfect either. And I know I have to watch my words because a lot of people take me serious, and they might not understand when I'm joking for being sarcastic. (And I've really been convicted about being sarcastic). There are a few people (guys and girls) that I can be "sassy" with and not be afraid that they're going to take it the wrong way.

But is that the right attitude for me to have? In James, the bible talks about taming the tongue. And how fresh water and sea water can't come out of the same spring. Ungodly speech and godly speech can't come out the same mouth. And I wonder where my attitude falls. And my speech. And if it's a heart issue that I need to resolve. For I know what's in my heart comes out my mouth sooner or later :) Which can be a good or bad thing. Communication is a tricky thing. Sometimes I wish we were all minder readers, but then I'm glad that we're not for lots of reasons. Anyways, this wasn't meant to point fingers or anything. Pretty much just rambling and putting thoughts on paper. Input would be welcome. And I hope everyone enjoys their last official week of school (finals don't count...they're just tests).

I need a favor...

For securtity reasons for this summer, if you have a link to my blog....can you please take my last name off. I was called Sarah G. all through grade school, so it won't bug me. I would really appreciate it a bunch. It would make things a lot easier! Hope everyone is having a fantastic week and I have 3 days left of school. So excited!

What it's like to be short

I was reading Miss Powell's post about being tall and I thought it would be funny if I did one on being short:) I am 5'1/2" (yes that's right, a half an inch). I have been this height since the 5th grade. Haven't grown a milimeter since then. It's been interesting.

Cons:
1) Not being able to reach things that normal people can reach. Like books on a book shelf, or stuff in the kitchen.
2) Going to doctor's offices and barely being able to see over the counter.
3) When I drove my F-150, having to have a pillow behind my back so that I could reach the peddles.
4) Sitting behind someone in a movie theatre that's taller than me and not being able to see the movie.
5) People thinking that I'm in junior high (I led a girls junior high small group at a Disciple Now, and the host family thought I was one of the girls, and they couldn't figure out why I was bossing everyone around).
6) For some reason people like to pick up short people. And not just boys. I've had girls in my small group pick me up and twirl me as well as a certain BCM women's associate director. I think I've been tossed as well.
7) Having short legs means that I have to walk faster to keep up with everyone else.
8) My cello was taller than I was.
9) People using your head as an arm rest.
10) People thinking that you're dainty and fragile.
11) Carrying around backpacks that weigh half as much as you all day.

Pros:
1) Having a valid reason to be in the front.
2) People are always getting things for you off shelves and such.
3) My mother says I don't have to worry about marrying someone shorter than me. (HA!)
4) When I'm tired, people can give me a piggy-back ride places.
5) Easier to manuver around crowds and get around things.
6) Can fit in small places. And sleep on small couches.
7) I loved jumping out of my truck. Kinda of weird, but I loved it.
8) I can buy college clothing in child's sizes and pay less for it.
9) Being underestimated in sports.
10) They always have shoes in my size 'cause no one buys them.

Yeah that's all that I can think of off the top of my head.

X-Men 3

Lets just say that this is the only movie that I am looking forward to this summer. And that's okay, beccause it is going to be AMAZING!!! If you haven't checked out all the trailers, you should take a peek at the official website www.x3movie.com. It comes out May 26. I won't be able to see it opening day, but if anyone wants to see if while I'm in Norman, let me know. If not, I'll will go watch it myself (or possibly drag Maureen or my brother to it) :) Now, we just need another Harry Potter book and movie! Fun.

Highlights from the Retreat

We had our servant team retreat this friday/saturday by the Catalina Mountains. So beautiful and only 20 minutes away from my house. Really good bonding time for the small group leaders. Casting vision and preparing for the next semester. Here are some of my highlights:

1) Cooking. I usually don't like to cook, but it was theraputic after the stress of school.

2) Girl time: talking until 2 am (of course), gargling water to the Little Mermaid and Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star (which we have on video), and waking up at 5:30 am to Saran wrap the guys' cars. It was great. One of the guys had slept in the bed of his truck and was out cold. We left his truck alone, but then stuck all the Saran boxes in the back of his truck. We probably could of Saran wrapped around him. The guys were really confused. One was so tired that he couldn't figure out why his door wouldn't open and then tried to use his keys. Priceless. We probably just started a war. Oh well. It was worth it :) We probably could have done it better if we hadn't come up with the idea around mid-night. Not many stores are open then.

3) Prayer: what can I say, I like it a lot. And it was so needed. Also a good way to bond.

I guess my list wasn't as long as I thought it would be :) I guess that's what happens when you're tired. I'm not as "young" as I used to be. I can't handle going on no sleep like I used to, I'm turing into a party pooper. Okay off to take a nap!

Isaiah 61

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me,
because the LORD has appointed me to bring
good news to the poor. He has sent me to
comfort the brokenhearted and to announce
that captives will be released and prisoners will
be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the LORD's favor has come,
and with it, the day of God's anger against their
enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give
beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning,
praise instead of depair. For the LORD has
planted them like strong and graceful
oaks for his own glory."
-Isaiah 61:1-3

God is good, all the time. He just keeps reminding me that He has my back. He is taking care of me, and everything that He allows in my life is to give Him glory in the end. And I am free. Even when the details of life get overwhelming or school seems like a drag, He points out all the things I need to be thankful for. The small things. The little blessing each day that sometimes I take for granted or overlook, because I'm too busy trying to run my life, instead of letting Christ take care of it. And He does. He gives me grace when I dont' deserve it, and rebukes me when I need it. He's a good dad.

A Year in Review

Today was a very thoughtful and reflective day. Thinking about what Christ has done in my life this last year. It was a year ago that I was preparing for Project Impact and praying that God would do something amazing and unexpected in my life. He did. I didn't have the faintest clue, and He surpassed all of my expectations. Thinking about the friendships I've made and the "extended" family that I have all across the country. The old and the new friends. All in different seasons of life, but still teaching me about Christ and his love. I don't know how to classify this year. It wasn't just a good or bad year. It was a hard year. Full of learning and making mistakes, trusting God when I couldn't see what the future would hold, seeing His grace and mercy, and being blessed by the little things in life, and seeing my weaknesses and how if I let Him, they could be made into strengths. Lots of crying, but much more laughter. And here I am preparing for another summer :) Another life changing experience that I know God is going to use to transform my life. Scary huh? In a good way. As Christians we are never the same. Constantly being refined and transformed into the image of Christ. I guess my Melancholy is coming out. I am just thankful that He is going to continue the work He began in me.

Okay here are some funny things out last year:

1) Debby referring to Holly and I as "pot heads" because of our love of Harry Potter. Interesting. (If you don't believe me, look under my post for April 14th for 2005). I believe Debby has since joined the ranks of Harry Potter fans.

2) Naco, Mexico. My BCM actually let Jess and I lead a group to do a mission trip to Mexico :) We did fine, but it was probably more stressful preparing for that than my finals. We had a great time.

3) Being a professional Bridesmaid! Lots of fun and laughs. Glad the wedding season will be taking a break after this summer. Weddings are fun, but very stressful.

4) My small group! We have had some fun times. And laughed a lot. Especially at my list of things to ask God when I get to Heaven.

I love to read and write. Good thing I'm an English Major. It is just so soothing and relaxing. I am excited about the next year and what exciting things that Christ has planned for me. May I follow Him, even when I don't understand. I pray I would just trust and believe His promises.

Safety Within Arms Reach

I was driving home today after a long day of school. It was about rush hour and the sun was directly in my face. Traffic was at a stop and I was looking around at my surroundings. I notice a guy on a motorcyle, with his helmet attached to the seat behind him. The first thoughts that enter my head were " Oh my goodness how STUPID is this guy. If he gets in an accident that helmet is going to do him no good being on the seat behind him." And is was like God hit he upside the head. How many times have I had instruments, tools, armor within my reach, but failed to use them the way they were intended? Let me clarifiy that, spiritual instruments, tools, armor. The Word, prayer, fellowship, worship and so much more. Not that these things are "tools." But that they were given to us so that we could know Christ, have a relationship with Him, praise and worship the Creator that made us, and know what we are supposed to do with our lives. How many times have I had these things in my life and tried to do my own thing, thinking I know better? Let's just say a lot. How many times have I been the guy on the motorcyle with his helmet behind him flirting with disaster? More times than I'd like to admit. So I got a nice challenge from the Big Guy. How about I try to work on my own shortcomings instead of pointing out other people's. I love my commuting between school and home. God gets me all to himself in the car.

Sunburn

Well I don't have a sunburn...not yet anyway. It was really nice Monday and now it's hot. Sunburn hot. I put sunblock on my face everyday, no matter what the temperature is, but now there will be a tube of the stuff in my purse. I have a love hate relationship with the sun in Arizona. I love bright, open spaces. A cloudy day is nice every once in a while, but for 3 days or more it's torture. I think attendence drops for classes around here if it's overcast too long. But, if a person is not careful, they can look like a lobster in 30 minutes. Or less. Been there, done that and it's not pretty. Plus it hurts really bad. Ironically the worst sunburn I ever got was at La Holla beach in California. Fell asleep on my stomach and fried my back from head to toe. This was the last day of summer camp before I was a sophomore in high school. Since that sunburn, I've carried sunblock with me everywhere during the summer. Sunscreen and sunblock are totatlly different lotions. The key words are "screen" and "block". If you can tan, sunscreen is your best bet because it screens out most of the harmful rays but you can still get a tan. If you would rather be pale instead of pink or red, like me, you want sunblock...cause nothing can get through it. I love the sun, but will admire it from a distance, probably under the shade.

Televison

I realized over this weekend that I have lost the desire to watch tv. I don't have time during the week to watch anything, and the only show I watch on the weekends is Greys Anatomy. Which is hilarious when I watch it with my mother, who just happens to be an RN. But other than that, I don't really watch anything.

I do spend a lot of my time on my PowerBook G4. Writing papers, checking emails and facebook, updating this blog ect. Apples are the future. My brother's PC is being overrun by viruses and mine is clean. I love it. And she's pretty. And Graphic Design is so much more fun on an Apple.

What else takes up my time besides ministry? Books. Here is a list of all the books that I have read and will read this semester:

BRITISH LITERATURE:
Beowulf
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer
Second Shepherd's Play
Everyman
Doctor Faustus by Marlowe
Henry IV Part I by Shakespeare
Faerie Queene by Spenser
Paradise Lost by Milton

ADVANCED SHAKESPEARE
The Merchant of Venice
Much Ado About Nothing
As You Like It
Richard II
Henry IV Part I
Romeo and Juliet
Hamlet

VICTORIAN LITERATURE
Jane Eyre by C. Bronte
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by R.L Stevenson
King Solomon's Mines by H.R. Haggard
Selected poetry by Tennyson
Selected poetry by Robert Browning
Selected poetry by Gererd Hopkins
Importance of Being Earnest by O. Wilde
Father and Son by E. Gosse

ROMAN ART & ARCHITECTURE
Roman Art by Ramage & Ramage
The Mute Stones Speak by MacKendrick

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision Making

COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS
Selections from the Old & New Testament
Selections from the Qur'an

Only God could get me through all of this with my sanity intact. My favoritye classes are my Shakepeare class (ILOVEITILOVEITILOVEIT!!!) and my Roman Art & Architecture class (the Professor is a hoot in ways that cannot be described in the English language. He is SO old and has done so much and knows so many people. And He's funny). I love English. This would also explain why I don't have any time to watch televison. HA.

Psalm 66

"Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!
Sing about the glory of his name!
Tell the world how glorious he is.
Say to God, 'How awesome are your
deeds!
Your enemies cringe before your mighty
power.
Everything on earth will worship you;
they will sing your praises,
shouting your name in glorious songs.'

Come and see what our God has done,
what awesome miracles he does for his
people!
He made a dry path through the Red
Sea,
and his people went across on foot.
Come, let us rejoice in who he is.
For by his great power her rules forever.
He watches every movement of the
nations;
let no rebel rise in defiance.
- Psalm 66: 1-7

This last week God is just been showing me how great He is, and how He is in control of every aspect of my life. It would be cool to do my own commentary on this passage, but I think it speaks for itself. I don't think the limited English that I know could add much more significance to these scriptures.

I'm Particular

I was going out to lunch with a friend and she remarked that I always get the same thing. And it's true. I find someting I like at an eating establishment and stick with it. And I thought I would be amusing to document what I get at what dinning place. Humor me.

Starbucks: Tall Carmel Apple Cider
Jamba Juice: Berry Lime Sublime (immunity boost)
McDonalds: #7 Crispy Chicken, plain, no mayo. Medium fries and a Medium Coke (lets just say I'm picky...or I know what I like)
La Salsa: Classic Quesadilla with Chicken (or Classica Quesadilla con pollo, as the cashier says)
Chipotle: Chicken Burrito Bowl
Jimmy Johns: Vito, no tomato (and a chocolate-chunk cookie)
No Anchovies: Slice of Cheese and Kiwi Strawberry Snapple
Panda Express: 2 Entree with Orange Chicken, fried Rice, and the Teriaki Chicken
Cheesecake Factory: 4 Cheese Pasta and a Coke
Olive Garden: Tour of Italy and as many breadsticks as I can fit in my purse
Subway: (when I used to eat there..JJ is so much better) Meatball Sandwich on Cheese bread with Oregano and Parmisan. During Highschool the lady had my order memorized and when she saw me coming she would make it and bring it to the cash register. Before I walked in.
Pei Wei: Kids Wei Teriaki Chicken, with Brown Rice
Penguins Ice Cream: Vanilla yoqurt with Gummy Bears on top
Cold Stone: Cookie Dought You Want Some More (with Cake batter ice cream)(probably spelled that wrong)
Baggins: The Club Sandwich -no tomato, no bacon, extra onions
Wendy's: #2 plain with just onions and cheese
In-n-Out: a plain cheese burger with onions
Quiznos: regular Italian sub and raspberry lemonade

Okay my brain can't think of any more. If anything, this is amusing to me. Ha. I am so predictable.

Adventures

This weekend was so fun and insightful! I went to the Woman-to-Woman in Phoenix with girls from my BCM and had a blast. The Keynote speaker was Nancy Leigh DeMoss. She was wonderful and I'm still reflecting on the the all the insights she brought about womanhood and the Bible. She wrote Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free (Holly, she is a doll and about my height...and I told her a little about you!) It was a great time of bonding. Pride & Prejudice and late night converstations. Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory (where I got to spend some time with the lovely Stephanie Jones). And I think one of the most memoriable moments was driving with 4 girls in my car while we sang songs of worship most of the way back home... off-key, with the rhythm off...but it was the most beautiful thing I have heard in a long time. No radio to for back up music, just voices. That memory will stick with me for a while.

My tanks are full. And I'm ready for the next month or so of school. This semester has had it's good points and it's bad points, but I'm thankful that Jesus is in the business of filling our tanks when we are empty. And that He wants to make us whole. Summer's just around the corner and I am anxious to see what more God has instore for my life. I know it will be life-changing.