Greg Loves Sarah

Just in case y’all were wondering…

Thanks to dear Mr. and Mrs. Bogner, I had THE CUTEST feets on the campus of the International ALERT Academy today. :)

They said “Irish for the day” :)

The Camps and Conferences Dept. at ALERT is a busy place to work. It’s a good thing and I love it. Lately, we are working really hard at balancing out our hours and not putting in overtime. SO, if I have to work over the weekend (because a conference is scheduled) then I have to take that amount of time off during the week. Sometimes, this can be challenging – like when one (me!) is in the mood to work or has the motivation to tackle a certain project or just has a ton to do. Other times (like this very moment!) it is a delight to escape right smack in the middle of the week and do whatever my heart desires! It’s like a little vacation.

This Wednesday afternoon, I am sitting at a park in Tyler. This pretty little park is my most recent discovery of favorite places to be. There is a Starbucks on the way too :)

Here I am with my laptop, a lousy wireless connection, a plate of Chinese take-out, a grande solo (shot of espresso) mocha Frapp, a patchwork quilt, and sunshine – lots of sunshine. By the way, $4.76 is an absurd price for a drink! Gratefully, its price was covered by a friend in the form of a gift card. Ah…praise the Lord for friends!

I have such a wonderful dad. Ok…that was a change of subject I know. But hey, it works for me and its my blog :)

My dad has always, always, always shown his love for his girls in such sweet ways. As Catherine and I grew, Dad knew what a great joy it was for his daughters to be able to give. Particularly at Christmastime, this was always on Dad’s heart. He knew that our greatest joy at Christmas would not be in the things we received, but in being able to have gifts for others – for him.

But there was one dilemna for us girls. Catherine and I were POOR.

And so, Dad would reach into his wallet with a glad, loving heart and give his girls “spending money”. Ah, what a grand Christmas it was then! Catherine and I could shop! Not for ourselves, but for those most dear to us.

Christmas morning, Dad and Mom would open their gifts from each of us and smile and hug us – Wow, it was great! Never mind that Dad had actually PAID for his OWN GIFT! That didn’t matter to him. It didn’t matter to me.

Dad didn’t mock my or my sister’s poverty. He rejoiced in the fact that we gave from our hearts (though it was from his pocket). And, you know what?…Our poverty itself proved to be a gift – for that very lack created the need for Dad to step in, for us to see with our eyes and hearts his love for his girls, and allowed us to give back not out of our plenty but out of our dependence and love.

So, here I am with my Heavenly Father. I long to give Him everything that I am. But what specifically can I give? He has given so much to me. There are things to give that I can see easily: my talents, possessions, my future. But are there other things that He’s given that I haven’t yet learned to see as gifts???

What has my Heavenly Father given me that I can give back? At times and in some ways, I feel so poor. But maybe, in this case as well, the poverty itself is a gift. Maybe…I can give this to Him as well.

Maybe just as it is with Dad, my lack, my hunger, my poverty are gifts. Maybe they are among the most precious gifts of all – those that cause us to see HIM for all that He is.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

In giving these humble things back to the Father, He doesn’t mock our poverty. Rather, He rejoices with us that we gave because He gave first. This is what makes even the smallest of gifts PRICELESS.

SO. Like I said…I have such a wonderful dad. And these two girls – who will always be Daddy’s girls – are grateful for a dad who, as a father, is constantly being a picture of Christ’s love for His children.

I love you, Daddy.

Just thought I’d fill the observing world in on a few of the things that am grateful for:

1) My Mom and Dad (words are not enough)
2) My sister Catherine (who is such a fine example to me – She’s SUCH an excellent wife and mother)
3) My brother-in-law Chris (my Lord picked just the right one for me :) I treasure “What’s his bucket”…)
4) My niece Savannah (Seeing her makes me want to love Christ so purely and deeply, Her giggles are better than music!)
5) Home – my South Louisiana home (it’s true – There’s no place like it)
6) Home – My cozy little room in the girls’ house. It really has become a home away from Home.
7) My job/ministry (I really enjoy working for ALERT. I know that I am in the center of God’s will and there is great peace there.)
8 ) The folks that work with (I am BLESSED.)
9) Heaven (Not there yet, but the Lord gives me such sweet tastes of eternity now. Thank You, Jesus!)
10) Friends (“Insomuch as anyone pushes you nearer to God, he or she is your friend.”)
11) Strangers (Because they are friends waiting to happen.)
12) The Word of God
13) The Comforter – God’s Holy Spirit
14) My Savior
15) Cool, sunshiny days – like today.

May Christ be your First Love….

Your Friend in Christ,
Sarah

This Sunday (today) found me thoroughly enjoying a peaceful, sweet time all by myself (Well, I am never alone.) at a lovely little park in Tyler.

The weather forecast called for a little sunshine and a little rain, but I decided to head out anyway. See… :)

There I was at the park – quilt spread out on the ground, a mocha at my side, a good book (by Elisabeth Elliot), and a GLORIOUS Book (my Bible).

When I arrived the sky was cloudy and I didn’t know how long I’d get to stay. Still, I found a comfy spot and settled in…

The sounds of the park were great. There was laughter to be heard. And this little girl (cute little thing, about 4 yrs old) was huffing and puffing and pumping her arms as she ran up the hill I was on. Behind me was an outdoor stage and seating area. At one point, some little guy got up on that stage (I couldn’t see him as I was parked behind a stone wall.)…Well, he got up on that stage and sang the “Star Spangled Banner” boldly to an invisible audience. Ah! to be a child again… :)

After a bit, the sky grew cloudier and dimmer, the air was colder, and eventually a very light rain began to mist me and my book.

I thought about packing up and heading out but decided to ride it out a little longer.

And, then, you know what? THEN…the clouds began to drift away and the sun began to shine through. I just had to wait a little longer…

And maybe… just maybe… I appreciated the warmth of the sun on my face more because I had endured the sprinkles of rain and the chill.

“In my opinion whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the MAGNIFICENT FUTURE God has in store for us. The whole creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own. The world of creation cannot as yet see reality, not because it chooses to be blind, but because in God’s purpose it has been so limited – yet it has been given hope. And the HOPE is that in the end the whole of created life will be rescued from the tyranny of change and decay, and have its share in that MAGNIFICENT LIBERTY which can only belong to the children of God!” -Romans 8:18-21 Phillips.

Wow.

So…The other day, I posted a list of TEN TO-DO’s for while I was “home home”. Out of the 10, 9 are officially accomplished. #3 was attempted – but was unsuccessful. When I went to walk through my yard in my bare feet, it was dark (if I remember right) and the ground was wet and the wet was a tad chillyish. So, we have to save #3 for another trip.

Here is my updated list: (Always feels SO GREAT scratching things off. OK, time to home home AGAIN so I can tackle more :-D heehee)

1) Hug my Mom (Did LOTS of this.)

2) Sit with my dad in the SAME recliner (Such a comfy place. I have a GREAT dad!)

3) Walk through my yard in my bare feet (Yet to be accomplished – but ATTEMPTED nonetheless)

4) Eat a home-cooked cajun meal (Done more than once – Wow, we eat WELL in South Louisiana :) )

5) Sit on our porch and read (I am in Chapter 4 of the Authentic Relationships book. SUCH a great book! No comment…I am determined this time to complete :) )

6) Enjoy a sunset over the field across the street :)

7) Get a hair-cut at Kristy’s Thanks, Kristy!

8 ) Explore the new section of River Ranch -Been wanting to do that for a while

9) Sleep in Loveliness :) :) :)

10) Take a deep breath and BE. :) Need to do this more – even in Big Sandy! :)

Enjoy some pics!

I LOVE MY MOM AND DAD!!!!!!!!!!!! I so enjoyed this visit home… I was missing it before I even left! :(

Malloo and me :) We had about 2 hrs to spend together on Saturday – Mel was passing through on her way from Aaron and Laura’s to Houston…. SO nice living betwixt Bogners and Bakers :)

So… a 7 1/2 mph speed limit. Hmmmmm :-P

Ok…These are called “Bubbies” or “Mochis”. Mel and I discovered these unusual treats at “Scoops” – a little local ice cream shop. We chose not to resist the temptation to experiment. :) They are like little balls of ice cream wrapped/coated in flavored rice flour. It’s sort of like having a little ice cream ball wrapped in something about the consistency of a twizzler. New to the pallet, but quite delicious :)

Me and Momma and Mel :)

Outside of a Community Coffee Cafe… One tall Mocha Mochassippi with an extra shot of espresso PLEASE :)

On my very short walk in the new section of River Ranch. Scratching #8 off of my list :)

And IN CASE you are wondering where Spring is…It is happily situated in South Louisiana. I found it :) The weather was GORGEOUS… The grass is turning a lovely spring green. The skies were clear. The sun was warm on my face. When Mel came by Saturday, she made a sweet observation: That the Lord always blesses us with lovely days. And He does…

I am living in East Texas. But I am a south Louisiana girl. :)

This morning I headed for Houston to spend a couple of days at Home #4 – the Bogners! I arrived this afternoon and am already enjoying a sweet time with sweet girls and their dear mom and dad! :)

Now…I think I am going to watch a late night movie with Mel…..

Laters!!! :)