Goodbye Tuesday, Hello Friday!

     I apologize in advance for the super short post today! I could give you every excuse in the book, but I'll simply say, "life happens!" and move on from there! I will add, my sister Bekah has been terribly sick and we all covet all of your prayers! Thank you!

 

    You're probably wondering, "What in the world happened to the consistent weekly posts we were promised?" Well, my dear readers, I must admit that promise has been a bit hard to keep this year and the year has only just begun! So, my solution is to try a new day of the week! Friday seems promising! I am going to try to post every Friday starting next week on the 10th. I simply have too much going on on Tuesdays so I've thought instead of cramming so much into one day I am trying to even out the load a bit for myself.

    Also, I will probably become a bit lax even on Fridays, as I have much to do when it comes to writing! I have three books I want to write! Two I have started, one I have not! The one I haven't started probably has me the most excited to be honest! I am planning on reading years and years worth of my great grandmother's diaries in hopes to put together a biography about her life. I also have hopes to at least put a dent in the fiction book I have started this year as well. Whether I share that or not will depend on how it turns out. :) Writing the fictional book, and the research for the biography will be more than enough to keep me busy this year! But of course being the ambitious fool I am, I am also trying to tackle a few languages! At least learning the basics. oh and don't forget the bedroom project I would love to do! We shall see at the end of this year how well my ambitions play out! Maybe I will have read through 3 years worth of diaries and will have written a good portion of my fictional book in my newly remodeled bedroom! Again, we shall see won't we? One can be hopeful, right?
   
    I definitely have a list of things I'd like to get done this year, and yet I am not going to be too disappointed if they are not all achieved this year! I have a feeling God may change my plans, and that is okay with me! I am willing to throw all of my blueprints out the window to allow my God to be the superior designer of my life! Though I do wish I could see His blueprint spread out before me, I know I can trust Him!


    I'd love to hear about what you guys have going on and what your plans for this year entail!
Until next Friday!


Simply,
     Sarah
      

Encourage/ Update

   

    Wow! 2017 is swiftly approaching! How can this be? Cornerstone's mission's conference this year was tremendous! Though we missed having our regular preacher, Bro. Danny Farley, we heard some much needed messages from Bro. Brent Logan. I am so glad the Lord worked it out for him to come!
    Our giving for the coming year was projected to be almost 715,000 on Wednesday night. The following Sunday night it had raised to about $762,000! Praise be to GOD! Now we must be faithful to give as we promised. I am confident in my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!
    Though I am disappointed the great conference is over, all good things must come to an end. I am excited to see what the LORD has planned for the new year! A fresh start. Hmm, that sounds nice! This has been a good year all in all, but it has definitely had it's ups and downs! A new year makes me feel as if I can start over. Rewind, take a step back and reflect on the past year in order to do better in the next. Boy, do I have some work to do!
    I am not in the mood to lecture this morning, but to encourage! I know we can all use a bit of encouragement every now and then! I sure do! I encourage you to pass on the encouragement this season! A simple, "I'm praying for you" or "Keep doing right" may make more of an impact than you realize! I am convinced that I have the best group of friends anyone could ask for! I have friends that encourage me in the way they live and with their words. The Lord knows exactly what we need when we need it. The Lord may decide to use you to lift up a brother or sister out of discouragement! Don't squelch that opportunity!
    I don't know why, but within the hustle and bustle of the season I can easily become stressed and discouraged with all the things going on! It is also easy to lose focus and become so busy we forget what we are supposed to be celebrating! A simple word from a friend to tell me they are praying for me, sends my focus spinning back into place. These are the friends I hope to keep throughout my life time! I love you all!
   As of other happenings:
• Some of my best friends just returned from Ethiopia about two weeks ago! It is great having the Fussners back in the states! How I have missed them!
• Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!!! Parties and shopping and lists and decorating and yes it is that time of year again! I do enjoy getting together with family and friends simply to spend time together!
• Wedding showers and preparations! Yes my little sister's wedding date is almost here! January 7th will be here before we know it! Twenty-five days!
• My cousin, Caleb, just got married as well!
That is enough to keep us busy!
Thanksgiving went great! I think everyone enjoyed themselves for which I am thankful! I am looking forward to Christmas now! Just please don't come too quickly, I am not quite ready! ;)
Well, this post is another bunch of my ramblings! Hopefully, once the holiday season is over, I'll be able to sit and write something of substance! I will be taking another break for the holidays until the 27th!
As always, thank you for your time! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! May you all stay warm and well!


  Simply,
        Sarah