Dear Future...

As you all already know, I love to write! Aside from writing this blog, I write some stories and also letters. I write letters to people I know, and people I haven't met yet. Such as my future husband and my future children. Yes, I know I'm odd, but whatever! I think it would be cool to hear from your mother or spouse as a teen and young adult. So I am going to start a small series of letters to my "futures". These posts maybe a bit different for you guys, but maybe, just maybe I can inspire you guys to write a "future" letter, whether it be to your future spouse, children, yourself, or whatever.


Dear Future,


  What do you have in store? I can't help but wonder! The possibilities are endless! To know you could change so much for me. Why must you be such a mystery? I suppose that is simply a part of what makes this life so exciting. To think of seeing the future unfolding before me in a way I could never imagine has a way of exciting me . I can't honestly say I understand everything, or even that I want to fully understand everything, but I am anxious to see what you hold! To meet the people you bring across my path. To see the person I am meant to be several years down the road. To meet the man I am meant to marry, and the children we may have. So much excitement in thinking about all the things you hide behind another day!


  A friend of mine reminded me today, that everyone goes through daily struggles. I go through some myself. Some of us may have bigger troubles than others, some may be big, but not obvious. What struggles lay in wait for me Future? I suppose this letter could truly be to my Father, beings He is the creator of the future. So Father, how will I fair in the trials ahead? Will I be strong and humble enough to lean on You? To reach for Your guiding hand? Am I strong enough to do so now? In these struggles I am facing today? Can I hand them over to You, without doubt, without fear? Trusting You will take care of it all, is easier said than done, I must say! This shouldn't be so after seeing all that you have done thus far. I am human, we never seem to learn do we? Not what is of true importance in this life anyway. 


  Father, I ask that you would not show me the future, but prepare me for it. I know that is what You have been doing, but God I stand here asking You to continue preparing me, this time I won't struggle against Your teachings, and Your guiding hand, but follow as You lead me into the unknown. Father, I love you for never giving up on me! I pray I never give up serving You to the best of my ability, and I honestly could do so so so much better! When I am down, hold me up Father. I am weak, please give me strength. When I am anxious, help me to be trusting. When I am frustrated, I pray for patience! Lord I am all of these things right now in this moment! I ask you my God for peace that I know only You can give!


  I love You Lord, help me to love You more!


  Simply,
      Sarah   

"Can You Hear Me?"

  I am sure we all can see our country is going downhill fast! As a young person, this is very discouraging to me to see my generation coming into adulthood in this way. To see young people standing on the flag that our forefathers fought for, to see that racism is still taking both white and black lives, crime rates are higher than ever before, it all turns my stomach. Can't we see where we came from? I know we are so far from all of that now, but can't you see it? I am tired of this! This is from the heart of a young person of this generation. Yes, I am a white girl, if that's what you want to call me- But I don't go around declaring it. I deserve nothing more than anyone else. Absolutely nothing. I have no right to demand anymore than what has been given to me, I am blessed beyond measure. Read on- but please keep your heart open!

Black Lives Matter Protest

Flag burning Event in Brooklyn


[08.02.16]
 Can You Hear Me?

The red, white and blue 

Doesn't stand for slavery  

It just isn't true

Can you hear me?

They yell in the streets

A cry for blood

They stomp on our banner in their cleats

Not caring as they hear the thud

Can you hear me??

They do not realize

We are free if we bow the knee

because our history books people revise

Should we consume the lives of more?

Nay! I say!

No more!

And yet they continuously slay

The stars are lit 

The fire is spreading 

As is their ill intent

Can you hear me crying???

All lives matter!
must we say it?
That is the matter!
We shouldn't have to declare it!

You want to end racism you say
And yet you separate yourselves.
Stop seeing the colors today
put the race cards on the shelves

Where did we go wrong you say?
When we left God's path!
Will you continue down this torturous way?
Or must we all suffer through God's wrath?

We are all made in God's image
Black, white, yellow or blue
no matter the age
It is true

Please put the torch away
Remember our true history
Let the banner of freedom sway
We can overcome this part of our story

Can you hear me????
Let the violence be of the past
End racism here I plea
Let our generation be the last.

~Sarah

American soldiers raising the American flag on the island
of Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945

Veterans Cemetery on Memorial Day

  I think that is just about all I can say about what is happening in our country right now. I have pushed it aside long enough.  I can't sweep this under a rug any more. This country is my home. Despite all of the foolish murders and crime, God continues to bless this nation because of our forefathers. Can we remember that? Can we find our way back to that? I think we can if we had enough hearts willing to fight for what we have lost. To fight for what our foundation once was: The word of God! Stand up and fight my brothers and sisters! Fight for what is right, or lose all rights! That is where we are! Can you hear me?????

 

 Simply,

       Sarah

  P.S. I know this post is about my country, America, but I would absolutely love to hear more about my audience! Such as who you and where you guys are from. So let me know! Thank you so much for reading! 

3 Short Girl Problems

I know I already wrote a rant on 15 Things Short People Hear A Lot, but these are problems that we "short girls" have on almost a daily basis! Hope it's not too repetitive for you!

1. Clothes



This









•Wearing the same clothes since middle school.

•Even "short people clothes" are too long

•Looking at the weather forecast before wearing long pants or skirts, because if it rains and you wear something long, you're in trouble!

2. Big world

•Cooking, and/or putting away dishes is a workout, because you have to climb onto the counters to reach the cabinets

•Your feet rarely to never touch the ground when you sit.

•The seat belt in the car always trying to choke or decapitate you.

•The sun visor doesn't help when driving

•Fearing falling out of a roller coaster to your death, because you barely reach the height requirement

•Using the "kiddie" water fountain

•You look completely ridiculous trying to get something off the top shelf, and then you end up awkwardly asking a random tall guy to get it for you.

•Too short to use peepholes in doors... too short to be seen through peep holes in doors

3. Social

•Of course, people that comment on your short stature repetitively

•People bending down to talk to you.

•Some people treat you how you look instead of how old you actually are

•People thinking it is funny to take your stuff and throw it back and forth over your head as you frantically reach for it in vain.

•Everyone assuming you can't do small tasks because you're short

•People are surprised when you actually make a decent shot in basketball

•People saying "You only did better because you're short" when you beat them in a sport or something.

•Babysitting kids that are taller than you.

•Learning to walk fast to keep up with everyone, but then being teased for power walking everywhere

•Someone hollering your name and you're literally right there

•Forgetting the height gap when going in for a hug, and putting your arm above theirs, forcing them to do that awkward half leaning down/squatting, half standing thing.

•Standing talking to someone sitting and you're still shorter...

•Looking for someone in a crowd and finally giving up and asking a tall person if they can see them.

•Worrying about a tall person sitting in front of you in church, the theater, a symphony, ect...

•Always in the front row of pictures

Though my post today was "short" and a bit light hearted, I hope you enjoyed it! Give me some ideas for what you think I should write about next!

Simply,

       Sarah

His Footstool

First of all, I apologize for not writing last week, but as they say, Life happens! Unfortunately, so does death, which is simply a part of life. Here's my excuse:
Last summer, for those that don't remember, I went to Ethiopia to visit a missionary family I know and love very much. Well, Krystal's grandmother she was close to passed away, and she decided to fly back to the states for the funeral in Florida. Krystal is one of my best friends and I haven't seen her in about 10 months! So I headed off to Florida on Sunday afternoon with some church family of mine! We arrived on Monday with some time to spare for the beach!  We spent Monday afternoon and all day Tuesday on the beach or in a pool. I got the chance to ride a jet ski for the first time which was a lot of fun! We saw two dolphins while riding too! Wednesday, we went to the funeral, and I got to see Krystal for the first time in too long! Guys, I was so overwhelmed by seeing her, I almost broke down squalling! For those that know her, she is doing good! The whole family has been fighting cold and such so prayers for them would be much appreciated! But all in all sounds like they are all doing well!
On to this weeks post...
I have no idea what to write about, or more accurately, which idea to choose from! My mind has been crazy lately! I am unsure of a lot of things right now and I feel as if I'm trying to stand still on sinking sand. Life is moving so quickly yet so slowly! I have so many questions in need of answers.
What should I do with my life?
What next?
Should I go to school? Or not? If I do go, then what? What should I take? Where should I go? When?
Will I get another chance to take another missions trip? Should I take it if I do?
Will my choices now, prolong the wait for a spouse?
I also have other personal things I'm not ready to publicly discuss. This is my head 24/7 and this isn't even the half of it! I must have faith, and patience. I must remember my God is still on the throne! He is still in control! Just because the boat is rocking doesn't mean, He isn't there! Please pray for me to Wait on the Lord, and to be of good courage!(Ps.27:14) To stand still and let God move! To look on Him and not the troubled waters on which my feet are set!
I read a verse in Psalms 99 last night that jumped out to me
    "Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy."
He is holy! But think of all those "big" problems you have. We are told to worship at his footstool. Which brought to my mind, isn't the earth God's footstool? This may be a stretch, but what I got was, we are already at the footstool of our Lord. He sees everything that goes on because, He is here! But are we simply ignoring our Master, our King for foolish worries of this life? Worries can come in many different shapes and sizes, believe me, I know! Whether it be worry for someone's well being, health, financial situation, a relationship, a fight you're having with someone, or whatever else is on your mind, it is truly that big? Is it truly that important in the long run? Yes, they may be important, I'm not completely shrugging them off! But when put into the perspective, thinking our Savior is going ignored because of our problems, that He can solve if only brought to Him, is it really truly worth the worry? No, no it is not! I am again preaching to myself (I do that a lot don't I?)! Another thing, we are only at the footstool for a short time. Our lives are as vapors, that appear for a little time and vanish away! What are we using this time for? Worries? Pleasure? Or bringing glory to our Lord and Savior? Winning souls to Christ? Getting to know God better through the book He has blessed us with? Taking time to help a friend? Or a stranger?
This is so simple on paper isn't it? But life is different. Life is complicated. Life is hard. These things don't have to be as hard and complicated as we make them out to be! We are at the footstool of the One who controls all! The One that can change the unchangeable, calm the troubled, soften the hardened heart, carry the cross that no man could! Has He not proven Himself? Bring it to the Lord and LEAVE IT THERE! I have trouble with bringing it to the Lord, and then slowly, one by one picking up my load again, until I can't carry it anymore... Again and again! Just drop it! Leave it! You can't carry a load off alone while you're on your knees! Boy, I need to preach to myself more often! I have a lot of advice I need to follow! Lol! In all seriousness, I guess my point of this post is, we don't have long, so do what you can while you can, for GOD! Not yourself!

I know this was short, but I hope I got my point across? I think I got it! lol
Thank you for reading! If you have any verses to share that stood out to you recently, I welcome them wholeheartedly!

Until next week,

Simply,
    Sarah

God is Good

 

"Even in the valley God is good" was been ringing in my head since Thursday. What a great reminder! I needed that Thursday. I always struggle with how much information to give you guys and this post is no different! But I will say, some things in life are harder than others. No, I personally did not lose someone close to me, but watching as my dear friends grieve is hard enough. Watching them question God's goodness and fairness. Watching as they struggle fighting against bitterness that can so easily take root. Watching as they watch the hopelessness in others as they grieve for one they may never seen again. It is hard. But God is still good. Even now God is good, because He is always good! I felt the need to write out my thoughts, to simply understand what's going on in my own head (weird I know), but then I saw the title to my last post. "Blessings". Yes, God continues to bless us, even when we doubt, even when we have little faith. I also saw the title to a draft I had simply given the title "Faithful".  God is so true and faithful to us how can we question Him? Yet we do. Sometimes it is needed. I don't believe we will ever understand. I don't believe we are ever meant to. That is where faith comes in. If we understood everything, then where is the faith in that? Faith is what makes us draw closer to the LORD. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. Without faith, then what?
I don't think this will be a very long post, because, I honestly feel as if I am at a loss for words. I don't know what to say about such a situation. So I will tell you a bit more about what went on last week.
My friends grieving for a most likely, lost loved one, I was there to watch the kids and I ended up having some "heart to heart"s with them. My heart breaks for the young children that struggle to understand in the bitter times of life. I know we all struggle with that at times! Why? Why do you let innocent babies die? Why do good Christian people struggle to have one child, while a teen has two or three that are "accidental" and unwanted? Why do you let a drunk crash and kill a family, while he walks away free of harm? Why GOD do you do allow the things you do?? WHY??? This age old question can cause many to doubt, stubble and even faint in the fight. I am here to tell you, I do not have an answer. Nope, I don't. I can tell you what the LORD told me when I was talking with these friends of mine Thursday. He gave me a verse:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.


We ask "why", He answers, "Trust me".
We say "I don't understand", He answers "Lean not unto thine own understanding." 
He wants to be acknowledged, as a preacher at camp said. Trust and acknowledge Him. It won't magically give you all of the answers, but He will guide you through what you don't understand! We are such a small part of God's plan and He is in complete control. There is nothing to fear when God is near! He wants to be near to you, to guide you, but if you push Him away when you don't understand the path He has set you on, how will you find your way through? Without His light, are you going to make it through the dark on your own? The answer: You won't. Bitterness you keep you captive in the same problem until you die or you ask for the LORD to guide you through it! Here I am again, preaching to myself! Bitterness will get you nowhere!


 My first thought when my friends were crying on my shoulder, was "God is good. Even now, God is good." My God is never wrong. He never makes mistakes. He has not one ounce of evil or ill intent, He is good. As I came home for the evening, pondering on the moments they poured their broken hearts out before me, I thought, "God is still good. But what can make this better? What can heal these broken hearts?" I sat at the piano, weary and not sure why I didn't simply go to bed, I played ( Or tried to play) a few songs. I continued pondering on those questions, as I picked out two hymns from the hymnal. I was about to get up when I looked to the other page and decided to try it. The questions of my heart were then answered as I remembered the song. "What can heal broken hearts? What can make this situation easier? "Trusting Jesus that is all."  


This song said it all for me! Isn't my God wonderful? Is He not good? I choose to trust Him everyday. What about you? Simply trust Him!


Simply,
     Sarah

Blessings

Where do I begin? At this moment a chorus simply just popped into my head. It says:

♪♫♪

My God is so great,

So strong and so mighty

there's nothing my God cannot do

My God is so great,

so strong and so mighty,

there's nothing my God cannot do.

The mountains are his,

the rivers are his,

the stars are His handiwork, too.
My God is so great,

so strong and so mighty,

there's nothing my God cannot do, for you!

♪♫♪

I know this is seen as a children's song, but it rings true even as 20 year old! My God hasn't changed!

 I can't help but think how gracious and good my God is when He shows me each and everyday how He cares for me! Yes, my God is strong and mighty, but He is also loving, kind, and giving. He gives me what I need, and sometimes if it pleases Him, He throws in what I want just because He can! I have so much to be thankful for and I would like to expound on that this morning!

My heart is full this morning. Full of gladness and thankfulness.

♪♫

I have been blessed!

God's so good to me!

Blessed are His thoughts of you and me.

No way I could count them there's not enough time,

so I'll just thank Him for being so kind.

God has been good, so good.

I have been blessed!

 ♪♫

I am thankful God has given me a song a bunch of good godly songs! I don't struggle in my mind as much as I used to with music. Yes, every now and then some old song will bring me back, having me remember my time in bitterness and self pity, my time of selfishness, but (thank God there's a "but"!) He brought me out of all of that! I can think on that worldly music in sorrow for lost time, or I can praise God for deliverance from myself and my sin! Praise His dear lovely name! 

Thank the LORD for family! Though we don't always see eye to eye or understand one another, we love each other and that is priceless! I could not have picked a better family for myself! My family is amazing! Yes, we are human. We make mistakes, we get under each other's skin! We yell and have "discussions", but we care for each other and I know if I needed them they would be right there! They are anyway! lol! In all seriousness, we have been through a lot together. We have laughed together, cried together, been angry together, and plain silly together! We are all a part of each other. I honestly don't know what I would do without them, and I hate that saying! lol! But I truly mean it! They have always been right there real close (sometimes too close!) Yet I find my family to be one of the biggest blessings ever given to me!  

Speaking of family I am also very blessed to have the church family that I have! The LORD reminds of that quite a bit these days! Yesterday for example, the fourth of July. A family from church hosted a party and being the introvert that I am, I must say I was quite intimidated when pulling up to a packed house! The time flew so by so quickly I didn't want to leave, even after being there for 4-5 hours! The games were fun! It was nice to fellowship outside of church and simply sit back and enjoy good company. The fireworks were cut short because of the rain, but they were beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed them! My highlight of the entire evening though, was the singing! Oh the sweet joy that comes from praising the LORD with friends! especially when it is voluntary! We sang old hymns accompanied by two guitars. Lifted our voices to God until there wasn't much voice left to give. It wasn't perfect, but it was still and beautiful sight and sound. I know our Father savored that sweet moment of praise!

I also am thankful for our independence! If I only knew how hard it would be to serve the LORD without that, I believe I would be even more thankful! Many people may believe we are losing that independence to serve the LORD publicly, and they may be right, but don't be discouraged by that! Be encouraged and motivated to work harder and faster for our LORD! I know I could do better! I am thankful that we can freely come together to worship the King of kings and praise and share all that He has done with others!

His voice still speaks to me! My heart stops as I hear that still small voice gently calling me. As His hand steadily works on my heart, changing my desires and my plans I notice that I hear Him all the more, peacefully comforting me, and guiding me on to what He would have me do next.

A bit of a story for you: Sunday night, during the invitation, I was praying. My pastor asked us to ask the Lord what allies we had in our lives. To ask what and if something was hindering us in our walk Him. So I did. I asked the LORD,

"Is there anything I need to give to You God?"

I had already given Him my music, my movies, my heart, my plans, what else was there? Was my thought.

"God is there something that is too important to me that I need to give to You?

"Your time." 

"My time?" 

"I want your time Sarah. It is too important to you. Give Me your time. That is all I ask." 

At this I felt crushed, shocked even! God has to ask me for my time? That is backwards and wrong! I should be begging God to spend time with me! Not the other way around! I have been spending my time on vain things, and so much so the Lord has to ask me to spend some time with Him. I know I'm being a bit repetitive but that shocked me! I can't explain it. I am just amazed that God cares so much for me, He will even come down and whisper to my heart a simple "Come." But oh how sweet when He does!

I have been struggling with some things and the LORD also keeps reminding me, "I'm right here. You can talk to Me. I'll listen." I was thinking on some of these things last night as we were singing and my mind started to wander, then I shook loose of those thoughts to get back into the singing, then we started singing "What a Friend we have in Jesus". I prayed in my heart, "oh my God I know. I 'm sorry I worry so. It's yours." I didn't think much else about it until God decided to remind me later that night as I was pondering on some of those questions again. We were outside getting ready to watch the fireworks and the Lord stuck that tune in a man's head as he stood beside me waiting, he whistled that song. Now I don't know about you guys, but I do not believe in coincidences. That gentleman could have thought of any song we sang earlier, we sang quite a handful! But I believe my Father placed that song in his heart, to speak to me and remind me, 

   

♪♫♪

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

♪♫♪

He is so giving and I don't know why it always amazes me but it does! He blesses me with things I don't deserve. I don't deserve anything from Him, He owes me absolutely nothing, and yet He continues to shower me with blessings and I am so thankful! I am thankful God continues to bless me not only in the small things but the big things as well! He takes care of my every need! His timing is perfect as well! He gives and gives and gives, and what do I do? I say thank you and move on as we all do. Yes, I'm thankful for all He has done and continues to do for me, but are the words "thank you" ever truly enough? I don't think so. Not for my God, not for my King! He deserves something in return! If that be my music, take it oh LORD, take it! If that be my TV, You can have it, Oh my God! If that be my plans, they are Yours Father! If it be my heart, mold it as you may, my great Physician! If it be my time? Well, time is a big thing to ask for! But. Who gave me this time? Who knows how much time I actually have? My Creator, my God. Is my God not worthy? I am not. That I know! So take it dear Lord God! Take it and splurge on Yourself! It's Yours to spend! I know this is easier said than done, but making this commitment does not mean I will be in my prayer closet and reading my bible nonstop. God has other ways He wants to use our time too! How about witnessing? Encouraging a fellow brother or sister in Christ? Faithfulness to church? Being a blessing in even small ways, can make a big impact on others. Bragging on God and his blessings can maybe (hopefully) encourage others to keep up the fight. That is what I hope this post will do for my readers: Encourage, and remind you God has been too good to us to not give Him our all! Believe me, I am speaking to myself here! Big time! ( No pun intended☺) I hope you are encouraged and motivated to give the Lord your all, to do as He asks even if you don't understand!  

I feel as if there is so much more I could say, so many more blessings to count, but there truly isn't enough time to name them all! I encourage you to count your blessings as well, even if only a handful. Last night at the party, I saw a sign hanging on the wall as we were singing that read: "There is always, always, always, something to be thankful for." That is true! Even when times are tough! Be thankful! Thank you LORD for everything!

Thank you for reading! Until next week! :) 

Simply,

       Sarah

5 Things Single Girls Are Tired Of

Everyone has been single at one time in their life. Kudos to those that always have been and don't mind! Even if you mind, that's okay, but be patient! I believe the most annoying thing about being single are the rumors and plain ol' stupid things people say! Okay I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I?

Match making

"What do you think about him???" "He's cute isn't he???" "Why don't you come to ___? He might be there!"
When you are single, it seems everyone is a potential "Mr. Right". Do not try to set me up with someone! Do not try to get us to notice one another. If its meant to be it will happen without your help! Better chance of it happening in GOD's timing if you stay out of it.

The dreaded Holiday conversations
"Soooo,... are you seeing anyone yet?" "Are you interested in someone?" "Any boy drama?" Excuse me while I go dig a hole to crawl in...

Teasing
"OooOoo! You like him don't you?? Don't you!" No. "Yes you do I can see it in your face!" Uuuugh...
Teasing is fine if it isn't all of the time! But when teasing gets to the point it makes friends uncomfortable around each other, it needs to stop!

Advice
"If you would do ___ you would already have a boyfriend!" "Guys don't like that!" "You should tell him how you feel!" Just don't go there...
I wish I could say this were only people in relationships that say these things, but that would be a lie. You know nothing! Please say nothing! Unless I ask for your advice, STAY OUT OF IT!

Gossip & Assumptions
"I think they would be so cute together!" "They are totally an item!" "Did you see how he/she looked at him/her at the wedding yesterday?" Actually I was lusting after the chocolate foundation behind him...
I'll be honest and say I may be a bit guilty of this one! Trying to read into the future. But don't assume and then talk and about your assumptions as if they are fact!

"Do you like him?" No! Why? "You just seem to hang out with him a lot." We're friends, friends they usually hang out right?
Of course you only have a guy friend because you have feelings for him right? NOOO!!!! I don't have to like every guy that I hang out with! I don't even have to be crushing on one of guys I hang out with! This is so frustrating! Don't assume! I am not searching for a husband. I am in no hurry to run away and get married. Yes, I would love to have a family one day, but I'm not an old maid yet! I'm barely twenty for crying out loud! Stop pushing something I am not sure I'm ready for yet! PLUS, IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!

I must say the most annoying thing on this list is people telling you what you can do to "fix" your condition of "singleness"! Or rumors! Do you not realize you are not helping me when you try to push such things by talking? I have lost friends over stupid rumors! Mostly guys too! and it had to do with some "girl/guy gossip about me and them that wasn't true! I hate that! Please just stop! Rumors ruin precious friendships and also can make something happen that simply isn't meant to be! Yes, I am a girl but I don't have to get married right out of high school and I don't have to race to find a good guy before I turn into a pumpkin at age 22! That's about how some girls act! Slow down! Enjoy being single! Enjoy having girls and guys as friends! Don't push anything. Be still and wait on the LORD to work it all out! I get so irritated with this subject, and it is one reason I guess a lot of people think I don't want to get married! It is not that I don't want to get married! That is definitely not the case! I would love to settle down with a good Christian young man and have seven kids (Seriously want 4 to 7 kids... I know I may be crazy, but I love big families!), and some may say I'm crazy to not be in a hurry because I want so many kids. Not to boast about how spiritual I am because I truly not very spiritual, but that is simply one thing I have been able to trust the LORD with, without much trouble at all. Yes, there have been times of impatience! but for the most part I have had peace about waiting. Plus, I don't want to mess it up! I know I would! So simply and wholly trust the LORD! With your relationships and with mine! Please! Pray for me, and don't ruin my friendships with your silly matchmaking! Ahem. Thank you!

Thank you again as always for reading! What should I rant about next? What are your thoughts on todays post? Let me know!

Simply,
     Sarah

Rehearsing

Well, it has been a long, yet short week! I was asked if I was going to write about Youth Camp today, and to be honest, I had absolutely no idea what I would say or whether I should or not! But I'm going to give it a try anyway!

Rehearsing of Youth Camp 2016

Acts 14:25-28 is what my pastor talked with us about on Sunday night after camp. I feel that is how Sunday night went for our church. We rehearsed what God had done for us throughout the week, praised the LORD for His goodness, and we dwelt together in fellowship once it was over. I cannot describe this years youth camp in only a few words, but I will do my best for the sake of my readers!

This year, as my pastor said Sunday, was a very "mature" camp. We had little to no drama, I feel like the majority of the teens came looking and seeking the LORD, and expecting God to do something. God has done something! I can't say He made a big production, but He has definitely been working on the hearts of His people!  When God moves, I notice the teens at camp usually expect it to be a huge magical moment that can and should be seen by everyone around us. But God doesn't always work like that! Sometimes He draws near to us and softly whispers in the ear of His saints, and gently tugs at our heartstrings to steer us in the direction He would have us to go. The simple sweetness of those moments should never be forgotten, or taken for granted! When the LORD came down to be with us at camp this year, I have a feeling people not only enjoyed His presents, but asked if He would stay! People took Him home with them this year! I pray we will stay with Him!

To describe a sweet moment of fellowship with the LORD, is truly a difficult thing! I believe that a lot of people got help this past week!

I can't always speak for everyone else, but I would like to tell you a bit of what the LORD did for me personally. I have been praying for God to show me His will for my life. Whether that be college, a mission field, or possibly a family, I wanted to know what God had in store for me in in next 5 years. That may not seem like a whole lot of time to some, but when you are almost twenty years old, a lot can happen within that amount of time! I'm a very cautious person by nature, so not knowing what the future holds is a terrifying thing for me! I'm sure we would all like for God to simply roll out the blueprints and reveal it all to us at once, but I can't help but think we would totally botch it all even worse than we already do, if that were the case!
I had been praying, but at the same time I'd had been laying out my own plans and showing them off to God, waving different things in His face as I asked "How about this one?" "This is good right?" "Well if not that, then it must be this one! Right?". Then my Father gently came to me this week and simply said, "Wait." That was what I had been doing though, right? That's why I'm still home with my parents and not in a college! I'm waiting! I've been waiting! As the week went on the LORD began to show me what I had been doing. To be honest the LORD had been showing me things before camp! Such as a sermon called "In the Waiting Room". It was about how to utilize that time of waiting for the LORD, and use that time to grow! Seriously? How obvious is that?
Wednesday morning's lesson was on how one wrong thing, (maybe not even a bad thing), can ruin the whole thing. Right after that, and I mean right after, was a lesson on the importance of prayer, and how you should ask the LORD before you do anything, even if it doesn't seem like a big deal to you. The LORD showed me that though I was "waiting" I wasn't  using that time wisely. Which smacked me in the face during the next couple rounds of sermons! Read your Bible, Minister, Fight, Worship, Check your heart condition, Witness, Pray, Surrender, Seek the Lord, Acknowledge Him. I have no excuse for causing this time in my life to become useless void . I have a full list of things to be working on! I also got help at the very beginning of the week. "When Your Heart's Not in it" was a great sermon that got our week off to a great start! Tuesday morning the message was on Faithfulness. The faithfulness of God, and how He is worthy of our faithfulness because of His faithfulness to us even when we aren't faithful!  There were also messages on fighting the flesh, Delighting in the LORD, and Masks. I don't think there was a church group that left unchanged by what happened in their hearts this week! I honestly don't know what else to say besides praise the LORD!
Six teens were saved at camp, two as a result of the main preacher witnessing to two men on his way home, and one on Sunday night, which was dedicated to rehearsing what happened at camp as the verse I mentioned earlier.  So nine souls claimed Christ as their Savior as a result of Youth Camp!
One of my favorite memories of camp this year, well, one of my all time favorite camp memories, is when some of the young girls from my church got together in one of our rooms on Friday night before the service, and prayed and poured our hearts out to God. That precious moment will forever be in my memory!
The blessings didn't stop when we left camp! We can a great couple of messages on Sunday morning. Which also hit me hard! "Are Your Growing?" obviously hit on growth as a Christian, but also on how we shouldn't be hindrances to the growth of others around us!  With growth, comes growing pains! Growth acknowledges weakness! These are simple things that stuck out to me in Sunday School!
In the morning service, my pastor challenged us to seek understanding, and to base that understanding on the Word of God! He also challenged us to grow up, and submit to authority and accomplish something! Simple truths are sometimes the most needed. I didn't have some huge evil sin to give up, yes I did give some things up, but the main thing God has been working on me is the area of faithfulness. I struggle with staying faithful in the small things, and the LORD has revealed that to me and how I can do better. Once I can prove that I can be faithful in the little things, then the LORD can show me the next step for my life.
Before the evening service, a handful of the teen girls got together and prayed. You have no idea what a blessing and encouragement that was to hear young girls from Cornerstone lift their voices up to God! To see our teen group growing together in the LORD is an amazing thing! We still have a lot of growing to do, but we had to start somewhere!
I hope the LORD will continue to challenge us daily in our walk with Him! Let me give you a charge today! Take heart, and fight my friends! For your convictions, for what's right, for the glory of our good and gracious God! Don't lose faith and never stop fighting!
I wish i could give more info on this year's youth camp, but to be honest, there simply are no more words!

Thank you again for reading!

Simply,
   Sarah

Homeschooling

I don't know exactly how to start this post to be honest! This post may be a bit different than what you guys are used to reading on my blog! Because well, I have two lists instead of one... (Sorry guys! Maybe I have a problem?)

I had so many mixed feelings about homeschooling at first, but I am sincerely thankful that I didn't have to endure pubic school!

Some people are completely against homeschooling. But I, on the other hand, think it was the one greatest decisions my parents made. No, I don't have a 4.0, but I do have 3.7 so that's okay. I'm not great at Math, but I'm good at English and Literature. I have a love for history. I am not trying to brag in any way, I'm trying to make a point! I'm human. Just like public or private schoolers! I have my weaknesses and my strong points. I will admit homeschooling may not be for everyone, but it was definitely the right thing for me!

Like I said, I had mixed feelings about homeschooling. I wasn't always proud to be a homeschooler! My reasons were all quite petty! I thought if I went to pubic school I would have more friends, and better grades, but I would not have lasted long in pubic school! I would've been begging my mom to take me back out, or I would've gotten myself into huge trouble! I think it would've been the latter because of my pride! My parents saved me from ever having to make those bad decisions that would have ruined my Christian testimony.

After all of that, Yes, I have two more lists for you! Haha! Let me know if you get tired of my lists, I'll try to stop!

Cons to Homeschooling

1. Extra- Circular Activities
Though it is definitely possible to be involved in sports or plays, etc. as a homeschooler, it isn't something you think much about. I placed this on my "cons" list because I would have tried out for a girls basketball team and maybe a couple of plays, if I was pubic schooled. I know I probably could have found a way to, but being a homeschooler, a lot of people in pubic school, don't like to let us "outsiders" get involved in their extra circulars! But it isn't like I would've become a famous actress or basketball player if I had gotten involved in high school... LOL
2. Misunderstandings
People that have a bad idea of what homeschooling is truly like, make it harder for homeschoolers! It is a simple fact! They make it harder for us to get involved in extra circulars and they give us a bad name! When they truly don't understand how everything works! Some people even try to make pubic school look glamorous thinking our parents may want to throw out the whole homeschool idea and do what everyone else is doing!
3. Questions
I don't care how many times you were told this lie, but there is such a thing as a stupid question! Not all questions that we are asked are stupid but some definitely are! Such as:
"Do you have friends?" There are other places to meet new people! Such as camps, church, and sports (Yes we do get involved in sports, I was simply making a point earlier).
"Do you actually do school?" Of course we do school!
"If you're homeschooled can you go to college?" Anyone can go to college if you are determined enough!
"Do you even take tests?" Did I say we do school?
"Can you ___ yet?" Whether it is read, add, or count to whatever number, once a kid hits a certain age, it is not appropriate to ask this. It is demeaning to assume that simply because we are homeschooled, we are dumb!
4. Personal "Flaws"
One big thing a lot of people consider a con is a lack of social life and social growth. So I simply had to put it on the list! Many people may think I am quite because I was homeschooled, and if that is the case, look at my sisters! Not all of them are quiet! Some are even quite loud at times! I am an introvert and a few of my sisters are extroverts! We even have a ambivert! In all seriousness, I am naturally an introvert and that has nothing to do with being homeschooled!
5. No sick days, or snow days
Obviously this depends on your parents! As long as I wasn't throwing up and I could see, I would do school! But if we had snow then most likely we would makeup for it later! We may have done some math and reading but then we would go outside for a bit of P.E.!

Pros to Homeschooling

1. No Bullies
Pubic schools have a huge problem with bullies now days it seems! Being homeschooled, the closest thing to a bully in my childhood, was a brother figure I had. He was always pulling pranks on us, not a whole lot on me, to be honest. He was nice to me for some reason! And by nice, I mean he left me in a field or threw food at me instead of shooting me with a BB gun or shooting bottle rockets at me! He would do all of the above to my sisters and then some! But I didn't have to deal with bullies at all growing up, that was it! And believe me, I was a weird kid (still am! #noshame! lol), and I would have been bullied in pubic school!
2. No Horrible Teachers
I didn't have horrible teachers! Maybe a bit of a grouchy teacher ( yes, my mom is human, she had some bad days every now and then when... Mostly our fault when she did though... Sorry Mother!) Actually the only bad teachers or classes I remember having were virtual teachers! You know the ones on the TV screen you can skip through all of the rambling and get straight to the lesson? Yeah, those teachers, I didn't like too much. But hey! I put that fast forward button to good use! Saved me a good five to fifteen minutes each day!
3. No School Lunch "Horror" Stories
You always hear about how awful school lunches are, and to me as a homeschooler the horror stories that I was told about school lunches were simply that, stories! and well we homeschoolers had PB&J and [off brand] Pringles for lunch! Who can complain about that? The only bad lunches we had were the times we had to make our own, and to be honest, they weren't that bad either!
4. No Homework
Well this isn't entirely true! We did have homework! It was all homework! But when we were done we were completely done! So that was nice!
5. Friends
No, I didn't have "school-friends" until later in my high school years when I went to a homeschool tutorial group (which were some of the best days of my life!), where I met some really great people that I believe I will be friends with for a long, long time! I also have friends from church, and church camp, and my church's missions conference! I have plenty of friends! And friends from all over the world! The friends I do have are all trying to please God and serve Him! They are encouraging, and most of them are, or were homeschooled as well! So you don't have to worry about my social life! Believe me I stay busy! 
6. More Time
As homeschoolers, we do have more time, because if we comprehend something, we can move on and we don't have to be held back by others who have a hard time in that area. There is no use in going over something five times if you got it completely the first time! I remember in the first grade I cried because I wasn't done before my mom had lunch on the table! Kids in pubic school don't even know that is possible to do! Without the unnecessary lectures, we had so much more time!  
Also, this could go another way! If we need more time to grasp a concept that is difficult for us, then we can take that time! That is why I took two years to learn how to read! Because I could, and we didn't have to sweep it under the carpet so I could move on! When I moved on to third grade, my mom read my instructions to me so I could focus on that subject without getting frustrated, because I was behind in another subject, and then when reading came time along I went back to first grade in that subject, and took the time to understand the complicated rules of English. By seventh grade I was in a college reading level, because we took the extra time we had to overcome one of my weaknesses! If I had been in pubic school at that time, I would probably not be a good reader today!
7. Flexibility
This should probably be under more time, but it is a bit different. I love that being homeschooled gives you more room to be flexible with your time! I never had to plan things around school! I would almost always plans school around other things! I would double up my work for a week or so, so I could go on a vacation, or a sleepover, or whatever! I got the chance to experience much more that way; which was totally awesome!
8. Senior Year/College
Having extra time, we had the chance to double up and have a good chunk of our senior year to do whatever we wanted! Whether that was yearbook at the homeschool tutorial, or become a volunteer, take a missions trip, or shadow someone in your possible future career, or go on a spur of the moment road trip, the opportunities were endless! One big thing I think everyone looking to go to college should look into, and I wish I had done, is duel enrollment! That will be so helpful in the future! As a homeschooler you could spend your whole senior year only worrying about duel enrollment, because if you want and you are diligent you can be done with all of your high school credits by then!
9. Field Trips
...were awesome! I remember so many trips we went on and we learned so much! I remember going to a dairy farm, science museum, visiting the recue squad, and Andrew Jackson's Hermitage. We had a lot of fun! A lot of things we did turned into learning experiences, thanks to my mom and our "brother" Jason! We went to Florida and we ended up at Dinosaur Adventure Land! I was loving all of that! We went to a Christian book store and bought some cassette tapes (yes, it was a long time ago! lol). The sound was so distorted because they had become magnetized sitting close to the magnets! So we talked about what happens when electronics such as computers (and apparently cassette tapes as well!) get set near magnets or on a magnetized surface! (Again, this was a long time ago, and we don't have to worry about this anymore with our updated technology!) We had a lot of fun on field trips! We grew up in church with a good group of homeschooled kids and we went together on quite a few field trips! We still talk about all the fun we had as homeschoolers to this day!
10. School in Your Pajamas
Yes! The cliché is true! I did do school in my pajamas and my hello kitty house slippers! I am guilty! I would snuggle up on the couch with a huge blanket and read, or on a sunny day I would get dressed and I would lay on the trampoline and do my studies! Life was grand!

Basically, being homeschooled was awesome! The Pros obviously outweigh the Cons!  I wouldn't have changed that for anything! I think I am better off for it. Thanks Mother and Daddy! :)

Hope you guys enjoyed my view on homeschooling! Please if you guys have some ideas of what I should rant about next, let me know! I would love to hear them!
Thank you, as always, for reading! And I will post again in two weeks! (Remember, I will not be posting on the 14th of next week, I will be out of town! Thank you all for understanding!)

Simply,
   Sarah

Homeschool word count: 29