hello again. :)

sawbona. :D (that's hello in Zulu)
hope you've all had a splendid week. mine has been crazy, and busy! again, i have nothing written beforehand, and today's post will be even shorter than last week. i'm sorry. :D i'll do better whenever my life calms down, which may be never. :) for now, the ministry is looking basically the same, and so are the prayer requests. i have just over seven weeks left here; i can't believe the time has gone so fast. i am looking forward to being home and seeing everyone, but i am getting really sad about leaving here, too.
okay, well, i will talk to you all soon! love you.
Sarah

just one last bit to say i wrote a new prayer update. :) if you'd like a copy, email me and i'll send you one next chance i get.
have a great week!
<3 you,
Sarah

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

Currently listening:

Light of the World
Watermark

Giver of creation, bringer of salvation
Word of God, eternal life
Praise the Son of God
Promised One of Heaven
To bring us to your Kingdom
Rescued us from darkness
Praise the Son of God

Jesus, light of the world
Shine on us, shine on us
Word of life, spoken for love
Breathe on us, breathe on us
Light of the world, King Jesus

Darkness will obey your voice
Weakness will in you rejoice
You have bound the broken heart
Praise the Son of God
Jesus
You have shown your father's heart
And to us you will impart
The holiness of all you are
Praise the Son of God

Shine, breathe, live through us
Shine, breathe, live through us
Shine, breathe, live through us
Shine, breathe, live through us

God's beating heart, live through us
Light of the world, King Jesus
King Jesus, shine on us, shine on us

Your Grace is Enough
Matt Maher

Great is your faithfulness oh God
You wrestle with the sinner's heart
You lead us by still waters into mercy
And nothing can keep us apart

So remember your people
Remember your children
Remember your promise, oh God

Your grace is enough.
Your grace is enough.
Your grace is enough.
Your grace is enough for me.

Great is your love and justice God.
You use the weak to lead the strong.
You lead us in the song of your salvation
And all your people sing along.

So remember your people.
Remember your children.
Remember your promise, oh God.

Your Grace is enough
Heaven reaching down to us
Your Grace is enough for me

God, I see your grace is enough
I'm covered in your love
Your grace is enough for me
For me


Something About You
MercyMe

Where, where do I begin?
How do I say what's on my heart with paper and a pen?
How, how can I describe
The God of all the universe and make it right?
I just wonder if it's worth
Painting You with so few words
Oh, with so few words

Still there's something about You
That keeps me in pursuit of who You are
I will spend my days finding ways to praise
The glory and the grace of who You are

Why, why do I even try?
If I could speak the tongue of every man, I'm still tongue-tied
What can I say about You
When everything I have won't do
Oh, it will not do

Still there's something about You
That keeps me in pursuit of who You are
I will spend my days finding ways to praise
The glory and the grace of who You are

As long as life runs through my veins
I will live to praise Your name
And if a hundred years I live
I won't even scratch, I won't even scratch the surface

good evening. :)

WOW. this week got away from me! :D we have been so busy, it is just crazy. i didn't write anything formal this week- i am so sorry. i'll try to come up with something brilliant off the top of my head, but i'm not making any promises. :)

we had a pretty normal schedule this week, nothing too much out of the ordinary. we did get to go to the movies over the weekend, which was a lot of fun. today was our day off, and we had a 'girl's day' which was much needed. :) we had a fantastic brunch at this cute little tea garden, not something i had a concept of before coming here, and will need to explain to my American friends. :) we spent the rest of the day looking through cute little shops and relaxing. it was wonderful. it has been kind of a taxing week, for all of us.

i don't have much fun to post this week, you'll just have to stay tuned for the happy things. :) for now, i am asking that you pray diligently. spiritual attack is real for devoted Christians anywhere, but is felt especially strongly in such a dark place, doing what we are doing. Satan doesn't just hit you in easy ways, either. he attacks you in your most vulnerable, painful places. pray for strength and wisdom and faith for us. pray that i would not seek just to serve God more and know Him more, but that i would love Him more. "with all my mind, soul, heart and strength..." pray for youth camp, coming up in December; it will be here before you know it! i want us to bathe that week in prayer, God is going to do mighty things! pray for our ministry with the youth at Lyndhurst and in our community, pray that we would be led by the Holy Spirit in all we do. pray that we would not ever become discouraged, but would always keep our eyes fixed on our Saviour and King. :)

alright, well i have a prayer letter to write, so i am going to sign off for now. i might post one or two more little things today, we'll see. :) i love you all so much.
<3
cheerio,
Sarah

quick note.

hi you guys! i only have a second, but i have a specific prayer request to give over to you. my teammate Mary received a phone call this morning informing her that her cousin had been killed in an accident. he was only in his mid-thirties and had two small children. please remember Mary as she grieves so far from home, please pray that her family would turn to the only true Comforter, and that God would be glorified in the midst of this tragedy. pray that i would know how to support her and be her family away from home. i love her dearly; she is so special to me. <3

please continue to remember the rest of my team that is traveling. they will return tomorrow. pray for our ministries and that we would keep our eyes fixed on the King whom we serve.

i love and appreciate you all so much, and i am praying for you daily! if you have a moment, drop me a quick email to let me know you are one of my fantastic prayer supporters. my address is listed at right. i'd love to know who each one of you is. :)

have a fantastic rest of the week, and keep seeking our Saviour.

love you always,
Sarah

stories and songs.

hello again. :)

i hope you enjoy 'sarah tv' this week. :D i think it's right awesome myself. :) anyway, i didn't get to write my updates quite as i had planned, but it'll do i reckon. :) i'll write up a formal update and send it to church and through mom maybe next week.

things are pretty much the same here, fantastic. :) half my team is gone at the moment, out of town with the neighbors. it's been a nice, quiet weekend. we learned on thursday that aaron is going home early. he flies out tonight. i don't know the whole story, just that family issues need to be taken care of now. please be in prayer for him as he travels and readjusts. we are sad to see him go, but God is in control, so we know it's all going to be fine.

we are now officially past the half way point: friday was ten weeks since i left home! i can't believe it; the time is just flying by. we had our midterm debrief today. i am so looking forward to how God is going to work in the next two months. :) He is just doing wonderful and amazing things.

continue to be in prayer for our ministry with the youth and in our community. pray for a developing relationship in our complex that could lead to someone being saved. :) pray that we would all continue to grow in love and trust of our Saviour, and that we would glorify Him in all things. pray for youth camp as December quickly approaches. i praise the Lord for my family here and where you are.

new pictures:
link at right :)

i love you all so much. :) talk to you again soon. but first, a few thoughts in song:

With Me
Chris Tomlin

I open my mouth and You speak for me
You move the mountains and roll back the sea

I will not afraid
I will never be ashamed
For You are with me
You are with me

I've seen enough to know
That You're my only hope
I don't want to go
If You're not with me

We open our hands and You reach for us
You are the motion of the universe

My Deliverer
Chris Tomlin

I will wait for You to move
For Your mighty hand to save
When the trouble water rise
You are my hiding place
You are my hiding place

You walls are salvation
Your gates are praise

My Deliverer
My Deliverer
My Deliverer
Is the Lord

Who is like You mighty God
Who can take me from Your hand
As I walk with You in freedom
You're the Rock on which I stand
You're the Rock on which I stand

Here in My Life
Hillsong

i have never walked on water,
felt the waves beneath my feet but
at your Word Lord, i’ll receive Your
faith to walk on oceans deep.

and i remember how You found me.
in that very same place,
all my failings surely would've drowned me-
still You made a way.

You are my freedom!
Jesus, You’re the reason
i’m kneeling again at Your throne.
where would i be without You
here in my life, here in my life?

You have said that all the heavens
sing for joy at one who finds
the way to freedom, truth of Jesus
bought from death into His life.

and i remember how You saw me
through the eyes of Your grace.
and though the cost was Your beloved for me,
still You made a way!

You are my freedom!
Jesus, You’re the reason
i’m kneeling again at Your throne.
where would i be without You
here in my life, here in my life?

You are my freedom!
Jesus, You’re the reason
i’m kneeling again at Your throne.
where would i be without You
here in my life, here in my life?

You are my freedom.
Jesus, You’re the reason.
You are my freedom.
Jesus, You’re the reason!

&, because you asked nicely: hi Lilli. :) i love you, my darling sister.
call me sometime!

fun at youth :)

the guys having a good time:



last night's youth service: (AMAZING!)

saturday nights in johannesburg

this is what we listen to in our flat on the weekends:





:)

more talk of spiders :)

the second spider story, which i never got to tell...

i will just show you. :)

spiders :)

spider #1: (mary & kristin)
spider #2: (trapped by me)

9 October 2008
11:37 pm
Joburg

One of my housemates, who shall remain anonymous, has a knock for making the power go out, for the whole house, at about eleven at night when she plugs in her fan. :) I know, it’s something faulty with the electrical, but it is so funny! We laugh all the way down the stairs to the breaker box; it’s a wonder we don’t break our necks! :D The darkness, however momentary, made me think about the darkness of this world and how Jesus is our everlasting light. :) My awesome Bible dictionary on my computer gave me several verses about this, so I’ll let you read them now. :) Happy times.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”—John 8:12

He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of your people.
Luke 2:32

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:4-5

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.—John 12:46

Brilliant, isn’t it? :) Our God is the God of light, of salvation, of mercy and love. He is holy, so holy; but He loved us enough to give up so much for us. What an amazing love. <3>

Glory of Your Name
Christy Nockels

It was in the way You came, as a lowly babe,
that Your glory was displayed.
And it was in the sacrifice of the purest life,
it was in Your Father’s will obeyed…

The perfect Lamb, that was slain,
that bears the glory of Your name.
No other one, no other way for me to see You.
You took my place, You are the way
that bears the glory of Your name.
Yes there’s the glory of Your name.

And it was in Your victory, risen for the world to see
that all who will believe could enter in.
And it was the passionate price, now demanding all my life,
and beating in the chambers of my heart.

The perfect Lamb, that was slain,
that bears the glory of Your name.
No other one, no other way for me to see You.
You took my place, You are the way
that bears the glory of Your name.
Yes there’s the glory of Your name.
The glory of Your name.

And there is nothing in this world
that could take the place of You,
that could take the place of You,
my Jesus.
And there is nothing in this life
that could take the place of
one Life, and one Love, and one Power
to save us all.
And one Hope, and Truth, and one
Glory in it all.
One Glory in it all.

The perfect Lamb, that was slain,
that bears the glory of Your name.
No other one, no other way for me to see You.
You took my place, You are the way
that bears the glory of Your name.
Yes there’s the glory of Your name.
The glory of Your name, Jesus.
The glory, the glory.
The glory of Your name.

Thank you, my Father, for being so glorious and amazing. Thank you for loving me regardless. You are holy and almighty, and You are greatly to be praised. “Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth there is nothing I desire besides You.” I love you.

happy MONDAY. :)

hi there! :)
so, i wasn't aware we were changing our schedule around this week, so i'm not particularly prepared to do all my updating today. i'm going to run with it, though, so enjoy the spontaneity. :D i do have one update ready, so i'll post that first. then, who knows? :)

have fun!
Sarah

lifted up.

a couple quick prayer requests: :)
1) youth camp: December 8-12
pray for fund raising efforts, and that God would work in the hearts of the youth <3
2)my teammates are traveling out of town in a ministry opportunity this weekend.
pray for safety, and that they would have chances to clearly share Christ. <3
3)that I would have many opportunities to minister to the young girls in my neighborhood
and in the youth at lyndhurst.
4)for continued growth in Christ for all of us here, and that I would be in tune with His heart.

love you all! talk to you next week. <3
Sarah

worth a thousand words.

new pictures! :)

same album as before, look at the end.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2276110&l=1d0bc&id=2734332

love you all!

sarah, in translation.

Hi there!
I was going to write a 'ministry update' this week, but it has been so busy! The prayer requests are basically the same; I'll write a better piece next week. :) For now, I'll write a little about my life. happy times. :D

things i miss most about north carolina:
(not an exhaustive list!)

the people i love! <3
my church
driving
having a dryer
good coffee
wendy's, taco bell, and mazatlan
grey's anatomy
unlimited internet and phone
my bed
sadie, tigger, and the turtle
the radio
fall leaves
dancing with my people

things i love most (or find most interesting) about johannesburg:

friends! :)
cars on the wrong side of the road
warm weather in october
milk tart and sweet chili pretzels and apple juice <3
giraffes!
lyndhurst youth <3
my housemates, and our shenanigans
being closer to God than i have ever been <3
finding out who i am, and what that means
cards and letters and care packages
seeing my babies on thursdays
louie giglio sermons on dvd
life being an adventure, every day!

5 October 2008
12:26 am
Joburg

No matter what our circumstances, what we are facing: God is sovereign. He is in control of every aspect of our lives, no matter where we go or what we follow. He is a beautiful, merciful Saviour and King. Take refuge in the fact that the God of all creation is on your side. :) He is holding you in His wonderful, strong hands, and he will never let you go. I could just go on and on; He is truly magnificent, and deserves all our praise. I will write more of Africa next time; I just had to say a bit of what my Jesus in doing in my heart. <3

Remedy
David Crowder Band

Here we are, here we are.
Broken and used, mistreated, abused.
Here we are.

Here You are, here You are.
The beautiful One, who came like a Son.
Here You are.

So we lift up our voices, and open our hands
to cling to a love we can’t comprehend.
Lift up your voices, and lift up your hands
to sing of the love that has freed us from sin.

He is the One who has saved us.
He is the One who embraced us.
He is the One who has come and is coming again.
He’s the Remedy.

Here we are, here we are.
Bandaged and bruised, awaiting a cure.
Here we are.

Here You are, here You are.
Our beautiful King, bringing relief.
Here You are with us…

So we lift up our voices, and open our hands.
Let go of the things that have kept us from Him…

He is the One who has saved us.
He is the One who forgave us.
He is the One who has come and is coming again.
He’s the Remedy.

Oh, I can’t comprehend. I can’t take it all in.
Never understand such perfect love.
Come from the broken and beat, for the wounded and weak.
Oh, come fall at His feet.
He’s the Remedy. He’s the Remedy!

He is the One who has saved us.
He is the One who forgave us.
He is the One who has come and is coming again.
He’s the Remedy. He’s the Remedy.
He’s the Remedy. He’s the Remedy.
He’s our Saviour.

You are the One who has saved us.
You are the One who forgave us.
You are the One who has come and is coming again.
You are the One who has come and is coming again.
You are the One who has come and is coming again.
You’re the Remedy.

Let us be the remedy…

3 October 2008

11:55 pm

Joburg

My God is faithful! :) Nastya is much, much better tonight. Praise the Lord! Thank you for standing beside me. I am just so grateful. I will write happier musings tomorrow. :) Goodnight.

I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! Psalm 121:1-2

2 October 2008
10:42 pm
Joburg

I was going to start tonight’s post with a lighthearted story, but I instead am asking earnestly, urgently for prayer. Nastya, my ten year old sister in Belarus, is in the hospital with some sort of chest illness, maybe pneumonia. We do not know much about what is going on, just that we love her dearly. Please pray for God’s healing hands on her life, that her mom would be encouraged; just pray for them daily until you hear otherwise. They are so important to my family and all in our church and community; please stand beside us in this time of uncertainty and fear.
I read in John this morning about how the world will bring us trouble, but Jesus has overcome this world. My only hope is in Him, my Saviour and King. I love Him above all and look to Him for shelter and purpose and comfort in all of life’s rolling waves. Continue to pray for us here; I will update on ministry and life this side of the ocean next time I write. Thank you for your continued support and faithfulness. I love you all.

So, come on and sing out.
Let our anthem grow loud.
There is one great love.
There is one great love.
Jesus.

1 October 2008
11:10 pm
Joburg

I awoke this morning to shrieks of fear: my roommates had encountered a ‘tarantula,’ that is a spider of great proportions. After much ado and carrying of kitchen utensils to the upstairs bathroom, I believe the creature met its demise and the girls calmed down enough to stop yelling. :) What a way to greet the morning!
After I wriggled out of my bed/cocoon, quite reluctantly, I noticed the beauty of the day I had just encountered. The sun was shining in through my window, and it was warm, and I heard laughing in the other part of my house. A gift, I thought, this day is a gift from my Father. He loves me, and is greeting me with this wonder. :) That is a way to greet the day!
I must admit that I am, far too often, a complainer. I don’t get things my way, so I like to point out how unhappy I am with the arrangement. I try to be positive, but I fail on a daily basis. If we are being honest, I’d say we all are that way from time to time. More likely, it’s most of the time. We are a race of discontentment; our humanity causes us to always want more, or better, than what we have. The ‘American Dream’ tells us to reach for status, monetary success, prestige, security… fill in the blank. And we won’t be satisfied until we have what we are looking for. But is that what really matters? Really?
Is anything you accomplish in this world, or anything you attain, or achieve, going to last? Forever? Nothing will—except the work and will and purposes of Christ, the eternal and mighty God of creation. John Piper said: “It isn’t you. It’s what you’re gripped with.” Are you gripped by the world, or the One who is holding it in His hands? Galatians 6:14 says, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Boast only in the cross. John Piper:“If you boast in the hope of glory, let your boasting in the hope of glory be a boasting in the cross. If you boast in your health, your family, your friends, your tribulations, let your boasting in these things be a boasting in the cross. Bring all other boasting under your boasting in the cross. When Christ died, He purchased for sinners everything they enjoy that is not part of their condemnation. We are sinners all. The only thing we deserve is condemnation. That’s all we deserve. Therefore, every beat of your heart, every word, every movement, every step, every friend, every joy is a blood bought gift which you would NOT have if He had not died. Therefore, if you boast in any of these things, if you glory that you have eyes or hands or friends, then it is a glorying and boasting in the cross, because He bought them for you on the cross. The cross is everything! You would not have anything but judgement if it was not for the cross. God made you, and you are not deserving of anything good from God. If you get anything good, as you do, everyday, then it was bought for you by Jesus.”
That thought hit me square in the face: that everything I have is because Jesus died on the cross. I am learning more all the time what it means to be embodied by the Spirit of God, to live for Him with a passion and to die to self daily. I have by no means mastered anything, but God is surely mastering and teaching me. There is such a difference in just knowing that Jesus is your Saviour and really knowing Him. That’s really the point of it all, coming to know our Lord more. He loves us infintely, and works all things for the good of those who love Him. He is constantly caring for us and seeking us and reaching down to us. He is an amazing and wonderful and all-knowing and sovereign King. He holds everything in His hands; nothing surprises Him. He is just fantastic beyond words. He knows us, and He wants us to know Him and seek Him and follow Him with our whole hearts. It’s about faith and trust and knowing that His plans for you are far greater than anything we had planned for ourselves. He can, and will, do great things in you and through you if you just surrender to Him what He gave you to begin with. A life in His hands is an astounding thing. He fed five thousand with a few loaves and fishes that He blessed with His words and broke with His hands! How much more can He do with you, His beloved, if you give yourself up to Him? It’s all about Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour and King.
I love you, my Redeemer and Triumph and Strong Tower. Thank you for taking hold of me every day, and keeping me close to You. You are greatly to be praised!

Only one life,
‘twill soon be past.
Only what’s done
for Christ will last.

27 September 2008

1:12 am

Joburg

Sing to the Lord a new song,
His praise from the ends of the earth…
Isaiah 42:10

I have called you by name,
you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1

Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19

Desert Song
Hillsong

This is my prayer in the desert,
when all that’s within me feels dry.
This is my prayer in my hunger and need:
my God is the God who provides.

This is my prayer in the fire,
in weakness or trial or pain:
there is a faith proved of more worth than gold,
so refine me Lord through the flame.

I will bring praise! I will bring praise!
No weapon formed against me shall remain.
I will rejoice! I will declare!
God is my victory, and He is here.

This is my prayer in the battle,
when triumph is still on its way.
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ,
so firm on His promise I’ll stand.

I will bring praise! I will bring praise!
No weapon formed against me shall remain.
I will rejoice! I will declare!
God is my victory, and He is here.

All of my life, in every season,
You are still God.
I have a reason to sing,
I have a reason to worship.

I will bring praise! I will bring praise!
No weapon formed against me shall remain.
I will rejoice! I will declare!
God is my victory, and He is here.

This is my prayer in the harvest,
when favour and providence flow.
I know I’m filled to be emptied again;
the seed I’ve received I will sow…

Yet, I am always with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward You will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And earth has nothing I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever…
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all Your deeds.
Psalm 73:23-26; 28

Run
Hillsong

You were God from the outset,
powerful and creative.
You who saw us here before You called
all the stars and the earth to existence.

You are God. You are holy.
History is Your story.
You, who was and is,
and forever will be. God we
live for Your glory.

So we will run
all together, our hearts aflame,
with a fire that can’t be tamed.
Our God, all glory to Your name-
Jesus!

You are God. You are freedom.
You’re alive now within us.
You who saw us here before
You conquered the grave,
and delivered on the promise.

So we will run,
all together, our hearts aflame,
with a fire that can’t be tamed.
Our God, all glory to Your name.

We will run.
Our surrender to bring You fame.
Our desire: that You be praised.
Our God, all glory to Your name-
Jesus!

My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from Him.
He alone is my rock and salvation;
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:1-2

Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to You,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in Your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.
Psalm 61:1-4

O God, You are my God,
earnestly I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my body longs for You,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen You in Your sanctuary
and beheld Your power and Your glory.
Because Your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify You.
I will praise You as long as I live,
and in Your name I will lift up my hands.
Because You are my help,
I sing in the shadows of Your wings.
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:1-4; 7-8

Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of His name;
make His praise glorious!
Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds!
So great is Your power
that Your enemies cringe before You.
All the earth bows down to You;
they sing praise to You,
they sing praise to Your name.
Psalm 66:1-4

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

He is Lord
Hillsong

Oh blessed lamb, once slain,
will reign forevermore.
His hands, once bound,
now save.
Our God will never fail.

He is Lord! He is Lord!
Sings my soul, He is the Lord.
And He lives, yes He lives!
I’m alive, ‘cause Jesus lives!

‘Tis at the cross of Christ,
where earth and heaven meet,
where sin is overcome,
to God the victory!

He is Lord! He is Lord!
Sings my soul, He is the Lord.
And He lives, yes He lives!
I’m alive, ‘cause Jesus lives!

And now,
let the earth resound with praise,
for our Saviour God, He reigns!
He is high and lifted up!
Arise, for the King of glory waits.
He is coming back again.
He is coming back again!

Hallelujah, hallelujah.
You are worthy of praise.
He is Lord! He is Lord!
Sings my soul, He is the Lord.
And He lives, yes He lives!
I’m alive, ‘cause Jesus lives!

And now,
let the earth resound with praise,
for our Saviour God, He reigns!
He is high and lifted up!
Arise, for the King of glory waits.
He is coming back again.
He is coming back again!

He is coming back again, He is coming back again.
He is coming back again, He is coming back again.
He is coming back again, He is coming back again.

How lovely is Your dwelling place,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
What joy for those who can live in Your house,
always singing Your praises.
What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,
who have sets their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,
it will become a place of refreshing springs.
The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
They will continue to grow stronger,
and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
A single day in Your courts
is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good things
from those who do what is right.
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
what joy for those who trust in You.
Psalm 84:1-2; 5-7; 10-12

May you experience the love of Christ,
though it is too great to understand fully.
Then you will be made complete with all
the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able,
through His mighty power at work within us,
to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Ephesians 3:19-20

happy monday. :)

hello again. :)
first of all, thank you for your prayers! just a few hours after my last post, i received a phone call that Nastya was at home and much better. :D praise the Lord. anyway, i have about two weeks worth of posts to put up, so just keep on reading. love you all!
Sarah

long time, no 'see.' :)

it's friday. you're thinking: "what happened to tuesday?" :) tuesday was full of Bible school planning with the youth; this week as a whole has been crazy busy! it has been fantastic though. i wrote great updates for this week, and then left my laptop at my house. whoops. oh well, right? you'll get two weeks worth of updates on tuesday. i'll post pictures and stuff, too. it'll just be fabulous. :) until then, continue praying for our ministry and for us.

especially remember Nastya, my ten year old Belarussian sister, in your prayers over the next few days. she is in the hospital in Belarus with what they think is pneumonia. we don't know much else, just that we are worried. We love her so much. set aside a time daily to remember her until we hear something else. thank you so much.

i hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and i'll write more tuesday. i love emails and cards and basically anything from you guys, and if you write me i will write back! :)
alrighty, cheerio!
Sarah