Thanksgiving

Yesterday as you all know was Thanksgiving. A holiday intended to remind us all to give thanks to God. I was giving some thought to an old question that usually comes up on this day every year. What are you thankful for this year? The basic answers are usually along the lines of a roof over our heads and food on the table. And we ought to give thanks for those things. But as my pastor pointed out this Wednesday we are to be thankful for all things. Ephesians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. This is a concept I have been giving much thought to this entire year. When we look at the events in our day, how often are we truly thankful for ALL things? Are we thankful when our car doesn't start or when we stub our toe on the chair? This year, by the grace of God, I am thankful that my mom died. God brought her home to be with Him. I can't ask more for her than that. I am thankful for the opportunities to be a witness that God brought across my path as a result. I am thankful for the work He has done in my life through this. I am thankful for His mercy and comfort that He has given me to help me through. And the memory of going through this trial that is a wonderful reasource to help and comfort others in their trials. 2 Corinthians 1:4 I am thankful for my friends. They are wonderful people God has placed in my life, and they have thus far continued to talk to me no matter how completely crazy I get. I am thankful for my family. They are sometimes a handful, but I love them and through them God continues to teach me patience and understanding. I am thankful for the job that God has provided me in the past. Although I have not always been as thankful as I should. He provided me a job that paid more than I needed. I am also thankful that I was laid-off. I could continue forever I'm sure, but the point is God's plan for me isn't always easy, but its always good and always right. Through happiness and heartache, greetings and goodbyes, His plan is perfect and complete. Happy Thanksgiving!

Saturday at the Soccer Field

Madison and Cassie in their "Purple Lightning" uniforms.

Joe and Charlie are rivited at the sports action.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------After the game we headed to Culvers for lunch.

Did you say ice cream?

A Kickin' Birthday Weekend

This weekend had a couple notable events taking place. The first was the Upper Midwest Kickboxing Championships. The picture to the left is my 1st place plaque. Although I was the only one in my age division so I only had to beat me. :) But it was fun, and I'm looking forward to the next competition when there will hopefully be a few more people competing.

The other notable event was my birthday. That's right I am now 24yrs old. Although I still feel 16. My Dad, brothers, sister-in-law, and my nieces and nephew all made it up to celebrate my birthday and watch the competition. My nieces loved the kickboxing, and tried out a few punches and kicks afterward. And my oldest brother Joe was even brave enough to try a kickboxing class with me. My sister-in-law sent me a picture of me and Joe in the class. She named it "Sarah scares me." I can't imagine why ;).---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It was a fun day from beginning to end. After kickboxing and some time at the park, we all had some food and rootbeer floats at my apartment. Followed by some time at the hotel pool and hotub, and we had an ice cream birthday cake. I thoroughly ruined my diet for the day, but hey what are birthdays for? And I even got to hear my nephew Charlie sing"happy birfday dear Sarwah." So cute. Video of competition http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=294xyRRbVzs

Gifts From God

Thursday, my dad called to tell me he would be home this weekend. He is a cross-country truck driver, so we never know if he will be or not. Anyway, since he was gonna be home, and his birthday is this Wednesday, I drove down. Midnight on a Friday evening I walk through the door to find home-made pizza waiting for me. :) Always a good start. The whole weekend was nice, and it was good to spend time with my family, but what sticks with me the most was Saturday afternoon at the fair with my brother's kids. Charlie's big ketchup covered smile. Cassie, trying to keep her plate from blowing away when she picks up her pizza. Madison, bursting into tears at the thought of having to climb a net, and having the guy in charge let her out the back way. Both girls, sitting in bumper cars trying to figure out why they won't move. and Cassie spinning aroung in circles, once she found the gas pedal. Hearing my sister-in-law say that the kids get all excited when they hear we are coming over. Listening to Charlie walking around saying "hi' to everyone, except my dad, then its "Howdy Hi." The way he pronounces my name, "Sawah." And seeing my dad's face as he gets to hear Charlie say "grandpa." These are some of the gifts God gave me this weekend. We were not able to spend the past seven years with Joe and his family, long story, but what a blessing to be able to spend time with them now. I don't think anyone could top Charlie's gift to my dad. He sang"Happy Birthday." God made those kids very sweet, and if you were aware of the situation, that song coming from him was enough to melt your heart.

Nieces and Nephew

Hey everyone I thought I'd share some pics of my brother Joe's kids.

Madison is on the right in the red cleats, and Cassandra is on the left in the blue ones.

Yep you guessed it. They are twins. Seven years old. This was their first year playing soccer. Notice the untied laces in Cassie's picture, funny.

Here is Charlie, age 4, with his blanket, Kikki.

Three guesses who named it.

He is such a cutie.

Life Changing Moments

Six months ago on a Sunday afternoon I met up with my mom and my brother Bob to watch a movie, and to bring her some things. After the movie and some Taco Bell I gave my mom a hug and said goodbye and that I love her, and I got in my car and left. It was the last time I would get to talk with my mom before she died. Its funny how fast life can change. One minute I was putting donuts in a vending machine just like every Wednesday morning and the next I was starting a 2hr drive to pick up my brother to drive another hour to see my mom lying in a hospital bed unconscious, by Saturday she was gone, and my life was changed forever. There are moments in life that you will never forget. Those moments that divide life into the before and the after. What a comfort to know that moments like these do not come by accident. God is always in control of every detail. When someone we love dies or leaves us. The temptation is to ask God why He would take them away from us. God did not take my mom away from me after I spent only 23yrs with her. God gave me a wonderful loving mom for the first 23yrs of my life and the time I was given with her will affect who I am, how I think, and things that I do for the rest of my life. I miss her more than I could ever explain and yet I wouldn't trade the time I spent with her for one less moment spent in tears. God is gracious. God is good. He gave me the exact mom I was supposed to have, and He took her home at the precise time that she was supposed to go. How gracious and loving God is to bring my mom out of this world of hurt and sin into His presence! And He shows His grace and mercy by comforting those of us left behind. What God's plan is for me I don't know, but I am thankful to God that He does. And that I will be taken home as soon as I have finished His plan for my life, and not one moment sooner.