Father of Mercies, and God of all Comfort

On Sunday, October 19, my pastor's mom, Ana(Ana's Corner) and Leah's(The White Woods) grandma, died. While God's grace was obviously surrounding the family, the loss of a loved one is always very hard. It was an encouragement to hear Pastor Phil and his brother speak at the funeral. To hear the words of faith and hope in God through sorrow, and the emphasis on the importance of knowing God. This week has been a week of remembrance for me, as I have had a different view of an all too familiar situation. Its a different family with different circumstances, but it hits a familiar note. I am thankful for the trials God has led me through, and I hope that He will allow me to use those experiences to help other Christians through trials. Many verses have become dear to me over the past months, but this week 2 Corinthians 1:1-10 seems to be the most applicable to my life and the lives of those around me. 2 Corinthians 1:1-10 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too, If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

Strangers in the Cellar

This weekend I spent in costume at a haunted house. We plan to be open Oct. 18, 24, 25, and 31. Its been alot of fun already, but I'm not going to publish details, at least not until we close for the season, but if your looking for some fun come to the "Strangers in the Cellar" haunted house. http://homepage.mac.com/thezooman/Personal58.html Its a frightful good time.

DUH! Moment

OK, I just had one of those DUH! moments. I thought I'd share it with you. Lately, I have been praying to God about my life. Wondering what I'm supposed to do. Where exactly I fit in this world and in my church in accordance with God's plan. How I can glorify His name and be of use in others' lives. Also, I wonder how it is that I can be so dense that I constantly fall short of the standard He has set, and I don't even realize it most of the time. I have been discouraged, and I have been getting frustrated with myself. By God's grace we have verses to tell us that trials are a blessing. That they teach us patience and endurance. On top of that knowledge I learned something tonight. We were talking about humility, pride, sin and God's forgiveness, redemption etc. It amazes me how God uses our sin, evil and ill intentioned on our part, for our good "For all things work together for good to them that are the called..." When we recognize and confess our sin we are not only forgiven, but we are humbled which helps us fight pride. We are reminded of God's holiness and His Grace, of our sinfulness and our need for Him, and when we realize this we are also reminded of His sovereignty and wisdom that even this wicked sin against God, He can use for good. As I was thinking of all of this I had that duh! moment. Although my general ponderings of my particular path in life are still unanswered I realized that my not knowing what to do is a gracious gift from God. In teaching patience, yes, but also in helping me be mindful that I need God to show me my paths. I need His wisdom, I need Him. I have been praying these things, but I didn't really stop to think that my waiting is helping me to lean on Him. DUH! :) I can be so dense!-See I need God.

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

Allergic to Cold?

Yep, its official. I have a cold. Big headline huh? Its so funny every year it seems I get a cold when the temps start to drop and all winter long I have it. Sniffles, sore throat, sneezing, the works. I think next year I should migrate south. Or maybe I should try Leah's (the white woods) quick stuffy nose remedy. ;)

The Coming of Fall

I suppose it is technically fall already. School is back in session, it is colder out, and the calendar says September, but I don't consider it to be fall until the leaves change color. Man, this summer went fast. The whole year so far actually. So many things going on sure makes time fly. I have always liked summer best. Its warm, green, and sunny, but this year I am really looking forward to fall. It is a nice break to have the cool breeze and not have to run the air conditioner. I love the look of the trees as they change color. And having an excuse to wear my longsleave comfy cozy clothes. Curling up on the couch with my blanket and maybe some tea. I also hope to make it back to the park in Redwood Falls to take pictures of the paths with trees covered in shades of yellow, orange, and red. It is a joy to see how God changes the look of things around us. From the green of summer to the many colors of fall, and then He blankets everything in white snow. It is a blessing to see God's order in creation.