::Beautiful is the New Black::

"I want to be beautiful

Make you stand in awe

Look inside my heart,

and be amazed

I want to hear you say

Who I am is quite enough

Just want to be worthy of love

And beautiful"

-Bethany Dillon "Beautiful"

I had just gotten out of the shower and threw on my robe and looked in the mirror and said to myself, "you look pretty." And then I realized that I have never said that to myself. I often look over my reflection and see all of the imperfections (the double chin, the zit that just popped up or my makeup that I couldn't get just right). And I realized in all of this criticalness that I'm sinning. Not only am I doubting Gods creation but I'm also incredibly insecure. Actually, I feel insecure writing this right now, wondering if those reading this will judge. But that is okay. I need to announce that all of God's creations are beautiful! And that may seem trite, or simplified, but it is true. I must bask in the truth that all of creation is beautiful, including me, and including YOU. So dear reader, please know that you are not alone in your insecurity. But God has made you exactly the way you are and only sees beauty.

Pink is not the new black, blue is not the new black, lets make beauty the new black.

::Adoption::

Since about late high school I have had this desire in the back parts of my heart. My desire is this.... to one day adopt and/or be a foster parent to a child. Or if God blesses me in this a multitude of children. Yes, I know children are very expensive, and time consuming. And if you know me at all, you also understand that I'm not very "children friendly". But I can't shake this desire that I have.

You may ask, "Do you have a particular choice of nationality, gender, or age?" And the answer is a big fat NOPE! I know God will bring to me exactly what He desires. I have no problem with younger, older, blacker, asianer, or what ever he has for me. A friend of mine recently shared her passion for the exact same thing, and she posed the question of Gods sovernty in bringing a man with the same desire. To be honest, I never thought about that. I know God will bring a man into my life that has the same passion, sooner or later.

So excuse my ramblings, but I have one last things to share.

I believe adoption makes me most excited due to the fact that I'm adopted. I'm adopted into the family of God. And let me tell you it is the best family out there. I have brothers and sisters who are of many different races and ages. It's pretty rad cause, I got a great dad. (That rhymed, unintentional.)

::Doing Hard Things::

I believe the fiery red-head, Lucille Ball, says it best, "In life, all good things come hard, but wisdom is the hardest to come by." Growing up has its difficulties, but for some reason recent generations of people forget that there will be times when 'hard things' must be done. I, myself, can be included in this recent generation.

I am learning a secret, the secret is that these 'hard things' may be one of the best things to happen to a person. It allows a person to understand that they cannot continue on by themselves. A person will fail if they do not rely on God. And God, in His infinite power, places specific people in a persons life to gain wisdom from.

So what 'hard things' are you dealing with? Financial issues, death of a loved one, failed test, medical issues.... the list can go on and on. I am learning that I must trust and have faith. I have a friend who continually tried to get me to understand what true faith was, and now going through 'hard things', I understand. This understanding has caused more joy than I have experienced in a long time. So in the end, I'm thankful for these 'hard things', as it has allowed faith and joy to abound! Praise Him.

So to encourage those few people who may stumble across this post..... Trust God, and perhaps those 'hard things' may be a blessing and not as impenetrable as they seem.

::World Citizen (and not the class)::

My eyes have been opened to my ignorance. I know that a statement like that can be considered dramatic, but my roommate T has shown me how limited my knowledge is regarding world news. As a world citizen I should be concerned about those who are hurting or in distress. But more importantly, as a Christ-follower I should be aware and be praying for those people around the world. Often I realize how selfish my prayer life has become and this has to change. And the first way to change it is to educate myself on the happenings of the world.

These are the recent things that I have learned:

• Egypt, specifically Cairo, is going through utter chaos. (Political unrest)
• The midwest had a major snowstorm hit (people have deemed it a snowpocalypse)
• Sex traffic increases due to the Superbowl (I find this to be so sad)
• Cyclone hits Queensland (To be honest, I'm not sure where Queensland is located)
• Japan's Mt.Shinmoe erupts (famous for being in a James Bond movie)

::The Sabbath::

Last night a friend warned me that we may be "blessed" with more inclement weather, and my first thought was "But that may cause me to miss church." And at the time it seemed perfectly normal, but today after pondering my response I was taken aback. When did I begin to feel so comfortable at my home church? Over the summer I joined the church I had been attending for about 3 years. I learned that I had to make a step and be part of the body. It would take me completely out of my comfort zone, as The Journey is very different than any church I had ever attended. I love seeing familiar and new smiles each week, and knowing that investing in peoples lives is what we are called to do. This week the sermon "How Can I Really Change?" , rocked my world. It challenged me to decide who I really want to call my master, my God or my flesh? Needless to say, my heart was moved. And all praise goes to God in this matter. I am thankful for my Church family and am excited to see how God will use me in this family.

"Love God. Connect People. Transform the World."

::Visions of Sugarplums?::

Tis the season for sleigh bells, cookies, and my favorite .....Presents! But in all honesty, I hate to receive them. When I receive them I feel like a ball of awkwardness...I mean I never know how to react. But what I love about presents is creating, wrapping and giving them. I get this overwhelming rush as I craft and wrap a present. Seeing all of the glue, glitter, paper and fabric being thrown around in a creative fashion gives me a high like none other....it is totally my drug. And I am in the season of my addiction....Christmas Season! So as my roommates tolerate my 'Sarah's Workshop' that has invaded the living and dining room, I can't help but smile as the thoughts of ribbon and mod podge dance through my head.

::Another Year::

I believe I've finally reached that point. You 'older' folks know what I'm talking about, that point where age has no real purpose. It seems like time now time is irrelevant. I have come to accept this concept. I think that in the back of my mind whenever my day of birth rolls around I will always ponder the 'good ole days' when birthdays consisted of pool parties and sleepovers.

Even though, I am lamenting over what is the past, I am super excited for what is to come.

Let me share some of the highlights of this years celebration:

• My fab coworkers (including the bestie) really made me feel special with balloons, the cutest cupcakes, a 'stepped up' sash, and lovely presents.
• I felt genuinely loved by friends as they showered me with well wishes.
• A really wonderful guy took me out to my favorite restaurant (Red Robin...YUM), saw some spectacular Christmas lights, then let me pick a girly movie to watch back home. It was pretty great!

I'm a pretty blessed girl! So thankful for a wonderful set of friends to celebrate this time with me.