Two BIG Things!

I know after the job announcement, how could anything be BIG??

1st thing...
For an entire year, I have been avoiding a certain restaurant. Don't ask me why, because I really don't know. For years, people have raved about this place and swear it is the best food they've ever eaten. Now, keep in mind that they were mostly men. Yes, I'm talking about the infamous place called "Skyline Chili". Maybe you've tried it, maybe you are like me and have been avoiding it. I must say, that it was semi-tasty. The main thing was...I didn't throw up. I tried a bite of Steve's 3-way and that was about all I could take. I did get my own cheese-coney and well, it wasn't anything that I will crave in future days to come, but I could eat another if I had to. I settled for the Southwest Chicken Wrap. 1 thumb up!

2nd thing...

Guess who finally got their IPOD Nano in the mail yesterday??? If you guessed me, then YOU ARE CORRECT!! The little beauty was in my office mailbox when I got back from lunch and it truly made me smile. I don't know what to do with it yet...but that's where my buddy Nevan comes into play. Actually, he deserves some major props for it finally arriving in the first place. Neville - thank you!

The Wait is FINALLY Over!!

The good news is....I GOT THE JOB!!!
The bad new is...oh wait, there is no bad news!!!

I was offered the Worship/Music Ministry Assistant Position for the Elementary Ministries Team this afternoon at 3:30pm. Nothing will be official until the HR Department takes care of the details, but it is enough for me to FINALLY tell the world about my big news! I said everyone would know when I knew!

I have waited long enough for the words I heard today. I've gone over the possibilities in my mind if I didn't get the job, if I did get the job...and so on. It's been something I've wanted and prayed over for a long time. This job will be meshing two of my greatest passions. Music and Children. For me, this was a job that only existed in my dreams a couple years ago. I remember sitting at West Central Christian Service Camp and talking with my friend, Dotty Harney. We were discussing ministry struggles and in the midst of our conversations, she simply said, "Sara, you need to be a large church where you can specifically do music for kids." I thought to myself that would never happen. But through some tough seasons the past couple of years... and simply by the Hand of God, He has brought me to Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY where I will now be taking on the role of Worship/Music Ministry Assistant for Elementary Ministries.

I just have to sit back for a moment and say WOW God...WOW!

To look back over the course of my life the last 3 years is amazing. I see how He uprooted me from my ministry in Warrensburg with my dad having a stroke and grandpa dying, and I see Him showing me that He really wanted me in ministry. He took me through some ugly valleys to get there, but I think He gave me a taste of what life would be like if I had chosen to disobey His calling when I moved home. I mean who really wants to be a substitute teacher for the rest of their life?? Well, maybe some do, but I certainly do NOT! Those few months were wretched, but God taught me alot through those difficult times.

To be honest though, those 9 months in Quincy had some tremendous benefits. I got to spend more time with my family, and I got to hang out with John and Shawna a ton. And getting the opportunity to know my then "future sister-in-law" was well worth it. I also made some incredible friends at FUEL. I miss them all very much.

Getting older has its benefits. You do get wiser. I think it is mainly because you can look back on your life and your mistakes and see what an idiot you were at times, but more than that...you can see God's grace shining through each mistake. You learn to trust Him more and more because He proves Himself over and over. He takes your "oops" moments, heals your wounds and then fixes you up to go on and do some great things. He works through it all. I am so blessed to have a God who loves me this much. Who can take all my bad decisions and still use me in ways I never thought possible to bring glory to His name and to bring others to know Christ a little bit better.

Who am I God...that you should be mindful of me?...that you would care for me?...that you would love me? All I can say is Thank you God...thank you. And thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!

YEAH GOD!

Special Delivery!

Guess what folks! I just got myself a new computer flat screen monitor for my office. Didn't ask for it...didn't know about it until 5 minutes ago...but yet, here it is!
It's very nice.
It's black.
It's square.
It's flat.
It takes up alot less space on my desk.
Funny how these things happen two weeks before the end of my internship. Well, at least I have two weeks to enjoy this beautiful thing. How fortunate for the next intern. If they only knew the piece I started out with...they would be forever grateful! :)
Thanks to our I.T. guys and gals!

Worries...

"Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you."

1 Peter 5:7

It's a verse that is on repeat in my mind lately. With two weeks left in the internship, I still don't have a job come May 29th. Stresses me out a bit, I'll be honest. The waiting is what kills me. I'm completely out of control. But that just means HE is completely in control.

So you ask...what are you stressing about? Well, I'm a worry-wort and that's what I do. Is it right? No. Is it a sin to worry? Yes. Should I stop? Yes. Will HE take care of me and my worries? Yes. Do I trust Him? ....Yes. That's the kicker my friends....trusting Him. I've done it for 25 years, I think I can do it for at least another week until I hear an answer.

The Wedding of the Century!

Suppose it is my turn to post about the wedding weekend. Loretta's already posted two times and other friends are posting...and I'm family for goodness sake!! Better get on it eh? I haven't posted yet for the simple fact that I'm speechless. I don't know if words can really describe all that went on this weekend. Indescribable. Amazing really. Breath-taking. Beautiful. Holy and pure. Worship. WOW! I would say the ceremony was like nothing I have ever experienced before. Yes, the spotlight and live-camera feed as I'm coming down the aisle made me feel like I was in Hollywood, but that's not the stuff I'm talking about. I'm talking about the touches of God, HIS fingerprints that were EVERYWHERE!

From moments alone in the bride's room, circled around Shawna praying to a "toast of love" given by the bride's father...HE was all over the place. I have seen God at work in this relationship for quite some time. I still remember the night at camp when Shawna pulled John aside and they sat in the canteen area and talked and she had the guts to tell him she liked him. That girl has more courage than I will ever have - he was even dating someone at the time. But she knew...she knew and pursued (well, more or less waited for John to wise up) and the rest is history!

Top 10 Favorite Moments from the weekend:

10. Feeling like it was Christmas at the rehearsal dinner when Sha gave us the bridesmaids gifts! (pink sunglasses - hot stuff!)

9. The rehearsal that felt like a family reunion. Erin, Laura, Ricki, Jenny, Tyler, Jon, Jessica, Becca, Keith, Matt, Gil & Ang...family...they just kept coming through the door and I couldn't get to everyone fast enough.

8. Goofy pics with the girls!

7. Loretta's heart-warming, "make you want to cry" speech to us girls before the wedding. Oh wait, I did cry!

6. Teaching Max all the names of the Hollensteiner clan and then watching him score major points with the family when he remembered all their names and could pick them out of a crowd (proud of you babe)!

5. Dancing with my brother Matt towards the end of the night...most everyone was gone and I let loose!

4. Watching and listening to Loretta scream and just about loose it as Shawna's big moment arrived when she walked down the aisle. Then, of course, watching Sha, in all her beauty, slowly walk down the aisle with the sea of people rising behind her...breath-taking!

3. As Loretta put it...the circle of pink tulle surrounding Sha before the ceremony...praying for the future of the couple.

2. Taking a glimpse at the screen and seeing John's face completely covered in tears of sheer joy. Nothing compares. I was so happy for the both of them!

1. I say nothing compares to the last one...maybe this one is in its own category. Funniest moment for me was the "Dance Off" between John and my uncle Bruce. Holy Cow - HILARIOUS! Max has the whole thing recorded on his camera and I still laugh hysterically whenever I watch it. Looks like it is a tradition now - watch out world!

Many moments are still incredible and I will remember them always. Thanks for such a special weekend! :)

The Long Awaited Weekend

Polka dots, pink dresses, chocolate brown suits, truffles, chocolate fountains, music, dancing, candles, pictures, presents, laughter and tears...

It's what we've all been anticipating for quite some time now. It's been over a year of planning and getting things prepared. Trips to bridal shops, dresses being made, suits being bought, appointments with caterers,

long nights of stuffing envelopes,

tiling floors...and ceilings, painting walls, fixing things...

every little detail important

every moment irreplacable

every memory embedded

Such anticipation and it will be here very very soon!

The wedding...the union of this incredible couple.

Some saw it long before others,

but I think we can all agree that this is a match made in Heaven!

I would say that in 4 days it will all be over...but no...

the best is yet to come!