St. Louis Cardinals - Sweet Victory!

It was a tense evening at John and Max's place as we watched the 7th game of the NLCS last night. We were having "family time" (minus one of our family members, Karla - who by the way is more crazy about the St. Louis Cardinals than anyone I know). The boys aren't into baseball that much, but they sacrificed an evening to support my addiction to Cardinal baseball (at least during the playoffs - cause we don't get to see much of the regular season on TV in these parts)...and they even cheered for our sweet boys.

To be honest, our boys shocked me last night. Suppan was blowing me away with his pitching, but I was starting to get frustrated when we couldn't get any runs in. And stupid Chavez with his ridiculous back-breaking catch over the wall to rob us of 2 runs...jerk! But that didn't stop my boys from comin back in the 9th. Oh yeah...Molina came through and smacked one over the wall!! It was sweet!
But I think the best part of the whole night was the bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, and stinkin Beltran at the plate with 2 outs. (Side note - Beltran has been a thorn in our side the whole series with his homers and good hits. "Beltran" was Karla's new swear word for the week! She cracks me up!) Anyways, he's at 0-2 and I decide to stand up in the middle of the living room, like one would in a stadium...come on now, you gotta support and cheer! Max and John O thought I was ridiculous, but I didn't care. I stood and watched that sweet pitch soar into home plate, Beltran doesn't swing and the umpire threw his fist out and yelled strike!!! Immediate screaming and jumping around. It was amazing and unbelievable!!

So the Cards are headed to the World Series against Detroit and I almost cringe to think it may be another series like the one with the Red Sox in 2004. Complete humiliation. BUT! You never know with these guys - they are amazing and they may take it all this year! They better:) Regardless, I still love em!

Here he is...

Carter John Mitchell :)

I'm An Aunt!!!

Carter John Mitchell was born around 3:20pm (central time) today. Whew hew - it's a boy and I was right!! Not that it is important:) The little cutie weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz. and has lots of light brown/blonde hair. Mom sent me a text picture and he is a doll! Our little bundle of joy:) Melissa and Matt are both doing well...just really tired. Sounds like he is a pretty happy little boy. He cried once when he was first born, but since then all he does is smile. What a dream!! I'll be sure to post pictures if and when I ever get them!! Til then...

Prolonged Absence

WHAT IN THE WORLD???
My apologies for my blog absence this past week or so. I have no idea what happened or why my blog kept reading "not found". All I know is that I'm glad it's not lost for good!

Life has been a roller coaster lately. Turned 26 last Saturday. On the downhill slope of my 20s - 30 here I come! Actually, I'm enjoying my 20s - more so the latter half of them. First half was a little rocky. Thankful to be past all that!

Don't have a ton to write about this morning...still waking up. Just wanted to let you all know that I'm alive! :)

Quick Trip Home

Wednesday morning - I get the call that mom and dad are on their way up to Galesburg to be with grandma. She's not doing well.

Wednesday afternoon - I get the call that grandma passed away. Funeral will be on Saturday in Monmouth, IL. Max and I make plans to head home for an unexpected trip, realizing we will be traveling the same route the next weekend for a wedding. Worth it though to be with family and there for my dad.

Friday at noon - We head off for the 6.5 hour trip home which took nearly 7 hours thanks to the slow trucker in front of us on Route 4. Lots of talking and laughing and we're finally home. I go crazy in the car when I see the Broadway sign. It's been 5 months since I been home. I can't take it...it overwhelms me to the point where I go through the same ritual of rolling down my windows on the exit just to smell the Quincy air. Most would think I'm crazy, but I've done it nearly every trip home I've ever taken. This time was a little more exciting because I had my honey sitting next to me in the car. I made him roll his window down too and take a wiff - he just gave me the look like I was completely insane. But, it smelled great! We headed straight to my dad's workplace and surprised him. Later we met up with mom and the rest of the family at the KofCs. We met John and Sha at the YMCA for their volleyball game and watched them crush the other team 3-0. I could tell John had been working out:)

Saturday 7am - We left for the funeral. Max and I in front. John and Sha in the back seat, dressed and not quite awake. We head to good ole Monmouth where we have many childhood memories there. I rope Shawna into singing "In the Garden" with me for the service - she was awesome! I think the boys had heard enough of my version of "Eagles Wings". Thanks Loretta for the recording...you're amazing!

Saturday 10am - Visitation and funeral. Family comes. Hugs. Church family comes. Hugs. Surprised so many friends made the drive. We are blessed. Looked at the flowers sent. Bouquet from Dave Stone - shocked. Beautiful plant from my Elementary Team at Southeast - amazed, but not surprised because they are incredible. Gorgeous mum from Kev and Ret - beautiful. Reminded once again - we are blessed. Matt and Melissa couldn't be there because of work and the new baby about to arrive. Sad about that. Max stepped in to be a pall bearer. Thankful for him. Funeral service was short and small. Crazy how you can live a long life of 87 years and it can be summed up in a 20 minute service. Makes you think about what kind of impact you are making in this world and what people will say about you when you are gone. What kind of legacy am I leaving?

Saturday afternoon - Back in Quincy after the services and lunch. Head to the Crossing for Saturday evening service. Good to see John, Sha, Ret and Neal on stage leading worship. Dinner afterwards at Lakeview Restaurant. Great conversation with Loretta about life and God's amazing story for our lives. Incredible fried chicken salad - needs to be labeled "World Famous". Take the tour of John and Sha's remodeled home. Wish I had their creativity. Head to bed.

Sunday morning - Services at MPCC. Good to be home and see familiar faces. Embarassed like no other in Mike's Sunday School class. He's my biggest fan...just trying to get me married! Thanks for your help Mr. Nobis:) Pretty sure my face and Max's face were a nice shade of red for all to see. Lots of hugs and brief "catch up" conversations. Quick lunch at Fazoli's. Turn around to see Pam and Yvonne in line right behind me. Wow! God is cool like that.

Sunday 2pm - Head back to Louisville...yippee! This time trip takes 6 hours and 15 minutes...much better! More laughing, talking, coke-drinking, belching to pass the time away. Good fun had by all! Days left til we make the trip again - 2! Decision to fly this time around - definite!

He's Back!!

Well, I have successfully made it back from South Carolina with my boyfriend and all my luggage! We had a wonderful time together, although it went way too fast. Wednesday evening, I met him at his apartment, dressed and ready for the banquet we were attending. He opened the door and both of our faces lit up. He was dressed in his fancy pants army suit and looking mighty handsome. We went to the event and I met some pretty important people, ate some good food, got our picture taken and met a girl with the same dress on as me. To make matters even more awkward, we sat at the same table...how special!! I felt like I was at prom:)

Thursday, I watched movies all day while he was in class and planned a special dinner for him...
Friday, I met him for graduation and watched proudly as he walked across the stage to receive his special award. He won the "Distinguished Honor Graduate" award - basically, he was named the valedictorian of his class. To make it even more special, he was the youngest in his class!! He received special recognition during the ceremony and also received two special coins from top ranking officers...one was a 2-star general, the Chief of Chaplains!! Wow!! I was introduced to this incredible man and many more that day. Very proud of my man:)

He'll be back in Louisville on Wednesday of this week and it will be good to finally have him back!! I'll post some pics when he emails them to me!

Friends...

There are seasonal friends and then there are friends that just stick with ya for life. You may not get to talk to them everyday, but you know without a shadow of a doubt that you could pick up right where you left off. They are friends that always have a smile for you and an encouraging word. They say "I love you" and "I miss you"...and they mean it. They have been the ones that have known you your whole life or at least a good chunk of it. They've seen your ups and downs, your shining moments and unfortunately your embarassing moments. But they don't think any less of you! They are friends that you can be silly with and with the same breath share your struggles with. They are friends who will pray for you...regardless of whether you ask them to or not. They are real.

I've been blessed in my life with handfuls of these wonderful people. I don't call them just friends, I call them my family. I wouldn't be where I am today without them. Today, I thank God for each one of you. I love you.

Countdown...

2 weeks from today...

14 days in counting...
336 hours...
20,160 minutes...
1,209,600 seconds...
and he'll be all mine!!

My Honey and Me

2 months apart...long enough for me. I decided it was time to see him and nothin was stoppin me! With my co-pilot, Dotty, in the front seat, we trucked over 500 miles to see this handsome face. And boy it was worth it! I missed that sweet guy more than you can imagine.

It was a whirlwind trip and he was in training most of the time, but we got to spend the evenings together which was fine with me. I had the privilege of meeting some of his platoon members over dinner and the next day, he surprised Dotty and I with a trip to the Spa. We had full body massages and it was a dream. (major points!) The second evening, he went all out and planned a romantic dinner for the two of us. He spent weeks getting this whole event ready...needless to say, I was impressed. Good cook too!

It was a sad goodbye as always. But we are down to 26 more days until I go pick him up and bring him home for good. Time...can you fly by a little faster?

Camp Memories...

Friends...
To get a glimpse of my summer at camp, you must go visit my friend, Karla's blog. It's her Top 20 Countdown of camp memories. Check it out!
www.wereofftoseeklo.blogspot.com
You may not understand it all...but I think it is stinkin funny!

Back to Life...Back to Reality

Rolled over this morning when the alarm went off and moaned a bit.
Couldn't decide what to wear because for the last 3 weeks my wardrobe has been planned out for me...camp t-shirts, shorts and flip flops.
Drove in to the church parking lot, trying to remember what it was like to work in an office for 8 hours.
So weird!
Reality says...welcome back!
I say...what a joy.

Still Alive and Kickin...

I haven't dropped off the face of the earth...just dropped off the face of the blogging world for a bit. Life's been a little hectic with camp the past couple weeks. We've had little shugs from the 1st grade to the 5th grade out at Country Lake Christian Retreat and having a good time. It's been a little stressful at times, I'll admit...but the overall joy of being at camp wins out every time. I work with an incredible staff team and well...it's just fun!

I am going to see Max in a couple weeks!! My friend Dotty and I are heading down to SC to hang out with him briefly for a couple days. Getting in a little QT with him so I can make it another month without him. Can't wait for September when our lives can go back to normal again.

Life is good. Can't complain. Looking forward to a day off after camp is finished! See ya on the flip side my friends...

NACC

Had no idea that I would see so many people I knew at the North American Christian Convention! People from Central and some from Warrensburg were there and it was really good to see them and catch up. It sounds like my good ole CCCB is doing some pretty exciting things. New building, new president, new all sorts of stuff. Really proud of them! Hope to see more people tonight!

When you think you have tomorrow...

Tragedy. Devastation. Sadness.
Joy. Excitement. Long-awaited anticipation.
One day.

How can all these emotions happen in one 24 hour period? That is the question along with many others that are still plaguing my mind and heart today. Yesterday afternoon, one of our team members called us all together and told us that one of our volunteers who had been pregnant with twins went in to the ER the night before with chest pains. The doctors found out that she had a disected aorta (which basically meant that a wall in heart was torn). They thought it best for all parties involved that they go ahead and take the babies which were due in 7 weeks anyways. With it being twins, they were expecting them early, so this wasn't an uncommon thing. Sometime in the middle of the night, Matthew Logan and Sydney Elizabeth were born and although unstable are relatively healthy at this point in time.

Around noon, the mother began complaining of hot flashes to the nurse that was in the room and within moments before they could do anything, she passed away. She was able to see the babies that she had been waiting for...sadly though, she will never be able to see their first steps, take them to their first day of school, see them graduate or go off to college. She was young, maybe a couple years older than myself. She was a kindergarten teacher and her love for kids was inspiring. She and her husband were incredible volunteers in our ministry and served alongside one another faithfully. She was one of my worship leaders and her presence on stage and in our lives will be missed. She was a sweet person and my heart breaks for this young family.

It breaks for...
The husband who has experienced the greatest joy in life and the greatest sorrow all at the same time.
The tough road that lies ahead for him and for their families.
The babies who will never get to hear their momma's voice or feel her touch.

But one thing is for sure...they will grow up knowing how much she loved them, because their daddy will tell them all the time. They will know that mommy loves them, daddy loves them and most importantly that Jesus loves them.

Please lift this family up in prayer.
Lawrence and Carrie Godbey
Logan and Sydney

Ahh...the Beaches of Lake Michigan

Heading out on vacation this week to a delightful beach house on Lake Michigan. My buddy Steve has some family connections, so next week you won't catch me in the office. If you need to get ahold of me...try my cell phone....cause I will be laying out on the beach, soaking up the sun!!! :) Please don't hate me my friends! This is the first REAL vacation I have been on since our lovely family vacations as a kid. So technically, it is my first "grown-up" vacation...I would say it's about time!
Have a great week everybody!!

Max is Gone!

Well, everybody...
My boy is gone for the summer. Boo hoo:( I took him to Lexington Saturday morning and he is now in full swing at his Officer Basic Course in Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. I've started the countdown for his return. 87 days left!
I know military families do this all the time and for much longer periods of time for that matter. Guess it is just going to take some getting used to. I've said goodbye to him before. We were apart for 3 weeks when we first started dating and normally don't get more than a few days to be together anyways during the week. But for some reason, this time is harder. I miss him more than I've ever missed him before and want him to come back right now. Oh I know I'll be okay. I'll toughen up, but I'm not going to forget the fact that I miss him. I'll cry...numerous times. I'll laugh and wish he were there laughing with me. I'll go places and wish he were there with me. But I'll know that on September 8th or shortly after, I'll get to see him and give him a big hug! Until then...

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.