Getting Robbed...

This morning I went to my car to go to work, not noticing the shattered glass in the parking lot. I opened my trunk threw my laptop in with the rest of the junk, that somehow managed to look even messier. Then I got in the car, and got annoyed that Daniel left the glove compartment and arm rest open. And then I realized, someone broke into our car last night and robbed us. We were robbed of our ipods, some money and our snorkeling gear. And my joy...

We never take these things seiously when they happen to someone else. We question their feelings and actions. But when it happens to us, we finally understand. I spent all day feeling a little sad, a little violated, and a little grateful. But mostly just plain mad! What right does anyone have to break into MY personal space and steal something I worked for! None of that stuff belonged to them...it was all MINE! And how could God let it happen? He's supposed to keep us, and our stuff safe....right? I've prayed for my car...didn't he hear me?

After spending all night at the police station, my head is a little clearer. Now I'm mostly feeling thankful. Things could have been much worse. I could have left my laptop in the trunk, or they could have stolen the entire car. They could have broken into our home, or hurt one of us.

And on top of that, I'm grateful for the gifts those stole items gave me. Like that day Daniel and I sent snorkelling, and all of the times I have been blessed by the music on my ipod. Yes, I have a lot to be thankful for.

After such a long day, I came home to neighbors who care about us, who were willing to come out of their home to help us patch up our window and reassure us things would be all right. And now, as I type I can hear them praying and singing to God. And I can only say thank you. Thank you God for surrounding me with people who love you! Thank you for keeping us all safe! Thank you for my amazing husband who stands by my side through it all!

And hey God? You know those tracts that look like money they also stole from our car? Can you please use it to show my car thief your love?

Let's talk about it...

So I've been thinking about how we can do this book study together! And I think the best way to do it is to do a weekly post on whatever chapter we're currently reading.

I'll discuss my thoughts and the discussions we had in Bible study, and will ask a few questions on the chapter just to get us thinking. You guys can respond in the comments section, and we'll get some good discussions going. :)

Let's start by introducing ourselves so we know who is reading along with us! Make sure you tell us where you are right now, and what you're doing there!

I'll start...I'm Sarah (obviously)and this is my blog! Right now I'm living in Nassau working as an auditor and learning to be a good wife!


P.S. If you don't have a copy of the book, its not too late to grab one!

A Place of Quiet Rest

I think most of you know that we're starting a new book in Bible study, A Place of Quiet Rest.

It's a wonderful book about having a daily devotional time with God. I've been so blessed by the book already. I started reading it through on my own, but I realized there's power in numbers and accountability. If I'm going to change my life and the way I spend time with God I'm going to need help. I can't do it alone. So I'm excited to be reading it together with the girls from Bible study.

If you're off the island, or can't make it out on Monday nights, I encourage you to grab a copy of the book and read along with us! Let your life be transformed so that you "bear the sweet, rich fruit of meeting with God on a consistent basis".

Tonight, we read the foreword and a small section titled "From my Heart". And as we read, I realized how important it is to make the effort to have quiet time each morning. When I think of women I look up to from the past, or even in the present, I'm amazed at their quiet hearts for God. Women like Sarah Edwards and Suzanna Wesley, who raised up children who would change the world for God. Women like Elizabeth Elliot, who had the power to foregive the people who murdered her husband and live among them to share the gospel. These are women I want to be like. I want people to look at me and think "Wow, she has a beautiful Spirit".

And I can't have that spirit without spending time with God. That's the only way he'll be able to change me and shape my heart so that it matches his. I need to have quiet time every single day of my life! Otherwise, I'm nothing like these women...I'm nasty and selfish. I have no joy, and being loving is the furthest thing from my mind.

But the struggle to have quiet time is not an easy one. Nancy Leigh DeMoss talks about this. She points out that "one of the reasons it is such a battle is that the enemy of my soul knows if he can defeat me here, he will ultimately be able to defeat me in every other area of my spiritual life." It's so true...

So I need to be prepared to fight! Right now I'm exhausted...but I need to fight! No sleep for me! I need Jesus more than I need sleep!

I also need Jesus more than I need to Blog...so on that note, time for some quiet time!

Running on Empty

Daniel and I have been taking church membership classes for the last couple months. Our church is very serious about membership. They want to make sure you're committed and know what you're getting yourself into before you become a member.

One thing that keeps coming up during classes is the topic of serving. You're expected to serve the church in some way...period. No excuses.

And naturally, with that being said, we've randomly been asked to serve in like three new areas. It's funny how that happens.

We (and by we, I mean Daniel) were asked to consider teaching the teens in Sunday School. And to help run a program with an orphanage on the island. And to join a small group. That's on top of Monday night Bible study, church membership classes (which should be ending soon), church and random mentoring/evangelism/fellowship.

The thing is, I don't connect well with teens. I never have. I've tried, and failed miserably! Even though I know I was just like them as a teen, their unwillingness to learn from other people's mistakes and take life seriously just annoys me. Daniel, on the other hand, is wonderful with them. And since I want to be passionate about the things he is passionate about, I kind of feel like I should put my personal feelings aside so that we can work together. Especially in our first year of marriage.

I've recently been praying about the direction my life should take. Should I commit myself to working with Daniel with teens? Should I give up the Bible study, or really push to make it stronger? How can I manage any of these things and still keep up the running of my home?

So far, the only answer I'm hearing is that I need to "be still and know that He is God". The truth is, my relationship with God isn't the greatest right now. I hardly have any devotional life, and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to overcome this period in my life. So now doesn't seem to be the time to dedicate myself to a million things. Instead, it seems to be a time to fill myself up with God's word and prayer. I need refreshment before I can pour myself out to others. Even if that means I can't serve others along side my husband.

What do you think? Is it ok for me to take a break from ministry in order to work things out with the Lord?

Wives are to submit to their husbands

The topic of submission has been popping up alot lately.

For some reason, I feel like Daniel has been telling me what to do a lot lately. I don't think its true, or at least not anymore than normal. I think I've just been taking it a lot harder. For instance, this morning Daniel asked me to put all our laundry away and to bring some cups of water downstairs. Mind you, this is after he basically cleaned our whole apartment the day before.

My reaction? "Stop treating me like a child!"...pretty selfish huh? I felt quite stupid when I thought about it. Especially after he asked me if I really wanted to be a submissive wife.

And tonight, for date night, we went Salsa dancing. Neither of us is a particularly good dancer. We can do the basic steps but our spins are quite ackward. And even though Daniel led, he never really stepped up to the challenge and took control.

I wanted him to spin me quickly, and make me feel dizzy. I wanted him to change things up alot, and do all the steps the woman just taught us. I wanted him to swing me around like all the professionals were doing with the women around me. I wanted....are you noticing a pattern? Everything is about me and what I want. Yes, I wanted Daniel to take the lead, but I wanted him to lead me the way I wanted to go. I wasn't willing to submit to his ideas and desires. And that's not real submission at all.

It's easy to be submissive when things are going smoothly, and we both want the same things. But what happens when opinions differ? That's when submission is the most important for the unity of the relationship. I haven't yet learned to overcome my selfishness at those times.

But I'm working on it...until then, thank you Daniel for being gracious with me!

Happy Shark Week!

I've neglected this blog for about a week now! I doubt anyone's reading, but its nice to pretend I'm writing for an audience. And right now, my imaginary audience is wondering what happened to me.

Don't worry! I'm safe! And I've missed you. I spent the weekend playing tourist with my sister, and taking some time to sew. I'll post pictures and commentaries soon.

Meanwhile, I'm just sitting here with Daniel and my mom watching TV. I don't really watch a lot of TV, but this week I just can't resist. Why? Because its SHARK WEEK on Discover Channel!!! Best week of television ever! Shark diving, shark attacks, shark facts, and anything else you can think of to do those beautiful deadly creatures.



I'm not sure why I have such a fascination with them. I love to just sit by the tanks in Atlantis and watch them swim by. I wish I could swim with them but I'm terrified of being eaten! Do you think there will be sharks in heaven??