Smile Awards

Today, I got a wonderful surprise...a smile award from Kristen. Thanks, beesh! Hope you enjoy a few words about some of the many people who make my life such a joy.

Smile Award #1--My beesh, Kristen. Even though I haven't seen her smile in person in SO LONG, she has the ability to smile through the rain like no one else I know. She lands on her feet, gives worries the "whatever" shrug, and focuses on the positive--even when she has "sand in her circumstances". No wonder she's been my beesh for 19 years now! Everyone needs a Kristen in their lives. Check out her blog at http://bluebottledesigns.blogspot.com/ and you can see my smile award from her.

Smile Award #2--My husband, David. His big grin took up the whole doorway where I stood the first time I saw him in person. He lights up a room, and definitely lights up my life like no one ever has. Can you tell I'm in love? I almost deserve a smile award for how much he makes me smile! What a blessing he is to me and everyone who knows him.

Smile Award #3--My nieces Caroline and Olivia. Their innocent sweet smiles melt my heart. Plus, they give my sister fits half the time. I have to give them credit for that!

My nephew Bennett gets one, too, despite the fact that he's only a year old. Watch out little toddler girls...he's going to be a heartbreaker!

Smile Award #4--My pinky posse (Laura, Candy, & Christi). They have the best collective sense of humor I've ever seen. They will literally make your sides hurt and your face ache! For that, I give them a raised eyebrow, and a "Really?" for Candy, a "Seriously?" for Christi, and a "YOU ARE KIDDING!" for Laura. I love you Samantha, Carrie, and Miranda!

OK, maybe that's only 4 official smile awards, but it's for 8 people! Don't I have a lot of light in my life? God is surely smiling down on me.

Put your shine on someone else's day by giving them a smile award! Here are the rules, which of course I bent a little:

These are the rules for The Smile Award:
1. The recipient must link back the the award’s creator.
2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.
3. You must chose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award.
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

Protest

We are expecting protesters tonight at OCU. They are the folks from Topeka, KS, who protest at soldiers' and Aids victim's funerals. They also protest against anything that has to do with homosexuality. That issue gives OCU the dubious honor of their visit.

The theater department is doing The Laramie Project, a play based on the murder of a gay student in Laramie, WY, named Andrew Shepherd. OCU students have proclaimed today "Love Not Hate" day, and are wearing shirts that proclaim it.

In 30 minutes or so, there will be a service put together by Spectrum (the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender group on campus). The students are here setting up and have been so polite. I'll be running the sound system, so I'll be in the service. I'm curious, to say the least. When they made the reservation, they said that they wanted to have a service to say "God is Love" to counter the hate that was coming from the protesters later this evening.

One of the reasons I love working with college students is that they are very passionate! More than a few e-mails have gone out from the administration asking (pleading with?) the students to adopt the official campus response to the protesters--ignore them. Deny them the attention they seek. The students are planning a silent protest. Can they be silent? Will their passion and tempers get the better of them? I pray not.

In this most difficult issue, I will trust God that He is big enough to sort out who His children are and how they need to live. I'm looking at this as an opportunity to show all of our students love and hospitality. This doesn't change my thoughts on what scripture says about sexuality (gay and straight). Am I a little uncomfortable? Sure, I'll admit to that. But, I have a responsibility to God for my actions and my heart. God has enough grace to deal with the rest. Lord, enable me to reflect that grace, the very grace you've given me.

Fall Joys

I love fall! It has always been my favorite season. The others have their charms...dogwoods in the spring, warm summer nights, and snowy winter days, but nothing beats the cool, crisp air of fall. Fall means apples, sweaters, and football. Growing up in the Ozarks, fall also meant gorgeous vistas with a patchwork quilt of colorful trees.

Today is the first true day of fall here in Oklahoma City. The leaves aren't really turning yet, but that first blast of really cool weather is here. It's foggy and damp, just as a pre-Halloween day should be. There is something deep inside that clicks on days like today and makes me want to make mass quantities of chili. I can't explain it.

There are so many small moments of joy to this time of year. I thought about that this past weekend as I held Olivia on my shoulders. She said gleefully, "I'm on top! I'm up on top!" as I swung her around. I know exactly what you mean, Liv! She was giggling in her sweet way, and Caroline was urging David to swing her again and again as she rode on his shoulders. We put them down and chased them around Aunt Betty's lawn, laughing. All was right with the world.

I missed some of the joy of fall last year during my long recovery from heart surgery. I didn't hike in the woods, cooked less of my fall favorites, and didn't feel quite as well as I do now.

But, I did something new last fall: I fell in love with David! We had a wonderful time getting to know and love each other during my favorite time of year. I instantly loved his family as we spent the weekend in Stillwater for his college homecoming. He learned to call the Hogs as we cheered them on Fayetteville. We missed each other greatly as he served in Ukraine last October.

We had one particularly special fall weekend last year. Our arms around each other, we walked through War Eagle Mill. We stopped for long hugs and romantic kisses. We asked others to take pictures of us, after trying self portraits with partial faces in them.

We went to see the Razorbacks play South Carolina on a cold starry night and snuggled together. The leaves fell around us on Mount Sequoyah on that sunny Sunday afternoon. My heart broke, as it always did, when he had to return home. Something was growing between us, and, for the first time, I found myself dreaming about what could be between us in the future.

This year, we are going home to treasure just one fall weekend in the Ozarks. I can't wait to soak up the beauty, the crisp, clean air, and spend time with my family and friends. It will go by too quickly, but I will treasure every moment. Mom, put the chili on the stove and the cornbread in the oven. We're coming home!

Thankfulness

Some days, thankfulness alludes me. How can someone as blessed as I am shut my eyes to all that God has given me? And, yet, my abundant blessings remain ignored and unappreciated at times, like a doll from the Island of Misfit Toys that no one plays with anymore. This hardness of heart eats away at the joy within me until the world is gray and flat.

Praise God, there are other days where thankfulness pervades everything. The sky is blue, the air is cool against your cheek. I greet the world with a smile and enthusiasm courses through your veins. The seasons change, and I notice God's world is splashed with color and creativity. This is one of those days. God seems to have laid it out in front of me and is smiling as He watches me enjoy it.

What a beautiful world God has given us. He wakes us in the morning and has our role in His kingdom prepared for the day. No one is insignificant. No role is too small.

Lord, give me a thankful heart to receive and appreciate your blessings, and perseverance to weather the trials that come. Thank you for the little things that show your love--a beautiful sunset, the changing of the seasons, a new friend. Help me join you in Your work and play my role well.

Colossians 2:6-7, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,
rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

I found the words to "His Eye is on the Sparrow" that I refered to in my other post of the day. I hope they are comforting to you, too, in this turbulent time in our country.

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Worry much?

I'll stand up and say it: My name is Sarah and I'm a worrier. That's supposed to be the first step...admitting that you have a problem. Now that I'm on my way to self-fulfillment and healing, I'll air some of my worries.

Among others, I have financial worries. David and I were assigned homework to make a budget before our next financial peace class at church. Will we be on the same page? Will it stretch? Will everything be covered? Is there anything left for fun or saving toward big purchases down the road (future trip to Italy, new tires for the cars, a new roof)? What if we have an emergency? What if I get sick again and can't work? The more I think about it, the more scenarios flood my mind. I can be a very tenancious and creative worrier.

David, in all his wisdom, tells me not to worry. Everything will work out. We'll be fine. I want to believe that, too. He must be wondering where his sunny, optimistic wife is. He is such a wonderful comfort,but the worries creep back in.

Most of all, God is dealing with me about my lack of faith. All the verses I've ever read about worry are streaming through my mind, and still, I worry. I want to make these truths play out in my daily life, but I seem to struggle against the practical things I see around me (bills, debts, etc.) versus faith that God will take care of us. I have had the song "His Eye is on the Sparrow" in my mind all day. May I remember that wonderful blessing everyday.

Thank you, Lord, for everything you've given me. I am truly blessed. I have a wonderful husband, a nice home, and my needs met. Forgive my lack of faith and help me to be thankful. Amen.

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for , the evidence of things not seen. "

Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Psalm 108:4 "Your love Oh, Lord, reaches to the nations. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies."