Halloween Tradition

Today is Halloween. If you know me, you know I'm not a big fan. This could be blamed on my Southern Baptist upbringing or my aversion to masks or that I'm just not that creative.* But, for the last couple years I've had a "Halloween tradition". It started in college when I did workstudy for Dr. Fuhrman. It's not everyone's Halloween cup o' scary, but I like it. Sure, I still go to parties and enjoy candy like a fat kid enjoys....candy. Wow....

And we could blame this tradition on my Southern Baptist upbringing, Dr. Fuhrman, or the fact that I'm just not that creative.* Whatever the reason, my little Halloween tradition makes my little heart get excited for this holiday.

I watch Luther.

Before you get "all-up-on's" because I'm a dork, understand the history. Martin Luther, depicted in the movie by Joseph Finnes, posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenburg Castle Church on October 31, 1517. This led to the beginning of the Reformation, the Protestant movement and ultimately to the secession from the Catholic church.

It has action, theology, and a little romance. That's like the trifecta of awesome. Plus, church history and a bunch of German words. Does it get much better than that? I submit: no.

So, if you don't have any super exciting plans for Halloween tonight, you too can be as cool as me and enjoy a nice night with Martin Luther and all his Reformational buddies, watching them tear down the walls between the people and the clergy and opening up the Bible to a hungry people. (I really do sound like a nerd...)

* By the way, I'm actually stoked tonight about my costume because I got creative. It's a-ma-za-zing. Pictures tomorrow. =)

Happy Halloween!

Talk Thursday // Round One

Balderdash-ish Results

After tabulating the points where the correct definition was worth 1 pt and a humorous make-believe definition worth 2, the 1st ever Balderdash-ish game winner is: CANDACE JOICE WITH 7 points!!!!!!!

I will say that my two favorite made-up responses were:

"quondam • \KWAHN-dum\D. A condom quandary of preg-tastic proportions" submitted by Mr. Chris Maples

&

"Flack - a HomeStarRunner character that was developed but quickly discarded; the primary characteristic of this character and the one for which he went unused was the unpleasant flem that made it hard to understand his speech ;o)" submitted by our winner, Mrs. Candace Joice

Candace, send me your address and you'll get your prize!!!

Thanks for those of you that played. This was fun! It was almost like I was a teacher, grading her kids' papers. Except that I hope my teachers weren't as subjective with grades as I was.... although, that would make a lot more sense....

Yay games!!! Yay word-nerds!!! =)

Truth for Today

"Come stand in it with a past you can’t fix and a future you can’t look at without grimacing and I will comfort you in this very moment."

I stole this off this blog. It was talking about just being in the presence of God, delighting in the immeasurable gift that is His presence.

That most assuredly was something I needed to hear today.

Got Your Game Faces on?

The Game: Balderdash…ish.

The Rules: Pick the definition that goes with the vocab word. If you don’t think it’s one of those choices, tell me what you think the definition is (that’s what the D space is for!) You all have until 5pm on Monday, 10/27 to submit your answers. Either leave a comment or email me at sarniclew@gmail.com to let me know your answers.

Scoring: If you pick the right definition or I think your made-up definition is funnier, you get a point. The person with the most points at the end of the game wins. And yes, this is all very subjective.

The Prize: Yes, you'll get one. Is your interest piqued?

Cheating: Don’t do it. If you cheat, I won’t know, but God will. And I can’t throw lightening bolts, but He can. So don’t cheat.

Disclaimer: This is a nerdy game. That's because I'm a nerd. Furthermore, I could try and be funny but I'm not altogether that humorous and believe me, it would suck more. So enjoy this for the dorky game that it is and good luck!

=)

lacuna • \luh-KOO-nuh\

A. a blank space or a missing part : gap
B. to seize and hold by force or without right
C. lacking in foresight or discernment : limited in outlook
D.

quondam • \KWAHN-dum\

A. exceptionally early in development or occurrence
B. former, sometime
C. to be extraordinarily proud : rejoice
D.

lout • \LOUT\

A. the use of pet names
B. an identifying name or title : designation
C. an awkward brutish person
D.

puissant • \PWISS-unt\

A. one that intrudes in a place or sphere of activity
B. a harmonious succession of words having a pleasing sound
C. of great force or vigor : strong, powerful
D.

flack • \FLACK\

A. to provide publicity : engage in press-agentry
B. a mixture of many drugs and honey formerly held to be an antidote to poison
C. of or relating to fields or lands or their tenure
D.

How to Start Your Morning

This was the coffee sleeve on my hot chocolate this morning. Now, this people, this is the way to start an early Tuesday morning. I even forgave my hot chocolate for being so weak and watered down because it was so complimentary.

I'm obviously a words person.

How's the best way you start your morning?

PS: New blog game starts tomorrow. Get excited and get your game faces on! =)

There's No Place Like Home, There's No Place Like Home....

Well, I clicked my little sparkly flats together and found myself back in Missouri (thankfully not Kansas) this last week. It was good to see my friends and utterly refreshing to spend time with peoople my own age and relative place in life. During the whirlwind that was my week away, there was a wedding, a bridal shower, a shopping spree, too many rushed dinners, lots of awkward hugs, a birthday party, a moving extravaganza, and entirely not enough time with people that I love and miss terribly.

And in spite of all that, I was homesick.

I do not know what is wrong with me. I get "homesick" for Missouri and while I'm there, I get "homesick" for Washington. There is some kind of disconnect in my brain, I think.

It was a completely exhausting, much needed week away. And I'm glad that I'm back.

Perhaps I've been wrong all along; maybe home isn't always simply where my stuff is. Home is where I feel vulnerable and accepted in that vulnerability. Completely safe from judgment and derision, welcomed to share in community and desired for who I am and what I can offer. And to be honest, some days that changes. Some days I am fully at home in Washington. This last week, there were days I felt right and some days I longed for home. A friend reminded me that we are created for something grander and all of what we know, what we encounter, what we love is sometimes only a reflection and a glimpse into what we were made for.

Thanks God, for giving me people who allow me to find home in You, wherever that may be. Thanks for continually being a rock of habitation to which I call. Thanks for always being home.

Drunk Pumpkin

"Dude, guys, I just so totally puked my brains out."

.

Already freaking not yet

"Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust, the great army which I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; then My people will never be put to shame. This you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other; and My people will never be put to shame." (Joel 2.25-27)

Anyone else ever feel like there have been locusts that have come through and just destroyed you? I feel like that a lot. In fact, I feel like that tonight. I spent the better part of my drive home begging God to take away the pain of the locusts' destruction. I want to know why I still struggle, why the locusts remain in my memory? Why can't they just be nothing more than the smallest of memories? I've repented; I've turned back to the Lord. So why? I want to be vindicated. I want to be restored fully. I want to feel that joy/satisfaction/redemption. And it sucks that it's not like that right now.

But Joel 2 reminded me that YHWH is doing that. He's done it. The curse of disobedience was broken on the cross. But it's an ongoing process. Which sucks too. YHWH promised to make up to His people the pain, the misfortune, the destruction they endured in disobedience due to their repentant hearts. If He promised it for the people of Judah, I think it's possible for us too.

It's October Already?!

I, for one, did not see this coming.

Oh well.

But fall means more football, crisp mornings, crunchy leaves, bonfires, long drives.

Let's hope I take the time to actually do some of that stuff.

And check this post out - for all of my whining about "what now, God?" I got punched in the face for "Now what, Sarah?"

Hope you have a great October 1st!

Much love from the West Coast!