Happiness Is....

What is happiness to ya'll?

Vague

I just need to say that I'm hurt and tired of being hurt. 

I long for things I cannot have. Not now, maybe not ever. 

Prayer makes me EXTREMELY uncomfortable. 

Being vulnerable makes me tired and I don't like doing it.

I wish God would stop with this "already/not yet" business and change me immediately to what He wants me to be. 

I wish there was no struggle. 

I am more annoyed with myself now because this was all about me when there are much bigger things going on in the world. 

Sorry for the vague post. I needed to emotionally vomit. Hope that's ok with ya'll. If not, well, come back tomorrow. I'll have something happier up then. 

Talk Thursday // Today

Yikes! It's 9.38 pm PST and I'm just now getting home and getting to Talk Thursday! This is my favorite day of the week and I almost missed it! But even for you Midwesterners I still made the cut. (Sorry East Coast - I failed you.)

Since our Talk Thursday is almost over, what was the best part of your day today?

Mine was meeting the newest addition to Veritas church - Addison Reynolds. She still looks kind of like an alien mixed with a Sharpei, but I like her. 

That or the crab mac 'n cheese from Twist in Belltown. It could be a toss-up. 

What was yours?

I Googled Myself

It's obvious you've reached the status of "nothing" when you google your name and nothing about you comes up.

There are approximately 14 million webpages concerning "Sarah Lewis'" and not a one of them are me.

Wow...that'll put your life into some perspective, no?


Do you Google yourself?
What does Google have to say about you?

Deuteronomy 25.11

The Bible is weird. For those of you who haven't read it, it's weirdness is probably what is keeping you away. For those of you who have, you know what I'm talking about. 

There are some weird things happening all throughout the pages of Scripture - things we can't even begin to get our minds around (Judges 19, anyone?)

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is called a "sundry law" which states that "If two men, a man and his countryman, are struggling together, and the wife of one comes near to deliver her husband from the hand of the one who is striking him, and puts out her hand and seizes his genitals, then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity." (Deut. 25.11)

       

(thank you for the visual aids, TheBrickTestament)

Why is this my favorite? I don't know. But I like to use it as a threat. Until I remember that the retaliation is that my hand will be cut off...

Still! Stuff like this is in the Bible! Mixed in there with Moses and the temple and Jesus! Why, even in the Ancient NearEast, with the Hebrew people, would this have even been an issue?! I honestly don't know. 

How utterly strange. 

And how wonderfully fascinating. 

Man, the Bible is weirdly cool!

Talk Thursday//Memories

In an attempt to get to know my reading audience, riddle me this, riddle me that:

What is your favorite memory? Ever. 

I'll share. It's a little personal, so beware. =)

A friend (who shall remain nameless) and I were driving back from Kansas City one Spring Break day and since the vehicle we were occupying did not have a radio or tape deck for the iPod, we decided to sing hymns the whole way from KC to Bolivar - about a 2.5 hour drive. It was very sweet and wonderful and I really like that memory. 

So, come on...tell me yours. Let's share. 

(And two cool points for the person who points out the connection between the picture & the topic! Go!)

Can You Use That In A Sentence, Please?

pro⋅cras⋅ti⋅nate

    [proh-kras-tuh-neyt, pruh-]Show IPA Pronunciation  
verb, -nat⋅ed, -nat⋅ing.

–verb (used without object)

1.	to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.

–verb (used with object)

2.	to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

Origin: 
1580–90; < class="ital-inline" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%; color: rgb(77, 78, 81); line-height: 1.25em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; font-style: italic; ">prōcrāstinātus (ptp. of prōcrāstināre to put off until tomorrow, equiv. to prō- pro- ¹ + -crāstināre, deriv. of crāstinus of tomorrow; crās tomorrow + -tinus suffix forming adjs. from temporal advs.); see -ate ¹ 

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009. 
Cite This Source

Yeah, it's my first week of graduate school and already I don't want to do the assignment. This is lo tobv, my friends, lo tobv. 

Freaking....

Obviously my procrastination method is blogging. What's yours?

Talk Thursday // The Boob Tube

I never thought I was one of "those" people whose life revolved around TV. Yes, I have my shows, but wouldn't stress if I had to catch them later online. 

However, over the last several months I have found myself balking at plans that take place during my shows. Sometimes even refusing to answer phone calls when I'm watching. I used to chalk this up to the fact that my sister and I had a standing date for these things and I didn't want to cut into time with her. Yet again, I was wrong. It's me. And it's the TV. 

So, fess up people. What shows are you addicted to? If you say "none", pray. Because we all know you're lying. Then you can come back and tell us. Or leave an anonymous comment. That way we can't judge you. =)

I'll be real: my shows are currently "How I Met Your Mother" (Mondays @ 8.30/7.30c), "NCIS" (Tuesdays @ 9.00/8.00c), & "The Office" (Thursdays @ 9.00/8.00c). But if I could, I would also watch "The Colbert Report" (because I love him). I'm waiting for "Make Me a Supermodel" to return & I will most likely get hooked on "American Idol" again this season. 

Off to School, Mom!

My first day of graduate school. I was ready!

Backpack....check!

Notebooks....check!

Water of smartness...check!

The ability to read...check!

What eluded me was the ability to find single men at seminary. THIS IS WHY I CHOSE A NON-DENOMINATIONAL SEMINARY PEOPLE!

 

Jason Segel or Justin Timberlake, I know you're both single. If you just happen to be studying at Multnomah Biblical Seminary, I would gladly let you buy my dinner. Gladly. 

Ahhh...the life of an SBU grad who didn't get her ring by spring; she was forced to go to seminary. I freaking want my $$ back....

=)

I'm a Jerk

December came in with record-breaking snowfalls for Western Washington. January came in with record-breaking rainfall for Western Washington. It rained so much here that rivers crested and they had to close down 2o miles of I-5 due to flooding.

My first thought? How am I going to get down to school? This is so unfair.

People have lost homes and businesses under feet of water; the state was backed up with trucks who couldn't deliver their loads; some people missed incredibly poignant events because of the rainfall. 

And that was my first thought. 

It's amazing what a little perspective will do...

I'm a jerk.

Nothing Makes Senses

Apart from celebrating the wedding of two of my dearest friends and spending glorious time with several more wonderful and dear friends, this was probably the highlight of my trip to Mississippi:

Ahhh...I love the South. 

Talk Thursday // Superheroes

It's a bird! It's a plane! 

Well, either way, it's pretty awesome. 

Which superhero would you choose to be? Why?

I'd totally be the chick version of Superman. Flying abilities & X-ray vision? Thank you VERY much. =) Or Storm. Cause she was hot. Wonder Woman wore entirely too little.

Fluffy

Oh the Irony

Freaking terrorists have made it impossible for regular people to carry toothpaste or Red Diamond Sweet Tea onto a plane. 

And yet the irony is that there are some airports that have no problem allowing sharps containers to hang on the walls of their restrooms. WTF?? 

Don't get me wrong...I don't want insulin-dependent people to die; I'm not evil. But seriously, people. NEEDLES - - SWEET TEA. Where's the justice? 

I love the consistency in our International Airports. 

Talk Thursday // Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Since we all do it and everyone always wants to know and I just love cliches on this blog, let's hear 'em! 

What are your resolutions for 2009? 

(And if you don't say pray more, read your Bible more and love sweet little Baby Jesus more, here's to wishing you a happy new year, you pagan. =) )

Transition

Tomorrow is my last day of work. Therefore if anyone knows of people hiring Wednesday through Saturday shifts in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, it would be awesome to know. =)

I've applied at World Vision; I've applied with T-Mobile; I'm going to apply at Starbucks.

Hopefully here in the next couple weeks I'll land something.

Deep down I know that God is provident. And maybe I even know that closer to the surface, but it's easy to feel anxious when things are changing and it's a blind move.


Lord, help me to not be anxious in anything.


Hmmm....often easier said than done....

Christmas Blues

It's a bad sign when I get the saddest over the Christmas season passing because I can no longer sing "Ox and ass before Him bow and He is in the manger now" without sounding a little off.


I need a hobby.


For sure.

Talk Thursday // Labor of Love

• Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, becausehe was of the house and family of David, 
• in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son ; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no roomfor them in the inn. 
• In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 
• And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid ; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 
• "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. "And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 
• "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

~ Luke 2.1-20 ~

He came because of love. Not out of convenience or obligation or judgment. 

God made Himself incarnate in human flesh to be the redemption for us. Immanuel - just like He promised.

The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace and the Wonderful Counselor.

God help us remember the gift  You gave in Jesus beyond today. 

Merry Christmas.

Young At Heart??

It recently high-fived me in the face that I am old.

Not old in the sense that I am physically old (although my chiropractor may beg to differ).

But I'm not a kid anymore.

It's been snowing here like crazy-face. We've had some 18 inches of snowfall in the last week alone.

And I am so irritated. I realized that I only appreciate snow when it is convenient for me. There were days when I would seriously consider "work or not work?" That question is just a different way of saying "$$ or my safety and the safety of others?" I've gone with $$ each time.

Kids, on the other hand, see snow and they think:

"Tobogganing!" "No school!" "Hot chocolate!" "Snowball fights!" "Playday!" "Yippee!"

It makes me sad that I don't have those thoughts. I feel...unyoung at heart. Which is stupid.

Ok...I'm going to figure out a way to play. Even if it means more laundry and being cold.

The kid inside me needs it.

(The metaphorical kid in me. I don't have a bun in the oven or anything. Just to clarify. =) )

Put on Your Yamaka, It's Time to Celebrate Hanukkah

I want to be a Jew. I have "Jew-envy."

Well, kind of. I want to keep Jesus AND get all the awesome traditions that come with practicing Judaism. You all know how I love traditions.

Since I'm not a Jew but want to be, I semi-practice Hanukkah. Do I understand it all? No. Do I practice it properly? No. Is it too much of a stretch to believe that the same God that became a baby also was capable of causing oil to last for 7 nights? No.

Therefore, I tip my hat to all of you Hanukkah participants. It is a beautiful celebration of an awesome God. And if there are any nice Jewish families in the greater Seattle metropolitan area that would like to invite some goyim to the festivities, I accept!!! (I have my own menorah, know the "Dreidel"song and everything...)

Happy Hanukkah, החברים שלי !!

Things You May or May Not Know About Me

1. I love country music. It makes me happy all the time.

2. If I had to choose two food items to eat for the remainder of my days, I would choose any variation on chicken and potatoes. I cannot think of a form of either one that I dislike.

3. Reading fills me. But I always feel a little guilty picking up a novel - I feel like I should be plowing through LOTS of other non-fiction books.

4. Dr. Pepper is the greatest drink on the planet. Ok...so that's not so much about me as it is just a random fact, but now you know. And knowing's 1/2 the battle.

5. I've become more of a warm-climate person as opposed to the cold-climate person I once was. Darn you, Missouri! Darn you!

6. My favorite color is orange. But combinations of brown and pink ignite major emotional responses in me.

7. I consider myself a thespian (of sorts), but I much prefer directing and tech work over acting.

8. In high school, I was the president of the Astronomy Club. Call me a dork, but at least I'm the coolest dork you've ever known.

9. Though I'm rediscent to admit it, I like Christian music stations. In small, small doses.

10. When I'm bored (or lack motivation to do things) I can easily pass the time by looking at the wall.

So there's some Sarah-trivia for you. What are some things we may or may not know about you?

Talk Thursday // WishList

It's Talk Thursday, Christmas is upon us, and the shopping craze is still going strong.

* So have you been naughty or nice this year?

* What do you want for Christmas? Don't worry, you can tell here - Santa reads the blog. =)


And PS, You need to watch this...it'll make you happy. =)

First Snowfall!

No church, no driving....

Good times of slippery danger. 

Less Like Scars

it's been a hard year
but i'm climbing out of the rubble
these lessons are hard
healing changes are subtle
but every day it's...

less like tearing, more like building
less like captive, more like willing
less like breakdown, more like surrender
less like haunting, more like remember

and i feel You here
and You're picking up the pieces
forever faithful
it seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
but You are able
and in Your hands the pain and hurt
look less like scars and more like Character

less like a prison, more like my room
it's less like a casket, more like a womb
less like dying, more like transcending
less like fear, less like an ending

and i feel You here
and You're picking up the pieces
forever faithful
it seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
but You are able
and in Your hands the pain and hurt
look less like scars

just a little while ago
i couldn't feel the power or the hope
i couldn't cope, i couldn't feel a thing
just a little while back
i was desperate, broken, laid out,
hoping You would come

and i need You
and i want You here
and i feel You
and i know You're here
and You're picking up the pieces
forever faithful
it seemed out of my hands, a bad, bad situation
but You are able
and in Your hands the pain and hurt
look less like scars and more like Character

Thanks Sara Groves, for verbalizing exactly where i am...one year from removed from everything i knew at the time. Thank You, God for your faithfulness and Your wonderous love that i can't begin to fathom.

Even if God nor i wanted the scars in the first place, at least they are proving to develop hopefully godly character in this long-dormant heart.

Talk Thursday // Christmas Love

Excluding baby Jesus, what is your favorite thing about Christmas or the Christmas season?

(Disclaimer: I only excluded baby Jesus so that you wouldn't feel compelled to give that answer out of a sense of necessity, not because I don't think Jesus should be part of Christmas. It was function...it's not like I say "Happy Holidays" or anything....) =)

(And another thing: is it just me or does it look like the sun is rising over Jesus' head? Oh. My. Gosh. "Sun rising"..."Son rising", what?! I love XPoW's!)

Just Me...That's All I Got

Does anyone else ever do this? 

You hear a great song, see a beautiful photo, read a fantastic story, or eat an incredible treat and just get defeated. I've written before about feeling jealous over other people's experiences, but this is a different kind of envy. It's not just that I want the same experiences people have, but I want to do what they can do. 

My whole life I've summed up my abilities into: "I can do a little bit of a lot, but there's nothing exceptional." I can play the piano, but not that well; I crochet, but basically at best; I can translate Hebrew, but not as well as others; I write but not at the caliber I desire; I'm pretty nice, but certainly not the nicest person you've ever met. There is nothing that makes me stand out in the crowd. 

I'm just me. And most days, that's simply not enough. 

Yet, during little moments of clarity, I wonder if being me is my ability. Some people are able to endure - to keep going in the face of adversity; maybe I just keep going in the face of mediocrity. 

I want to be more. But am I supposed to be? 

Word Verification

I see people leaving hilarious definitions of the word verifications they see when they want to publish a comment. And I think it's awesome.



So...what's yours?

Observations

* Strongbow is great. 

* It's obvious that I'm getting old when 10pm is super late - even on the weekend. 

* Impromtu girls' night is good for the soul. 

* The first Alli Rogers CD - Always Eden - is incredible. 

* Downtown Seattle at Christmas makes my heart happy. 

* It is highly irritating that some people can get away with wearing pj pants and hoodies to work when I can't even wear open-toed shoes .

* Jokes are always more hilarious when they include Old Testament humor.

* Even things that were once considered evil and wrong, can begin to grow on a person after time (in my case, the Gaither Vocal Band and maybe, somewhere down the road, bananas).

* My new Chanukah candles are awesome. 

* Books are like drugs...you can never get enough.

* I miss being around guys. 

* God confuses me, but I guess that's just part of His charm. 

Talk Thursday // Deserted Island

Deserted Island


You all know how this game is played.

Imagine you're stranded on a deserted island, all by yourself, for an indefinite period of time. Assuming there are survival resources on the island with you, what 5 items do you take with you? Are you more practical or indulgent or both? How will you stay sane?

I love Talk Thursdays!! =)




And Jonah wrap-up on SereYodh

"Flava" # Dos

December... wow.... I'm astonished. And stuff.

Well, I haven't done any link love since August, but I figured today would be a good day for that. 1) It's Monday 2) Filing = turning my brain to mush 3) Did I mention it's Monday?

So in the spirit of Christmas giving, here are some great blogs to check out. =)



* A Genuine Faith: This is Dr. Rodney Reeves' blog. If you went to SBU, you know him, you love him, now, you too can read him! Even if you didn't go to SBU, he's awesome and you should check it out. Some of it goes over my head. But you people are greatly smarter than me. So enjoy.

* Jesus Blog: This is a collaborative blog that is written by some people I know, some people I don't. But it's always good, always relevant and always honest. And I like those things.

* JustWallpaper & other good stuff: This is one of those people that I don't know from Adam. Randomly I happened across his blog and was hooked. It's creative-y & funny(-y). Those are things I appreicate. So should you.

* SereYodh: Yes, this is my other blog. Finishing up Jonah this week and starting Advent next. Yes, I have just pimped myself. And I'm not ashamed. =)

So there's your opportunity to read some more good stuff.

What are you reading? What do you think we should be reading too? Is it you? Go on ... "pimp" yourself, too. =)

Border Showdown

Missouri what?!

I'm prayin'....

NCCUtDAT

There are many principles that I live by. Some make sense, like looking both ways before crossing the street or that personal hygiene is important. Others don't make as much sense - i.e. refusing to sing "Happy Birthday" or kissing the steering wheel when going through a yellow light ( ;) ).

Not Celebrating Christmas Until the Day After Thanksgiving (or NCCUtDAT, if you will) is one I follow to the inth degree. Christmas lights, holiday songs, fake Christmas smiles from the Wal-Mart employees, eating gingerbread men... if I am within the vacinity of these things before the day after Thanksgiving, I am not a pleasant person.

With that being said, it is now the day after Thanksgiving.

This means I will listen to Steven Curtis Chapman's "The Music of Christmas", Avalon's "Joy" and Harry Connick Jr's "When My Heart Finds Christmas" albums for the next 5 weeks. I have downloaded my annual Christmas ringtone ("ChristmasEve Sarajevo 224/Carol of the Bells" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, for those of you that care). I will string up Christmas lights around my bedroom window and I can begin buying Christmas gifts online while effectively avoiding all contact with shopping malls.

Maybe I'm a dork. And maybe I should really love doing Christmas-y things all year long because Jesus is cool.

But it really just comes down to principles.

Do you have Christmas principles?




And Jonah 3 wrap-up on SereYodh =)

.

Talk Thursday // Happy Thanksgiving!

I know that the first thing everyone does on any major holiday is check my blog. And rest assured, I'm flattered. =)

Since Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday, let's use it as the springboard for Talk Thursday:

What is something you are thankful for?

What is something you are NOT thankful for?

Remember: it's all about an attitude of gratitude. Gotta love cliches. 

Eat copious amounts of turkey. Have a happy Thanksgiving. 

I'm Not Alone

(taken from a hilarious webcomic:

XKCD.com)

And check out the new posts on SereYodh: Jonah 3 =)

Honesty

I doubt the validity of my faith.

I doubt the historicity of Biblical texts.

I doubt the inerrancy of the Bible.

I doubt that my prayers get heard.

I doubt that God loves me the way He says He does.

I doubt that life will one day be ok.

I doubt that God's love is never-ceasing.


I don't want to doubt. Doubt Him, doubt others, doubt myself. But I do. And some days I feel helpless to stop it.

Does this make me less of a Christian? Does it mean that God is pissed because of me and my distrust? Often that feels true. But in spite of my doubt and my questions and my antagonism, God still remains true and I just need to hold onto that.


But some days it's just harder to believe.

Talk Thursday // Phobophobia

So this morning I was getting ready for my day, I had just stepped out of the shower, and there, on my ceiling, was a spider. Now, I don't know about ya'll, but I can't STAND spiders. If I see one, or hear a story about one, I can feel them crawling on me. Then I see myself incapacitated by their venom and wrapped up in a web of nasty, about to be some spider-creepo's tasty treat.

At any rate, I decided to be brave (for once) and rather than let Mr. Spider continue on his path across my room, I would take action. I steeled myself for the deed and clambered up onto a chair with my piece of tissue held high. Unbeknownst to me, spiders are highly intuitive (possibly clairvoyant) and just as I was reaching to kill the vile little demon creature, he jumped away! I have no idea where he landed. For all I know he could be in my purse or on my bed, or on my bathrobe. Since I have no way of knowing, I will be paranoid until he is dead. ("D-E-D dead" name that quote!)

I share this story with you this morning to let you in on one of my little fears - spiders, and really all bugs/insects/things that crawl (yes, including babies).

So the question today: what's your fear? Are you arachnophobic, hydrophobic, germaphobic, chaetophobic, homophobic, lygophobic? (Thanks Phobia List!)

Me: arachophobic (as already stated), eremophobic (fear of being alone or of lonliness), Logizomechanophobia (fear of computers, but in my case, we'll just say robots).

And, new post on sereyodh: Jonah 2, part 2

Twilight

I'm pretty much obsessed with these books right now. I've read the first three. And I can't WAIT to get my hands on the fourth (and last).

There is something so sexy hott about vampires - I don't know what it is. But dang. Woah dang.

And they are making a movie. My sis and I may need to go the midnight showing on Thursday.

If you want a gripping, not at all dodgy, but completely enthralling read, you should check them out.

Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn.

It's like my version of the Harry Potter series.

Only hotter. =)

PS: Check out the new Jonah post on sereyodh.

A New Phase

If you know me, you know I'm scared to death of making decisions. Even the smallest of decisions are fraught with worry and dismay - where to eat for dinner, what to wear to church, what to do for the next five minutes. It's ridiculous, I tell ya.

But I've made a big decision. And God has been so good to continue guarding my heart and mind in this.

I will be attending Multnomah Seminary in Portland, OR starting this coming January.

(If you're able, imagine a jumping up and down/dancing like a fool Sarah right about now...cause that's how I feel.)

Seminary has been a long process, but I'm so excited to start something new, to be working for something, to have a goal, a purpose. And I get to do it close to home.

Thanks God. For keeping my spirit in tune with Yours. For guarding my heart and mind in Christ. For opening new doors. For closing doors that didn't line up with what You wanted for me. For putting people in my life to support and encourage. For opportunities. For growth. For Your unfailing faithfulness. Thanks.

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talk Thursday // 'Fess Up

Confession time:

I love hymns.

It's true. I know that hymns don't jive with being relevant in our postmodern world, but I just can't help myself. Bulwarks and Ebenezers and being washed in the blood of the Lamb...it moves me. My world could live in the Southern Baptist Hymnal (from 1994). And I won't even begin to discuss how I feel about Maranatha music! ;)

The second part to my little confession is that I don't really care for much of the new praise and worship music coming out right now (except for Chris Tomlin's new song "Jesus Messiah" - I LOVE that!). The problem is that I compare them lyrically and melodically and theologically. I'm trying to be better, but sometimes I just get "whelmed" in the music.

So here's the question:

Are you old-school or new-school? Do you love the "golden oldies" caught in that musty smell of the hand-held hymnal? Or are you excited to read your words on PowerPoint, slammin' with Chris Tomlin and Crowder and Darlene Zscheck and the Hillsong gang? If you love hymns, what's your favorite?

And check out the new posts on SereYodh - Jonah 1. =)

I...Love....Foot...Ball!!!!

Well, kids, we're at the half-way mark for the football season. And I've been more than slightly disappointed in some of my teams and more than gloriously delirious in others.

So without further ado, here are Sarah's Top Teams' Rankings:

* Mizzou Tigers: Currently #12th in the BCS and the AP, with a 8-2 record. Yeah, that's right. And in two weeks: going against the KU Jayhawks. I forsee good things. =)

* Seattle Seahawks: This has been a DISGRACEFUL season for us. I don't even want to say what their record is. But I will. 2-7. Poor Mike Holmgren; it's his last year and his team is sucking up football. Sadly, though, because of our standings in our division, we're STILL not in last place, even with such a pitiful season trailing us. Pansy football players.... this is worse than high school. And yet, I still hope....

* Luckily, my back-up team, the TENNESSEE TITANS! are rockin' the NFL right now. Currently in 1st place with a 9-0 record, I think this is the Titans year, baby. And just so you all know, I'm not a "fairweather" Seattle fan, I'm just keepin' the love in the family. (Cause we're from TN.)

Oh you oddly-shaped piece of stuffed pigskin; how you make my heart happy.

And new post on SereYodh: Jonah 1.1-3

Talk Thursday // Politics, Racism & Stephen Colbert

I know I said I wasn't going to blog about the election and politics, but in keeping with the spirit of the season: Let's talk Obama.

Stephen Colbert (love of my life) said last night that "Since we now have a black president, racism is over." Exaggeration? Probably. But it's a thought.



So let's talk. How do you feel?

It's a Wednesday

Apparently, it's a requirement to talk about the elections.

I'm a rebel.

So I'm going to talk about my new idea for a bed.

Since I've moved home, I've been in a twin. And it's miserable. Sure, I'm grateful to have a bed and I know I shouldn't complain, but when you had a bigger bed before, it's hard to revert. But, I've found something interesting on this here interweb: hammocks.

Yes, I think hammocks are my new sleeping future. Apparently, they are good for chronic back pain (which I have) and they are super comfy (which I love) AND they can hold more than me (which isn't an issue now, but M'Shallah, it will be one day).

Therefore I give you what I think the future of Sarah's slumber will be:

Oh yes - it's a Mayan sleeping hammock. Colorful, apparently comfy and not an altogether bad price.

Am I crazy? It's possible. But I'm all about new ideas and fun times. =)

And PS: check out the new post on sereyodh - intro to Jonah.

Picturas!

As promised here are the pictures from Halloween, plus some. =)

Me and my mazzah. She was a pumpkin that was still attached to the ground.












When I was in college, I decided that I wanted to marry someone whose last name was "Yode" so I could be "Sarah Yode", which is funny because a sereyodh in Hebrew is a vowel pattern (long e, y) signifying a genitive construct, usually in form of a possession.


Well, I can be that cool without getting married. =)


Yeah, that's right.




















Some good times from a HS soccer game and the corn maze. Woot.


I love fall.....

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.