An Ode to Ramah

She's a fictional character, it's true, but I grew to appreciate her very much. 

I love how smart she is. I love her ability to live in harmony with her Jewish faith, but also her love of Jesus and willingness to bend the rules when necessary. She is a great example of a traditional first century Jewish woman and I really loved getting to know her.

I wish she hadn't been taken from us so soon. Yes, I know she isn't/wasn't real, but when I saw her die, my heart broke for Thomas and for all the moments we would miss with them together. Their wedding, their future children, and everything in between- all gone in a tragic moment.

At the same time, I remain curious to see where this tragedy will lead Thomas and the others, and how it will eventually work together for some good. Both in the season, affecting decisions made by the characters, and how it will facilitate healing for people going through similar situations who watch the show.

And while I mourn all the losses God's people have experienced all throughout history, I also have hope, for someday, God will wipe every tear from our eyes and there will be no more sorrow or pain. May that day be soon, and may we hasten the day of His return. 

Get to know me part 3

 Awhile ago I had people ask me some questions. I figured today I would answer these in a blog post. By the way, it is sunny today and I have the tiny sprouts of a garden starting to appear. 

• How do you stay positive and such a nice person?

Part of this is because I don't like being mean to people and try to avoid conflict in public, part of it is because I am in a relationship with Jesus, and He is teaching me to be kind and loving towards others.

• A piece of advice you would give to a random person on the street.

No matter the cost, it's better to love than hate. Always be kind, search for the Truth and the one source of Joy. Love is stronger than any weapon. 

• Why are you so quiet in public but communicate on paper beautifully?

I'm introverted so it's both hard for me to think of something quickly in conversation and uncomfortable to share my thoughts with most people. But on paper, I have time to edit my responses and make them much more concise. 

• If you could do something you've never done with no judgement from anyone else whatsoever, what would you do?

Probably something slightly silly or out of the box- a side of me that usually only my sisters see, like dancing around the room to music or walking barefoot on the grass or rolling down a soft tundra patch on a mountain or climbing trees or clambering around on the beach or a rock pile.

• What is the last thing you heard/read/learned that blew your mind?

So I have Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan out from the library right now. In addition to another book I read recently by her, Once Upon a Wardrobe, this book has already made me want to communicate in actuality with C.S. Lewis -Jack. Someday, I dream that will be possible. I don't know if we can have a writing-based conversation in heaven, but that is something I would love. Fun fact, he was born (nearly) 100 years before me to the year, if not the month. But sadly, he died a few years before my dad was born. Nevertheless, he has permeated my childhood- along with other authors.

• If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Why do people always ask questions like this? I was raised vegetarian so there are some foods I have never eaten- but it also gave my mom the freedom to be creative with what we did eat. As such, I have eaten most every vegetable, fruit, nut, legume and grain there is. And also some dairy and chocolate- we aren't complete saints! I have eaten food from so many cultures and backgrounds. So ask me how I am supposed to pick a favorite?! Impossible.

But anyway, if I had to narrow down to one food group or meal- I would either pick pasta, potatoes, or pizza- because any of those can be prepared many ways with many different ingredients. Salad could also be a good option, although perhaps slightly more limited.

I do think variety is the spice of life- and either my taste in food, video media, and books, and maybe a few other things, can reflect that outlook.

• What was your craziest experience in Alaska?

Where do I begin? 

When I was like 6 or 7, my glasses got lost- and found again. Miracle story.

When I was between 8 and 13, I once slipped off a (slowly-moving) 4-wheeler.

When I was around 14, my dad drove a 4-wheeler out onto thin ice in winter, and we miraculously didn't drown. Also a miracle that my mom and sisters weren't with us.

When we'd moved back to town a few months later, the place we were staying at caught fire after only a week. My sisters and I were sleeping right above where the fire started, but we were woken up just in time. There was a lot of damage, but the insurance allowed them to rebuild the place and make it even safer. Another miracle.

When I was 17, I went camping with two families over a long weekend, and on the way there the 4-wheeler I was riding with a friend who was driving flipped over backward and rolled down the hill. I think angels moved us out of the way, because both of us emerged with hardly a scratch. 

When I was almost 23, I got lost on a mountain and wasn't rescued til early the next morning. I was very cold, hypothermic, but alive. Another miracle.

So yeah I've had some pretty crazy experiences. All I can say is God's got a purpose for my life and He's not finished using me. 

• What is your view on coffee, cause I like coffee?

Well I don't judge anyone who is in a coffee stage, but I do know that caffeine isn't healthy for the body. I don't drink it myself, never have. Although my aunt says that when I was very young and we were talking on the phone, I stopped suddenly and said "I like coffee" before talking really fast again. I have no idea where I would have got that idea but kids pick up a lot of stuff!

I hope you are all doing well, and please keep praying for my friend Janelle and those with her, and all the friends and families involved.

Your Will be Done

 On March 1, 2023 a helicopter in the Philippines went missing. Five people were on it. Daniel Lui. Janelle Alder. Kayrun and Nastru Sahibad. Sug Hamja. Daniel Lui is a respected pilot with a family. Janelle is a dear friend who is engaged to a pilot over there- with her brothers all interested in airplanes, how could she not? She is also my high school roommate of two years. The other three are a patient with her husband and sister. 

Janelle is the only one I know, but my prayers are with all of them and their families. Janelle is a talented pianist, loves singing, adventures, doesn't mind rough and tumble- after all, she has four brothers- but still manages to have the gentle hands of a trained nurse. She is a pretty good cook, knows how to crochet and has a gentle and firm hand with children. We had some good times together. 

I don't know what God's plan is in all of this. I can't see where He is leading. All I know that He is good, even if I don't see Janelle again until Jesus comes, His Will be done. 

We must take up the fight for those who are sleeping now and share the gospel in the best way that we can. 

Things I'm thankful for in 2020

 I know 2020 was a tough year for everyone. I am not arguing that. I spent nearly the whole year in a tiny town in Alaska and it took much more effort to not feel forgotten. It was kind of lonely, but I was also blessed by friends reaching out and/or visiting. Even though it was a challenging year, I have found things to be thankful for. Below is my list I have created throughout the year.

     January

• For a new year and a new decade, for new starts.
• For relaxing and slow-paced days.
• Thankful for skiing adventures.
• Thankful for our car.
• Thankful for my blog.
• Thankful for old friends.
• Thankful for movie nights and my family.
• Thankful for Sabbath, comfort and my dog.
• Thankful for family taking care of me when I'm sick.
• Thankful for reflection time in the morning before work.
• Thankful for time to read.
• Thankful for friends connecting with me.
• Thankful for warm showers.
• Thankful for good meals.
• Thankful for letters- both reading and writing them.
• Thankful for my health.
• Thankful for stars and for books.
• Thankful for babies to sweeten the world.
• Thankful for fellowship and my sister.
• Thankful for beautiful yarn.
• Thankful for God guiding and providing for me.
• Thankful to have people in my life who are comfortable to talk to.

February-April

• Thankful for children, music, books and good food.
• Thankful for the good feeling I got from complimenting someone and receiving a compliment in return. And for smiling at each other (before masks ;) )
• Thankful for all the love I have from friends and family and for chocolate and flowers.
• Thankful for Sabbath and music.
• Thankful for cuddles and stories when I don't feel so well.
• Thankful for my Christian heritage and upbringing.
• Thankful for sunrises that fill my heart with joy.
• Thankful for getting to see some Alaskan college friends at the Winter Camp meeting in my town. It was nice to have company. Thankful for important messages and for getting to play games (Dutch Blitz club) after so long. (this was right before covid shutdown)
• Thankful that my sisters had safe travels back from Hawaii, and Peru especially. And for all my other friends who were overseas.

May-August

• Thankful for stickers and celebrating my sisters' graduations from 8th and 12th grade.
• Thankful for seeing a friend and hiking and Sabbath.
• Thankful for my sister's birthday and good food.
• Thankful for sunshine and new starts.
• Thankful for finishing a project.
• Thankful for friends, sun, and good bread.
• Thankful for beaches and my family.
• Thankful for creativity that I can share with my friends.
• Thankful for camping trips and the sunset and flowers.
• Thankful for the freedom we still have and fireworks at midnight.
• Thankful for beauty and God's love and not getting lost.
• Thankful for sun and my income and friends and yellow yarn.
• Thankful for fellowship and hiking with friends on a sunny Sabbath day.
• Thankful for my birthday and my friends' and family's love.
• Thankful for broody gray days.
• Thankful for dreams and letters and God always guiding and taking care of me.

September-November

• Thankful for my college classes and growing myself as a person this quarter. And for possible new friends I met this weekend.
• Thankful for finishing my homework quickly and that it is almost the weekend. Excited to celebrate my mom's birthday also.
• Thankful for books and Bible study and friends.
• Thankful that our quarantine is almost over so we can go to church.
• Thankful for teachers who reach out and encourage you. And classes that are challenging and growing me as a person. And our new Student Missionary.
• Thankful for stories and sunshine.
• Thankful for sunshine and music and the Sabbath that is coming.
• Thankful for sunshine and mist and bonfires.
• Thankful for good stories.
• Thankful for my vanishing headache.
• Thankful for skating in the rain.
• Thankful for extra time to work on projects.
• Thankful that I will be able to see my family soon.

December

• Thankful that I was able to spend time with some friends and family in Alaska (a different area from where I live) and also some family and a friend in Washington. 
• Thankful that my Wisdom tooth surgery went well.

• 
  

Cast all your cares upon Him

 I've had a few songs on my mind this week. They all have the same general theme. 

The first one is 'The Cares Chorus'. "I cast all my cares upon You, I lay all of my burdens upon You, and anytime that I don't know what to do, I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet."

Then my friend Brooke shared a special music she sang called 'Give them all to Jesus'. There are a couple of nice verses, but the chorus I really like. "Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus. Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, and broken toys. Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus, and He will turn your sorrows into joy. "

Finally, although this one hasn't been stuck in my head as much..."What's your worry, why the big hurry, I've got all the time in the world. So why don't you let go, of what you can't control, let me take it for you."---All the Time in the World by Matt & Josie Minikus. 

I think God is trying to tell me something. And to share it with you all. So if you have cares, burdens, shattered dreams, pain, or not enough time-- just give it to Jesus, He's got you. Hope you have a carefree week!

---Sara

To be Brave

I watched a movie recently called The Final Days. It was about Sophie and Hans Scholl during World War 2. They were doing their best to help others understand how evil the Nazi propaganda was. They were caught spreading flyers, and when they knew there was no escaping the consequences they stayed strong and tried to get as many people as possible to hear about what was happening to them. They were brave and strong in their faith. Even unto death...
Sophie was 21. She was my age. Hans was 25. Another man executed along with them was a young father. These were young people standing strong for their convictions. They are inspiring to me. I know we have become lazy in the 21st century. We are tied to our devices and there is a certain fear of political conversations on social media. Politics is tricky and no one wants to be dragged into a fight, it is easier to pretend to be politically correct. But I know things are rapidly changing and some things are still wrong. We can't stay silent forever, we must choose which side we are going to be on.
I want to have the kind of faith Sophie and her brother had. I want to stay strong like Abel, Esther, Isaiah and Jeremiah, Daniel and his friends, and Christians through the ages. I want to be firm like those who formed the United States when they broke from England, like those who were involved in resistance during World War 2, and like Martin Luther King Jr. and others who were involved in civil rights movements.
Right now we need to get connected with Jesus as a power source so we will be ready to be brave and strong in our convictions when the time comes. I know, I'm talking to myself here. I don't want to go with the flow. I know who I am and I don't want to be the girl who stays silent in the midst of injustice and wrongdoing. I want to be brave. God help me. Please.
Sara

How encouraging someone encourages you

So I have to share this with you all. Last spring I gave some of my friends something special. You see, these friends had been planning to go abroad, graduate, or change their campus the next year. I gave them notes of encouragement for the coming year. Most of the notes included this verse: "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 

I had no idea how these notes would come back to me. Just last week I got an email from my friend who is in another country as a student missionary. In this country she has to be careful of using certain words having to do with Christianity. So in this excerpt of the email you may see some words changed, that is just for her protection. We've had to be creative and think of new ways to get certain ideas across. 

"Sara, I have to tell you. Last week was my first week of teaching here, and it was really stressful figuring out all the ropes. Tuesday morning, I was really discouraged and downright scared to go back to teach, even though that was totally irrational. I talked with my father and asked him, how on earth am I supposed to bond with my students and make them feel at home in my class when I’m so scared? How will it be possible to become friends with them? And then, your note you gave me last year fell out of the book I was reading: “Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed…Thank you for being my friend…you can do it!” It brought tears to my eyes when I read that. I taught class that day and the next, and was still nervous, but I survived. Then, on Thursday, the burden of fear was suddenly lifted. So thank you for that note. It made a big difference."

I thought I would share this with you to show how giving notes of encouragement can make a big difference in someone's life, and in yours too. This email was encouraging to me, that I made a difference. If I hadn't given her the note who knows how she would have dealt with that day? She would have but it would have been different for sure. 

She's not the only one. Other friends told me the note has been encouraging to them, although not a particular instance like the one above, but they have been helped. So I want to encourage you to give friends a note every once in awhile. It will make a big difference. 

Such Wondrous Love- Poem#4

Here is another poem, not sure what my sister would call it, but this is what I would.


In the arms of my Savior
My Father and Friend
Here I rest, in the middle I pray
All of my troubles at His feet I lay down

His love goes all through me 
Like tea on New Years'
Brighter than sunshine
Yet soft like moonlight

It's warm and it's silky
It's happy this way
Not a joy or a sorrow
With Him I don't share

Through Jesus I'll do it 
Through Jesus alone
Dear God please help me
I can't on my own

POEM 3- Sunrise

Delicate little flowers in the morning dew
This bouquet is all for you
full of gold and ocean blue
arranged on a bench just in view

Will you come with me
in the morning dew
then we'll sit on the bench
and enjoy the view

We'll watch the sun rising up
lifting up the veil
opening His bedchamber
from its misty veil

And we will sit there talking
until its time to go
Perhaps we'll have a picnic
or maybe watch a show

But all I know is that today
we'll wish to stay not go

-----written by Miriam Downs 2019

POEM 2 - Stars

So, you have been asking for poems. Here's the thing, I am much more of a story writer. Poems aren't the kind of thing I write very often. BUT-- I discovered that my youngest sister has written some great poems! She even wrote one which was entered into a poetry contest, and, while it is uncertain whether she will win or not, the poem is also being included in the 2020 Rising Stars Collection by Appelley Publishing. SO, if any of you want to check that out, let me know. My sister is beating me to getting published! Since she is such a good poet, I am going to include some of her best poems on this blog occasionally.                                                             
                                        Here is one called Stars.

Little points of light
Twinkle in the sky
Like diamonds in the ocean
Or candles from a hill

Their beauty is amazing
Against the dark night sky
They fill my heart with wonder
With awe at all His order and design

God creativity
I know His love
Is fathomless
As is all of this beauty

Life Update 2020

Guess what! It's a new year and a new month. I know some of you may be wondering what I was up to these last few months. Well, I haven't been attending college because I am saving money to pay off my current loans before I return. College is expensive, if you know what I mean.
Instead of attending college, I have been busy in other ways. Most of my time is filled with working. But in my free time, I have been reading, knitting, and working on Christmas presents. Trying to fill my time so I don't miss my friends too much, many of whom are abroad, but some are still at college. I also try to keep up with everyone who is far away.
On that note, I have a request to make. If you are in the USA, I love getting and writing letters. Handwritten notes would certainly be more desirable than all these loan payment letters I keep getting!
So please, send me a message with your address, if you would like me to send you a letter. If I know you, or if I would like to get to know you better, I will do so. Thank you for your support.
                       Sara

Things I was thankful for in 2019

This last year, I have been writing down one or two things I was thankful for each day. It puts a different perspective on life when you try to find at least one thing to be thankful for every day. Granted, I didn't always remember to do it, but it has still been helpful to me. I thought I would share some of the things I found to remember, and maybe this will encourage you to foster a spirit of thankfulness too.

• Generous coworkers
• Memories
• A break from working at the local grocery store.
• Having time to finish a knitting project before returning to school.
• For the Sabbath, a time of rest and time with friends.
• Safe travels back to school.
• That I recovered quickly from a sickness.
• Being in choir with all my friends.
• Finishing homework quickly.
• Hiking a mountain and seeing the sun on a cloudy day. Singing around the piano with friends.
• Prayer group, always lifting me up when I need it.
• Only one class, my favorite one, choir. Week of Worship blessings.
• Bible study group on Jacob. Such a blessing to experience with my friends. 
• Feeling apart of a community.
• My friends. Trying to never take them for granted.
• A relaxing time with a good friend.
• A performance gone well.
• A wonderful drama production that reminds me of life and its complexity.
• My small group taking care of me when I'm sick.
• A great vespers program reminding us of service and all the different ways to serve.
• Thankful for a day of singing, a game with friends, my sister's birthday.
• Praise for a friend being able to attend school.
• Thankful for the joy Jesus gives us! And all the beauty around us. A day to think about God.
• Spending time with friends on their birthdays, bonding over games, writing on my blog.
• My blog, and the community that enjoys and is blessed by my writing.
• For all those who give me writing content for my blog,
• To live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
• Singing at vespers with friends.
• For days where adventures happen. 
• Lazy days.
• Thankful for a reminder that everyone is beautiful in their own way and the importance of confidence.
• For a long weekend.
• Thankful for a shopping excursion with friends.
• For organic conversations with my Bible study group.
• For some older friends meeting my newer friends.
• To be in a house with a friend.
• For thoughtful friends.
• For opportunities to fellowship with others.
• For conversations over Dutch Blitz. For relaxing drama breaks.
• To be at a wonderful school.
• For service opportunities.
• Thankful for singing and ministering to others.
• For sunny days and hot showers and naps.
• For days when plans change.
• For spring break.
• Time with friends and beautiful music.
• Talking to family, being with friends.
• GYC Northwest. A wonderful blessing. New friends. Cats. Seeing old friends. Choir opportunity. 
• Fresh beginnings.
• Birthday surprises for a friend. 
• My sisters.
• Celebrating my birthday 3 months early.
• The promise of heaven.
• For my mom.
• School banquet.
• Seeing some friends from Alaska.
• Choir tour. 
• Seeing a friend sing.
• Strawberry shortcake.
• Changing my major.
• Renew in the mountains.
• Summer. Time with my cousins and sisters.
• Singing with my family. 
• A picnic on the beach.
• My sister's birthday.
• Seeing an old teacher.
• Helping with a Vacation Bible School. Showing kids how loved they are. Seeing God's beautiful creation. 
• Working on sister relationship. 
• Enjoying my birthday. 
• Time with God.
• Celebrating my parents on their birthdays and anniversary.
• Having adventures. Time with family.
• Rain stopping the fires. 
• The chance to give. 

There is so much more I am thankful for, I am truly blessed. I try to remind myself of that each day. For now, I will let you think of ways you can remember how blessed you are.
                     Sara

These are a few of my favorite things

You asked me some questions about favorites, so I am answering them in this post.

• What is your favorite animal?

I like dogs and cats as pets. I also thibk dolphins are pretty cool. There's probably more but I can't remember them all right now.

• What is your favorite color?

Purple, but I also like several other colors, such as blue, green, yellow, and pink.

• What is your favorite constellation?

The big dipper is the one I've had the most exposure to and I think it's pretty cool.

• What is your favorite flavor of spaghetti?

Spaghetti is spaghetti... I like the kind with tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, olives, mushrooms, etc.

• What is your favorite thing to do outside?

So many things!!! Get exercise, in several different ways...
Read, be with my friends, just hanging out.

• What is your favorite scripture, and why?

Wow, this is hard to choose. But one of my favorite verses is 1 John 1:9. It says "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

• What's your favorite thing about Jesus?

There are so many things, but I just love that He is so loving, He is pure love and that is so comforting to me.

How to be "strong enough" --- Accept that you are weak

    The important thing is to remember, first and foremost, that His strength is perfect. God is the only one who can hold us up and make us strong when we are weak. We need to be able to accept our weakness, but we can only do that when we know we are securely held in a loving embrace.
 
Once we know that we are loved, then we can stand strong and lift each others up also. As a society we are so focused on how strong we can be, but the reality is that we are weak. We can't do it all alone. We need God and we need people. Sometimes, it might look like we are strong, able to do it alone, but it is a lie. When we are prideful, that is when we fall. We need to always lean on Jesus to be our strength.

One of my favorite songs says "His strength is perfect when our strength is gone. He'll carry us when we can't carry on. Through His power, the weak become strong. His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect."

Please, always remember that it's okay to ask for help. It's okay not to be strong enough.

Love, Sara

Love your neighbor as yourself

Sorry that it has been so long since I last wrote. I have been busy, I know that is no excuse, I just haven't made time to write. But I need to write, and I need this community. I have been dealing with a lot of stuff and it isn't right to keep it inside. I feel better when I write. So here I am again.

I wanted to share something about loving others. This isn't easy to do, it requires self-sacrifice and perhaps heartbreak. It's true, people can be mean. I have experienced it. When I was 18 I wrote this:

"Right now I'm dealing with a lot of emotions..excitement that our Christmas program went well, and that I get to go home in a week, yet wanting to do well on all my tests..and then there's the nostalgia of knowing you're halfway through your last year of high school...and besides that, a little girl I had grown very fond of is moving, and I just found out today was her last day, so when I go to school next week, and after break, she won't be there anymore :(needless to say, I'm dealing with a lot of emotion and stress, and it's not pleasant! But something I've gathered from this, at least for me..there is no way I can ever replace the love I have for this little one...but I would rather love than close up my heart and refuse to have friends. I've been hurt many times, leaving friends or them leaving me, whether on purpose or not, but my life has been richer for allowing myself to love. I wouldn't give up those experiences for the world, even though I miss them terribly! It's better to love and be broken, than never to have loved at all.."

This isn't the only experience I have had. I have had to deal with people who weren't always there for me, who sometimes said one thing and did another. It is difficult sometimes, but it can be done, especially with God to support you even when you feel alone. But my life has been richer because I have loved. Those who don't allow themselves to love, are empty inside, and they are not really living. We were created to love and be loved. 

Something we should ask ourselves, is how are we loving others. It's easy to love those who love you. Not so easy to love those who don't. But everyone on this earth is your brother or sister. It's like the song Brother by The Brilliance. Sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zone in order to be blessed, and in order to do what God asks us to do. Sometimes we need to be uncomfortable in order to see the greater picture. 

Who is God asking you to love? Go do it and be blessed! Your life will be changed, and you will change someone else's life. So get out in the field and change lives! Go love your neighbor, your brother, your sister, or even your enemy, as yourself. 


If God is for us, who can be against us?

Getting to know me part 2: College Edition

• What are your favorite things about Walla Walla University?

First of all, I definitely love the relationships I have built. I have made friends from California, Montana, Washington, and other places. We grew up in different places with different experiences, but we are all friends and that is so beautiful. After college is over, after we have all taken our last tests, our relationships are the only thing left and so it is so important to build good friendships. 

I love how friendly the campus is in general.

I love that the weather is fairly temperate.

I love the spiritual atmosphere here. 

Those are probably my most favorite things, but there may be more.

• How many more quarters do you have of college?

At this point, I am not completely sure. If I get good enough grades in all my classes from now on, it should be about 11 or 12. 

• What do you hope to do after college? Where do you want to live?

I want to be an author, small business owner and a mom. I would like to live in Alaska or the PNW.

• Where and what do you see yourself doing:

       in five years?

By that time, I should be settling into life after college. Definitely a huge transition point.

       in fifteen years?

Hopefully I'm in heaven by then, enjoying the most beautiful place I have never seen. 

       in twenty years?

Enjoying finally being home, the truest and best home that I have longed for 

since I met my Best Friend in the whole universe.

• Who or what inspired you to make this blog?

I would say that was probably my mom, since she had her own blog and encouraged me to start one.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this post and be sure to come back next time for part 3!

Happy Sabbath!

Sara

Winter Traditions

I asked several of you on my social media platforms what some of your favorite winter traditions are. Since it just snowed yesterday and is still falling, we might actually have winter now, so it seemed appropriate to write this post. Growing up, I enjoyed building snow caves, making snow men, sledding and having snowball fights, and so much more. Most of these things are hard to do with little snow here at college, and so maybe it is time to develop a few new traditions. Without further ado, here are some of your favorite traditions-- maybe it is time for you to add some new activities to your winter list too! Enjoy reading--and winter!!!

• "Making snow ice cream"
• "Hot tea. Board games."
• "Visiting the light covered botanical garden in Boise, Idaho."
• "We don't always get snow where I live in Oregon. My two most favorite things about snow are that it is a reminder of how clean the blood of Jesus makes me. And when the snow is on the ground everything seems so quiet and peaceful. This year I went snow tubing for the first time, I loved it and would love to make it a snow tradition."
• "Going for walks in the snow."
• "Skiing!"
• "Snowmobiling is one of my favorite snow activities."
• "Snow camping!"
• "Favorite traditions is watching movies, curled up in blankets, and spending lots of time with friends and family. Night sledding. Sledding just in general."
• "I like to make snow angels."
• "My all-time favorite winter tradition is sledding when there's snow and ice fishing as well."
• "I love snow days because I get extra time to work."
• "When we visit my grandma at Christmas at Andrews, we sometimes go sledding on a hill on trays borrowed from the Andrews cafeteria!"
• "Building snowmen, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing."
• "I love looking at the stars and Northern lights. They are quite beautiful."
• "I like going sledding on hills at home, or riding on the back of my brother's four-wheeler through the snow."
• "Cross-country skiing and snowboarding, just chilling in the mountains and having snowball fights."
• "Collecting fresh snow in a bowl and adding tang for our own snow cones."
• "Sledding. Skiing. Ice skating."
• "I love downhill skiing, snowmobiling with my family, and winter hikes. Snow is my favorite and I really treasure whenever it's around."
• "Winter Traditions: well I remember I spent four weeks in Idaho surrounded by snow. I forgot what color looked like while I knocked on all those doors. So for me, my favorite winter tradition is to complain about the snow haha."
• "My birthday falls in winter so I always get super excited about that time. I love to go snowboarding it's super fun. I don't have any traditions in particular but I love the idea of sitting in a warm Jacuzzi up at a log cabin in the snowy mountains. That would be a fun tradition to visit a log cabin each year."

Well folks, that was your favorite winter traditions. I hope you enjoyed this post and maybe have some ideas for new traditions. Catch you next time!!!

Sara

 

Preparing for heaven

This is material from one of my favorite inspirational authors, and I hope you will enjoy. Heaven is a wonderful place that I cannot even imagine fully on this broken world, but I know it far surpasses any beauty I can ever find here. Will you meet me there? I hope so!!!

Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them. Revelation 21:3, RSV.

"Between the school established in Eden at the beginning and the school of the hereafter there lies the whole compass of this world's history--the history of human transgression and suffering, of divine sacrifice, and of victory over death and sin. Not all the conditions of that first school of Eden will be found in the school of the future life. No tree of knowledge of good and evil will afford opportunity for temptation. No tempter is there, no possibility of wrong. Every character has withstood the testing of evil, and none are longer susceptible to its power... Restored to His presence, man will again, as at the beginning, be taught of God."

"Our lifework here is a preparation for the life eternal. The education begun here will not be completed in this life; it will be going forward through all eternity--ever progressing, never completed."

"Every right principle, every truth learned in an earthly school, will advance us just that much in the heavenly school. As Christ walked and talked with his disciples during His ministry on this earth, so will He teach us in the school above, leading us by the river of living waters and revealing to us truths that in this life must remain hidden mysteries because of the limitations of the human mind, so marred by sin."

"The history of the inception of sin; of fatal falsehood in its crooked working; of truth that ... has met and conquered error--all will be made manifest. The veil that interposes between the visible and the invisible world will be drawn aside, and wonderful things will be revealed."

"Every faculty will be developed, every capacity increased. The acquirement of knowledge will not weary the mind or exhaust the energies. There the grandest enterprises may be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations reached, the highest ambitions realized; and still there will arise new objects to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of mind and soul and body."

Your thoughts on Reading and Writing Part 1

• "I once was able to create a world in a sentence. Now I stare at an empty page in wonder, pondering what life could come out of it."
• "I like creative writing, research writing...not so much."
• "I write more tactfully than I speak. So when I need to deal with a delicate subject, I type it out!"
• "Reading is extremely hard for me -- I am dyslexic so things move and filter into my brain backwards. My mind also moves words in the sentence and then the sentence doesn't make sense. When I create sentences people do not understand them because they are constructed oddly. They make perfect sense to me!!!"
• "I am eminently cognizant of the grammatical parameters."
• "I love writing. Ty Gibson has inspired me with the passion to express my thoughts and feelings about Jesus on paper."
• "I have a love-hate relationship with writing papers. I like doing research and finding a thesis: you notice that something’s afoot, you hunt for clues, and then comes the “aha moment” whenyou finally solve your mystery and discover your thesis. The process of writing can be quite rewarding, too. Often you discover new questions and answers about your subject as you write. But I often get frustrated with the process of writing. I write very slowly, because I’m a bit of a perfectionist and have a hard time putting words on the page before my thoughts are perfectly formed—even if I know I’ll come back and revise them later. I often feel that I don’t have the time I need to really write well. I stress out worrying that I’m not going to finish my paper by the deadline, and to escape my anxiety, I sometimes procrastinate. Of course, that only makes it all the more likely that my paper will be late. I imagine, however, that when I know I’m writing for an audience, not just a teacher, but a bigger audience, who will be affected by what I write, my anxiety about writing will be overcome by a sense of purpose."
• "I used to write, a long time ago, not sure why I stopped. But I do want to get back into it someday."
• "I like reading, especially books that can help me to be more useful in this life and the life to come."
• "I write short stories, poetry, song lyrics, plays, and musicals. Really, I write almost anything. (Except science and math stuff --that I will never write.)"
• "I love both, my love of stories has led me to start writing."

So there you are everyone, this was installment 1 of your thoughts on reading and writing. I hope you were able to feel a connection to your fellow humans and writers. Keep on the lookout for part 2!!!

Sara

Getting to know me part 1

So I have been asking questions and trying to find out more about my readers, and in this process, I discovered that a lot of you don't know me well, or you would like to know me better. So I decided to answer your questions in a few posts so you can know more about me and feel engaged with me and with your fellow readers. So here are the questions...and the answers!!!

1) What is your favorite food and why?
This is kind of a tough question...and the answer is kind of long. But also short!!! I basically like everything--at least, I like a lot of foods. If you want, I could send you the list of all my favorite foods...oh wait never mind, that would take too long. If you want to know everything I like to eat, you will have to live with me and everything. But what I can tell you is what I don't like!!! I don't eat meat or fish, and some vegetables I like prepared one way but not another. I am also not a particular fan of barley or peanut butter, or American cheese, and I only really like eggs deviled or hard boiled. AND I don't eat any food that is moldy...like blue cheese.
Why do I like so many foods? WELL, I grew up in a home that was very culturally diverse in the avenue of food and cooking. It turns out you can get very creative with Vegetarian cooking!!!

2) What's your favorite season?
To be honest, I like all the seasons in their own ways. Right now, I am very happy that it is winter!!!

3) Do you like sushi?
I very much like sushi!!! I am very happy that my school cafeteria has a sushi line almost every day if I feel in the mood...and the main sushi chef makes very good quality sushi in my opinion. Sushi was one of my favorites growing up and still is.

4) What is your favorite novel?
Well, this answer is kind of like the food one...I have so many favorite books! But right now I'm kind of excited to get on a Jane Austen binge...I just got back from an event about Pride and Prejudice earlier this evening.

5) What's your favorite color?
Purple...I have a lot of purple items, but I also like all the other colors to a slightly lesser degree.

6) How is school? What have you been up to? Where do you live? How old are you? What are you studying? Where did you get your beautiful red hair?
School is going great!!! Shout-out to all my wonderful college friends who accept me just as I am, play games with me, eat with me, study with me, live with me, and everything else. They are the best friends in the world. I live at my dorm room at Walla Walla University. I am currently 20 years old. I am studying English, in hopes of being an author. I am planning to minor in Business to give me knowledge on how to run a business and other things. I got my red hair from my mother, who got it from her mother...etc.

7) What's your favorite time of day?
I really love afternoons and evenings...when I don't have classes and I can study and relax or take a nap. My absolute favorite time of day is probably at night when I finally fall into bed and think before I fall asleep. That's pretty awesome.

Well, I'm typed out, so keep an eye out for part 2 later.
Sara