"Bouncy!Bouncy!Fun!Fun!Fun!"

It is time to move forward! Ah yes! to leap with full confidence and joy into life!
First of all, can I just say how excited I am!!! I mean,wow! God is just so good. He has brought friends into my life who are full of so much love, grace, and encouragement- after all they do have to witness the 24/7 of my life, so of course I am going to needs LOTS of grace!Like this morning, we had to run a timed two-miles, so my family core had the opportunity to witness one of my weakest physical moments( remember:I didn't run or do sports in high school so this was quite the challenge). But, I rejoice in the fact that it was the fastest I have ever run!! I was so excited!
We had  a women's retreat this weekend, and oh how I was refreshed! The weekend was so much more than I had expected: we baked pumpkin bread, had many sessions full of glorious worship and teaching,much fellowship with my core women, and a fancy banquet to close out the weekend. I feel like a new person, and God revealed himself in more ways than one. What I loved most about it was the love I felt. I know this may sound really cheesy, but because I posted the picture that I did with this, was because I am feeling overflowed with joy and love right now! (You probably wouldn't be surprised to know that I have been busting out in laughter at random.)


I am very much looking forward to Thanksgiving! I have the great opportunity to bring 5 of my friends home with me: one from Italy, one from the DR, one from Virginia, one from Canada, and one from NY. My family is excited to be the "family" for everyone this upcoming weekend.Their will be lots of food and fun! I know my mom and Ruth has some surprises planned=] teehee. 


I would also like to announce that I will continue acting in January! I have been in the production management for the past few months, and I have grown so much from it, but I am moving over to the acting track because God has been reminding me about what talents He has given me and that I need to use them. Man!!! I'm bursting with excitement! The film set/stage is like home for me. Hey, and if God has given me these talents, I'm blessed to use them for His glory!!!Like woot!woot!=]


I love you guys! I have the best family and supporters ever!luvluvluv!

"Edit,Undo"

A very convenient feature on Microsoft: Edit, Undo. Oh, if we only had that option in our every day life. Do you realize how much we would be able to escape? The tears we could keep from being shed. The pain we could keep from being felt. The choices we could make or make over.But guess what...we have something even better than this.
                       "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life."


God did an overwhelmingly and undeserved thing for us. We don't need Apps to receive grace. Jesus, God's one and only Son, was willingly sent to take on the ultimate price of our mistakes. I cannot fathom how He was willing to die even for the smallest of my mistakes. Even if you or I were the only person on the Earth, He still would have died for just you. He is so good...so good.

The Death-Dealing Death vs.The Life-Giving Gift

"All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and DOESN'T, HAVE A CHANCE IN COMPETITION WITH THE AGGRESSIVE FORGIVENESS WE CALL GRACE! When it's sin versus grace, GRACE WINS HANDS DOWN. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it.Grace, because God is putting everything through the Messiah, invites us into life- a life that goes on and on, world without end." Romans 5:20 (MSG)


God has called you and I to be MORE than conquerors-we are CHAMPIONS!We not only conquer cities, but we are champions of hundreds of cities.In Christ, we are FREE of condemnation.God didn't call to us to be perfect-He called us to do His work.
For example: this pen sitting here on my desk.It lost it's cap, it's a little lopsided-BUT IT WRITES.This pen is PERFECT because it does what its supposed to:it writes!!
Despite the screwed up circumstances we find ourselves in everyday, God has called us to a life of purpose! All we have to do is follow Him with all of our hearts, souls, and minds!This is so exciting!


I have made more stupid and irresponsible than I'd care to think of- but looking at Romans at it says that there is more and more grace each day, I look forward to hope and restoration. God I thank you for your peace!


So be encouraged there is no condemnation- but GRACE!!!!!


Joyfully,Sarah Joy

Surrender

Very personally, and honestly, I can tell you that it has been difficult for me to choose happiness in the position I'm  currently in. I feel like I have been walking around in a "all about me" mentality. 


In a recent session the speaker spoke this to the audience:"Do not underestimate the position God has put you in." Conviction hit me hard.It was like the Holy Spirit put a mirror up to my heart. I had been searching for ways to advance my career and status rather than striving to advance the kingdom. It amuses me because I  constantly ask God to sit enthroned in my heart; to take full reign and make His will, mine. I consistently pray to have God make His desire my own. So guess what?! That is exactly what He is going to do. I have been making myself so vulnerable to His purpose for my life that He is the one ordering my steps! It makes me excited to think about it now, but when I was stuck in my selfish attitude I was dulling the pure joy He is instilling in my life.


We so easily ask God to send us across the nations so that we can preach His great Word. Be careful when you ask,however, because He will do just that. And He may not always put you in a place that you like or feel happy at, but in a place where He can work IN you and THROUGH you the most. If you have been called and don't feel happy, give it time. He promises us, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and everything shall be added unto you". He also says in 2 Corinthians "We must carry around in us the death of Christ so that the life of Christ may be shine bright to the nations".


If you are still waiting to discover your purpose or be sent somewhere, place your trust Him, and remind yourself, everything is going to be alright. Do not fear!Christ has already overcome the world!!!!!


My step mom, Libby, gave me this song when I was facing one of the hardest transitions/challenge in my life. She said ,"Sarah, I want you to really listen to this song, and remind yourself everyday that everything IS going to be alright". 
"It's Going To Be Alright" by Sara Groves


"It's going to be alright
It's going to be alright

I can tell by your eyes that you're not getting any sleep
And you try to rise above it, but feel you're sinking in too deep
Oh, oh I believe, I believe that

It's going to be alright
It's going to be alright

I believe you'll outlive this pain in you heart
And you'll gain such a strength from what is tearing you apart
Oh, oh I believe I believe that

It's going to be alright
It's going to be alright

When some time has past us, and the story if retold
It will mirror the strength and the courage in your soul
Oh, oh, I believe I believe,

I believe
I believe

I did not come here to offer you clichÈ's
I will not pretend to know of all your pain
Just when you cannot, then I will hold out faith, for you

It's going to be alright
It's going to be alright"

Hello CCM!

       I honestly could not have asked for a better group of people to work with here at the Center for Creative Media!!!I am surrounded by so much love and opportunity here, as well as God stretching me in ways I did not know were possible,that transition has been mostly smooth. I left an extremely loved group of people back home however. They will definitely be missed and thought of during this new season of my life.

As of right now, I'm immediately diving into the production of Teen Mania's:Aquire the Fire. The launch of the 2010-2011 season is next month, so we are a bunch of busy bees running around like crazy.We have this thing called "quiet minute", which is to take a brief pause from our rushing around and reflect on the true reason of ATF: God's love and mercy. I'm officially allowed to call a "quiet minute" any time that I like!!This will for sure come in handy.

I was also blessed with the great opportunity to be a vocalist in our made-up worship team. Our executive producer/director will ask for a worship service, and I and three others will hold a mini service-God definitely pays attention to my small desires:) I have always wanted to be on the worship team, I just always had a conflicting schedule.Now it's integrated right into it!I love it!

I miss all of my Austinites and can''t wait to visit you for Thanksgiving!!!Your continuous support and prayers is extremely valued!

Joyfully,Sarah