Peace yos

It seems everyone is throwing around words like joy, hope, and peace this season. I'm wearing a shirt that reads, "Peace on Earth" on it and sent Christmas cards that proudly proclaim, "Joy & Peace." Isn't it great that we can proclaim words like this? I wouldn't even be able to have any idea what true peace is but for God's grace shown to me, but for His righteousness that he has shown to me. So, truly, it is a wonderful thing that we can celebrate this season, with the knowledge that God makes a way for us to know true peace and joy and hope.

But can we fully experience it as things are now? My favorite album of the season is Casting Crowns' Peace on Earth! And I really enjoy the version of the #1 track on that album, "I Hear the Bells on Christmas Day." Alli Rogers sings a great version of that one too! That song starts to grapple with some of my issues with everyone spouting words like comfort & joy this season... the lyrics are actually written by Longfellow, so it shouldn't be surprising how simple and beautiful they are. He describes how the Christmas bells announce peace on earth, but he looks around and sees none. Instead, it seems the world is ruled by hate; it seems the actual state of things mocks the very idea of true peace. And surely we must see that this is true... though Jesus has redeemed me, and is at work in our world, the "prince of the air" is still a powerful force here, and greed, lies, and desperation are rampant. My own heart is often broken and my own soul so full of darkness.

Just as thankful that Jesus came to live as a man two thousand years ago, I am forever grateful that he is coming again! This is a sobering and fearful truth for those that have not been already changed by his grace. But it will be a wonderful day when even more prophecies about him are fulfilled... and peace is the rule, not the exception.

My favorite carol this year is "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." I just this year read the words to the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th verses.

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth! Goodwill to men
From heaven's all-gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing

Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
Over all the weary world.
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever over its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

For lo, the days are hastening on
By prophecy of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold:
When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace, their King,
And the whole world
Take back the song
Which now the angels sing.

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Now reading: The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
Now listening to: Advent Songs by Sojourn
Now watching: The Nativity Story

The Christmas season is upon us. It's taken me some time to realize it, but the long hours at the mall with half the store on the floor has helped it sink in. The lights have helped too. I've also found this article interesting. It's about a reporter that's following Mary and Joseph's trek to Bethlehem from Nazareth.

Mostly, it was the sermon at church yesterday about Jesus becoming fully man among broken, desperate people and redeeming us. That's the gospel I need to hear over and over again... I'm so glad I've found a church. I made myself try four, but then gladly went back to Sovereign Grace Church. The family I knew from when they lived in Colorado 9 years ago goes there and told me about it. I have felt so welcome there and delight in the things this church cares about. They have a large and active singles group I have started getting involved with. Hopefully when I return after Christmas I will start the process of joining.

what am I doing?

So a few people have asked me... what are you doing with yourself besides working a part-time job, Sarah?

Well, it is leaving me with more time than I'd become used to. In some ways that is incredibly healthy. I no longer have 15 hours of every day scheduled. I'm not running from one class to meetings and hang-out dates just wanting a nap...

So, besides working 25-30 hrs per week at my favorite Clothing Company, I am...
getting plenty of sleep... aah
reading some books for fun... Brave New World & Christy Miller this week:)
settling in... finally putting pictures on the wall, buying tp instead of just kleenex
praying...
talking on the phone...
reading through my box of old journals, saving some, tossing some... it's fun
watching tons of television... almost five hours this week

So it's true and hardly a secret, I'm not up to much lately. But the truth is, I think that more important than WHAT I'm doing is HOW I'm doing. And I'm happy to report that by the very grace of God, I am doing well. He is so faithful to me. I am cherishing this time, much of which is in solitude of sorts. I am also cherishing the relationships I have been able to build. Though not what I had been expecting, I have learned a lot from my friendships here... and I'm cherishing the support and love of my friends and family that aren't here. I am so blessed.

check it OUT

there is no color enhancement on these photos (as if I knew how anyway)... this is what I saw last night during "the golden hour." It's AMAZING.

adventures in the Honda

Yesterday I drove to Flagstaff. It is a beaaaautiful drive. Maybe not as lovely as Colorado roads, but still pretty. The drive was good for me. And I saw my dear friend Lauren in Flagstaff! My time with her was so refreshing to me! It was great to see a familiar, friendly face, someone who just understands me better than anyone here does yet. The sunset on the way home was wonderful. (I stopped at a "scenic view" pull-off; I was not walking through interstate traffic for a photo)

tour

I decided to make a little video of my apartment since photos just aren't panoramic enough. I think gmail is incapable of sending this as an e-mail attachment.. at least in less than three hours. So here it is.

i am a college grad

I finally have internet back... it was working, and then down for awhile... I thought the modem had stopped working. It took a call to tech support and a technician coming today for me to realize that the reason it wasn't working was because I had it plugged in to the power cord for my speakers. The guy came and said, "Hmm, the modem power cord doesn't look at all like this." Who knew? The speakers were working fine with the modem power cord.


The sunsets here are beautiful. Every single one. Probably because of all the pollution.

Coming to Tempe

On Thursday, the 13th, Dad, Mom, and I worked together to load the UHaul trailer full of all my earthly possessions. The couch I was planning on bringing didn't fit, but everything else was packed in perfectly- not a square foot to spare. Shin was in her huge tank in the backseat of the Honda, all my plants were on the floor- I was actually quite impressed with the setup:)



It was a 15-hr drive total, taking a little bit longer because the trailer made us go a little bit slower at parts. Dad had the brilliant idea the second night of letting putting Shin in the bathtub overnight instead of lugging the heavy acquarium into the hotel. It turned out great, except that we had to stow her in the bucket when the shower was used as a shower and she kept trying to escape:) (she's like a really obvious metaphor for high-speed internet... haha)




We arrived in Tempe on Friday night and checked out the Arizona Mills Mall where my "new" store is. It's a lot like the Colorado Mills Mall- same organization & decor, lots of outlet stores.

Saturday was the day for looking at apartments. I'd done some research but needed to really see the places and decide which one would get me to sign a lease. We looked at 5 apartment complexes and a house. I had a hard time choosing... would you expect anything else of me? But I'm still glad about the one I chose:) Soon I'll be putting up pics of my place!

Election Day

What a monumental day! I'm know I haven't been around for many, but this election seems HUGE!

I've gone back and forth and all around on my feelings about this election. Now it looks like Obama is going to win, and that doesn't thrill me. But I also recognize that if McCain had come out ahead, I wouldn't have been optimistic either. I am confident that our next President will disappoint us a lot. It seems that Americans want a healthcare buffet, accessible and unlimited credit, and a college education for all... and I just don't think that can happen. Our great nation is already trillions and trillions of dollars in debt. And that is not sustainable, folks, but the habits that got us here haven't gone away either... But I am of the odd opinion that whatever difficulties may be on the way could be a sort of blessing in disguise...because for some reason it seems that when we are realize that money and programs and other tangible things aren't working out, we also awaken to spiritual hunger.

I do hope that whatever happens, we can look to the One who has the government on his shoulders.

I found an interesting article by the brilliant Derek Webb. Even now that the election is over, it's good food for thought. It's here.

blggrrrrr

Hello everyone:) I have joined the blogging world!! You can check this site to hear all about what's going on in my life.

Right now, I'm cleaning my turtle's tank and making it a clean paradise!



In the next couple weeks, I will be moving... so more to come!