Currently…

Loving…the frosty ground outside this morning

Listening…to “Of Monsters And Men” radio on Pandora

Reading…the Advent devotional plan by #SheReadsTruth

Eating…gingerbread men & double spice chai tea

Studying…organic chemistry. Wahoo pre-finals week.

Wearing…

Memorizing…

Thankful Thursday

This week has been stressful….that may be an understatement. It seems like all of my professors want to cram as much material in as possible before the exams, and I am most certainly not a fan. Between assignments and studying, I was overwhelmed these past few days and I felt tired and drained. But, I did title this post “Thankful Thursday” and that was no mistake. As I sit here at my computer, I am overwhelmed with peace, despite everything this week. Peace from God that has led to my thanksgiving.

Today I’m thankful for…

Texts from friends saying they were praying for me.

Sweet hugs that were shared.

Sleeping in on Tuesday morning.

A surprise letter of encouragement from my friend Lacy.

The Advent plan I started this week.

That feeling after my orgo test was done.

Date night silliness including a thrift store run for ugly Christmas sweaters.


Some awesome time with God reminding me of His power through all situations.

Only two weeks separating me from winter break!!

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”  ~Psalm 61:2

A not-so-DIY

Here I sit, in Starbucks sipping my pumpkin spice latte, feeling all legit (now I know what Erin was talking about in this post). All I can think about are these verses.

1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

These words seem so easy, so encouraging. To think that God, as powerful as He is, cares for me enough to take my anxieties and burdens on Him. And yet, here I sit, with the skewed mentality that I need to clean myself up before I come to Him. That He can’t handle the bad stuff, or that I don’t want Him to. I feel like I need to impress Him with my ability to handle everything. But honestly, what is there to impress with? We are a broken people. I am broken. God knows that….but He loves me anyway. He invites me to Him, as I am.

I’ve been wrestling with this truth for a few days now. Thinking about how I need to be vulnerable with people, because God made us relational people so we can encourage each other. But the sad reality is that I rely on people too much. I easily ask people to pray about something for me, and completely disregard my need to pray about it too. It seems that I try to replace God with people. But if God is truly sovereign, then He is the one in control. He is the one I should be going to with my pain. I can’t hide anything from him. And it’s my pride alone that gave me the false idea that I can.

Today in my #SheReadsTruth study, I was reminded of how God canceled out my debt, how He nailed it to the cross. What would it look like if I reminded myself of that daily? If I remembered that He truly does want to raise me up, and rid of the anxieties that weigh me down? He wants to see me grow, not dwell on the past.

I am about to enter a new season of my life. A season of service for God like I haven’t experienced before. It is so exciting, but I also know that it can easily bring stress if I’m not careful. I need to reevaluate the chain of command in my life. I need to give God lordship over everything I do. My schoolwork, leadership, time, relationships, and my struggles. He holds all the power. He is the only one who can strengthen me. I can’t do it myself. He can…and will!

iPhone Happenings

Can I just start by saying how amazing God is? He has been showing himself to me in so many ways this week. Between wonderful friends (and encouraging blog friends), answered prayers, and wonderful truths in His Word…I’ve been so blessed this week. I hope you all have been able to see His glory too this week, because it’s pretty sweet!

Top: Starting Galatians for #SheReadsTruth….this is one of my favorite books // Lunch with friends
Bottom: “One Thousand Gifts” // Devotions packed full of amazing truths // Some of the goofballs I call my friends

Top: Justified by faith // Decided to take advantage of all the time I look at my phone and add some verses // My phone’s lock button broke Wednesday…long story short—hello iPhone 4S!
Bottom: My friend fell asleep while a bunch of us hung out :p // Poop…I’m 5 years old // Chambray & colored denim…feeling trendy

Top: Sneaking pictures during church- Psalm 113 // Another new background // Rainbow
Bottom: Sweet encouraging text from a friend // New $8 watch from Kohl’s // A letter from Kaitlin that made my day!

Top: Even Google understands the true meaning of justified // Wonderful post from Gennean’s blog // Lunch off campus at Whole in the Wall
Bottom: My lovely friend Kristen on our lunch date // Cute vintage pictures // “May the long time Sun shine upon you, All love surround you. And the pure light within you, Guide your way home.”

iPhone Happenings

I would like to start off by saying thank you SUNY system for giving us break for Rosh Hashanah. What’s better than a 4.5 day weekend? Yay New York schools! That being said…my 8:30 class today felt like a Monday class. It was gross. Anywho, this weekend I spent Friday night through Monday afternoon visiting some friends down at Penn State. It was a great birthday weekend…minus the cold that kept me hugging a box of tissues on a couch for most of Sunday. But seriously, it was still a fun weekend. Then yesterday, some friends and I decided to take an impromptu daytrip to Syracuse. We explored the Carousel Mall and chowed down and ahh-mazing bbq at Dinosaur BBQ. I may still have a food coma. All in all, it was a great weekend spent with many wonderful friends!!


Top: See how there’s a cough drop in my tea? Yeah, I lost my cough drop….only to find it disintegrated at the bottom of my cup when I finished. Apparently colds make me lose my common sense // My friend Mary and her ice cream “lollipop” // My very first jar cake!! I’ve been gushing over these since I heard about Tookies over on Aunie’s blog. Granted this was not Tookies…but true to name, it was Wicked Good (I realized I just advertised two opposing companies…shhhh!)
Middle: Julie, one of the girl’s I stayed with at PSU, one night this weekend // Rocking my PSU attire while I was there // One of the MANY stores in State College packed with spirited attire…I’m a little jealous Binghamton doesn’t offer this many options!
Bottom: This picture does no justice, but State College is the cutest town!! // Re-dying our hair while I visited (I’m really loving my pink streak…even though it fades too quickly for my liking)


Top: Starting the new plan for #SheReadsTruth: Galatians!! If you haven’t yet, I totally recommend joining in // A crafty night with one of my best friends // Making road trip Bingo for my Syracuse trip (it was a big hit!)
Bottom: Keeping it classy with sparkling water and Tootsie pops // Boys being inappropriate at the Syracuse mall :p // My new ring set….I’m slightly obsessed with it


Top: A few of the lovely people I went to Syracuse with // Dinosaur BBQ. Ah. Maze. Ing. // My friend Dallas casually sitting in a tractor scoop
Bottom: My carmates for the road trip, minus my friend Jon. We had a blast! // Encouraging words on Kaitlin's blog today. They meant so much to me today! // New necklace from Syracuse (and the biggest Forever 21 I’ve seen)

Well, I’m off to do the homework I procrastinated on this weekend. Have a lovely Wednesday!

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
                                                                    ~Psalm 37:4

iPhone Happenings

This week has been very interesting. A little hectic, but I’m starting to get back into the swing of things here at school. Here’s my week in pictures:

Remember when I said I would never be a fashion blogger? Well the full-length mirror in my dorm room is causing my narcissism to kick in. Whoops :p
Don’t judge me…


Top: New Student Outreach for InterVarsity in my housing community // #SheReadsTruth on lies // A beautiful sky between storms
Bottom: Boston crème cupcakes from this recipe. They were so good! // My gorgeous friend Kristen after I helped her get all dolled up for a date night with her boyfriend // Learning about intentional friendships


Top: Banner at the InterVarsity general interest meeting…we had 160 people come! Praise God :) // Late-night Denny’s after InterVaristy // Wegman’s run (two of the girl’s first time)
Bottom: My suite’s newly painted door brick // Walk in integrity // Birthday package of goodies from my parents!


Top: I got a new clear case to put scrapbook paper in // Necklace from my momma
bottom: Fighting pride // Birthday nails


Well, that’s all my iPhone has to say. Have a wonderful week!

Intentional Friendships

I’ve been gearing up to write this post for almost a week now, and the longer I’ve put it off, the more God has been showing me about its importance. I’m not exactly where to begin. God has been revealing to me the importance of true friendships through His Word and the words & actions of my friends so much this week! But I guess I will try to sum this up the best I can.

On Friday, I read Proverbs 27 for my #SheReadsTruth devotional. Two verses grabbed me. “Better is open rebuke than hidden love” & “the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” These words humbled me and truly made me think about the relationships I invest my time in. Are they earnest? Or am I hiding my love? True love for a friend is wanting the best for them, and that sometimes means telling them the hard truth. The nasty stuff that sucks to talk about. Friends need to be willing to confront one another when they are going down a path that is destructive. I need to be willing to have the awkward conversations that may save someone I love from getting hurt. And, as the prideful person I am, I need to be receptive to the loving rebuke of those who care about me. Earnest friendship is not superficial. It digs down deep to the core. The good and bad.

On Saturday, I had my first InterVarsity small group leaders’ meeting of the semester. Again, this idea of intentionality came up. As we discussed the vision for our groups this semester, we focused a lot on the strong relationship building we want to see. These relationships require time. They require vulnerability. They require challenging each other beyond complacency. My hope is that intentional friendships are born here. That we can ask tough questions, be brutally honest with each other, and encourage each other to show God in everything we do. 

The sermon I heard at church on Sunday was on the mission on the church. We focused a lot on relationship-building.

God was really trying to tell me something. But the most powerful ways He spoke to me have occurred in the past 24 hours. God showed it to me.

Last night, I was doing homework with two friends. My friend Dennis asked me a simple question about how something was going. I, surprising myself, answered a honest answer about what I was struggling with. This led into a long conversation where I poured myself out to them about what I’ve been working through the past few months. Pain and brokenness I was too afraid to talk about. Aching that I hid from my friends because I didn’t want to deal with it. But God did want to deal with it. He wants to heal it. God has been challenging me to open up and be honest about these struggles, but I keep fighting Him. My two friends did the best thing they could in the situation. They listened. They listened while I opened up about my pain and confusion and everything I was dealing with. They comforted me as my emotions swirled up and emptied out. They offered me biblical truth that spoke deep into my core. Their friendship to me was apparent in this moment. They were earnest.

This morning, moments before I sat down to type out this post, God showed me intentional friendship yet again. My sweet friend Amy texted me, out of the blue, with this:It literally brought tears to my eyes as I realized how much I needed to read those words in that moment. How much I needed that reminder to be bold today. I texted Amy back with words of gratitude for how necessary her text was. She responded by saying she “had this weird urge to text me that.” God is good. He spoke through Amy to encourage and empower me. He has given me an intentional friend in her. Amy is an earnest friend.
This are only two examples of the many true friends God has placed in my life. They are a reminder of the kind of friend I need to be. I need to be intentional. I need to not be afraid to confront the yucky stuff. I need to love. Genuinely.

iPhone happenings

I managed to survive my first day of classes yesterday, honestly it was a pretty easy day! My first class wasn’t until 1:15, and I found out I got a TA position for my old biology class! The downside is that creates a lot more work in my schedule…but I can’t really complain. Here are my iPhone snapshots from the past week:

Top: #SheReadsTruth on being slow to anger // My new chevron ring, I’m in love // Cupcake run with my mom before I headed back to school // Jealous? These babies were so good!
Bottom: “Do not return evil for evil” // My beautiful home here on campus // Proverbs 22:21…the exact words I needed to hear from God in that moment. He’s pretty cool like that! // My vneck sunburn from being outside for hours (this photo doesn’t do it justice)


Top: All dressed up // Our beautiful birthday cake for a friend // Love these girls, they’re the cutest matching roomies // First Sunday back at church here
Bottom: First pumpkin spice latte of the season // More wonderful truths // My friend Angela hiding in a column :p // Wonderful mug cake


Top: Encouraging devotions before class // Starting “One Thousand Gifts” // First day of school
Bottom: Our suite’s wall schedule // Proverbs’ beautiful writing // Pink bubble wrap stripes in our common room

iPhone Happenings

I’ve decided to post my iPhone Happenings on Tuesday this week instead of Wednesday. Mostly because I have something else planned for tomorrow (ooooh the suspense) Anyway, this is my past week according to my iPhone. Not many pictures to show because I’ve been running around doing last-minute errands before I leave…TOMORROW! I can’t believe it, I’m quite excited to be back in Binghamton!

Without further adieu….

Top: “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” & “One Thousand Gifts” I’ve heard wonderful things about both books and so I knew I needed to get them (especially with this starting soon) // Enjoying my #SheReadsTruth while babysitting in the park // Kids Castle: this place used to be my favorite playground when I was younger…it's seriously HUGE // My last cake ball from my baking extravaganza with friends
Bottom: Burgundy pants and metallic shoes I wore to church Sunday // My I-hate-packing face // Yes, I do have a full bag of shoes coming back with me. Judge me. // Cookie butter & chocolate chip sundae after a long day of packing….yummmmm


Top: Resting in His strength and power // My friend Travis and I spent a good 30 minutes sending each other various “whale texts”…it was wonderful // I sent this lovely photo to a few of my friends from school to remind them what to look forward to I’m so cute // I can, indeed, take normal pictures. Fishtail braid.
Bottom: The best part of packing is Zeva trying to get inside every form of box or bag // Cuddling with Tiger for one of the last times (I may miss her the most jk Mom & Dad) // Just two glimpses of all the junk I’m bringing to school. I will have no problem packing my mom’s van and my car solid with stuff!


Well, that’s just about everything for now. Today will be spent finishing up some odds and ends before we wake up bright and early to drive to school. Ahhh I’m so excited!

She Shares: Words

So I meant to do this post yesterday, but I was packing all day and didn’t get a chance. I should be packing now…but I think its time for a little break. I wanted to link up with #SheReadsTruth again for their weekly “She Shares” post. As I began thinking about what God has been showing me this week, I kept coming back to one concept: words. The past few chapters in Proverbs have been full of wisdom about how our words need to honor God. I’ve been wrestling with exactly what God is trying to tell me through all of this, and then in church today, my pastor did a sermon on what God says about words in Proverbs. Woah God...I see what you did there :p Anyway, I’ve decided that’s why I didn’t write this post yesterday, God had more to tell me.

I think one of the biggest struggles in my faith is what I say. I am an extrovert who talks a mile-a-minute, but also a girl who hates conflict and confrontation. I often find myself saying more than I necessary or not speaking up when I should.

First, I can easily lack restraint with what I say. Namely, I gossip. A lot. Gossip is such a tricky thing. It is so easy for me to complain about that girl who bugs me, or point out the flaws of that one person who rubs me the wrong way. Sadly enough, as social beings, we often connect over these things. In the short run, talking about someone else builds up our rep with a group of people while hurting the other. It is humbling when I think about how much of my conversations are talking about people not involved. What am I really gaining from this? How is talking about that person really helping my relationships? Plain and simple…its not. God repeatedly says in the bible to be “slow to speak.” Proverbs 10:19 says “when words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” It takes a lot of wisdom to know when to be quiet. I need to assess my reasons for what I say before I say them. I came across this quote on Pinterest many times and I think it is covers the subject well:

Via

Second, I can become so timid when I should speak up. God never called us to be timid. He calls us to be bold, especially when it regards His truths. I Hate confrontation and am afraid of upsetting people with my beliefs, so I tend to stay quiet when I need to speak up. Just as words can hurt people, they can also grow and heal others. Sometimes confrontation is necessary when it is out of love. Proverbs 27:5 says “Better is open rebuke, than hidden love.” As a Christian, I am not called to judge others, but I am called to notice the brokenness around me and help it. If my Christian brother or sister is going down a path they shouldn’t…I can’t just ignore it, I need to confront them about it. My pastor used a powerful quote about speaking up from Martin Luther King Jr. after the civil rights movement. He said “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

I need to love so fiercely that my words help the people around me. My words need to build people up, not bring them down for my own selfish gain. Proverbs reiterates that our words speak from our hearts. I am learning that my heart needs to be so focused on God that He is seen through my words.



I Want to close with these song lyrics I was encouraged with at church today:

"May you go in the love of your Father God 
May you go in the grace of Christ 
May you go in the power of the Spirit now 
To bring Him glory with your life"

iPhone Happenings

So as I looked through my iPhone pictures from the last week, I came to the conclusion that I may, in fact, be a crazy cat lady….I take way too many pictures of my kitties. No worries people, this time next week I will be settling into my dorm and you will be free of cat pictures until at least Thanksgiving! Speaking of which…ONE WEEK UNTIL I’M BACK AT SCHOOL!!!!! Can you tell I’m excited? I am so ready to see how God is going to use me this year!

Well, here is my week according to my iPhone…
Top: More amazing cookie butter…I’m addicted people! // A rare moment when both cats are together in harmony // She’s addicted to sinks apparently
Middle: My mom left this bottom shelf bare just for the cat…when I walk by, the bookshelf meows at me // Suspicious… // The Intervarsity pamphlets I got on my visit to Binghamton back in April 2011. I am so thankful I met people from the fellowship then because I immediately got connected with them last fall when I moved on campus. I am so blessed by the friendships I’ve built in that ministry!
Bottom: Some wonderful Proverbs truths #SheReadsTruth // Feeling fancy because I curled my hair // Pulled out my watercolors this week


Top: Making bracelets // Cat distractions from responding to blog emails // Late night tea
Middle: Felt like Scar the other morning when I woke up (I wonder what I do in my sleep) // “Do you believe in yourself?” // Froyo addiction
Bottom: My friend Julie at I found the cutest weirdest outfits possible at Kohl’s…seriously who buys this stuff?!!


Top: New nail polishes // Bleaching my hair for the pink dye // Apparently my friend lived with geese :p
Middle: Julie & Me with our pink hair // Yummy chicken salad lettuce wraps // Came across these verses twice this week…God is calling me to be humble.
Bottom: Bath & Body Works makes the cutest things // Proverbs 15- watching my words // Eeeeee she’s so cute, I'm going to miss her cuddling with me at school :(


Well that’s all my iPhone had to say. This next week is going to be filled with last-minute errands, packing, and savoring my last moments with family & friends before I trek back up to New York.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

She Shares: Repetition

Today I was reading on the #SheReadsTruth website that they are starting a link up to share what God has been doing in your life since starting their plans. Naturally, since I’m always mentioning this study, I figured I’d join in.

I was very excited when they announced two weeks ago that the new plan was in Proverbs. Earlier in the summer, I tried to read a chapter a day for a month, but only made it through the first five or so, so #SRT was a great way to keep me on track. Also, my parents’ church has been studying Proverbs, but I split my time at home between their church and my old church…so I have missed a few weeks. Once again, #SRT to the rescue. Basically I figured if God was putting this book in my life so much, He really wanted me to read it.

Now onto some honest truth, this study hasn’t been all peaches for me. I started to hit a devotional rut, putting off my quiet times until later in the day. I’ve still been consistent daily, but sometimes I feel like I’m just doing it to do it. It’s a little discouraging, because I’ve lasted so long, but I’m starting to feel that weight I have in the past when I am ready to stop. Also, Proverbs got a little boring for me. There is tons of repetition and the writer uses situations that don’t really pertain to me.

Then it hit me. Ok, God hit me. This time has been becoming a chore because I’m not actively seeking God with it. I have not been paying attention to what God is trying to show me in these passages! Silly Sarah…sometimes you are so thick-skulled.

Anywho, on to what God has been teaching me. First, there is a lot of repetition. And yes, it seems like a lot of simple concepts are being repeated.So why? Because they are important! And Us thick-skulls need to read it multiple times for it to click. God is pretty darn smart :p

Almost every chapter begins with some form of “be attentive to my wisdom, gain my understanding".” Why? because these chapters are packed-full of wisdom that is meaningless unless we keep it and apply it. The chapter also uses juxtaposition (big word!!) to show the differences of a wise and foolish person. God blatantly states that following Him is life-giving and following our own desires brings harm. I am also learning that these sins have to be completely avoided. The more we surround ourselves with them, the easier it is to give in.

Now onto that stuff that “I couldn’t relate to.” Pshhh, good joke Sarah! Those chapters about adultery….there is totally stuff in there for me. First, adultery is like any other sin in God’s eyes & I just need to avoid it! These passages also help paint the picture of a woman of God (hmmmm maybe that’s why #SRT picked Proverbs) We are told to “keep your heart with all vigilances, for from it flows the springs of life” & "the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.” We are called to be pure. Pure in our actions, how we present ourselves, what we think, and what we say. Not only is purity precious to God, but as women, our purity is especially important for protecting our Christian brothers. We do not want to cause them to sin  based on our actions. Being pure is not just physical, its our whole being. It is an active response to guard ourselves against sin. Want more on the Proverbs picture of godly women, hope on over to Bre’s blog to check out her post!

We are called to seek God’s wisdom & insight. Follow His commandments and live with integrity. I need to watch my words, make sure that they only build others up. I need to think about my actions and if they are glorifying him. And above all, I need to guard my heart. God will provide for me when I diligently seek Him. I need to live my life honorably, so that my life is a living testimony of what god has done for me!

Phewfff! That was a lot…but it's what God has been teaching me.

iPhone Happenings

This week it started: the goodbyes for college. Two of my friends have headed back to school, and my dear friend Kristen is currently moving into her freshman dorm. Sunday night, we spent hours at a diner gushing about the exciting aspects of college life, thoroughly getting us both pumped and easing our small concerns. Kristen, thank you for your always-encouraging friendship. I pray that your freshman year is amazing and I can’t wait to see how God grows you at Regent!

Anywho, onto my my week as seen by my iPhone:

Top: #SheReadTruth His steadfast love & faithfulness // True life…this was someone’s plate at the mall. Now that’s NRA dedication! // The sad and rainy spot my hamock and I should have been (wow can someone say #firstworldproblems?!)
Bottom: I almost poured my milk this way…rough morning // A constant reminder // My newly-made planner, complete with sections for homework, small group, IV meetings, and some blogging…I’m super pumped!

Top: Dinner at Bonefish Grill with my mom (those fish tacos are the bomb) // Bad picture, but there was a man dressed as Elvis getting into his car. My mom and I were bummed we didn’t get a picture with him // God’s teaching is a light // My first friar tuck…actually a success (I’m even rocking some curls again today)
Bottom: Shoutout To Samantha, this blogging world offers great encouraging friends. I’m blessed // “But Christianity is a cross, and a cross is ‘I’ crossed out” –Power of Positive Prayer // Shopping at Target with momma bear // Love me some smoothies

Top: Treasure His commandments // My Sunday best // Tiger’s new favorite nighttime sleeping spot…next to me. I’m not complaining :) // Birthday false alarm…
Bottom: Nothing about God is simple♥ // I found a new bakery yesterday!! // I ate both cupcakes and was not ashamed…so so good! // Just watching the rain

P.S. I'm working on some bloggy changes...stay tuned!