Beyond What We Imagine...

I got some news from the Madory's and wanted to post it here so you all will know what's going on with them and will pray with me that God will meet the needs that Bro. Madory mentioned in his letter - at this point especially for the airfare. He told me today that is the only thing stopping them from coming back and they have sorted out everything to be able to leave with that exception. As one might expect, international airfare for a family of 5 can get a little expensive. So please pray that God will provide for that need soon so they can get their tickets paid for and head home. Dear Friends, I am writing to inform you that we are making plans to return to the states for our next furlough.  We have been in Kenya for 2.5 years, and were hoping to spend 1 more year on the field and return in Dec. '11, however, due to many things we have decided it is necessary to move up the furlough.  We plan to return to the st...

Wow. Is anyone with me when I say this month has FLOWN by? Christmas is 2 days away!! I have already been home from Kenya for almost 2 months! And not a day has gone by that I don't think about the trip and the Madory family. I absolutely did not expect the culture shock of coming home. If you've never been on a trip like this you may not understand and I'm quite certain that I can not explain it to you. It has definitely made me look at my life and evaluate where I am, what I’m doing and where I’m going from here. And sometimes that’s a scary thing! Mentally it is very hard to return to work and "normal" life and even church and do the same old things without wondering if there is something more... So if you've been thinking lately...what's wrong with Sarah? Why is she being weird? Well there you go. A friend reminded me a week ago to look back at everything God did during the time while I was preparing to go and during the trip and even ...

Just wanted to wish everyone who happens to read this a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope it is a day filled with family, friends, food and good times (you thought I was going to say fun didn't you? haha) I am looking forward to tomorrow. I'm headed home to make my cherry pie...right after I clean the kitchen. ugh But it's got to be done..and I don't think anyone is volunteering for the job. Riata was 7 months yesterday and I just can't believe it! What a gift she is to her mother and all of us who get to be a part of her life. Shauna's friend Bre is in town for the holiday and Samantha and Justin will be over tomorrow too.This is one of those times where I wish we all lived a little closer so we could be together. Texas is just too far away. So we'll have to settle for phone calls. I was thinking recently of how much has happened this year. If you had told me last year in October that I would have been to Kenya and back (among other things) by now...

This song came on my ipod a little bit ago and caught me off guard. It’s an untitled track so I usually skip it because I don’t know what it is. But I was working away and let it run on shuffle. It has a good message and so I thought I’d share it with you today… So many lost and dying in this world today, Have you heard their crying or do you turn away? The harvest now is plenteous but the laborers are few God needs some willing vessels to be used. Here am I, I will go, I will reach the lost untold I will give the Lord control I will tell them of the crimson flow Is it too late for caring? Does Jesus really save? Are we truly praying for the blind to find their way? Lost people are falling into a burning hell. Will anyone hear the calling to go and tell? Here am I, I will go, I will reach the lost untold I will give the Lord control I will tell them of the crimson flow For my Saviour died on that old rugged cross He thought of me when He counted the cost How can I say that I love ...

When I left Kenya it was spring headed to summer. When I got home, it was fall and now it is quickly turning into winter. So on this cold and dreary Oklahoma day, I wanted to share some of the beautiful GREEN landscapes and flowers that I am missing today.  This was taken at a British tea farm. So these plants are...you guessed it..    This is one of my favorites. It looks like a giant pinapple!     Bananas anyone?  I hope these pictures have brought some warmth to you today :) Not much but more to come. Hope this post finds you all doing well and headed into a great weekend. Love, Sarah 

I went there. I saw things. I experienced much. I met wonderful people. I loved every minute. I came home. Yes I am alive and well! I wasn’t able to do any posting to my blog while I was away but I took a lot of pictures and I tried to write down what we did every day. I’m not sure how long it will take (because as some of you may know I do not have internet access at my house) but I do intend to share that here. Thank you again for your investment in my life and this trip. Many people told me before I went that “It changes you and you’ll never be the same.” I believe they meant that in a good way and I hope they are right. I can’t wait to share it with you and hope that you enjoy reading about it. I would also like to thank those of you who prayed. I was comforted with the thought that more people were praying specifically for me at this time than possibly any other time in my life. And God answered the prayers for safety in travel as well as on the trip. I had one delayed flight bu...

As I previously mentioned, I had limited computer access while I was away so instead I wrote down a lot of stuff the old fashioned way with pencil and paper. Crazy I know. We were so busy most of the time I was there, if I didn't write down what we did each day there is no way I would remember it all. So below are excerpts from those notes. And what better place to start than the airport? That's what I thought too. So here we go...  My flight went great from Tulsa to Atlanta. I sat next to a very nice German man who was traveling on business. We got the exit row so there was plenty of leg room on that flight (I later wish it was like that on the other two!) and I also got the window seat. It was a very pleasant flight. People told me the Atlanta airport was big and they were not lying. I had to ride a subway to get to my concourse. Once I got there I found out that my flight was going to be delayed by a little more than an hour and...

Well it's finally down to ONE DAY! Not a lot of time but wanted to write a quick update to keep you all informed.  I have all things gathered into one general location (my house). I shouldn't have to make any more Wal-mart runs (hopefully). Now it's just packing, weighing, repacking, repeat...  I was looking at some pictures that I've taken over the last week and thought I'd share a few. Dad grilling out the other night. He gets his cast off today. Yay Daddy! Riata and Me - watching Dad try to flip burgers with a cast on. Josie Help! I had a really funny picture of Josie to put here....but I don't want to get in trouble. lol Mom and Dad were dog sitting Jill. She really wanted to come out and join the fun.  Riata looking like the Sweetie that she is. 5 months old! Hard to believe! The Jr. church kids from Sunday morning. They were such a "blessing" with all their "kind" words and "well wishes". If I told you what a...

I know I haven’t finished my The Beginning story yet but I hope to get it posted before I leave. I’m glad that I already have it mostly written because so much has happened just since I started this blog! When I was writing the first posts and pages, I had faith that God would provide. Since then I have seen Him provide and beyond what I imagined !! He has used family, church family, old friends, new friends, and new opportunities. I was thinking of how I am undeserving and yet very blessed and thankful for the church families I’ve had the privilege of being a part of and/or friends with. Three in particular, Baptist Temple ( Bartlesville , OK ), Wilson Creek Baptist Church ( Springfield , MO ) and Calvary Baptist Church ( Perry , OK ) have all been a special blessing to me in preparing for this trip. When I think of how we all came to know each other, I can’t help but see the hand of God and think of Silver State Baptist Youth Camp . Twenty years ago, Wilson Creek Bapt...

Well just one week from right now, I will be aboard a plane somewhere between here and Kenya ! I can't believe that the time has actually come! And boy did it come fast!! No, I am not packed... But the suitcases are here... Waiting... The laundry is being done... And the living room, kitchen and bathrooms are... clean!! How does that help? Well, I always enjoy coming home to a clean house even if I’m just gone a few days. So this will be even better!! When I got home from work last night, I put my key in the lock and walked into my house expecting to find it as I left it that morning: Dark, unvacuumed, pile of work sweaters in the recliner, basket of unfolded clothes on ottoman, mail on the tv tray, and several stray pairs of shoes waiting for me to trip over them. But to my great SURPRISE (I jumped a little lol) and DELIGHT the blinds were open, the smell of autumn was in the air (compliments of the many burning candles) the floor was vacuumed, clothes put in the bedroom, ...

Last night Josie and I were at Mom and Dad's waiting for everyone to get home. We had planned to spend some time together before they (Mom, Dad, and Shauna) left today for their weekend trip to Eureka Springs. Josie was trying to show me how Riata could stay sitting up by herself. Here they are. So sweet. Well Riata anyway ;) (Just kidding Josie!) When they were done with that, Riata was laying on the floor on her tummy. Of course, when she is at home with us she doesn't spend a lot of time on the floor because we all have to take turns just to get to hold her as it is! She was wiggling all around. I think she'll probably be crawling by the time I get back from this trip! So it was pretty awesome to see her roll over for the first time! And I just happened to have my camera... Mom, Dad and Shauna missed it by minutes!! We clapped and made a big deal and Buster didn't know what was going on or what to do. He thought maybe he should nibble on her ...

What?!? Another post?! So soon? Two days in a row?! I know... it's shocking. But here it is! Just a few photos of the bracelets that we've made so far. They are not all strung together yet with clasps but I think you'll get the idea. Notice the lovely paper clip and the Post-it's from the first photo? (I actually just looked at them to check on how to spell Post it..and they aren't even real Post Its!! They're "Stickies"! Did I get it right yet?) And that this tray is sitting on a stack of papers on my desk at work? Nice right? Very warm and earthy. I like these! Good job Shauna!! We have really enjoyed working on them a lot. I called Shauna a monster yesterday but last night I was the one up until 2! The most acceptable explanation (that I'll go into right now) is that we are both aware that it's only 14 days...14 DAYS!!! that's TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY... until I leave so we would like to get it all done and not be doing ...

Well it's 15 days out now and I am feeling the pressure to get things done before I go!! Work stuff, church stuff, home stuff and the most dreaded part....the packing. Packing has got to be one of my least favorite activities...ever. But this time, I have a plan! It's always good to have a plan when it comes to being away from your house and regular conveniences for a month. So I have my suitcases set up in the spare bedroom, and as things come to mind that I need to take, I just go ahead and put them it in there so I won't forget them later. It's working pretty good so far. We'll see once I get there and I say "I can't believe I forgot that!". I hope those are not words that I have to utter. One of the first things I am excited about is the ladies meeting there on Oct 7th, 8th and 9th. I am really looking forward to helping with it and meeting the missionary ladies. Please pray for this meeting and for those preparing for it. I know a lot of wor...

A short update: As of yesterday morning…I have plane tickets!!! I will be flying out of Tulsa on Wednesday, September 29th (my mom’s birthday). That is 21 days from now! Then I will leave Nairobi on Monday, October 25th. I will be gone almost a full month! I am getting close to my goal financially. In addition to my family and friends who have given verbal encouragment and financial support, I would like to say thank you to my church, Baptist Temple and to Wilson Creek Baptist Church for their support and continued prayers. I appreciate both very much and am thankful that God is using them in my life and to minister in the lives of others. It is always good to have someone say "I'll be praying for you" and know that they will really be doing just that!! I also received my passport in the mail on Friday. Word of advice to those considering getting a passport, do not let the lady at the post office take your picture. It will be bad... very bad. But it ...

Hello everyone! Anyone? Sorry I haven’t been able to post here over the last week. My cousin got married last weekend and the whole week was jam packed with work, church and cake! I added my twitter feed to the page (in case you didn’t notice) and have been trying to keep up to date info there. Plane tickets still have not been purchased… You know how sometimes we feel like God has us on hold while He tends to more important matters? Well maybe you have never felt this way but I’ll confess that I have. This last couple of weeks has been a little like that. Don’t worry. I know this is not the case because that’s just not how He operates! It’s only how we perceive it with our finite minds. We can not understand God who is infinite, holy and eternally good. He knows all, sees all and can be everywhere controlling everything at once. It’s incomprehensible to us – but that’s God! I’m still looking forward to what He will do. I am thankful that He has the plan and can see the whole picture! ...

At the beginning of June, my sister, Shauna, left to go work at Silver State Baptist Youth Camp for the summer. I was very happy and excited for her because we both love that place and the tremendous impact it has had on our lives and the lives of others…I could write a whole post just on that!! Maybe another day… Even though our church was not able to take our young people there this year, I had the opportunity to go and ride with Wilson Creek Baptist Church in Battlefield, MO. You’ve heard of the phrase “my home away from home”. Well that is my church away from church . I know them first because of camp and second because I was a member there when I lived in Springfield during my first year of college. I love visiting and spending time with my “family” there. So it was an extra special blessing to get to go along for the ride with them to camp. Normally every year I tell our teens that God knew exactly who would be here and he has something specifically for you if you are open to...

At the request of you, my family and friends, I am starting this blog to keep everyone up to date on the progress toward the trip to Kenya. It is a little more than a month away now! I am very excited, a little bit nervous and again excited to see what God will do and how he will continue to provide. If you take anything away from reading this blog I hope that it is all to the glory of God. For without Him, none of it would be possible! It has been an amazing and humbling experience so far and I haven’t even left town! It’s hard to believe that it was almost two months ago when I was at Silver State Baptist Youth Camp in Sedalia, Co. Besides praying for the speakers and many teenagers and adults who attended, I was also looking for what God had specifically for me this year. I was praying that he would speak to me. But Oh boy! I never expected this! I would like to thank the people that were back home at Baptist Temple and at Wilson Creek Baptist Church who were praying for me at ...