I am Thankful

I am thankful for yardwork, not doing it alone, having help. The fresh air, smell of grass, beautiful sunsets. Even the smell of the weed whacker engine! I am thankful for cool drinks after working hard and being able to laugh with someone about the day we had.

Journal of Africa

There's no breeze on the beach this morning, but the waves are still crashing in. The water doesn't need the wind, the wind doesn't need to guide the water. They are separate but still create one environment where the sound of the waves and the touch of the breeze soothes whoever takes the time to sit and experience it. My time with the Beninoise has been very similar. I could have gone my entire life without knowing them or their culture, but instead here I am, feeling new feelings and experiencing life more complete. The Lord has truly blessed my life.

Lord please help me to show your love to these people. When I am tired, give me your strength to continue. Give me patience and gentleness, help me to communicate with my patients. Lord, I know you are here, thank you.

Coffee House Ministry

Some of you know that I lead a young adults group at a little cozy coffee shop in downtown Landstuhl. It has been such a blessing. There is so much love that is shared through this ministry, the Lord created friendship and has perfected it. We recently went on a camping trip near the Austria Germany border. I had an amazing time hiking, rolling down hills, swimming and just enjoying eachother's company surrounded by mountains, lakes and starry skies. Yes we made smores! Before I came to Germany, I prayed for a church and a ministry to get involved in. The Lord led me straight to the coffee house and Vogelwey, where I have attended church ever since. Praise God!






Cory and Anda! I love those guys! Japan is so lucky to be welcoming them in just a couple weeks. I will miss them soooooo much, but I am so thankful for the times that we have had. They have put their hearts into the coffee house and the young adults ministry. Blessings and safe travels!
Love, Sarah

I LOVE Greece!

I little view of one of our island stops, Poros.


There is so much history here. I walked on the same ground as my buddy Paul did (Paul from the Bible!) I was reading to Holly from the bible and looking at the same places that I was reading about! It just became a little more real to me!


We visited The island Agean and went to the this beautiful church.


We climbed to the clock tower (which every island and city has) and enjoyed the beautiful view. What a blessing!


Yes, that is Holly riding a donkey on the island Hydra, than came Nils our new friend from Denmark, me and Dawn, our new friend from New York! I love donkey's and they are so funny. They fart louder than humans do, yeah!


I thought this was nice!

God Believes in Me!

"Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently." Romans 8:24-25

I learned something today about myself. I got a whole lot of love to give! I am armed and dangerous, so here is my warning to you all! Of course God wants me to love others. At our bible study we talked about how God believes in us. I believe in Him and trust that he will not leave me, but I never realized how much he believes in me and trusts me! He gets excited when my faith is growing and I am filled with Joy! I can make an impact on this world because I have support that never fails. And I plan on making an impact. How many people can I love today? I love you!

I was reading a magazine article on ways to be happy. One was to always have something on your calendar that you are looking forward to (trip to Greece and Africa maybe...) We are guaranteed to one day be in God's presence, for His love to finally come full circle. We all share equally! Actually I'm just looking forward to it not being so crazy HOT in this little house of mine! I'm sleeping outside tonight!

My Trip to Heidelberg

Do you ever just want to go somewhere, it doesn't matter where, just as long as it's far away from where you are. I love to get into the car, roll the windows all the way down and race down the road while my hair whips around. Today was a beautiful day and my house was cleaned, my laundry done, it was time to go. You can lose yourself in Heidelberg, it's a busy city, with beautiful streets and of course Heidelberg castle. Most importantly, it is the closest Starbucks. I grabbed my Janet Evanovich book, thanks to Holly, my jazz CD and took off. By the way Janet Evanovich makes you laugh out loud at least every other page, I love it! I snuggled into a comfy chair with my mint mocha and just let the peaceful feeling wrap me up. Turns out some of my friends had the same idea. They walked in shortly after I had started reading, so we sat outside for hours just talking and laughing. Jen had her baby Ella with, so I got to cuddle with her and listen to a young man play his acoustic and sing some of my favorite songs. Random days are my favorite and what I believe keeps my heart light. Thank you Lord for this day!

These pictures are of Heidelberg, I took them when I first got to Germany, didn't have my camera today! I also snuck in a picture that was taken when I went home on leave. Kerry, Holly and Anna I love you girls with everything this heart can hold!

Beautiful Germany

While at Neuschwanstein Amy and I ran into this fountain. Out of all the artwork here, this is one of my favorites!



We went to the "Cinderella Castle" and hiked around. This castle was left intact with everything inside as it was for King Ludwig.



I snuck down behind our hotel to the Lech River by the Austria border. It was very peaceful. The mountains down there are amazing!

Independance Day!

Happy 4th of July! I am watching the fireworks on Ramstein Air Base from my balcony, beautiful! I spent the day BBQ-ing and just soaking up the sun. The BBQ was for the wounded soldiers here in Germany. Yesterday, my friend Lottie was here for her RNR from down range. Just spending all this time with these deployed soldiers and seeing how much they appreciate just hanging out and laughing and talking, I guess it made me think about how blessed I am. There is so much offered to us, so many opportunities, so much to live for, if we just take the time...

Life

If you go to Nancy, France you will find these sculptures spread out around the city. It is a beautiful city and a perfect place to go for a quick get-away from life's monotony. I wonder what the sculptor wanted to say with the shape of the statues and the things they are doing. My guess would be that the sculptor has a free spirit, is full of life. "My purpose is to give life in all its fullness!" The John man 10:10. I wish I could take you all there.

It is a Good Day!

Do you have those days when you just feel good?! I am having one today. Maybe it was from working in the backyard. I love being outside and the flowers are beautiful. I cut some roses and brought them into the house and now the house smells wonderful. I even bought a weed eater, crazy! Maybe it was because I had a pleasant day at work. My patients were precious and the staff were just enjoying themselves and made the day 'fun!' Maybe it was because I worked out. I had some energy and used it towards toning this tired vessel that God has given only to me! Maybe it is because I am planning future trips with family and friends. This weekend, Amy and I are going to Neuschwanstein and then I am flying to beautiful Wisconsin. In a few months Holly and I are taking a cruise in the Medditteranean. So much to look forward to! Lottie is coming home for RNR from downrange, I can't wait to see her! Maybe it is because the sun is setting outside my window and puts me gently at peace. All this is important, but I will let you in on a secret. This morning I had a feeling it was going to be a challenging day. I just had a bad feeling. So, I prayed sincerely for the Lord to put a protection over my home and workplace. I asked Him to walk with me and guide me. Many things happened today that could have had ruined my day...so I will not dwell on that because I have something much greater to write about. I have a friend that cares so much for me that He would do anything to support me, protect me, just hang out with me. I am so thankful, I truly do, just feel good!

Normandy

Here is "Iron Mike" looking out across the field that the 82nd Airborne dropped into during the invasion of Normandy.

The 1st ID had to climb up cliffs right off of Omaha beach. I'm standing on one now that goes straight down into the ocean.

Utah beach still had barb wire and obstacles that the Germans put up to slow down the troops.

This is the same shot that is at the end of "Saving Private Ryan." You can see the ocean in the background. Some F-16s flew over while we were at the cemetary and saluted the fallen soldiers. They played the National Anthem and Taps, it was a pretty powerful experience.

This is Gold Beach where the British Army came on shore. You can see a Mulberry in the background, used to make an artificial port.

The Remembrance Tree

Losing someone we love is one of the hardest experiences in life. Life changes forever, someone that once brought so much happiness is now gone. We have lost some of our dear soldiers here at Landstuhl and have gone through that loss with their families. Today I had the honor of helping to plant the remembrance tree here at Landstuhl Army Medical Center. We will always remember those soldiers we took care of and their families. Each one so unique and so precious.
I am getting ready to visit the beaches of Normandy over this Memorial weekend. We are also approaching D-Day on June 6th. It's time to remember what happened and what is still happening, and even though pain comes with remembering, there is also joy in knowing that we all impact eachother and we all matter in this crazy life. We're in this together and I am so proud to be a part of this team.

Joy

Have you ever just been really happy?! To the point where you feel like your smile is twice it's normal size and everything seems more beautiful?! I think feeling this way is normal. When we do not allow ourselves to just let go of our insecurities and pride, we are cheating ourselves of life. We can choose to be happy. I chose to put on this stupid costume and be crazy for a moment in time. It made other people laugh and there is something special about making people laugh. Bringing joy to their lives, even for just a moment. Since I have discovered the joy that the Lord brings to my life I can't help trying to bring joy to others. Seeing people happy makes me happy. Now this is beautiful...

"The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes." Psalm 19:8.

Amen, My heart is full and the veil is gone. I hope that you are smiling right now, cause that would make my day!

Much love, Sarah

Baptism

My story...

I grew up going to church, Salem Lutheran Church in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. I was baptized there as a baby, confirmed there as a teenager and even sang in the choir. This was my introduction to a life that I never knew I would live. When I went to college, I was on my own for the first time and I realized that my life was empty. I had the best family ever, wonderful friends and what seemed like everything going for me. But I was unhappy. That first Easter away from home I finally understood why Christ died and rose again. It wasn't just something that happened in the past, Christ died so that I, living today, would know God's love for me and know life to the fullest. I asked Jesus to be apart of my daily life. I started reading my bible, I wanted to know what this new overflowing joy was in my life. My life changed, I no longer got angry at life's little quirks, I was showing people TRUE love, I was no longer worried about appearance. I wanted everyone to know this joy that I now had. I wasn't afraid to say, yes, I am a Christian! This is my life.
That is why I have decided to be baptized today, here in Germany! I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and remain in the presence of the Lord. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!" 2 Corinthians 3:17. So I wanted to let you know that this is a wonderful day today. The Lord has shown me a deeper love than I have ever know or will ever know. I want to be able to face temptation and come out victorious, I want to be able to pray for those I love in the Spirit of Jesus. I want to be filled with living water! I only wish that you could be here to share this with me. My love for you all will only continue to grow! Enjoy today and thank you for being apart of my life!

Much love, Sarah