September 27, 2010

Heading Back

Good byes suck big time. Just in case ya'll were wondering. On a better note, it was great to see everyone and spend time with folks!

I am also excited to get back to work! The Vienna group from OC will be in Friday and we will start sorting and packing clothes for Bulgaria! I get back in on Wednesday and Larry said Karen and I should be able to move in then! It wont all be done yet, but enough that we can live in it!

Please keep the rain in your prayers too. The fire department came around in Chemnitz and was giving a pre-pre-flood warning. That said, the creeks were up and Larry went to buy some sealant for the doors.

Thats all I have for now! Ill try and update next week!

Be good and do good!

Sarah B

We think in generalities, but we live in detail. ~Alfred North Whitehead

September 20, 2010

Reverse Culture Shock

There have been a few moments since i've been back when I have had some reverse culture shock.

My first night back, I went to walmart and looked up and down the drink isle for about 5 minutes until I realized that really was the size of the sodas. The next day I held on to my dads recliner for dear life as I sunk down into it! That evening at church I kept trying to shake peoples hands. I defiantly said "guten appetite" after the prayer a few times.

I was taken back the other day, a pleasant surprise. I was out at the lake fishing and lady (my dog) was wading around not far from me. The circkets were chirping and the wind was blowing on a beautiful oklahoma evening. I realized how absolutly amazing it was. How simple life can be.

Life is simple and pleasant in different ways all over the world. The evening at the lake is a lot like coffee time in germany, just a time to relax and take everything in. Both different, yet very much the same.

I have enjoyed my furlough, it has been extremely busy but also very nice to see family and friends. Last night I went out and laid in the bed of a truck with some of my closest friends just chatted and star gazed for hours. Its moments like that when I wish I could bottle them and keep that moment in time just as it was.

At the same time, I went to my nephews cross country track meet last week and watching him cross the finish line i had to fight back the tears. It all hit me at once how much he had grown in the past year, he not only grew physically and got a deeper voice, but he gave his life to christ just a few months ago. To see the change in one short year just took my by surprise all at once.

Moments like that, while they are special, are very hard. Oh the emotional roller coaster of getting to see people you love. As much as I want to cherish the time I have with them, I also find myself doing a count down and thinking about having to say goodbye again.

Fundraising is going better. I have gotten a few more monthly donations as well as some more from memorial, there was a problem but we got it all figured out!

Have a wonderful week! Be good and do good!

Sarah B

So many faces in and out of my life; some will last, some will be just now and then. Life is a series of hellos and good byes. I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again. ~unknown

September 11, 2010

Friends





It has been great being home for almost a week now. It seems like time has already flown by so fast!
Here are a few pictures of friends from the past couple weeks.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Be good and do good!

Sarah B

Love is not blind- it seems more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less. ~Julius Gordon

September 6, 2010

Furlough

Its hard to believe I head home tomorrow for 3 weeks. It hasn't really hit yet, oddly enough... Although I guess that is my personality, there is no preparing for the emotions, they just come at that moment lol. Its both a curse and a blessing!

Exciting update: Our new readers, Stephan and Cindy, they came to English Bible Study on Friday and loved it! Stephan (I read with him) told me he only came because Cindy made him come, I had to laugh at that, and of course thanked him for coming. He said he wouldn't sing though, if he started everyone would leave. I told him it was alright, he did not have to sing, he could just listen. The first song started and he and Cindy both jumped right in! After EBS he even asked for copies of some of the music for a friend who might be interested! He said it was nothing like what he was expecting and they want to come to the next one too!

To hear something like that is so absolutely amazing! Its a nice breath of fresh air! More like sucking in air as if you've been breathing smog for a while!

Movie Night tonight at 7, Wizard of Oz, and then catching the 5:30 train in the morning! OKC at 7:30 tomorrow night!

Be good and do good!

Sarah B

There may be a time in life when one is tired of everything and feels as if all one does is wrong, and there maybe some truth in it- you do think this is a feeling one must try to forget and banish, or is it the longing for God,' which one must not fear, but cherish to see if it may bring us some good? Is it 'the longing for God' which leads us to make a choice which we must never regret? Let us keep courage and try to be patient and gentle. And not mind being eccentric, and make distinction between good and evil." ~Vincent van Gogh

September 2, 2010

Take-Off

I leave Tuesday to head home for my 3 week furlough. Im pretty excited... to say the least!

Working for the Lord is great, please don't underestimate that, however missing important milestones for those that are close to you are very hard as well. I am so very excited to get to see my friends and family.

Joel and Kendra made it in safely on Monday, they are staying with the Sullivans while they look for an apartment in Dresden.

There is lots of exciting news with readers... where to start?

For LST this year, we made a GIANT yellow sign that said Lets Start Talking on it to use in years to come. After the info meeting, we pinned it up on the fence in front of the church. There is construction going on right now, and the stop light.... right in front of the church! We have gotten lots of calls and its great! We have a young couple we are meeting with that are searching for something to believe in! Right now we are working through the Luke books and doing an intense study of the major world religions, and Tiffany is doing a study with the girl about how to choose your faith. It is really exciting to read with people who are interested and want to know so much!

We got another call on Tuesday, and I met with her on Wednesday. A younger girl, 23, who saw the sign and wants to practice her english and is really excited to get to practice with us!

In other news, clean up here is going well. We are getting the insulation and sheet-rock up right now. They are coming to drill in the floors and suck all the water out from under the house next week.

The goal is to be all finished and ready to move in the week I get back from the states.

So, I think that is all of my news for the time being.

Be good and do good!

Sarah B

Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe