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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Beach Memories with the Carpenter Kids

I went to the beach last night with rowan and again today!
There is just something soothing about the beach. 
This morning I was sitting out listening to the waves praying and I started thinking about all my trips to the beach growing up. Each year my Memaw and PePaw would load us up and we'd head to Myrtle Beach. I never realized how much those trips meant to me... funny how you see things different when your older. I started thinking about the last trip we went on together. I remember giggles, my dad teasing my aunt Cathy about her LULU hat, food, tons of shrimp, walks with Memaw and Pepaw, "dancin shaggin on the boulevard" and more...
I kept replaying one particular incident in my head though....Morgan, Will, Dad, Aunt Cathy, and I ( I don't remember who else was here at the exact moment) were playing on the beach..... somehow we were wrestling/tickeling a normal occurrence for the Carpenter kids when my little sister takes off full speed and tackles me straight into the sand! Which of course sent will headed that way as well.... it was at that point when I had gotten bigger yet they were still seemingly small than me... It was the craziest thing. I don't exactly remember what happend after that but today I longed to go back to that moment...Its like in that moment we would never have to grow up. We were together, as a beautiful picture of Family in Gods eyes.
  Being the big sister that didn't grow up with those guys its times like that, that make me smile. Thinking about those memories help me to know that God has a perfect plan for all of us and throughout everything He will bring a good work....

Sorry for the randomness blog but I just wanted to share a memory that was so special to me and how its affected me as an adult ( i'm not an adult.... dont make me grow up) Anyways things are okay here! today was the last day of fall break and classes are back as usual tomorrow :) No pictures today but I'll leave you with a funny video we made the yesterday... watch carefully for a cameo with yours truly :)

Monday, March 28, 2011

JOB JOB SCHOOL JOB JOB JOB FOOD JOB JOB JOB FUN JOB JOB

A friend from home just said  "He's teaching you to have total dependence on Him !" and boy was she right. 
I've struggled finding a job here from the beginning.............. 
some annoying reasons are....

A) I'm on a student via
B) I'm from America
C) I'm a woman
D) I'm older and in a different pay bracket
E) or God is really stretching and growing me doesn't need me to have a job at the moment.






Its hard to describe what is going on in my head at the moment. Some days I fully believe that I will be here for 3 years provided for and everything dandy. Other days I feel like I should hop on the first plane home as soon as school is done and work at Wally world in snyder till I get back on my feet. Its confusing and hard and God is teaching me so much through this. 


Most of my decisions come down to where I get a job.... that will fit into minimal timeslots ( hillsong is good at filling up our "free time") 


Its such a humbling experience to fully rely on God.
Ephesians 2:20(MSG) says
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us...

The past 2 weeks have been killer, I had less than a dollar in my account for most of it yet somehow, didn't starve, I was fine. God provided ( still praying for a new pair of jeans and some concert tickets ;) doesn't hurt to ask)
Its hard to say " can you buy me a loaf of bread" but at the same time its easy. We are all in this together here. I had to do it this week after a total melt down..... I ripped a hole in my last pair of jeans that fit. my gma said stop eating and they will fit but most of my clothes are too big now... a belt you ask? I have one but it does no good...... I called my mom and just whined. I need jeans, I have no more bread (bread here has ZERO preservatives so unless its in the fridge or freezer you will have a mold farm in 4 days), my milk is running out, im on fall break and can't leave my apartment cause it cost money to breath in this city. You know... normal negative Nancy Sarah Complaining.... then after a blow up my roomy I  had just had enough.


anyways last night I was whining talking to David about it and he reminded me to just pray it in. Pray in the Favor. pray in the fee's. pray in practically everything. It sounds so simple. You would think that because I'm at Bible college I think of these things but lets be honest..... I don't. I forget sometimes that God is my complete and full provider... somehow I have let the enemy get in my head and I say well things like that don't happen to me. At colour conference Jared had a lady come start up a conversation with him and ended up giving him some money for second year( YAY JARED)...... my thoughts were things like that don't happen to me. but they DO! they CAN! God knows exactly what he's doing and sometimes we I forget that.

So I'm asking that you join with me in prayer.

  • Pray for the perfect a job <<<
  • That God would make His will known for me in July, go to texas? stay here? work? more school? Australia forever? options are open at the moment!
  • Also pray for my friends. I have a wonderful support system/ family here and we are all struggling with practically the same thing. Its neat to see how all of us picking up moving around the world to follow Gods call on our lives can bring people together.
  • Pray for Accommodation favor- in Christianese this means I need an apartment cheaper than the one I'm in now :)
  • That I will somehow pull off these song writing assessments :)
And anything else that God puts on your heart!
  • Jeans that fit
  • Lady Antebellum tickets for next week
  • a husband
Soooo because I feel like my blog is blah without pictures I will leave you with some of this week!
Sylvia took me Grocery shopping,I ask for bread and Got chicken cheese and broccli- she lives with me and knows what I love. Sylvia is such a blessing to my life, I'm so glad she moved in :)

 this just shows off my goofyness and once again my new hair.
 

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

New Look!

soooo
I died my hair.

I was bored.

I needed a new start

I completely ignored my mothers wishes and did it anyways!


I kinda like it.


Monday, March 21, 2011

sook sook soooooky sarah

I'm going to sook for a moment.Sook is Aussie for pout.

I miss my friends from home.
Somehow I feel them all slowly slipping away.  not by anyones fault but just because life happens and God has different plans for all of us. My plan involves living in a beautiful country with crappy internet, and a 16 hour time difference. Most of them are planning a wedding or having baby's and I totally get that is where God has them at this moment. Sometimes I think im jealous but its more of a sad i dont get to be a major part of the most exciting times of their young life.  I mean I'm in Australia and I can't always be on the computer or near skype, so how can I expect them to be. They have jobs and school and lives of their own.




I know that I have wonderful friends and practically family here.

One thing I did learn at colour is to live for right now. Live in the present.
Someone or something in your life right now could be a vital key to your future! I really really loved this quote. A whole sermon was centered around this and it just blew my mind.. . . . . . . ........... . colour in general blew my mind.

I'm still at the God has done so much in my heart that my mind doesn't understand yet stage....

Maybe its just because I'm exhausted and worn out completely both psychically and mentally from colour.



Proverbs 17:17 :)

anyhooo who wants to see pictures from colour?
The Beautiful Kourtney, Josee and I

I was saving Jared life... see that medical vest I wore all week!

its silly but I still want to be up there one day

Ms Alexis pulled a muscle in her back. The selfish first aid girl was eating an apple while giving care!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

If vision doesn't cost you anything, it's only a daydream!

I'm not quite sure how begin this blog or even what to write about. I'm beyond overwhelmed by what God is doing my life at the moment it's hard to out into words. 
I remember Arja talkin about how colour will change my mind and broaden my mindsets... Most of the time she sounded like a broken record set to the Colour track.  Then I think the holy spirit took over and it became just wait for color, he's preparing your heart for something big... I did what I normally do and ignored her/God

So last night I was super stoked to go the opening session luckily Arja was like hey save me a seat. 
I sat for an hour just waiting watching the women praying that God would move in my heart. About 10 mins before it started the tears started and just didn't stop. I think I cried myself to sleep even.

It was breathtaking to see 10,000 women sing and worship their father. To think that I was surrounded by more women than jn my while hometown. All of them ready to sing praise and honor the Father. I'm not really sure why I didn't stop crying, i think I was just so overwhelmed and exhausted. I felt as if I crawled up in my heavenly Fathers lap and let it all out....
What did I let out? I don't even know, I mean some of it I did but i felt like God just reached into my heart and started dealing without my brain knowing what 
Happened

Hebrews 10:35-36
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

One of the speakers, jeanie mayo, reminded us that "If your vision doesn't cost you anything it's just a daydream!" I feel as if God is speaking vision directly into my heart. not just silly day dreams..... Hillsong was once just a daydream. 



In a world of half heartedness dare to live with passion! Even if it's cooking, cook to the gloryness of God! Passion is just energy of the soul.." A Christ honoring passion coupled with the discipline of endurance will make us, to His honor, UNSTOPPABLE!"-Jeanie Mayo

How appropriate for me :)   

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Colour Conference / Sisterhood


Colour 2011 begins this Thursday from Hillsong Church on Vimeo.




Those of you that know me know that I am NOT a Girly girl. All year I've heard people talk about how Colour/ sisterhood is going to change my life... I just didn't get it. Quite frankly I've had a crappy attitude to this whole womens movement thing since I got here. well I've been praying for about a month now that God would soften my heart and really make it clear to me my part in all this womanly junk. Colour starts tomorrow and I will be serving on the Pastor Care Team and also the medical team ( personally I think im in medical so that i will already be in the room if something happens for my failing body lol ) anyways......

Today in chapel I had what I guess we can call a "revelation" so see if you can follow where I'm going here :)

I was so excited to go to passion 2010... Expectant didn't even cover it... something was to be said for worshiping with so many people my age ect.... well today I was really struggling with why arn't I excited about Colour? Is it because I don't know anyone?, No because I've read 2 books by 2 of the guest speakers, was it because Im lazy and dont want to serve?- No because I get more out of serving others most of the time anyways.. I couldn't put my finger on it! Some where in the midst of all the beautiful worship I heard God say something like

Sarah I put the dreams of a wife and mother in your heart, so why aren't you excited to be in a room full of thousands of them worshiping me.  This is no different from Passion.

Bam!!! I'm hooked!!! I'm on the Colour train! Joined the Sisterhood movement!
I even decided I'd spell it WRONG the way the Aussies do.
I firmly believe that God will change so many womens lives, from all over the world, this weekend at Colour!
I believe that God will speak to me specifically about my future as a daughter in Christ!
I believe that marraiges will be restored!
I believe that sickness will be healed!
I believe that people will find breakthrough in whatever area they need it in!
I believe that our men will get something out of serving thousands of us this weekend too!

So If you want join me in prayer for our Colour Conference and Google it :)





#PDL day 2- I was no accident!!!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

The purpose driven.... songwriting... crazy college life...

I can't think of a good title or anything to blog about for that matter so prepare for a randomly awesome post.

I started purpose driven life today... me and a couple hundred of other folks from hillsong and around the world... I'm going to attempt to blog about it frequently<<< attempt being the key word. I wish I could be one of those people who were like yeah I'll blog everyday for 40 days.... but no  i just don't see that realistically happening...



Song writing is kicking my rear. Hard core.... as in i spent hours yesterday and only got a line of a song... then was in the shower and bam got 3 more... my brain isn't made for songwriting. I feel that the Lord anoints different people with specific talents and gifts and personally song writing isn't mine :)

so right now we are working on a co written worship song and later is the doozy, we have to write and record a song written for.... Queen, Michael Buble, Disney, Carrie Underwood, or a few others, I'm sure you will be shocked to know what I picked... Thats right! BRING IT CARRIE...... I can write about cute cowboys, small towns, and missing my mamma ( and daddy)!
They say right what you know... I know all about me some southern fried goodness... anywhoo I thought it would be fun to get your opinion on some song options.

So what should I write about

  1. small town girl makes it big?
  2. rodeo wife missing husband/daughter missing daddy?
  3. two people start off leaving different towns only to fall in love somewhere on I20 in between Texas and Tennesse?
  4. Hard working single Mamma only wants whats best for her "baby"?
  5. A song about dogs, trucks, beer, mud and twang?
  6. Love?

Thanks y'all!
 Also I don't feel right not posting a picture...


P.S I was told by a reader that I don't mention God enough... God is working in my life big time and when I decide to share about what amazing yet interestingly painful things Gods doing in my heart I will :)

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Someone Like You

Adele- Someone Like You




I've never really listened to a song this much besides Garth Brooks- Friends in Low Places.... My Songwriting class has really opened up my world to lyrics and analyzing a song and really feeling what the person is feeling. Well boy Howdy do I feel this one... I think the first 20 times I cried when I heard it.... sometimes is was sappy oh I miss him tears, followed by wow that sucks, followed by "yeah I'll find someone better" which is what I'm currently on. I relate to most of the songs on Adele's new album which is quite fun! She was one of the artist I was told to watch perform ( shes a big girl with a big voice)  Maybe I'll make one a country song and record it on here...... My friend  does covers all the time for his friends and family.. why couldn't I, I guess.... Anyways this song just touches me right now so I figured I'd share with y'all



I heard that you're settled down,
That you found a girl and you're married now,
I heard that your dreams came true,
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you,
Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light,

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited,
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it,
I had hoped you'd see my face,
And that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over,

Never mind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"
Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead, yeah,

You know how the time flies,
Only yesterday was the time of our lives,
We were born and raised in a summer haze,
Bound by the surprise of our glory days,

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited,
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it,
I had hoped you'd see my face,
And that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over,

Never mind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"

Nothing compares,
No worries or cares,
Regrets and mistakes, they're memories made,
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

Nevermind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"

Friday, March 4, 2011

I had the best day with you today......

yesterday was one of the best days I've had since I got here. Its like God said here is a freeby almost perfect day!

First we had breakfast in core tutiorial! Muffins, fruit and hashbrown casserole! God really used the fellowship with them to remind me that my cooking is God given and such a blessing!

Then after tut we had chapel which was just off the chains. There is a new song that we dont know the name of it yet so college just calls it "song with no name" well it comes out on the new album in july and we love it. College has just latched ahold of it and its such a declaration of what I think is our heart. Worship in chapel was just amazing I felt the presence of God move. Then we had an awesome item as a promo for Color Conference which was a girl band doing the dixie chicks cant hurry love. I giggled out of my seat. I cling to my country music loving background and some days its what makes me through. I firmly believe that sometimes God uses it to speak to me.... anyways it was super. The Chapel message was on "image management" and how people put on mask and hide behind them ect... so so encouraging!


Then we headed out on our Friday night adventure! A friend of Arjas ( and mine but mostly her) was playing a show in a town nearby... we could have taken the train or the bus there but were feeling adventerous so we took the ferry. What a beautiful sight it was. We got to see all of Sydney and then up the river to Parramatta.
The only thing that would have made it better was if I had a man! It was great! Parramatta was a great little town and I think it would be fun to just go explore more of it one day!

Alan's show was off the chain... He was mind blowing amazing and it was so nice to see someone so talented following Gods will. My flatmate Sylvia and I really got into it because one of the songs had us both in tears by the end of it which was quite embarassing... well for me anyways but y'all know I'm emotional.

All in all it was an amazing day, one that was just normal with the hand of God on it. Jared put on his facebook,  "Last semester I lived in the meritons. This semester I'm livin in Sydney" Sometimes I forget that you at home don't understand this bubble we live in. Its a great bubble but it feel like an incredibly small town in a big big city. So when we get out and about its just crazy to remember oh yeah I live in SYDNEY! I think if God chooses to let me live here forever awhile I will always be in awe of this place... its still a dream to me. 





Wednesday, March 2, 2011

http://saraandrocky.com/abby-matt-dallas-texas-engagement/


I miss my abby