Overwhelmed

I was so excited to be flying to Mobile. Ellie, Mason, Greg & Amy were coming to get me, and Mama & Daddy would be joining us shortly. As I strolled down the walkway from the aircraft, I saw my sweet Ellie & Mason frantically waving. It did my heart such good. I was greeted, and hugged, and kissed. How precious is the love of a child.

After being welcomed by Greg & Amy, Amy announced that there was a surprise. My mind raced to imagine what it could be. I never imagined that my Sarah would round the corner, but there she was. My heart leapt.

I still sit amazed; overwhelmed that someone would drive so many hours for just one day with me. My heart was filled to overflowing. A wonderful weekend it was. To be surrounded by those who love, encourages my heart beyond what my words are able to express.

~Heather~

On the road, again...

As I pulled away from the training center en route to Alabama, the Jeep engine just stopped running. “Oh, my!” I thought, “This is going to ruin my schedule.” As I sit in the service station in a small town in southern Virginia, I am appreciative of the Lord forcing me to be still, to call on him, and to spend time with him. We must find time to just be with him. It is the most important thing on our “to-do” list each and every day. Please join me in praying that we would never forsake this most important responsibility each day.

~Heather~

Sent Out

Standing before the church family surrounded by deacons and accompanied by family and special friends, I felt immeasurably blessed. What an encouragement I received as words were spoken and prayers were prayed. The body of believers is a treasure, truly. Of this I am sure, the Lord has incredible plans for each of us, individually and jointly. May we allow him to use us to call the nations unto himself!

~Heather~

Chain-saw Pruning

My time of training and preparation has been a time of what I now refer to as, “chain-saw pruning.” How the Lord so often needs to prune away the distractions and burdens that we have placed on, in, and around us, before he can use us. What a difficult process this is. Even still, how sweet it is to realize that he loves us enough not to leave us as we are, but he prunes us to prepare us for beautiful fruit to be produced.

~Heather~

A Word from Mr. Oswald Chambers

This was the link in a friend's Facebook status, today. Thanks, Marci!


Our Misgivings About Jesus

The woman said to Him, ’Sir, You have nothing to draw [water] with, and the well is deep’ —John 4:11


Have you ever said to yourself, "I am impressed with the wonderful truths of God’s Word, but He can’t really expect me to live up to that and work all those details into my life!" When it comes to confronting Jesus Christ on the basis of His qualities and abilities, our attitudes reflect religious superiority. We think His ideals are lofty and they impress us, but we believe He is not in touch with reality— that what He says cannot actually be done. Each of us thinks this about Jesus in one area of our life or another. These doubts or misgivings about Jesus begin as we consider questions that divert our focus away from God. While we talk of our dealings with Him, others ask us, "Where are you going to get enough money to live? How will you live and who will take care of you?" Or our misgivings begin within ourselves when we tell Jesus that our circumstances are just a little too difficult for Him. We say, "It’s easy to say, ’Trust in the Lord,’ but a person has to live; and besides, Jesus has nothing with which to draw water— no means to be able to give us these things." And beware of exhibiting religious deceit by saying, "Oh, I have no misgivings about Jesus, only misgivings about myself." If we are honest, we will admit that we never have misgivings or doubts about ourselves, because we know exactly what we are capable or incapable of doing. But we do have misgivings about Jesus. And our pride is hurt even at the thought that He can do what we can’t.
My misgivings arise from the fact that I search within to find how He will do what He says. My doubts spring from the depths of my own inferiority. If I detect these misgivings in myself, I should bring them into the light and confess them openly— "Lord, I have had misgivings about You. I have not believed in Your abilities, but only my own. And I have not believed in Your almighty power apart from my finite understanding of it."



Trying to believe in His power,

~Sarah

Not Quite Bakerella

I made cake pops for Cathy's Birthday. They weren't quite Bakerella (see link to Bakerella's blog in the left column), but they were pretty cute, if I do say so myself. And they were a huge hit!



Happy Birthday, Cathy! The year to come is going to be full of the Lord's adventures! I can hardly wait to see all that those adventures will entail.

~Heather~

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

South Asia is almost impossible to adequately describe with words.

Amazement doesn't begin to express the feelings I have that the Lord would choose to use me. He has called. I have answered. Here we go!

~Heather

And the changes keep rolling in!

Beware: When one prays for a new skill to be acquired, the newly aquired skill will be tested soon thereafter.

The Lord has been continually reminding me that he wants and expects me to embrace the changes that are ahead. Well, the changes just keep rolling in. Departure day and a little of what I thought the first few months in South Asia would look like, have, yes, changed... again. These changes are, or will be, good, once I embrace them. Watch for more changes, there is no doubt they will continue to roll in. Accepting a ride with the Lord is quite an amazing adventure!

~Heather

Trust and Obey

Trust and obey. For there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

There is such sweetness when we walk in trust and obedience of the Father. It has been a good day with him. The road ahead will not be a smooth, wide road, but he has promised to carry me all the way. It is my prayer that you would allow him to do the same for you.

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at his word.

~Heather

And the adventures begin, or rather, continue...

Thoughts are many. Feelings are immeasurable. I am utterly exhausted.

The final move, this side of the ocean, took place earlier this week. It was the move to Virginia, for an 8 week time of training and orientation. It is of unexplainable value to spend 8 weeks with others who are experiencing many of the same thoughts and feelings right at the same time.

This move makes saying "yes" to the Lord so real. Sometimes I think, "Who did I fool? Do they really think the Lord has called me to this?" Well, I know with all my heart that the Lord has called me to what lies ahead, but that doesn't seem to make it any easier, today.

Today, it feels big. It feels hard. It feels scary. Yesterday, as I spent time with the Lord, He brought sweet comfort in the midst of such inner turmoil. You see, even though this area will be somewhat like my past experiences, my mind has been dwelling on all of the drastic differences.

I am incredibly resistant to change. I have always thought of myself as someone who was willing to embrace each new adventure with eloquence and grace. However, the Lord has shown me differently. Sticking with what we know is safe. It isn't too scary. It's predictable, well, usually. This is what I like. I am finding my current situation to be far from predictable, same-old, same-old. Even still, our Father is an ever-constant God, in an ever-changing world!

He is molding and making. Thank goodness He doesn't give up and leave us the way we are, but He just keeps right on working. He is at work. He is sharpening and refining. It hurts.

However, I know He has amazing, unimaginable things ahead. There will be more hard days ahead. There will be more hurt. But, I know that He is going to allow me to see and experience His work in ways beyond my biggest dreams. He doesn't plan for me to embark on this adventure alone. He will always be right here. He is faithful.

So, onward I march. Forward is where His plans reside. His plan is where I want to be, always, no matter where it takes me.

~Heather

Needing knee-time:
*Ask that the Father would use me to encourage others who have not yet walked down this path.
* Ask the Father to draw me even closer to Himself, that it would be closer and sweeter than ever before.
* Ask that He would give me the strength and courage to let go of what is behind, and embrace what lies ahead.
* Praise the Father for all that He is doing. There is an amazing journey ahead!

The Responsibility of Something Great

I dislocated my knee cap. This is an action that is not recommend. One's knee cap is intended to stay remotely stationary. How, you may ask? Well, it was a combination of killer moves on a trampoline and tennis shoes. My landing was a tad off and, as my body fell right, my knee cap took a sharp left.

At 25, I lay on the trampoline screaming for who else but-- MOMMA! My brave cousin, Kaleb, ran into the house and reported, "Your daughter is hurt BAD." My other cousin, Andrew, continued to jump. I worried at the time if these too little boys were okay. I mean, I, Sarah Jacks, cool, calm and collected, was rolling from side to side screaming for her mother. The last thing I needed was to scar a 5 and 3 year old for life. I got my answer as I saw them on their four-wheeler, riding around the trampoline as if they were circling the wagons. They were fine. It turns out I was more unnerved than they were.

Heather was home. Thank the Lord, Heather was home. She glided on the trampoline - I, of course, was in the middle. And she said those words I was dreading, "Do you want me to put it back in?" Ahhhh...no. Actually, Heather says it was "Pleeaaase, DON'T touch it!" But with little effort is slipped back to its natural residence.

After much rolling and moaning, crying and general freaked-out-ness, I got off the trampoline and into a car to head to the ER. To make a long story short, if it gets better its a sprain, if not, it is torn.

I had planned to do a number of things while Heather was home. Our list included things like reupholstering furniture, organizing my new apartment and getting into whatever we could get our hands on. But plans changed. Instead I found myself in the middle of seeing thankfulness from a much fuller perspective. When you can't get yourself dressed, you learn a thing or two about the one who offers to help you. Heather spent the whole week getting me things, fixing my meals, driving me around, organizing my apartment. She made sure I got done the things I needed to accomplish and made sure to sit with me when exhaustion got the best of me.

I don't deserve to be treated this way. I don't deserve a friendship like the one God has blessed me with. As I watched Heather do for me, I thought "I forgot to send her a birthday card." Something so small, like a birthday card, can help the Holy Spirit drive home His lesson of the week. This precious friend of mine, whom I forgot to send a card, keeps no record of what I deserve. What a blessing to find yourself befriended by one who strives to be like the Father.

Furthermore, I do not deserve the abundant blessings God continues to pour into my life. I have been given so many things. From dislocated knee to humble acceptance of care, thankfulness has revealed the greatness in my life. Being thankful for something includes accepting the responsibility of the blessing. I think we far to often treat our God like Santa Clause. We want presents. We do not understand blessing. I have been given grace, grace that extends forgiveness. Forgiveness by a God, whom I personally offend daily with my sinful nature. I now enjoy the blessing of relationship with Him. I have the opportunity to further my education. I come from a wonderful family. I find myself continually provide for. I live in a great country. I have been called to speak truth into lives when they are hurting. I have things like a great MacBook. I want for nothing and am able to work for the things I have. I enjoy a friendship few find, most seek and some never know exist. I have been blessed, what I do with it is largely up to me....

~Sarah

Why Not Here?

Response to an article in the London Times reads:

"One of the most fascinating articles I've read in a while, impressing me for its honesty. We so easily see what we *want* to see, not what is actually there; a flaw in Christians and non-Christians both! One question: if we are prescribing Christianity as the solution for Africa, why not here?"

Link to article: timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnist/matthew_parris/article5400568.ece

Sarah