"For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Tate family. On Monday, this godly man went to be with his Lord after suffering a heart attack. He left behind 7 beautiful children and a very godly wife. Please pray for them in this difficult and heart-breaking time. Mr. Tate left behind a fantastic legacy, and anyone who's ever met him, will tell you that he was a true solider for Christ. 

Ms. Gina, Grace, Daniel, Stephen, Nigel, Hope, Adam and Joel---this song is for you. <3 

Voted Most Likely to Make You Cry... :)

Aaaand winning the Two's Company's Choice Award for Most Likely To Make You Cry When Leaving Long-Distance Friends is....Wicked's "For Good".

Listen, cry, love. 

(Rinse and Repeat)

Sarah and I love to sing this song with pathos while Leah plays it on the piano...it's so beautiful and heart-rending. I've displayed the lyrics below, and at the bottom you will find the most precious video: Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth (who became best friends through the show) singing "For Good" in Kristen's final appearances on the stage. If it doesn't make you tear up, you're heartless. The film quality is wretched but whenever Kristen's voice warbles and falters, it is because she is legitimately crying. Not only is this the most feelsie song in the whole show, it's the most feelsie version of this song in history. Enjoy! <3

Elphaba:

"I'm limited. Just look at me.

I'm limited.

And just look at you:

you could do all I couldn't do, Glinda.

So now it's up to you.

For both of us--

Now it's up to you..."

Glinda: "I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led to those who help us most to learn

If we let them and we help them in return...

Well I don't know if I believe that's true.

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you....

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes the sun.

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you.

I have been changed for good.

Elphaba: It well may be

That we will never meet again

In this lifetime, 

So let me say before we part:

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

And you'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart.

And now whatever ways our stories end,

I know you have rewritten mine

By being my friend....

Like a ship blown from its moorings

By a wind off the sea.

Like a seed dropped by a sky-bird in a distant wood.

Who can say if I've been changed for the better. 

But because I knew you.

Glinda: Because I knew you

(Both) I have been changed for good.

Elphaba: And just to clear the air

I ask forgiveness for the things I've done

You blame me for...

Glinda: But then I guess

We know there's blame to spare

(Both): And none of it seems to matter anymore

(choruses sung simultaneously)

(Both): Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

I do believe I have been changed for the better...

Glinda: And because I knew you.

Elphaba: Because I knew you

Both: Because I knew you I have been changed for good.

 *passes round tissues* What is your favorite song from Wicked?

Cafe En Romania!!!

It was a blast.

It was exhausting.

It was a success.

It was a strain.

It was, in short, the thing God used to pull us through the last $700 dollars of fund-raising to victory in making money for Romania!! 

Josie came down to spend Thursday-Sunday with us and be an extra pair of eyes and hands...she was awesome and helpful and so darling.

The rest of you came and spent money and made over $200 at the coffee night!

Others came to the yard-sale the following morning and bought more coffee and spent more money and made another $600+ dollars.

In short, God provided enough and a bit past enough to finish sending Sarah and I and six others to Romania in under two weeks!!! I cannot believe it is coming up so soon. It seems unreal because I have dreamed of this time for the past two years. Two of our team members went early and just got back last Tuesday and came home with such stories as to make me more excited than ever!! 

We rearranged all the furniture, too down all preexisting decorations, and redecorated the house with coffee-shop flair. It look phenomenal when we were finished! 

There was also The Pioneer Woman's Coffee-Cake, which was heaven-come-down.

Thanks to everyone for coming and helping push us through this last hump! It was a really cool fun night even without the fact that we were raising money for Romania. :) Wish many of you who didn't come could have, because it was amazing! :D We will be writing another post about all of our decorations and the fact that they were accomplished without spending a red cent, but for now enjoy this update and again, thanks a million! <3

every year around this time........

you'll find a large group of "us" at the Wilson's farm. 

most likely you'll see turkeys in some form or the other...

along with hard-working people. 

and after the said persons have finished their labor for the day *ahem* 175 turkeys *ahem*, you'll realize just how awesome they are. 

oh yes. ;) 

ah. and the climax of these long and full days is the farm's annual turkey pick-up day.

starting with gourmet pancakes,

turning into a line of customers pouring all the way out of the tent 

and including crazy pictures featuring hershey kisses. ;) 

you give a hand, have fun, work hard, and enjoy yourself in the end. 

i don't see this ^ girl often enough.....

or these ^crazies....

and to top it all off, someone gets a spontaneous and awesome idea of a celebratory starbucks trip!

and this made me very happy. it was my next-to-first trip and i loved ordering a grande peppermint mocha. 

 thus the multiple pictures. ;)

and another thing about pick-up day.....

it marks the start of the holiday season!!!!!

Ya'll have a good weekend,

Sarah

camp 2012

It's high time I clued you all in on how our week in the mountains of NC went. :) Here's a picture-loaded (winks at Kelsey) post for any of you who were curious. 

I'm going to split up the time in 5 groups: The Trip, Camp Life, Snack Shack (it's a highlight of every day. ;), Talent Night, and The Sacred Music Concert. 

The Trip

We left on the 5 hour trip to NC at about 7:30 or something of that early sort. 

Rachel asked Dad to pull over our big van so that she could complete a bucket-list item and stand with each foot in a different state. :D Thus, the roadside picture.

Anna and our cousin Emily. 

FINALLY THERE!!

Camp Life

 The view from the lodge is total gorgeousness.

Tetherball and Gaga (aka Octo-ball and other things) were always available to be played. 

Every day we had 2 sessions in the lodge where our speaker, Mrs. Bjorlie spoke to us on "Who We are in Christ". :) 

Inside Cabin 5. :) I believe I was probably memorizing my verses. 

One of the Creative Arts classes.

^The Dining Hall in action.

Ain't it bee-yoo-ti-ful?!

The "If Life Gives You Lemons" class I was in. 

Bobbin lacing. I took this class and am so glad I did! It was very confusing and overwhelming at first, but was so fun once you got the hang of it. :)

Our wonderful director, Mrs. Blessman.

And our speaker, Mrs. Ann Bjorlie

morning exercises. ;) 

Our great cooks having a pizza-rolling competition. 

These guys were the CITs. (Counselors in Training) Despite the crazy schedule and late nights, they were real troopers. :) 

haha. this picture makes me laugh. Cabin 5, meet my readers. Readers, Cabin 5 in it's craziness. 

The Photography class girls had cameras in hand at all times.

Snack Shack

"The Hike"

Every year we hike up to the top of Pinnacle Mountain and it's worth the effort.

Me 'n Alaina. <3

Talent Night

"Your Great Name".

Anna and Emily did a superb rendition of Tangled's "Mother Knows Best." 

Any guesses as to what this is?^

It's actually Cabin 2's outstanding performance of "It's a Hard Knock Life"! Rachel was "Ms. Heffington" and I was honored to be asked to do the "bum-bumming" with the orphans for this song. :) There were real memories made. :D 

I accompanied Anna doing "The Call."

Banquet & Sacred Music Concert

Cabin 5 right before the banquet. 

Mrs. E. did all the videography documenting the week. :)

I sang Meredith Andrew's "Draw Me Nearer". :) 

:D Up-cycled waste-baskets-made-hats.

The graduating CITS. :) Proud of you three!

Me and my buddy, Amy. :)

Goodbyes :(

After a wonderful 5 days, we said goodbye and went our own ways....

always leaves you with a lump in your throat.

Rach with two of her campers.

The friendships made, friendships refreshed, uplifting conversations, challenging Bible studies, scripture memorized, skills learned, camaraderie to the hilt, memories created.

God used this week to encourage every girl there and we also appreciate all the hard work of the counselors, staff, and directors! :) 

DOD CAMP 2012

{photo credit to Jennifer Meng, Lauren C., Alaina, and yours truly)