The Christmas Candle

My first candle holder with several
years of wax coloring its sides.

It always signaled the start of the Christmas season for us. No, I'm not talking about the Macy's parade, or black Friday, or Santa Claus arriving at the mall. It was my mom putting out the Christmas candle. The years of melted wax had covered the candle holder so that you could no longer tell it was actually a maple syrup bottle, Aunt Jemima, I think.

Every day in the month of December my mom would light that candle each time she was in the kitchen. It had become a beautiful, multi-colored part of Christmas to us. She explained that it was to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.

Left to Right: My kids, Dan, Amy, my Mom, and
my Mike decorating iced sugar cookies together.
Notice the candle burning brightly on the table.

Note that I said Jesus is the light of the world, not Jesus was the light of the world. No matter what is going on in the world or in your own world, Jesus doesn't change, nor does His love. Christmas is Jesus.

My new maple syrup bottle, all ready
to shine the light and remind us of
the true Light, Jesus.

I have my own Christmas candle now. The candle holder used to be an Arizona tea bottle that the candles never quite fit properly into. This year I am excitedly retiring that bottle, because my Mike brought me a maple syrup bottle. I discovered that candles fit perfectly into it. So tomorrow the tradition continues. It's not the tradition that counts, but the meaning behind it.



May you enjoy this special season with your own traditions, and as you celebrate, may you fully understand the meaning of it all. I wish for hope, joy, and peace through Jesus Christ to you and your families!

                                                         Joyfully,

                                                         Sarah

Three Little Girls with Big Hearts

This past Saturday, Cornerstone Christian Bookstore in Vineland, New Jersey, graciously hosted my first official book signing. You may or may not have noticed the little blurb on the side of my blog about my book called  ...And God Made Me!  This book started as an idea to let children know the truth that God made them and loves them. It grew into photographs and text, was accepted for publication by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, LLC, and was officially released on August 30, 2011. Here's the trailer they've produced for it.

As Mike (my terrific husband) and I were just getting things set up for this book signing, three little girls  excitedly came up to us. After looking at the book, they decided that they wanted to get three. I asked them to check with their mom and dad, so they did. I listened as they explained to their parents that they wanted to get these books to give to their friends! How wonderful is that?!?

Their mom explained that last Sunday was the first time some of their girls' friends had gone to church with them. Seeing the enthusiasm these young children had for sharing the love of Jesus with others was heart-warming and inspiring. That is what this book is all about. That is the purpose of it. I feel so privileged to have a small part in sharing this great news. Not only are children loved by God, you are, too. He created each of us and has a great design for us. You really are special. To find out more, please check out:

http://sarahshares.com/YouAreVerySpecial.html





 

Stranded



The Loyalsock Creek in the midst of the flooding.

We were stranded. Fortunately, our camp site was on higher ground, so the floodwaters weren't endangering us. The Loyalsock Creek flowing through World's End State Park in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania was rising quickly. It flowed over its banks and covered the road. The rushing, raging water even tore down trees in its path. The power of the torrent of water was astonishing. We watched and listened as one tree came crashing down and was flung along with the current. We took several walks throughout the day to check on the road and the water. Below are a few photos of the changing scenery that day.



This is what the Loyalsock Creek
 usually looks like.



The creek rose higher and higher...



Then it covered the road. (Don't worry,
they were perfectly safe.)

Eventually the rain stopped, and the waters slowly went down. Later that same day the roads opened again. There was evidence of the flood all around, in the mud-covered roadways, the trees left lying in various places, and the crushed corn stalks. In the midst of all this damage, one thing stood out to me. There was a tree right in the creek that was still standing, and there was another tree that had been torn out of the ground jammed against that upright tree. (see pic below)

As I looked closer, I realized that the tree that still stood tall was coming out of a rock. It was standing on a rock. What a great reminder! Jesus said, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

(Matt. 7:24-25)

Storms and floods may come in a variety of forms, like job loss, sickness, accidents, or other challenges. Actually, storms will come. However, Jesus Christ is a solid rock and a sure foundation. If you know and rely on Him, you will not be swept away by anything. He promises to be near, and He can give you a peace that the strongest winds and most powerful waters cannot uproot.  

 

Dirt, Rodeos, and Tenacity

Covered in dust after a long wrestling match with a bull,
the cowboy walked out of the arena after being
cheered by the crowd.

The seconds ticked on and on and on as the cowboy determinedly wrestled the bull to the ground. At last he succeeded and the crowd cheered. He was covered in dust, and his time didn't put him near the top contenders for the cash prize. However, his tenacity and perseverance were admired by the rodeo crowd and his competitors. It certainly impressed me.

This was my first time ever seeing a rodeo. I was supposed to be working. When I was put on-call, Mike and I took advantage and went to the Cecil County Fair in Maryland. It happened to be Rodeo Night. Of course, before we grabbed a seat in the stands, we explored a little bit. Neither Mike or I had any idea what friendly creatures cows are. As Mike stood next to one for a photo, it suddenly licked the side of his face!

Mike goofing around after this cow licked his face!

After getting our fill of the fantastic food that is always available at county fairs: BBQ beef sandwiches, beach fries, and ice cream, we grabbed a seat in the bleachers for the rodeo. It was exciting seeing the riders bearing the American flag go racing around the arena then coming to a sudden stop for everyone to rise and sing the national anthem.

These cowboys made riding galloping horses while
carrying the American flag look effortless.

Next we watched as bucking broncos tried to lose their riders, cowboys leaped off their horses and tackled young bulls, and pairs of cowboys lassoed bulls in a race against the clock and other competitors' times. It was such fun to watch and cheer them on! I was wondering how one trains for a rodeo. It seems like it must take a lot of practice and falls and getting up again. Isn't that like life? At least for me it is.

That cowboy I mentioned at the beginning is a picture of inspiration to me. He stuck with it and didn't stop until he succeeded. No matter what you're wrestling with, don't give up. The struggles make us stronger and better if we let them. God can use anything and everything to shape us. After hearing bad or sad news at times I've heard someone mention "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose", but I always think they need to go a bit further and include the next part, "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son." (Romans 8:28-29)
What a great design! God has great plans for you and me.
                                                                                                                              ~ Sarah

If you'd like to see some more photos from the rodeo and other random places, check out:
http://sarahriddle.zenfolio.com/p1023182448

Treasures of Darkness



When our electricity went out one time, we grabbed
flashlights and started looking and laughing
through old photo albums - a treasure.

 Are you afraid of the dark? I know some people really are afraid of the dark. Someone close to me turns on every light along the way if getting up in the night for a drink of water or anything.

I have good news for you, whether you are afraid of the dark or not. There are treasures in darkness. Think about the stars. You can't even see them until it becomes dark. The darker it gets, the brighter the stars shine. You also notice more and more stars as the darkness deepens. At High Knob up in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania, in the late night when it's cloudless and dark, you can even see shooting stars. Of course, you have to look up to see those stars. Just like darkness in life - there are treasures there if we look for them.



Lightning in the dark, stormy skies at
the beach made the clouds appear
pink and glowing - a treasure.


Someone sharing a testimony of God's faithfulness and guidance stated that God doesn't waste anything. I agree with that. God can use anything and everything. He promises in Isaiah 45:3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."

I've gone through dark times of different varieties and have collected treasures along the way, like the treasure of knowing with certainty that God is always faithful and always loving. I just want to encourage you all to look for those treasures of darkness, too. They are there. Go ahead and look around!
                                                                               ~ Sarah

What I Like About Stop Signs

                                                                                        

This black cat was walking through the same meadow
as me when it decided to stop for a while.

Do you ever feel like you are going about a hundred miles per hour or maybe even a hundred kilometers per hour? Sometimes life goes rushing by in a blur, and sometimes I get caught up in doing so many things that they run together. That's why I kind of like stop signs. They make you stop.


Mike and I stopped for ice cream at a Dairy Queen. As we sat in the
parking lot enjoying it, we noticed this unusual bird. (a friend
kindly informed me that this is a blue heron:)


When I stop, I tend to notice things. It usually gives me a new perspective. The unimportant things fade and the important stuff comes into focus. Many times I discover things I hadn't noticed before. It reminds me that what is seen is temporary, and what is unseen is eternal.


Go ahead and look in every direction.
 There is beauty all around.






Stopping also gives me a chance to look all around. When is the last time you looked up at the clouds or down at the ground? Have you ever looked closely at the drops of water sitting on leaves after the rain?


When the rain stops, the raindrops left sitting on leaves are beautiful.



Stopping gives me the chance to evaluate what I'm doing. The other day I had my usual plan of doing way too many things within the day. Then I got a phone call from my daughter asking if I'd like to play a game (Imaginiff). Six of us ended up playing the game, eating popcorn, and laughing together. Now that was worthwhile!




I love how the afternoon sun always creates a golden glow

over everything, before the sky fades to black.



Recently I was thinking about Psalm 23 and how it says, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul."



All I'm trying to say and show through these few pictures is to go ahead and stop. Just stop completely for a while and allow God to restore your soul. He is faithful and will do it.       

                                                                 ~ Sarah





Walking along together, Mike and I stopped when
we saw these cool reflections.









Above the Clouds



Sometimes it's easy to lose your perspective. Recently I was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and had the chance to explore the city for a day. I woke up early to a misty, cloud-filled morning. As I made my way towards Mount Washington, I realized that I was actually walking through fog and clouds.

The photos you see here are show how dense the mist was. It was strange seeing buildings and the city disappear behind the clouds.

Pedestrians crossing the Smithfield Street Bridge
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.



After crossing the Smithfield Street Bridge, I headed towards the incline and rode up to Mount Washington. When I arrived at the top, I gazed out on a completely different view!



On top of Mount Washington in Pittsburgh, overlooking
the clouds and the city.

When I was walking in the mist-filled streets, the sun was still there. I just couldn't see it from my perspective. Reality doesn't change even though we may view it differently or the view may be obscured. The sun still shines even when clouds, fog, and mist block your view of it.

As you can see in the photo to the left, the clouds were still floating through and embracing the city. There is a verse that says, "Sing to God, sing praise to His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds - His name is the Lord - and rejoice before Him." (Psalm 68:4) That is truth and that is reality. God is over all, and He loves us!

If you are walking in darkness right now, I encourage you to look at things from a different perspective. Count on God's promises. As it says in another Psalm, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14)
There is hope, always.             
                                                                                                                                                                   ~ Sarah

Lost in Another Language

The music store in Germany where I had
one of my fun adventures.

I was lost, not terribly lost, but definitely lost. Let me explain a little. At the time, I was on a short-term assignment in Germany for the Air National Guard, and I had a day off. I really like adventuring in new places, so after some research and planning, I took a public bus from the base into the city. My goal was to shop at a music store for a harmonica as a souvenir for Mike, my husband, and then to explore the city a bit.

I found the store quite easily and even negotiated the harmonica section without too much difficulty. I was surprised at the wide range of prices, but I found one within my budget. With my purchase happily in hand, I left the store to wander around the city a while before I had to catch a bus back.

Knowing that I was in a foreign country with a language I knew nothing about, I was extremely careful to note my surroundings so that I wouldn't get lost. When I left the music store, I spied a tall tower with a clock facing me, so I made that my landmark.

It was a great day of walking around, looking at different shops, and trying some local cuisine. The time was passing, and the next thing I knew, it was time to start heading for the bus stop. I looked up at the clock tower in the distance and suddenly realized that it did not have just one clock. It had a clock on each of its four sides! Okay, you can laugh here at how naive I was. I had to laugh at myself.

A German bakery selling what appears to be
Philadelphia soft pretzels.

With my complete lack of ability to speak German, I was on my own. Fortunately, I was able to retrace my steps, and it wasn't long before I was standing at the bus stop ready for the return trip.

Through all of this, I learned to be careful what I choose to guide my steps. I thought I was smart and prepared, but I didn't notice one important detail that could have left me wandering for a long time.

It's rather easy to get lost in life, too, if you use the wrong landmarks or don't pay attention. That's one reason that I love how Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6) He didn't say He was a way. He made it clear that He is "the way"! I can tell you from experience that this is true. If you trust your life to Him, He will never leave you. You'll never be really lost again.
                                                                                                  ~ Sarah

Clean Water and More

When I turn on the faucet in my house, clean water comes out. This may seem like a simple thing, but it is something I am thankful for. While I was in Haiti, I had to remember to fill a cup with filtered water to brush my teeth. I had to make sure I didn't rinse my toothbrush with the running water from the bathroom sink or I would likely get sick. Above is a photo of one of the water fountains in Anse a Galet on La Gonave, Haiti. The people there have to go and get water from this fountain, as you can see by the various containers all around. Then they have to carry it back to their home. I simply turn on a faucet.

One cool program that is going on in Haiti is the CHE program (Community Health Evangelism). Part of the education provided through this program teaches people that placing water in clear soda bottles in the sun for six hours works as a UV filter to purify the water and make it safe to drink. God is amazing! He's provided the sun and the knowledge to make changes like this that can save lives. For more on the CHE program, check out: http://villagehealtheducation.blogspot.com/

There are many other things I am thankful for. Today I need to do some laundry. This means I will throw some clothes and detergent into my washing machine and turn it on. After that I'll throw it in my dryer. The lady on the left did my laundry for me while I was in Haiti. She used a garden hose, large tubs, and a clothes line. She washes the clothes by hand on a concrete slab. She is a sweet lady, and I told her how much I appreciated her hard work (actually I had a translator tell her, since my Creole is almost nonexistent).

Yesterday I went to the grocery store, which is about two minutes from my house. The missionaries we visited in Haiti have to go to the mainland for many things. This requires a boat ride that is at least one and one-half hours long, then a drive about two hours, and that is one way! Below you see a photo of a refrigerator being loaded onto the boat to transport it from the Haiti mainland to La Gonave.




What are you thankful for today? Most of all, I am thankful for God's love. "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."
I John 4:16

God loves you, and He loves me. If you'd like to find out more about my adventures in Haiti, please go to Sarah Shares.
                                         ~ Sarah

Quakes, Faith, and Hope



A few times I've been up several stories in a building and felt it sway slightly and vibrate, but I cannot even imagine the actual earth shaking under my feet. I just returned from Haiti, where I saw the devastating effects of the earthquake they endured last year. Above is a photo of a mass gravesite in Haiti, where approximately 200,000 earthquake victims are buried. Now the people of Japan are suffering from the effects of an earthquake and a tsunami.

One thing I know in the midst of these tragedies is that God is love. That is an enduring truth that has not changed and cannot be shaken. As Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, stated so clearly, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)



This sweet girl came up and walked along with me, holding
 my hand and pointing to things for me to take pictures of,
saying "photo, photo". Smiles are the same in every language!



These boys in one of the poorest areas in La Gonave, Haiti,
were having a great time playing soccer with a tennis ball.

I have many stories and many images to share, but for now I just want to encourage you that there is hope in Christ, and there is peace in Christ. One missionary I met shared that he was working in construction when he felt like the Lord was asking him what he was doing that had eternal significance. That was the beginning of his journey into missionary work and sharing the great news of the love of Jesus Christ with the Haitian people. So many things are temporary, but a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ is eternal.

 Going to Haiti was an incredible adventure and privilege that I won't forget. As I said, I'll be sharing more. In the meantime, remember that you are loved and there is hope!

15 Pounds of Crayons

What do 15 pounds of crayons, 60 toothbrushes, 462 scrub uniforms, and a big bag of silly bandz have in common? They are all among the many things people have donated for the mission trip to Haiti. I have been amazed at the generosity and thoughtfulness of people as they've heard I'm heading to Haiti. It's an exciting privilege to be able to deliver these gifts. I've packed over 300 pounds of donated items! It was an interesting challenge dividing things up so that each bag weighs less than 50 pounds.

I look forward to taking these supplies, and I am eager to help out in any way possible. There are 8 of us going together, and the whole reason behind this trip is to share God's love. God is love, and He loves each of us so much that He wants us to be in a real relationship with Him. This is actually possible through His Son, Jesus. Don't miss out on this. Life is too short to miss the whole point.

As it says in 2 Corinthians 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."                                                                                      

For more details, check out: http://sarahshares.com/YouAreVerySpecial.html
Live for what lasts!
                                                                                            ~ Sarah

Don't Miss the Now

As I was driving to work early in the morning, it was still dark out. I noticed something reflecting on the side of the road up ahead, and it looked like it was flickering. I kept looking at it, trying to figure out if it was an animal or what. Suddenly I realized there was a huge branch on the road right in front of me and I had to swerve to miss it. Thankfully, it was an empty road and there were no cars coming the other way.

How many times do I miss what's right in front of me because I'm looking ahead? I like the way Jim Elliot put it: "Wherever you are - be all there." Most of the time I have many different projects going on, big and small, and I also work full-time. It's easy to be thinking about the next thing I need to take care of instead of enjoying the moment I'm in. It is important to be ready and prepared. Actually, I just did a little write-up on being prepared for the end of life.

You can check it out at:

http://sarahshares.com/EndofLifeCareandDecisions.html

That being said, don't miss what is going on right now!

Two big things ahead for me right now are getting ready to go to Haiti next week for a short-term mission trip and getting ready to go over the first edits on a children's book I'm really excited about (more on that later:). Right now, though, right at this moment, I'm off from work and my amazing husband, Mike, will be home shortly. I'm going to leave tomorrow for tomorrow and get some popcorn and a movie ready so we can enjoy a night in! 

Oh, by the way, the thing I saw reflecting was simply a reflector on a telephone pole with some branches waving back and forth in front of it. 

~ Sarah 

Chocolate Chips and Malaria Pills



The marketplace on La Gonave, Haiti.



Today was a day of running some unusual errands for my upcoming mission trip to Haiti. I picked up packages of live typhoid vaccine and malaria prevention medicine. Not your everyday trip to the pharmacy! As the team and I prepare, we've asked the missionaries who live there if there is anything they'd like us to bring. One small request is for chocolate chips. Personally, I often take for granted the fact that I can so easily stop by the grocery store or pharmacy or a multitude of other places to pick things up. Almost any time I feel like it I can pick up some chocolate chips and bake some cookies.

I'm going to Haiti for a mere 8 days. There are people who have dedicated months and years to serving in Haiti. They've sacrificed and given so much. It really puts things into perspective for me. Right now there are many power outages in my area. When our electricity goes out, it seems like such a major inconvenience, but there are many in the world who don't have electricity or clean water or even a roof over their heads.



This woman welcomed a baby who was abandoned into her small home.

 
Yet in the midst of the poverty in Haiti, there is evidence of hope. In this photo you see a woman who has hardly anything, but she has a love for God and is sharing that with others. She lives in one of the poorest sections on La Gonave, yet she has opened her small one room home to others with less than her. She reminds me of the woman that Jesus noted in Luke 21 who "out of her poverty put in all she had to live on". She has true riches. May you and I go after true riches, the kind that last.



Getting Ready for Haiti

It was 3 degrees Fahrenheit when I was driving to work a couple of days ago here in eastern Pennsylvania. The high temperature in Haiti today was 91 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, I'm getting ready to enter a different climate and even more so, a different culture. In one month I'll be boarding a plane with seven others to travel to La Gonave, Haiti. If you'd like to read about my last trip to Haiti, check out this link: http://mentoringmoments.org/index.php?s=inside+another+culture

Here are a couple of sights from my last adventure in Haiti.

Two Haitian women were doing laundry by hand for about 40 children in an orphanage.



The Haitian children always came running whenever they spotted us with huge smiles and open arms.



A Haitian girl with her donkey, a common form of transportation.

I look forward to sharing Jesus' love and growing and learning through this experience. I'm sure that as in the last time, I'll gain much more than I give. If you ever have the chance to step inside another culture, I highly recommend it. You'll be surprised at what can happen, not just to you, but in you!

Hope and Haiti

I am so excited, because in February I will be traveling to Haiti with a mission team. A year ago today a devastating earthquake hit Haiti, and there is still much rebuilding and repair to be done. I'm not exactly sure what my role will be on this trip, but it will be interesting to find out. Many times in life it is the willingness to act and to be available that are more important than the talents we have.

This will be my second trip to Haiti. The first was a couple of years ago, before the earthquake. I found the Haitian people to be kind, generous, and joyful. Many have so little, yet they share with others in whatever way they can. I gained so very much from that experience - much more than I gave!

I'd say the biggest lesson I learned on my last trip was to elevate relationships. Don't take for granted the people in your life. Treasure them. Don't let yourself get too busy to miss out on really looking and really listening. Value the moments and the memories; enjoy the adventure of life!

 

I'll keep you posted on this next trip. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. Thanks for taking time to stop by!

                                                                                      ~ Sarah