ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE.

a few friends and I went hiking on MLK day!

so much laughter and happiness, I have to wonder why more time isn't spent exploring the simple and beautiful outdoors.

there was no cell phone signal, no (real) food, no expectations, no limits. there was us, the world, and the sun.

(and water. LOTS of water.)

 

whether it's in the mountains or the backyard- make 2014 a year of carefree unadulterated adventure.

overall, excited.

I am a little late on the subject..but when I think of the possibility and promise that this year holds, the strongest and most frequent feeling I've had thus far is excitement. there are many opportunities for failure, growth, adventure, discovery, risk taking, and +++. possibility. the unknown. doesn't that make you squeal like a small child, or am I alone in that?

so, 'overall' I'm excited about it. and I hope you are too. but we don't need a new year to start over. every day is a second chance.

caridan- UO
overalls- freepeople
boots- f21
shirt- AA

& here's to 2014.

the bright side

recently, I have felt like my life has been one small trial after the next. in small trials, I don't feel like I can really complain because I know how much worse things could be and how blessed I am. but there comes a point where I have to stop and ask God what he is doing. I know that He is here and real because not much of me makes sense without Him. but I don't know why I have felt so alone in my trials. if He is here and He is good, why the pain in the midst of prayer? why the struggle in the midst of faith? I got to a place of frustration with God, which He is more than big enough to handle, and I just wanted to understand. not for it to get better or for a magic solution, just for an answer from Him. He always answers us in ways we don't expect, but he does answer.

I finally sat down and did something this morning that I actually haven't done in a while: I opened up the bible and read. if you want to hear from God, why not go to the direct source of His words? and it was wonderful. here is what I read:

" Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. ² One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. ³ The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. " Romans 14:1-4

I was so humbled and grateful and delighted to see how the Lord defends us, even when our faith is weak. and even in our weakness, He is "able to make us stand." that is amazing. that is the God I serve. He does allow trials, but trials are edifying and we are actually supposed to be grateful for them. (Romans 5: 3-5) I'm far from there, but I understand it. in the same way that I am grateful for my mom taking away a lighter that I was having so much fun playing with, the Lord has taken and with held what will only harm me in the future. I'm too small to see the harm it will bring. we all are. He is good.

another thing that helped me greatly was a sermon by Joyce Meyers and I HIGHLY recommend this to any and everyone. so many gems in this I can't even name them all. but one thing I will say is that how we feel and what we believe ARE two different things. so it really helps to stop and get back to what we believe. and for me, that is that the Lord is always with me and works all things together for my good (Romans 8:28... so much goodness in Romans!)

today was almost 70 degrees in the middle of december and just days ago there was snow and ice on the ground. also, I feel like I got clarity from the Lord. I'd say this is as bright a side as any.

sweater: anthropologie
shirt: gap
jeans: urban outfitters
dr martens: nordstrom rack
brahmin bag: dillards

mr. mandela , here's to you

"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

from prisoner to President. when it comes to souls, yours was of the most beautiful. you showed us what it means to change the world. thank you. 

season of awk

so we're nearing the end of my fav, fall, and into winter. and you know what that means!

"tis the season!"

aka. tis the season of awk-weird:

• black friday shenanigans (thanks for scheduling me, Anthro, luvs ya XOXO)
• belting mariah carey's chrsitmas album (and realizing you weren't actually alone...)
• ice skating FAILS - the only time there's laughter in the presence of wet butts and bruised knees
• burnt tongues on peppermint hot cocoa, but it was KIND of worth it
• until said cocoa finds its way onto new cream sweater. joy.
• the man most victimized on counts of identity theft: mr. claus.
• fake smiling your face off at that gift "kind of love", per say....
• attempting to avoid the tacky christmas trend
• or overshooting and setting records in tackiness
• two unfortunates: egg nog & car wreaths. yes these fall under the same category: no. 
  
  
  just wanted to point out that there are quite a few other things that are awkward about this season.. not just me. (but mostly, me. )
  
  

some personals

• attempting to take my grad school test and being the only one who's test just isn't working
• not knowing what the heck is goin on with my life. but I'm ok with it. (Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11)
• grandma driving on the ice
• attempting style pics (see below......)
• laughing at inappropriate times during the hunger games (those silly people at the capital just crack me up)

background story on that last one, I went to see the hunger games with a few friends and it was so stinking GOOD. as a reader of the books, I recommend everyone go see it. they did a great job with the time they had and the visuals were just A++. there were a few parts that me and my friend Kyndall couldn't help but laugh at. and our neighbor sitting next to me didn't appreciate that. we weren't being obnoxious at all - Lord knows I can't stand those obnoxious laughers - but we were laughing at certain scenes that probably weren't meant to be laughed at. which made it ever more funny. something Kyndall has helped me to realize is that life shouldn't be taken so seriously. no one gets out alive anyway, right? too many laughs go suppressed.. many that's what's wrong with the world after all.

 so, I come to you  with some unfortunate and awkward pictures. I'm choosing to laugh at them and "c'est la vie" it.

 happy winter, yall:)

hat:f21 , jacket:free people , sweater:f21 , cords:jcrew , boots:lesportos (from etsy)

   

let's talk about fear.

fear  verb\ˈfir\

: to be afraid of (something or someone)

: to expect or worry about (something bad or unpleasant)

: to be afraid and worried

sounds pretty accurate.

even just saying the word provokes feeling.. but not in romantic and inspiring way. 

quickened pulse, sweaty palms, restraint, denail, retreat, paralysis. you know it. we've all felt it. 

there is a healthy fear that comes when we need to kick our defenses into full-gear (ain't nobody tryna get mugged in a dark ally...) sometimes we need to channel our inner G and move quickly from fear to jackie chan. but this is not the fear I'm talking about.

fear is something that can be small and fleeting, but let's be honest. that's usually not the case.

for most people (myself especially included) fear is something that can be all consuming. often starting with one anxiety provoking thought and spiraling into a domino crashing catastrophe of anxiety. ok dramatic, but yes, we know it too well. fear is what stopped me from posting these months ago when I originally wanted to start this blog.

I was a little too excited about my free people circle shirt. I still kind of am....

here's some truth about our frienemy, fear.

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:17

be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 

1 John 4:18

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Joshua 1:9

amazing. I could actually go on for a while with what the Lord promises us in relation to fear. how encouraging is it to know that fear is not something that comes from God, but from the enemy. satan is prowling like a lion (1 Peter 5:8) and does not want to see us using our God given talents to glorify God. so we get the fear. and when we trust it to God, he handles it. He is the one who brings peace. strength. boldness. confidence. rest. yes, we can have freedom from fear. I praise God for bringing me to that freedom and starting this blog. my sister actually found my blog today (she didn't know about it because our frienemy FEAR kept me from sharing) and God used her to encourage and affirm me. I feel so foolish for letting fears hold me back for years from embarking on this endeavor.

this SURE doesn't apply to everything, but friends, believe me when I say that what you are afraid of is often the very thing that you need to pursue. WHOLEheartedly. 

what has fear been holding you back from?


ps, follow my instagram to see what's been goin on:)

full heart

so, what's better than being refreshed by great company, music, and the presence of the Lord? After my 22 years of search I've come to find that the answer is nothing! (but I will report back if I ever find otherwise ;) )

yesterday was wonderful. it was one of those days that you know will be wonderful and you're basically excited the whole time. not because you will receive something or travel somewhere or meet someone - it's an excitement for little things done in great love. 

my good friend Kyndall is a woman of many talents. she's probably laughing as she reads this, but it's true! I will post about her personal style in the future, and I will share some of her incredible art! but she's also a great singer. one of my favorite things to do is grab a guitar (or ukuelele) and play my current favorites. I'm so blessed to have a friend who loves to sing a long and make fun harmonies with. we ventured out to our nearest lake with a blanket and a guitar. it was windy AS CRAP yesterday, and a bit colder than we would have hoped, but it was a good ole time nonetheless. 

 wind as haaaail, ya'll.

 sweater - target (leetle girls), faux leather pants - marshalls!, dr. martens - nordstrom rack, scarf - Kyndall's

& pizza for the WIN.

at the end of the day, my heart is full. go through today excited for no reason at all. perspective is everything.

XO

to be shared

hello world! I come to you as an excited, and slightly scared, creative human being. recently I have read, seen, and heard so much about the gift of creativity. it is meant to be shared with the world. this stirred up some conviction in me because for years, I let fear keep me from doing this. from sharing myself with all of you. I won't let that happen anymore. this will be the first of many posts where I share with you my art, thoughts, style, and life. it is meant to be shared. and that's what I can now wait to do. I hope to inspire you to keep creating and growing your gifts as well.

personal style is of the things I'd love to share, starting today! this is just a short post as a bit of a preview into what this blog will be like. I hope you enjoy it!

 shirt: free people , jeans: forever21 , watch: michael kors

excited about this, hope you are too!

XO

sarah



PS if you love this photography, check out melissa green photography. she's incredibly talented.