Currently Watching The Lake House By Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Christopher Plummer, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Willeke van Ammelrooy, Dylan Walsh, Lynn Collins, Mike Bacarella, Kevin Brennan (II), Frank Caeti, Scott Elias, Lori Ann Gerdisch, Michael Andrew Gorman, Jennifer Kern, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, India Neilan, Nora Newbrough, Mia Park, Peggy Roeder see related

Spring

Dear Friends,

So…I’m updating.

Well, as most of you know, Chris and I moved our wedding date to May 13’Th, which actually happens to be Mother’s Day, and is almost exactly seven weeks from now - in other words, 49 days. : ) I am so thankful that we will be married in the midst of spring instead, mainly because May just happens to be my favorite month in the year (and I wonder why…:) Chris said, laughingly, that the phrase “spoiled rotten” comes to mind, just because my birthday will be so close to our anniversary - but I don’t think that he has anything to worry about. Lol

Anyway, so I have been incredibly busy - which is probably a bit of an understatement – but I think that it suites. I am trying to get everything done in time, and it is so nice when I am able to check something off of my ever-shortening “To Do” list. One major blessing is that we have all of the dresses taken care of, excepting some minor alterations. My main color for the wedding is a wine/burgundy, which is of course the color of the dresses; and, oddly, I also unconsciously chose the same color when selecting items for our future home…

And, in speaking of our future home, my adorable sister, Rachelle, held a bridal-shower for me about one week ago. Everyone was so sweet, and I was overwhelmed. I just want to thank my Mother, sisters, all of the ladies of LAMB, as well as the little girls and the ones in-between, for all of your support – it means so much. I am so grateful that I have such an encouraging base of friends that I can turn to for advice. You are all priceless, and I love you.

In closing, I will say that I am really missing Chris. He has been gone five-weeks tonight, and that just feels like an amazingly long time; but, it is for a good cause - and, just for the record, I am not upset with you, Mr. Scott.

I pray that you are all well, content, and will forever bask in our Father’s kindness - He is always faithful.

Affectionately,
~Sarah

Currently Watching Mansfield Park By Hannah Taylor-Gordon, Talya Gordon, Lindsay Duncan, Bruce Byron, James Purefoy, Sheila Gish, Harold Pinter, Elizabeth Eaton, Elizabeth Earl, Philip Sarson, Amelia Warner, Frances O'Connor (II), Jonny Lee Miller, Victoria Hamilton, Hugh Bonneville, Justine Waddell, Embeth Davidtz, Alessandro Nivola, Charles Edwards (VI), Sophia Myles see related

A Bend In The Road

Dear Friends,

I finally decided to take the time to update. I know that this is long overdue, but as most of you already know there has been a major distraction in my life. : )

And now, I will announce on my xanga what is, for most of you, common knowledge.  On October the twenty-sixth, Christopher Magda asked me to marry him…and I said yes!

I know that some are probably hoping for much more detail than I am going to divulge, but just be assured that this experience has been far beyond what I ever expected. Other than my salvation, Chris has been the most important blessing that the Father has ever bestowed on me. He is kind, considerate, honest, faithful, and a great encouragement. He is the man I love, and the one that I want to spend the rest of my life with. : ) Our date is set for March 18, 2007.

I know that this is a brief post, but I will really try to keep all of you better informed. I pray that you are well, and that the Father will bless and keep you in every way. : )

Affectionately,
~Sarah

Currently Listening Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem By Paul Wilbur see related

Dear Friends,

I offer my apologies, I really do. I never intended to wait this long before updating again - but I guess I’ve just been distracted…and for the most part, life has been the distraction. :)

This past weekend was the much anticipated MIA conference in Nashville, Tennessee. It was such a blessing – it really was. There was a peace and unity amongst us that was very refreshing, as well as encouraging. The Father truly used the speakers, dancers, and worship leaders to minister to His people - in a way that I pray will sustain us until we come together again.

It was so good to see those of you who were able to be there! I just want you to know that I loved seeing your faces – the ones that I’ve seen recently and also the ones that I hadn’t seen in over a year. All of you are special, and I just want to encourage you that, no matter what is going on in your life right now, Yahweh will be with you every step of the way…because He is faithful.

I also want to say how much I love and appreciate the Diffenderfer family. They put forth so much of themselves to bring us all together; and I only hope that in the future, I can become further involved to share in more of the burden that comes with organizing these times of our unification with one another.

And now, some pictures that I became rather attached to…

Kaleb, making such a cute face...

Hannah, Shay, and Shell – all looking quite pretty… :)


Spencer, Dalton, and Abram – having some fun in the lobby… :)


Chelsey, me, Shay, and Valerie – good times, girls… :)

May you all be blessed - in every way.

Affectionately,
~Sarah

Currently Listening If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something By Rebecca St. James see related

Dear Friends,

It seems that xanga has been pretty quiet recently – but I’ll post anyway.

The signs of spring are beginning to appear – and though it actually snowed here the night before last, my Mother’s daffodils and blooming peach tree remain intact. Hopefully, for her sake, we won’t get a frost - though it will be at least a few weeks before that threat is past. So, I guess we’ll see… I am looking forward to warmer weather. Spring and autumn are so nice for the happy medium in temperature.

Well, with Passover on the horizon, spring cleaning is in the mindset for the next couple of weeks…as well as some significant internal observation. This is probably (apart from the Day of Atonement) the most serious time of the year. Repentance, and trying to do ones best to make things right with the Father, are a key part of this season. Every year He shows me something new, and it usually has to do with the importance of His Son and our salvation through Him. I am continually awed by His mercy in how He has saved us; and though I still don’t appreciate or comprehend His compassion as I should, my hope is that one day I will…

Now, those of you who know me very well, know that I really enjoy good coffee. Well, I was browsing through the archives on Boundless a while ago, and found this extremely entertaining article called UNDERSTANDING COFFEE PEOPLE. I laughed very hard - and quite frequently… Judging by the article, I think that my Coffee Personality Type (otherwise known as CPT) is in The Coffee Snob category, though not in the extreme, you understand. : )  If you like coffee I would say that it is a must read; but even if you don’t, read it for the laugh - it’s definitely worth it.

May you all be blessed with joy, peace, hope…and everything good.

Affectionately,
~Sarah

Currently Watching Bounce see related

Dear Friends,

I thought it was about time for an update…so here it is.

On Sabbath, I usually find myself in a very thoughtful state of mind; and, it’s really the only time when I can allow myself to become lost in thought without much interruption. I have this odd habit of staying up at all hours of the morning, sometimes until dawn, just taking time to reflect on things that the Father has placed on my heart…it is very refreshing for me, especially when I can ignore the clock and just relax. I am so thankful for this day.

I frequently observe the Israeli headlines – The Jerusalem Post, Arutz 7, Haaretz – and it seems that I only become depressed by it. I ask myself, “Will there never be peace?” I know the answer to that question, but the reality of it seems so far off. The peace and unity that we desire is far from what the international community is trying to accomplish – which is to be expected – but nevertheless, it’s depressing watching them endeavor to manipulate things. I continually have to remind myself that YHWH is in control; worrying about things never does any good…take my word for it. I guess the important thing is that we know the end result of this present ordeal – and to take heart – because, unlike our Abba’s Word, it won’t last forever.

Well, on a lighter note, I did something this past week that really surprised me… A couple of days ago, I noticed my sister, Hannah, at the computer singing along with this really cute song. Well, she was really into it, so didn’t realize I was there…and do you know what I did? I actually snuck up behind her, and scared her! So much so that she froze! I felt so bad, but at the same time it was so funny. Now, I just don’t do things like that – for me, it fits into the “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” category, because I really don’t like it when people do things like that to me. I think that I apologized five times that night. She took it so well…and readily forgave me. : )

With that, I think I’ll retire. It has been a long week, and I am looking forward to leisurely enjoying this weekend…as I hope all of you will, and may you be blessed in every way.

Affectionately,
~Sarah