The Big Move!!

Well........it’s official!!  I now live on the east coast. Specifically, Tybee Island in Savannah, GA!!

I have been in a time of transition and in need of personal changes, as I may have mentioned before. I graduated with my masters in education in December, wrapped up my necessary duties of past business, and finally have the house ready for the market. I need to now enter into the next chapter of my life, and what better way to do so than with a big change. 

~The view from my bedroom~

Well, this move is one of those things that I have wanted to do, and am now able to. Since the first visit down to visit friends a couple weeks after my marriage was over, to my past visit a month ago trying to decide on making the final decision to move, I have fallen in love with the city and the atmosphere of Savannah. The final choice for Tybee Island is my three-block walk to the beach J I have always loved the beach and find a sense of peace being on it.  Getting into the groove of living the beach life shouldn’t take long!! And yes, it’s ok to be a little jealous...lol... The friends and family I am leaving is the hardest part of the move, but I know that we will create new ways to stay in touch. The housemates that I have been blessed with already make me feel so "at-home" and a part of the family!! I'm so thankful for that.

So when people ask me “Why Savannah?”, here are my answers:

                                                                   

Because I can J
Looking to start over
Taking a time to re-center
 Love the city

 Love the beach....did I mention that I am 3 blocks from it?!!?
I have no children, spouse,  house, or job here to “stay for”
Why not?!

If you wonder what I’m doing........well, I’m living life!!! Loving one journey at a time, while seeking the Lord for direction, and searching myself along the way.

Stay tuned for the new, growth-inspired, island life of Sarah Moore.

"Something's Gotta Give!"

Have you ever thought to yourself that “something’s got to give!”?

As one of my favorite Pins states:

“I’m ready for some blessings that aren’t in disguise”.

It’s like there is so much going on in my world that is being difficult, or maybe I just feel like I’m on the edge of sanity. This isn’t an “oh, I have a terrible life” rant, because, as I have said before, I know that I am blessed and try to be thankful for the provisions the Lord gives. I posted earlier this week to Facebook this very thought. I need some of this pressure to let up and have a change of vision. 

It’s time for changes.

This past week has been an extreme struggle for me. I hope I am not the only one who has felt this way before, as I would like to think that we all go through periods of “testing” J So this week I have decided that I have to do life differently and find my inner peace and center again.

This past week so has included many things. Extreme excitement while enjoying time with friends and siblings has been one of the good times over this past week; It has also been a very discouraging time with a couple down days (as those who also suffer from depression may can relate to); I have been at odds with and exchanged just stupid banter with my ex-husband in relation to legalities and the house that we own together (yes, I know how long it’s been); And then sometimes all of the hurt raises up in impatient words that end up hurting both of us. I have also experienced a pain that I haven’t felt in a long long time. The man that I believe to be falling in love with, is going through his own personal battles that I have no control over, nor a way of helping, and so we may be temporarily pressing pause- hurts my heart so much; I also have felt hope. As silly as love can be sometimes, I have a hope for us to get through this and be all-the-more-better for our choices over the next little bit (Let’s just say, that I hope to be writing of him in the future J); My mom has been extremely stressed and pressed with the illness of my grandmother whom she now cares for, and this takes a toll on her. She also worries so much about all of us and I feel as if I’ve added to her burden, but I don’t know what I would do without her. To add to the crazy week, I got into an argument with one of my best friends. This type of thing does not sit well with me and I just want it to be over and better! So all of this on top of having no future job lined up, transitioning after the house sells, feeling at a loss as to the right direction and choices to make, and my loved ones who I wish I could take away their pain and struggles.....my emotional self is weak and at it’s end as I sit here an educated, independent, woman in her twenties with zero concrete plans!

It is at this point when I remember the chapter and song of Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel,
 Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,
 Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; 
He shall preserve your soul.

The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
. From this time forth, and even forevermore.

NKJV

And I am reminded that I have not been finding my strength from the Lord but instead from my weak, discouraged, and overwhelmed self! Have I not learned this?! His love and concern for me is soo great!

Weeks like this when I feel alone and unreachable, I can rest in the peace of knowing that Christ is with me (Matthew 28:20). Regardless of how much I mess up or get in the way of myself, He loves ME so much!!! He loves me more than I can imagine (Ephesians 3:18).  I am sought after, longed after, and loved so much that He will make a way; He will give peace, because that is what a lover does.

These changes are going to be physical changes and personal changes. Hopefully I will be sharing the processes, struggles, and adventures of things that are “changing” in my life and the directions the Lord takes me in soon. Even in these bad weeks, I have to choose love and choose to receive it from the one person who is a faithful love- Christ.

~ Here’s to better weeks ahead!

S

Love Story....Anytime Now.....!

Why must there be this desire to have that significant other in our lives?

 I know that many may feel like sharing, or may be thinking that I should just be patient and be encouraged. That I should remember that the Lord will bring the right person at the right time and that I should enjoy being “single” and unmarried; I get it.  I understand all of this, but I am so annoyed that I desire to be loved and protected. I’m sick of craving the feeling of being held and kissed. The fact that I feel like God created me to be a partner, and that when I am, I am actually a better servant, makes be so mad. I want to be a wife to a man that loves God, me, and our family. I have Christ, family, and friends in my life, and I feel that I am sooo ready to have my knight in shining armour take me and want to conquer life together, that sometimes it drives me crazy...lol..... 

I know that I am a princess in the eyes of my Lord. I also know in the deepest part of my being, that He has the most amazing future planned out for me, but I am feeling somewhat stumped as to what is going on. I know that every love story has it’s ups and downs. I am encouraged hearing love stories of others and what they went through to finally get to each other. One of those stories is that of my parents. I’m sure they won’t mind me sharing a summary.....

Girl meets guy when he comes to evangelize at her church. She is in a negative and abusive relationship, and so presents herself as single to this fine young evangelist. He is older than her (she-17, and he 24), but it was like the first time they met, they knew. They knew that their meeting was no coincidence. He was living in Sevierville, TN (east TN) and she was finishing high school in West TN. They wrote. She was still with the emotionally abusive boyfriend, because she felt stuck. This young evangelist and her spoke on the phone. At one point he said if you want to marry me, let’s do it quickly (meaning courthouse) and we will go evangelize from there. She firmly says no because she is going to have the wedding of her dreams. So, wanting what he wants, says to have a good life. She, in shock, goes about life and is ultimately engaged to a cheating and less-than-God’s best. Then, believe it or not, the young evangelist calls and they decide that they want to be together and he moves to West TN. My dad goes and addresses the situation of the other guy and frees my mom from the bondage of hurt and being taken advantage of. They truly get to go out on a date and spend some time together before they get engaged. A short time later, the wedding that my mom always wanted was with the man she always wanted; the man that she knew God had placed in her life; her partner; God knew what they both needed after the past relationships and situations they had been in. Taking the leap and the step to accept Christ’s calling together. I am so thankful that even though things seemed unfavorable or like they weren’t going to work out, that my parents found love.

Because of their love, so many other things have been brought about, seen, created, and shared with family, friends, ministry, and the world. So far 32 years, and going. This is what I crave. It’s almost like I have a love/hate feeling with the pursuit of my partner. But, here I am Lord, please just bring to light the relationship and the man that I will be loving every day for the rest of my life.

– Amen

"That" Smile

You know the smiles that you really aren’t even aware of until you catch yourself in the middle of them?! It’s the smile that comes across your face when you get a message from a special someone; the feeling of warmth, joy, and excitement; it is the expression of happiness across your face! This smile is something that happens on the inside before it comes across on the physical outside; it’s a reaction to something wonderful. 

I love when I realize that this smile is on my face!! I also love catching someone else with this smile. A friend or stranger with this particular glowing smile of happiness and excitement is so sweet to see. I, as others, have faced heartache and things that create uneasiness, discouragement, and pain. These feelings are then transferred onto our faces as lifelessness, frowns, dark eyes, and a blank. So when there are even small moments of cheerfulness to smile about, I refuse to let it pass me by!!

It’s not even a love, but a happiness; A glow that says- that if even for that moment- I am in a happy place, and I am hearing from someone who makes me happy; Someone who makes me feel warm all over, and someone who put a smile on my face. Enjoy these moments and the people who provide them. I am getting to experience this smile from a special someone these days, and I am so thankful!!! J

Hopefully, we will all have thousands and thousands of these moments to come.
~ Sarah

I Wish I Knew the Answers!!: Dealing with Impatience

As I have shared before, I wish that I could know what the future held and the particular choices that I should be making now to get to that “place”. I guess I will have to admit that I am impatient!! I’m sure that I am not the only one to wish for these things, or to feel an impatience about life. However, I also understand the gift of the present moment, and that "patience is a virtue".  It is in every moment that we are created and built upon as the person and vessel we are, and are to become.

Recently I have found myself becoming more impatient than normal about the choices and direction of my life. I have tried my hardest to re-train my mind to only think one step at a time, but here lately, I am wanting to see more of the way things will be.....and can I say that I am driving myself crazy!!!

I wish I knew what direction my life would be led in the next year. I wish I knew the direction of the next month!!! I say these things with hope but also with a little frustration. I’m making my mind to stay determined and focused on the things I want, bring my concerns to the Lord, and let the Lord continue to lead me at the pace He knows is best.

The Word that I am meditating on:     (maybe you can be encouraged too!) 

Isaiah 40:31

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Christmas Eve Thoughts

Today is the eve of the day that we celebrate the birth of our Savior. It is also the day after my birthday. I love this time of year for so many reasons.

~The warmth of scarves and boots~

~Christmas parties and caroling~

~Steamy drinks; the feeling of coziness~

~New and old family traditions; possibilities of snow~

~Special times of birthday celebrations~

~Lights on the tree being the only ones on in the house~

~Picking out heart-felt gifts for loved ones and church plays and pageants~

~Good food  and long talks with friends~

I am now, the ripe age of 27. It feels decently the same, but saying it makes me feel significantly older. J The past year has been one that has given me many lessons, friends, memories, and goals. I am thankful to have made it to another birthday with all of my family and friends in my life. These people provide me with so much love, support, and encouragement.

 

Although this Christmas is different in many ways and for many reasons, it has been one of the happiest Christmases I have had in many years. A minimalist celebration of Christ, family, love, and friends has created a holiday season that reminds me of the good and of the purpose. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas filled with all the things that really create true happiness.