So, here's what's been going on. I don't know what has made my blog so uncooperative lately, but it has been and it's made me very unhappy. I ended up getting a tumblr account to kind of tide my blogging 'cravings' (if you can call it that) until I could get this one fixed. I'll be updating the tumblr one, too, when I update this one.

Lately, I've been busy. I went as a chaperone to our youth group's fall retreat. It was fun, but I came back sick. I ended up missing 2 classes, and two tests have had to be made up. I was able to make one up, and I'm taking the other one this coming Friday. I've been on Fall break this week and it's been nice. I have only one class, and that's on Friday. I was an extra in a Nick Carter video yesterday with some friends. If you don't know, Nick Carter used to be in the 90's boy band, Backstreet Boys. I liked them, but I was more of an NSYNC fan growing up. I ended up spending the night last night with one of my friends at her house. It was fun! I missed John, though. Anyway... Mid term week is next week, and I have a paper due. I'm kinda stressed about it and I'll be ready to turn it in. I won't have to worry about another paper for that class until later. Thankfully!!!!

Sorry I've been away so long. My blog on this site has been acting up and not letting me post at all.

Prayer Request

Hey, all. I have a prayer request for you all because 1. I know prayer works, and 2. I know you all will pray. I have been babysitting my friend's niece, Faith, off and on for about the past couple weeks or so. She's a very loving two year old that has the most beautiful red hair anyone's ever seen. This little girl has been through more in her 2 years of life than I ever have in my 23 years, which is REALLY saddening to me when I stop and think about it (or what I know if it at least). I'm not sure what's going to happen to her here in the near future.

Faith's mom is going to court on the 13th of this month with several different charges against her, and she hasn't been a great mom for Faith. Cassy, my friend and Faith's aunt, was granted temporary custy of Faith this past Wednesday. After the 13th, I'm not sure if that's going to stay the same or if some other arrangements are going to be made for Faith.

Faith doesn't talk, but she understands what she's told and responds to what she's told the best way she knows how to. I think she's been confined to small spaces (and has gotten in trouble for things- like not being quiet and other petty things), and not been given the love that she so desperately craves and deserves. Her daddy's not really in the picture (I think), because she is SO attached to my husband when she's here and he's at the house. She's got him wrapped around her fingers, it's great.

So I would appreciate it very much if you all would pray for Faith, her mom, and for Cassy that God's will be done in their lives and good will come out of this situation. Also, pray for my husband and me so that we can learn why Faith was put in our lives and how we can best help her. Thank you so much. I know that this will mean more to them that we may ever fully know.

Loving God, Loving each other, and Loving the world

A couple weeks ago, we started a new series where I go to church about our mission statement as a congregation. It's been an amazing study so far. We're talking about "Loving God (through Worship), loving each other (through small groups and spending time getting to know brothers and sisters at our congregation at a deeper level better), and loving the world (through mission and benevolence). Last week, we talked about making worship a priority. It was a great lesson, and I learned a lot. I was raised in the church, and going to worship was always a priority for me, so I understood a lot of what our minister was saying. This week we talked about praise. It was another great lesson. We sang some songs that we'd been learning the week before and it really helped put my mind (at least) where it needed to be. It helped remind me that I should always have an attitude of praise. As we talk about more subjects, I'll talk about them more in the blog and share what I learned.

For every season- turn, turn, turn

There is a series of movies that I absolutely love called the "Love Comes Softly" series. It's based on the books by Jannette Oke (I think that's the correct spelling). I'm in the middle of watching the first movie of the series right now and I've forgotten how much I love this movie in particular. This is the plot that's on the back of the box: "Based on the Janette Oke's best selling book series, and directed by Michael Landon, Jr., Love Comes Softly is an inspired storytelling for the whole family. Marty and Aaron Clardge (Katerine Heigl and Olver Macready) travel waest in search of a new opportunity. But when tragety strikes and Marty is suddenly widowed, the young woman must face the rugged terain, bleak weather, and live among strangers- alone. That is, until a handsome widower named Clark Davis (Dale Midkiff) suggets a platonic "marriage of convenience" until Marty can return home. As the months pass, though, Marty and Clark discover an unexpected new love where there was once only loss."

I love this movie partly because it's written by a 'christian' author and it's a good wholesome movie. I also love it because of the seasons and the time period it was written in. Maybe that's the whole history part of me. I don't know. It takes place during the time of Western expansion (kinda like Little House on the Prairie). I just love that time period, and I would go back to that time if I ever had the chance. I also love this movie in the series in particular because of the theme that runs through it. It's a beautiful theme (it's been made into songs and is quoted ALL the time), but also a ery sobering and almost scary theme if you really think about it. It can also be found in the book of Ecclesiastes. This is how it reads:

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."

If you haven't figured that out, it's from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. When I think about this, I see that we all have hope. I also see that even through the bad times, God works through them for a greater good/better outcome (eventhough He doesn't cause the bad things to happen). I love this movie and this scripture because it helps remind me that there is a time for everything. I think that's why I love spring and fall so much. It shows that there is a time for things to grow and bloom, but also there is a time to rebuid and for everything to recoup after the harvest. I just love it all!! That's just what's on my mind as of most lately.

So about camp

I know this is quite a few weeks late, but I just thought I'd share a little about my experience at camp this summer with my old youth group. It was an incredible year. We had eight baptisms (two of which were re-baptized), lots of growing was involved, lots of seeds were planted and lots of changing happened... Even on my part. One thing that I love about camp is the special time that the senior campers get to take advantage of at night. We have time in the schedule where we can get together and just sing praises to God while on the ball field on our property. One night at one of these ball field devos, we were given the opportunity to get together with about three or four other people and just talk and confess stuff that was going on in our world. I was lucky enough to participate in this. It helped me see what I really needed to change and I was able to get the guts to confess it to other people and to really admit to myself that I needed to change this part of my life. It has been very beneficial for me to have done this. The change has not yet been easy, but is getting easier with each passing day. Thank goodness. So pray for me. Yet again, we thought the girls would win the egg toss. It was SO close. It was down to one girls team and one boys team. But we lost, so the boys gave the girls an egg shampoo. I'll have more later. This is just what I had to say so far.

I know, I know... It'll happen sometime.

So I won't lie, part of me is a little sad... I know John and I have only been married for only.... HO-LY TAR.... 10 MONTHS TODAY!!! Side note- it doesn't even feel like it's been almost a year! I guess time really does fly when you're having fun!! Anyway. I'm seeing and hearing about these ladies (friends and family) that are pregnant or new mommies and it makes me want to be expecting, too... I know that it will probably happen (if the Lord decides to bless us that way). Part of me wants to experience it now, but it's probably a good thing it's not happening yet. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for all of my friends and family. I just want to be in the same boat, too, and I'm not.

New things

Hey, y'all...

Hope everyone is doing well. This is going to be a great summer. I have started a new blog, and plan on using it for bible study. Please follow it! It's going to be great. It's called "My Bible Study Blog." The link is sbfarrowbiblestudy.blogspot.com. I am starting with 1st and 2nd Corinthians as my two books of study. I usually won't do two books at a time. I figured that I would do it because they kind of go hand in hand. I hope to start with introductions and background information to 1st Corinthians tomorrow morning. Hope you follow, and be sure to invite your friends to follow, too!! Thanks a bunch!!

Sara Beth

Wow

So, it's the first summer in our home. I didn't fully realize what my parents meant when they said that there was "always something" when you own a house, but now I do... We've had to repair more than I thought I would have to in the past few months... It's been unreal... But I love it. I love being in Lebanon. I love having a house. One thing I've really liked to do since it's been nice outside at night is to go on the back porch and to watch the fireflies in the field past the fence in our back yard. It's so cool just to watch them... Anyway... I just thought I'd write this... That's all for now.. I'm sure I'll have more to post soon.

The Unseen Hand

[I saw a video of this song on youtube. It's really good. Check it out!]

There is an unseen hand to me,
That leads through ways I cannot see
While going through this world of woe,
This hand still leads, where e'er I go

I'm holding to the unseen hand,
That guides me through this weary land
And some sweet day Ill take my stand,
Still holding to the unseen hand

And while it leads I have no fear
I know twill lead, me to that home
Where sin nor sorrow ere can come

I'm holding to the unseen hand,
That guides me through this weary land
And some sweet day Ill take my stand,
Still holding to the unseen hand

I long to see, my Saviors face
And tell the story saved by grace
And there upon that golden strand
I'll praise him for his guiding hand

I'm holding to the unseen hand,
That guides me through this weary land
And some sweet day Ill take my stand,
Still holding to the unseen hand

I'm holding to the unseen hand,
That guides me through this weary land
And some sweet day Ill take my stand,
Still holding to the unseen hand

1 Corinthians 13

[I got this from someone's facebook status. I liked it so much I just had to share it. Happy Cinco de Mayo, everybody!]

1. Love is important

2. If you care about someone you will be patient with them and kind with them.

3. If you care about someone you will hold them up and not yourself.

4. If you care about someone you will not be irritable with them or resentful with them.

5. If you care about someone you will bear with them, believe in them, hope with them, and endure with them.

6. Love outlasts.

7. Love is important.

I LOVE MY LIFE!!!

There’s a member of our congregation in Lebanon that has Down Syndrome. His name is Robert. He is an incredible individual. He always has a smile on his face, a great attitude to share, a big heart full of love, and a word of encouragement for EVERYONE. Last night, our preacher (who happens to be Robert’s brother in law) showed this video involving the Special Olympics. It was very moving, especially for Robert’s parents. After our service was over, I got to talking to Robert’s dad. Mr. William was telling me about what it’s been like being Robert’s parents. It was so incredible listening to his testimony and what all they’ve been through and how far they’ve all come, especially Robert.

One thing that really stuck out to me in our conversation is the fact that Robert is ALWAYS happy. Mr. William told me last night that he gets joy out of the simplest things. He could be singing in his room with headphones on. The listener may not be able to understand much of what he’s saying, but he does and God does, and you gotta just know that God loves it. Then you’ll hear Robert say, “I love my life”. Mr. William was also telling me that Robert will get so excited about something small, like a cup of soup from a local restaurant, and you would think that same cup of soup maybe cost a fortune. He doesn’t care. He’ll continue to say, “I love my life”.

How many times do you see yourself saying that about your own life? I know that I personally don’t say that often enough. God richly blesses us beyond belief. The “thank you’s” don’t get up there as often as they should (at least that’s how it is with me), and when things get bad, we all decide to complain. When things don’t go how we want them to, how often do we say “Man, I hate my life!”??

Maybe we should be like Robert. Maybe we need to look at ourselves and change something. What do you say? My challenge for you is to start loving your life. Are you up for it? Let's do it together!

He is jealous for me

Love's like a hurricane

I am a tree

Bending beneath the weight of

His wind and mercy

When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory

Here lately....

Wow, a lot has happened since I last posted. I had a birthday since my last post, and I got a laptop. My sister is a sophmore in college, and she's studying abroad with a group from her school in Belgium. How cool is that? I asked her if she could pack me in her suitcase, but it wouldn't work! haha... John got a new job at Cracker Barrel's corperate headquarters here in Lebanon. The crazy thing about this is the fact that he is so close to his work AGAIN!! When he was living in Nashville, he could walk to work. He lived so close to his work that he could see the back parking lot from his kitchen window. Now that we're in Lebanon and he's at Cracker Barrel, he works 1.5 miles away. He could walk AGAIN if he wanted to. How crazy is that? haha.... We've placed membership at a great church out here that we love very much. It feels a little wierd for me just because I grew up at a considerably bigger church than this and now we're at a church that's a fraction of the size of where we used to be. But we love it there. We seem to really fit in and it feels like home. Today I'm going to get my hair cut. I am going to get a lot cut off and I'm really excited. I've needed a hair cut really bad. I know I've kinda been all over the place today in this post.... Hopefully the rest of my posts won't be like this in the future.

Random thoughts going through my head

I'm not sure

New house

So, it's been about a week that we've been living in our new house. I've loved having more space! It's been so great! Things are still kind of a wreck just because we haven't found a place for everything yet. It will get better though, I know it. We just got internet here at the house on Wednesday. I've enjoyed not having to check facebook on my phone. HAHA! Anyway... Sometimes when I've been here by myself it's been kinda quiet just because we don't have our TV here and we haven't had internet until Wednesday. Oh well. I'll post some pictures up soon hopefully of the new house once everything gets settled and we find a place for everything.

January 11, 2011

So, today I'm sitting at my mother in law's laptop just amazed at what all has been going on in the approx. 24 hours. Yesterday, at 10, John and I signed our part of the closing papers for a NEW HOUSE!!! I've noticed that I've said this a lot yesterday, but I never thought that I would be a homeowner at 22 years old. Wow!! We definitely have a LOT of people to thank for this! John and I are so blessed!

Well, FIRST off, we woke up to snow! Like TONS of it.... OK, well maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit... It looks like a ton to me! John and I got ready for the day, and ate a good breakfast. Then, John and I, along with his mom and step dad, climbed in the car and went to go pick up our cashier's check for the closing. We had to go walk through the house at 9 and close at 10. After we closed, we had to drop off Ritchie somewhere so he could work yesterday.Then, John and I went to go change the electricity, water, and gas to our names. We ate at Demos' in Lebanon for lunch with our Realtor. It was REALLY good!

John had to be at work at 3 yesterday afternoon, as he only took a half day yesterday. So we dropped him off at his truck and then my mother in law and I went to our house to start cleaning. We then went to Home Depot and DT McAll's to look at refrigerators. Then it got to be the time where we could start unpacking stuff from the Land Rover to the new house, so we did.

Later on we picked up John's step dad, and went by Lowe's to check out refrigerators there, but they were closed because of weather. So we went to eat dinner.... Demos' again! ha ha I don't think that Ritchie (John's step dad) knew we ate there for lunch. I still enjoyed it! It was great! We ran by the new house to look at some things real quick, and then came back to their house. John did not come until later. He got off at 7 and decided to watch part of the BCS Championship bowl game. I stayed up for him after his mom and step dad went to bed.

All in all it was a great day. I am kinda sad that I have to go back to Nashville today. I will be back, though, and I can not wait! It is going to be great once we move everything out here into the house and we do not have to worry about packing and cleaning anymore.