Sunday, July 08, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
everything happens for a reason..
My friend Dyah, who went on the trip in April, wrote about the trip in the 1835 (college/career group) newsletter to encourage people to come. I loved what she said about it and the facts she included so I want you all to read it as well. And again, please let me know of anyone interested. It is so worth it.
Being His Hands and Feet
My dear friends,
Jesus is inviting you to become His hands and feet to supply his people down in the neighborhoods of New Orleans with compassion. That's all you need to bring, in addition to the ability to smile with an open heart. I went with the last crew in April, and before we left the church, Neal prayed to open our hearts so that Jesus would tell us what He wanted us to be when we were there. Neal said not to come with expectation, because God might have other plans.
So, you might be a wheelbarrow, a greeter, a sausage opener, a hugger, a listener, a shoveler, a nail-plucker, a weed trimmer, a jambalaya stirrer, a coleslaw maker, a server. You might be only a dust among other people who had gone there with similar concern as you are. You might be a baseball player in a field not touched for 20 months.
You might be the precise, special person Jesus needs to bring love and compassion to the exact, special person who’s been hurting, to the much needed area that would take more time and energy and love to bring it back to life.
I wish numbers could turn into faces, for us to know this is life, not just some lame statistics, but here are the facts of what happened in New Orleans, 22 months after hurricane Katrina:
• Less than 1/2 of the city's pre-storm population of 460,000 has returned, putting the population at roughly what it was in 1880.
• Nearly 1/3 of the trash has yet to be picked up.
• 60% of homes still lack electricity.
• 17% of the buses are operational.
• 1/2 of the physicians have left, and there is a shortage of 1,000 nurses.
• 6 out of the 9 hospitals remain closed.
• 66% of public schools have reopened.
• A 40% hike in rental rates, disproportionately affecting black and low-income families.
• A 300% increase in the suicide rate.
Source: ThinkProgress.org
I don't know whether I should laugh for my renewed spirit and compassion for the people of New Orleans or I should weep with them.
Please pray and ask God if He wants you to go and what He wants you to be. If He does want you to go, He'll give you a way.
Remember the saying that the love we receive only increases when we give away love? It's so true.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
summertime livin' ain't easy
So I went to Florida a couple weeks ago. Had a lot of fun and got a tan! And played tennis..and went to universal and islands of adventure parks..and went to cocoa beach.. and went to seaworld to see SHAMU.
And it rained.
So I've had 2 weeks back and now getting ready to go back to NewOrleans on saturday. We leaving at 8 am. Its kinda strange for me to be so passionate about something this long. Usually it wears off but I'm still in love with N.O. just as much as when I was there the first time. I just pray (and hope you guys will too) that everyone gets along well and works well together, and doesnt get hurt! And I also pray that everyone who goes down seeking to serve people will be blessed, and also those being served will also be blessd and feel so LOVED! I'm so frustrated right now that the devastations down there are not on the news anymore. Not many know how bad it still is. I think a lot more people would be down to help if they did know.
By the way... as of now I am still wanting to take another trip either the 1st or 2nd week of August (there are 3 others going so far). So PLEASE if you are (or know of anyone that is) at all interested let me know. It has really changed my life. No cost for food or housing once we get down there... we only have to pay our way there and back (which would be price of gas).
In other news... school is coming along. Last week I registered for classes and got fitted for my awesome uniform (awesome as in not awesome). It will be a little crazy adjusting to my schedule at first, but like anything else, I guess you get used to it.
I've started training K.young to take my place when i leave my job (which will be when i start school). My mom has tried talking me into staying a number of times but this is the plan and we are sticking to it. I'm still thinking about trying to get a hospital job during school, maybe just weekends or something, but we'll see.
The summer is going by so fast already!! I start school Aug 15 so that doesnt leave me a whole lot of time. But I have been off since april, so I guess its fair :)
Love you all. If you read this and I havent heard from you in awhile...please let me know you are still alive!!
oh yeah..one more thing...
COME TO NEW ORLEANS WITH ME. It will change your life.
:)
Thursday, May 31, 2007
ups and downs
Also pray for Scotty Huston's mom Sharon who has breast cancer and has been in the hospital for the last week but is coming home TODAY!!
I hope you all are doing well. I feel so out of touch with many of you. I'm sorry. I know a lot of it is my fault but also the phone rings both ways. But we need a girls night/or day out or dinner or something soon. And if you havent seen baby Olivia yet GO SEE HER!! She's gonna be big before we know it. I'm hoping she doesn't reach 6 feet tall by the time I get back from FL next week! She's gonna be freaking tall though, when she gets older. SHe has giant, but beautiful & precious, hands and feet. And kate said she's already in her 3 month clothes!! Shes only 4 weeks!! In conclusion... go see her. She's a little bundle of love (disguised by the occasional fussiness and baby gas).
*So sorry katie that I'm inviting everyone over to you house :)
Love you Livi!! (If you're reading :)
So I leave for FL tomorrow (friday) will be back next fri. Recent events have caused a slight "damper" in my excitement at the moment but I am still pretty excited to get out of here and go to universal and see all that.. and go swimming and spend lots of money... wait.. i hate spending money. So I'm not excited about that part. But hopefully it will be a good time. Sorry if I'm rubbing it in :)
By the way... still planning to go back to New Orleans... the last week in june with the vineyard group and maybe also the 1st or 2nd week in Aug with.. so far its just me, ash mason, kyoung, and scotty. If anyone else is interested please let me know. Or if you know of anyone that is. I really thnk it is a life-changing experience. It was for me anyway (obviously).
I love you all. Be good. I pray that God gives us all guilty consciences about things in our lives that shouldnt be there. The feeling sucks, but its all worth it because HE only wants the best for us, right?
Love you.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
plans
So this fire inside me for New Orleans has not yet gone out... which for me must mean something because many of you know how I often do not follow through with ideas. I am impulsive at times, and unrealistic. But this one is not unrealistic.
The dates are not yet scheduled for my return there (and anyone else that wants to go!) and I am anxious to get those nailed down!! I was initially thinking of the 2nd week of June. And although that is being debated now (in my head) it is not out of the question thus far. But I think sometime in July may be better. There are rumors circulating that a group from VCC will go back the last week in June which I am totally in for also. But that wont stop me from going an additional week (or weeks..if I can be that blessed!)
So if anyone is remotely interested in going please let me konw! i would love for you to experience the preciousness that is new orleans. please help me pray for this triP!!: specifically the dates that I am supposed to go and who will be joining me. Also pray for this city. I know that things will get better down there...slowly.. but they will...there is hope.
If you want to check out Mercy Response..who organizes these things, go here...
www.MercyResponse.com
ALSO>>>>
BABY O (anna olivia) was born may 5th. (for any of you who arent her parents or have not been around me in the last few days or so:)
Im excited to see her grow and learn...and experience blue icecream from kings island with the special rainbow sprinkiles on top :)
oh there is so much to teach her. If only I knew how to teach babies sign language and we could get this communication thing going already.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!!
I know that the date on this will probably be may 10th... so it will be a day off... but really its like midnight of the 9th right now. Lets not get technical.
i love you. don't forget to UPDATE often. i love reading about you.
the end.
Friday, May 04, 2007
bentley green
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck7KVwyQ1Bk
Thursday, April 26, 2007
STORY TIME!
This morning I had to babysit at like 8 then went to this medical center in lebanon to get a hepatitus shot (that I need for nursing school). Shots have never been a big deal to me... I don't really get nervous or whine that they really hurt.. its just no big thing.
[Switch scenes...]
Earlier that morning, while I was babysitting, my mom called to tell me my dad and daniel were taking my sister to the emergency room. She's had this bump that has turned into what a doctor said was a boil (which appearantly isnt true) but the meds the doc gave havent been working and basically shes been in a lot of pain, and its just been getting worse.
So she's in the emergency room.. and I'm going to get a hep shot...
[Back to me...]
I go in to fill out all the paperwork and finally get to the room. Before the shot, the nurse goes through the whole talk about "go to the doctor if you break out into hives, start vomiting, feel feverish or achey all over your body after getting this shot. It may be an allergic reaction. It rarely ever happens, but we still have to warn people."
I'm perfectly fine. Like I said, I dont really get nervous about this stuff. She gives the shot and yes it kind of stung going in, but whatever. She said my muscle would be sore for a day or so, and thats that.
So I stand up and my mom's talking to her about other shots I have to get for school and whatnot. I'm standing there...starting to feel a bit nauseated and thought about asking for some water or something or maybe even sit down but we were about to leave anyway so I'd be sitting in the car soon...
Next thing I know I'm in peaceful dream land. I'm for real dreaming and don't really remember what about but I think it was pleasant enough. Then I hear some people talking in the “real world” and wake up thinking "where am I... oh still at the dr... why am I still here?... I thought we left?... why am I sitting on the floor and why are all these ladies crouched around me freaking out?"
Its never good to wake up like that. So yes, I fainted. They got me to get up and sit down in a chair and i started to feel nauseated again.. they gave me some juice and about 30 seconds later it came right back up (sorry for that detail). Then I had to go in this room and lay on a table while a doctor checked me out.
I am fine... I think so anyway. They said i hit my head on the scale (which I woke up sitting on). So I have a bad bruised area right on my temple... it hurts to chew or yawn. And I have bruises on my elbows and left shoulder blade. But besides that I'm fine.
I've never passed out before... it was so strange...the nap was nice though :)
The funny thing is that my mom has wanted me to schedule this appt so that she could go with me and all I kept saying is "I don't need you to come with me" like a typical teenage daughter (which I'm technically not a teenager anymore but I tend to act like it). But now that this happened I'm so glad she was there...
And they think that maybe I passed out because I didn't eat very much breakfast.. or maybe it had something to do with nerves or something (which I thought wasn't an issue for me... God is taking down my pride apparently). And if its not that.. then I dont know... I guess we will see next time I go to get this shot again in 4 weeks. I dont think it was an allergic reaction though. But honestly nobody really knows for sure.
[back to the sister...]
So my mom's thinking its kinda crazy that I'm laying on this bed, having just passed out, and her other daughter is in the emergency room... UPDATE:: getting ready to have surgery. They decided that whatever this was on her needed to be drained and Lindsay was having like an anxiety attack so they had to sedate her to even touch it cuz it hurt so bad.... and she was apparently screaming the whole time... even when she was sedated and doesnt really remember it.
They drained it and probably got like a quart of water or so out of it…
[IN conclusion..]
Lindsay is home now and feeling a little better.. but may have to be off work and school for a week or so.
And as for me… I’m ok.. head hurts.. and hey.. now I have a slight fear of getting shots (surprise!). I have to get another hep shot in 4 weeks, and again 5 months after that. They said next time to remind them about this incident and they will lay me on a table before they give me the shot… in case I decide to, ya know, fall over again.
And that’s that.
I hope you all were safe today!
Love you.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
more n.o. fun
http://foreverchangedandotherstuff.blogspot.com/
Monday, April 16, 2007
its a beautiful day
So yes, I'm back. Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts this week. They were appreciated.
We got home saturday around 6:30 but I haven't really wanted to talk to anybody yet. Been thinking about a lot and just needing a bit more of a break.
Its been a weird day. I went to bed around 9:30 last night from being so tired and woke at 6:30...45 min before my alarm went off. i love sleep. And barely ever get up before I have too. But I was having a freaky dream and woke up trying to get my mind off of it and ended up thinking about the next few months and how to get back to New Orleans, my new love. I haven't been able to quit thinking about it since we left. Actually, I think it was the 2nd day we were there, I decided that I was definitly going back. Well at the moment I wanted to live there. But we'll just pretend for now like its a short term thing.
This trip was amazing. I met a lot of great people who I now feel like I've known for years. There were 9 of us and I didnt know any of them.... and now I'm so glad that I really didnt know any body going. It was really good for me.
So New Orleans....
parts of it were sad because 20 months after hurricane Katrina, some parts of the devastated city haven't been touched yet.
And not very many people, especially up here, know about that because it doesn't make the news or anything anymore. So everyone just assumes that its back to normal, which is so far from the truth. Its just a mess. And the whole fema money thing is a joke. Nobody can afford to rebuild. Especially when they have to pay people to come gut their house first so that they can either start over from there or have it demolished. And many of the people that will do that cost $1 a sq. foot to gut a house.
The amazing thing is that there are organizations that take in volunteers to gut houses free of charge. So that's what our group did. IT was very hard work, but I loved every minute of it.
The first house we went to had not been touched in 2 years. So all of this lady's things were still there, such as furniture, clothes, all personal belongings. You don't realize how much "stuff" a person, or family, has until you have to drag it all out. There were roaches all over, and in some cases rats (we only saw a dead one), and black mold all the way up the walls.
But through all that the city is continuing to go through, I see so much hope there in people. We worked on an apartment duplex toward the end of the week and the homeowner came to see us working a couple of days and I just fell in love with her because of the joy you could see in her. And she was so incredibly appreciative of us being there. And that made it all so worth it.
So I've been thinking about a lot sense coming home. Getting back hasnt been too great, though. I miss it all so much. I definitly want to go back and I'm even thinking this summer would be great. I'm not sure if I'd go for a week or two, or even like 2 months. BUt I know i want to go. Its just hard planning with school and stuff. I start school at the christ hospital school of nursing in August, but I think i have some deadlines to deal with and getting things done and turned in during the summer... so that sort of makes me nervous about leaving. And also I started classes
back at cincy state where I am just taking anatomy 2 which should transfer. But yesterday I started thinking about not going to school this term. This term lasts the next 9 weeks. That takes us to June 18, I think. Which is kinda a chunk of the summer. Not taking it now would just mean that I would have to take it in AUgust (it is not a pre-req for the christ school). And it would be free then bc school is getting paid for if I agree to work with the hospital 3 years following graduation. Taking it at cincy state is $400. It would be nice to get it out of the way but there just seem to be so many more pros to waiting. And if I decided not to take it now, I could work for the next few months and save up money for if I do decide to go back to New Orleans for the summer. AAhhh.. so much still to think about. And I need to decide this week so I can get money back if I decide to drop my class. I'm still trying to work all this out in my head.
Anybody have any thoughts/insight/advice?
Its really gonna kill me though to be away from baby O if I end up going for the summer.
I was sitting in class today writing notes but my brain was on "auto-pilot". I have no idea what she really talked about today because all i was thinking about was all this.
I'm praying that God will give me some answers, at least about school, this week.
I uploaded the rest of my pics and you can view them here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabeth/
I took almost 200 but I wish I would have taken more. I didn't even get a group shot! BUt I know someone else did so I'll just steal it when they share.
I love you all.
I think its a new day for me. And it is beautiful.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Happy Easter charlie brown

(Reese and Reagan)
Hello all.
Happy Easter.
Its been a good day with the family. I love getting together with all the fam. Its fun. Especially with the little ones.

So tomorrow I am off to New Orleans. I'm anxious, nervous.. but mostly excited about what is to come. I'm sure my future self would be rolling eyes and saying "You have NO idea". But we'll see :)
Pray for us.. and the others... and the city. It isn't really on the news much anymore but there is still so much devastation down there.
I love you. See yall when I get home!
Saying of the day: "I WANNA EAT YOUR FACE!"

i love them.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
the letter..
I love you all.
"May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."
Sunday, February 25, 2007
smell the rain, it is delicious
Well I know why I've been unhappy/disappointed/anxious/dissatisfied... I definitly havent been living to my full potential. I'm not really sure how to do that. And I'm not saying that my life will be perfect if I figure that out, but I think I will be able to experience real joy. I've also forgotten how to really love people.. aside from the ones I'm around all the time and love unconditionally already.
I can't deny I miss my previous church family. For some reason its been worse the past few weeks.. maybe bc i saw many of them last week. Change is hard. But I am moving on.. slowly.
Anyway, I love the Vineyard and their vision right now... the healing center, student center, and their vision to dig wells for clean water in Nigeria. That's just amazing to me. So many people talk about helping out with things like this. But to be able to help out and know exactly where your money is going, and witness this, is a magnificent example of sharing God's love with others. I am in love with this vision, as they are.
The vineyard is also sending groups down to New Orleans to help clean up some of the devastations of Katrina. I am also very excited about this and am planning on going April 9-14. If anyone else is interested let me know!! The cost is only $250, which really isnt bad at all. There are also trips March 3-10, March 19-25 (this one is $350), March 31-April 7.
So today has gotten progressively better. I hope it stays this way.
I love showing off my adorable cousins... here are 2 more .. (different ones than the last blog).
EMMA RAE (9 mo.)...

and.. HANNAH MARIE... (3 yrs)

They are gorgeous children.
k bye :)
Thursday, February 22, 2007
foes and parties
So I find out in a few weeks if I got into the Christ hospital nursing school...so please pray that I make it in!!! I've been back and forth about wanting to get in and have decided that it relaly would be a great opportunity and really want to get in!! I'm really scared that I won't.. so I'm trying not to get my hopes up.
Also... my parents are going out of town this week and I've been thinking about maybe having people over like next friday (march 2nd?).. not that I cant have people over when there here, but this way its easier to plan. I may actually have to babysit friday... so we'll see. What do you all think? Is anyone free next friday?
This is kinda a lame update but I just dont feel like expounding at this time.
countdown to baby "O" Bird: 10-11 weeks!!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
I PASSED!!
love you!
Monday, January 15, 2007
God is still answering prayers
This morning it was like my life stopped inside my head. All my whining and stress and complaining about stupid petty things went away for a few hours. I'm so stessed and focused on the most trivial things. I make this life seem so much harder htan it is sometimes.
I kinda mentioned this at bible study last night but I feel like ive gotten so much more cynical the past year or so... well i guess its been about 2 years now... I think it kinda started when I went to Israel. But anyway... I hate it. I feel like I've lost the joy that I once had and I don't know how to get it back. I really dont know where to start. Well i know it partly has some to do with me becoming more self-consumed. I dont know if anyone else has noticed it but I have.. I've been more infocused.. instead of outfocused on other people and things. I of course care about the people close to me... I guess I'm thinking about the people I dont know... the friends I could have.. the experiences I'm missing from not opening up to people I dont know yet. I remember being so happy and so full of joy when I was younger. But "ignorance is bliss" sometimes.. and innocence. Like I said last night.. I hope this is a phase. But I fear that its not because I dont think I'll ever forget the events/people that have helped this cynicism get worse the past 2 years. I guess thats an issue of forgiveness? I dont know.
I just thank God for healing my grandma today. I want to go see her so bad but I didnt want to see her like she was today. I lose hope sometimes. And I know that if her health did get worse... or if it does continue to do so.. I konw that doesnt mean that GOd isnt there or he isnt listening. But him healing her for today does give me that encouragement I need to kick me in the butt for feeling at all hopeless.
So thanks again for the prayers. They work.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
plans
As far as life outside of school... not too exciting. I don't hate my job right now. I think for now I'm gonna hold out until I really do get a stable job in a hospital or something..before I quit. But I'd still work at the orthodontist if I took that bakery job too. Its pretty sad that the most exciting part of my week is anticipating and watching Grey's anatomy and the office on thursday night. Nobody should be this excited to watch a tv show. I'm such a loser... but then again so is 80% of the US... everyone loves Grey's! Its like the flu or something... the excitemtn is contagious. OK now I'm talking about it too much.
Well Grey's isnt my only excitment... every day I get a little more syked about Baby Bird!! We only have like 3-3.5 months left to wait!! I love babies :)
I hope you all are well. Love you dearly.
SA
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
NEW YORK
Here's my flickr site to look at the pics!...
http://flickr.com/photos/79516616@N00/
love yous... merry christmas!!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
loves it
Monday, December 11, 2006
i have great friends
I'm TOTALLY KIDDING! I love you and you were AMAZING.. you should become a professional liar. Or not. That wouldnt be very good..what am i saying?
So thanks again..totally surprised.. probably one of the best birthday gifts so far. (aside from NYC... sorry:) ) It was GREAT. You all get 50 gold stars!
LOVE YOUS