it's the holiday season...

Greetings, friends!

It's been so long, both in person and by blog. I have much to cram in here to update you on our Texan holiday festivities! Maybe you're all snuggled up in bed on this, the night before Christmas, waiting for sleep to come by scanning social media on your phone, despite what healthcare professionals say about your brain getting all wired up by the stimulation of technology. Ah well, stay awake a little longer with me!

We've had a whirlwind of a few weeks since Thanksgiving--but then, isn't that always the way? We did a lot of fun things, like enter a Decorate-Your-Patio contest at our apartment complex (we won 2nd place...highway robbery..and yes, I'm bitter...), checked out Six Flags, an antiques auction, SeaWorld (don't judge me), the Alamo, the Riverwalk at Christmas time--and a lot of that was over the course of just one weekend when my good friend Laura was here. I'm still tired thinking about it.

Lastly, there's some big news for those of you who know my story over the past few years, but I'll save that for the very end so you have to subject yourself to all the pictures first.

Let's start with our first auction! Travis and I have never been to an auction before, but in the middle of December we found ourselves in a room with antique dealers who were getting mint-condition mid-century modern furniture for a STEAL. It was maddening...until we got our very own steal on a GORGEOUS kitchen table. God's ways of providing for us continues to astound us in this journey.

 It's a tiger oak drop-leaf table with storage in the middle. So unique, sturdy, and gorgeous!

And with that, we no longer have to sit on the couch to eat.

Although we still like to from time to time...because we really like our couch, too.

Then some shenanigans at Six Flags in Fiesta, TX. It's so small, we like to call it "Three Flags." They had a neat little Christmas show called "The Majesty of Christmas." It was a little cheesy, granted, but it celebrated the birth of Jesus (you know, the actual reason for Christmas), so we appreciated that. And it incorporated live sheep, donkeys, and a camel, so we were pretty happy.

 

  

DAFFY!!!!!!!!! Much of my childhood was spent with this duck.

So, Travis heard about this patio contest at our complex, and I was all, "Eh." But he was really excited and had a plan, so off we went to the Dollar Tree for supplies. The vision? A giant snowman built out of paper. I added some more conceptual art, staging our furniture outside to look like it was Santa's little hang out in the North Pole. If you look closely, you can even see "marshmallows" in our mugs of "hot chocolate." I mean, COME ON!

The master designer, hard at work.

 Frosty, complete with 3D nose and arms!

 I MEAN, COME ON! THAT TOOK A LOT OF WORK, PEOPLE!

Anyway, that conceptual stuff probably lost us first place. (By the way, first place was a patio with a lot of colored lights. That's it. I'm not bitter.)

One of the definite highlights of this month was an impromptu visit from our friend, Laura. She's an avid cyclist, so she had the brilliant idea of renting bikes and exploring the city. I got to see so much more of San Antonio than I ever would have in one day. It really was spectacular.

 I'll be honest--riding bikes in the middle of a busy downtown area is a wee bit stressful.

But I got the hang of it eventually.

After exploring the city, I took Laura to one of our favorite spots--La Gloria.

Just so you have an idea of what the typical fare looks like in San Antonio. This is la glorious.

 

The best part of that day, and I don't think Laura will mind this, is when we came across a full-bred bull terrier puppy.

 

Guys, you have no idea what this did for my heart. Our dog, Elvis, was a bull terrier, and he made me a dog person, which is pretty wild considering my deep abiding love for cats. Elvis passed away about a month before we moved here, so every time I see a bull terrier, I get a little choked up for Travis' sake, who adored Elvis, and a bit for my own, too. Spending ten minutes with this puppy had me floating for the rest of the day.

 

Now, a question--have you ever celebrated Christmas with aquatic animals? No? I'm just going to go ahead and say, add that to your bucket list. Unless you stand against SeaWorld. In which case, again, please don't judge me.

 new favorite pose.

Sorry, but seeing a few gigantic Orca whales leap 10 stories out of the air
during "Joy to the World" is really something to behold.

 

We also met another celebrity:

 

 MENCHIE!!!!!!!
I KNOW HIM, I KNOW HIM!!!!!

Alright, enough tomfoolery. Let's get on to the big news.

Guys...I'm leading worship again. 

In answer to some big prayers, we found a church home in Texas. And with that church home has come an opportunity to step back into leading worship and serving on a team. For those who know my story, can we just raise our hands in awe of a God Who brings things full circle? I'm leading part of the Christmas Eve service tonight, and I am SO excited. 

Before we left, my good friend Lori gave me a bracelet off of her own wrist that says, "With God all things are possible," and she made me promise to wear it whenever I stepped back into worship. So here I am, making good on that.

I will wear it proudly tonight, in serious awe of all that God has done in my heart and in our lives over the past 18 months. He is truly to be praised.

Well, thanks for taking some time with me today. Merry Christmas, dear ones. I hope you have a lovely day celebrating the One Who gave Himself for us. My heart beats with yours tomorrow.

We love you all!
-Sarah

advent: what child is this?

A couple of days late on this one, but better late than not at all, I say. Gotta keep writing!

I tell you what, these Christmas carols move my heart. I was praying over something recently while one was playing, and it really was just perfect--O come, Emmanuel, into this situation.

This week's carol is more about the version than the actual song, although the song is fantastic. The version I found highlighted the third verse you'll see below, the lyrics of which I had never noticed. Good ol' MercyMe...I think they've gotten better and better over the years. And then, in researching a little bit more, I found another verse I didn't even know existed. Such treasures in the words of these carols!

I present: What Child is This.

What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spears shall pierce Him through,
The cross He bore for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The babe, the Son of Mary.

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.

I hope you enjoy my favorite version!

let's catch up!

Alright you guys, let's get right down to business. I've got a lot to catch you up on, starting with Thanksgiving! Wait, no, let's start before that. 

Let's begin with this fortune we got in a cookie at our favorite Chinese restaurant:

Nothing happened "on next Tuesday," but I'll keep you posted in case they meant another Tuesday in the future.

Thanksgiving weekend was very different for us this year. We're away from all of our family, but that didn't stop us from cooking as if everyone were coming over. I'm talking five dishes here...and it turns out, I CAN cook a turkey! (I had serious doubts about my ability.) Proof:

 Roasted maple pecan bacon butternut squash, mashed potatoes, apple-bacon stuffing, sauteed green beans with fresh garlic, and herb-roasted turkey--all made from scratch. HUZZAH.

 I can't slice meat to save my life, so Trav had to step in.

And, let's be honest--I just like looking at him.

Before that, we had a snack we'd never heard of--Thanksgiving-flavored potato chips. What?! Seriously awesome. Trav's parents sent them to us as a surprise for the day.

Wickedly delicious.

The rest of our weekend was spent exploring. There is a really cool park nearby with hiking trails and wilderness to explore. I've never been anywhere like it. It was great to be outside in such beautiful weather!

 

 Beautiful!

 Cactus is to Texas as azaleas are to Summerville--they're everywhere.

 I conquered this land and claimed it for all future posterity. Do you think they'll mind?

 (insert comment about how handsome my husband is, followed by his supreme embarrassment.)

I've learned a few more things lately, too. 

 

1. You all have dopplegangers in Texas. I can't tell you how many times I've turned and thought, "Oh look, it's Tara--wait, nope, she's 1200 miles away." "Is that Adam?!? Oh wait, no. Impossible." It's a daily disappointment, quite frankly. I've also found the ethnically-diferent versions of a lot of you, as well. 

2. Did I mention I can cook a turkey? This deserves celebration.

3. I LOVE STREET TACOS AND ROASTED CORN. Trav and I agreed that the street corn we had was probably the single best thing we've eaten here so far. If you're ever in San Antonio, go to La Gloria. Then send me a gift certificate in appreciation for the awesomeness you experience. And you get to see these:

4. Christmas is even cozier in a small apartment.

 

 

5. Bingley just gets cuter and cuter.

Meowy Christmas, everybody!

 

advent: this is the Christ.

Greetings! Hope your Thanksgiving was grand. I'll tell you all about ours soon, but first, it's time for this week's Advent tune.

I hope you're enjoying the journey as I share some of my favorite Christmas songs that talk about the coming of Christ. I am certainly enjoying talking about some great music and Spirit-infused lyrics that remind us of Emmanuel, God with us, right here and now in the mess of our lives.

This one is a lesser known hymn, originally written by Martin Luther. I tried performing it once on a Christmas Eve service, but the lyrics are a bit lofty to understand just by hearing once, so I don't think it landed well. Hopefully you'll see why I love it after you take some time with the words. 

good news from heaven the angels bring,
glad tidings to the earth they sing
to us this day a child is given
to crown us with the joy of heaven

this is the Christ, our God and Lord
who in all need shall aid afford
He will himself our Savior be
and from our sins will set us free

all hail, thou noble Guest this morn
whose love did not the sinner scorn
in my distress Thou come’st to me
what thanks shall I return to Thee?

were earth a thousand times as fair
beset with gold and jewels rare
she yet were far too poor to be
a narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee...

praise God upon His heavenly throne
who gave to us His only Son
for this His hosts on joyful wing
a blest New Year of mercy sing.

this is the Christ, our God and Lord
who in all need shall aid afford
He will himself our Savior be
and from our sins will set us free.

Here's the version that introduced me to this song--I give you Sandra McCracken. So lovely. Talk to you soon.