twenty 12

 2012. It's almost over with. How was this past year for you? Was it successful? Hard? Challenging? Rewarding? For me it was a little of everything. I definitely learned alot about myself this year. I definitely have a lot of character flaws that I hope to work on in 2013. Here's to a better and brighter 2013!!!!

<3 Sarah Elizabeth

Bible Passage - December 29th

TITUS 2:11-15

11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Doesn't God just speak to you through these words?? Notice the word: "all" in the first verse. The grace of GOD ( that bringeth salvation) appeared to all men!!! PRAISE THE LORD!! We ALL have the opportunity to receive this wonderful gift. Maybe you've done something wrong that you don't think the Lord could ever forgive you for..... STOP RIGHT THERE.. THE LORD WILL FORGIVE YOU.. He loves you and me so much, He even gave His son to die in our place. Yes, we don't deserve it , but that is what God's Love is all about. 

  ~ Sarah~

19 YEARS

       I'm 19 years old today!!! I'm so thankful for 19 wonderful years that the Lord has blessed me with!! Here's to many more!!! :D

If Dogs Could Talk

What do you think they'd say???

THANKFUL

 Hey, Guys (  & Gals)!!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!  Now, I present you with a "thankful" psalm.

Psalms 100  Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

² Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

³ Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

⁵ For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Have a wonderful day & be blessed!!!!

<3 Sarah

my favorite quotes

"If you don't believe in miracles, Perhaps you've forgotten you are one."

" Don't stumble over something behind you."

" Be.YOU.tiful"

" I'm Beautiful in my own way because GOD makes no mistakes."

" Procrastination is the thief of dreams." -Richard Paul.

" There are seven days in the week, and "Someday" isn't one of them."

" Hugs were invented to let people know you love them without having to say anything."

" My girlfriends are the sisters I picked out for my self."

" If you're lucky enough to be different , Don't ever change" - Taylor Swift

"Peace is not the absence of trouble , but the presence of CHRIST." - Shelia Walsh

" Life is a journey and only you hold the map."

" Storms make trees take deeper roots. "

" We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. " -Cynthia Ozick



See my Pinterest board : "qUOtEs" for more!!!

~Sarah

GOD is in Control

Twila Paris - God Is in Control Lyrics

This is no time for fear
This is the time for faith and determination
Don't lose the vision here carried away by the motion
Hold on to all that you hide in your heart
There is one thing that has always been true
It holds the world together

God is in control
We believe that His children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside Him, we know
Oh, God is in control, oh God is in control

History marches on
There is a bottom line drawn across the ages
Culture can make its plan oh, but the line never changes
No matter how the deception may fly
There is one thing that has always been true
It will be true forever

God is in control
We believe that His children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside Him, we know
Oh, God is in control, oh God is in control

He has never let you down
Why start to worry now?
Why start to worry now?
He is still the Lord of all we see
And He is still the loving Father
Watching over you and me

Watching over you, watching over me
Watching over every thing
Watching over you, watching over me
Every little sparrow, every little thing
Oh, every little thing, oh

God is in control
We believe that His children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside Him, we know
Oh, God is in control, oh God is in control

Oh God is in control
Oh God is in control

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

After last night's election, I have to believe that GOD is in control. Things didn't go as I was praying for, but GOD is in control. When life seems dark and dreery, GOD is in control. GOD IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL!!

LORD, help me to remember that YOU are always in control, and YOU will lead me through life's difficult paths. Amen.

<3 Sarah

Fall Favorites

This Starbuck's Salted Caramel Mocha Frapp SOURCE 

                                                               ANYTHING Pumpkin

                                                       These boots from Belk- Rampage "Sarah Beth"

                                                      These boots from UrbanOg "Breckelle Riding Boot"

This Carob/Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

                                                             Hiking among Beautiful Fall Leaves


God bless you today and always !!

<3 Sarah
                                                                                              

Pumpkin Choco. Chip Brownies

Yield: 24 small brownies

1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 whole egg
2 egg whites
1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350˚F.  Line an 11″- x 7″-inch pan with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, eggs and oil until smooth.  Set aside.

In a separate medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, spices, salt and brown sugar.  Add to the wet ingredients and mix until thoroughly incorporated.  Stir in the chocolate chips.

Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly.  Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until passes toothpick test.  Cool completely before cutting.

ENJOY!! Let me know if you make them!! :D


recipe found HERE



<3 Sarah

Starbucks & She Reads Truth

        For the past few weeks,  I've been studying the Bible using the "She Reads Truth" Plan.  Check it out HERE.  Right now, We are studying Ephesians. Here's a few of my favorite verses in the book of Ephesians:


Ephesians 1:3-7

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 2:4-10

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Wow, So much truth going on here!!!! Speak to us , LORD!!! 

<3 Sarah


P.S. Check out this awesome giveaway going on at Sarcasm & Curls HERE

It's BEARY Nice to meet You!

Check out this black bear we saw while on vacation in the Smoky Mountains of TN!

Fall Bucket List

    Leaf Pile Photo shoot

      

          Make Caramel Apples

                
                   Carve a Pumpkin 

                         Go to A Pumpkin Patch

                                 GO ON A FALL PICNIC

                                        Go On a Hay Ride

                                   COOK WITH PUMPKIN

                                          Make Leaf Art

                                                             Family Time

                                                                   Host a Bonfire Party

                                                                    CORN MAZE

                                    
                                                                                                    Mountain Hike

                                                                                                                Bake Pies

                                                                            
                                                            

Mercy

*inspired by Devotional #182 in "Devotions for the God Girl" by Hayley DiMarco* 

 Matthew 5:7 

 " Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." 

   When people do bad things, I want justice. I want them to pay for what they did. It seems fair that bad acts should be punished, but I am NOT the punisher. God makes it clear that my job is the total opposite of that. I am to be merciful . I am to be like GOD. WHEN GOD CHOSE ME , HE CHOSE ME TO BECOME MORE LIKE HIM! ( see Ephesians 5:1). It's a tall order yes, but what does God say?? He says that all things are possible through HIM.

 Matthew 9:26

   " But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." 

   Mercy is one of the most amazing traits of God. These people that HE created sinned against him. We deeply hurt our Father who made us. Yet, HE has mercy on us. And, HE wants me to show that same mercy to others. But that selfish part of me tries to rise up again and say : " But they don't deserve mercy!!!" This is in fact true. No one deserves mercy! But , Isn't that the definition of mercy ? Mercy = Not giving people what they deserve. Mercy sounds good when it's coming my way, but showing it to others can be tough. Nonetheless, it is so important. 

   Mercy isn't a recommendation for the Christian, it's a necessity. IF YOU WANT MERCY, YOU'VE GOTTA SHOW IT!!! Loving people who are difficult to love has it's reward . (Col. 3:14) True Love ties everything together. So, Do what God asks you to do it when it's hard. Look for chances today and always to show the mercy GOD has so graciously shown me and you.

In Christ,
Sarah

A Hike in the Woods

And it was great!!!

<3 Sarah

No- Yeast Cinnamon Rolls

- A Pinterest Recipe-

Hey y'all! Today , I have a DELICIOUS cinnamon roll recipe for you. I found this recipe on pinterest , and made it last week! I adapted it a little to my liking , but you can make it however you want! They were heavenly!! So , without any more chit chatting, Here's the recipe & pictures from the original source : ( http://www.recipegirl.com/2012/03/22/no-yeast-cinnamon-rolls/ )

no yeast cinnamon rolls
Yield: 12 rolls
Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 20 min

Ingredients:

Filling:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Dough:
2 cups bread or all-purpose flour, + more for rolling
2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup milk
1 large egg, beaten

Cream Cheese Frosting:
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2/3 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk or buttermilk

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray.

2. Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, combine the filling ingredients with a fork until a crumbly mixture is formed.

3. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Use clean hands (or a pastry blender) to work the butter into the dry ingredients. Add the milk and the egg and stir to combine.

4. Roll the dough out on a floured surface into roughly shaped large rectangle (about 1/4-inch thick). Sprinkle the filling evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border all the way around. Carefully roll up the rectangle (the dough will be soft). Use a sharp knife to cut 12 rolls. If you want smaller rolls, cut them a little smaller and you'll get 18. Carefully place the rolls in the prepared muffin tin.

5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. While the cinnamon rolls are baking, prepare the frosting: Combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar and milk/buttermilk in a medium bowl. Use an electric mixer to combine. Add a little more milk if you wish to have a thinner frosting. Spread the frosting on top of warm rolls or drizzle on top. Serve warm.




ENJOY!!! If you make them, let me know how they turned out!!

<3 Sarah

Focus on Life ETERNAL

Sometimes, I catch myself getting so caught up in Today, or even Tomorrow. I spend so much of my time worrying about the things of this world, that I fail to remember why I am here. I am here to Live for JESUS , and to lead others to HIM. I am here to bring glory to my Father, and to stand for His Truth! In everything we do, I everything we think , and even in everything that we say, our focus should be on life Eternal.. TODAY, We all have a very important decision to make. Today, we can choose our destiny. We can choose to have Eternal Life , or Death. We can choose whom we will serve.


Just a thought.... Now to share some pictures of my favorite canines!! :-)

God bless!!

<3 Sarah

My Pride & Joy

My girl, Ginger. I LOVE her. Yes, she can be a complete brat & bully to her little bro, Choco, but hey, I gotta love her anyways! <3

Oh , by the way , Y'all should really check out this awesome giveaway :
http://messydirtyhair.com/2012/08/wanted-all-starbucks-lovers.html


Today's the last day to enter!!! HURRY!!


In the Love of Christ,
Sarah

Ginyah's Wedding Part 2

Ginyah's Wedding

Hey Everyone!! I'm finally back with another wedding to show you!! Yes, I know I never finished showing you Jamie's wedding pics .... Sorry about that! My sd drive is having issues with that particular memory card, so on to another beautiful wedding!!

My friend from elementary school, Ginyah got married this past Saturday.... what a gorgeous wedding! She married a wonderful guy named Cliff... and I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

Isn't she gorgeous??? More to come!!! :-)


<3 Sarah