Monday, February 26, 2007

Great news...

Guess who is finally going to be getting a new computer?! That's right. ME!!! It will be a few weeks before I can go get it but I'm getting a Mac Book. Sweet sounds to my ears!

I also went to the doctor today for my ears. She thinks I have a really deep sinus infection. I now have some good drugs that should take care of it. If not we'll try another medication. If that doesn't work it is back to Detroit. Let's hope this first set of medicine will work!

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Reflections from the weekend..

I had a great time at the retreat this weekend despite the fact we all had to peel out early because of the weather. It was good to see old friends and be a part of their ministry. These students were a blast. They all clicked right away. They interacted with each other as if they had known each other for years.

A couple sponsors backed out, so I ended up leading a small group. They named our group the “Bangcombs.” I think my favorite part of the weekend was watching one of the student’s view of things back home start to change. I don’t know his story but very early in the weekend he shared that he was dealing with some tough things back home and he was just glad to escape it for the weekend. Each conversation after that lead to the realization that he didn’t have to face all of the junk alone. I don’t know what will happen now that he is back home but just watching the wheels start to turn was pretty awesome.

Saturday afternoon I lead an elective on building a prayer time. I was shocked to have as many students as I did in the first session. They asked questions and were very attentive, a much appreciated change from school! I was pleased with how it went. Hopefully they walked away challenged and with a few new tools to help them grow.

My main role for the weekend was to lead worship. That, however, didn’t go so well. I don’t think I’ve played the piano so horribly in front of a group of people. I don’t know what my problem was but I struggled. I was pretty disappointed but most of the kids didn’t notice. In fact some of them think I’m some huge up and coming star. One asked if I was going to try out for American Idol! Those of you that know me know how hard I was laughing inside when he said that. I’m definitely not a vocalist!!!

Even though it didn’t go that well, I think it was a good time for me to face reality. My ears have been hurting quite a bit the last few weeks. They aren’t getting any better either. I’m going to try and get into the doctor this week. Depending on how that goes, I might have to push up my next appointment with the “super-specialist.” I was so excited when I left there in December. My hearing levels were the highest they have been in years and there was no pain at all. The doctor was pleased and sure that things would only keep improving. It doesn’t look like that. I’ve noticed that it has been getting harder to hear again and that scares me.

I’ll never forget when my specialist back home said I needed to start looking into a career outside of music. I was devastated. Then I met with the doctor in Detroit and things were better than ever. Now it is back downhill and I don’t know what to think. Every time this happens, I start to question how long I’ll have enough hearing to stay in music. I also become more and more amazed at how Beethoven did all that he did when he was deaf. I never thought I would be so thankful just to hear but living with the fear that it might not be there the next day really makes you appreciate it. I’ll just keep praying and see what happens.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Quick

Last night I went to Hacienda with some friends. It was awesome, even if Jeffrey didn't come. More about that later. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Kelli and Amy are stinking hilarious!!!

I'm about to head out to the camp for the jr. high retreat. I'm really excited but pretty nervous. I feel very unprepared for this. I feel like things are just thrown together and I dont' like going into things like that. However, God always shows up and always does his thing. So I'm going to get out of the way and let him do that. More of Him and less of me! Send up a prayer for all of us.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Upcoming retreat...

I’ve been a bit of a slacker as far as updating my blogs. I just don’t seem to get down here to civilization very often with the weather and lack of funds! I did post about some of the things I’ve been up to on my xanga site. However, the readers of this blog know me better than most so I thought I would share some exciting news with you.

This coming weekend four churches in Michigan are getting together for a jr. high retreat and I was asked to come and lead worship. It has been a little while since I’ve done that and I can’t tell you how much I miss it. This will be two weekends in a row that I’ve played or lead. How exciting is that?!?!

I was talking through the weekend with Eric today and he asked me if I would be willing to lead a breakout session on prayer. Hmm…does Sarah like talking about prayer…YES!!! I’m really excited about this opportunity as well. When I was working as the jr. high intern at HPCC I talked about prayer a lot with my students. At the time since youth ministry was still a new thing to me I might as well teach these kids how to pray so God can be teaching them because I felt pretty clueless.

I thought now might be an appropriate time to go back to Jeffrey’s famous quote about my prayers. I love this kid!!!

"Sarah, you don't know how to pray. Your prayers don't work. Don’t worry I’ll teach you how to pray." -Jeffrey Myers

Monday, February 12, 2007

Feelings

Disconnected…the way I feel while sitting in my apartment

Freezing…the way I feel while working at my computer in my classroom

Worried…the way I feel every time the pain in my ear gets worse and worse

Amused…the way I feel when I think about the fact I’m writing a letter of recommendation for someone who skipped my class (Don’t worry!!!)

Exhausted…the way I feel when I think about all the music there is to learn before March 2nd

Privileged…the way I feel while I sit at the coffee shop praying for one of my closest friends and his ministry

Curious…the way I feel when I try to imagine what will be happening a year from now

Afraid…the way I feel when I think about the day when I finally have to move away from my best friend

Annoyed…the way I feel about stupid people who refuse to even try to look at things from different perspectives

Anxious…the way I feel when I think about the upcoming Jr. High retreat

Overwhelmed…the way I feel when I step back and think about the plans God has for me

Hungry…the way I feel every other week as I count down the days to payday

Ashamed…the way I feel when I remember the face of my best friend when I know I let him down

Blah…the way I feel when I know I still have a long drive home

Frustrated…the way I feel when I can’t seem to get my students to understand on concept

Happy…the way I feel when I think of a room full of special needs students who just want to make music

Relieved…the way I feel when I remember that I’m not alone

Humbled…they way I feel when I encounter my God in a new way…every day