Manic Monday Madness

Yesterday I had a bad cause of the Monday blues so I decided to go to bed at 9 PM. Who does that? I'll tell you who doesn't. People who like to break into cars! That's who doesn't go to bed at 9 PM.

About 15 seconds after I walk in my bedroom and turn the light on, my car alarm starts going off. I turn off the light look out the window and sure enough there are two guys out there and my trunk is open. One has already started to run away. The other still shocked that the alarm went off. (Even I didn't know that would happen!) So I grab my keys and cell phone, slip on my shoes and run outside. I was about to let them have it.

Of course they were long gone by the time I got out there. There was no damage to the car and nothing was missing. The most valuable thing in my car is my old softball mitt and I need a new one anyway. All was well so I locked it up and went back inside.

I called my parents to tell them the story and my mom was none to pleased with me. She gave me a good lecture about how dangerous it was to run outside. I told her next time I'll take my dart gun with me. She still wasn't impressed but I wasn't even scared. Shoot! Try to mess with my car when I bust out my teacher voice and dart gun. They will run away in tears if they come in contact with that combo!

Wedding Bells

Tonight my friend Lindsay got married!!!! It was a beautiful wedding and a perfect reflection of both Lindsay and Aaron's personalities. Here are some picture from the festivities.

March Chick Nite

This month we decided to try something completely new for Chick Nite and do a murder mystery. It was an absolute blast and complete success! We found a great package that had plenty of characters and an appropriate plot. The best part is there were only five male parts that five of us agreed to cover.

Here are all the pictures I took tonight. None of them are edited or sorted. If you want you can head over to my facebook and see the edited pictures that help tell the story of the night. This was one of my favorite Chick Nites yet. Good times with amazing students and incredible leaders. I love it!

Simple Phone Call

There are a few things that just seem to be weighing me down this week and I've struggled to kick past it. I was thinking about these things as I left work today. I was about two blocks from the school when my phone rang. I was a little surprised when I saw the name of a good friend and the conversation I was about to have was not at all what I expected.

Simple phone call with the only purpose being to encourage. There were no strings attached. It wasn't a special occasion. Simply, Thank you. I appreciate you. You encourage me. I'm grateful for you. I see Jesus in you and here's how.

Umm...what?! Did my friend dial the wrong number? Those words keep running through my mind. I've been speechless since then. All evening I've struggled to process it all. Then it hit me. Stop doubting the truth of it. Stop trying to process it. Rest in the encouragement.

I don't deserve the opportunities God has given me. There is plenty I can be doing better. But for tonight I'm thankful for amazing friends that speak truth in my life even when it is hard to hear. I've honestly never felt so humbled, encouraged and blessed as I feel tonight.



Thank you, Abba, for your overwhelming grace. It is only because of you that a glimpse of beauty can be seen in this mess. The work you're doing in me is far beyond anything I could have imagined and your plans are much greater than I'll ever be able to conceive.

Scatterbrained

- I think it is funny the announcement on the top of my screen says "Thursday (3/25)." I do that ALL the time.
- Band directors are possibly the oddest people you'll ever meet. Put them together and you'll either laugh hysterically or run and hide.
- Excuse me who is that?
- I'm so glad baseball/softball season is here. I still think I made the right decision by not coaching.
- Change can be such a good thing.
- I can't wait to get notes from tonight's Journey Class from my buddy Jeanna. She rocks!
- Why am I writing this blog? I should be sleeping or catching up on reading?
- I think I try to call my sister tomorrow to see how her broken toe is.
- Spring break is 9 days, 7 school days, and one concert away. I should make some plans.
- I'm still planning to take over the world. Plans have been adjusted slightly and final details are coming into place.
- This really isn't so random tonight. Mostly because my brain is dead right now.
- GCC-E moves into their new location this weekend. Yippee!!!
- I'm hungry for air-popped popcorn but it is too late.
- I'm VERY excited about an evening of nothing tomorrow!

March Girls Only

Here are the pictures from Friday night's Girls Only fun. I also thought I would share a few funny moments from the evening.

skoutz: That's not true. I lied.
Tia: Nice. So you took a bite of the apple with Eve?
skoutz: Yup. I sure did. It was wheat-free.


Blake: (reading a Laffy Taffy wrapper) What kind of shoes do mice wear?
skoutz: I don't know! Tiny ones?
Blake: Squeakers
Tia: Aaahhh!!! That is my life verse!


And Eden's life verse...
What do you call a nun sleepwalking?
A Roman Catholic

Yes we ate and read lots of Laffy Taffy wrapper. This has lead me to make an executive decision to open the second chapter of the Laffy Taffy Club. It is a great honor to welcome the new GCC chapter. In honor of this great moment I leave you with this question.

Where do you put noisy dogs?

Live. Learn. Share.

We've all made stupid choices in life, especially when we are in middle school and high school. I've fallen into this category, plenty of times. Some of those choices don't change much in my life. Their consequences dwindle fast. Other times those choices have a huge impact on every aspect of my life. Lots of times those stupid choices are surrounded with my absolute best intentions. I may even think I'm making the best possible choice later to find out I was wrong.

Thankfully as I've gotten older I've learned how to think before I act. I've learned to evaluate options and make wiser choices. I'm not perfect by any means but I'm grateful for some of those stupid choices I've made.

God has used them to shape me and show me more of himself. He even takes them and uses them for good. Over the last two days I've had several opportunities to share about the choices, good and bad, that I've made in my life. I've shared with my students at school, our GSM students and a few local college students.

I'm so thankful I serve a God who lovingly reaches down and turns my messes into the beautiful creation he intended.

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10

Live from the Band Room

I may be exhausted today but work has been full of laughter. Some of that laughter was in my head during a conversation with one of my students. When I first started this position this girl couldn't stand me and now she comes to me for all sorts of random advice. Today's topic: BOYS! This conversation may top any conversation that happens in my classroom.

Student: How do you know if a boys likes you?
Miss Koutz: Excuse me, what?! (I was taken a little off guard by this question.)
Student: You know. How do you know if a boy likes you? Like...LIKES you likes you?
Miss Koutz: hmmm....excellent question. Let me know if you figure out the answer.
Student: Ha! No really Miss Koutz. I'm serious. How do you know?
Miss Koutz: Uhh, you did notice there is no ring on my finger right? I'm probably not the best person to ask about this.
Student: I don't care. What do you think?
Miss Koutz: Well I'm not going to pretend like I know. I honestly have no clue. If a boy were to like me he would have to flat out tell me. And then he would have to tell me again later because I would probably laugh at him the first time.
Student: MISS KOUTZ! You would laugh at a boy if he said he liked you?! That isn't nice.
Miss Koutz: Well I wouldn't laugh AT him. I would laugh because I would think he was joking around. I just wouldn't think he was serious.
Student: Miss Koutz that is dumb!
Miss Koutz: Haha...yea it is. Moment of confession...I've done that before.
Student: Miss Koutz! I can't believe you.
Miss Koutz: Well, I'm just keeping it real.

We laughed. I wrote her a pass and sent her off to class. I'm so glad my stupidity is helping others in life.

A Good Firm Talking To...

There has been so much on my mind the last few weeks. Situations I'm unsure how to handle. Questions I don't have answers for. Uncertainty that haunts the corners of my mind. Although it seems like there is a lot of unrest, I feel like it is a healthy level that is stretching me. Do I like? No way! Who likes challenging things that force you to be completely honest with yourself. That's just plain hard stuff my friends!

A weekend away with friends reminded me there isn't enough space in my schedule for rest and solitude. I started the school year doing really well with this. Now that work has picked up I've started to lose focus of those goals I set for myself in August. It didn't take much to remind me either. A quick teacher glance. A quiet "hmm?" A stern "Sarah!" I knew what needed to be done.

Tonight I put everything away and just sat with God for awhile. Of course it isn't surprising that at the end of that time, all of those challenges I mentioned earlier seem less intimidating. Too often I try to carry all that junk myself instead of allowing God to move and sort things out in His time. I'm so stubborn! Sometimes I just have to give myself a good firm talking to!


"Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen." Romans 11:33-36

Going Home

It was a great weekend with phenomenal friends. Now it is time to load up and head back south.

I'll be back in town in time for rehearsal. GSM is going to be amazing today. I like Sundays!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Some Favorites

This weekend has been about hanging out with some of my favorite people that I don't get to see very often. I spent the morning with my Mom hanging out around the house. Unfortunately Dad had to hit the road early for a math competition up north.

You just can't go wrong with a good cup of Biggby coffee and a great friend. That is exactly how I spent my afternoon laughing and catching up with James. He was even kind enough to give me some dart gun advice so Anna and I can successfully defend ourselves against our brother, Matthew.

I made a stop by the Great Lakes' campus to say a quick hello to a couple of the girls from my ministry days at Harris Prairie. Unfortunately I was only able to see one of them. Then it was off on a small adventure since I wasn't really sure where I was going.

My amazing buddy Brooke moved to the Grand Rapids area to do an internship in college ministry. When some of the plans changed at the last minute I called to see if she was up for a visit. I miss her very much and am loving the chance to hang out with her tonight. When the two of us are together, you just never know what is going to happen!

Spending a weekend with some of my favorite people...it just can't get much better than this! I'm one lucky girl to have some incredible friends.

The Homeland

This is what happened when I got to my brother's house. His kids love to tackle me. After a short game I headed to my parents.

I love coming home to the stars. They are beautiful in Vestaburg. Right now we are watching Numbers and discussing the fine world of education. I love my parents!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Checkers?!

This is my little sister Hannah. I was lucky enough to have dinner with her and her parents tonight. Wally and Steph are amazing people. They have taught me so much. I value every opportunity I get to spend time them. I love them!

Hannah challenged me to a game of checkers. I'm pretty sure she won.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Partying with the Family

This weekend my younger sisters celebrated their 25th birthday and my brother and sister-in-law had a party to celebrate the adoption of my nieces. Despite not feeling well, I made the trip home to hang out and it was a blast. Everyone was home except one brother-in-law. Here are some pictures. Aren't my nieces and nephew adorable?!

March First Wednesday

Last Wednesday was First Wednesday, which means an amazing time of worship at GCC. This month's focus was on spreading God's love around the globe. It was a little different that most First Wednesdays but it lands on the charts as one of my favorites!

I've never met anyone as passionate about missions as Rob Wegner. He shared about the heart of God and how fast it beats for His people. At the end of the service he shared about the number of unreached people group who still have yet to hear the name of Christ. Everyone was given the name of a people group and the country in which they live and was asked to keep that people group in your prayers. I was very excited to find my card had the Azerbaijani nation in the northern part of Moldova. My little sister, Lois, went to Moldova on a mission trip when she was in college.

If you want to learn more about unreached people groups visit the Joshua Project website.

My Buddy

This is my awesome nephew Logan. He just informed me I don't have to get married this summer like he had originally told me. He also informed me he was going to push me in the river.

He asked his parents if he could have a sleepover at Aunt Sarah's. So party at my place tonight!!!

Here is a message from Logan:
I love you (Sarah)! My name is Loggie Bear. I like Thomas the tank engine. My favorite color is blue. I'm 6! I love them (sarah's friends)!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Question of the Day

How do you teach common sense?

Sneak Peak

I really want to blog but it is far to late for that tonight. I'm pooped. ISTEP testing makes for a very long week. Students are so brain-dead by the time the get to my class, we can't get anything accomplished. Sorry that was random.

As I was saying, I have lots of things to blog about but no time. Just to wet your appetite here are some upcoming blog posts.

First Wednesday - Tonight was AWESOME!!! Great stories to tell. Can't wait to share them.
Living Examples of Jesus - I have two more to add to the series. Yes I know it has been a long time. Deal with it!
Why Camp? - I know for several camps the price has gone up and the economy is a mess. Several students are thinking of not going. So I'm going to share some thoughts on why I think camp is the place to be this summer. This may be multiple posts.
Adoption Party - I'll be heading home to see the fam and celebrate the adoption of my niece. This means funny quotes and lots of pictures.

Some of you are thinking, yea right this won't happen. You may be right but I don't want to give you that satisfaction. So be patient. It's coming....sometime.

Scatterbrained

- I think wheat should be banned from our society. I'll be paying for the wheat that slipped into my food for the next month. No joke!
- I'm trying to learn how to let go of the hard days and look forward. Harder said than done.
- My brother finds pure enjoyment out of pushing my buttons.
- Adoption Party this weekend. I get to see ALL of my nieces and nephew.
- I'm already in pain from today's workout. Tomorrow I won't be able to move.
- I cleaned our apartment this weekend (except my room) and it is already a mess.
- I'm so excited about Deeper Life and Rock Lake this year. Love the book of Hebrews.
- My computer is currently making weird noises. I keep saying I'm going to take it in but haven't.
- I want a chocolate chip cookie and brownies...both are wheat infested.
- Reason #107 Why I Love Meijer - They hooked me up with a good price for iron pills. I can't believe my iron is STILL that low. Stupid!!!!
- ISTEP week is of the devil.
- #1 Pet Peeve - Stupid People (you know the ones who fail to use common sense)
- I hate that my brain turns on when it is time to sleep.
- Learned some great new punches in Brooke's cardio class today. I don't think Anna and I will need our dart guns anymore.

Special Request: Wheat Freedom

Wheat Freedom
"No Wheat...I'm Gonna Eat!"

Tia: "I'm learning the ways of wheat free-dom!"
DC: "Wheat freedom...that's like a new religion! You should blog about that."

Like Tia, many of you should begin to learn more about the ways of the wheat-free. And since DC requested it, you have that opportunity. After discovering today that wheat had indeed caused the weekend of unbearable pain and sickness, I currently have an increased hatred for the grain and increased passion to spread the word about its evilness.

Obviously the key to Wheat Freedom is eating only that which does not contain wheat. You'll often hear me say before I start eating someting, "No wheat in this so I'm going to eat it!" Sunday that was in reference to an amazing baked potato and Frosty from Wendy's.

Time out: Three cheers for Wendy's!!!! I love that place!

I don't think I need to restate the consequences for partaking in this horrible grain. So we'll move on. I would like to give credit to Tia for designing the official Wheat Freedom logo. And in closing, apparently this was voted "funniest wheat comment of the night."

Me: I gave up wheat for lent.

Why Marriage?

Two Facts:
1) There are several reasons why people decide to get married.
2) Shenanigans have been known to occur in between GSM-Middle School and GSM-High School.

What happens when these two facts collide? The following top ten list!

In other words, my buddy Tia and I got a little crazy waiting for high school students to arrive. We made this random list of out of the ordinary reasons to get married. My family will enjoy this list probably more than anybody else.

TOP TEN OUT OF THE ORDINARY REASONS TO GET MARRIED
10) Someone to help make ridiculous lists like this.
9) Someone to cheer on the Wolverines with while living in Irish territory.
8) Someone to make the bed.
7) Someone to help grade papers
6) Extra security/Personal bodyguard
5) Someone to drive in the winter
4) Someone to wash silverware
3) EXTRA INCOME!
2) Free back massages
1) Someone to do laundry