Be Jesus with Skin On

I teach approximately 700 students each week in a public school. Since I can't openly share my faith in Christ, I often pray that the students just see something different in me. Every hug, smile, encouragement and high-five that I give is freely given out of my love for Christ. It's not about me. This job isn't just a job. It's my own calling and mission field. It's about taking seriously what He has given me.

Today, a student handed me the sweetest note…

Just by my actions, she felt a connection of a higher calling within us both. I was humbled. I was moved. I felt Jesus in that exact moment. I cried joyful tears. But more than that it was a beautiful reminder to myself "to be Jesus with skin on." 

Hope this encourages you wherever you are or whatever you are doing with what has been given to you. Everything you do does not go unnoticed. God sees it all. And others do too. And sometimes the two collide and both tell you in a special way.

Be faithful in all you do.

-S

Enjoy Great Moments

Throwback: Great Moment #188389210 of my life.
First camping trip.
First viewing of the sunrise from on top of the world.
A huge hug to the one who encouraged me to climb that mountain, meet new friends and soak in great moments.

Confession: I tend to not enjoy great moments. Sounds ridiculous right? Let me explain.

Yesterday a coworker of mine told me about a great sermon she heard that she thought I would like just as much as her. The sermon is by Chip Ingram and is titled, Enjoy Great Moments. I have never heard a pastor preach so specifically on this topic. Here are some key points that struck me the most summarized by me with my thoughts:

• We live our whole lives being told, "Do your homework and THEN you can go outside and play. Eat your veggies, THEN you can have dessert..." You get the idea. All of these things aren't bad practices IF you are a 3rd grader. But we are adults now and that mentality is sometimes carried over into adulthood. I totally do this most of the time! I have this huge to do list that is constantly rotating in my head and I think that if I get this done, THEN I can relax. I really needed to hear that and be reminded that as adults we will always have a to do list so instead of that "if this, then that" lifestyle, just know that the Lord wants and loves for us to be joyful. 

• What if we are missing blessings that the Lord is revealing to us because we are stuck dwelling on everything else? This part seriously made me tear up. I sure don't want to miss anything from the Lord but yet I'm sure I have done this.

• Stop feeling guilty for having fun. Yup, I totally do this one too. In the midst of great moments, I catch myself thinking ahead, planning, etc. Such a terrible cycle to be in. 

This message was so liberating for me. Not all of us have this issue, but I just had to share in case anyone else ever feels the same way I do. Take 40 minutes of your day, listen and be blessed. You certainly want to hear part two where he discusses practical steps on how to enjoy great moments.

You can hear the message by clicking here and look for Enjoy Great Moments (Part 1 and 2). I'm looking forward to listening to the others in this series. Click on the message notes to get the scriptures and a sermon guide. If you listen, tell me what you think!

-S

Breath of Life

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life

-Job 33:4

My newborn niece, Adeline, is heavy on my heart today. I'm asking you to pray with us for the doctor's and nurse's wisdom, peace for the family and for Adeline to gain her strength. Even though I have not met her yet she has already taught me how precious breath of life is. May none of us ever take that for granted.

The last update we heard was from Matt's Facebook yesterday evening:

Thanks everyone for keeping Adeline in your thoughts and prayers. She is still in NICU. She stops breathing when she sleeps and Drs have seen a few seizure like symptoms. Blood, X-rays and CTscans are all great though.

Thank you Wanda Guion for sharing Job 33:4 with us. She experienced a similar situation after the birth of her son and our friend, Josh. I'll keep you all updated with any news. 

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels!

-Sara  

Words of Faith

Just some scripture that us Davis' are memorizing this week together...

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know

Jeremiah 33:3

It's amazing how memorizing scripture can later be a breath of fresh of air all throughout your day. I find myself repeating this over and over. I love the fact that I can call on him anytime and he will answer me and to top that he reveals new truth to me. Amen!

Pump up the Jams

I apologize for our lack of blogging. Todd is super busy with his final three weeks of school and I just have not been inspired. It's been one of those weeks if you know what I mean. I'm in a funk. It was a quick week but in the midst of it I kept thinking, "will May 28 ever get here?!"

When I dwell on that I tend to daydream and forget all the stuff that needs to be done before then. I move into our townhome in 22 days so cleaning out my room needs to start now and I have lots of thank you notes to write because I'm determined to stay on top of them so to speak. Thankfully, I'm finished with school and just have my assistantship to continue until the first week in May. Where did this school year go? Not sure but that is okay with me.

With my free time these days, I promise I am doing some productive things. I've started going to the gym on regular basis. I want to be healthier, I want to fit into my wedding dress and look & feel good on the cruise of course! Basically, me and the elliptical are best friends these days. I call this "me" time because I take a mag and catch up on all the latest celeb gossip and listen to my hot jams. So for fun I'm sharing my playlist with you today. I have probably the most random playlist of all time but it gets me moving!

I Wanna Dance with Somebody

Gangsta Nation

Island in the Sun

You Belong with Me

Wannabe

Bounce

Hello Seattle (Remix)

Party in the USA

Give up Slow

Shackles

Just Dance

American Honey

Heartless

Cheap and Cheerful

Let it Rock

Love Lockdown

Salvation is Here

Desert Song

Low

Spin me Round

Fergalicious

Say my Name

Piece of Me

Womanizer

Circus

I Gotta Feeling

Crazy in Love

Autobiography

Carolina Jubliee

The Time (Dirty Bit)

Told you that the list is super random. Yes there are Spice Girls (love throwbacks). Yes there are slow songs (gotta cooldown). In fact now I'm a little ashamed I shared the list but I've already typed it all so I'll just throw it out there with no shame. To redeem myself I would like to say....its Good Friday! I'm grateful for Jesus carrying all my sin and shame on the cross and dying so that I may live. What a terrible day as he was beaten, mocked and ridiculed but thank God for the good news that came three days later. May you all find time to soak that in this Easter and rejoice!


More to come soon. In fact we have BIG news headed your way :)

-S

Marriage 101

Todd made an appearance on the blog this week and not sure about you but I thought it was great and also made me laugh out loud. I will never try to compete with his writing style and that is a-okay. He is one of a kind and I'm a lucky lady.

This week has been incredibly busy. It's the week before spring break and if you have ever been in school/college then you know how it is. Everything seems to be piling up. But I'm hanging in there and trying to get everything I possibly can done so that I can enjoy our time out of town. We plan to travel to the coast for just a few days to visit family which will be a great change of scenery.

But in the midst of working/studying/cataloging/projects, I managed to order and receive via mail (thanks Amazon) a book that my roommate Hollie suggested titled His Needs, Her Needs. As tired as I was last night, I still wanted to start reading it before bed. The book immediately hooked me as the author quickly brings up the subject of affairs. Not that he wishes that upon anyone, but he clearly outlines the emotions of men and women. Thus when those needs are not met, people seek them elsewhere. Affair is scary word. Personally, Todd and I don't want it in our vocabulary and vow to never threaten those words. However, I do believe that doesn't mean we aren't immune to it. After reading just the first chapter of this book, I know I'm going to gain so much insight into learning how to care for his needs and being aware of our emotions. The book does remind me a little of The Five Love Languages that I read a few weeks ago. So whether you are getting married or already married, this may be a book you want to check out just to guard yourselves and be reminded of what love is all about. I'll try to keep you updated on any other points in the book I find interesting!

Just like I'm taking four classes this semester, I take the idea of marriage really seriously as if it's a class. I truly believe people spend too much time planning for the "big day" but after they walk down the aisle they have a "what's next" attitude. I'm thankful for the incredible couples I know in my life that have gone before me to be such great role models at gaining wisdom for life after the alter. I know I can't read all the books and get all the answers before May 28 but I never want to look back and remember just a big celebration. The true celebration is that God is joining two people together as one that represents the body of Christ. May we never forget that.

-Sara

Thankful Thursday

Sometimes I freak out. I'm human. I'm a girl. Lately mostly it has been small freakouts about the things that marriage brings. More bills. Combined rent. Two checking accounts or one? How to compromise. Will we have enough money? Money, money, money. Why are we like that as humans...

All of which I know are foolish to think about. God always provides. 

But the devil sure does like to mess with me. I'm aware of it so thankfully I beat him off with the power of God. Which brings me to my thankful Thursday. All my life I have been graciously provided for and I owe that to my parents. Money never grew on trees. I watched my parents work (and they still do) very hard to provide for our family and get us what we needed. My parents also taught me to work hard and appreciate whatever life gives me. We were always blessed. Rain or shine. 

As we approach marriage, I'm realizing how incredibly blessed we are to have this mindset already instilled in us. We may just be in college but I'm so amazed at how Todd is determined to work as many jobs as he needs to so that we can just simply live. This summer I too will have to get a job since more than likely my assistantship will not be offered in the summer. Whatever job I get will not equal the pay I get during the school year. Instead of being down in the dumps, I'm grateful that I can be optimistic that I will work hard wherever I go and appreciate whatever I make.

Our parents have taught us one of the most basic but important lesson in life, even if they never realize it.  

God will provide.
Keep the faith.
Our reward is much greater than what this Earth has to offer.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Sara