My First

Wordless Wednesday

The hubby and I at my senior prom (we've known each other since jr. high!).

Look at that hair!

I love him, but I'm so glad that was just a phase!

today's menu

Since yesterday, I have been feeling just awful!  And last night/this morning, my body proved to me that, well, I definitely have a yuck stomach.  And I'm trying to get better before tonight (our church service)...

This is all I'm eating:

&

But in a couple of hours, I'm hoping to stomach this:

The good thing about this is, my mom came over this morning, and she took care of me!  I felt so loved! Thank God for Mothers!

Winner & TaDa

Sorry that this is a couple of hours late...  I am feeling sick.  But I couldn't not pick a winner of the Giveaway with a Heart!

Without much ado... the winner is Chelsie Denson!

Congrats, Chelsie!  You have won:

Black and Jewel Pearl Toned Earrings!

I'll be getting in touch with you soon!

&

I have a new blog design!  What do you think?

Stephanie at Dirt and Lace Designs made it... she does an amazing job.  In fact, for the next week, if you tell her that I sent you, she will give you 15% off of your total!  It's an amazing deal, since her work is so good!  Go visit, and enjoy!

She made me this awesome button:

<center><a href=http://www.sarahannrogers.com/><img src="http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz202/dirtandlace2/Sarah%20Ann/button1-1.png" /></a></center>
Please grab it if you love me!
PS - This week is a 4-day week.  Three cheers for Good Friday and Easter!

Quoted.

This week's sentence:

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

-C.S. Lewis

If you want to do a single-sentence sunday, go ahead!  Just leave your link in your comment.

A Plan!

Today, my husband planned a wonderful surprise date!  He just informed me of the plan... I can't wait!

For this afternoon...

Riding Bikes

+

In Azalea Park, Summerville, SC

+

 at the Flowertown Festival

(Cute handmade things and lots of people)

+

Starbucks (ya'll know how I love it!)

And for tonight...

A Japanese Steakhouse! 

They are my favorite restaurants!

I'm so happy!

Off we go!

Happy Weekend, Blog Friends!  Hope yours is as wonderful as mine!

Rock Salt

It's always such a hard choice... follow a blog trend, or not?

Well, I just adore Julie's blog, Brown Eyed Belle, and she's doing this one, which I just think is precious, and goes along with what I was thinking, anyway:

Cute, huh?
Well, this Friday, and any Friday, and any day of any month of every year, I'm in love with:

That's right.  This is my weakness.  I can never resist NYSFC (yes, I even made an acronym).

I know what you're thinking... This is not really healthy.  But what can I say?  

I'm in love.

Funny fact:When I eat ice cream, I have to drink water.  It makes me so insatiably thirsty.(That's not funny, but this is...)When I was younger, I seriously thought that this thirst & ice cream issue came from the fact that ice cream is made with this stuff:

Rock Salt!

And we all know that salt = thirsty.  Right?  So my idea would make sense!

Well, come to find out... rock salt is not actually in the ice cream. Oops.

Come to find out, it has some other purpose.  But it definitely is not in the ice cream.

It goes on the outside... in the ice cream maker... I don't really know why.

That's why I'm an English major.  I'm idealistic.  I promise, it was a good, solid idea...

Either way, thank goodness for whatever it does.  I love me some NYSFC.

Still... why do I get so thirsty?

I told my husband about this idea last night.  He laughed a lot.  I didn't think it was that funny...

Sold. Dedicated. Unjust.

Yes, dedicated to a goddess.  Sold to the temple.  Complete dedication, chosen for them.
It's called the Devadasi System.  It's a long, old Indian religious tradition.
Little girls are dedicated to the goddess for a few reasons.  Most often, it is to make money for their family. Because they are dedicated to the temple/goddess, they are never allowed to get married.  One of their duties is to perform sexual favors for the local men.  This is their life.  Even worse, they are told that it is their duty - their calling.  They are married to the religion.  They never have a husband.  They may have children, but never stability.  And they must exploit themselves.

Some are also sold straight into prostitution.  They are either unwanted or uncared for.  They are just slaves, and they must do what they are told to survive.


I read about this at 15.  This broke my heart.  It planted a seed in my core, and it's grown into a passion for not only the girls in India, but internationally.


However, the seed is still there, and I still have a heart for girls in India.  That is why, eventually, we hope to adopt a little girl from India, specifically, if God provides.  

They are in danger, not only because of this religious cult, but because girls are seen as a burden to parents.  Sometimes they are abandoned at orphanages, sometimes they are blatantly sold straight into prostitution.  Some families even bury their little girls alive. 

Again, if you have read my blog, you know that this breaks my heart into a million pieces.  Especially the prostitution.  Especially the fact that they have no rights.  Especially because God calls us to care for those that cannot care for themselves, and not enough people are taking action.

Mary Ellen Mark is a photographer that took pictures of young Indian prostitutes in brothels.  Just a warning, if you go look at them, some are explicit (only because they're realistic).

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway with a Heart, especially if this breaks your heart...

Just Adorable

Just a few Spring-y things I've fallen in love with lately 

(ok, maybe I'm enamored... I love my hubby and God, but these things are just adorable):

Anything from the Life to the Full Collection

J. Crew Accessories

 

Moleskines Volant Notebooks

They come in pairs!  I have the 2 pink ones, and I adore them.  They're just thin enough to carry around, but sturdy enough.  But I have an obsession with notebooks!

Just Bunch Paintings

(on Etsy)

Well, I don't have children, but when I do, I want something from this store!  The paintings are absolutely adorable!  She does such an amazing job!

These things make me smile and so excited for Spring Time!

Happy Spring!

I Need.

I say that I need a lot of things.  I was just thinking about that phrase this morning as I was actually thinking about someone else's real need.

Billy and I get to head up a "block" for local ministry.  We lead a group of college students in the Outreach department, and one of our outreaches is to visit a large neighborhood the first Saturday of every month.  All we do is hang out with them, meet them, and if we can, we try to meet their needs.  For example, last month, the guys in our ministry pulled together to buy this man a brand new lawnmower.  He was so excited:

There is also this wonderful family that we have all really loved getting to know.  They occupy about three houses on the block.  And the fact that they have adorable children helps, too!

They have a pair of twins that just steal your heart:

Yes, they are dressed alike... Precious, yes?!

Well, we found out that they really need:

Diapers!

I'm guessing that this is a necessity.  Especially for twins.  Especially if you can't afford them.

Well, this month, our girl small groups are working together to get them as many diapers as they need.  We'll probably throw in some wipes, too. 

Thinking about this need made me think of all of the things I buy that I think I need.  Sometimes, I selfishly buy things for myself while I could be living with a different mindset.  I bet there are people everywhere with real needs that I could meet.  

Diapers are a real need.

I can probably go without my Starbucks today...

Legacy

Here is one of my best friends in life:

Jessie

We were destined to be friends.  Literally.  Our grandparents are best friends.  My grandfather pastors our church, and hers is his associate pastor, and has been for 30 years.  Our parents grew up together.  My dad took her mom to prom (it was her mom's mercy-date; she was a senior, and he was a freshman).  But more importantly, her mom and my aunt were best friends when they were little.  My dad's little sister (my aunt) had cancer, and Jessie's mom was her very best friend.  My dad's sister died when she was 8, and the friendship became something that only bonded our two families together more.  Through the years, they have become family, in the best sense of the word.  Well, when Jessie and I were little, our families stuck us together, and we've been friends ever since.  Growing up, we had our on and off times, but it's only made us closer.

Last thursday, Jessie's grandma died of a heart attack, and the funeral was today.

It was one of the hardest that I have ever attended.  Their family is our family, and the legacy was just more set in stone today while everyone looked back on all of the memories and ministry our families have been in together.  The funeral was beautiful because she had lived such a long, full, life and had such a broad influence in the world.  It was amazing to see every person she had touched turn up this weekend to help and show love.  It warmed my heart to be not only best friends with Jessie, but part of their family.  I hope when we have little girls, they will be best friends, too, no matter where we live.  I am so thankful to be in the third generation of this legacy.  I only hope we can continue to touch the world like those before us have, and that our funerals will be as amazing.

The Sunday Sentence!

If you haven't entered the Giveaway with a Heart, please check it out!  It's for an amazing cause!

It's Single Sentence Sunday, again!  They come so quickly!  Remember to let me know if you do one, and leave your link in a comment.

Today's Sentence:

We impact the lives of others by making meaningful, intentional relationships and being aware of the people we come in contact with us daily.

Giveaway with a Heart

This giveaway is very close to my heart.  If you have read some of my posts, especially What's Your Beef?, you know that human trafficking and child prostitution are really huge issues for me that I would stop if I could!  

Well, I have found an amazing organization called NightLight International that rescues girls in and at risk of trafficking and prostitution in Thailand.  They also give them jobs to help them earn money and learn a different lifestyle.  And, guess what they do?  Make jewelry!  Actually, they have a business and teach the girls all different aspects.  Some learn to design jewelry, and some make it, and some learn the business side of it.  I love this idea, because they are not only doing something to help the girls get out of terrible situations, but they help them stay out, which is so effective!

I wanted to share this with all of you, because the jewelry is so great and the cause is so worthy.  I thought, what better way than to give away something to spread the word?

I'll be sending the winner some....

Beautiful Earrings

The winner can choose between these two:

Black and Jewel Toned Pearl Earrings

or

Multi-Tonal Pink and Cream Pearl Earrings

How to Enter:

Follow my blog, and tell me which earrings you would like.  (1 entry)

Check out NightLight's Store and let me know your favorite piece (1 entry)

Twitter about it and include @sarahannrogers so I know! (1 entry)

 Blog about this giveaway and the organization (3 entries)

Please spread the word!  What a great opportunity to support these girls!

Leave me comments letting me know what you have done so I can make sure to count all of your entries!  Also, if you don't have a blog I can contact you through, please leave your email address!  Thanks!

I will choose a winner:

Monday, March 29 at 7:00 pm (EST)

Missions!

I decided to do Kelly's Show us Your Life today, and I was so excited to see that today's topic was Missions!


From the time that I was 9 until I was 13, my family lived down in Laredo, Texas (one of the driest, hottest places in America) and my parents worked for a mission organization that hosted short-term trips into Mexico, Cuba, and El Salvador.  I had the amazing privilege of going on more mission trips than I can count and having a complete change in my perspective.  Since I could go on for many posts about these experiences, I decided to limit myself to five things that I learned then and on mission trips I've been on since:

1.  American culture is not the only culture in the world.  After years spent immersed in a culture completely different than mine, I had to learn how not to judge.  It's amazing how highly we think of ourselves.  Sure, we like to learn about different cultures, but we often think that ours is the best.  My mind had to open, and I found that I loved some of the ways that things are done in Mexico, even better than the way we do them here!  

2.  God is the same on the mission field and off.  I would get frustrated every time I returned to normal life after a summer filled with mission trips.  Why did God speak to me then, and not now?  One realization changed my life, though, and that is that God is never changing.  He was the same God there as he is at home.  I'm the one that changes!  I'm the one that pulls my focus away from the things of him.

3.  Hand Sanitizer is the bomb.  Yep, I said it - the bomb!  I think I have used over 5 gallons of this stuff in my lifetime.  Ok, maybe not, but it really helps.  There are some super civilized and clean places, but there are some crazy dirty outhouses that you have to squat over and find that little 6 inch hole and hope... And then not only rub your hands, but your ankles and your arms... all over with whatever germ-x you can find.

4.  Orphanages need help.  I remember one in particular in Nuevo Laredo, MX that was just horrific.  There was one little girl that was never adopted or helped, and I think she had some mental issues.  She would come sit in your lap and get really close and whisper in your ear: "I love you; do you have any money?"  It was just awful.  I saw roaches climb in babies' diapers and I saw children with scabs on their heads that showed just one of many diseases available.  They need help badly, badly, badly.  More than anyone I met there.

5.  God is bigger than me.  And he's bigger than language barriers, and culture barriers, and my presuppositions.  He is the change agent.  He may use us on trips, but he is the one who softens hearts and saves his children.  I have nothing to offer except willing hands and words and heart, but He is everything and provides all we need, no matter where we come from, or what side of the ministry we are on.

Sharing God's Word all over the world is part of my heartbeat, and I'm thankful to have married a man that feels the same.  This will always be part of my life, in a big, big way.

The Itch

Sometimes, I get the itch to do something wild.  Well, out of the ordinary.  My "wild" would be not going to school and following a schedule.  Today I have the itch to:

1.  Visit the small bookstore down the road!  It's privately owned, and in a tiny, adorable old house, but never open when I'm free (evenings and Sunday afternoons).

2.  Ride a bike in Downtown Charleston.  If you have never been there, you must visit.  It's just gorgeous and charming and I wish I were there today.

3.  Cook a super-gourmet 5-course meal for a bunch of people.

4.  Write something inspiring.  Maybe on a typewriter.

  

Is anyone else obsessed with these?  So vintage and adorable.

5.  Read poetry at a coffee house.  I have always wanted to try this.  Seriously, how cool and chic would that be?!

6. Go for a run.  If you know me, you know that I don't run, but today, I hear the birds chirping, and I think that if I did run, today would be great.

7.  Redecorate my living-room.  I love the way it looks now, but I also love change.  I love shopping at Target and Pier 1 for super cute pillows and frames and throws... If I had money, this would probably really happen today.

Today, I'm in love with this look (don't be fooled, my living room could never look like this):

(credit)

I won't do any of these things today - I have real life other plans - but wouldn't it be lovely!!??

Heart-to-Heart #1

I have had this awesome opportunity to have led small groups for girls for over 5 years now, which means that I've met a lot of girls.  I have found that there are some issues and thoughts that so many girls and women have, and that has led me to do a lot of studying on them.  Well, I thought I would share what I have learned.  I don't know if this will last, but if I run across something in my quiet time that reminds me of this, I'll do another "blog-isode" and we'll just see how it goes.  

Here's #1!  It might apply to you and/or somebody you know, and it might not.  But enjoy!

Dear Girl with Daddy Problems: 
I've met you way more often than I should.  I wish there were less of you out there!  Daddy's should not hurt you.  Daddy's should not leave your family.  Daddy's should not take their own lives.  And Daddy's should never ever ignore their little girls or not show up to things.  But sometimes it happens, and then you are left to deal with a life scarred by a man that you did not even choose.

I have talked to a lot of you.  I have heard awful things that break my heart over and over again.  I have heard you be open with your knowledge of how this has affected your relationships and your self confidence.  And sometimes, I don't know how to help.  Scratch that... a lot of times, I don't know how to help.

But there is someone who does.  There God wants to be the Father to the fatherless, but we have to let him.  This isn't always easy, especially if we have a lot of hurt inside.

First, I want you to know that God knows it hurts.  And I can tell you from experience that it is good for you to recognize that it hurts, too.  One of my favorite songs is Tenth Avenue North's "Hold My Heart" because it sings about going to God with broken hearts and knowing that he is the only answer.  And that is what he wants from you (Psalm 51 talks about being a broken sacrifice).  Don't try to patch it up or tape it together.  He is not blind to your heart's brokenness, and he wants it just like it is.

Also, I need you to know that God can heal you.  He wants to heal you and make you whole again, and it is possible.  In fact, God can use this in you.  I bet that this letter would be more effective if it came from one of you!  You can reach people and you can decide that you and your family will be different.  What an amazing opportunity!!

The biggest thing that I see in many of you (not all) is a feeling that you are not good enough.  You want somebody to love you, especially if you are scarred by thinking that the one person who should've loved you, didn't.  You put everything in a boyfriend or husband because he is a man that gives you worth.  You don't go after your dreams because your dad never told you that you were capable.  You settle.  But this is not how it has to be.  You are capable through Christ.  He is the Father to the fatherless, and he thinks that you are beautiful, gorgeous, and worth every minute of his time.  And he just adores the way you are, and he gave you big dreams.  Most of all, he wants to hold your heart, and help you realize just how valuable you are to him.

I want to be there to hold your hand.  Every single one of you.  This problem makes me so angry.  And it makes God angry.  He hates when innocent children are hurt.  And he wants to pick you up and give you a Daddy that is better than you thought you could have.  He wants to whisper in your ear that he loves you and believes in you.  He wants to give you the confidence that you feel was taken from you.  The best thing about the confidence he gives, though, is that it comes from a never-ending source, one that no earthly father could provide anyway.

I'm praying for you.  I'm going to write a book dedicated to you one day.  And I'm going to prove to you that there is a way to get over this.

Love,
Me.

If you have a situation like this, I was being serious, and I would like to write a book on this one day.  It is a big problem that I know God cares about.  If you would like to share, please don't hesitate to comment or email me at sarahannrogers09@gmail.com!  Thank you!

When I grow up...

I find myself watching a movie or a show or reading a book about people with cool (or at least I think so) jobs.  I always think, When I grow up, I am going to do that!  I know that sounds silly, but I seriously love the idea of so many things!  Here are a few that I have seen recently that I would like to try one day:

Fanciful Florist

I saw Love Happens the other day, and Jennifer Aniston plays a florist with the most adorable little shop and logo.  She knew all of these flower names, and she had a box with notes that she'd photocopied that touched her (that people sent to one another).  It was such a dreamy job.  I would forget that I hated botany class and have extensive allergies anytime I walk in a 1-mile radius of a blooming flower.  It could be magical.

Awkward-but-Cute Bookstore Owner

You got it!  Just like Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail.  I would read children's books to them, and I would know every book personally.  If you come to my small group, you know how I feel about books. I love them and they love me back.  They were my friends when I had none.  And I would spread that joy everywhere if I could.

BitterSweet Cake Decorator

I adore this book.  The heroine is a cake decorator that moves to a cabin in the mountains and learns all about life.  I would do that.  With Billy, of course.  I would love to know how to decorate cakes and be super creative.  I'm not really, in that area, but I won't show a picture of the last cake I decorated... A little bit embarrassing.

Your Highness

Ok.  So this will never happen, but a girl can dream, right?  In this book, a woman becomes a modern-day princess and falls in love with the prince she had an arranged marriage in.

This is the perfect career, except I don't know that I would want to be a Queen... Just Princess forever.

Advice Columnist

I don't want to be Dear Abby, exactly.  And I don't want my own star (though I have to admit, it's awesome that she got one for what she does!!).  But I would love to be an advice columnist for a young women's magazine.

Except I really really would love to do this in real life.  Really!

Am I the only one?  Does anyone else have dreams that aren't really what they want to do... 

but kind of?!

Sunday! Yay!

This is coming a bit late because I am stuck right in the middle of a take-home Shakespeare midterm due on Tuesday.  Yes, I know you are all jealous of this opportunity, but I am the one who gets to spend hours poring over iambic pentameter and renditions of wars and plots and magic and men starving women to get submission.  Yep, it's super exciting.  I can't wait to finish this so that I can return.  That's why I am not rambling!
Remember, if you do your sentence, link up in a comment.  Thanks!

Today's Sentence:

What we feed our flesh determines how healthy we are; we should think of our spirit the same way.

Decidedly Thankful

I got this great idea from my friend Melissa's blog.  I am stealing it because it's great, and I need to learn to be more positive and follow this verse:

Things I wish I had time for right now:

1. Writing consistently each day.
2. Working out at the YMCA because they have awesome classes.
3. Meeting with more girls one-on-one, especially my small group girls.
4. Reading my lovely Christian Romance books.
5. Cleaning and organizing more efficiently.

Things I am thankful for right now:

1. The opportunity to meet with the girls I do meet with and how much God's teaching me.
2. My husband and his laid back attitude that balances me when I'm not-so-relaxed or even not-so-nice.
3. The classes I'm taking that are increasing my knowledge about writing.
4. My mom, who has become more of a best friend and confidant than ever before.
5. The ability and opportunity to do any ministry, even if it does take up our time.  It's amazing to pour out and empty yourself and even be weak enough to lean on God.  He is strongest then.

Thanks, Melissa, for this great idea!

Also, any South Carolinian readers, please enter Alexa Chloe's giveaway!  

Anyone would be lucky to do an awesome photoshoot with her!