I'm finding it a little hard to believe that it is already nearing the end of the Fall semester. Reading over my last post I felt surprise and relief that even survived the work load of last semester. This semester has been much more relaxed and I've even had time to actually sleep. :)
All the same, it's been hectic trying to get everything done for school, work, getting everything in order for me to graduate in May and on top of all that getting the final details of my trip worked out.
I'm pleased to announce that the stress is finally beginning to give way to excitement. I found out this week that I will be living in Teramo, Italy from December 18th to January 29th with the Marchei Cerro family! Aurelio and Fiorella (I just love her name!) have two boys Aureliano(20) and Giorgio(14). It's fun because those are the same ages as my brothers Ben and Sam! I will be tutoring Fiorella in English to help her with her job as a high school teacher. I am so excited to meet this family and begin friendships that will last a lifetime! I'll keep you posted as my travel plans unfold.
Recent Life Lesson:
I'm realizing that life will elude you if you let it and it takes an intentional attitude to make the most of every minute, to cherish every moment. I'm on the road to learning how to embrace that kind of attitude...one step at a time, one day at a time. Living in Los Angeles, our culture's headquarters, I feel bombarded by the messages that "I need to be up to date on everything going on in everyone else's lives" and "I need to always be going, if I'm not being 'productive' then I'm wasting time and moving away from success." I hate these lies, and yet I find myself falling into them over and over.
Last week after experiencing severe stomach pain for three days I passed out and had to go to urgent care. The doctor tested me for everything she could think of based on my symptoms and said there was nothing "wrong" with me. She gave me heartburn medication for my stomach pain and said I probably just passed out from dehydration. This is where succumbing to those lies got me, unhealthy.
One of my professors whom I dearly admire, look up to and work for sat me down and lovingly confronted me about my need to prioritize my life so that my time is managed in way that edifies God.
She challenged me to three things:
1. Take a 3 hour sabbath once a week, no phone, no people, just me, God and my Bible out in His creation.
2. Limit my homework time to 2.5 hours a day, away from distractions.
3. Keep a running list of everything I have to get done, but each day make a list of what I will do that day.
I completed my first "sabbath" a week ago and what I learned was that being away from all the chaos of life for a few hours completely slowed my day down. Where normally a day passes almost without my knowledge, that day seemed to pass at the rate it did when I was a child, so much slower. I realized that is how I want my life to be everyday, slow and sweet, not busy and rushed.
So, I will seek, one day at a time, to live with intention. To say "no" to the messages my culture shouts at me and instead meditate on the quiet, mighty messages of truth that my heavenly King tells me.
I challenge you to do the same, savor each moment as it passes; don't let them whir by you like the scenery outside a moving train. Easy said, not so easy done but completely worth it.
"Nothing good comes easy."
Be Encouraged,
Sarah
