Four.

Four.

That is the number of casserol dishes I broke in one night.

I didn't even know that was physically possible! But three went in one go as I was taking the stack out of the oven (our storage place for most ovenware) and then the last dish shattered when I took it out of the oven with freshly baked brownies. 

Of course, that wasn't the start of my rough week. Within only five days our family dog died, my laptop crashed, our truck was sent to the shop, the fridge stopped keeping anything cold, the bathroom flooded and I ran out of gas for the stove while cooking dinner.

If I were in my dream world, the laptop would be sent to Best Buy, the best mechanic would pop over to check the truck (and have parts on hand to fix it so easily), the fridge would be replaced on warranty, the plumber would swing by and gas would be delivered.

I enjoy the easy life :)

But as I sit here in complete darkness because, wouldn't you know, the lights are out... And I watch the crazy lightning storm right outside our apartment, I'm reminded of how good HE is. 

If this is only a glimpse of HIS power, I am in awe. The wind, the rain, the lightning, the thunder.

HE is strong and powerful and HE chose me to be HIS own! 

HE created me in HIS image and then put HIS Spirit within me to help me live this crazy life!

HE has given me brothers and sisters around the world that encourage me, cry with me, rejoice with me and support me.

A friend reminded me (as I poured my heart out to her) "and you are healthy..."

That is just the beginning. I am inside a warm home with a husband that loves me. I have a precious baby boy growing inside of me. Someone blessed me with the opportunity to go home so I get to travel to Bermuda this week. Our ministry is growing and we've seen many young people come to Christ this year. A girl came to church with us this morning with her children and one came last week too, others are seeking more of HIM, and GOD has protected us every single Thursday that we go out!

You see... Amongst the messy, there is a GOD who is still in complete control.

When we can't even physically handle casserol dishes without them crashing to the floor. HE is still present to get us through and give us rest.

It's funny. This last week I shared a devotional about David when Absolom (his son) was seeking to kill him. Poor thing was down and out. Sad, angry, dsicouraged, seeking refuge in the wilderness... Then along comes a relative of Saul (his deceased archenemy) who begins go curse David while throwing rocks and dirt at him. 2 Samuel 16.

Poor David!!! He was already down and out, then this. He couldn't get any lower. He even toys with the idea of deserving this treatment and allows the dirt throwing maniac to continue.

But when David and his men reached their destination "weary" the Bible says... There they were refreshed. 2 Samuel 16:14

REFRESHED!

Isn't that beautiful.

Friend, you might feel a bit like David. Down and out and then just one more thing pushes you over the edge. I felt a bit like that when the last dish shattered... But we are PROMISED refreshment in HIM.

That lightning throwing, thunder rolling, GOD of all creation has promised us rest in HIM. I know when I wake up tomorrow morning there will still be dishes to be washed, a house to be cleaned, no laptop and no truck - but also a Savior who is still on HIS throne and... Life will go on :) 

Praying for my bloggees today, no matter what you're going through. 

May you find true rest in HIM.

Fun Mom – Bad Mom – Sad Mom – Thankful Mom

I have always dreamed of being a “Fun Mom.” A careful balance of discipline, guiding and fun wrapped up in a happy life for my kids. Thankfully over the last few years as Robersy has worked with baseball ministry, I’ve been at Lily House and together we’ve worked with the church youth group so I’ve been able to try this out with kids that aren’t mine.

Up until last Monday that is.

It all started on Robersy’s birthday. We spent the morning together at home, I made some brownies and cake, and then I jetted off to lead a group to Los Montones for ministry.

Robersy had some errands to run and then wanted to spend the afternoon shooting hoops with some of his boys. I took a book since I know my hubby. Afternoon means early evening and an hour can easily turn into a couple of hours.

He played. I read. Everyone was happy.

We ended the night with brownies, cake and soda… then Robersy climbed into the bed of the truck with his boys so I could drive everyone home.

That is when it happened. Fun mom creeped in.

As I began to drive memories of my mother doing silly things while my friends and I screamed in the back seat flooded my mind, and then my actions followed.

Since we started on the main road I only swerved a little. Enough to make them chant my name. Adrenaline filled my veins.

Then I sprayed them with the water that squirts out of the window washing thingy on the car (I’m sure it has some super professional name). Screams and cheers continued.

I slowed enough to turn in to the area where most of them live. A bumpy dirt road made for lots of squeals and then when I was able to I accelerated, “Woooohoooo! Go Sarah!!!!”

Since most of them are a bit older I decided to take it to the next level. That, my friends, is where Bad Mom came in to play. She was so similar to fun mom, but her foot crossed the line…

Brakes, pause, drive, brrrrrakes, drive…

That’s when the cheers fell slient. I figured it was because we had entered the neighborhood, until I saw Robersy shaking his head.

A KID HAD FALLEN OUT THE TRUCK.

Yes, you read that right. Even as I write this I am ashamed.

THANKFULLY it was that last “brrrraaaakkke,” but assuming I was coming to a complete stop poor Salvador stood up and as I drove he lost his balance and toppled out of the truck.

Thankfully “Repentant Mom” also made an appearance and I checked the teen’s (who is a lot taller than me) hands, knees and head before hugging him, embarrassing him and getting him home SAFELY!!!

Fun Mom and Bad Mom learned valuable lessons.

Over the next few days I prayed for Salvador that everything was REALLY ok, but we chatted again and he says it’s ok :)

From Tuesday onwards I had the privilege of serving with a group of 7 women from Columbia Baptist church. I'll get some photos posted once they post some :) We visited an orphanage, a school, Lily House and was even blessed with some relaxation as they (along with Bethel Baptist) pampered the missionaries and Pastor’s wives with foot massages, hand massages, a great devotional and gifts. It was a lovely week. But one activity in particular left a lasting impression on my heart.

On Wednesday the team headed to a hospital in San Pedro to visit new moms and their babies. It started off really well! The moms were excited and we even had a grandmother stalk us to make sure we made a stop at her daughter’s bedside with a gift too. LOL.

Nearing the end of our time a nurse asked us to visit a few moms that had premature babies and of course, since we had plenty of gift bags, we went to visit them too.

As we walked in, one sweet little boy caught my eye. He was in an incubator, but you could see his ribs as he grasped on to his next breath. No tubes, meds, or doctors looking in. Just a mom sitting beside him. “How old is your little boy?” “Only a few days old but he was born at 24.5 weeks.”

My tear ducts broke…

I hugged the hurting mom tightly and explained to her that my baby was the same age. Just as easily I could have been seated in her position, but God doesn’t do anything by accident. Her sweet baby was granted life by God Almighty and His will in this sweet boy's life would be completed.

We chatted a little more and I asked another woman to come and pray (mainly because I knew I couldn’t do it without sobbing over this sweet little boy just struggling to survive).

The rest of the day thoughts went through my mind, but it was only on the drive home with Robersy that I could get it all out.

“Why must the poor suffer? That wasn’t the best health care, she most likely couldn’t rush him anywhere else and he would have never been flown out for better care. If it were me in that chair I could have called my family who would give everything they owned to get us to the best care available. But all I could offer was prayer, Robersy. Prayer! That’s all. I didn’t have money with me… no special connections to amazing doctors that could help… just prayer.”

“Just God?”

I thank God for Robersy.

He continued, “Sarah, if bringing that tiny baby boy before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Creator of the world and the Giver of Life was ALL you could do… I’m most certain THAT was enough.”

Thankful for a husband that allows GOD to speak through him.

So I have learned some valuable lessons this week.

I’ve learned how far Fun Mom can go and to not allow Bad Mom to have a part in the fun. Then I learned how Sad Mom can be Thankful Mom when I understand in whom I place my trust and hope. Does it mean everything will be ok? No. But it means that I have a Savior who will carry me through both the good times AND bad.

Over all it was a great week of some great lessons and fantastic ministry. Robersy was also super busy! Our friend Ricky Ufret (former Pirates player) came for a conference and before he even got to where he was going he arranged to do a quick baseball clinic with Robersy’s boys. They loved it!

On Saturday Robersy then took about 40 of his players to Bani (where Robersy is from) to play against a team there. It was a day filled with plenty of unexpected adventures (which is where my puke and poop FB status came from), but the boys had fun and the Gospel was preached! 

To finish off the weekend Robersy then preached at our church's Family Day service as well as another church in Los Fundos before we raced off to see Ricky once more before he left.

Needless to say... today we shall rest. 

We are thankful, blessed beyond words and TIRED. 

Until next Monday bloggees. Enjoy a little cuteness factor from Family Day. 

Photos we shall entitle "Stole a Kid" (I looove him!) & "Awkward Bump Photo." 

LIVE, LAUGH & LOVE.

Dirt filled nails with an eternal promise

Our nails filled with dirt as the two of us sat on the ground to pick out the colored beads that been swept between the rocks and mud outside. Dozens of tiny silver, glass and wooden beads... one at a time. A time consuming, thankless job that needed to be done. My bead-picking partner was not in the mood to chat so we picked in silence which gave me the time to think and pray while picking, picking, picking...

At the end of each day the Lilies tidy up their work areas. Some wipe down tables while others fold fabric, then someone always sweeps. Now, the mature women understand the value of every bead that has been bought or donated to the ministry. The younger ladies on the other hand, well... they're just anxious to get back to the house. So many times the beads are carelessly swept outside to be hidden among the filth.

Precious and costly - only to be neglected and forgotten.

Much like the thousands of women here in the Dominican and around the world. 

Formed by the very hands of God Almighty and bought with the perfect blood of Jesus Christ only to be told by this sick world that they mean nothing. 

They are told that the abuse was their fault, that they are paying for their mistakes and we find them scarred and broken at the entrance of strip clubs and bars.


This past Sunday I visited a small church in Monte Largo with 3 women that were here serving from the States. Pastor Junior was speaking on faith in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in and he read a passage from Isaiah 43 which begins, 

"But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, YOU ARE MINE."

I don't think I heard one more word during the sermon. I kept thinking of those dirty, broken, forgotten beads that were swept into the dirt. Walked on. Kicked. Left alone.

The precious girls we meet every Thursday night that have the same story of heartbreak, abuse and rejection.

And there is our Beautiful Savior with His hands in the dirt redeeming, calling and claiming each young lady as His own.

I don't think we'll ever quite understand the cost, but I will continue to thank Him every day for saving me and for allowing me to share His great sacrifice with the many women we meet here on the streets of Boca Chica.

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This past week was a busy one with a baseball team and our first women for October Women's Month. Thank the Lord, everything went well and we got to enjoy some baseball games and serving with new friends.

We're so thankful for those who come to serve here!

On Thursday night Robersy shared at a church in Los Montones and we were encouraged to fellowship with friends there. 

Had a doctor's checkup and all seems to be well with our little boy. Continue to pray for good health for both mommy and baby! 

AND FINALLY (mush alert!).........

Today is my handsome hubby's birthday. 28 wonderful years that God has given him here on this earth and I am thankful that God has given us 5 of those together. Robersy is one of the most God-fearing, humble, prayer-filled men I have ever met and although I stress him out and talk his ear off :) I thank God every single day that this man is mine! 

I could go on for ages, but to spare you all, just say a little a birthday prayer for my Boo today. That God would bless him with many, MANY more years and that his birthday would be filled with many blessings.

Robersy Antonio Lara - I love you more than you know <3