Greater things are still to be done in this city

Growing up in the church, I have heard countless times how as a Christian you are supposed to give everything over to God and let him take care of all your problems. Also countless times, people have told me to just give everything over to God, in a way that sounds like it is as easy to do as eating a Milka chocolate bar. Very rarely will someone be upright honest to a Christian in telling them how hard that actually is. In fact, I think it is probably the hardest thing in life a person could ever do. I personally have been a follower of Jesus Christ since I was very young. Numerous times in my life I am sure if you asked me if I had given everything over to God, I probably would have said “Well, of course I have.” I mean seriously, what kind of question is that? I just donated this item to this fund, or went on this mission trip to a certain location that who even wants to go to? I’m even on the leadership team of this campus ministry! So what left do I have to give to God? Well since last semester, as the time has passed by, especially since I left the States in January, I have realized I have definitely not given everything over to God. I even realized, that I’m not sure I can even do that, I’m not sure I really want to do that! Because giving everything to God means giving every single little and big thing over to him. Everything. Which most people would say, “Well duh Sarah…” But doing that means that you are ready for whatever God’s will is in your life. It means even handing over the huge hurt in your life to God, that whatever he has planned for that, that you are going to be ok with it, even if it is not what you would ever want. It means what you originally ever wanted in your life, you just want what God wants now. It is such a bigger picture than most people describe. However, that doesn’t mean it is going to be easy, God never said following him would be easy, so giving him everything isn’t going to be easy either. It is not a one time thing where one day you say, “Well God, I’m ready for you to take care of my life, not what I want, but let what you want happen,” and then you are done. It is continuous, every day having to remind yourself and let God take over the new things that happen in your life.

But it is really amazing once you let that happen. Because God’s picture is so much bigger, so much more incredible than what we as humans could ever have planned for our lives. So in finally giving every single thing over to God, there is a peace that comes with that. That, things in my life are going to be ok, because God has the bigger better picture in mind. I don’t have to worry about these certain things anymore, because it really doesn’t even matter. I no longer have to worry or think or be consumed by worldly things, because the things of God are so much more amazing, so much more exciting.

That’s just pretty much what I am learning currently. Life altering stuff… no big deal :] But I can say I definitely would not have gotten to this point if I had decided not to really get into the Word…. which is another thing that is way more amazing than people give it credit for. In the past month I have just read Matthew and I am nearing the end of John, and God is teaching me so much just through those two books. It is so encouraging how he can use the messed up 16 year old who I was 4 years ago to get to experience the things I get to experience here. It just makes me speechless that he all along knew the things he was letting me deal with, and knew that that confused, hurt teenager would get to help with his work someday. It is so hard to fathom how Great his love is for us.

My mom came to Dresden for about three days last week... It was really fun! So here's a couple of pictures

And the little kids just laughed at me...

...along with numerous other people yesterday, and today as I try and work on my pronunciation of German words.
These words such as:
Guten Tag
Wasser
Brot
blau
I think my main problem is the "a". So I try, and have people laugh at me as I try and try and try to get the word right. Which by the way, all of those words I have known since I was in 7th grade...
So it's pretty ridiculous that I can't get it right. It's like when people come to the States and they can't say a word right and they try and try and you think, "Well why can't they just say it right?? It's not that hard!!!" Well... I know how they feel now. I'm sure I'll find it hilarious in some time.

Meanwhile, we're starting some English conversation meetings with Germans this week. We had one on Wednesday. While I am really excited, I also pray that God leads this and that the guy is able to see God in us. I pray that he doesn't have ulterior motives. God is definitely working in amazing ways and I am happy that I am finally able to see that. I am really looking forward to the following months. Please also continue to pray for my mom and that God heals her, because I know my God has and can do that!

and here is a picture of us girls... with a castle behind us. Pretty amazing :)

Rugby

So I had an exciting cultural day yesterday!
First, Amy, the girl that is staying here for 2 years, and I went to IKEA and Hoffner, which is a German store even bigger than IKEA.
That was exciting, but then we went to watch Rugby with a Scottish friend of Amy's at an Irish Pub. I have never seen a Rugby game before in my life, but it was incredible.
WAY better than American Football.
The first game was Scotland who beat Italy, and then came Ireland beating England. It was all really really exciting.
I also had a real hamburger for the first time since I left the States.
So it was all really exciting and gave me a chance to watch some good ole sports, be myself, and experience some different cultures.

Meanwhile this week, we went with Amy's Japanese friend to the Zwinger and took about a million pictures, so here's a couple of them for some enjoyment.
















Just a couple of days ago I started reading Matthew in depth. I'm taking two chapters a day with the study bible my dad lent me and I'm actually trying to understand it all and take good notes. I can already tell the difference that it's making between me and God, and I'm hoping by June I'll have gotten through the whole new testament. But I'm just really excited to dive into the word for the first time in a long time and have a goal with where I'm going with it. Not just picking random parts and then forgetting what I read.

german word (well phrase for today): Lachen ist die beste Medizin. Laughter is the best medicine :)