Beyond Measure

Motivation

2012-07-06T13:38:00.001-07:00

So as this last month of support raising starts I am getting more and more excited for the impending year! So many new people, places, and things!

I am so blessed! This past June has to taught me so much about the Lords faithfulness and his mercy. I am so excited that he has continued to confirm that I am doing exactly what I am doing. People that have joined my support team are so amazing and encouraging! It is so humbling to know that people will sacrifice some of their money to come alongside a ministry that is reaching college students, through me! People are depending on me to set an example of Christ on our university and well truly it is an honor!

In other news! Chi Alpha UTSA now has a Chi Alpha House!!!!!! :]]]]]

This is great news! We can now have a meeting place for staff and a hangout destination for out students! It will open so many new doors for the ministry! This past Thursday evening Summer XA all went out to the house and Painted, cleaned, gardened, fixed, sawed, washed, and HAD FUN! It was such a great fun night to serve together and really just get the house ready to be occupied this coming august! Here are some picture! :]

Two International students Masi and Lydie! From Iran and France! They worked harder than everyone! haha!

Working out in the front of the house!

Even Haven helped! :p

Painting crew!!!

They cut a hole in the wall!!!!

Touching up the painting! :]]]

getting started

2012-05-26T08:20:00.001-07:00

As life progresses and I walk into a new chapter in my life. Realizing that you are no longer a college student, you are no longer a student in general is a huge deal. I am somewhat lost in who or what I will become. College doesn’t exactly prepare you for after college. I am however truly blessed to have a calling on my life to serve the Lord, but that doesn’t mean that everything is perfect.

Me and my mom are a lot alike I love her to death and really truly appreciate the way she speaks into my life. It is hard to be gracious sometimes when you are at such a loss of what to do. I am at one of those points where I need my mother desperately, but I consequently want to do everything on my own so I can know I did it! I am not sure how to approach the issue, we have been disagreeing about almost everything. To me it seems as though no matter how many times I try to help out around the house, I always have forgot the one thing that mattered more. It is however comforting that I know she wants me to succeed and do the best I can. Her intentions are admirable, I as her daughter just can’t seem to get over myself.

I know that I have lost the right to defend myself, it is just really hard to execute when you are really unsure of what is happening yourself that you just need WANT to defend the little portion you have under control. Now I realize God has everything in his hands, “cast your anxiety on him for he cares for you” – 1 peter…

It just seems to be harder and harder the more committed you become to the process. How do you break free from the pressures of not knowing where you are.

Support raising is not for the faint of heart, I feel as though I have been doing absolutely everything I could to get ahold of these people, and absolutely NOTHING all at the exact time.

I need to spend some time and refocus my life on Jesus, I need to stop drowning and lock my eyes on him. For I know he has everything worked out! :]

Cross before me, world behind me… It is not for me it is all for you.

Sally

secure.

2012-05-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

My friend Joesph posted this today and it really hit me.

"Have I put myself into your hands, or have I always been there? Sometimes you get so used to your surroundings you forget where you are, but when you remember it's the most secure place you've ever known."

I am thankful that no matter how many times I forget where I am, that when Jesus finally is like "umm hello" I am still here and you realize that is where you have been.. the whole time.. safe and secure..in his arms.

love it!

Sally

funnel!

2012-05-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

Wow WOW WOW,
What whirlwind! In the past two weeks I have, Graduated, Moved out, and turned 23! SHEESH
I have been support raising for the past 2 week full time, It has definatly been harder then i expected but totally humbling and amazing at the same time. God has really been working in my heart and preparing me for what is gonna be happening this fall! :]

All in all, I have a little desk set up at my parents place and I work on things there, it is so nice to be able to have paresnts that let me come stay with them for the next 2 1/2 weeks.

DONE and DONE

2012-05-12T20:59:00.001-07:00

Well well well, I have officially graduated from college at UTSA! Needless to say it feels a bit like nothing, very surreal. More on the side of, oh my i don't really know how i feel about this.
HOWEVER it is awesome and I am soooo excited and its like mind blowing to me that i will no longer be on the UTSA campus to go to school!

I am so thankful for my parents and how much they have invested and sacrificed for me over the years. They mean so much to me, and i can't even really express how I really feel. My brother for always being there to give me comfort when I need it or laugh at me and tell me I am being stupid. :p
I am thankful for my grandparents who invested some of their money into my education! and for their loving support and guidance over the years.
AND of course my friends!

Erika - for always understanding me, and being there for me when I need her most! She has been a huge influence in my life, and helped me fall in love with the Lord all over again.

Alyssa (BIRD_) - For being a wonderful listener and all around great friend!, I think that she is the one I always end up jumping on and getting crazy around

Jessi! - The one and only! This girl has watched me and guided me through some tuff points in my life and NEVER GAVE UP on me. and for that I am eternally thankful

and of course everyone else! You all have impacted my life in profound ways.

I only hope that I continually provided an example of the Lords Love through my actions!

SO excited for the summer!

Tomorrow I will be going home and support raising in the valley! hurrrah

THE LORD IS SOOOOO GOOOD!!! ahhh
AMEN.

Here are some pictures!!

ON THE WAY TO GRADUATION WITH MY MOM, ALYSSA, AND ERIKA

MA BFF'S THESE GIRLS ARE AMAZING

WALKING IN! AHHHHH

ME AND MY PARENTS AFTERWARD!! HURRRAYY

ALL READY!

MY GRADUATION PRESENT! A BEAUTIFUL NEW CROSS NECKLACE!

Graduation

2012-05-10T17:31:00.002-07:00

AHHHH, one more day and 2 more finals! and I am done!!

I am so excited and feeling a little bit blessed that I am finally finishing school FOREVER!
(not that I will stop learning..ever! but school is jsut such a different mindset!)

I am excited. thats it.. I should be studying.

The Commission

2012-05-02T12:20:00.002-07:00

We are brought in and invited near, to share his HEART. I am totally broken by the reality of what he has done for me. I didn't deserve this why has he done this for me? He loves me.

Take me.
Send me.

I am commissioned to represent him. I bear the very name, image and reputation of God almighty.

Go. for the lamb that was slain deserves the reward for his suffering.

He is capstone, it all falls short without the capstone.

I ask for your strength. because with out you I will fail.

I give you my body, and my life.

I will care for all that you care for. Overtake my life.

I will go into this world as little lambs with the Faces of lions.

I will stand in the authority of the name of Jesus, and will not back down.

His lambs. BEAT the wolf packs.

he is in control.

Jesus, Take what is rightfully yours.

oh school, you know

2012-04-17T12:26:00.001-07:00

Comm Week 2012 has begun! Thus leading to the busiest week ever. EVER.
I have so much due, and i am becoming more and more enthused about doing any of it. I am sooooooo ready to graduate. Tomorrow is the Keynote address for Comm week, i am the MC and the closing remarks speaker. SO exciting/scary. I am ready for this to be done though. After that, all that needs to be done is the is the binders for that class. Oh UTSA, why do you always wait for the end of the semester to be so busy. bahahaha

As for this past weekend, I am so thankful for the training. Even after the first couple hours of biblical training I felt so much better. I know now why i am doing this, and that it is biblical. I am excited to start doing this thing! I have to pick a coach soon, I am going back and forth between 2 people. I am ahh just so excited. right now i am having trouble trying not to do this stuff, and working on school which right now kind of takes priority. I am so excited to be an Intern with Chi Alpha with Jessica, and Patrick!! :]]]] sooooo great GONNNA BE SO GREAT!

I am so thankful for the friends I have, that are there for me and understand why I can't hang out for the next couple weeks! SOON SOOOOON I shall be freeeeeeeeeeeeee!

:]

Funding Hunt

2012-04-13T11:08:00.001-07:00

And the excitement continues.
Though I feel like a Hobbit living in a cave, i have been pretty productive the past couple weeks. Next week starts Comm Week. I am in charge of the Keynote Speaker and Awards Ceremony. I am nervous. the Lord is good though and I know he will help me.

Besides school and the monstrous amount of stuff I need to do with that. I am supposed to be packing to go to Huntsville this weekend! ;]]]]] There is CMIT Fundraising Training this weekend! Its gonna be a blast to meet the other interns at Sam and i mean really just to hang out with some super awesome Godly people. SO STOAKED. Ill try to post some picture/ write about what we are learning in the next couple days. Its gonna be VONDERFUL. :p

Ill leave you with a pic...Of me and Alyssa on her Birthday! ;] This girl is awesome! ;]

the countdown!

2012-03-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

As the semester slowly/super fastly comes to a close! I am getting more and more excited to start the Chi Alpha Internship I will be starting in May. SO exciting! I have been really busy as of late! Everyone is fundraising to go to Russia/Czech/or china! I wish I could go, but I know that I need to be here support raising for my year! I am so thankful for everything the Lord has been doing lately, though I am nervous about graduation and internship and well life in general. The Lord had just given me a huge Peace and comfort. I glad I have him to help me and guide my steps. He has blessed me so much in the past two years, I am excited to start my life in the mission field. I know it will be hard but I KNOW it will be so worth it, and allow me to grow even more in the Lord.

My Best friend Alyssa Burton and a girl in her Small group named Liz! and of course me in the middle! SO thankful for friendships like these that I can always rely on and know that they will always help me to grow in the Lord.

CMIT Proof

2012-02-11T15:23:00.000-08:00

Here it is in black and white! ;] thank you Lord, for everything

i am soooo excited for this next year!!! ahhhhhhhh :]]]]]]

Royalty

2012-02-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

A long time ago my Grammy gave each of us a verse in a frame that coincided with what our names meant. I really never though anything of it, it was cool but OK, yeah sure. Recently i found it again and was overcome by the verse it was. My name means princess, and so she choose 1 peter 2:9.

So crazy to realize that God loves us so much that he wants us to be his children. Seeing that he is King, that would make us royalty as well. We have been called by our king to help lead his people out of the darkness and into his glorious light. What else is there in life that the joy that the Lord gives.

NOTHING that's what:0

In him,

Sally

iPhone love

2012-02-08T09:33:00.001-08:00

Well recently I got an IPhone... Well for Christmas! And decided to download the blogger app.. So I can post pictures:) so here are some from my life in that past 2 months.

MY wonderful SMALLLLLLL GROUP at worship night! :]

Me and my best frannnn!

Guitar roof dreams!

Roomies!

In small group we not only burned things we were bitter and hurt about, but took it a step further and burned satan!

My parents came to visit! :] we went to Chama Gaucha! YUM

My roommate is a turtle!

Had a Hillbilly XAI party at the lakehouse! We bobbed for apples! :] It was a great party!

We went to a cave at 12am. It was soooo Awesome!

My Dog, Sadie, is still the cutest thing ever...

My brothers GF emily! ;] its she cute...! :p

SO yeah thats whats up, im excited to see that the Lord is gonna do in the next year!! ahhhhhh

He is so wonderful!

Interesting

2012-02-07T12:42:00.000-08:00

I am SOOO excited. Yesterday i got a call real early from Dick Schroder, a Chi Alpha leader, and he told me some AMAZING news. I am officially a Nationally approved CMIT. CMIT stands for Campus Missionary In Training, an internship program for Chi Alpha!! :]]
SOO Stoaked...

God is good.

East coast take off.

2011-12-21T14:39:00.000-08:00

To the EAST coast! :]
To say I am excited about this trip, is an understatement! I have been waiting and waiting for Christmas to come! When we were thinking about vacations we though oh maybe Disney again..or maybe Colorado or Vegas!? THEN the most awesome idea ever to the east coast it is.

I have never been to new york, or really any of the East states so i'm excited! We are able to fly into Philly, and then drive up to Connecticut and stay with my Uncle Gerry and Aunt Kathy! they are an awesome pair to say the least. they live in a colonial house by the river. So it was be memorable. I like to think of them as an old hipster couple that don't know the hipster isn't cool anymore.. and maybe a little bit of Cpt. jack Sparrow thrown in.

We are currently in the Valley airport! :] and our plane just arrived so i have to log off, but hopefully i will remember to write everyday on the adventures we have! ;] 3hr plane ride here we come! ;]

IN HIM.
Sally

Read this today....wow

2011-11-28T10:31:00.001-08:00

"The Dream" by Michael D. O'Brien, the rider goes out into the darkness, chasing a pinpoint of light, all the while unaware that Holy Ghost keeps careful hold, careful watch, and is illumined in Light. I pool myself on the table in front of him to try and make him understand, which is silly, because he does. But I have come to think that metered words and breathed prose somehow makes sense of my tangled mess of being, that I have to explain myself aloud, neglecting the power of the sacrament of the unspoken word—things betrayed and conveyed in eyes, in half-nods, in unspoken prayers. “He’s silent,” it’s more choked than I would have liked, but this is part of the unspoken revelation, too. It’s been this way since September, a feeling that God is abundantly present, a sense of peace in the very core of my soul, and yet no kindling tickle of wings against my heart, against my being, so that I am caught betwixt an absolute certainty and trust that He exists, that He saturates the cosmos, but these truths, this Truth, does not feel present, does not feel true. And I’m desperate. Eyes betray, convey. I fear the future. I fear that He has led me into a time of such profound certain uncertainty, that this ground beneath my feet feels so absolutely solid and yet each step forward into darkness feels as if it could be a step off into the abyss. And I pool. I pool all this in mangled words in front of him and he understands, but I keep talking, because what I’m not saying is that I’m scared and talking about it helps me be less afraid. At least, I think it does. I’m not certain of much apart from Him in this strange land of exile. We go to the small group, we discuss the Screwtape Letters. We read the letter about silence, about troughs, about how God only trusts His silence to some people, about how God has given a special grace to those who are in the midst of such feeling of absence who, despite it, still obey. And I cross myself during Compline. I obey. I put the whole of my being into the motions: blog posts, coffees, laughter, thesis writing, applications. I perform the motions. I greet the morning in prayer and close the evening the same. I obey. I choose the better when I am able, though not as much as I ought. But for the most part, I obey. But silence. Feeling on occasion, as a surprise in the motions, as a breathless awakening in prayer, but mostly quiet, mostly no murmur against my chest, a Holy Ghost aloof in slumber with no kindling word to stir my breast. We drive back and I blink away tears and make the casual—though, again, the unspoken truth is that it is prophetic—comment that God’s humor always makes me laugh a bit darkly, that He would break His silence to me about His silence by giving me an indirect word about it. He said it was alright in the words of Lewis. By the words of Lewis. Was it too much to want Him to say it to me? I meet someone for coffee the next day and I follow a strange prompting and dig into this well of self deep and rend up the waters of this pain. And she tells me she understands, that this has been her, and there are tears as I suggest maybe it speaks something to what God is doing in her, through her, but I cannot leap from the grace I feel compelled to give her to give such grace to myself. Not yet. We leave and I go to a lecture, I sit beside him and we nearly leave, but something unspoken happens, passes, and we stay. And it’s about writing, about people I love, like Lewis and Simone Weil, who say they were converted in their imaginations long before they were converted in their hearts, that it was writing that did it, that some author somewhere wrote something that, though not explicitly Christian, brought them to the Throne of Grace long before they ever realized it. And I’m crying ugly, big tears falling like all the broken hallelujah prayers into my lap as I, like O’Connor’s Asbury feel the Holy Ghost descend emblazoned in ice instead of fire and I accept, though it scares me, this terrible gift of silence. I accept that the words will have meaning, even if I cannot see the reason and rhyme here and now. I accept that the reason I feel so acutely the ache of this cosmos has purpose and purpose that is rendered only unto Him. I accept the possibility that this silence may be this lifetime, as I accept, in turn, that it means in strange, brilliant moments I run my hand against the hem of Grace. Yesterday we entered the season of Advent; we marked the day in which we focus our minds on recalling the first coming of our Lord and look to His return. And I stand here in the breath between Incarnation and Eschaton, with open hands lifted as high as I might bring them today, broken pooled prayers and bric-a-brac uncertainties, looking to the sky and expecting, for this is all I may hold in certainty, that Christ shall come again. And today, this is enough. I step forward, foot touches dark, and the Light keeps watch overhead.

Hurumph

2011-11-28T10:25:00.001-08:00

Life.

2011-09-22T11:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes i wish i had the boldness to just talk to people about Jesus right away, to have the Word of God constantly on my lips, forever sharing this PEACE, this JOY, this amazing-ness that i constantly feeel for MY LORD. I just cant even explain everything that i have gone through the cliffs ive fell off, the holes ive dug myself into, the rocks ive been on that Jesus hasnt pulled me out away and saved me from. he has brought me such joy that i cant even explain. I want the boldness that Paul had so MUCH. I need to spend more time with the Lord alone, i need him, i need his presence. What goes in must come out right! I WANT HIM TO ALWAYS COME OUT! every conversation, i want to give thanks to him, i want to love and respect him i want to help be a light for him, i want him to work through me. Im so scared that i wont win the souls he needs me to win for his glory, im scared i wont have the confidence. I know in him i can do all things, and that he is my ROCK, my salvation. He is all i need, my beloved my bridegroom, my Lord. He will work through me.

“Paul is the most free and untouchable person I know. “We’re going to kill you.” “Yes! I’m GOING HOME!” “We’re going to let you live!” “To live is Christ” “We’re going to torture you.” “Share in Christ’s sufferings!” “We’re going to put you in prison Paul” “Ok, I’ll just convert all your prisoners and guards…”
Why was he untouchable? The Gospel."

Dear future Husband

2011-09-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

I want to be pursued ...

2011-09-01T10:32:00.001-07:00

And I know that what He did was for me. His thoughts to me are precious, and vast.

He knew me, He knew who I was going to be; He knew my name.

Even before I had been born and came to be, even before the earth was a blob of ball in the dark space. I was there on His mind as He went through the most earth-shattering historical event that has ever happened in all of history and time, in all of the universe.

God, being like man, and dying on the cross for my sin… for me.

He fought against the very forces of hell and death to give me life. He had undergone complete and utter hell, just so I wouldn’t need to taste it. And He fought and He won—the victorious and risen King.

His hands bled and were scarred, and there was a hole in His palm where the nails had been. His body was bruised and scarred, His skin ripped open and His bones protruding.

And I never had to take any of it, not one, because He had already taken it all for me.

He took my place, He saved my life; oh, what a beautiful love, what a sweet sacrifice.

You make me feel....

2011-08-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

man the Lord is so amazing! He has worked so much in my life this summer! teaching me patience and the art of listening to him. Waiting for answers and understanding what exactly he wants for my life. As a breakdown, i know i have been called to youth ministry, i have known for a long time but i also know that i want to bridge the gap between high school and college! i want to make an easy step to help students connect with good fellowship in the college system, i'm not sure how this will work out but yeah on another note lets talk about camp!!
LETS GET PUMPED UP!
The services at camp were AMAZING! Trammel Orr was a really great speaker and really hit it home for the students! Needless to say i am completely surprised by our students! They were very well behaved and hungry for the word. We were up late all the time, sometimes not because we wanted to be. Pranks were pulled, people were blobbed, soda was drunk by the gallons by everyone, Camp food was....camp food, the Holy Spirit moved, and students fell broken before the Lord of the Universe. It was seriously one of the most moving moments in my life to see my kids just fall in love with the LORD all over again, to find new strength in him, to find peace to find comfort, to UNDERSTAND all the mystery of what is God. It is seriously amazing! I love it! THAT....THIS is why i know i want to go into Youth ministry.
This past Sunday i was lucky enough to be able to speak in Velocity, it was my first sermon EVER, and i dono i think i did really well everyone seemed to like it and get something from it! Im so glad it went well because Sat night i was seriously frettin!...It was strange because i usually don't get nervous before speeches, just kind like a little woozy as i walk up but once i start speaking its OK... But this...i just suddenly realized the stakes of the kids lives that were listening, and if i messed up, i could mess up their lives...SCARY.. anyway all in all it was fun, i think i find it easier to speak to peers then to people who look up to you.. So much at stake...anyway I want to do it again it was a blast i hope Seth asks me! :]

All in all what a wonderful summer! I had a blast being a VELOCITY intern! with Chris. I learned so much! And hope i get to do it again soon! :]

Any way its work time, the Erika, then LASER TAG! hurrah! ;p

IN HIM,
Sally

Busy

2011-08-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

I want so badly to update you on what is going on, but alas i am swammped!

sad day..sooon though very soon expect something BIG..

Love the LORD with all your HEART

grief

2011-07-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

how can i explain, the physical grief that i hold.
what explanation do i have.
i wish i could hold you in my arms like i did when we were little and you were scared. I wish i could be there i tell you its gonna be fine.I wish it was not my fault that you are where you are.
Im sorry for making it all right.
Im sorry for making things the way i did.
I should have known better. I should have cared to think of what it would do to you.

Now all i do is feel this regret.
I pray and cry for you everyday
I pray that the lord will wrap you in his love
that he will lead you back to what you know is truth.
I pray that you will stop being angry with him
I want you to feel this Joy
This amazing Joy that he has given us.

Please.. Please
be better.
feel better

stop rejecting him
stop rejecting me.

I only and always want the best for you, i know you can be happy, just let Jesus back into your life. The sunshine will shine, it will come out. and everything will be swept away.

sally

sweet aroma.

2011-07-21T12:08:00.001-07:00

The perfume that was poured by Mary on the head of Jesus was used in the embalming process. It was so expensive that only the very wealthy could afford to buy it. We are told in verse 5 that it was worth “300 denarii”. This is a year’s pay for the average worker during the time of Jesus.

Mary’s extravagant love was a statement regarding her value of Christ. She had perhaps saved her entire life to be able to pay for that ointment. She was probably saving it for her own burial. When she broke that alabaster jar and poured out its contents, she was telling Jesus, “You mean more to me than anything in the world!”

How about us? How much we love Christ? Is He more valuable than anything in this world? When was the last time that you have given your best to Him?

Mary did not anoint the Lord with only a little amount of her valuable possession. She did not use only half the perfume and keep the rest. She poured out everything. In verse 8 the Lord says, “She has done what she could.” What the Lord is actually saying is that Mary did all that she could. She went to the limit of her ability - she went all out! She did not hold back.

What about us? Will the Lord will say to us, in reference to our love to Him, that we have done a “few drops” of what we could, or half of what we could or will He say that we have done all that we possibly could do?

We read that some of the guests (Judas, as well as the other disciples) were so indignant with Mary’s act of love. They called it wasteful and said the money would have been better spent in relief efforts for the poor.

The extravagant of Mary’s love was commended by the Lord. Mary’s action was not a waste of time, effort and money; it had eternal value. The anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany is remembered wherever the gospel message has spread throughout the whole world- it will be remembered forever!

The same is true of our love to Christ. The love, worship and commitment that we have offered to Him will never be forgotten. It is not a waste of time, money or effort. It will not go in vain. It will always be remembered!

fishy

2011-07-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at a fish tail braid...fun! thanks maddy! :p