sarah's blog

Of all the posts I could be, should be writing right now I have sat down to write about the strangest of all of them.

You see today while the twins were taking their one nap (two of which they actually need and were therefore a hot. mess. tonight,) I caught up on a episode of Sister Wives that I had recorded a few days ago.

Yes, I know. Before you think I’ve become a polygamist or something, hear me out.

In this episode the newest wife Robin (#4) has her baby boy, Solomon, and we observe how different parts of the family react through the process. Some of the older kids seemed to feel pretty disconnected from this newest wife and this half brother of theirs, while some were moved to tears when they held him. One wife admitted she doesn’t get too emotional about babies and didn’t really want to be woken up to meet him (though she did come anyways) while another made a gift to let everyone know she was accepting him into her family with open arms despite earlier reservations.

But then there was Meri, the first wife, married to her/their husband for over 20 years. She has only one daughter, a teenager now, and despite years of hoping and several disappointments, she was never able to have more. Meri was the catalyst for Robin joining the family and the two really clicked, forming a bond closer than she felt with the other wives, though she encouraged them joining the family too.

Seeing Meri’s love for Robin and watching her practically jumping out of her skin with joy as she and her only daughter rushed to see Solomon with gifts in hand, set the stage for a moving moment I never expected. Just hours after Robin had her baby, as Meri held him, Robin asked to speak to Meri alone.

In that moment she told Meri that she wanted to offer her the gift of being her surrogate if she wanted to accept it.

She said she had prayed about it since she first met Meri and that she was absolutely sure. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I saw, despite what we would expect to exist between these two women, the depth of love and grace being offered. She had JUST had a baby, naturally, at home and she was already prepared to do it again to give someone else, a person she shares her husband with, that same moment.

I say all this not to convince you to watch the show or support the Brown family or approve of polygamy. Because of my personal faith I would not practice polygamy nor encourage others to do so. For me this wasn’t about their lifestyle choice. What I came away with was an overwhelming sense of sacrificial love.

I face far less and yet they often humble me with their willingness to lay themselves down for someone else, constantly compromising and committed for a lifetime to their families.

Would I be able to offer that? Would I be able to accept that offer? Would I pursue a relationship of love and grace despite difficult circumstances they way these women do?

Seeing the look on Meri’s face as the weight of what she was being offered washed over her I knew I would want to do the same for someone I loved if I had that opportunity.

Just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to those of you who gave to my birthday charity:water campaign. We raised $131 which will provide clean drinking water for 6 people.

Because the money was collected during September there is a good chance our contributions will go to the Bayaka people of the Central African Republic, with a goal of eventually providing clean drinking water for every member of that displaced people group.

I love doing campaigns for charity:water and I don’t plan to stop. In fact, maybe when the twins are born they can help me and we’ll do a family campaign. I would love for them to grow up with an awareness of the needs of others and that they would hold their money in open hands as a resource to care for people in need.

I think that’s a good thing to model to kids. So thanks for modeling generosity to me, again.

Not everyone has a Grandaddy. You have to be from the South to get one, or at least he has to be from the South.

I had a Grandaddy Howard on my mom’s side and he died yesterday. After Grandma died it started to become clear he was in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s so he relocated from Norfolk, Virginia to live with my parents in Dallas and then eventually into a home nearby.

Everyone is so supportive when they hear the news but I tell them right away that I already said my goodbyes a long time ago. Alzheimer’s slowly took his memory and eventually his ability to recognize most of the family. We mourned the loss of the relationship with him then and this finally goodbye is a happier one. He was sick and weak and didn’t know anyone, I’m thankful he’s done with this life where his mind and body had failed him.

He was a character, everyone who knew him knew this. (more…)

Every time I tried to post today I realize how spoiled and sheltered I am in light of what other people are facing at this very moment. And it’s the reality of their world every day while I babble on about dryclean-only scarves in the washer and headaches and what to cook for dinner from my overflowing kitchen.

My heart just breaks for the people of Haiti. I can’t begin to put myself in their place, if tomorrow I woke up on the streets with nothing but the clothes on my back. No water, no food, no money. If I have any money or anything of value it is worthless, who would trade me food or water for it? There are no stores, no transit, just chaos and death and fear. (more…)

Lest you begin to suspect that I don’t follow through on things (no comment, Mom, Dad or husband) I will update you on my very real progress regarding my New Year’s Resolutions, in original order. (more…)

Okay, it’s time. I’ve had a week since New Year’s Eve to think about what my resolutions will be this year. I’ve checked out some of the articles online about how to choose good resolutions (not too broad, reasonably attainable, measurable, etc.) and I think I am ready.

The key here this year is no more sweeping statements about pursuing my dreams and traveling more and getting in shape. I can use those statements as categories for the practical steps I will plan to take in my life. But they themselves make lousy resolutions. (more…)

Before the day is over I just wanted to post and give my respect to all those who have served. I know no better, or more Canadian, way to do this…

Image by Alana Elliott

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

- Lt. Col. John McCrae (1872 – 1918)

We’d appreciate your prayers for our friend and John’s co-worker who was involved in a bizarre event this weekend:

Press Release

Power To Change Staff Member Survives Bomb Blast

Langley, British Columbia
November 9, 2008

Gary Stevenson, a staff member with the Campus for Christ ministry of Power To Change, has survived a bombing at his home in Langley, BC. The attack occurred at approximately 11:30 am Saturday morning as the Stevenson family was loading a van to move out of their townhouse. Mr. Stevenson picked up a package delivered anonymously to his door, thinking it was a gift, but it exploded when he attempted to open it.

Mr. Stevenson was taken immediately to the hospital where he was treated for lacerations and burns. Surgeons removed shrapnel from his abdomen. No other members of the Stevenson family were injured. He is expected to make a full recovery.

The townhouse complex was sealed off by police who swept the area to ensure there were no other explosive devices. Investigators gathered evidence until late Saturday evening at which time residents were allowed to return to their homes. Police investigators say that they have no suspects or information about movtives and caution against premature speculations.

Mr. Stevenson serves with Campus for Christ on the campus of Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia where he works with students. Mike Woodard, National Director of Campus for Christ, expressed shock at the attack. “Gary is just a great guy,” Woodard said, “one of our most innovative staff who really enjoys engaging with university students on life’s most significant issues.” The director of Campus for Christ at Simon Fraser, Derek Hill, added that “Gary really loves people. He spends time getting to know students, and is always ready to help someone with a problem.”

Stevenson is married with two children. In addition to his work at Simon Fraser, Mr. Stevenson has also served internationally. A brief assignment took him to North Africa. He has worked most extensively in Nicaragua, where he served for two years.

Power To Change President, Leonard Buhler, expressed relief that Mr. Stevenson had survived the attack. “Our hearts are saddened by this terrible event,” Buhler said, “but our staff and others in the community have rallied strongly to support Gary and his family.” Buhler is asking people to pray for the family during the weeks of recovery ahead.

Power To Change is a Canadian Christian ministry with more than 500 staff serving across Canada and around the world. The ministry seeks to assist people in a spiritual journey where they discover the relevance of Jesus Christ to issues of life today.

For more information contact: Dr. Guy S. Saffold
guy.saffold@powertochange.org
604-514-2000
Power To Change
20385 64th Ave
Langley, BC

For more information on Power To Change, visit www.powertochange.org

I haven’t done one of these in awhile but I thought I’d resurrect some of my early posting trends.

This week’s eco tip: read a couple environmental articles:

Can you be an atheist and an environmentalist?
7 Tips for going green