Trying to sell the house

So....Chris has been at his new job for 7 months now and we are still commuting to work because we can't sell our house. I am not going to lie, it has been somewhat frustrating because everything has worked out so great with the new coaching position, except for the house. Do you know how hard it is to keep a house in "somewhat" showing condition with a 5, 3, and 7 month old? I just keep thinking "It would be so much easier if we didn't have to drive almost everyday and have to take our clothes with us if we are doing anything else in the evening." And then the lesson....there's always a lesson:)
I was preparing for the bible study I lead and it was over John 11 and the the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Mary and Martha had sent for Jesus to come and heal their brother, but Jesus waited. He waited until Lazarus had passed away to return to Bethany. He said these words to his disciples, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe." EVERYTHING we go through is to accomplish one thing and one thing only: so that you and I will believe and our faith in God Almighty will become stronger. You may have sent for Jesus in trying to sell a house or to save a lost friend or heal family member and it seems as though He is not coming, but in reality He is not coming right now and not in the way we want or choose. But HE will come!! He will come to us as our healer, comforter, counselor, and Savior! May you and I both walk in His timing and not our own!
Have a great Christmas!!!

cheater

So... we were playing horseshoes in our backyard the other day. I had made a line where we had to stand when throwing the horseshoes to the stake. I went first and then my son followed. He initially started at the line and then decided to take a few steps in front to finish up his turn. Chloe was next-she didn't even start at the line, she simply just walked up to the stake and put the horseshoe around it and began jumping up and down that she had did it. My son was very peturbed at her and yelled, "but she cheated! She is a cheater." I looked at him and replied, "but so did you." "But I didn't cheat as bad as she did," he replied.
That sounds so "child-like" that he would think his cheating was ok because it wasn't as bad as his sister's cheating, but in reality I still find myself thinking those thoughts sometimes as a grown woman. "My shortcomings aren't near as bad as other peoples. People have a lot more to work on themselves than I do. I am overall a really good person." Right? Then the little, still quiet voice replies, "Compared to who? God continues, "Compared to that person-maybe, but compared to me-no! And I am the standard." The good news for you and me is that he made a way for us to live up to his standard and that is our relationship with his son Jesus Christ!
I don't know about you, but for me I want to do as Paul strived to do, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galations 6:14. I know God has a lot more He wants to do in me before he can complete His work through me.
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!!

Mud in your eye

Do you ever feel like things always get worse before they get better? Things can never just get better. Well, if you have felt like that or are feeling like that as we speak this blog entry is for you! I was reading John 9 where Jesus heals the blind man. Let me just set this up for you. You have a blind man who has been blind since birth and he hears footsteps coming towards him. The next thing he knows he hears the person spit on the crowd and then feels mud in his eyes. I can only imagine what he was thinking-"What are you doing? I am already blind and now you have to rub mud in my eyes made by your own spit. Kick a man why he's down why don't ya" (or something like that :)) But then Jesus said go wash it off and the man obeyed (probably just because he wanted to get the mud off his face) and he was shown a whole new world. He was blind and now he could see. Sometimes in order to reach the top of the mountain we have to go through a valley first. We have to know that God is working in your situation right now. Maybe you can't imagine things getting any better. Know you just have mud in your eyes and at some point God is going to wash it off and your eyes will be open. For you were blind to what God wanted to do in you and through you and now you can see that God truly does work all things to the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. Whatever your situation is please know you are loved by the creator of the universe and all He wants to do is get the chance to spit in your eye:) (laugh its good for the soul)

Have a super week!

Sarah

Bring me what you have

So. . .I am just going to share with you something in hopes that maybe you will come along side of me and pray and with that maybe God will teach you something along the way. I have felt the Holy Spirit leading me to do something and I am not quite sure what it is. I have an idea, but to be honest, the thought scares me to death. It would be a huge leap of faith and totally stepping out of my comforts. I will fill you in more later:) I wanted to start with that because that leads me into my blog thought today. I was preparing for the bible study that I lead and was reading the story of Jesus' miracle of feeding the 5000. Jesus says to the disciples that they need to feed all these people that have come to hear Jesus teach. One disciple suggests that it would basically take 8 months wages to feed all these people. First of all, when I was reading this I am thinking God, the creator of the universe just asking you to do something and your hold up is you don't have enough money? Ummm, wait a minute that is what I do all the time!

Another disciple steps forward and says well, we have these 2 fish and five loaves of bread. Jesus basically replies bring me what you have and watch me do the rest and the rest is miracle history. I believe God wants to do the same miracle in my life and maybe yours. Maybe you are being prompted to take your own leap of faith, but you are looking at your situation and all you have is 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. Jesus is saying to you and me, bring me what you have and I watch me perform a miracle that will blow your socks off!!

Please pray for me and let me know if I can pray for you!!! I will keep you updated:)

The little things

So our boss had us read a book and share a little bit about what God showed us during the process. The book was called In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. It was an awesome book! If you get a chance (with all the free time you have) read it! The chapter I had to report on was chapter 8 and in this chapter the author talks about having a faith like a child and the reason we lose this important aspect of the Christian life is because we are afraid of looking foolish. This reminded me of a time with my son, Cale. One day we were praying and he asked if he could pray for his gun (his toys are the most prayed for toys on this earth). "Absolutely you can!" After all, that is so cute. Right? Well, days go by and the very gun he prayed for came up missing. We couldn't find that thing anywhere. After awhile I just forgot about it until we were trimming the bushes in our front yard and by golly what did we find in the bushes? THE GUN! As I excited as I was, I was more shocked than anything. Not Cale. Although he was excited, he simple stated, "I knew we would find it because I prayed for it." Here I am with more maturity and more experience and yet my 5 year old son is the one with more faith. At what point in our life do our problems get bigger and our God get smaller? What is it going to take to realize (like a child) that our God is so big that He cares about the little things, even our guns:)

Just say yes!

Hello Friends!

This post is to encourage and challenge YOU personally! Being the wife of a coach, mother of 3 and in work in the ministry, life can get a little chaotic. You feel like your are being stretched in so many directions. I know there are some individuals out there who can relate. Well, I have always felt like I have been extremely honest with you and will not stop now. My quiet times over the last 4 months have been very sporadic, popcorn prayers throughout the day and even some days non-existent. Those times where I would just sit for hours reading and studying scripture, taking every bit of God in I could was now being replaced with making lunches, car pooling to school, school fundraisers, hauling 3 kids to my husbands games, leading bible studies, speaking engagements and on and on and on..... God got moved to the backseat. Not intentional, but it happened and the crazy thing is I didn't even realize it...until yesterday.

God used the message at church to get my attention. It was like he was standing right there jumping up and down saying, "Hey, Remember me!!! I'm the reason for your family! I am the reason for your ministry! I'm am the reason for YOU!!!

I broke down at church and ask God to forgive me and help me because I had all these life things that could be so overwhelming. I opened my Bible today to study John 5 and read the story of the man who was healed at the pool. This man had been crippled for 38 years and Jesus came by and asked, "Do you want to be healed?" I would think after 38 years if someone asked me that I would emphatically say YES!!! But he didn't. He had excuses of why he wasn't healed. Oh my goodness, that is me!!! Jesus asked me, "Sarah, do you want to spend more time with me?" My answer wasn't just Yes, it was Yes, but.... and it was clear, my answer should simply be yes! Sarah, do you want to know me more deeply-yes! Sarah, do you want to hear my voice-yes! Sarah, do you want me to lead you, yes!

Maybe, you are reading this blog and God is asking you some of those same questions and what will your answer be?

"See FIRST the Kingdom of God and all these things should be added unto you" Matthew 6:33

Hey lady!

Hello Friends!

So.... I am at a cross country meet watching one of my FCA coaches and as I was heading back to my car a group of girls were coming towards me and one of them said, "Hey that's that lady that came and spoke to our team. I looked around trying to find someone who was much older than me that they had to be reffering to, after all if she was talking to me she would have said, "Hey that's that girl..." Nope, it was me! I was the lady. Was it the marriage of 11 years that made me feel old? nope. Was it having 3 kids that made me feel old? nope. Was it a 7 year career in the ministry that made me feel old? Nope. It was 3 teenagers calling me a lady that made me feel old. Needless to say I was somewhat bummed the rest of the day when God gave me this verse from 1 Corinthians 13:11, "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways."

Alright, OK, I get it! I am not a girl (child) anymore. You don't have to keep reminding me and then my husband's first football game happened. . .

I wanted to correct the ref's call and just let him know that he had made a mistake and he might want to know. OK-maybe it wasn't quite like that, but before I could fly off the handle (which I had every other year and in every other game-at least once) I heard the quiet little voice, "You are not a child. Don't speak, act, or reason like one. It's time to give up childish ways."

Wow! Talk about getting a 2X4 in the back of the head. If you know me, you know my mouth can and has gotten me into a lot of trouble as a coaches wife, and since this is my husbands first head coaching job I believe God is calling me to something higher-to put my childish ways behind me. So, I am saying this to you and to the world so that I can be held accountable-I will (with God's help) act like the lady in which those girls reffered to that day. I will keep you posted:)

Anniversary

August 24, 1969-This was the day my parents said their wedding vows. Yep-40 years ago today my parents stood before their friends and family and vowed they would stay together-for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poor, til death do them part-and they have. My parents gave me a lot of gifts over the years from cabbage patch kids to bicycles to basketball goals and so on, but the greatest gift they have ever given me was the example they set on having a godly marriage and keeping those vows they said at the age of 19 and 21. Has their marriage been easy-no! My dad served in the Navy and was gone for months at a time, they have taken care of sick parents in their own home, and have dealt with my mom's own cancer battles. These are just 3 of the obstacles they dealt with in their marriage-the point is they dealt with them together. My dad was the spiritual leader in our house that lead the prayers, sunday school lessons, and FCA groups. My mom was the "behind the scenes" servant that made us all look good. Without a doubt, my parents were the ultimate team. My dad was coaching-my mom was cheering. My dad was teaching-my mom was serving. My dad was leading-my mom was following.

So, to my mom and dad: Thank you! It is my prayer that Chris and I are able to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary with as much dignity, grace, and love that you all have shown to each other.

And to you, reading this blog I would love to be able to pray for your marriage so if you have anything specific I can be praying about for you and your husband-please let me know. I have a passion to see marriages thrive-yours and mine!

Old Navy

Hello Friends,

For most of us, school has started and that means another year of being the wife of a coach. For those of you who are wives of football coaches you won't see your husband for the next few months. As you prepare your family, yourself, and your marriage for the ups and downs of the upcoming season, let me share with you a story that will make you feel like you are not alone when the the world seems like it is crashing down on you or at the least, give you a good laugh.

I picked my kids up and we were going home and I saw the Old Navy store. I remembered I had a gift card from my birthday and I kept seeing those commercials for the $19 jeans and thought it would be no big deal to just run in and see what they had.
Let the tale begin. . .

All three kids were doing great. I had found some jeans to try on (first mistake) and we went to the dressing room. While in the dressing room, Chloe said she had to go to the potty. The restrooms were right next to the dressing room so I hurried and put my clothes back on and took her to the restroom. I went back to the dressing room to finish trying on the jeans (second mistake) and Chloe said, "Mom I have to go poo-poo." OK-here we go. I put clothes back on and took everyone back to the bathroom. We made it! Thank goodness. We headed back up to the front to get the one pair that didn't make me look like I was still 6 months pregnant (third mistake). We waited our turn in line and I gave the sales associate the jeans and as I was giving her my gift card, Chloe starts holding her bottom and I saw the panic her face and then it happened. . .
right there at the check out sat a pile of diarhhea at the feet of my little girl, and then the tears came. It was at this time that I had two choices: freak out or step up. My husband would have been proud because I went into Head Coach mode and praise the Lord for other moms who were willing to help out with the other two kids while I dealt with My Chloe.

I scooped her up (poop and all) ran to the restroom, stopped an associate and asked her to bring us some clothes that Chloe could change in to, cleaned her up, and then spent the next 30 min cleaning up the trail that we had left along the way.

Our quick trip into Old Navy turned into an hour and half later and nobody wearing the same clothes they went in there with. I got everybody loaded into the car to leave (vowing never to return to this particular Old Navy again) and I sat there, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. And then I heard a quiet voice in my head that said "You did it!" "You're right," I said out loud to myself, "I did it!" Whether this was God's intention or not, the lesson was learned. I was just prepared for the upcoming season as a new head coaches wife with 3 kids. I can do it! And so can you! Lets do this year together!

Rain

I need to get you caught up on the second half of our crazy summer. Right after Case was born my husband took his first head coaching job. We would be moving. . .again:) Even though the thought of selling a house, packing boxes, and moving with 3 small children didn't exactly leave me jumping for joy-where we are going did. He is actually starting a football program at a Christian School in Oklahoma City which is where our church and my job is located. We had been praying for a head coaching job for 2 years and God lead us here. Even though we followed God's lead we are still dealing with some stresses: head coaching duties, starting a program, not being able to sell our house, and commuting with our children.
My husband left the house this morning at 5:30am for his first practice and it was pouring down rain. And as I laid there listening to the rain, I couldn't help but think "Oh I hope our cellar isn't leaking." I drifted back off to sleep and then talked to a friend of mine later this morning and her house flooded. God used these little moments to teach me a life lesson. When it rains if there is any weakness in the house it is exposed. In our house it just happens to be our cellar and in hers it was her roof. When it is warm outside and the sun is shining everything looks strong, but it is when the rain comes that the weaknesses are exposed. The same happens in life-when things are going great our faith looks great, our relationships look great, but it is when the storms of life come that our weaknesses are exposed. Do we really believe God when he says He has plans to prosper us (Jeremiah 29:11)? Is our faith really that strong? Are our relationships able to thrive? Well, the storms are here and I say YES! For when I am weak, Christ is made strong. Jesus bring the rain and let the Roberts' family walk on water!

Family Pictures

Hello Friends,

First of all I have had a request to show a picture of our new addition (I will get the pictures changed of our family sooner or later:)). You all have shared in this incredible journey with me so here is Case Graham Roberts. Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers. In the Bible, Hannah said these words and I feel the exact same way: "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord." 1 Samuel 1:27-28. May you look at these pictures of Case Graham and be reminded that "God is faithful, even when we are faithless." (2 Timothy 2:13) Praise the Lord!

Still Here!

Hello Friends,

I realize it has been 2 months since my last post and I hope you are still there. As my husband would say "there are no excuses", but there has been a few things going on-so lets get you updated. First, we have a beautiful baby boy-Case Graham Roberts!!! Yeah!!! He was born on Friday, May 22 at 10:30AM. He weighed 7lb 7oz. (I loved this) and was 20 in. long. He was the missing piece to our family and now our family feels complete. We took him home and I must admit going from 2 to 3 kids threw me for a loop. I think I was naive in thinking "its only one more." Well, that one more was kicking my tail and he was a great baby.
I was starting to get the hang of things when Case was 3 weeks old when Case started getting sick. I had taken all three to FCA camp for the day and while we were there Case threw up, and I mean a lot and he didn't stop. I knew something wasn't right when it would hit the wall behind me. We took him to the Dr. and I wanted them to see what he was doing so I fed him in the waiting room and sure enough he performed right on schedule. After witnessing what he was doing and feeling on his belly, the Dr. said "I am going to send you on over to the hospital and we will probably have surgery tonight or in the morning." My heart sank. Tears started to flow. And I managed to get the words out, "What is wrong with my baby?" She assured me it was a simple procedure, but he had Pyloric Stinosis. This is where the muscle between the stomach and intestine grew too big that it wasn't letting anything go between the two; therefore, since it wasn't getting through it was coming up. The positive was I had heard of this because my husband had it when he was a baby. The negative was I heard horror stories from my mother-in-law about my husband when he was a baby.
We went to the hospital and they started an IV immediately because he was so dehydrated. If you have ever had a child with an IV, you know it is heart wrenching. He was just so tiny with all these tubes and he is just looking at you like "what are they doing to me?"
He had surgery the next morning and it went perfectly. He handled it like a champ, probably better than we did. Four days letter we were finally heading home:) Praise Jesus!
All that to say we are the proud parents of a now healthy baby boy who brings us so much joy! This is only the first chapter of the missing two months. Stay tuned for chapter two!

Passing the Test

As we approach the end to another school year I keep hearing about tests: Semester tests, final tests, 9 weeks tests etc. Well, there has been one test that we take many times in our lives and that is the testing of our faith. Yes, God tests our faith throughout our entire lives. I feel like I am being tested in my life right now. Tested if I trust Him, Tested if I believe Him, Tested that I have complete obedience to Him, Tested that I completely depend on Him. And if I were to be completely honest with you at the point in the test I am flunking miserably. In my life right now I am extremely pregnant and having more false labor than I ever had with the other two. My husband and I have been praying about where God will take us in the realm of coaching because we just feel that God has something He wants to do through us. We are growing increasingly weary, frustrated, and impatient.

I read this verse today in James 1:2 and it says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers when you face trials of many kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perserverance and let perserverance have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." And I am reminded once again that God won't work through you until He has completely worked in you. I am far from being "perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
So today I will try to pass the testing of my faith and "consider it pure joy" that I am having another baby and that I have an incredible husband who feels the same calling as I do and that I serve a God that no matter how hard I plead and beg for Him to move now-he will not waiver and will never be late.

PS. Don't forget to sign up as a follower at the bottom of the page:)

Imaginary Friend

Hello Friends,

We have a new addition to the family! No, it is not the baby we have been waiting:) His name is Buster the dog. Buster eats with us, plays with us, rides in the car with us, and does about everything with us. He is the perfect family pet, however, we have never seen him because Buster is the imaginary friend of our 4 year old son, Cale.

We love watching the imagination of our little boy run wild and I have found out that imaginary friends run in the family. My husband had an imaginary friend named Mickey growing up that would play baseball and football with him. I love hearing stories from my mother-in-law about Chris and Mickey.

I can honestly say there have been times that I have felt like God is more like my imaginary friend rather than the creator of the universe. There are those times where you just don't feel Him, see Him, or hear Him. Every person goes though those times. The great thing is that God is the same whether I feel Him or not. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:13 that God is faithful even when we are faithless. Praise God!

There is an Indian legend that says when an Indian boy wants to make the transition to a man he must sit in the woods on a tree stump for an entire night without opening his eyes. No matter what he hears or how scared he might get, he can not open his eyes. For those who pass the test, they open their eyes to find that their father was sitting right next to them, protecting them the entire night. Although they did not feel their father-he was there. Although they did not hear their father-he was there. Although they did not see their father- he was there.

You may not feel, hear, or see God, but I promise you He is not imaginary-He is there!

P.S. I now have a follower list where you can add your name at the bottom of this page. I would love for you to sign up so that I know my husband is not the only one who reads this blog:)

Finishing Strong

Hello Friends!

Finish Strong-Isn't that a saying that every sports team has used at one point or another? A saying that represents not giving up-playing with your whole heart until the last play of the last game. I am finding that right now I need this saying posted in my house, in my car, in my office, and any other place that I might see it. I am in the stage of pregnancy that I am having those days that it is extremely hard to finish strong. Hard to finish this pregnancy strong without breaking down daily because I am so uncomfortable and getting impatient to meet our little boy. Hard to finish out my work with FCA on a daily basis because all I think about is getting to my maternity leave and spending time with not only the baby, but watching my other two children interact and welcome Case into the family.

I was reminded this last week at Easter services of the last words Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished." If there was ever anyone that we could use as the ultimate example of Finishing Strong it is none other than Christ himself. We sometimes forget that because He was both God and man that He didn't want to go through what He did any more than you and I would. In the Garden of Gethsemane he fell to his knees and ask God "if there is any other way, please take this cup from me. Not as I will, but as you will." He could have quit right there, but He didn't. He could have quit when He went before Pilate, but he didn't. He could have quit when they were beating him beyond recognition, but he didn't. No! He went all the way to the cross and Finished Strong! And Praise the Lord He did!

There has been no other words that have changed the course of history more than these three words-It is finished! So once again, my Savior comes to my rescue and I am reminded that the same spirit that made Him finish strong is the same Spirit that will help me and you finish strong in our everyday lives. Whether it be a pregnancy, an end to another school year, a struggling marriage, a battle with an illness or whatever you may be facing, let these same words resonate with you, challenge you and encourage you to Finish Strong!

Blizzard in the Spring

Hello girls!

I hope you are enjoying your spring weather! I just wanted to let you know how mine started out-not what I expected. With spring comes warmer weather, beautiful flowers blooming, riding bikes outside with the kids, Easter, new life and I love it, but have yet to experience it. Last week my grandpa passed away and we went up to the Oklahoma Pahandle for the funeral. The funeral was supposed to be on Friday afternoon, but winter reared its ugly head again with a vengence or somebody really ticked off the groundhog. We were in an all out blizzard Friday and Saturday, unable to leave the house because all the roads were closed, and did I mention with 7 kids ages 8 and under. AHHHHHH!!!! Needless to say- it was crazy!!!
Even though I literrally experienced a blizzard in the spring, I really experience blizzards in the spring a lot. Things will be looking great in family, job, children, marriage or all of the above and (as Emeril would say) Bam-a blizzard hits. It could be an unexpected death in the family, an unexpected move or job loss, a child making bad choices etc. Whatever your blizzard is-it doesn't mean there will be no spring. God's delays are not his denials! Spring ALWAYS comes-just maybe not when or how you expected. Know that God is never late and will bring you Spring once again. In Romans 8 it says, God works all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." -Even blizzards in the spring!

P.S.-BABY UPDATE
We are now about 7 weeks out! Woo hoo!!! This baby is kicking my tail! Literally, he kicks so hard:) We will have a talk about that when we meet face to face! I love Him so much already! I am not sure I have told you all the name, but it is Case Graham Roberts! Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers for this amazing blessing. I can't wait to introduce him to you all.

Love ya!

Being Real

Hello Friends!

I had the opportunity to speak at a women's conference this past weekend. It was a great time and fellowship with these ladies. I spoke on women of the bible, specifically those who had personal encounters with Jesus and how he changed their lives and how that relates to ours. One thing I have learned about working in women's ministry and, of course, being a woman myself we aren't always real.

It's like a lady who was asked to bake something for her church's bake sale, but she forgot. That morning she was fumbling around trying to bake something real fast and ending up making a chocolate cake, but when she pulled it out of the oven the middle had bottomed out. She was in a panic and an idea came to her head. She found a role of toilet paper put it in the middle of the cake and frosted the whole thing. She gave her husband strict instructions: "when I take this to the bake sale, you be the first one in line and you have to buy this cake." Her husband came home, but with no cake. He said it had already been bought. She was mortified at the thought of who bought the cake. The next day she went to a party at a friends house. When she walked in, she noticed the cake was on the table to be served for dessert. She was making her way to the hostess to tell her not to serve that cake when she overheard another lady complimenting the hostess on how beautiful the cake looked. She then heard the hostess say, "Thanks, I made it myself."

We laugh and joke, but we have all been there when it comes to saving face in front of other women, friends, family, enemies, fans etc. for the sake of looking like we have it all together. Being real is not reality for women these days. There is a sense of perfection that we feel we have to portray to the world. You know we all have those women in our lives who look as though they have it all together: marriage is perfect, children are perfect, house is perfect. I get winded even saying those things. We need to take the masks off and share with one another our imperfections so that God can use those imperfections to fulfill the purpose he has for you and me. When Jesus called His disciples he called the "unschooled and ordinary" not the blemish-free and perfect ones. Yes, I love my husband, but it is hard work sometimes. Yes, I love my children, but it is hard work sometimes. Yes, my house looks like a tornado hit it-most of the time:) We are all a work in progress and to appear to those around you that you have it all together means you are missing out on what God wants to do in you and through you. After all, why mess with perfection?

Chapel

Hello friends,

Wow! I can't believe it is March already! And with that comes OU softball chapels for me. I serve as the chaplain for the University of Oklahoma softball team. This is my 4 year and let me tell you- this one part of the ministry is more challenging than the other parts combined. We have a chapel on Sundays of home games and do a bible study every other week. We had our first chapel this past weekend and had 12 out of 16 players attended-our best attedance. Woo Hoo!
You all remember this time in our life when we were free to do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted, and with whom ever we wanted. You are trying to find out what you believe and if its the same as your parents, grandparents, or none of the above. Its a time for fun and to find out who you are as a person. I once heard that college was "Satan's playground." How scary is that to think about and I think about it often as I deal with these amazing young ladies. All I know is that these girls are away from home, parents, family, friends, and I hope that I can be an outlet to them and give them advice based on the Word and not the World. If you have a child in college-pray for them! If you have a child in high school-pray for them. If you have a child in diapers-pray for them.
One of the prayers that I pray for my children everyday is that God would always put people in their life (friends, mentors, coaches, positive role models) that reflect that of Christ. So even though I may not always be there I can rest assured God is-even if they do go to Satan's playground.
Have a super week!
Sarah

Burdened Heart

Hello friends,

I write to you all today with such a heavy heart. When you work in the ministry, you tend to see the best and worst of the spiritual battles that each person faces daily. You become well aware of the struggles that the human race faces when living the daily grind of life. I got to see one of the most intense spiritual battles unfold before me last week. I went to visit one of my coaches who is also a dear friend. We have had numerous "God Talks" about what He was doing in each of our lives. This time was different-and not a good different. She preceded to tell me that she had been in a relationship for 11 years with a married man and his divorce was final now, and they were going to try to make it work with them now. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach. She was very emotional and the conflict on her was just so intense. I walked out after our 2 hour conversation, sat in my car, and just cried. I called my husband and just poured out my heart broken over hers.

This may sound crazy, but my husband and I have been praying for over 18 months about God's plans for the Roberts' family. We just have this overwhelming feeling that God is preparing our family for something. I asked God that day in my quiet time to show me a glimpse of the the calling He had on my life and 3 hours later I was crying out to him with such a burden for all marriages. I felt like Isaiah when God was roaming the earth, and Isaiah overheard God say, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" I overheard God's calling to intercede on behalf of all marriages. I prayed for an hour for every marriage I could think of-including yours! There is no greater relationship, outside of your relationship with God, than your relationship with your husband. If God gives me the opportunity to go out and speak on the subject I would consider it an answer to the question I heard on that day-"Whom shall I send?"

Praying for your marriage and mine!

Love-Hate relationship

Hey Girls!

I have listened to people tell me their stories over the past 6 months and although they have different characters in their stories, the context of the stories are the same. People love them one day and dislike them the next. Some people have no idea where these changed feeling are coming from and some know exactly where these feeling harvest. Nobody knows these type of relationships more than coaches and their families. It is because of these relationships that Coaches build walls all around them and only the horns of Joshua could break them down. It can be anything from playing time to not having as good as season as last year. Whatever it is-it causes loneliness for the coach, the wife, and the kids. So, what do we do?

I was doing my quiet time and guess what I read? Jesus went through the exact same love hate relationship with his followers. In Matthew 21 you can read of his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As He was riding his donkey, people were shouting words of praise, "Hosanna, to the son David. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest." What amazing words of praise and acclimation and only days later would be beaten and crucified by these same people. You hear Peter says things to Jesus like, "Even if I have to die with you. I will never disown you." And as we all know, Peter not only denied him, but did it 3 times. Ouch!
If we want to know what to do when people love us and then hate us, we have to look at the example of Jesus. Jesus said, "Forgive them for they know not what they do." He says we must pray for those who persecute us. He says if someone strikes one cheek, turn them the other.

Are you kidding? Maybe its just me, but it is so much easier to be bitter, bicker, and gripe. After all, they are the ones with the problem-not you. Yes, and these are very human things to think and feel. So how do we follow Jesus' example? We have to remember that although we are human, as Christ-followers we also have the same spirit within us that Jesus had in Him. We can do it because of Christ and Christ alone. Ask Him! He wants to help us become all that He is:) It is our time to be coached by the Head coach!

A world without God

Hello Friends!



I started my day on a somewhat difficult note today. On my way to work, I stopped by the Hospital to see and pray with my husband's cousin and her husband. He was preparing for surgery to amputate his leg because of cancer. At the age of 30! When I got there the families were waiting in the waiting room-2 going in to see them at a time. I wasn't there 2 minutes when a family member came out and said, "Is there a Sarah here yet? They would like to see her next." Feeling bad that I kinda jumped in line, I walked back there. As I pulled aside the curtain, I saw 2 very frightened indivduals and realized they didn't want to see me, they wanted to feel God right now through my prayer.

I know we all know someone going through such times as these and it may be you! You are asking God questions or just seeking his answers. That was me today! I simply wanted to be reminded of what I had just reminded this young couple: God is real and he is here! I was doing my devotion today and this is what I read:


Think for a moment about this question: What if God weren't here on earth? You think people

can be cruel now, imagine us without the presence of God. You think we are brutal to each

other now, imagine a world without the Holy Spirit. You think there is loneliness and despair

and guilt now, imagine a life without the touch of Jesus. No forgiveness. No hope. No acts of kindness.

No words of love. No more food given in his name. No more songs sung to his praise. No more

deeds done in his honor. If God took away his angels, his grace, his promise of eternity, and his

servants, what would the world be like?
In one word, Hell.



I read this devotion and my questions were answered with one simple word:YES! This couple ,because of Jesus, can have hope! This couple, because of Jesus, can have peace! This couple, because of Jesus, can feel compassion!
And because of Jesus, so can you and I! Woo Hoo!

PS. Baby Update- I am now almost 6 months and feel like I am 9 months. Baby boy is doing awesome and extremely active! Praise the Lord!

Our Children

Hello Friends,

My husband and I have started journals for our kids. We wanted to write down memories, thoughts, and feelings for our children as they grow up. We also include things God has taught us in our lives. We hope and pray that God will use these journals to strengthen our children's relationship with Christ. As I was writing in my son's journal, I was reminded of a moment I had with him in November. I had just lost a friend of mine in an accident and I was so upset. Cale asked me if I was OK and I told him I had lost a friend that day. He said, "Mommy, do you want me to pray?" "Oh yes, please! And could you pray for his mommy and daddy because they miss their son." Here was his prayer:
God, could you please get me a horse
So I can take his mommy and daddy up
to heaven to see their son. Amen
I told him that was an awesome prayer and thanked him with a big hug and kiss. He then replied, "Mom, do you think I will get a horse?" I couldn't help to laugh so hard that I now was crying tears of joy. Joy that my children bring into my life.

As I was doing my quiet time this morning, I read Matthew 18:1-4. The heading says, "Who is the Greatest?"
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom
of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly I say to you
unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever
humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4

Children are the greatest! Yours-mine-all! I have been a Christian since I was 13 years old and even though I am wiser, more knowledgeable of the bible, I still long to have the faith of a child-my child!

The NBA experience

So. . .I got a phone call from the Oklahoma City Thunder office, the new NBA team, asking if I would be willing to give the innvocation at the game this week. First of all, I didn't even know they prayed at NBA games and second of all, they are asking me? Heck yeah! That sounds like fun. He began to go over when to be there, where to go, what to wear, and "Oh, by the way you can't say the name of Jesus." As we got off the phone, I just sat there. Did he really ask me to pray and then say, but you can't say the name of Jesus. What the heck! I am 0nly able to pray to my heavenly father because of the sacrifice of Jesus. How can I pray without acknowledging HIM! I began to pray and ask God for direction. Would I say it anyway, would I just refer to God, would I refer to Jesus with another name? I honestly didn't know what I was going to do.

Why is it that we can talk about God all day long on TV, on the radio, in magazines, but the moment the name Jesus is brought up, Woah! That is going too far! As Christians, when do we get to exercise the right to free speech? Alright, Alright! I will get off my soap box for a minute and continue.

We had to show up 2 hours before game time to go through the walk through. I was kinda thinking, dude, its a prayer I do it all the time. But I went along with their show. After the walk through they gave us passes to go hang out on the court during warm-ups until I was up. The doors opened to the public an hour and half before game time and we heard the announcement, "The doors are now open, staff, please take your places." Who would show up this early? Well, there were about 12 men ranging from 30-60 who raced in to get there prime spot to get autographs. You might ask, "Did they have kids with them." And I would have to say, "No!" Just their magazines, basketball cards, balls etc. And anytime a player would walk by they would just yell at him like the player had the only cure to cancer by the touch of their pen,and if they would only sign their card, they would be cured. It was quite amusing to watch. It just made me realize the influence the athletic world has on the everyday world. It doesn't matter if you are talking the high school level, college level, or the pro-level, the athlete has more influence than any other person in the school or professional world. That is why I do what I do so that I can help use the platform of athletics for Jesus Christ.

Well, here was a platform. . .What did I do you ask? I walked out to center court, closed my eyes, and let God to the rest. I prayed to my heavenly father and asked those things in "the name above all names, Amen!" Right or Wrong, God heard my prayer through the relationship that I have with the name above all names, Jesus Christ!

Have a super day!

Girl or Boy?

Happy New Year!

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! I know we did! One thing I love about Christmas is the traditions you create as a family. When we first found out we were pregnant with our first child we sat down and discussed how we wanted to do Christmas. Santa or no Santa, a lot of presents or a few, etc. We got an idea from a friend of ours and made it our own. On Christmas eve, we read the Christmas story from Luke and discuss that tomorrow is Jesus' birthday. Santa brings 3 gifts because that is how many gifts Jesus received from the wisemen when He was born. We then wake up on Christmas morning, eat birthday cake for breakfast, and open gifts.
Oh! It was so awesome! I would love to hear of your family traditions!

Over the Christmas break, we also had our ultrasound to found out if we were going to have a boy or a girl. Yes, I am one of those who needs to know. I have a lot of friends who don't ever find out and I always thought that was so awesome, but could not do it. We tried with our daughter, Chloe. We had them write it down and put it in an envelope. My sister had convinced us to let her know and then she would decorate the nursery. The problem was we didn't see her for a few days and the envelope was just sitting there saying, "Open me!" Chloe got her way then and has been getting her way ever since:)

All through break our families would take polls on what they thought it was. Well, do you have a guess?! The verdict is. . .Boy! Yes, we are having a boy! We are so excited and can't wait to meet our little miracle baby. We know God has something special in store for this little one.
While you are sharing your family traditions with me, please share any advice about having 3 or more kids. I could manage 2 kids going to football games by myself, but 3 seems a little overwhelming.
Love you all!

Sarah