Great Quote

"It's extraordinary to me that the United States can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can't find $25 billion dollars to saved 25,000 children who die every day from preventable diseases."

- Bono, rock star and anti-poverty activist.

24 weeks size

We are now in the 24th week of my pregnancy, and Kieren is the length of an EAR OF CORN! She is looking sweet and yummy! And get this - my uterus is the size of a soccer ball. Now that's a size I know - and it's BIG :)

Love you all!
Sarah

Book Review: Simple Spirituality

It's been a while since we've done one of these, but this book definitely deserves it. It's written by a guy named Chris Huertz who leads a missional community called Word Made Flesh. We've been aware of WMF for a while but got to meet and get to know Chris when he was on sabbatical last fall at Duke. Chris is an amazing guy who wants to genuinely love the poor around the world.
This book is a deep look at discipleship. It's inspiring, challenging, and encouraging. I instantly started using quotes from it in talks on mission trips this summer. Chris wants for you to fall in love with Jesus because he knows that relationship will move you to loving action towards others.
I love this book so much that I bought five more copies and have been giving them away. I think it's a significant look at discipleship that everybody should experience. Don't miss it!
Casey

Living Hope Ministry in South Africa

Hello friends!

Living Hope, the ministry we worked with in Cape Town, South Africa, has created a new video about all the incredible things God is enabling and empowering them to do in South Africa. We are so proud of all they are doing - God is so good!

Are you okay??!??

Hello!

Thought I would update a bit on how I'm feeling lately, since that is the MAIN question I am getting these days with the obvious baby belly leading me around. I am feeling GOOD! The only strange things I am feeling are being really tired and back-aches, both of which are totally normal. I am also starting to feel Kieren move and kick more and more, which is so FUN! The other night Casey woke her up talking to her and then she kicked back for a while. They like to play already :)



I think one thing that is really helping me to feel strong during the pregnancy is working out. I work out 5-6 days a week, nothing as intense as I use to, but just gym machines and weights. My favorite night of the week is my kick-boxing class on Wednesdays - still there and loving it! It's hard but it's honestly when I feel the best emotionally and physically. It is funny sometimes, because people at the gym are now noticing I don't have a new beer gut, but a baby cooking, so if I pause, breathe heavy, or sigh, I always get an "ARE YOU OKAY?" It's nice but funny. Don't worry everyone, I will be careful with my workouts!

Thanks for everyone's support as Kieren grows and grows. We are enjoying this fun phase of the pregnancy where I have energy and we can just enjoy dreaming about our little girl. God is good!

Lots of love,
Sarah

Sarah's bump at 22 weeks

Growing every day!

Encouragement of the week

Jeremiah 17:7

"But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence."

She's a Squash

Kieren Joy is now 22 weeks, and I just learned today that she is the size of a spaghetti squash! Fun!

Babies Everywhere!

Hey there!

So there is definitely 'something in the water,' because I have SO MANY friends who are pregnant or just had a baby! Crazy! My best friend from high school, April Neslund Mucci, has been a great friend through my pregnancy because she has been sharing in my joy/delight/pain/backache as she has also been pregnant. During a trip to Lakeland, Florida in early August we got to take preggo pics together, me at 4 months and her at 8 1/2 months. How fun!



I was able to make a trip over to Lakeland when I was in Florida for labor and meet her new son who was just born, named Jacob. Such a handsome boy!



What a blessing to share life with wonderful people who I have known since high school. Many great memories and new ones made.

Here are some other great Lakeland friends from my visit in August:


Brian and Callie Neslund


April Neslund Mucci, Cassie Pflieger Miller, and Sarah


The NEW youth group at my church from high school, First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland. I got to hang out with them this summer in Georgia at the Fun in the Son camp!

BOOK REVIEW

'Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life' by Martin E. Seligman



Well the books are back :) We are both finding the new rhythm of late summer/early fall and are finally finishing up some books. This book was recommended to me from a good friend, Allie Russos and it was a great read. I would recommend this to anyone who wishes they were more optimistic, positive, and wants to embrace life to the fullest. Personally, I can struggle with being a 'realist' and not always thinking positive, but this can really have negative effects on my life and heart. This book has given me some great tools to change my thinking and look to the now and future in new and positive ways. For anyone who struggles with depression, or just wants a better outlook on life, I encourage you to check out 'Learned Optimism'!

Love,
Sarah

United Way Videos

Hey everyone!

I am really proud to be working for the United Way this fall, a non-profit organization all over the US that partners with local agencies in each area fund and partner in building stronger communities. We are just starting our fall campaign here at the Triangle United Way, which is why I am on board here, and it's very exciting and inspiring. I wanted to share our site because we have some videos that United Way has created about their new campaign, and you should check them out! Go to this site:

http://www.unitedwaytriangle.org/news/2008video.asp

And I really encourage you to see the video called 'Meet Patti.' Her story is incredible, and she is working with the United Way this fall to give back all that has been given to her. Amazing!

Have a great day!
Sarah

Kieren's first outfit!

Okay, I admitted it this week. I am beginning to 'surrender' to the pink. In small doses. But who can resist this cute gift from my great friend Sarah??

Love,
Sarah

Meals on Wheels

This week I was privileged to take a trip with my new job at the United Way to serve on a Meals on Wheels route.

Here is what Meals on Wheels seek to do:

Since 1974, Meals on Wheels has been providing nutritious meals to the home-bound elderly and persons with disabilities in Wake County in an effort to improve health, reduce isolation, and prevent inappropriate institutionalization. Serving close to 1350 meals daily to homes and nutrition centers, Meals on Wheels provides the frailest of our community’s citizens with a voice to achieve healthful independence.

This is one of those organizations you hear about so often, but I had never volunteered with them personally. It was a real blessing to me, because these people are seeking so much more than just a meal. The friendship and human interaction is probably way more fulfilling then anything they can eat, while many of these people have little to no family or friends in their lives. This is an incredible organization that is truly encouraging people in real and deep ways. If you are looking for a way to serve, think about Meals on Wheels! If you live in Raleigh, you can check out their site at www.wakemow.org.


This is a video a mom made about her experience on her Meals on Wheels route with her daughter, and will give you a great peak into the incredible outreach done through this organization.


Love,
Sarah

Sarah's bump - week 20

Hey guys - here is the GROWING bump - wow! 20 weeks already! Half-way there and now counting down towards when we all get to meet Kieren!


On the beach in Ponce Inlet, Florida



Being LAZY on the couch in Florida

Labor Day Get-away!

Hello everyone!

Hope you all are having a wonderful labor day weekend - because I sure am! Every labor day weekend since college I get together with a group of girlfriends from school, and this has been one of the best reunions. We studied abroad in London for a semester, and since then have called ourselves 'Chanda' because of a personified overhead chandelier in our flat in London. These girls are incredible friends, and every time we get together we laugh our faces off, eat great food, and catch up on all of life. It is SUCH a blessing, and I leave each weekend feeling loved and grounded. This one will be no exception. Here are some pics of our fun as I start to head home today!






Katie and her daughter Layne, Sarah, Shanel, Amy, and Cathleen


Layne (Katie's daughter) and Kieren meet for the first time :)


Layne in her 'chanda' onesie




The girls with the belly








Lounging around the condo


An annual game of phase ten