I'd like to thank the academy ...

Actually I'd like to thank Leslie over at A Blonde Ambition for awarding me with the Kreativ Blogger Award!!  Thanks Leslie, what a wonderful surprise!!

As I walk to the stage to accept my award, blowing kisses and waving to all my adoring fans (have I been watching too many awards shows?) you should all check out Leslie's fun October giveaway!!  She is giving away the most beautiful scarf (and oh how I loooooove scarves!!).  You have until 9:59 CST on October 15th to enter so hurry over!!

Okay, so the rules to accept the award.  First I need to tell you seven random things about myself ...

1. I was in the Adam Sandler movie, "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" - TRUE STORY.  They filmed in my hometown in Connecticut and asked my band director if he could bring the marching band to the set the day they shot the "helicopter scene."  We were supposed to cheer and play "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."  We basically sat around all day, filmed for about 45 minutes, went home and then a couple weeks later each got paid $100.  OH - and we got to skip school.  You can't see me, but you can see some of my friends - but I know that I was there!!

2. When I graduated from Nursery School, my teachers told us to walked up on a platform and say our name, favorite food, favorite color and what we wanted to be when we grew up.  My classmates all wanted to be moms, dads, firemen and police officers.  Me?  I wanted to be a minister.  What five year old wants to be a minister?

3. I don't have a favorite color.  I go through phases.

4. I love to watch really bad reality TV - it makes me feel better about my life.

5. Last year (my second year of graduate school, 19th of schooling in general) I decided to outline a paper before writing it - it was the best paper I've ever written.  The concept of outlining has really changed my life and I wish I had thought to try it sooner.

6. I'm curious about things that aren't really public.  If you are in the military or have some sort of federal agency type of position - chances are I'll will badger you with questions until you beg me to please stop.

7. I am a people pleaser.  This has become problematic MANY times in my life.  But I doubt I will ever change.  God has showered me grace every single day of my life - shouldn't I extend that to others?

Okay, now I am supposed to award 7 other worthy bloggers of the "Kreativ Blogger" award.

I have to be honest - I'm really bad at following directions (perhaps that should have been on my list) so I think I'm going to list off 7 fun blogs that I love to read and get new ideas from and tell you why they are Kreativ Bloggers ...

1. Kari at p.s. love.love

Kari is a Kreativ Blogger because she made her own wedding dress.  Isn't that incredible?  She's a Kreativ Blogger in other ways, but I thought the wedding dress thing just gives an awesome yard stick visual.

2. Veronica at The Veronica Blog

Veronica is a Kreativ Blogger because she has an awesome online hat crochet business - I recently ordered some and did a little dance when I saw them!!

3. Mrs. Newlywed at Misadventures of a Newlywed

Mrs. Newlywed is a Kreativ Blogger because she does an awesome job of connecting young female bloggers, puts together awesome menus for her and Mr. Newlywed and has some fun giveaways!!  And she lives in Atlanta - so naturally, I'm partial.

4. Teresa at Teresa's Treasures and A Baby Changes Everything

Teresa is a Kreativ Blogger because - well - check out her Christmas Blog (A Baby Changes Everything) and you'll see why.  She does AMAZING work in decorating, especially for Christmas.

5. Snow White at Finding Joy in My Kitchen

Snow White is a Kreativ Blogger because she posts awesome and simple recipes - just my style!!

6. Katie at Making this Home

Katie is a Kreativ Blogger because 1. She lives in Germany and has made use of a super small living space (read the story of her kitchen renovation and you'll be shocked!!) and 2. Because she just got her pilot's license and I think that's awesome.

7. Cody at crashing the last supper

Cody is a Kreativ Blogger because his profile reads this:  "If Jesus and Martha Steward teamed up and published a blog, I expect it would be similar to this."

Okay, well that was fun!!  Thanks Leslie!!  Don't forget to head over to her blog to participate in her October giveaway.

Also ... stay tuned for a GUEST BLOGGER ... coming at the end of this week!!

Sarah

The Hindu Temple of Atlanta

I'm taking a class this semester called Three Religions of South Asia.  This past month we've been studying Hinduism, and finished off the section by taking a field trip to the Hindu Temple of Atlanta.  It was just an incredible experience.  The hospitality extended to us by the priests and the worshippers was something that I often criticize as not seeing in Christianity; the sense of ritual was something that often gets lost in the bureaucracy of the church.

I wasn't allowed to take any photographs inside, but I tried to capture some of the beauty of the whole experience in exterior photographs.  Enjoy!!

Namaste

I acknowledge the God within you.

I'm Feeling Nostalgic ...

When I was 16 years old, my parents bought me my first car.  We bought it through a dealership so we didn't have to go to the DMV to register it - the dealership took care of all of that so all we had to do was pick it up, fully registered with the plates already on it.

I had a basketball game the day the car was ready, so my parents went to pick it up while I was warming up with my team.  They got there just in time for tipoff - it was definitely hard to focus on the game knowing that my very first car was sitting outside.

When the game was over, my parents came up to me with VERY mischievous grins on their faces.  I asked what was going on and they said, "Wait until you see your license plate."

Curious?

So - here you go.  A completely random DMV-issued set of license plates with the acronym for Reverend on them.  When I got to seminary I was mocked mercilessly for the plates, but I swear to you - it was a coincidence.

Or perhaps it was God's way of saying:

Heyyyy Sarah, it's me, God.

I know you want to study business in college so you can work a lot and make a lot of money.  That's all well and good.  But just so you know - you are going to go on a trip to Honduras and I am going to do some awesome work through you while you are there.  You're going to come back from that trip and realize that when you think about your future you can really only see yourself ministering to my children.  So - here it is.  A visual reminder that I'm calling you into my ministry.

Giving you Grace,

God

Wondering why I'm telling you this story?

Wondering even more why my license plates are sitting strewn on my kitchen counter and NOT on my car?

Because today I took one step closer to becoming an adult ...

My mom wrote the title to my car over to me.  I officially "own" my car - I even have my own insurance!! (It's not the same car from 8 years ago, I actually got a new car before moving to Georgia - but in Connecticut you can keep the same plates, they just transfer everything) The Yaris is officially registered in Georgia. (SHARE THE ROAD!! - that was Bruce's request, ha!!)

It's weird to not have a Connecticut license plate anymore.  It's like officially admitting I am a Georgia resident.  It's even weirder not to have that little subliminal message - REV - every time I get in my car.  Especially now - I'm journeying closer and closer towards ordination - now is when I feel I need the visual signs the most.

So for now I'm just trying to take deep breaths and enjoy this part of the journey.  As terrifying as it is at times - I'm really looking forward to what this year is going to bring!!

Here are the two gas-powered ways we get around the city.  The Toyota Yaris gets 37/40 miles per gallon and the QLink Star gets around 75!!

(The other ways we get around are by bicycle - Bruce - and by foot - me.  One of the best parts about living IN the city and not the suburbs is that we have options about how to get around!!)

(except when it rains, of course)

On a final note - I needed some pampering last weekend and seeing Patrick at the salon was just the ticket!!

Do you like my haircut? :)

Have a GREAT weekend everybody!!