Sarah Beth

Sarah Elizabeth Allen

Born 24 years ago TODAY 

A girl that is beautiful from the inside out, has incredible fashion, and an unbelievable sense of humor (it is an Allen trait) 

It was not until August 2007 that she was brought into my life 

We had a great friendship from the beginning 

Freshman year we said "Wouldn't it be so fun if we lived together..." 

Of course at the time, we meant during our college years 

OHH but did our faithful God have better plans...and a sense of humor 

He went on to do big things through both of our experiences at Clemson 

Then brought us back together to start grown up life together 

(OOOHHH Freshman Year :)
We entered the real world, teaching careers...and further education in Columbia SC
We have a precious place that we have made home for us
I could not have asked for a better girl to start grown up life with

Sarah Beth, you have been so supportive
Have kept me laughing
Have been there when I just need to cry
Have encouraged me in my relationship with Jesus
You have given great advice, even when it's hard to hear
And have been a wonderful friend

I cannot wait to see what treasures the Lord has stored up for you sweet girl
He has BIG plans for your life and I am thankful I get to see him work another year in YOU
Happy Birthday dear friend!
I love you! 

The beginnings

It is official

College Football is HERE 

I was able to go the Clemson/Auburn game yesterday 

Let me tell you, it was HOT but we had a great time 

Lots of walking, even more laughter, and even more cheering 

What a way to begin the season...bringing home a win for the Clemson Tigers

Clemson Tigers  

Carolina Gamecocks 

Auburn Tigers 

Georgia Bulldogs 

Florida Gators 

Whoever you cheer for, this season is a big one in the south

It is time of friendship and fellowship 

Tailgating in the miserable heat 

Sore throats from loud cheering 

Unruly fans (unfortunately) 

Outfit dilemmas 

And just hoping & praying that YOUR team wins 

With the start of football I am reminded of these beginnings: 

Cool weather-we hope sooner rather than later

Changing leaves 

Pumpkin Spice Latte's..YES please 

Pumpkin anything for that matter 

And most of all, the beginning of new life seasons 

Wherever you are and whatever the circumstances

The Lord is faithful

Thank you Jesus for doing something new 

Isaiah 43:19 "Behold, I am doing a NEW thing. Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the dessert." 

Time

My sweet Daddy never ceases to remind me that I need to update my blog

So here I am, back again 

I've said it before but I'm REALLY going to try 2 things 

To update my blog more often

AND take more pictures 

I think I can I think I can...

So here is where life has taken me

Finished summer classes-hoorah

2.5 week break-bigger HOORAH 

I have been able to enjoy my family, spend time with friends, 

have some much need R&R, and get my life together before school

TOMORROW 

(Can my break really be over already?!) 

This year will certainly play out differently than last 

This time last year, I had a classroom decorate and had started teaching Kindergarten

I am thankful to not be working full-time as that was just OVERLOAD

I am looking forward to "making the most of my time" (Eph. 5: 16)

In my time, which will be busy with classes, subbing, babysitting, etc

I desire to glorify the Lord and use the time that I have been so blessed with wisely 

I am at a stage of life where I have been given the gift of time

Time to go deeper in my relationship with the Lord 

Time to be intentional with family and friendships 

Time to find a great community and get plugged in

(takes some serious stepping out of my comfort zone-prayers appreciated:)

Time to invest in the gifts the Lord has graciously given me 

Time-to glorify the Lord and enjoy Him forever! 

Time to learn what it looks like to be a committed follower of the Lord! 

Chew on this nugget of truth...

(From the book "Not a fan. by Kyle Idleman-Highly Recommend It) 

"There is no way to follow Jesus without him interfering with your life...He wants to turn our lives upside down. Jesus wants complete renovation, Jesus is thinking overhaul, Jesus is thinking makeover, Jesus wants a complete remodel. Following Jesus WILL cost you something." 

What has it cost you? 

Chisel Away

"O Great God be glorified 
Our lives laid down
Yours magnified..." 


The last few weeks have been 

let's say 

challenging 

In more ways than one 

however

learning a whole lot in the midst 

Busy days have meant no exercise 

If you know me you know I NEED that 

Long days mean exhaustion 

Fading quickly 

Full days mean pretty much 

NO life 

Eventful schedules have kept me 

busy, tired, and in need of grace 

The Lord, through struggles and irritable trials 

is refining me 

Honestly, it hurts 

It's not fun to have those places of 

pride, bitterness, resentment, uneasiness and uncertainty 

chiseled away


However, I am thankful 
Sweet Jesus is refining me into who He wants me to be 
and is weaving HIS story through my life 
and above all 
He is FAITHFUL 


Psalm 115:1 Not to us, LORD, not to us but to YOU be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. 

Let Freedom Ring

Happy day after the 4th of July 

Independence and Freedom

We take those things for granted WAY too much 

We had a lovely day celebrating freedom at the lake 

It was lovely to be playing on the water 

Laughing with friends and family 

Eating yumpcious food of course

Basking in the freedom we experience 

We are free to laugh, free to enjoy friendships, free to dance

free to read scripture

free to pray 

free to have accountability 

free to live in the freedom of GRACE 

We serve a sovereign God who gives us a huge umbrella of grace 

He died so that we can LIVE 

and LIVE to the full (John 10:10) 

What a blessing to have the freedom to dance through this life

(even WHEN we screw up) 

To live with the fruits of the Spirt

(even when its a struggle)

To live freely because of our sweet Saviors grace 

Happy Freedom Dancing!  

Small Summer Recap

I've been able to document a few things going on this summer

I miss these little ones a lot and I hope they are having a fantabulous summer 

We've celebrated a few birthdays in the Salley household 

Happy Birthday Mom, Evan, and Grandmother 

AND we have gotten to spend some time at the lake-YIPPEE

Heading back to the lake for fun on the 4th 

Taking pictures is my goal

Help me do it Court :)  

Looking forward to sun, laughter, water, boats, family and friends 

Y'all have a happy and safe Independence Day celebration! 

Flexible

Lamentations 3:22-25

"The LORD's lovingkindesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him" 

I have been a terrible blogger as of late

I am terribly sorry about that and I PROMISE I am going to try to get better 

I keep thinking I will get a second to breath but it hasn't happened yet

Summer school has been going on for about 6 ish weeks now 

It has been quite hectic, busy, and challenging 

We just finished our 1st summer session class

Are on the 5th week of ESY (extended school year) 

AND have begun our next TWO summer 2 classes 

F is all ready to be a famous cheerleader in Hollywood :) 

Thank you team California 

Therefore days are made up of entertaining children from 9-1:00 

Class from 1:30-3:30

A super awkward break and class again from 5-7:15 

Phew, does it make you tired?! 

Long days and I have never been more thankful for a sweet family that lives in Orangeburg...

You know what that means-no summer commuting, support, meals, and everything else I could possibly need-hallelujiah!

Y'all really are the BEST Mom and Dad-THANK YOU! 

As I have reflected on my first year of teaching, the main words of learning have been  dependence and flexibility. Jobs changed often, attitudes and actions changed and I had to remain flexible, learn to choose JOY, and to love well even when that was a challenge, which was more often than not!

What do you know...our Sweet Savior is still teaching me what it looks like to be flexible, what it looks like to work with challenging people, what it looks like to love well and have compassion.
Learning to have my full and COMPLETE identity in Him because I am redeemed and I am HIS!

All these precious children in my life, people I interact with, friendships, and relationships have been such a learning experience of the Lord's grace and mercy! I mess up every single day and I do not do things that I should and do things I shouldn't but there is a HUGE umbrella of grace. The Lord continues to delight in me, continues to use life and people to mold me and shape me into who He wants me to become, and continues to show me his mercies EVERYDAY!

Thank you Jesus for beautiful reminders such as these of your grace, mercy, faithfulness, unfailing and everlasting LOVE to us!