Jul
9
2010
9
2010
Real Life
Filed under: Favorites, Inspiration
For the past few months, I’ve been rather quiet online. My desire and inspiration to blog ebbs and flows…and lately I’ve been feeling quite introspective. My heart is aching to spend more time with Jesus and spend less time thinking about me. I seem to have have lots of words and thoughts flowing…but my words want to stay inside for some reason. I need time to really sit with myself and figure out what is going on in this brain of mine before I open it up and share with others.
Sometimes the internet is an amazing open road for me to wander upon. My heart skips a beat when I come across something that speaks to my soul. But it can also be completely overwhelming. So many people to catch up with and connect to…I open my Facebook page and immediately close it. It’s like walking into a huge party that has been going all night long and I just don’t have the energy to mingle 
If you have emailed or sent me a message on Facebook lately and I haven’t answered, please don’t take it personally. Feel free to send another message to jog my memory. It’s been hard to keep up with it all and “real life” has been much more attractive. And we’ve been busy busy busy.
I would love to start sharing more of my “real life” with you. Often times, I feel like I have to to write a “grand” topical blog post and the sheer intensity of that endeavor makes me want to run away and hide. So instead, I think I will try to share snippets. Photos, links, quotes…things that are inspiring me. I’m thinking about doing a “photo a day” project again (but with my iPhone) or perhaps some video blogs.
So I’ll start today. Here are a few things that have my affections this week, online and off:
- I’ve been making TONS of ice tea. Every morning, I make a big batch of unsweetened mango raspberry mint herbal tea and then add just a touch of Sweet Leaf Mint and Honey tea. Heaven.
- I miss my sweet Becky sooooo much and yesterday she wrote a beautiful piece on her blog about her solitary retreat for one in the woods. A must read.
- We’re living at a beautiful state park in Colorado right now and the view from our window is amazing! Trails, pelicans, lakes, and mountains, right out our front door.
- I experienced hot yoga here for the first time. I got up at 5:30am 8 times before we moved to a campground farther away and then I quit going regularly. It rocked my world. I brought my mom and she loved it too. Getting up that early is probably what threw a wrench in my online activities because I started going to bed earlier…and my prime time for browsing the web was 10pm-2am. My body is thanking me for getting out of that routine!
- How scrumptious is this swing?
- I’m in love with this print and this print. Ok, I pretty much love everything in her shop.
- I’m obsessed this this CD. Best kids music ever!
- I’m looking forward to the Boulder Farmer’s Market tomorrow morning and a little trip up the mountain to Nederland. I’m going to hoop in the mountain air.
- My mom has been staying with us for the past 2 weeks and my dad came for the last week…and they left yesterday. My heart is light with joy as I recount the amazing memories we made…but it’s also heavy with the weight of goodbyes. Above is a photo from the balcony of our hotel room in Golden. We spent one amazing “getaway” night there during their stay…eating, drinking, laughing, and being refreshed. I love them so.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by Sara @ 3:44 pm | Leave a Comment
9
2010
I’ve been swooning over Mae Chevrotte’s art for the last couple weeks and can’t wait to get my hands on one of her “The Love You Make” prints! We’ll actually be down at the Boulder Farmers market tomorrow too, hoping for another beautiful day!!
12
2010
Jessica and I actually did run into each other at the market!! Check it out:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=13571910&l=6b55e22fab&id=675150857
xxoo
9
2010
I love that swing and I have also been making a lot of sun tea. I think that it is good that you take time away to spend with Jesus. You have to! There are so many distractions online, good and bad. Jesus is always number one, blogs, food and everything else come after Him.
9
2010
I had a similar experience recently with regards to losing the blogging bug. I started “just being me” and letting my posts come from that. I, too, was tired of feeling like I had to write on a certain topic or at a certain depth. I hope you enjoy the new routine and that you are refreshed during your time of introspection and loving on Jesus
9
2010
Jessica…maybe we’ll see you there! Be sure to come say hi if you see us.
9
2010
Yes fireworks don’t go off everyday in our lives and sometimes we need to just be still. Introspection is good.
9
2010
Love, love, love this post. Refreshing, honest and interesting. Thank you.
9
2010
i miss you big time too mama! i hope to see you soon…..and that cute little picture of you is too much, i want to hug you!!!!
9
2010
You pic is SO cute. I find myself inspired by you and your passion for Jesus. And I know there are many -many- of us who read your blog who are not waiting for a super-out-of-this-world blog post every time. Posts like this one are valued beyond words. The music for kids you suggest is amazing!
I guess what I want to say is: THANK YOU!!!
God bless!
9
2010
Thanks for the CD suggestion…it’s beautiful! Real life beats the internet anyday
Enjoy it!
9
2010
Thanks for sharing your life with us- in any capacity that you are able. You blog is such an inspiration. We just got a swing like that from Ikea (for quite a bit less) and love it. My 3.5 year old tends to be quite sensory, and this was just perfect for her.
9
2010
i would much rather real life, anyway, and yours is beautiful. i make my own iced tea too. and i just returned from colorado with its red boulders and blue-blue sky. keep loving Him deep, sister.
9
2010
Beautiful post! You just about summed up my life right now as well. Blessing to you!
)))
9
2010
Man, I miss Boulder more than I ever thought I would. It is simply lovely there in the summer. Enjoy!! Everyone who reads will be here when you choose to return.
9
2010
Sara, I’ve been reading your blogs for several months now, but have not commented much. We are in CO too, though on the south side of the Denver area. Would LOVE to have you come to church with us if you are interested -love my church fam and I think you would too!
9
2010
I’m totally with you on “the words want to stay inside for some reason.” I’m feeling the same way lately. Sort of regrouping, refocusing, re-assessing priorities.
Just to jog your memory briefly…I sent you an email a bit ago about exercise hoops with ridges on the inside. I’ve read many mixed reviews. Do you have any thoughts? I’m thinking the best idea is to make my own, but believe it or not, 3/4 inch irrigation tubing and couplers are hard to come by in San Francisco! Obviously I don’t know where to look… Anyway, do you have any thoughts on the hoops with bumps (or whatever they are called!)?
9
2010
You know, it really is good to find time away from the computer. My blog project started 6 months ago and each day I learn more and more. The night writing helps me connect with God and myself on a deeper level, but I’ve also been told that the thoughts expressed have helped others who might be going through some of the same experiences. Balance is the key, huh? When we follow that inner calling and pay attention to what it’s saying, then everything else falls into place (:
I’m with you on the Facebook topic…it’s great, but feels very disconnected to me. Kinda like relationships mixed with a heavy dose of ADD (: I’m still trying to convince myself to continue with Twitter (: Technology and the wonderful way it opens portals to experience and learn is a blessing, but living life well is the true blessing and sometimes that means a time set apart.
I’ll be praying for you as you take time…have a lovely weekend my friend (:
Blessings,
Michele
10
2010
Can I say I love the posts in which you talk about your real life the most? Love ‘em. Thank you for sharing with us.
10
2010
I much prefer a little snippet about real life. That is where I find inspiration. My blog rolls and changes like the tide. No theme — just what is happening in our lives.
10
2010
Thank you for this inspiring post and thank you for taking the time to do what you need for YOU and sharing that with us. I think the Lord gives us instincts and intuition for a reason.
Blessings!
10
2010
My first thought when I read this post was similar to some of the other opinions…I LOVE your “real life” posts. They (just like this one) are full of inspiration and fun finds and adventures that are exciting to read about! It’s funny, the way you described feeling about Facebook right now is exactly the way I feel about it all the time, and have never been able to put into words. So I never get on it : ) And I’m okay with that, even though there are certain things that go on without my knowing…does it really matter? Those who love you and know you love them will be there no matter what. It’s okay to take a break!
So go on and enjoy life…if you get chances to share it, it looks like there will be plenty of us waiting to see what you’ve been up to : ) Thanks for all the inspiration!
10
2010
i love your real life posts the best…that’s what inspired me here years ago…just your daily shopping and photos and such.
10
2010
i know what you mean…about being tired of yourself. about just wanting to love on Jesus for a while. i get that too. where i just want a date night, or maybe an overnight stay. just me and Jesus.
about blogging- i say go for the gusto. blog without obligation! that’s my mantra!
sidenote: we hit the road for our big 3 week rv tour (God. Family. Skateboarding. Tour) in less than a month! i’m so excited!
10
2010
Thank you for sharing yourself and your family through this blog. I have been following for about 1-2 years now. I am truly inspired.
It is OK to step back and take a deep breath. Take Care of Yourself. Unplug.
I don’t have a twitter or facebook page. I once tried them and it was too much.
It is also OK to change your mind. Do what is best for you and your family.
Blessings.
10
2010
I, too, have taken a huge break. I realized I was blogging, FB’ing or otherwise more than actually living my life. I felt like if I didn’t do it, I failed. SO I closed everything down and got back to my life. You are fabulous and I would surely miss you and your posts if you were completely gone, but it’s all understandable. Full cirlce maybe??? : ) Continued blessings.
10
2010
Well, I just love catching up on your “real life” posts. A snipet here and there are like running into you at a coffee shop and just getting the latest buzz.
Don’t fret.
And you know, real life really is better anyways.
It is an ebb & flow. Enjoy it.
10
2010
Just a simple “thank you!” Thank you for sharing from your heart – for taking a chance – for letting strangers into your life. I’ve never met you, but in entries like this one, I feel a kindred spirit.
Hugs.
10
2010
I just have to echo the thoughts of others who are saying that we love the real life stuff! Of course, your topic-driven posts are incredible and helpful and appreciated, but we love you for YOU.
I always take time away from the blog and online life in the summer. Summer is MY season. I wait for it all year long, and I’m not about to spend it in front of a screen! Now is the time to, as The Message says of Matthew 6, to be “careless in His care.”
Blessings, mama!
10
2010
thank you for such a beautiful and inspirational blog!!!
11
2010
Sara, every time I’m feeling lost in life I seem to be drawn to your blog and its always the “right” post! I’m so glad you poured your honest feelings out to us, as it seems many of us feel the same way. Its wonderful to know so many others are on a similar path.
Don’t stop being you and sharing with us the greatest part of your life…the simple stuff! That way maybe your life shall be more simple in return. loving your thoughts as always…
11
2010
Love the blog… love the links… love Jesus too. Do what you need to do… and if blogging seems like a chore – chunk it or change it… and it sounds like the changes you want to make are super! (I’m voting for not chunking it, can you tell? – grin)
11
2010
Do tell how you make your mango raspberry mint tea… sounds delicious!
11
2010
I would like to know more about the tea as well. I’m giving up diet soda.
It sounds delicious.
Thanks.
Oh, and I also appreciate your “real life” posts. It’s just fun to know what you are up to.
11
2010
You’re great, Sara. I love reading your posts. But blogging is like that…you have to balance what you share.
12
2010
hi sara
I also would be interested to hear about the tea…and we bought an Ikea swing basically like that one for WAY cheap around Christmas for one of our boys who has Down syndrome….he loves it.I’ve also seen them on Craigslist often.
12
2010
I love this post and I love how you choose to live. I’m in Denver and absolutely LOVE the mountains in the summer time. It’s the best time to go, in my opinion.
12
2010
Sara, first off thank you so much for your sweet words about my art… it means so much more thank I can even say. And I’m so glad you linked to me because it gave me the opportunity to find your amazing blog, especially with this post right up front… I love it! I completely agree with how overwhelming the internet and what is expected of us on it (facebooking, tweeting, posting, keeping up with every corner we ever step into) but it seems like you have a pretty good idea of what you want to put out there. Sometimes the little snippets we choose to share sparingly can speak worlds more than daily updates we feel obligated to produce. I love these pictures though– they’re like peeking through a keyhole into your life… can’t wait to read and see more
Mae
14
2010
my sweet sara ! i love this post , i relate so well. i often have a hard time making time with God . i am easily sidetracked .. i have to ask his forgiveness alot!! also i’m in a transition in my walk with him .. so all the warm fuzzy GOD feelings just aren’t there right now and in there place are lots of questions and struggles not to judge those who seem “cookie cutter”christians.. God is teaching me but it’s hard to walk with him when i honestly don’t feel like it.. feelings rule me so much.. i love feeling!! and sometimes you just have to DO even when you don’t FEEL like it til the feelings follow your DOING… i relate very much on wanting to plug more into real life , i’m there too .. just bring YOU! to the blog , that’s all we want .. no fanfare needed
just simple sara 
) in all her loveliness 
love you sweet sister !
14
2010
i heart your blog!!! check it out, i just gave you an award on mine…
xo
15
2010
Thanks for sharing, Sara!
15
2010
You should check out The Seeds Family Worship. We’ve been singing the songs from their “Encouragemnt” CD for weeks – so catchy and best of all it’s all scripture!
http://www.seedsfamilyworship.net/
Also, I’ve been meaning to ask you – if you’ve got a second
– where do you get your dread beads?
Have a great time in CO! My husband has some family there and I love to visit them. We were there in April and I’m already itching to get back!
16
2010
I did hot yoga for the first time last month and LOVE LOVE it!!! Waking up at 4:45am is so worth it!!
12
2010
hey! i am very new to your blogs…i started attempting a raw food way of life this week. as i was researching i came across your blogs. i love how you & your family gave up so much to live simply…very inspiring! i so enjoy your happy foody blog (such good recipes! i have already tried some out). i love that you too are a child of God..thank you for your encouragement.