choosing joy...

Before I go on with what I wanted to talk about today I will give everybody a quick update with what has been going on in the world of SB (that would be Sara Bumgarner).

• I finished my applications to divinity school. The waiting game has officially begun. Hopefully I will hear back from them within the next 6 weeks. Fingers crossed and prayers going up everybody!
• I found that even though biochemistry is going to be the death of me and my brain this semester, I actually really enjoy the material. My inner nerd comes out to play on MWF. 
• I spent Halloween night lying on the floor surrounded by papers finishing my lab report, which I passed with flying colors :)
• I am counting down the days until i get to go home and eat good yummy food cooked by my parents. It always tastes better when they make it instead of me. 

Well now that you are all caught up on me, I wanted to tell you of a little choice I decided to take part in this month, hoping that it will carry over into my life in general. I am choosing joy. That is it. I am choosing joy. I am currently in a bible study at school and we are studying the book of Daniel. Wow, is Daniel so much more than just a guy being thrown into the lion's den. Over these past 11 weeks I have learned so much about how to live in this world that puts so much focus on the material things, how to *really* talk to God, and how to prepare my heart for the future. I am sad to see this series winding down, but oh so blessed to have been able to soak in all of this wonderful knowledge. 

In reading Daniel, I discovered that he chose joy over a whole range of other emotions all the time. He was a captive in Babylon, and yet by choosing joy and trusting in God, he also became a very powerful and influential person. So this month I am choosing joy. Or at least trying my very best to. Don't get me wrong. Choosing joy is difficult sometimes. But by making that choice, I have notice that I have had a smile on my face more often and that I am being more positive about the things going on in my life. I have begun to take notice of all of the little things that make my life that much more awesome. Bring it on world, I am choosing joy over you. You cannot bring me down...at least not very much :) I am still human ya know! Below are just a few pictures of the little things in the past few weeks that have made me smile. Enjoy and smile along!

When my car battery died, my computer system in my car reset. So to calibrate the compass this is what it told me. You know how hard it is to do this in the middle of Raleigh? Yeah it was interesting.

My roommate Nicole turned 21! In celebration she found this yummy ice cream cookie concoction on Pillsbury's website. It was sooo tasty! But it was very difficult to get out since it had ice cream and had to be kept frozen. 

My parents and sister and her children came down to the state fair. The little ones decided to jump on the trampoline. I caught this little munchkin in mid air and just realized how much fun she was having. Now that is pure joy. If only we could be like this as adults. Children can teach us so much.

I will try my very best to keep the blog more updated. As always, no promises, but I will try my best. Until next time I will be praying for everybody to choose joy over other emotions. And of course I pray that your journeys will all be blessed.

-Sara