View from the Other Side

Hope-- (def) to believe, desire, or trust; a person or thing in which expectations are centered; to look forward to with confident expectation

'I have a new hope that blows away the small hopes I knew before
And at the end of the day, I am Yours. And I am compelled..."
S. Groves

I love to sing a song that speaks so much to my heart and resonates a chord deep within me because I have waded through its truth and have come out on the other side knowing it within both my head and my heart. In other words, I GET it. Or perhaps, it GOT me. Sometimes when I get through the end of a long day and put my head on my pillow for the night, all I have to cling to is the fact that I am Christ's. All of the things I don't understand or even yet fully recognize, all of the intermittent feelings of walking alone in this world, all of the questions and uncertainties of what exactly I need to be doing and being....I need help sorting them all out. But there is an act of wading through the promises of who I am in the eyes of Christ and recognizing more fully what hope is contained within those promises. They have been declared in Scripture. And, you can't somehow wipe away that position of 'belonging' with the stroke of a pen or the declaration of a judge. So, this hope that is found in who I am in Christ and what future is mine because of His grace to me is one that 'blows away' all of the small hopes that I get sidetracked with: hopes in people, circumstances, things, health, etc., etc. They don't last and they don't keep me confident. I have walked through a few months of feeling as though God were far from me, my prayers were empty, and I was joyless. I couldn't wish away the weight that ensues upon you when this all comes landing on your soul without much warning. And in those weeks, it was my head that kept telling me that Yes, God is here even though you don't feel His presence, and Yes, He does see your plight and understand fully what you are walking through. Even though I didn't have words to say to Him, I asked in the most simplistic way for His help because nothing else provided me comfort...not even my Dad (can you believe it?). This was my prayer many nights: "I don't understand God...and I don't know where You've gone, but I need Your help. Please get me through."

" You've written on my very soul where no man can legislate.
The law of your love has taken hold with your holiness and grace
There's no mistake.
I'm on the other side of something. I'm coming out the other side, the other side....."

Yep. There is a 'coming out' that takes place at just the time God has deemed it to happen. And that process of getting through that 'something' is not always an easy road, but the truth of Who God is and what He has promised to be to me and for me is imprinted much more deeply in my head and heart. Now, I find when I hear someone speak of God's faithfulness and His promise to continue a good work in His children, I can solidly say "Yeah. That's true. I've waded through that Truth and found that that is Who He is because He has been that to me in a big way.' I don't want to just know God in my head because I find He is so much more to me when He plants His truth deep down in my soul. I know that I haven't even touched upon knowing within my heart all Who God is... that will take place when the glass is gone and I'll behold Him face to face. In between now and then, I'm grateful He's not given up working on me and that He remains a faithful Father to me. When the circumstances of life throw you a curve ball, I can look back and remember His work in my life and bring that lesson into the ballfield of today and know that it still is true, despite the change in scenery. And how He is cultivating a spirit of gratitude in the heart of this ingrate!
Strange as it may sound, I think that birds are one of my favorite creatures. Quite simply, they are, to me, an object lesson from nature...and a reminder of Truth. Whether it is sunny or rainy outside, birds still have a song to sing. Circumstances around them don't squelch their songs. And, birds are mentioned specifically within Scripture as being known by God. Within the Gospel accounts, it is conveyed that not even one tiny bird, such as a sparrow, can fall to the ground without God knowing that it has happened on His Earth. He sees. He knows. He cares enough to pay attention to them whether flying or falling. A few weeks ago as I was mulling through various things as I rode my bike along the rail trail, I stopped to take a drink of water and turned to look at some trailside trees to try and spot a bird that was singing like crazy during the drizzly weather. No other bird answered him. He/she was the only one little bird-dude around. And in watching it sing for a few seconds, I was reminded that yes, even God sees this lone bird, and He knows when he flies and when He falls... and He sees you, Sarah. Every little minute detail of your life that you think does not matter to Him: He knows about it and He cares. Trust His plan, not your own, and don't worry! In a word : Hope--a confident expectation of things to come.

"I have a new hope that blows away the small hopes I knew before
And at the end of the day, I am Yours....."

Grateful to belong... grateful for a Hope that is sure.... grateful for a song I can sing despite the 'weather' around me.... grateful for the view on the other side.....

-- this post is compiled from a few thoughts rattling around
in Sarah's head as of late

The Eagle Has Landed (and other non-avarian related things)

Lake Charlevoix, Michigan: this was my destination place on Tuesday, July 15th. I packed my bags, threw my bike (and Viv's) on the back of my car and headed North with Viv Gamez to Young State Park. Chris Klein had already landed the Eagle in its very well-situated campsite right on Lake Charlevoix. Kaleb and Trevor had headed to camp at Spring Hill, Kraig was still working back in Saginaw, and so I headed to Boyne City to enjoy some vacation time with Chris. We met up with a few friends along the way. Rod and Jodie (Gamez) Anderson and their two girls, Alysia and Alaina, live nearby in Petoskey, and so we spent some time with them on Walloon Lake (just outside of Petoskey). I have a few random shots of my 4 day trip, which was altogether very relaxing, very fun, and very short (unfortunately!).
Grandma Viv and Alysia are hunkered down in the front of the Anderson's boat as we headed across Walloon Lake to get some ice cream in town.
Chris K. and Jodie during our side-trip to Traverse City. I had never been to TC before and so Chris was up for the trip and we roped Jodie into going with us. What a cool downtown in that city! We had a fun day.

Here is the Eagle that landed (in Young State Park, that is). Chris had a big beast of a camper and it was the most luxurious camping I had ever done! We had a few nights around the campfire and I got to teach her how to play GOLF. I beat her in that game, but I'm afraid she skunked me in Badminton... beginner's luck, you know what I mean..?
Some of the beachfront on Lake Charlevoix.
Two little punkins' hanging out on the back of the boat (Alysia and Alaina).
Our perfect boat driver (aka Rod Anderson). I say "perfect" because: (1) He drove 'smoothly' enough that Chris did not get sick on our trip across Walloon Lake, and (2) He drove fast enough that those of us (such as myself) who wanted speed still had a fun ride.
Ernest Hemingway's cottage on Walloon Lake. It still belongs to the Hemingway family.

Thanks, Chris, for letting me stay in da' Eagle and for making my 4 days up North a lot of fun. I'm also grateful one of us has a keen sense of direction.... and Thanks to Rod and Jodie for a fun day at Walloon and for letting me hang out with the family. I think I'll have to invite myself up again sometime soon.

Some 4th Fun

Fourth of July was spent in Holland,MI at my Grandma Glupker and Aunt Judy's home on 152nd St. The weather was perfect with a beautifully blue sky and big white clouds and a cool breeze to tone down the high 80-ish degree weather. It's generally a day consisting of a cookout, catching up with family (ie., gabbing), munching, playing softball, lazing at the beach, and anything else we decide to make up as an activity. My father has 2 brothers and 1 sister (Jim, John, Jack, & Judy) and now several of the cousins are married with children, so the brood continues to grow. Most of the family from my Dad's side were able to be there; we missed Chadd, Sarah, and Hayden (St.Paul, MN) and Ben, Kelly, and Owen (Louisville, KY), and Drew and Amanda (who had to work that day). Particularly for those Glupker's who were not with us in bodily form, these pics are for you.
Hudson Mack (One of my cousin Heather's kids) decides to take over the responsibility of driving the family van back to their home in Hudsonville. Perhaps the steering wheel reduces the visibility a tinge...? Such a patriotic little guy. He spent a good chunk of the day on the beach at Tunnel Park.
Taylor Mack-- playing a new game Aunt Judy taught us (after we all took a round at hitting the baseball). It was called "Lay it Down and Pick it Up". After a ball was hit, the person in the field who retrieved the ball had to roll it back to home base and try to hit the bat laid down by the hitter. If the bat was missed, the hitter got to hit again; if the bat was hit by the rolled ball, the one who hit it came in to bat. It was fun. This little guy was such a lucky duck! He always seemed to be able to roll the ball and hit that dumb bat as if it was an effortless exercise. You will notice he came dressed to the 9's. Taylor is a good little athlete and enjoys playing baseball on a Summer league.
My Dad watches a ball come in from the outfield towards his bat.
My cousin, Jeff, playing the Wii game my Aunt Judy just purchased a few weeks ago. Yes, he's as tall as you probably think that he is. My cousins Katie, Jeff, and I stayed overnight on the 4th and we played the Wii the next morning. It was my first experience with the game, and I must admit that it was pretty fun.

My Dad and Grandma Glupker (cousin Katie on the left, Jeff on the right)
The Mack Kids are ready to go home (Emily, Hayley, and Taylor... Hudson is, if you remember, up front driving the van).
My cousin, Lance, and Aunt Judy. She and my Grandma are pretty avid Tigers fans. Lance is looking for an El Ed teaching job in the Grand Rapids area, and anyone with half of a brain will know that they're getting one great guy, as well as one great teacher, if they hire him.

Jason Mack (Heather's husband) did a Jim-dandy of a job pitching for us here on the ball field of Wauckazoo Elementary School. Aunt Judy was in Rt field for a while, which was not what she really liked (as any of you who know her could probably already guess) because the action was not exactly in that section of the ballfield.

I've left out a few names, as well as their faces via picture: Uncle Jim and Aunt Marty; Bart, Debbie and Ethan (who is now walking like a champ); Uncle Jack and Aunt Jane; Kelly and her boyfriend, Andy... I think I got them all. It was good to have a full house.
My cousin Katie and I spent the 5th doing some biking around Holland, particularly down by the Holland State Park and along the bay. I had never been out to see the famous lighthouse, and so we swung by there to see the lighthouse (Ol' Red) and to watch the boats leave the harbor and head out onto the waters of Lake Michigan. Such a beautiful area...such a wonderful day...such a family to claim as "mine".... I'm grateful. Hope you all enjoyed your 4th!

Sarah Loves Owen

Into every woman's life (or just about 'every'), there comes along a man who steals her heart. I apparently am no exception since my heart was stolen by a little guy with big blue eyes, brown curls, and the name of 'Owen'. My little nephew was so fun to have around, even if for a few short days. He looks for any opportunity to stand by holding onto your fingers and loves to stuff his mouth with Cheerios. My favorite moment with Owen came on the last night I saw him. Kelly allowed me to put him to bed for the night, and so I carried him upstairs at my parent's home to his playpen that was set up in my old bedroom. He fussed en route to the room, but once we got inside and the lights were out, he calmed right down. I sang a song to him real quietly, and he laid his head on my shoulder for a few minutes before I put him to sleep in his bed. He's such a good little guy and I'm glad I was able to get to snuggle with him, even if it was only a few minutes! It's certainly not an everyday experience for me, and I'll enjoy it when I'm able to do so. I like being "Aunt Sarah".

Da' Yoopers Come Visit the Trolls

For those of us living under the Mackinac bridge (the Trolls), we enjoyed a visit from our Yooper relatives the end of June. The Yoopers are all relatives on my Mom's side of the family, and they consist of my Grandma and Grandpa Patterson, and my Uncle Mike, Aunt Karen, and cousin Blake. Ben, Kelly, and Owen were up from Kentucky for a week as well, and so the week was a full one for the Glupker's of Saginaw, MI. I threw in a little commentary along with the pictures....just to jazz things up a little. I love my family and am grateful that we can come together and get along really well; it's a gift that I've been given, that I'm allowed to belong to, and for that Intangible in my life, I am truly thankful.

Drew giving my Grandma and Mom a hug... yep, he's still quite the ladies' man, and he's pretty darn good at it.

Lt:Drew and Amanda Rt: Ben and Kelly
Gpa Patterson treated us all to dinner at Fire Mountain one night and besides the boys stuffing themselves to no end, we had a good time around the table.

The profile of a fierce Scotsman (aka Robert Patterson: WWII vet, Michigan Tech Librarian for 2 1/2 decades). My grandfather is almost 83 yrs. old, but he is still very active and very fit for his age. His mind is also very sharp; he's an avid reader, is engaged in current political events, still leads the Sparkies games for AWANA at his church, and is an all around joy to be around. Nobody laughs like my Grandpa does, and generally it is an infectious laugh... gets me every time, doggone it!

My brother, Ben, and Gma and Gpa Patterson during our walk through Frankenmuth. Doesn't Gramps' fishing hat take the cake?? He's always entering into the realm of "outlandish" with his fashion statements.






My cousin Blake is 9 yrs old and is the only cousin that I have on my Mom's side of our family.
He is a precocious but funny little guy, very smart for his age. When I visited him a year and a half ago, his big enjoyment at the time was reading the different states on car license plates whenever he was riding in the van with his parents. He's since moved on to bigger and better things, but he's a good kid and he has a tender heart for animals (much to my Grandmother's satisfaction). Here he is playing toys with Owen (baby O).







Yes, here is Ben telling people what, when, why, and how to do things, which is always the case when it comes to a game (doesn't the Oldest always make and enforce the rules to every game?). We enjoyed playing a few rounds of the card game GOLF; here we have Ben teaching my Uncle Mike, Aunt Karen, and Blake how to play the game. The following picture is the incriminating evidence as to who the true Champion of that game was ( and who it was not...BEN!). ... I couldn't resist.