Engagement!

I know I am a HORRIBLE blogger and keeping up with this, but I have some very exciting news!! On Christmas Day, Nathan Steven Willey asked me to be his wife. I have been so blessed by him these past four months of dating, and am very excited to enter this season of engagement and then marriage. We've known each other for years, so it's amazing how God has brought us together! I am also very blessed by his family (my good friend, Erika, is married to his younger brother, Aaron) and I met his sister and brother-in-law while being on Navigator staff. If you are friends with Erika & Aaron Willey, I encourage you to read her post, "Love Story" on her blog to see her perspective! There are so many twists & turns and details in our relationship that they could have only been orchestrated and put together by God himself. If you'd like to know more, I'd love to tell you in person or on the phone! There are too many details to write down! We are looking at a mid-August wedding, so I will keep you all posted as to the details on this blog. God is good, and I look forward to marrying and living life with my best friend! Who knows where the Lord will take us as we follow His guidance together!

New Bed:)

It's time, I took the plunge and bought a Sealy Posturepedic Queen Bed at Homemakers. It was a fun adventure with Samantha Gass! New comforter, brown sheets & shams courtesy of Target. I am sure I will sleep well tonight! Goals this summer: Couch, kitchen table, any other furniture Amy McGowan & I might need for the apartment:)

God bless!

In Christ,

Sarah Ann

Dominican Republic

Hello Everyone! I will be serving with a team of 20 from Valley Evangelical Free Church in the Dominican Republic June 11-18. Please follow our trip at the following blog:

http://terpstrajess.wordpress.com/

Thank you for your prayers, God bless!

In Christ,

Sarah

Israel, New Job, and Change

Phew! It's been a looong time since I've written on this! Honestly, I'm not very good at keeping up with it, but will try:) This picture is of my family in Israel. We were blessed to serve with e3 Partners ministry this past August. I would love to tell you more!

Well, a lot has changed in my life this past year. I ended with EDGE Corps this summer, and am thankful for everything God taught me. He is SO faithful, and I learned what it is to disciple others and long to continue to have opportunities to disciple students. I began as the 7-12 Choral Director at Des Moines Christian School in the fall. This has been a whirlwind! I am teaching 7-8 choir, 9-12 choir, Victory (a select a cappella ensemble), JH & HS Showchoir. It's also a musical year, so we are doing The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in a couple weeks. This is the first year that I have honestly felt out of control, in over my head, and that I have had to fully rely on His strength! He alone has been my strength through the flurry of activities, concerts, and rehearsals. I firmly believe through much prayer and seeking Him that He has called me to be at DMCS and I am thankful for His provision of a job in my field. God is faithful.

This has been a tough year for my family overall. A lot of transition and personal struggles, but I am clinging to the following verse:

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Even though things may be hard and difficult in my family right now, we can trust that God is working all things together for our good. I pray to continue to love Him and be faithful to Him. If you think of it, please pray for us. If you want to know more details, I would love to speak with you personally:) I pray God blesses you, and that you know the fullness of His love for you this day!

In Christ,

Sarah Ann

Springtime Happenings

Pray For ISU Team Ethiopia

Greetings! I hope this message finds you all well. This semester, as the first, has just flown by. I can't believe it's almost May! Next week is finals for students, and then I head to Colorado for my last EDGE Summit May 10th-16th. After that, Amanda, Hunter, Samantha, Ben and myself (pictured above) will head to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from May 19th-June 23rd. While there, we will work with current Navigator Staff, Mark and Israel. We will help and serve them on the campus, work with students, lead Bible studies, do discipleship and evangelism. Please pray for our time as we continue to fundraise and pray for our hearts as well as the hearts of the Ethiopians we will work with. Above all else, pray that God would be glorified in our time there and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be boldly proclaimed. Please pray for Luke 17:10 and Mark 10:45 hearts of servanthood. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support!

Also, next year I will be teaching 7th-12th Choir at Des Moines Christian School. Praise the Lord!! He has clearly opened the door for me to go back into teaching, and actually provided two job possibilities. I had to choose! Pray for preparation for the students and myself in this transition. I know August will come quickly! Thank you for your prayers as I made this decision whether to continue on with EDGE Corps or go back into teaching. God is good, and He has made His way for my life very clear. He is the Great Provider, Sustainer, Our Rock and Our Redeemer! To Him be the glory alone!

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find Me. When you seek Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

Love in Christ,

Sarah Ann

Love is in the Air...

Hello Everyone! It's been a little while since I've updated you on the ministry and happenings at Iowa State. Classes resumed mid-January, and I cannot believe it is almost March already! We had a Women's Retreat Event to kick off the semester. We spent the night in Grand Ave. Baptist's youth room, played games, did some crafts, and then attended the E Free Church's Simply Saturday Retreat for women. The main speaker was Elaine Cox who spoke biblically on the topic of Contentment, a good reminder to all of us to be content in whatever situation God has placed us. I was reminded of Phil. 4:11-13: "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

In lieu of Valentine's Day, we had an event called Java Love. Al & Elaine Cox spoke about their relationship, having standards in dating, and seeking God and His will above all else. It was a good reminder in this world what a Godly and Biblical relationship should look like. The men decorated, did most of the food and escorted us all in. What a treat! Everyone dressed up, and we had a dance afterwards.

Please continue to be in prayer for...

1. Laborer's Conference this weekend in Maryville, MO: What does it look like to labor and live for Christ for a lifetime?

2. Bible Study: Alicia, Amber, Lindsay & Katie to continue to want to grow in their relationships with each other and Christ

3. Ethiopia: Amanda, Samantha, Hunter, Ben & I will be traveling to minister in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in June. Pray for the existing ministry, us to unify as a team and preparations.

4. Iowa State Campus, Staff & Students: To Know Christ and Make Him Known

May God richly bless each and every one of you! Grace and peace to you in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Him,

Sarah Ann

January Thoughts...

Lately, I have been encouraged by the prophets, Isaiah & Jeremiah. These texts in particular impacted me:

"Now the word of the Lord came to me [Jeremiah], saying,

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Then I said, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth."

But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 1:4-8

[Isaiah speaking in the presence of the Lord] "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!"

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."

Isaiah 6:5-8

Although at times I feel so inadequate, I am thankful that God continues and chooses to use us. Despite our failures, despite our shortcomings, He continues to strengthen and equip us to do the work of His Kingdom. I am so thankful for all of your prayers and partnership in the advancing of the Gospel at Iowa State! God is moving in the hearts and lives of students, and it is a privilege to be involved.

Please specifically pray for:

1. Women's Event-Overnight and Women's Conference at a local church in Ames. Pray for women to desire to come, grow in community and faith with one another.

2. Larch Women's Bible Study-I have 4 faithful women that I am meeting with weekly to study 1 Thessalonians. Pray that lives would be touched by the Word of God!

3. Ethiopia-We will be taking ISU students on a missions trip to Ethiopia this summer. Pray for God to raise up laborers at Iowa State who desire to advance His Kingdom in the lives of others overseas.

Thank you again for your prayers, and I pray the Scriptures would encourage you to have the heart of Isaiah as well in saying, "Here am I Lord, send me!" May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, and may you be faithful and obedient to His call on your life. God bless!

In Christ,

Sarah Ann