Merry Christmas!

We read Isaiah 9 in preparation for Christmas. The cards are the women's prayer requests & reflections.

Total Number of Cookies Made: 150+ Looks on Students/Neighbors Faces: Priceless :)

Amber, Lindsey, Myself & Katie Doing the Silly Shot

These Larch Ladies are Wonderful

Is it almost Christmas?? Really?!? This semester has just flown by. Our Larch Ladies Bible study has wrapped up with its study on "The Unseen Kingdom." We dove into the parables to see what the Kingdom of God actually looks like and what it means to live in it. We ended our semester with a Larch Ladies Christmas Party at my duplex. (See pictures above.) We read Isaiah 9, reflecting on the prophecy of the coming Messiah. I then had the girls write down what they had learned this past semester, prayer requests over break, and how they would like to grow this next semester in Bible study. Then, we made sugar cookies for the elderly at Bickford Cottage and watched "Elf.":) It was a wonderful bonding time for the girls and a great service project in the Ames community. Lindsey and I were able to bring the cookies to Bickford the next day and talk with the residents. They were blessed as we were by their company and stories. On December 11th, we had our Navigator Ugly Sweater Christmas Party out at the Martens home. We had a devotional, games, food, cookie decorating, and craft making. Many students came out and had a great time fellowshipping together.

Well, now I am home in Indianola spending time with family and catching up with friends. I am traveling to St. Louis for Urbana with ISU students Dec. 27th-31st. Please pray for safe travels and teachable hearts as we go to this conference. The spring semester starts up Jan. 11th! We will be studying 1 Thessalonians as a Bible Study together. Please pray for Lindsey, Alicia, Katie, and Amber as we dive into this book.

God bless you all, and I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas! In the hustle and bustle of the season, I pray you are able to reflect upon the Reason for the Season, Jesus Christ.

In Christ,

Sarah Ann

"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." Isaiah 9:6-7

November News

Hello Everyone!

Well, here we are already halfway through another month. Here are some brief highlights about what has happened since my last post in October:

First off, we had a Barn Dance! This was a great outreach and opportunity to connect with students. Around 100 people attended this event. Thank you for your prayers!

Secondly, our staff has been to and from SanDestin, FL for our National Collegiate Conference. Jerry Bridges was our main speaker and he challenged from the Word on the topics of the Sovereignty, Holiness, and Love of God. I also got the opportunity to help with worship during the week, and learned more practical tips in how to intentionally disciple women. Thank you for your prayers, we all returned safely! :)

The photos above are me with Amber and Alicia. These are two girls that are in my Bible study that I also meet with weekly in a discipleship relationship. These women have a strong desire to grow in their relationships with the Lord! They desire to know how to have a quiet time and walk with God daily. It is a privilege to walk through their freshman year of college with them!

**Three of Alicia's family members just accepted God's free gift of salvation this past weekend!! Praise God!**

Please continue to pray for the following:

1) The Navigator Staff & ISU Students desire to know Christ and make Him known on campus.

2) The Larch Ladies Bible Study-for women to come to know Christ and desire to grow in their relationship with Him.

3) Thanksgiving Break-for the staff & ISU students to have a true heart of gratefulness towards the Lord for His many blessings.

I have been reading in Romans lately and was encouraged by the following verses. I pray you are encouraged by them as well!

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." Romans 15:5-7

In Christ,

Sarah Ann

"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2

EDGEer Alyssa & I on the Beach in SanDestin, FL

The Fall Has Flown By!

Hello Everyone!

Do you know how many times I have meant to update this thing!? It has just been so busy!! That's why this post is entitled "The Fall Has Flown By!" It literally has, and now we find ourselves in mid-October with snow already falling in some areas. Crazy! I pray as you are reading this that "the joy of the Lord truly is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10) That verse seems to be the theme of this blog and life currently! He is our Joy, our Strength, our Rock and our Redeemer. Here are a few highlights of the happenings here at ISU!

Sweets & Feets: The pictures above are from our women's event entitled "Sweets & Feets." This was an outreach opportunity with the purpose of building community and enjoying fellowship together as women. A Mary Kay consultant graciously volunteered to do facials, while others painted nails. We also baked apple crisp & monkey bread and enjoyed many other yummy desserts! It was a true blessing to connect with women from other Bible studies, hear testimonies, and just hang out.

Main Event: We took 28 ISU students down to Kansas City this past weekend for our regional conference entitled, "Main Event." Our speaker was Eddie Broussard, and his talks centered on the "Reality of the Eternal God, Eternal Word, Eternal Son, and Eternal Soul." It has been wonderful to dialogue with students afterwards and hear about what God taught them at the conference. They are discovering what it is to completely surrender their lives over to the King. Praise the Lord for the work He did in Kansas City and what He is continuing to do in the hearts and minds of our students! Below is a picture of part of our crew.

Next Steps...this Friday we have a Barn Dance outreach, so please pray as we are recruiting students to come to this event! It will be a great time to meet and connect with students who may not feel comfortable coming to a Bible study or NavNight. Pray for conversations and connections with students. Also, October 26-November 3 I will be in San Destin, FL for our National Conference. Please pray for all of the Navigator staff as they travel for training, encouragement, refreshment, and fellowship. Thank you for your continued prayer and support!

In Christ,

Sarah Ann

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Changes Galore

Me, Alyssa & Sarah at a Barn Dance

ISU Staffers & Students after Tailgate

Here is a list of newness, or how my life has drastically changed:

1. New place to live (duplex)

2. New town

3. New and completely different job

4. New friends

So, like it says in the movie "The Pursuit of Happiness," this chapter in my life is called "Changes." Isn't it amazing where God takes us or how He strips familiar things away in our lives in order to mold and shape us? I am constantly reminded to find my identity in Christ-not in familiarity, my job, or relationships. In Christ alone can we find true peace and security no matter where we are and what we're doing. Amen to that, right?!? A friend encouraged me with a verse yesterday, and I hope it encourages you as well:

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

God bless you all, and I pray no matter what you are going through, that the JOY of the LORD is your strength!

In Christ,

Sarah Ann

NWC Friends at Jess & Caleb's Wedding

Destination: Ames

What a whirlwind of a summer it has been! I've definitely had my traveling shoes on. From being in 8 states, to a family reunion, to singing in two weddings and standing up at my roommate's wedding, it's been crazy! Well, now I find myself at my destination: Ames. God has been incredibly good and blessed me tremendously with being supported at 109%. I cannot believe it! It humbles me to see God's provision. It is a miracle to raise all that money and beyond in 6 weeks. Praise the Lord! I pray that if you are reading this, that you will truly resonate with the words of Paul in Philippians:

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Phil. 4:11-13

Please continue to pray for the following things as I adjust in Ames:

1) Pray for team unity and getting to know my team before the school year kicks off

2) Pray for an adjustment to the area and culture of ISU

3) Pray for my housing situation to be solidified (I'm currently crashing at some teammates home)

4) For the Lord to direct me to the right girls, hearts to be opened, and relationships in Christ to be formed.

Thank you for reading this!! I pray God blesses all of you, and if you are ever in Ames, please let me know :)

In Christ,

Sarah

Reunion

Last week my family flew out to Walla Walla, WA, for our biannual Selby Family Reunion. We spend a week together hanging out, catching up, playing games, enjoying good food, and hiking. My grandpa is 94, and was a missionary in Pakistan. He actually used Navigators materials in their evangelism and ministry in Pakistan, and gave me a booklet in Urdu, their native language. My family is incredible, and it's awesome to see the legacy of faith among us. It's such a blessing to pray together and fellowship with each other. Here are some pics from the trip:

The Navigator ministry booklet in Urdu that my grandpa gave me. Crazy, huh?!?

My cousin Bridgette & I walked over the river on that log. It was kind of scary, but we made it!!

The view on our hike. We walked along the South Walla Walla River, it was beautiful!

My cousin Bridgette's daughter, Madeleine, had many faces. This is just one of them!

My aunts Mary, Esther, my Dad, Janet & Becky. My grandpa & grandma, LeRoy & Anita.

My parents, Lois & Jerry, in our AMAZING Comfort Inn & Suites room!

My cousins, Kaisa & Robyn, with their brother's daughter Melina. She had many cute faces!!

The Dress

Ok, crazy story! So, I needed to get a dress altered for my roommate's wedding, and I randomly found a lady in my hometown who was able to do it. As I was talking with her, I found out she grew up in the Christian Reformed Church, and I mentioned that my grandpa was a Christian Reformed minister. She said she grew up in Hawarden, IA and I knew my mom's family lived in or near there at one time. At this time I didn't think anything of it, but told her what I was doing with The Navigators and gave her my business card. Two days later, I picked up the dress and we got to talking again. I mentioned that my grandma, Ann Buseman, lived with my parents. This woman replied, "Oh, I knew Busemans in Hawarden! Fred Buseman." To which I replied, "That's my grandpa!!" It turns out that my grandpa was the minister at her home church growing up, and remembered that he really worked with her brother with his faith. What a small world! She even remembered my mom and my aunt's middle names. Now they all live in Indianola. Isn't it crazy how the Lord brings people back together? The legacy of faith and connection of believers never ceases to amaze me. Who would have thought one little dress could bring about such a story...