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barbies and birthdays.

10 May

When you think of the eldest child you can’t help but think of… The boss. The one in charge. The protector. The mom.
Which all pretty much describes my sister to a T.

Rachel and I have always got along. We never really fought that much or pulled each others hair, at least not that I can remember. She is a little over 2yrs older than me, yet has always been my biggest fan and encourager.
Since Rachel wasn’t (and still isn’t) really the athletic type (per say), we didn’t have too much in common when we were younger, since I was as tom-boy as they came. I wanted to play outside and she wanted to play barbies inside.

I distinctly remember conversations with my mom where she would say “Sarah, please play with your sister. At least a few minutes just play barbies and then you can go back outside.” We’d eventually begin to barter each others time so we’d both get what we wanted. I’d give in and play barbies in exchange for not letting her into my club with the neighborhood boys (bully alert).
I’m sure Rachel would be mad if I didn’t mention that she DID play volleyball for a season and was pretty good, given her tall and gangly physique… but we all knew that she was way better at persuading neighbors into buying girl scout cookies.

I eventually quit my outdoors/sports life and we both jumped into something we could do together: church.
We co-led a small group together with high school girls and made a pretty great team. She was the organized one and I was the one still preparing the lesson 20 min after our meeting had started.

Later on, we went to bible college together and ended up traveling and doing ministry with the same team of people. I played music and led worship and Rachel ran merch tables and made sure everyone was where they were supposed to be. At all times. Day or night.

And life hasn’t changed too much. She’s still on time, still in charge, and still an amazing leader that people easily and willingly follow. She manages a Tennis shop at a country club now, and runs it like a well-oiled machine. I would expect nothing less, obviously.

You see, Rachel is the type of person you want to know. She’s the type of person that will call you on your crap, and love you through every step you take to get out of your mess. She will also organize and manage your daily life, If you let her..

Today is Rache’ls Birthday and I couldn’t be more grateful for the sister and friend that she has been to me. Constant and steady in love and encouragement, I couldn’t ask for a better person to do and share my life with. I know it’s extremely cliché to say that someone is “beautiful inside and out”, but I don’t think there is a better way I could describe her. So beautiful in heart and in form!

Rachel,
First - id like to say that I’m sorry I diFedn’t play barbies with you or let you in my club that me and the neighborhood boys had. Rookie mistake.

I just want you to know that I think you’re amazing. One of the most solid and loyal people and friends that I think ill ever know. Im so blessed and grateful to have you tightly knited in my life and heart.

I love you bunches and hope you have a really great birthday, sis!!

MayDay: a birthday post

1 May

Birthdays are always a big deal at my house. I think that stems from the lack of birthday excitement my parents experienced growing up. Nevertheless, our earnest goal is to always remind the birthday recipient just how special and important they truly are. It’s 24 hours (or a week in some cases) to brag on them about the kind of gift they are to our lives.

Well today is another birthday in my house, therefore another chance to brag. It’s my mommas birthday yall!

So here goes just a few things I love and so value about my mom:

- She is unbelievably real and raw, and maybe that sounds cliché, but I don’t know anyone else that loves to get down to the heart of the matter more than my mom.

- She is uber encouraging and in the same breath will tell me if the shirt im wearing is too frumpy. Sure, she’s not on the fashion train per say, but the honest communication she has raised us with has helped in cultivating confident and honest people out of me and my siblings.

- She is the most welcoming and inviting human on the planet. She doesn’t meet a stranger, she doesn’t even know what that is. You will be loved, embraced, and fed as soon as you walk through my front door.

- She is a trustworthy friend to me and I am always confident that my best interest is on the forefront of her mind.

- She is loving. Fully and completely, without limits or boundaries, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt her love will always be there. Constant and steady.

_________________

Mom,

I wish I could find words that carried enough weight to really tell you how loved, valued, and appreciated you are by all of us.

I’m obviously glad you were born, because I wouldn’t be here for starters… but mostly, im glad you were born because God knew that I would need YOU to be my mom and friend through this life. I will be forever grateful for that!

I’m so proud of you and love you so much! I hope today is a really special day for you! You deserve it!
I also hope dad surprises you with a pool. *fingers crossed*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

from death to life: my friend’s story.

13 Mar

im so grateful for the response from my latest posts and series. i truly belive there is something unique and wonderful about connected to another’s story. experiencing their journey through pain and disappoint, and hopefully their testimony of redemption and restoration in the end. im grateful to have shared a least a little piece of my puzzle with you, but id now like to share a part of my wonderful friends story.

taylor mitchell is a gem. one of those people you meet and are immediately drawn to by her incredible personality and south Arkansas charm. she truly  loves people and has a real and genuine passion for God that is seen in the veins of every friendship she has and everything she does.
if you met her today, you wouldn’t in a million years expect to hear the kind of testimony she has and the story she’s lived out. before i just go ahead and blurt it out, i want you to watch the video below. this is taylor telling her story with her own words and heart. this is a story of real life redemption. of real pain - met by real love. real sorrow and grief - met by real peace and grace. from death to life, we see God rescue, restore, and redeem again and again. please let her words remind you again of Gods unending love and pursuit of your heart and life.
here is an excerpt from TAYLOR’S BLOG about this video and heart behind filming it.

I am Taylor Mitchell. I have a story, just like you do. It may not look identical to yours, but it could possibly have the same ending…REDEMPTION.
I want to share with you my personal journey. My desire is to tell the world my personal experience because it sheds light into the amazing, everlasting LOVE of Jesus. His relentless and unchanging love. The bible mentions in Revelation 12:11 “and they OVERCAME him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony…” I believe that every time this story is told, I not only find more healing, but others find hope and more than anything, they see that life is not over!! It is not how you start the race, it is how you finish!! I pray today, as you watch and listen, God will invade your heart with His love, His healing, His redemption! You are loved and adored. Don’t settle. Keep pressing forward because YOU have a story to tell!! 

 
Follow Taylor
Blog: iamtaylorm
Twitter: @taylormitchell
Sang and wrote on Trinity Church’s worship album “In You” – be sure and check it out on itunes:: HERE

(this AMAZING video was created by my wonderful and talented friends at Jonathan Link Studios)

Pt.1: an unexpected journey

5 Mar

This past Thursday I flew to Kansas City, MO to stay with a really good friend of mine. I was there to spend time with her, visit others, and to see a very special place that is truly near and dear to my heart. A place where I was found. A place where I finally felt discovered… and I don’t mean by man’s recognition and eyes. In this place i was seen and known by a tender God who encountered me in subtle and real ways at typically 3am. As I sat in a chair, in a room, found in a building that was wedged within in a long strip mall in Grandview KC – it was there, in the unlikeliest of places, that I was found.

Almost 4 years ago, was the ending of my first (and only - surprise!) relationship. I was devastated. I thought I was going to marry this guy, and my happily ever after was on its way. My story was unfolding like I had wanted, like I had always pictured it would. Not to get into that relationship too much, but let’s just say it didn’t end so happily after all.

I was heartbroken and slowly began sinking into a very depressed state of being. I dropped to a measly 107lbs, with a face shrunken in and that flicker of life in my eyes slowly fading out…

My parents presented to me the option of moving away to Kansas City for a few months to Intern at the International House of Prayer (IHOP), a ministry that I had always loved and wanted to be a part of since my early teen years. Oddly enough, I didn’t want to go. Had they asked me a few years earlier, I would have had my bags packed in 10min. But this time, I didn’t want to leave. Of course I was the typical girl who thought my relationship would piece itself back together somehow, someway… surely I wasn’t wrong all along.

I finally came to grips with the mess I was and ended up agreeing to move to KC.
I quickly applied and was approved to the internship, I packed up my things, and just a few short weeks later my dad was driving me to the Midwest, to a very ghetto-ish place where id spend the majority of my time in one big room.

…and that was the start of a very unexpected journey I was about to begin.

——————————————-

I promise the goal of this story isn’t about the relational healing I found, although that happened. And it’s not about me promoting an internship, although it was amazing. I want to tell you my story of how I was found in the midst of brokenness, and slowly reassembled by a very kind, patient and loving God in the dark hours of the night. How I discovered what prayer was, and what it was not. What I’d thought all along about this seemingly sacred act, that became real. Tangible. Personal. And Enjoyable.
I want to spend my next few posts continuing this story. I hope you trek along with me.

a heart to give, always receives.

19 Jan

“A heart to give, always receives”

Aside from being amazing, there is nothing I would say describes my parents more, than the word “givers.”
Coming from a larger family (5 kids) – stinginess wasn’t tolerated in my house. Particularly when 4 little girls were sharing the same small bedroom. Maybe you’re thinking, “well, kids will be kids, right?” well… my parents didn’t really buy into that concept. Trust me, we weren’t all perfect little robots, but our aim was always clearly set before us and regardless of our many attempts and failures – we had a clear understanding that stinginess/selfishness was not, and is still not acceptable behavior. I didn’t fully understand this then, but im growing to learn “why”, a little more everyday.

 “we’re not stingy, we’re givers!”

I remember that phrase so clearly spoken time and time again by my mom. In the midst of frustration as me and my sisters would be playing an unintentional game tug-a-war with a favorite shirt or toy, “NO, this is mine! MOM, tell her this is mine!”
I think after a while that phrase started sinking in, and little by little it’s settling somewhere gladly in our hearts…. “we’re givers”

Don’t get me wrong, sharing toys and clothes weren’t necessarily my favorite thing growing up, but I believe those seeds planted when I was young, to be a giver and to live openhandedly – were seeds sown from daily choices my parents made to instill in us very REAL and ever-PRESENT biblical truths… even at a young age.
I’m grateful they knew these truths of giving with a glad heart and living with an open hand would still be just as vital and just as valuable today, as they were 20yrs ago when all I had to worry about was someone playing with that new toy I just got for Christmas.

As I grew older I learned that money wasn’t mine and I didn’t have a right to claim and hoard it as my own, but it was a gift.
I would have my heart set on buying something of excess and a financial need would come up with someone… I’d take a second thought about giving.

“It’s just money. It’s not yours anyway, Sarah.”

A truthful reminder would be spoken by one of my parents and I would realize again, the vital importance of living with an open hand.
Of course, it was my responsibility to pay my bills, repay my debts, and give my tithe to God. But all that was left over was to be used however He saw fit. Whenever the door of someone’s need flung wide open.

I still don’t have it down right and never will. I fall extremely short of living a selfless life a million times a day. But my aim is to always remember those principles that I learned when I was a kid.

Be a giver. Live with an open hand.
Freely give as you have freely been given to.

That very well may be the key to unlocking a heart longing to give and pour out. To truly believe that all I’ve been given in this life is a gift. The lungs i have to breathe in and out the air i need, the tips of my fingers i use to type this, and even the money in my bank account. It’s all a gift. A gift to be funneled through willingly open hands and a humbled heart that expects nothing in return. 
I’m learning that this kind of lifestyle requires trust, that – im all in – all or nothing – flat on my face or running free – sink or swim kind of trust. A trust that must be confidently placed in a good shepherd, that leads our hearts and lives so carefully.
i shall not want.

a heart to give, always receives.

Proverbs 11
24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. 25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

a sincere question.

13 Jan

“How can I pray for you?”

ive been asked this question plenty of times.
sometimes i was annoyed by it and felt as if it was someones duty at church to ask me this - as if it were just a protocol question, but i wouldn’t feel a genuine care from them…
and other times i was dying for someone to ask me that question. just waiting with anticipation – who will care about me, who will fight with me and help shoulder this weight that’s wearing me down?!

i have a feeling, there’s gotta be more people out there like me.
maybe you’re waiting for someone to ask you this question, wanting so badly to lean into someone else’s prayers for once.
your need for prayer could come from deep tragedy that’s left you living without hope, or maybe you’re having a crappy day at work and your kids are driving you bonkers, or maybe your dad was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and you feel like all breath and faith was just knocked out of you.
no matter the degree of trial or level of circumstances, there is always a part of you, that needs another. that needs someone to come into the trenches, grab a shovel, and help you shoulder a weight too heavy for one.

and here is the reason for the long paragraphs above.
i want you to know that there is someone who loves and cares about your needs, your struggles, and your pain.
i want to know how i can pray for you.
how i can agree with God about whats going on in your life or what you’re believing Him for, today.
i want that to become a new common trend with you, my friends, family, and others. i want it to be a usual thing, a normal thing, to send a text or email or phone call and say “hey, pray for me today!” why be alone, when you can find more strength and grace  for the journey with others alongside of you.

i believe that lifting up another and coming into agreement with God over someone else’s life, can be one of the most beneficial thing for your heart and theirs. it takes your eyes off yourself, your problems, and your tiny scope on life, and it sets your heart and mind on how you can love others well. how you can bear another’s burden, how you can help carry and shoulder another’s weight - whether it be in the natural or in prayer. (Gal 6:2)

with such genuine care i ask a question that i have at times been so eager and desperate for someone to ask me… how can i pray for you (whether the need is big or small, it matters not)?!  
please feel free to post your request in the comment section, or if you feel more comfortable Email Me, or call (if you have my number:)
i wanna pray with you and for you, so please, let me know how i can. or please let someone else you know how they could.

refuse: a new year’s resolution

9 Jan

refuse to live at a distance.

It’s my new year’s resolve. And what’s written on a post-it-note on my desk as a daily reminder. Don’t get me wrong – eating healthy, working out, reading more, writing more, practicing more… they’re all on my list.

But this is what i want most: refusing to live at a distance

I want to be active and present, in just about every area of my life.
I want that with my family, the people who mean the most and hold such a high worth and value in my heart.
I want that with my friendships, making the time to dig deeper, and together, grow stronger.
Mainly, I want it to be a thriving core-value in my heart, the well-spring of life. That all else would flow from that place.

Because distance is all too easy to be comfortable with. But intimate friendship, is an active pursuit of the heart.

My Resolve:
To Refuse to let the stresses of life, the daily routine, and the convenience of entertainment become the wedge that distances my heart and affections from what matter most.

the greatest mystery: a christmas reality

21 Dec

“The fact that the Son of God was found lying in a manger tells you volumes about the divine love that is your only hope of rescue.”
-Paul Tripp

What ridiculous depths he will descend in his wild quest of man… one of those ridiculous depths is upon us.
it’s actually something I can only think of as the greatest mystery the world will ever see.

“the word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:1)

Maybe you’ve never taken the time to ponder this mystery, this ridiculous depth taken by the man Jesus. Here we are in the thick of the “holiday season” and do we find ourselves in awe of this great mystery that took place on the earth thousands of years ago? I’m not talking about how Santa’s Sled gets airborne or how he delivers all those presents in one night… im talking about the mystery of how God the Father sent His dearly beloved son to the earth, for you and me. That Jesus, one who is one with God, didn’t think so much of himself that He willingly set aside the privileges of deity and desired to become a slave, a man, and a servant to the world.
A human being he became, FOREVER. He took on flesh and bone, with crimson blood coursing through His veins-pumping the very heart that longed for our devotion, affection, and deepest love in return. He did not consider equality with God, but He humbled himself and carried out His obedience to the extreme of Death on a cross. He became a man so that he could become the great mediator that would bring God and man together. He is the only hope of our rescue, and is truly, the only reason for this joyful season.

such humility
such kindness
such devotion
such selflessness
such great love

It can only be a mystery, that someone would give of themselves so freely. 

Don’t let the busyness steal your “awe” this holiday season, but let the joy of His humble birth fill you, today.
That every crack, every corner, and every inch of space in our heart would be filled and consumed with the wonder of Christ.

Merry Christmas to you all!
-S

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 3 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, to being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
-Philippians 2:6-11

he always cares: a birthday message to my dad

9 Nov

today is a very special day.
we have the privilege of celebrating the birthday of one of the best people on the planet, my dad.

maybe you don’t know him, so you can’t bear the same gratitude, but i ensure you – if you did, you’d be thankful for this day too.

last night we had a family birthday dinner, and in typical Baker fashion we went around the table and all said the high and low of our day and one thing we love about my dad.
its kind of hard to just pick one. i felt like we all could have gone on for hours at the table. we could have gone on and on and on about how he has been the rock of our family, a steady and confident leader, and an ALWAYS approachable and tender man ready to talk and ready to love at any given second in the day.

that’s my dad. he’s selfless and he’s funny. he’s the hardest worker and most dependable person i know.

Dad,
first of all, im glad you were born because i obviously wouldn’t be here… but mostly, im glad you were born because we need you. the people in your life, need you. we need your example, your wisdom, and friendship. we need your humor, your steady attitude, and willingly helpful hands.
i appreciate every selfless moment. cleaning up throw up, coming to change flat tires at any hour of the night – no matter how far the distance, every talk over coffee, every cake you decorated for our birthdays, every time you start my car before i leave work because its cold and you want to warm it up for me. every sporting event and practice, every time you come to hear me sing, and every sacrifice you make to ensure your family is happy and that God is present and center in our lives..

i obviously could go on and on and on..

but most of all, im grateful to have a dad that cares. every second of everyday you not only care about us, but you care about the little moments and the small victories in our lives – ready at a moments notice to give us your time and affection no matter what you’re in the middle of. you always care and i believe that rare quality, is truly whats helped shape and mold us into the people we are today.

i love you so much and am so grateful to have an amazing dad like you. hope you have a great birthday!

-S

here’s some lovely throwback pictures of me and my dad.

the vote.

21 Sep

About 12 years ago, today, a vote was taken in our house.
It wasn’t your average poll of “what do we want for dinner tonight”, it was much more serious than that.

The question at the time was too loaded for me when my parents uttered the words…
“who wants another brother or sister?”

Somehow I was the only one who voted “no” when I quickly realized as a 13yr old what it would take to make this happen…. I was OBVIOUSLY not wanting that.!

 Sounds silly to some, when you realize the gap between the oldest and the youngest in my family is a solid 15yrs. A lot of people hear that we have 4 girls in our family and then the youngest is a boy.. and an 11 year old boy at that… I hear statements like “either that was an accident or man… you’re parents must have REALLY wanted a boy, huh?”
And as soon as I hear that, i wanna sock whoever says that in the face. Then I have to remember that one would assume such a thing looking from the outside in.

However, Grant was no accident and no last attempt for someone to carry on the Baker name. He was planned, and he was even planned before the foundations of the earth by a very real God that knew the Baker family couldn’t live without a brother!
And I promise you, as soon as you meet Mr. Grant Daniel Baker you will quickly realize what an incredible plan that was… and then you’ll realize how much life would absolutely suck without him!

 (I promise im not biased by my next paragraph, when you meet him you will agree whole-heartedly)

 My bubba happens to be one of the most enjoyable people to be around. He may be 11, but he will tell you EVERY single stat and fact about ANY NFL, MLB, and NCAA Football team. He is a BRAIN, not just in sports, but at school. He’s grades ahead and is basically a genius!! Sadly that gene skipped me…

He has my humor, so obviously he is dry and full of wit… yet sometimes he has glimmers of my dads corny jokes. Hopefully that will wear off. (kidding pops)
He also has my good looks, as people say we are practically twins.
He is a gentleman and one of the sweetest and most tender-hearted boys you will EVER meet. I can promise you that! He is so sensitive to the Lord already and so conscious of loving others well.
I think your average 11 year old boy would run as soon as you told him you wanted a hug and kiss, but not my brother. He is a lover to the max and will love on you even in front of his nerdy pimple faced friends.
Did I mention the kid talks ALL the time?! Now he didn’t exactly get that from me… im guessing our dad has something to do with that. But I love it.. (for the most part)

 Nevertheless, today is his 11th birthday and I would hate if there was a single person that didn’t know the deep love I have for my brother. Maybe there are 13 yrs separating us, but this kid is without a doubt one of the most special people to me!

 
Grant,
I love you so much and even though I may have voted against you when I was 13, I trust when you turn 13 you’ll totally understand where I was coming from. I hope you have an amazing day where you feel as special as you truly are to all of us! I pray that you continue to grown up as a godly gentleman and become an amazing man like our dad that we all look up to!
You’re so valuable and important in my life! Love you so much!

 Happy 11th Birthday Bubba!!

-s

(he’s also REALLY cool and wears fedora’s)

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