In Memory

Memorial -- "Something, such as a monument or holiday, intended to celebrate or honor the memory of a person or an event."

In past years, Memorial day for me has been a day to pay special tribute to those in the armed forces who served our country and gave of themselves for our freedom. Today, that is obviously still something I am forever grateful for...but my gratefulness has broadened.

Today became a day for me to also reflect on how dad and Sara gave of themselves. Dad and Sara both dedicated their lives to serving God and others. They taught me so much about life and priorities. They taught me how to be intentional.

They were intentional in everything they did and their intention was to put God and others first. 

So, in celebration and honor of their memory, my focus is on being intentional. Being intentional in my walk with God and others.  


Being intentional in Choosing Joy!


I love you and miss you both, more than you can imagine.

Choosing Gratitude

We are choosing Gratitude today, Sunday, May 13. It is a day to celebrate mom as well as celebrate the wonderful 38 years we had with our Sara!

I am so very proud of my mom! On July 9, 2010 she lost her husband very unexpectedly and then on September 24, 2011 she also said good-bye to her daughter. But through it all, mom has chosen joy, gratitude and trust.

Mom and dad raised 6 children. Through their sacrifices, love, faith and teaching, each of us are first and foremost, Godly adults who are successful and blessed in so many way.  Thanks, Mom!!

The youngest of the six, Sara (Gitz), in my opinion, was the wisest, strongest and most successful of us all. It was through the journey that God chose for her, that she taught us all so much about life and faith. For that I will be forever grateful.

Sara would have been 39 today and I know we all miss her in our own way, but today I am choosing to be grateful for the 38 years that I was able to have her in my life. In Sara's early years, I was blessed as the oldest daughter and therefore was her second mom in many ways. Later in life I was blessed to not only be her sister but her best friend.

And, we can't forget the one that made Sara a mom...Riley!! Many of you have been asking about Riley, so here is an update on the blog dog.

Riley is living with my Brother Steve and his family, Patience, Cooper and Avery.  As you can see from the photos below, he has adjusted well and is living the good life!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's out there.  Enjoy your day and God Bless each and every one of you!

Laura

Sara's Story

Dear Ones,

It's Shannon, stopping in to share an incredible gift with all of you.

One that requires a box of tissues at the ready. 


This past weekend, (in)courage the site Sara wrote for regularly hosted (in)RL, an incredible virtual conference attended by women all over the world. Over 1,700 of us spent time learning, growing, laughing, loving...in community with each other.


It was an event that would have been right up Gitz's alley. 

A few months ago, I was humbled and honored when (in)courage approached me about creating a segment for(in)RL about Sara and how she impacted people...it didn't take much to persuade me or anyone else to join in. Our girl? She could get me to do just about anything. Smile.


Sara's Story  is one that we all need to share from the rooftops. Her faith, love for others, trust in the unknown, heart joy...these parts of Sara? They leap through the screen and into your heart while viewing...all while breaking it a bit all over again too.

This morning, (in)courage released the video for public viewing. Jessica, a heart sister of Sara's, wrote a post about it here.

If you'd like to know more about the (in)RL conference or how to obtain access to the videos shown during it, please click here.

So...please find 30 minutes and a quiet nook. Grab some tissue. Press play.

See our girl.





Then? Go look in the mirror.  There's a piece of her woven into you, too. Will you consider sharing within the comments how she's impacted you? 


Let's celebrate her together.


Much Love,

Shannon

Head and Heart

Sara's sister, Laura here...

Do you ever have a conversation with yourself or probably more accurately, an argument with yourself.

Since I have lost Dad and Sara I have daily (feels like constant) conversations with myself and sometimes when I am really frustrated with myself, it turns into an argument between my head and my heart.

I miss them so very much. I long for their hug, their conversation, their wisdom (that is my heart speaking). Then my head argues with my heart.  “You know they are so much happier”. “How selfish of you to want them back for your own needs.” “They are still with you in spirit.”

So, the question is, how do I get my head and heart to agree? Like other things in life when conflict happens, how do you come to a compromise?

So, I come here to find the wisdom Sara left behind…what did I find… CHOOSE , JOY, PRAISE, GOD, FAITH, etc.

“He knows my past, present and future. He is surprised by nothing. He is with me, never leaves me even when I feel alone, and holds me up even when I think I am standing on my own two feet. He is good. All the time. And I am going to praise Him through it.” – Gitz

Oh…her wisdom…

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 4:6-7

Oh… God’s wisdom…

As I am preparing this Lenten season for the Resurrection, I am so very thankful. Thankful for all Jesus endured in order for us to experience eternal life.  Now that I have experienced the loss of ones that I have loved so deeply, that thankfulness has even become even more meaningful. Knowing that dad and Sara are together with the risen Lord helps both my head and my heart!

So, why do I keep arguing with myself? I think it's because I am jealous that God has them now...I am thankful he shared them with me as long as he did...my selfishness wanted them longer! J

I am choosing…peace, joy, kindness, faithfulness…I am choosing to trust GOD!

"It's How I want People to Remember Me"

Laura here...


It's 2012 and with a new year, also comes new goals and a look back at what we have to be thankful for, as well as lessons we have learned.  In my reflection with the new year upon us, I have been struggling.  Struggling for peace and understanding, along with how to let go of being in control and trust...trust the plan God has in store for me and my family.

And then, Sara talked to me...I went to the one place where I knew her wisdom was still present...in her writings.

I thought it might be helpful to all of us if we took a look at Sara's Life Goals. Sara's life here on earth was lived to its fullest and she wants people to remember her through how she lived out these life goals...

1. To not be ashamed to stand before God.

"By now you've probably realized you have a distinct choice to make: just let life happen, which is tantamount to serving God your leftovers, or actively run toward Christ."

"Do you understand that it's impossible to please God in any way other than

wholehearted surrender?  ~ Francis Chan

Sara definitely wasn't afraid to stand before God here here on earth, and if I were to guess, when she met our Heavenly Father, she wasn't ashamed to stand before Him in Heaven either.  As Sara said it, "I realized that being a servant meant all or nothing. A line was drawn in the sand and I had to choose my fear, or I had to choose to completely trust Him. It was an all or nothing choice because one cannot exist if the other is true."

Sara chose to trust.  It didn't mean she didn't have extremely difficult days, but I do know that she was never fearful of what was to come, because she knew He was in control.Sara trusted His control and she was open enough to walk where he lead her.  She never missed the opportunity to be a servant to Him through the circumstances in her life.

2. To fulfill God's plan by living the best life I can with what I am given.

"We are all spiritual beings put here on earth to live out our human existence."

This is something that dad held on to and said about his life and how he was living it. In my humble opinion, Sara and dad did this very well. They were good about remembering who they were...a Spirit born in the image of Christ.

Sara wrote in one of her posts, "I have a mission. A purpose. I am here to live the best life I can with what I am given. I am here to live out this human existence as a spiritual being...a servant to God and His people... before I head back home to Him."

3. To be aware and present in every moment.

"Even though we think of our goals as some future state to achieve, the real goal is always the life of this moment, this moment, this moment." ~ Charlotte Beck

One of the things Sara said was, "just because my hands and feet no longer serve me well physically, I don’t want that to be an excuse to not be the hands and feet of God." Sometimes when our focus is living until (fill in the blank), we aren't really living... the until may never come and then we stop living all together.

I think Sara did a great job of focusing on the goal of "this life of this moment, this moment, this moment." But, she also didn't give up on her dreams in life.

4. To love what I have and not yearn for what I lack.

"It's not about me."

Sara was so great about living a life of...It's not about me. It's about what he can do with her life. She looked at the life she was blessed with as having a purpose. A purpose for others to see their life or relationship with God in a new light. "We don't know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow."

And, that's exactly how she left this world and went to the next...with dignity, grace and teaching us all that "it's not about us."

5. To Spread the Joy, not the fear.

Joy: the unwavering trust that God knows what He’s doing and has blessed me with the opportunity to be a part of it… not despite what’s happening in my life but because of it. When everything earthly feels heavy He gives me an internal lightness that can’t be touched.



Sara made a decision early on to choose joy... and she made that choice every day. She always said, the major word in that rectangle isn't joy... it's CHOOSE. It's looking around when life is difficult and trading every complaint for something beautiful in life that far outweighs it. I know for a fact that she definitely met this goal because there are a lot of people out there that have it "etched in their skin." :)

6. To be intentional in all things.

Sara had a true belief that everything we do, no matter how big or small, it carries with it an impact. She taught us that if we come in contact with someone, we either leave them feeling better about themselves, or worse, but never unaffected. Living intentionally also brings in her 3rd goal of really being present in the moment. We need to be conscious about giving people our complete focus and leaving them knowing they are special.

For Sara, "being intentional is paying attention to what the need of the other person may be and doing my part to fulfill it." I don't know about you, but she was always there when I needed her and always made me feel special!

Sara also wanted to be intentional in being open to whatever God had in store for her. She prayed for guidance and always paid attention to the ways in which God talked to her.

Sara's life Goals were met and then some!  I miss you and love you, Sara!

Thanks for saying "yes," Sara!

Laura here....


During my reflecting, one of the articles that Sara wrote that keeps sticking in my mind this time of year, is the one below.  I am so thankful to Sara for always saying yes, when it was her time to do it! 

Love you and miss you Sara!

Reposted from December 13, 2010

“You gotta just try to do every thing you can, when it’s your time to do it.”

I was watching Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, who is from a small Iowa town not far from me, receive the esteemed Medal of Honor for bravery shown in active duty. Sal had told President Obama that he was just doing his job, and following advice he had gotten when he first became a soldier.

During his first tour of duty in Afghanistan, his Team Leader said to him:

“You gotta just try to do everything you can, when it’s your time to do it.”

It struck me as the most profoundly simple statement. And while I’m sure it is essential advice for a battlefield, it also occurred to me it’s advice that works in every circumstance for every person trying to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

And those of his parents.

I am thinking of Mary, frightened and scared, not knowing what to make of this angel standing before her. But she said yes. She did what she could when it was her time to be asked.

And Joseph. Being asked to marry a woman who was pregnant – and not with his child. He was being asked to sacrifice his life and all he had been taught… and he said yes. He did everything he could when it was his time to be asked.

They did their duty. They traveled for the census to be counted. They continually did the next right thing – not because they were promised riches or status or rewards. They traveled, they suffered in a stable to bring a baby into the world without any idea of how they were going to manage next. But they did everything they could, because it was their time to do it.



I hear the story so many times that I begin to assume they knew what the end result of their sacrifices would be. Sometimes I lull myself into thinking I would have made those sacrifices if it meant the Savior of the world could come to do His work.

But then I remember that Mary and Joseph knew no such thing. They knew no more of their future than we do. They didn’t know Jesus would get lost in a temple. They didn’t know he would turn water into wine and heal the sick and bring sight to the blind. They didn’t know their precious baby boy would be beaten and ridiculed and hung on a cross.

They were simply doing everything they could, when it was their time to do it.

It pierces me. It pierces me to know they simply said yes because it was the right thing to do. It pierces me that I, in this life, have so many chances to say yes. It pierces me that every moment of my life could be my time to do everything I can. I may not change the world, but I might change a life. I might be called with an urging in my spirit, and if I choose not to pay attention and act on it, I might miss my moment.

My time to do what I can.

That’s what I am thinking about this Christmas. I’m always overwhelmed and grateful that Jesus came to this world as a baby to save me – thousands of years later – a simple soul not unlike any other.

But this year, I’m wondering how I can be more like Mary and Joseph. How I can do everything I can… now… when it’s my time to do it.

Will you take that challenge with me? Will you look beyond the celebrations and the wrappings and the carols we hum as we busy about our lives – and pay close attention to the little details in the lives of those around you?

Because you never know when it may be your time to do everything you can.

2011 One Little Word...PRAISE

Hi, everyone...this is Sara's sister, Laura.  I know Sara would want to follow up on her "one little word for 2011," so I thought I would take some of her thoughts and share them with you...

Sara's one little word to focus on for 2011 was PRAISE...and how did she do?

Like she did at everything...OUTSTANDING!!

Praise made Sara feel centered.  Praise is what helped Sara Choose Joy. 

As I was re-reading Sara's post regarding her choice of the word Praise, the phrase, "It's not about me" stuck out. As Sara was preparing to meet our Heavenly Father, she told us she did not want her funeral to be about her. As we all chuckled and told her it kinda was about her, she adamantly told us NO, she wanted it to be about what she was teaching through her writing, that it is all about Him.  

In Sara's post on Praise, she said, 

"Rather than letting life run me, I take a simple action. I go from my own circumstance to thinking about others. I remember that this life is not about me and choose to give thanks to the God who loves me. That is what keeps my spirits up... it's my focus on spirits other than mine. It's my focus on praising instead of dwelling on my own circumstances. It's not always easy, but it is something I have to choose to do if I am going to live the life He needs me to."


There is that other word, Choose...


On December 5, Pastor Christian Watts gave a sermon titled "Choosing Joy When Life Gives You Lemons." Pastor Watts contacted me and asked if he could use Sara's story in his message.  He read Sara's post on Choosing Joy and reminded me of the word choose...


"I made a decision a long time ago that I was going to choose joy. I even painted a big rectangle on my wall and printed it in big letters so I wouldn't forget to make that choice every day. The major word in that rectangle isn't joy... it's CHOOSE. It's looking around me when life is difficult and trading every complaint I have for something beautiful in my life that far outweighs it. I know, it's that Pollyanna personified thing again... but living joyful beats being cynical any day of the week."


(Here is the link if you would like to hear his sermon.  He did a great job of honoring Sara! Http://vimeo.com/33196922)

Sara chose Praise and she praised Him very well...I will leave you with this final thought from Sara... 

"He knows my past, present and future. He is surprised by nothing. He is with me, never leaves me even when I feel alone, and holds me up even when I think I am standing on my own two feet. He is good. All the time. And I am going to praise Him through all of it."

2012 is right around the corner and as we choose new resolutions or items to focus on, I'm definitely not going to stop focusing on this one...