"Hear, hear!"

Well guys,

Wanted to give everyone a heads up that I will be absent from the blogging world for at least a week. On Wednesday, my mom, Abb, Andrew, and I will be flying to Lima to see the Steve Pettit team! We're all very excited and we're praying that we would be a blessing while learned alot!

I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and post them when possible.

Guess I'll ttyl!

Sarah Beth

Choosing God's brace

Personal testimony shared by: Mrs. Earnhart. (my amazing mom!)

We took Mady to the doctor on Friday of last week and it was discovered that she has hip dysplasia. Simple terms that mean her hips are not aligned correctly and will cause problems in the future if not corrected now. The doctor fitted her for a harness that she is required to wear for 2 months only removing it for changing diapers and bathing.

You can see a picture of the harness here.

Mady is a five-month-old, very active little girl. She was beginning to crawl and loved to follow me around in her walker. She is definitely an Earnhart in that she believes she can accomplish more than what is expected of her few months of life. Needless to say, this has been a very challenging, frustrating and sad experience for her.

But if the truth be known, it's been extremely hard for me, as her mom. Seeing her restrained when she is so full of life and capability is heart-wrenching. Listening to her cries of pain and looks of pleading are almost more than I can handle. I feel as though I have betrayed her trust by allowing this pain. Because she cannot move her legs the only comfortable position for her is if I am cradling her in my arms or if she is resting on my chest. I have struggled emotionally over the past week. I don't care what she looks like with the harness on, I care that she is sad. I want to take it off and let her experience the freedom to which she was accustomed. But I don't. I don't, because of love. I don't, because I keep her future as the priority.

I have learned much this week about God.

It seems that just when I feel I'm ready to be used in a special way for Him, He places me in a harness\ brace. A brace that limits my movements, a brace that restricts my will, a brace that is painful. I beg Him to remove the pain; take away the discomfort, I beg- but He doesn't do it. He does not because of love. He does not because He keeps my future in His heart.

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." (Ps. 103:13) So I wonder, "Lord, is this how it feels for you when you loving allow a trial to come into my life? Does it hurt you this much to watch me kick and fight against the brace? Is your love so great for me that you will keep the brace in place until I bend and mold to the picture you have for me?" The only place of comfort I find right now, is when I rest in His arms and lay my head on His bosom through my personal devotions.

This week He has brought me to this conclusion. I want the braces He chooses for me. I will not kick and fight. I will relax, rejoice and remain in His brace.

So, not only do "I choose to trust", but, dear friends, my motto for 2010..."I choose the brace."

Answer time!

Hi everyone! Here are the answers to your interesting questions! : ) I think I would have to say that Emily had some very creative questions! Pop on over to her blog when you get a chance! : )

Here are the answers... (drumroll)

Were you born in the US? Yes, I was born in Florida. The rest of my siblings (down to Mady) were born in California.

Were you raised bilingual? No, I was not. We did not learn Spanish until coming to Perú.

Are the clothes different there? In my city? No. But, in the mountains or rural areas of the country, the women still wear the traditional dress. You can see a picture here

Do you plan on doing what your parents do? I plan on being a full time Christian (like everyone should be!) but the I believe the Lord has called me specifically to full time ministry as well.

How long has your family been in missions? My parents surrendered to missions in 1991, but the Lord didn't give them peace about coming to Perú at that time. They felt the call again in 1998, 1991 we were on deputation, and in 2000 we were on the field.

Do you attend a school here or are you home schooled? My mom has a degree in education, so she home schools my sibs. (I finished high school a year ago)

What are some of the creature comforts of the U.S that Peru doesn't have, such as food? Where to start?? lol Our food is very different and there is ALOT of stuff that we don't get. Um, peanut butter, grape jelly, grape juice, cheddar cheese, nachos, mountain dew, dr. pepper, root beer, lots of spices... etc. I could go on for a while!

What is the climate like? Very mild. We really only have two seasons: summer and winter. Our winter lows are in the 60's and our summer highs are in the 80's. Very agreeable weather! Anyone wanna visit?? lol

Do you enjoy living in another country? Yes, I love it!

Do you ever wish you lived back in the U.S? No, not really.

How has this experience changed your life-would you do it all over again if you could? Well, I have learned another language and I have another culture in me. I was only eight when I came to the field... so I'm more Peruvian than American! I would do it all over again. Definitely. I have had so many opportunities to minister that I would not have had if I was a "regular American teen". No offense to all you "regular American teens" out there! : ) Alot was and is required of me... I can't just slouch in the back row. (I really don't want to either!) Being a MK has stretched me and grown me. More than anything, it's brought me closer to my Lord. And for that reason alone, I'd do it all over again.

Great questions guys!

oops, I forgot!

lol Here's the link for Becky's blog!!

Sorry 'bout that!

~ sb

MK connection: Rebekah Bjur

Hey ya'll! Thanks for stopping by! Via e-mail I asked my friend Becky (who happens to be a MK in Chile) this question: "What part of the Chilean culture would you like to see implemented in the American way of life\thinking?"

There is alot to be gleaned from other cultures and their way of life. Although you may not live in Arica, Chile, through Becky and her blog, you can get an idea of what Chilean life is like! Well, I'll stop typing now so you can read her answer. Enjoy her answer and be sure to stop by her blog and leave a sweet comment! Thanks Becky for taking the time to answer! Ok, I'm leaving now for real! lol


Rebekah Bjur: "I guess one of the things I like the most about Chilean culture is the family unity. Families here are very close-knit. When grown, married children move out of their homes, they usually don't go very far. They might rent an apartment somewhere, but almost always it's going to be close to their parents and siblings. And for every special holiday, such as Independence Day and Christmas, they will all get together to celebrate. This includes aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents.. everyone! They do the same thing when somebody in the family has a birthday :) And when somebody is sick or going through a hard time - no matter if it's somebody in his immediate or extended family - they will always pay him a visit. In the US we don't see this as much.. the main reason being that everybody in the family lives so far away from each other. I like the way it is here, though. Everyone is always there for each other- even if the person is not in your immediate family!"

Sniffling for Jesus?

For those that know me, I pretty much sign any letter with "Smiling for Jesus, Sarah Beth". Well, these past few days, my heart has been smiling but my face... not so much. : ( I've been sick since Wednesday and in bed since Thursday afternoon. Since I have a fever, my mom won't let me out of the house! And the fever messes with my mind and gives me the weirdest nightmares ever! So, this is me yesterday in bed...

"Ugh! This stupid headache! I can't think (sniff) and this dumb cold! Oh... I wish this medicine would kick in! (I roll over SEVERAL times, trying to get comfy) And this retarded back ache! Oh, and I just hate this fever!..." My tirade went on for a while. I was alone in my room... and I just let it all out! See, I had strep throat a year ago... and so my body is weak to that germ... or something. So, my throat is all swollen and I'm afraid to eat cause I think I'll choke! But I guess my greatest frustration was this: because of my being sick, I missed Wed. night church, wasn't very lucid during my discipleship time on Thursday (I'm discipling a precious 13 year-old), I missed Thursday night church, missed my teen girl's class Friday night(the one I TEACH!), missed visitation this morning, missed another discipling time this afternoon (a 16 year-old girl), AND I'm gonna miss the family activity this evening! (I'm praying I can go to church tomorrow!)

Poor Sarah, right? Let's all show pity and compassion... NO! Please don't... cause it was in the midst of my listing every possible reason for being unhappy when the Lord whispered, "Who is this from?" Boy, will that make you shut-up! I'll try to write out the "dialogue" that then took place...

"Well, Lord, I would imagine that it is from You?" (notice the question mark)

"All things work together for good to them that love God"

"Yes, I understand that. But, now I'm in bed instead of ministering and counseling those young ladies!"

"What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. "

"Ok, so You're trying to teach me something. But, Father... because of this headache, I can't read my Bible for long, and because of this medicine I'm drowsy all the time! How can you teach me something if I'm just laying in bed moaning and groaning?"

"In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."

"Oh."

(I was quiet then... for a while)

"So, Lord, what was it You wanted to teach me?"

Then, suddenly, I knew. I was shocked and stunned with His message. He showed me, as only God can, exactly what it was in my life that caused Him grief. It was then, with tears streaming down my face that I confessed and turned again to Him.

For those who are truly seeking Christ, it doesn't have to be a sin of enormous proportions, it can just be a slight distancing or a way of thinking that nudges us away from His side, yet, that alone is enough to bring grief and repentance. Now, I'm not saying that I'm a spiritual guru, for using Job's words," if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse." No, it is not me... it is all about God. For those that truly want Him and long to please Him, He will show them the way. "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."

I guess my point is this, God wants us to do His will more than we want to do His will. If you're

doing something that keeps you from His best, He'll show you. Sometimes it takes us being flat on

our back to listen. Yes, I still have a fever, headache, achy back, and all the other joys of being

sick. But something inside of me is resting, trusting, hoping, and loving. My Father loves me enough

to correct me... this verse if my comfort, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is

stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

Yes, Father, I trust. I love you. Thank you for Your gentle correction and Your living discipline. More than ever before, I devote myself to You.

Curious??

Hey there!

So, I had a question from a blogger friend, Emily. She asked, "What is it like being a MK in Peru?" Now, in this blog I haven't done alot of personal blogging... just because! So, this is your chance to get a peak at my life in another country! Please comment and let me know of any questions you might have of our ministry, family, goals, food, culture, etc. Oh, and when I answer your questions... I'll add a link to the person with the most creative question! (i.e. "What do you eat?" would NOT qualify as a creative question!! lol )

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with! : )

Smiling for Jesus,

Sarah Beth