   adventure... excitement... travel... joy... Sarah’s Life…
Dear Friends and Family,
Greetings to all of you! I hope you are alive and well, and allowing the Lord to bless you through a wonderful thing we call “life”. Experience God’s creation of this world and thank Him for such beauty. He made it for you, and for you to enjoy it. This brings me to the next step in my writing you. I would like to simply just tell you how I am and what I have been up to. Of how I have been enjoying and maximizing my life through the very beauty I was just writing about. Since my time returning from Swaziland, Africa last summer in '05, a lot of cool things has happened that makes me so full of joy. Firstly, last summer I spent my time at home and watched my dear little nephew each day, which I had a blessed time doing. This was good for me considering I hardly see my family while in and out of college. Breaks are usually short on time, and with other breaks adventure awaits me. Life is too short and you got to live it up. I don’t think God wants us to be boring in nature, or bored by everything. Now I am ready to share with you the ways I am living up my life!
Though last summer provided me with wonderful experiences and precious memories in Africa, and the joy of spending time with my nephew, it also was a very hard time in those same moments. I had to say goodbye to my best friend as she had graduated from Southeastern University and went back to her home country-Venezuela. I never thought that coming to school would be so life-changing yet also traumatic. I also never imaged the person I made myself closest with would be from a completely different country. There were many downs that surrounded me by having to let her leave for the time being, but I also have now seen the two bright sides to this story that I can be thankful for! J One-Venezuela is at the tip of South America, so it is only a three-hour flight from Florida (which is where I am currently located). that's not too bad. Second- it’s another country I have a reason to visit and see!! Since most of you know, I seem to like to travel. So I thank God for my friend and sister Fernanda for many things. “...for the joy of the LORD is your strength…” Nehemiah 8:11
After summer '05 I traveled back down to Florida for school. I found myself surrounded by some of the most awesome girls as my roommates. I was blessed in a different way with each of these girls. One of them also having the same name as me, Sarah, rides a motorcycle and I got to have my share of experiences on that, which was exuberating! Then my other suitemate Ashley also plays the guitar and sings, so we got the opportunity to share in worship together in our room and also in another setting that I will mention soon. My actual roommate that was in my room with me, her name is Ericka. She was put in charge to be the International Gala Coordinator by the Missions Club.
The International Gala is something that Southeastern’s Missions Club puts on once a year. It is an imitation of different countries. We wear traditional costumes from each country that we have gone to; and we make food that represent the famous meals of each country. We decorate by all means to make it look as realistic as possible. This year students walked through street markets, and a enacted persecuted underground church. They then filed into the gymnasium to go to prayer tables to pray. As the students came into the gymnasium to pray my suitemate Ashley and I had the greatest opportunity to lead them into soft intimate worship. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. Psalms 86:9 
Ashley and I prepared for this with many songs. That night we got what we never expected. The last song we played became a blowout grand finale to this time of worship. I was in the middle of playing and singing a song and as I led, the Worship Choir and band came up to prepare for a song. Suddenly, unplanned, they started to join in with the song I was playing. Then the musicians picked up the chords by ear and instrument after instrument joined in. This night was so uniquely orchestrated by God. We all ended this quiet time with an explosive touch of the spirit.
That night was special to me considering I've only ever led worship for small settings, let alone hundreds of Southeastern students and staff. This was something I always desired, but never imagined it becoming possible. My roommate thoughtfully suggested me to play when many others are much more talented than little ol' me. Sharing in that experience at the Gala has brought me much joy to see the ways God chooses to use me when I least expect it. In between two phenomenal semesters this past school year I did get the chance to go to Venezuela this past Christmas break. I visited there for three weeks and flew all on my lonesome; this was my first time flying into a foreign country without a team and other people. I had an awesome time enjoying the company of my missed friend. I got to go to the highest mountain in the Andes through the world’s  longest cable car system. I drove to the highest point one can drive in vehicle. I went to several theme parks that teach you about Venezuela and the type of people they are. I also went to and stayed at my friend’s parent’s farm in the middle of a tropical like atmosphere. You have to park and then hike 20 minutes to the little house. This was neat and definitely different! But it was good. To conclude all that I got to stay at my friends house with her family and get to know them all better while learning quick Spanish. I had a very good time there and hope to go back again sometime. It was a trip I will never forget, though it is hard to forget any of the trips I have been on. They are life changing, even just to visit with a friend in a different country then yours!
After participating in Gala and going to Venezuela, I have now left for summer break with straight A’s and a 4.0 for this semester! Now I am not saying this to brag, but it is a record for me. Not ever in my life have I made straight A’s. I barely graduated from high school because of my grades. God is doing such a work and has shown Himself faithful the more I have remained faithful to Him. I’m so glad He doesn’t reject us after our first mistake, yet we deserve it. But through His grace and His mercy we are free to live and free to choose and free to accept His glorious salvation and forgiveness. I love the feeling of completeness, and He is the only one that can do it for us.
Currently, I've chosen to stay here in Lakeland, FL and work at Southeastern in the Admissions Department for the summer. I assist in the Masters, Adult Continuing Education, and International Counseling programs. I seek to take this summer and pour much of myself into my church with whatever service I can provide them with. I presently preach once a month on Sunday nights, help trade off leading worship, and actively participate in the Drama team. God has been teaching me so much, but I love it! I am learning. And that, my friends, means growth.
God Bless You-With Love, Sarah Morris   | 
