Sara

Well, this shouldn’t be as long as Matt’s- ha! J My words are often ineloquent and jumbled, but here is a feeble attempt to summarize (in abbreviated form) 23 years:

I was born and raised in Lebanon County, PA. We lived in the city of Lebanon until I finished 6^th grade, and then my parents decided to make the move into the country (at the time, I thought they were so mean!). Mishs Mill Rd will always be “home,” the place to which I love (and long) to return. It holds memories of snow falls, prom after-parties, the “neighbor boy,” long nights with friends immersed in Calculus, and wonderful holiday get-togethers with big families. It’s amazing how, when growing up, you can’t wait to get away; now, I find myself counting down the days until I get to return to 17038.

Emily and Elizabeth are my two younger sisters, 19 months apart. Emily just started her first year at Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. She’s intelligent, has a creative mind, and good taste in music. Liz is a senior at Annville-Cleona High School where she majors in socializing- just kidding. J But really, Liz is the “social butterfly” of the three of us. She’s the “life of the party,” and usually serves as the comic relief of our family (Jeremiah?)! She calls herself the “favorite,” but calls me “Boss” (as long as she knows who’s in charge!)!! The three of us have shared a room since we moved into our little house on Mishs Mill. We’ve not only shared each others clothes (or used to, because I think some of us now operate on the “You-owe-me-a-dollar-for-not-asking” system.), but we’ve also shared in each other’s lives- whether we liked it or not; it was forced community. Mom always said we’d be ready for college roommates.

My mom, Deb, is a warrant officer in the Army National Guard. (Join us in praying that she isn’t ordered overseas.) She likes to run, sew, and pet the dog (kidding about the last one). Mom and I look alike; Matt describes her as “Sara in 22 years.” We share our love for coffee, running, dark chocolate, and babies.

My dad, Dave, owns a Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning business. He’s always up for a laugh (and when he does, you will hear him…possibly from the next house over!) and loves to spend time fishing, hunting, & planning family vacations around good fishing spots & Bass Pro Shops. He’s a good story-teller, likely because of his exaggerating tendencies! J

In 2002, I graduated from Annville-Cleona High School, located in the same small town as Lebanon Valley College (where Matt went to college). I attended & graduated from Eastern University (St. Davids, PA) in 2006 where I poured my energy into Biblical Studies and Psychology. My time in college was my crisis & formative “season”- although I suppose the two often go together. Two of my years I served as an RA in the dorms- which I loved. My final year of college, I spent a semester at Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs, which was incredible! That was my “healing” season, and can be recapitulated through Sara Groves’ song, “Something Changed.”

Matt & I met for the first time at a psychology conference at Eastern. My friend Trina and I were running the registration table, and she introduced me to him when he arrived. Sure, he seemed nice, I just was not interested—not in any man! I was one of those girls who enjoyed being single—possibly too much. J Right after we graduated from college in May of 2006, Trina kept insisting that I just HAVE to meet Matt. To get her off my back, I told her I’d go out with Matt under one condition—she had to tell him that I was moving to Wilmore in two months. Surely, I thought, that would do it. She groaned, but agreed. The next morning when I woke up, she had this undeniable grin on her face. She asked me if I had ever heard of Wilmore, Kentucky; I thought she was kidding. She told me that Matt’s brother, Mike, lived there with his wife, but I didn’t believe her because no one really lives in Wilmore! J But, I did make an agreement with her, so the three of us went out for the first time on June 1^st.

From there, everything with Matt was a natural progression. It wasn’t awkward, it was drama-free, and he made me laugh (the antithesis of dates with other guys). I would describe my relationship with Matt in one word: transforming. Through this, I’ve learned what it means to give of myself and put someone else’s interest before my own. He compliments me in so many ways and, bluntly stated, makes up for my lack! There is nothing I want more than to share my life & love with this man!

In August of 2006 I began the journey towards my M.A. in Clinical Counseling at Asbury Theological Seminary (Wilmore, KY). I am currently still going to school there full time, as well as working in the counseling center at Asbury College. I baby-sit and clean houses on the side. J

If all goes according to plan, I will graduate from ATS in December 2008. I’m hoping to work in student development in higher education, but also work towards counseling licensure for the state of Pennsylvania.