This Next Season

In three days, my room mate and I move into our looong awaited new apartment.
In seven days I start a new job.

Our apartment is on a quiet side street, across the street from a school and a park.
My new job is as an admin assistant, I'll be sitting at a desk, working Monday - Friday, 9 to 5.

I've been on the run for six months now: Ontario, California, camp, Ontario, couch surfing everywhere and anywhere in between...
I've grown accustomed to living out of duffle bags and rubber maids.
I regularly keep a stash of canned tuna, bread, granola bars and apples in my car.

Sarah Hill, once willing and proud to be on the run, flexible, sporadic, impulsive, living life on the run... is looking forward to a season of stability which is just around the bend.
I'm looking forward to baking and taking walks. To sleeping in on Saturdays and being able to go to church every Sunday. To know my work schedule weeks, even months (!) in advance!
To have a job that doesn't involve my heart in an intense way for a season.
To rest.
To breathe.
To enjoy people and relationships.
To be part of a community of people who love God.
To slow down.
To process what has happened, what is happening and to prepare for what is ahead.

Thank you Lord for this season ahead!
I trust your leading and am anticipating great things!

The Sex Industry: The Real Problem

As I was in the airport today, I wandered into the shop that is completely devoted to tabloids, magazines and newspapers. 

If "what is going on in this world?" is the question, this store must have all the answers.

I couldn't help but be drawn to the head line "Sex Isn't Selling", and my immediate thought was "Are you crazy? Where are you living, sex sells everything in this culture."

It was a business magazine.

It was reporting on the sex industry in America. The first paragraph documented a mother asking her son if he pays for pornography - not the issue of if he looks at it, but if he pays for it.

Anybody today can take part of the sex industry today and not have to pay for it.

This is a problem in the business world. Because of the easy access to free pornography online, producers are losing money on their sex business.  As a result, there are lay offs. Producers, actors/actresses and make up artists are losing money. The recommendation is for people to "get out of the business as soon as you can". 

Another point was brought up. Since sex is so readily available everywhere from food commercials to bus stop signs to television and window displays, it's loosing its' shock factor. Its' racy-ness. Its' curiosity factor. What would have been shocking to see in the 90s is a regular occurrence today, therefore people aren't as drawn to the product being advertised. 

This is another problem in the business world. Out culture is numb to sex. How in the world are they going to sell products now?

Does anyone else see the REAL problem here?

Our culture has completely voided the sex industry itself as a problem... and now the problem is that the sex industry itself isn't bringing in enough money.

The sex industry kills men from the inside out.

The sex industry manipulates women to think they need to be something in order to receive love.

The sex industry nullifies God's beautiful gift to us of sexuality.

That's the real problem folks.

Please get real about life, Canadian Business magazine. Money isn't the ultimate. 

We need to recognize peoples' hearts. 

Five Months in Review!

HELLO!
It's been five months, and I've been MIA to much of the world. On one hand I rejoice, it's been lovely, but on the other hand I am sorry for being away! And on my imaginative third hand, I have MISSED blogging! Oh my! There is something about 'publishing' thoughts - it affirms something in my heart. So, along with a newly styled blog, I'm back. Feel free to be here with me!
It's been a summer!

I went to California - San Fran, LA, Laguna, Newport, San Clemente and everything on the I-5 inbetween, with two now dear friends Anna and Nancy! The weather was a bummer because of the Iceland Volcano believe it or not, which made for crummy camping and crummy surfing. But, alas, God is faithful to teach in all situations and it was a joy to experience His creation down the coast. Unfortunately this also meant experiencing the obnoxiously ridiculous amounts of urban development in Southern California which I am just fine with never visiting again. It's not all that Hollister tees make it out to be, folks. San Fransisco was awesome - I will be back there one day to wander the coffee shops and drive up and down those crazy hilled streets lined with magnificent Victorian architectured homes! It's a very romantic city, lots of character! Next time I'll be sure to creep on the Full House home...

Moving.

After a fancy night of fine food
and dancing!

Back to Vancouver for a week included packing up my apartment and moving everything to storage units, friend's houses and Andrew's closet. It was a whirlwind and it felt great to downsize the "stuff" I'd accumulated in 16 months of living in Vancouver. It was my goal to not have to pay for storage over the summer, and my stuff was distributed between 3 friends' homes! Lots of time was spent with Andrew as I was about to move to Vancouver Island for 4 months...



Camp Qwanoes, Vancouver Island.
What a life chapter. 
I remembered loving rural community. Non-city landscape. Trees, stars, ocean, mountains. Simple life. Little farms and plenty of wild flowers, vegetable farms and berry picking. Slow movement. Rivers and lakes. Wild life.

Nicki, myself and Amanda

Camp is always fun - living in community with dozens of other young adults who love Jesus and are seeking him and how to follow him better. It was an adjustment, being in my mid-twenties and feeling very independent in a very shared living space and routine.
I was at camp for two months before campers arrived, being a part of the developing team, getting the camp ready and hosting guest groups and retreats.  My role this summer was Assistant Head Counsellor, which was essentially leading and supporting the 80+ female counselors with my two dear sistas Amanda and Nicki. They are phenomenal women to work and do life with, what a joy! Also: Alicia Marshall - a joy, a sister-friend, a support, a giggle and heart mesher, thank you for being my friennndddd!
It was new for me to step back from the front lines of working with youth and to lead and support staff. But WOW what a sweet time it was - the women that God had at Camp Qwanoes this summer are top choice, strong, compassionate, gentle women who passionately love God and are following His call for their lives! 

Laura Hill, folks!

My sister Laura was one of these fantastic ladies! I just gotta do a shout out to her 'cause she's awesome. It was so sweet to have family around this summer. I've been out and about adventuring for years and while God has given me rad friends who are like family to walk along the way with me, nothing beats good ol' Hill spunk - I love Laura Meredith Hill. I'm so proud of the woman she is becoming and her zest for life! She was a crazy awesome counselor and is straight up G. I love her!
Seester, you rock my world, thanks for being in BC this summer!


What a summer of restoration.
I was so scared to enter back into ministry this summer after last year's terrible burnout. 
I learned how God delivers us from our fears. 
I really learned to trust Him and soar under the shadow of His wings. He raised me up and restored me. 
I am now staring at forgiving some things from last year, and what that means. 
I learned how His truths identify and blast out lies that Satan tries to deceive us with. 
I've learned about being truthful, even in the little things, the sarcastic, seemingly innocent things. 
How living under God's authority brings freedom. 
This summer was such a growing season for me and I'm only beginning to look back and reflect on what God's done! 
 "I have called you back from the ends of the earth,
      saying, ‘You are my servant.’
   For I have chosen you
      and will not throw you away.
 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
      Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
   I will strengthen you and help you.
      I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."
                                   -Isaiah 41:9-10


Andrew + Sarah = LOVE!

Andrew popped outta the bushes
and surprised me on my
birthday! 

Five months of not living in the same city... done and done!
What a summer of strengthening and growth. And wretched apartness. 
About 5000 texts, hours of phone calls and ferry commuting, dozens of letters written and received and $452.00 in phone bills later... and we love each other more than ever, haha!
Andrew was my biggest support this summer, faithful and strong, honest and real. His commitment and support to me is a true gift from God and I am so grateful for the man that he is. We're excited to see what this next season will hold! 
(He's glad I'm back!!)


All that to say... this is life! 
To all those who held me in their thoughts and prayers this summer - THANK YOU! I was seriously carried by God's grace these past five months and I am so thankful for you.
I'm back in Vancouver now, heading to Ontario for the last week of the month, then back to a new job and new apartment and stepping forward, eyes on God.


Peace yo.