This is officially my first blog, and I have no idea how one is supposed to being these things. So let’s dive in, shall we?
My name is Sarah Patterson, I am 23 years of age, born and raised in Abbotsford, British Columbia (that’s about 15 minutes from Bellingham, WA). My mom, Janice, seems to have been made to love others. Her ability to care for the foster children that have walked through our doors astounds me. She is an intelligent woman who loves to learn and has the capacity to remember the most strange, minute facts (which makes her a very formidable board game opponent!). She also loves to cook, which is great, because I like to eat! My father, Bill, whom my brother and I call Papa, is a wonderfully industrious man with a knowledge of machinery and construction that fills me with pride. He has a very strong work ethic, and has always done all that he can to provide for us. He is an outdoorsman at heart, and loves to fish. When my brother and I were younger, we often went with him on trips into the bush. He taught me how to bait a hook, gut a fish, shoot a shotgun, start a fire, pitch a tent, and many other useful things that have expanded my knowledge and fondness of the outdoors. My brother, Justus, is two years older than I am. He has a deeply inquisitive mind and an ease around people of all sorts. He has a caring, playful nature and a wry sense of humor that made him a wonderful companion while we were growing up. Even though we fought like dogs at times, I knew that if I ever needed someone, my brother was there to help. I have a giant mutt of a dog named Java and an aloof cat named Finnegan. I am blessed to have an amazing group of friends, especially my best friend whom I have been friends with since we were four years old. Her name is Ariane, and she is a wise, strong, godly woman who inspires me to be a better person and can make me laugh like no one else.
My family has done foster care since I was nine years old, and it has been an amazing experience from which to learn about the human potential for hurt and love, and even more to learn about the need for the healing power of God’s love. It is probably one of the biggest reasons I chose to pursue the education I did. I graduated this year from the University of the Fraser Valley with my Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Visual Arts. I loved school, and am looking forward to going back in the fall of 2011 to do my training to become an Art Therapist.
I love to bake so much that at times when school was difficult I dreamt about dropping out and getting a job in a bakery so I could measure, mix, and pour until my hearts content! I love anything to do with the outdoors because I find that in nature I am constantly moved by God’s creativity and thoughtfulness. I love to run. My spare time is often filled with family, friends, painting, reading, and daydreaming. I love film photography, and spent many happy hours in the darkroom during univeristy. I like to sing loudly, laugh as much as possible, and I am most definitely a morning person. I like to think I can do things on my own, but lately God has been making sure that I am aware I need Him every step of the way.
I can’t wait to see what God has in store for all of us this coming year! I am really looking forward to getting to meet everyone at training this coming week.
My brother and I being our silly selves!
My best friend Ariane and I this past Valentines Day – baking cookies!
