Hodge Podge of Randomness

School is going really good! I really like it! Especially Sign and Art! I am excited, I also signed up for an Institute class! It is AWESOME! It's The Pearl of Great Price class and last week was just cool! The Spirit was very strong and I feel I learned a lot! I'm glad I followed the impression to take this specific class, on this specific day. Randomly, it is a class of the "fuddy duddies" to quote a friend, which is to say, a class of folks all over 25. There are only 12 of us, and 6 of them are married couples taking the class together, along with 2 guys that are married and taking it without the wife, and the rest are myself and 2 other single girls. It's really nice not to be around the younger singles crowd. Not that I don't like them, I'm just in a completely different place in my life right now.

I'm a little late on the uptake with Institute. Sad I know. I've been told that I should be taking Institute classes and I know that this is one area, that I have slacked in. My main excuse for not always going, was, I wasn't ever a "student". I did however take an occasional night Institute class, which was better than nothin'. I am now 29, and feel a desire to go the Institute now more than ever. Maybe it's because I am actually a student? And the fact that President Monson, has asked for 18-30 year old's to "make institute a priority." There are a lot of blessings promised if you participate in Institute, see look here

Well, I don't know how to transition away from those thoughts, so... new subject time :)

Making the Temple a priority! I have jumped in with both feet when it comes to trying to socialize with the 25 plus singles crowd. I organize a monthly Temple trip, where we carpool up, share the cost of gas, and then hit up a fun local Mesa/Gilbert/Chandler restaurant for lunch. The first month, we had 8 people go, this last weekend, I know it was a holiday, but it was only myself and another girl. I want the Temple to always be a priority for me, so I'll keep up with organizing these trips. I think it's a great opportunity to meet new people, have good conversation, eat good food, and most importantly SERVE in the House of the Lord! I really hope more people join in for future trips. (Im a organizin' a book club for the same singles crowd too.) There's also another big event in the works for 25+ singles, a hike up Mt. Lemmon. Which I'm totally excited for.

I'm excited, because today I went on a 4 mile hike with T&G, and our friends Dallin and Dave. It was really nice! Hard in some places, because come on people, I am not in good shape, but it was really beautiful, and really cool! I was so proud of me! I did the whole thing, I didn't give up, so let me say it again, I WENT ON A 4 MILE HIKE!!!

I want it to be the jump start I need to get into shape. Because I really enjoyed it! FYI: I'm going to start walking/jogging again and swimming more. I want to be an active mom in the future, and I can't do that the way I am now. You know, the not in shape thing kinda hinders adventuring. It's really nice to see the timing of it all and the fact the Lord does answer prayers. I've been praying for a desire to change my health habits, so I usually eat good and healthy, no fast food, and I only eat out on occasion with friends. It only makes sense that by working out too, a healthier me should totally emerge. Yay healthy Sarah!

Also, this holiday weekend has rocked! I got to go to the Temple, spend time with friends, go the King Tut exhibit, eat some homemade ice cream, go to the car show. I spent time with my nephews, playin' with some Legos, went to church, taught about Temples in Primary, made some tasty meatloaf, played Hoopla! (the BEST game ever! :), ate some more homemade ice cream, this time, honey ginger flavor, had some really good conversation, had pumpkin pancakes, hiked in the chilly mountain air and topped it all off with some super tasty chocolate gilato. (so maybe this weekend wasn't my best "eating healthy" weekend, bwhahaha) and a nap. Alright, I've also gone over homework and reading assignments for school, but that just wasn't as fun as the rest of the stuff I did this weekend, so it only gets a minor mention ;)

I also learned this weekend a few things about what I am looking for in my Ore. Temple worthy! Temple attending! Service oriented! Likes to talk, and the funniest thing I realized though, is I really need to find some who loves to teach. Not necessarily a teacher, but just someone who won't get annoyed with all of the questions I ask. Cause I realize, I ask A LOT of questions! And really, it might get annoying if he isn't someone who likes to converse, you know, have the conversations that you can be a teacher and a student. Which I really think this life is all about, learning and teaching, but that thinking is going to be it's own post *wink*

I read a questionnaire a few weeks ago about Mormon dating... one of the questions was, "what are three deal breakers in who you would date (besides not being temple worthy)?" It took me a while to come up with some, but I thought, hey, why not share with you all what I feel are my "deal breakers". It'll help me if you have insight on this subject as well, so feel free to comment :)

One: He doesn't have a desire to LIVE. He is content with where life is taking him and he has no desire to or is not willing to direct his own paths or to move upward, he is content on level ground.
Two: He is not a hard worker. He is okay not giving his all.
Three: He doesn't want to, or doesn't like to talk about the Gospel. He doesn't recognize or appreciate that it is in every aspect of his life.

Does that make me to picky? I think not. I don't think in this case I am asking to much, because I do feel that I try to do all of these things. It's not the, "well you can't ask for it in someone else, if you don't do it yourself" kind of thing. I really feel like I try to live, work hard, and recognize and appreciate the Gospel in my life, and try is the key word here. As long as he is trying, that's what matters.

Now onto thoughts about my calling... Since I have started receiving callings in church, around 21, they have usually only lasted about a year at a time. It's weird. I have either moved out of a ward, boundaries have changed so the ward had to be re vamped, or I just get a new calling at that year mark. My year mark for my primary calling is coming up this month... I wonder if something is going to change? Just a thought to throw out there. I'll let ya know if it does.

Also, where should I live? I recognize I still need to be in Tucson. It makes the most sense right now and feels right. School is cheaper, my mom and sister/family are here and I'm having some pretty fun life adventures, so I don't want to leave right away, but, I also don't want to live here forever. I am pretty open to trying a new place. I do love Arizona, so maybe another city here? I also love Utah, but hey, I might also love Missouri, or New Hampshire, or Texas, or Ohio... I'll have to think about this one later... I'm single and my options are almost limitless. We'll see how the next year or two plays out.

Well, I think that is a good hodge podge of randomness for one night. Until next time. Here are some of the thoughts going on my my noggin' that will probably be in future posts: the Second Coming; being prepared and why we need to be. My evolution; how life experiences have made me a different person, and the idea that life is really about being a student and a teacher.

See ya next post.