Monday, March 22, 2010

p.s.

p.s. I didn't get the blogging column, but I'm actually really thankful for it now. I am so not organized enough right now for that to have been a success and not a stress, so it's TOTALLY a good thing.

p.p.s. Said crush is kinda slow on the uptake. If nothing ends up happening, it is for sure NOT because I haven't tried. I have gone out of my comfort zone on multiple occasions. Who knows, maybe that's what I was supposed to learn, go out of my comfort zone, it's ok to do that sometimes... it's like you grow or something when you try something new? haha.

p.p.p.s. I am going to go to NEW HAMPSHIRE for the summer!!! hehehe. I am soooooooooooo EXCITED!!! My friend Megan invited me out to visit, so I jumped on that band wagon real quick and she and her hubby, the amazing Mathias, have decided to let me stay with them for the summer! Mid May-mid August. I have always wanted to see New England and what better time than now!? I'm going stop and visit family on my way out, use my cosmetology license and work in a shop, maybe look into working at a diner or something too and take the summer to learn some new stuff! It's pretty much going to be the best summer ever!

Ok, that's all my p.s.'s for now :)

Monday, March 8, 2010

New Mantra!

I started a new job in September 2008 a few months after moving back up to Salt Lake. It was a job that I've done before and knew how to do well. I was ready to leave the catering company that I worked for and head back into health care which I love.

This job came so easy! Really, really easy! One day I got a call seeing if I wanted to go in for an interview. I hadn't even put in an application. A friend from my ward had told her supervisors about the experience I had and that I was looking for another job. I went in, interviewed well and started the following week. I wondered and still wonder about the timing of it all. I am in awe of a kind and loving Heavenly Father who puts us in the best places for each of us to learn and grow.

Learning and growing are for sure in progress! Working where I do is opening up a lot of doors, not opening doors in the aspect of moving up in the company, which I am ok with at the moment, but in the aspect of seeing how I can be a better person through being more "open" to the doors that I may come across. In regards to people, places, and things.

Doors within my own thinking, within my own heart, within my own actions. I want to evaluate my life and the things that are around me in hopes to have a better perspective on what more the Lord would have me do with the situations and surroundings around me.

I've realized that this adventure of "finding my ore" didn't come by chance at this time of my life. I know now that the literal finding will happen in the Lord's timing, but the preparing myself spiritually, mentally, and physically for the task of building a ship is in my hands now.

I think this blog will continue to be a place for me to write my spiritual progression rather than my dating life. Which, is so much more interesting in the long run anyway *wink* I'm sure there will be some comments on my dating life in here somewhere, but I'll focus on the aspect of bettering myself so I can then better the world around me. I ask myself how can I teach something or be an example of something if I haven't experienced or am not living it myself?

Which brings us in a long round about way to my new mantra... I want to be living a life and be the type of person who is able to Love Openly and Serve Willingly!

It's weird, I started this post with my thoughts being on patience and timing and then look what it turned into. It's now a hodgepodge of randmoness. Eh, it helped me to open up some thinking, maybe it will somehow randomly do that for you too. haha.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Faith is an ACTION word

So...

There has been a lot of personal revelation recently regarding my faith. Where I need strengthening, realizing that I need to take some steps into the dark, knowing that my Heavenly Father will give the further light. I really want to understand, aka "try", the part of Faith that makes it an action word.

It's really funny, I just got home from work at 12:15am and I was in my room. Riley, my brother, came in and was chuckling and said that there was a recorded BYU Education week episode that is Perfect for me! He wouldn't tell me what it was, he just told me I needed to watch it. I didn't know what to expect, it was Riley telling me and he was chuckling. I figured it was from BYU television, so it wouldn't be bad, but what would be "perfect" for me? Interest was peeked, so I headed into the front room to watch it.

The address was given by Brother Brent Barlow in 2006. It's titled "For LDS Single Adults: Choosing a Marriage Partner" It was AWESOME in it's entirety, but there was one funny quote he gave that just applies so well to acting (on faith) while dating. And since dating is going to be a part of finding my ore, I've decided to do more of it!

This is the quote: "God cannot steer a parked car."

God cannot steer a parked car!!! How funny again is it that my physical car is literally parked? Literally. When taking other forms of transportation, I have to physically walk far away, and sometimes run, to catch the bus/trax.

I've been continually prompted to act, so I'm going to try and ACT. If I want to do something on a Friday night and haven't been asked out yet, I'll do some askin'! I don't think I have said this in previous posts, the asking part (actually defining it as a date, not just "hanging out" part) is out of my comfort zone. I'm thinkin' though... I'm gonna have fun! Maybe all I need is practice. Practice does make perfect I hear. wink.

I am going to be stepping in the dark right now. I do know that the light will come as I'm taking the first step, after I've taken a few steps, or after I've stood in the dark feeling around for a little bit. I know it will come though. I just need to step.

Funny little side note that just popped in my head: The type of mining I picture is the "back in the day" mining. Before they had a lot of the technology they have now. It was really dark when a person started mining. Not until after experience were there lights placed. The mountain then became lit up enough to find what they were looking for.

I don't want to be the type of miner that just blows up the mountain to find what I'm looking for. I want to experience finding my way in the dark a little bit and have faith in the placement of the light(s) to find exactly what I'm looking for. Ok, not "exactly", but "close enough". (read "Fanny's Dream", by Caralyn and Mark Buehner).

That was a fun little side note and I will be thinking about that a lot more...

Anywho.

There is the coolest opportunity to help me with the "stepping in the dating dark". The Desert News here in Utah has a website called MormonTimes.com They just sent an email out through the Institute that they are looking for 20 something year old to write a weekly dating blog. Hello! I'm doing that right now! How cool is that?!

It's a contest to start out with. There will be "advancing" to the next round. The deadline for entries is Feb 26 and the winner will be announced April 30. What's in it for the winner you ask?: "She or he will get thousands of readers with a permanent columnist spot on our Web site, as well as a bit of dating money for each weekly blog. Still not enough? She or he will also be awarded with a weekly deadline!"

Yet another adventure to help me grow! Who knows what will happen, but I know I'll have fun! Wish me luck! Ok, and maybe a few prayers won't hurt either. *grin*

Love,
Me

Sunday, January 31, 2010

A bit of learning

Since my last post a bit has happened on both fronts of "being" and "finding". Let me essplain.

"Being": Again, while reading my scriptures on the trax... side note: I JUST realized this whole not having a car thing (my car broke down the first week of January), which has caused me to ride said trax a lot, has also given me an opportunity to be read my scriptures more while on the train. So maybe, just maybe, it's a blessing to have a broken car!

Ok, back to what I was getting to. I came across a verse of scripture that hit me in regards to where I want to be in life. Here goes...

2 Ne. 26:31

31 But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish.

My though process: I have debt that I really REALLY want to be paid off!!! I've recently realized that it could be a lot worse, but it still causes me stress, and I don't like it. I want to be financially successful, I want to be able to start a business if I want to without the worry of debt deterring me. I would prefer not having to live paycheck to paycheck which is what I've been doing since moving back to Salt Lake in the summer of '08. In 2009, I made almost 1/2 as much as I made in 2007 working full time in Tucson. Now I know why 2009 seemed a little harder than the year before. It was!

I am plugging right here, right now though: TITHING! 10%, that's how I survived last year. I had shelter over my head, food to eat, and my bills got paid. I know it's because the Lord blesses those who have done what He's asked. I went without a lot of wants, but hey, looking back now, I can't complain. I think I'm a better person for it. I've perfected my pasta sauce, tortillas, and wheat bread recipes because of it. Oh yeah, and I had multiple, Multiple, MULTIPLE experiences in being humbled. It was hard! I've realized though, what in life that is worth anything isn't hard? I still would prefer not being poor, just to clarify. haha.

My thought on the scripture verse though went something like this... "Wow, I really do think a lot about money!" I think about what I have to buy, what I can't buy, what bills I need to pay, what bills I can't pay right away, and how I can get more money.

So I ask(ed) myself, am I laboring for money or am I laboring for Zion?

I was looking up some scriptures on the subject of laboring and found this to be very applicable too:

2 Ne. 9: 51

51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

Zion! Zion is what I want to be laboring for! I don't want to be "spending" for that which is of no worth, nor laboring for that which cannot satisfy. I want to be pure in heart, I want to help build a place where the pure in heart can live, I want to be one heart and one mind with the Lord.

I have a long way to go, but I can see the path ahead of me. I know that by following the Holy One of Israel and feasting upon His Word, His Work, and His Glory that my soul will delight in fatness! Yay for fatness! I'm not sure I ever thought I would say that. ;) Seriously though, I'm so glad the path is in view!

Now onto "Finding": Over the last two months, I've had a desire to ADVENTURE! By adventure I mean, try new things that I haven't done before, things physically, mentally, and spiritually. These things may be out of my comfort zone, but I'm challenging myself to do them anyway. I want to experience life, live it, love it and find JOY in every aspect of it!

I totally took ballroom dance lessons! I let people in my bubble of physical comfort! There was also a mental thing I had to overcome with trying something new in front of people, but that's another post. Those of you who don't know me that well (or at all) need to understand that I don't like people touching me. We'll have to delve into the psychological reasons for this later, but I think it might have something to do with a certain sister who will remain nameless who would always pinch me. You know who you are! haha. I did however learn... I actually don't have of a problem with it like I thought I did. I'm thinking I just don't like people coming up to me and pinching me. So, folks no pinching!

I've decided to go on what I like to call Temple Adventures! I have a goal to go to every Temple in Utah and do an Endowment Session. Starting from the newest to the oldest. There are 13 Temples so it will take 6 1/2 months with me going every two weeks. So far, the Oquirrh Mountain and Draper Temples can be checked off the list. This weekend I'll be going to Vernal! I'm soooo excited! I LOVE the Temple!!! I find such peace in the Temple and have an insight there that I don't have anywhere else. With this whole "findin' my ore" adventure I'll be needing extra insight and peace. I can't knock trax though, revelation keeps coming there too. lol.

I've heard insanity defined as doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. So I've decided that if what I was doing before wasn't working in findin' my ore, that I would do something different so I wouldn't go insane.

I like a guy. I'm thinking I'm looking for the right type of ore. He's a good guy. His smile makes me smile! He's smart, he's nice, he does his home teaching and goes to the Temple regularly. We'll see if my pursuing actually yields any return. The more metal in the ore, the easier it is to find ya know. It shines! And boy do I like shiny things! I'm going to try something different this time and go after the shiny things instead of waiting for the shiny things to find me.

I'll let ya know how it goes. *wink* *wink*

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Clarification

So I re read my post and realized I sound a little more crazy than I really am. Don't get me wrong, I do want to be married, but it's not ALL I think about. I have work and a career to figure out too, but Marriage is a more interesting subject in my life right now. With that cleared up, now LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN :) haha

Explanation of Findin' My Ore

Let me first introduce myself and the craziness that is Sarah:
(and since this is the first post, it's gonna be a little long since I have to explain what I'm doing here)

I am 27, I love to cook, craft, and converse. I am the youngest of four with two older brothers and an older sister and a mom who loves us enough to put up with us all. I LOVE my family! Yes, we are odd, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I have three nephews and 2 nieces who I ADORE! Seeing these kids grow up is one of the most amazing and sweet experiences of my life. I just wished we all lived a little closer!

I was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but because of my own lack of testimony and understanding I didn't fully live up to the standards of the Gospel until my early 20's. The time when I made the decision to LIVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ was an "ah ha" moment. I knew that it wasn't a decision that I would have to make just the once, but a decision that I would have to continually make each and every day. I have never known such happiness since I made that decision to strive to be better!

So onto why this blog was created:
I was sitting on the Trax reading The Book of Mormon on my way home from work last week and a few versus of scripture stood out to me. So I re read them and while I was re reading them, the impression of the need to apply them in my life and the how that can be accomplished came to my mind. (This blog is going to open the can of worms which is Sarah and her thought processes, so if ya don't want to be traumatized by that, I recommend you stop reading here) *grin*

Ok, I need to back up. I want to let you in on where my thoughts are, have been, and are going. Simple fact about Sarah: I want to be a wife and a mother more than you can possibly comprehend. Over the last year and a half since I moved back up to Salt Lake I have had sooooo many amazing experiences which have helped me to understand a little more on how I can prepare to be a better wife and mother and I've been blessed to have learned a little of why this blessing hasn't come into my life yet.

I truly believe in the Lord's timing and the fact that He can see the BIG picture and has a complete understanding of ALL. He knows me and He knows what's best for me. He also knows how I learn and how I can apply His teachings into my life.

Hence the experience on the Trax while reading my scriptures. I started over at the beginning of the year in 1Nephi. I was in chapter 17 and while reading versus 7-10 I starting receiving the impressions that follow after the scriptures below. I didn't think about it to much that night, but was able to go to the Salt Lake Temple the next day and I re read the scriptures and thought about them during my time there. This is what they say:

7 And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land of Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me , saying: Arise, and get thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain, and cried unto the Lord.
8 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters.
9 And I said: Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools, to construct the ship after the manner which though hast shown unto me?
10 And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.

The Spirit prompted this thinking:
Mountain = House of the Lord
Ship = Eternal Family
Ore = Eternal Companion
Tools = Children

After having more than a week to think about this and talking to a few close friends about it, my thinking has slightly changed. At first I thought it was literal, well ok, kinda literal.
Lord, where can I find my Ore?
What mountain will I find the Ore in?
Where is the Ore?
Who is the Ore?
What do I need to extract the Ore?

The insight I got last night though has shifted my thinking of not only finding the ore, but how I can be better prepared for when the ore is to be found.
Am I in a place in my life where if the Lord asked me to get into the mountain, I would?
Am I listening for the Lord?
Am I taking action and going into the mountain?
Am I praying and calling on the Lord for His guidance?
Am I prepared to "construct" a ship in the manner which He has shown me through His scriptures and Prophets?

Pretty interesting huh? This blog will be an insight to my spiritual journey that encompasses learning from these versus of scripture and the mental and physical actions that I need to take to to FIND the Ore.

I'm hoping this is a fabulous adventure where I am a better person by going on it.
LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!


Love,
Me

p.s. this is an official disclaimer for Sarah's lack of proper use of grammar, punctuation, and any spelling mistakes. hehe