Life ... as it happens to Sarah

2010-10-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100266204&gt1=31009

Interesting read titled: For Happiness, Sitting in Church Beats Shopping at the Mall (no brainer!)

Update!

2010-10-17T19:04:00.001-07:00

I was just recently reminded that my blog hasn't been updated in quite sometime. So...I decided to do a quick summary of the past 10 months. I can't believe it's been 10 months since I've blogged... time is definitely flying. I am now just six classes away from graduation from HIU and I'm very excited about that! God has been incredibly good to me, as always, providing for me financially, spiritually and so faithful through every stressful situation of life.

In May of 2010 I debated moving into a cheaper apartment to ease up some of my expenses. During a hectic month of apartment searching and sitting down to figure out numbers, it ended up being cheaper to stay right where I was after calculating moving costs, deposits and the sacrifice of a smaller, generally older, place. After deciding to stay here, I added a few updates to my place I had been holding off on. Pictured are the new drapes!

I think they add so much to any room, especially my living room and bathroom! My friend Jessica who is also an interior designer, helped me choose the drapes and stayed up till 4AM helping me install them one weekend! :) We had a lot of fun drilling holes and measuring everything... memories for a lifetime!

In the beginning of August, I was the instigator in a rear-end accident involving me and two other cars. After driving home from Western District Camp Meeting in Santa Maria, CA, I was exhausted, drained and running off of 4 hours of restless sleep. I came home around noon on a Friday, and went straight to work. After a stressful afternoon, I left work a few minutes early to get a head start on a youth event taking place in Ontario that night. My mind was completely elsewhere which caused me to rear end the person in front of me while I was getting on the freeway. Unfortunately, because I did not have time to react or brace for the impact, my foot was still on the gas pedal when I crashed. CHP officers predicted my speed between 45-50mph. Needless to say, the damage was quite extensive, causing my airbags to deploy and my head to rip back and forth from whiplash. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. Besides some extensive bruising I received from the selt belt which prompted a visit to Urgent Care and ER the next day, no one else was seriously injured. Thank God for that! My TSX was ultimately totaled and then came the stress of purchasing a new vehicle. God completely provided for me and I was in another Acura just 3 weeks later. I've posted some pictures of the accident. Did you notice my airbag was pink?

Through the grace of God and His protection, I am okay. I honestly think the accident was an attention-grabber for me. I have a foolish tendency to run 100 mph constantly, quickly losing focus on the important and simple things of life. It has allowed me to be satisfied with an occasional weekend at home with nothing to do but relax. I have also learned how to exercise my "no" muscle more often. As much as I enjoy ministering through music, I've had to commit less to functions outside of my local church. This has been a sacrifice for me because it is my passion to sing! But God has allowed me to grow during this process and I have been trusting Him at a new level. It has reminded me yet again, God is in control!

Recently I had the privilege of attending the Hyphen tour. Hyphen is specifically designed for young adults ages 18-30 who are in that "in between" stage of life, right where I am. The two-day conference was life altering and has given me a new desire to be satisfied with the life God has given me right now, so that I can be reaching the community right around me. My childhood dream has always been to be a missionary in Africa. This conference reminded us that we are all missionaries, and our mission is where we are. There are just as many people who need Jesus right here in southern California, as there are in Africa. If I cannot do what I am called to do here, how would I ever do that in Africa? It would not happen. God has empowered our generation to be one full of applicable knowledge about Him that we have been commanded to share with the lost. I have to ask myself daily, "Am I doing everything I can to tell others about Jesus?"

I know God has great things planned for my future, but my focus is on the now. What can I do now to impact my community and mission field? I am dedicated to a higher calling that I am drawn to answer on a greater level because of what has taken place in the past 10 months of my life.

May you be encouraged to do more for God after reading this.

Abundant blessings,

~Sarah

twenty-ten

2010-01-03T20:42:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

I am so thankful 2009 is now a thing of the past. Although I had many great things take place last year, there were also experiences and moments that I would not want to repeat! God has been so incredibly merciful and has kept His hand on me time and time again. New opportunities have arrived to serve more in His kingdom at my church... and I am looking at a bright future ahead in the music department. I am aspiring to let prayer lead and guide my life at greater levels in twenty-ten. With God, possibilities are endless.

I am starting my seventh class at Hope International University tomorrow and I am hoping to be finished with my college career by the end of this year. It has been an eight year journey that I am looking forward to closing! :)

I pray blessings on each of you who read this and hope your 2010 is one of growth in Christ. Stay tuned for further updates (hopefully not several months from now). =)

It's been awhile...

2009-06-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

Well hello everyone! It's been forever since I've 'blogged'. Life has been on the fast pace since about 5 weeks ago when I started my first online class through Hope International University. I am enjoying the online world but it is definitely a whirlwind trying to keep up with the accelerating assignments. I hope the next 18 months FLY by and then I'll be walking away with a much sought after Bachelor's degree! (FINALLY!)

Living on my own has still been wonderful, even if at times it's really quiet! That atmosphere aids in my study habits tremendously and I am still thankful I moved when I did. The opportunity has been great and I know I've learned a lot about keeping a home and responsibility. Keeping track of all the bills and making sure everything gets paid has been somewhat of a challenge, but I'm doing alright so far! God has sufficiently provided for me each time when it gets down to the end of the month when things are tight!! :)

Looking forward to a choir tour this summer with the first time ever So Cal Youth Choir. This will be in late July. Very disappointed I couldn't participate in the WAY choir again, but I know they will have an amazing tour and move of the Spirit regardless!!

Stay tuned for further updates and pictures throughout the summer!

(Picture is from arrangements that were made for our graduation celebration through church at the Orange County Mining Co., June 5, 2009)

Day 2 of Beach

2009-03-13T22:19:00.001-07:00

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A gorgeous day at Laguna Beach!

2009-03-13T22:15:00.001-07:00

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Updated Photos

2009-03-06T22:39:00.001-08:00

House warming gift :)

2009-02-12T17:05:00.000-08:00

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Pics of the new pad....

2009-02-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

The BIG Move

2009-01-27T17:13:00.000-08:00

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." Henry David Thoreau

The time has come for the Big Move, my first time out of my parents house. There are so many feelings involved with the first move; worry, numerous emotions, excitement, exhilaration, liberation, but overall, just plain awesome-ness! It's nice to be able to decorate my own place and gather my own furniture and belongings, but at the same time, it is a huge responsibility that will take time in budgeting, coming up with meals, paying all the extra bills that I've never had to worry about, and most of all, building and creating character for myself, and only for me. I look forward to more prayer time without having to worry about disturbing anyone, and waking early to read my bible, too. Another plus is that I'll be just 5 miles from work, which will definitely benefit considering our busy tax season is just a few weeks away! I'm praying God will lead me to neighbors who need Him. I've already met a girl who I think would enjoy the college and career small group I attend. I plan on having meetings in the future at my house to make it so she and others can come!

I've been blessed to receive several furniture pieces and nice things from people at work and through family members and friends. (Especially Jessica & Tony - Thank you both!!) They have all been a huge support and help during this Big Move. I appreciate them so much!

I'm confident the first few nights/weeks/months will not be the easiest, but I'm ready to shine in this big bright world and take this step toward a future full of opportunities to grow spiritually and emotionally.

Pray for me as I take on this endeavor! Stay tuned for updates and apartment photos!

IMG00087-20090118-1742.jpg

2009-01-18T21:17:00.000-08:00

Laguna Beach at sunset! Gorgeous evening.

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Tis the season for lots of people in the mountains!!

2008-12-27T20:23:00.001-08:00

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Go-Go is being bird-sitted!

2008-12-23T21:08:00.000-08:00

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HomeMade apple pie!

2008-12-23T17:16:00.001-08:00

Our college and career group is having a little party tonight. And I baked this!

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A walk down the long corridor.

2008-12-18T18:33:00.000-08:00

I won't be seeing this for a LONG while, possibly never again. The Design building corridor at Cal State University Long Beach where my Econ class was held for the Fall semester. Goodbye Econ!!

Happy birthday

2008-12-16T17:43:00.001-08:00

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

Christmas Lights

2008-12-06T23:06:00.000-08:00

Nate, Chad, Clayton and I went to Naples, Long Beach to look at Christmas lights! Had a fun tim e...

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Merry Christmas

2008-12-06T00:22:00.001-08:00

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Universal Studios

2008-12-04T08:43:00.000-08:00

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Cheese

2008-12-03T21:38:00.000-08:00

Shopping at Old Navy at about 3:30AM - Ontario Mills... Black Friday. Lookin' pretty good, eh?

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2008-11-26T15:51:00.000-08:00

Well the Blackberry Storm that I recently purchased this past Friday, November 21st, has officially QUIT! I have now been without a phone for a total of .... 19 hours and boy has it been strange! I love the Storm, but apparently it didn't love me too much (used to this!) ... and I will be receiving a new one Friday at some point. SO! This leaves me to activate the Motorla Q for another day!! With so much anticipation of enjoying the Storm during Turkey Day, I will not be able to learn new things or show it off to family and friends!! :( So apparently the picture above spoke right to ME today and I listened ... or the Storm listened and turned OFF!! =)

HAPPY TURKEY DAY EVERYONE! Be thankful for all the blessings in your life and enjoy a couple of days off!! God bless you all!

Hair bows for Abby!

2008-10-26T01:22:00.001-07:00

A spur of the moment ordeal, Jenn invited me over to help with Abby's bows.. While she cooked for International Sunday, I created 7 bows with flowers from my collection throughout the years. These 3 were my fav's. Definitely took a lot of time and patience, but thankfully she was asleep so I could test them out on her :) Can't wait to see her awake in them!!

Blackberry Storm .. my new interest!

2008-10-14T22:02:00.000-07:00

Sleek, and a beauty.. hurry Verizon and release it! http://www.blackberry.com/blackberrystorm/

2008-10-13T16:09:00.001-07:00

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”- Jeremiah 29:11

2008-10-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

Bro. Carlos Ruiz, a UPCI United States Army Chaplain, who attends STWC, is being deployed to Iraq on October 19, 2008. Our church family had a surprise going away party for him. The attire: camo and black (he'll be turning 40 while he's over there) ... it was a blessing to be a part of the goodbye, but hard to see him go. I completely support him and what he's going to do while serving there. May God bless him and keep him in his journey! ***PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS!!***

Me 'n the boys in our camo!

When life throws you lemons, make lemonade!

2008-10-03T16:10:00.001-07:00

So this past week was one of the toughest weeks I've had in quite sometime. Life has just thrown me some lemons lately and I haven't been able to make lemonade! Due to school and my first set of midterms coming up shortly, work and the stress there, my health issues that are seemingly unresolved, and just other stuff. To make it worse, I found out that my medical bills from all of the unexpected appointments and procedures I've had recently are going to cost me over $1,000. That completely put me over the top. Thankfully, I have faith in Jesus, even if sometimes it's hard to trust Him, and I have the amazing support of wonderful parents, and a great job where I actually just received a raise this past week. God is truly GOOD! I am feeling much better today, but I'm still trying to work through my issues and deal with everything! We have Ground Zero (@ STWC) coming up this weekend and I'm looking forward to being fed spiritually and filling up my spiritual tank in order to face what's ahead in the next few months. I'm getting a much needed pedicure tonight and hoping for an evening of pure relaxation! Needless to say, I'm looking forward to a new year and a fresh start.

A weekend of bliss!

2008-09-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to spend this past weekend in Palm Springs with my cousins and some of their family. It was so relaxing! The house we stayed in was absolutely gorgeous and a perfect vacation home. I could have stayed there for a week or two. :) The pool was definitely my favorite and I spent most of my time in there. I have my last summer tan! I didn't have to worry about my clothes, my hair, an alarm clock or anything except for getting a bathing suit on and being outside! Now it's back to reality ... work, school, homework, dr appts, etc.. ugh! It was nice to be in a state of utopia while I could!!

Tests are NEGATIVE!

2008-09-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

I just received a phone call from my doctor's office saying the tests came back negative! THANK YOU JESUS!! Going back for a check up on October 1st to determine whether mass is to be removed due to pain. Pending results for blood work that was just done today as well. Thank you all for your prayers and concern! My weekend will be worry-free!!

Wedding bells are ringin'!!

2008-09-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

My girlfriend from high school, Genevieve, was married on September 14, 2008, to a very nice young man named Anthony, whom she met at her church. They had a beautiful wedding, where love was definitely there! I felt privileged to be a guest there to witness this union of love! Unfortunately, my camera died and I didn't even get to take a picture with the lovely bride and groom! I left the reception early for our Sunday evening communion service, which was a blessing, too! Wearing the same clothes and high heeled shoes that day for 13 hours was quite an experience. :)

Scripture of the day

2008-09-16T14:48:00.001-07:00

John 14:1-3
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Signing on to my homepage this morning (igoogle.com), I read this "gadget" (bible verse) for the day. There couldn't be a more perfect scripture today; especially the part about not letting your heart be troubled. Tomorrow I am going to a specialist for some testing that I am quite nervous about. Trusting in God through these times is by far the most challenging. I know He is in control and has the power to heal and take care of me, but my nerves tend to get the best of me anyway! Praying for negative test results and questions to the answers I've had lately!

UPDATE:
I went into the doctor yesterday and had an unexpected biopsy and now am waiting until Monday or Tuesday to hear results. Praying and hoping all is well.

Accident..

2008-09-09T17:08:00.001-07:00

Grandma Nancy has arrived in California! Unfortunately someone had to welcome her in a not-so-nice way by rear ending Mom, Chad and Gram on their way to my aunt's house. An 18 year old, driving without a license, without insurance, in a Cadillac Escalade mind you... chose not to stop when my mom did, making for a quite interesting afternoon. Considering the speed of the "teenager", thankfully there weren't any more serious injuries. Of course, all of them have neck issues, so I'm sure the next few days will not be fun for any of them. Pray for a quick recovery and that justice will be served to the dumb girl driving illegally!!

Sunday drive in the canyons...

2008-09-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon Scott, Jenn, the kids, and Chad and I took off after lunch on a stroll through the canyons off of Santiago Canyon Rd. It was a nice relaxing ride we enjoyed while sipping our Starbucks and enjoying the seriously dried out terrain. Clayton was the first to crash out for a nap, Abigail second. We never could get #1 to take a nap. He was too busy competing with mom and dad in their quest to come up with a song for everything we discussed. Jenn's classic was the donut song.. and then Zachary had to add to the mix... "Do you really want to hurt me?!" Thanks to Auntie Michelle!! Even though we had to cut our drive short because I had to go to band practice, it was a nice Sunday drive.

CSULB Student

2008-09-07T19:19:00.001-07:00

I started college just out of high school, in August of 2002, with the anticipation of becoming an RN one day. After 3 years of school full time and still not finding my niche, I quit. Once I started working full time and got used to the money, I quickly pushed college out of my mind. 2 years later, in the fall of 2007, I decided to go back to school changing my major to a Business Admin degree, with emphasis in Accounting. After one horrible professor and many hours of homework without clear understanding, I again fell back in the rut of no school. Considering the fact the Spring of 2008 meant busy (tax) season while working full time for the accounting firm, I figured school just couldn't be added into that equation. Once summer rolled along, and then the fall, I had an itch to return to school again. Finally, I am a student once again at California State University Long Beach, this time to finish until the end. I will be majoring in Business Administration still, but with an emphasis in Marketing. I enjoy my current position at the accounting firm and hope the degree will increase my possibilities for growth and promotion with the administration department. I should be done in 2 years! (Lord willing!)