Sactown!  My new home.  It all started in January 2012.  God was calling me to new depths, opportunities, and there was a tugging on my heart for change.  I didn't know what the future held for me; but I was open, ready and willing.  Then I went to the No Limits conference in Elk Grove, California, in March 2012 and my life was forever impacted.  I will never forget the way I felt in that conference.  Words fail me when I try to describe what I experienced.

After graduating from HIU last summer, I was consistently looking for a new career path that would utilize the degree and hard effort I put into that degree.  With every closed door in my job search in Orange County, I figured God was asking me to wait and trust in Him more than ever before.  So, upon my return from No Limits, I felt I should redirect my job searching to northern California.  In just 19 days after starting my job search, I came across a position that seemed like the perfect fit.  And apparently it was!  A short three weeks later, I had a new job, a new apartment, and was starting a new life in Sacramento!  God opened door after door for me and things quickly fell into place.  I still have to pinch myself sometimes when it doesn't seem real... the hardest part was leaving my parents, brother, family and friends behind.  But, daily I am thankful for the opportunity, super excited about the possibilities of my future and whatever God has for me, I'm ready!  Trusting in God and stepping out in faith takes courage...and I'm thankful for God's hand in each step of the way!

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!

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

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...

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

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

A gorgeous day at Laguna Beach!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry