you don't know you're beautiful... that's what makes you beautiful.

they talked about these lyrics in stake conference the other week: 

"and we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them." 

this implies that growth is voluntary.  

god may place people in our life, but we must let them change us. 

we must let them shape us and be the significant part of us they are sent to be.  

then, and only then, can we be changed.  so, into the caverns of tomorrow with just our flashlights and our love we will plunge!  

i was reminded today that we just never know who we are influencing.  

never know who is looking up to us, who's watching.  

by the righteousness of one will many be made obedient.

one day i'm excited to look back on life and see the difference i've made.

still love this quote by amanda burri: 

"i merely with to inspire, be inspired, and aspire to be something aspired."  

the heart of life is oh so good.  <3

put your blue jeans back on

so
what
 if
i
still
point
to
where
my
nametag
should
be
and
introduce
myself
as
sister
ence?


i may not say super maario brothers or paaasta, but the bathroom is definitely still a washroom.  


"in canada cars stop for pedestrians." - me  [incriminating stare] "sara, we're in AMERICA." - hannah.

... thanks han ...

an unserism.

i have a lot of wise friends.  one such is unser ahmed, more commonly known as uns uns baby, or unserraptor.  here are his words of wisdom this day: 

"i know you will be faced with a situation from time to time. just remember, you're not an ordinary person.  keep up with your dreams for one day they WILL come true. never give up, and keep your head high!  because you're not just an eagle, you're an amazingly good looking one.  and remember one more thing, no matter what... always have a smile on your face.  it's what makes the world go around.  spread love and if you see someone down, give them a hug and a smile!  lots of love, uns."  

. . . 

couldn't say it better myself.  

happy birthday, mom.

took a little vacay to the 403 for, say, a year and a half. 

to say i miss calgary would be a large understatement.  

but it's nice to be home.  

best birthday present ever.  

may the new life adventures begin!  

to bring the world His truth...

well, it's here.
september 29, 2010.
i'm a missionary.

all i can say is, "far and wide 
we tell the Father's story, far 
and wide His love proclaim."  

God be with you till we meet again...
. . . in april 2012.  loves!  

pedestrian is human being.

today on the way home from Logan i saw a billboard that said, "save a pedestrian, save a life..."  doesn't that seem kind of obvious?  

is this ad relevant to you?

 went to smith's today to develop some pictures.  photo down for the day.
went to rite aide today to develop some pictures.  photo down for the day.

went to great clips today, said "cut an inch".
an inch and a half and a heck of a lot of layers later,
i have a new hair-do.
good thing i trust tricia.  hah!

had the strangest dream this morning, with the tingey family?  weird.

it's supposed to rain today!!

going to logan tomorrow!  so excited!  hopin' the leaves are red, at least a bit?!

devin wanted me to grow my hair out... oops.

the mission to-do list is down to just a few small items.  hooray :)

i'm hoping the family pictures we took the other day will be done before next week!

next week at this time i'll be in the MTC.  WOWzers.  no big deal.

yesterday my mom said "there comes a time when you just have to
move on.  it's time for you to leave, sara."  ha ha!  glad i'm not the
only one that's bored out of their mind sitting around home!

"20 years in debt, 20 years in the government, 20 years can never get me by" --america - non stop listening!

aaron christensen updates his status on facebook like every two hours.  crazy boy.

glee came back last night!  too bad this is the only episode i get to see.

wednesdays are good days.  

blah.

in all my spare time today i was just reading over some of my old blog posts from last year and the beginning of this year.  wow, i used to be such a better blogger than i am now.  my posts recently have been so boring.  my apologies to you, all 3 faithful readers!  hah!  right now my life consists of these 3 things: family, devin, and mission prep.  not too exciting.  well, that's not true, it's all exciting, but not so much blog-worthy exciting.  i only left my house once today, for like 10 min only.  here's to proving my laziness:
7:00 up for family scripture study
7:30 back to bed
10:00 woke up for reals, made myself french toast
10:15 wasted lots of time on facebook and blog stalking
11:00 studied preach my gospel
1:30 realized how long i'd been sitting there without moving, went to the bathroom and played piano for a second
2:00 started writing farewell talk #2
4:30 started reading some conference talks and studying preach my gospel again
5:30 took hannah to library
5:50 read some more scriptures, finished pmg chapter
6:15 organized the mess in my room, gathered some more stuff for the mish, got lost on facebook again
7:30 dinner with the fam
7:55 jam session with hannah on piano and cello
8:15 fhe with the fam.  low key
8:50 rootbeer floats
9:00 went to room and read old blog posts, thus the purpose of this post
10:30 i will be in bed.  missionary curfew calls, after all.

wow, such an exciting day, right?  I MISS BEING BUSY.  however, lovin' all this study time!

so, here's to a recommitment to making the next 9 days of blog posts better than they have been this summer... lo siento, again.

"sometimes i like the 5 dollar cheeseburger, but other times i'm satisfied with a french fry or two.  yes, just one or two."

my voice shall echo thy message sweet

"trusting my all to your tender care
and knowing thou lovest me,
i'll do Thy will with a heart sincere,
i'll be what you want me to be.

i'll answer dear Lord, with my hand in thine, 

i'll go where you want me to go."  

525,600 minutes

i miss being busy!  this break from life has been nice, but i'm pretty excited to get out of here and have a busy life again.  busy is my middle name and i haven't been living up to that, ha ha!  10 more days, friends.  10 more days.  

porch swing

"picture you on a front porch 

your smile shows your teeth 

i'm sittin on the stairs

got this image with me

i give you everything that you want

on top of all that you need

and all that i ask in return 

is a lifetime with me

and i know that it's a good thing

and time goes slow when you're on a porch swing

life can show me everything

when i look at your ring 

ask me again in 5 years 

it'll still be the same

except for one thing

and that's just your name

we'll watch this little town grow

everything new seems so strange

but you're still in my arms

and your eyes don't change

and i know that it's a good thing

and time goes slow when you're on a porch swing

and life can show me everything 

when i look at your ring"

love this song, thanks for the fun find, ems!  <3

7 napkin kind of girl.

that's right.  7 napkins.  i hate going to a restaurant and they bring you... one napkin.  my sandwich tonight was hecka messy and let's be honest, that can get embarrassing.  cowboy grub has the same problem.  can't i get me some napkins?  7 please.

"you're all smiles and silly conversation as if this sunny day came just for you... tell me what's right with you"  -- when did you fall, chris rice, on repeat!

mission shopping:  done and DONE.  after days and days of shopping practically everyday we finally finished the daunting task.  woo!  it's a good thing too, the lady at macy's recognizes mom and i now... awesome.

CANADA!

yesterday at the sister missionary mall, devin walks up to the counter and awkwardly asks... "can i purchase something here?" made my day.  pretty sure he's the only boy that ever goes in that blessed store.  what a good sport he is!  "i'm glad i get to see your shopping side.  that's important."  baaa.

i think the amount of times i've been to provo this year has way exceeded the sara ence limit.  oh but guess what... moving there in 2 weeks.  good thing i only have to stay for 3 ;)

i'm really missing my logan autumn!  with all the leaves starting to change down here i keep thinking about how much i love logan in its brilliant red fall-ness, and wow.  logan-sick am i.

i wrote a "last will and testament" today.  just so these young fellas and fellow don't have to fight over my stuff while i'm gone:

ba ha ha.  

turns out having only church music on your ipod isn't such a bad thing after all.

our waitress at red robin tonight was so bubbly... and an awesome saleswoman.  i would've order liver and onions from her, had she asked.

would you still be friends with me if my hair looked like this everyday?

on npr the other day they were interviewing this guy who had written this book about the periodic table of elements... one "everyday" story for each element.  you could call in while he was on the radio and talk about your favorite element from the table, and also share personal stories you had with different elements.  do people really have regular occurrences with the periodic table, like that they'd be willing to call in and share?  

it's a pretty fun feeling to still be on summer break when everyone is so stressed with school and such.  i sit home and read all day.  and LOVE it!  don't worry though, soon i'll be busy again.  busy preachin' the word!  mmhmmm.  

devin called to invite me to my own brother's birthday party as his date.  ha ha, always something new with this boy ;)  happy happy happy.  

i saw a car for sale today.  it had window chalk on it that said, "car 4 sale.  runs good.  runs real good."  

i miss hannah's hilarious stati.  they've gotten real deep lately.  nbd.  

i'm listening to christmas music right now HA HA.  i guess that holiday display at macy's really got me excited today.  don't judge.  it's a one hour deal.  

lovin' this: 

just a country lovin' girl all the time all the sudden.  104.3 is my new best friend.  

i love what ashlin said today, "i wish facebook counted as a class in school... i would have a really good grade."  wouldn't we all, sista?  wouldn't we all.  

also, the other day, ashlin's little 5-year-old sister called 911 like 10 times with a friend, then had to talk to an officer about it for a good little while.  funny funny.  

i still need a haircut.  but i want to grow it out.  but i want to cut it.  but i think i'll grow it out.  but tomorrow i might cut it.  gahh i don't even know anymore, someone tell me what to do  :P

the world needs more places like this: