January 15, 2012

Well, today is Sunday. How has my day been so far? Despite not wanting to wake up at 7:00 to start getting ready for church, a hot shower was a very nice way to start out my day. My family and I actually made it on time to church today and I'm really glad we went.

Sacrament meeting was definitely something I needed to hear today; the feeling I walked out of the meeting with was even better. Sunday school was fabulous and I know I'm really going to enjoy that class this year. I'm really excited that we get to study the Book of Mormon for an entire year -- maybe that's just because I'm almost done reading the entire Book of Mormon by myself for the first time for Personal Progress, but whatever the reason, I'm really glad.

Young Women's was also really great. What I got out of the lesson was ways to develop a stronger relationship with the Savior and how to strengthen our testimony and lead the lives we should be living.

I can't express to you all just how much I love the gospel, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and my Savior, Jesus Christ. If you haven't been able to know for yourself just how much He and our Heavenly Father love each and every one of us, then I strongly encourage you to seek for that -- because it's the best feeling in the world. Without this gospel, I wouldn't be able to know that I always have someone I can go to in times of trouble or whenever I'm in need, and who will always love me no matter what. To be able to understand and KNOW that I am never alone is always a wonderful feeling. And even if times are getting hard, it doesn't mean my Father in Heaven isn't watching over me or has forgotten about me, or even that He loves me any less; it's just a time in my life for me to learn and grow closer to Him and my Savior.

I know it's hard to always be positive about life and to have a good attitude when things might be really hard. But being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has helped me so much to become a stronger and better person, as well as having a smiling face when times are trying.

I know this church is true, and I know that President Monson is a Prophet of God. I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, and I'm so grateful that he did. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to study from it each day.

I strongly encourage anyone who reads this to go out there and discover for yourself just how much your Heavenly Father loves you; He is there, and He cares about you -- He cares about each and every one of us.

I've had a really great day today, and I hope all of you are having a great day as well. Enjoy the beautiful weather, and take advantage of the holiday in front of you tomorrow. Go on a hike, read a good book, accomplish something on your To-Do list.

Peace Like A River.

--Sadie

Happy New Year! (Or is it really so happy?)

Well, this is officially my first post of 2012.

Happy New Year! The only downside: The Mayans said the world ends this year -- 12 months from now.

Before the world ends though, I'll finish personal progress, get my license, turn eighteen, and hopefully get asked to prom (cross fingers here).

It'll be an exciting year. And NO, I don't think the world is really going to end.

My New Year's Resolutions hardly ever get completed, but I still think it's fun to make a list.

So here goes!

1. Finish Personal Progress
2. Get my license
3. Actually read at least a hundred books this year
4. Go on more than 2 dates
5. Get B's or higher in every class
6. Follow the Presidential Election -- so I can actually know who I should vote for
7. Complete my Honor Bee or Personal Progress for the second time
8. Move up a level in Dance
9. Improve my times for swim team
10. Keep my Diabetes under control

If I think of anything else worth adding to my list, I'll probably add it on. And hopefully by next year I'll have everything completed that I wanted. :)

--Sadie

Ooh! P.S. I hope to be a better blogger, and post more.

...

I have come to the conclusion that I kind of fail as a blogger. BUT, it's not entirely my fault. School (curse the word) has been keeping me very busy, and I don't have any time to get on the computer and type up something for an audience I'm not even sure is there to read.

NO, this is not a post saying I'm deleting my blog -- I would feel like even more of a failure -- but I'm just saying sorry for not being able to post regularly so far. Hopefully with time it will get better.

--Sadie

Why It's Important to Keep a Journal:

This is an excerpt from a journal entry of mine (I keep a gratitude journal).

I was just reading through two journal entries I wrote in July 2010. It was when I received my patriarchal blessing (it's crazy how that feels like forever ago!). I was listing all the reasons why I was heading to receive my patriarchal blessing in one entry, and then on the 24th of that same month, I was listing why my life was so hard -- for those same reasons. While some might think this was some sort of "proof" that Heavenly Father isn't here to help us, I saw it in a completely different way. I know that my Heavenly Father will always be there for me. And when we may be at our strongest spiritual potential, that's when Satan will try to crack down on us the most. I wasn't feeling bad because my Heavenly Father doesn't love me; I was feeling bad because Satan didn't want me to gain all the blessings and spiritual strength I got from receiving my patriarchal blessing.

We're all going to go through trials in this life, whether we're strong in the gospel or not. Satan is going to come at us, especially when we're at our strongest (spiritually). But that is also the time when we can have the most strength to turn away from his temptations. We don't have to let Satan gain any power over us. We are stronger than him.

So, I'm very grateful for my loving Father in Heaven, and my Savior who gave His life for me -- so that I may learn and grow here on this earth.

And I'm also grateful for journal writing. Not only can I look back on times in my life and learn things I may not have learned then, but I can also learn things that can help me now and in the future. And I know in the future I'll definitely be grateful for this particular post.

--Sadie

Moral of the Story

It's hard to update your blog every day during the school year.

--Sadie

Yosemite

Untitled, a photo by sadester27 on Flickr.

A gorgeous frame from my aunt Jen's picture she took at Yosemite this summer :)

Girls Camp '09

Untitled, a photo by sadester27 on Flickr.

I am Sixteen, Going on Seventeen . . .

Well, this past Sunday it was my birthday! And if you can't guess from the post title . . . well, I'm now seventeen! I know, I know, I'm getting so old! I still can't believe I'm really seventeen; it doesn't seem like I've been alive that long! But I know eighteen will feel even weirder. But hey, I get to vote at the next presidential election!

I got everything I wanted for my birthday :)

It was a really good birthday, and I got a really cool necklace, a ring, delicious cupcakes, and the best carrot cake I've ever had (compliments of my wonderful mom)! 

I had a really good day, and was glad I could celebrate it with everyone I love. :) It's great to be seventeen. 

--Sadie

School, School . . . and More School

Wow. While it's been a joy being back at school, I forgot how much of my time it took up. A LOT! I'm not complaining though. It's nice to always have something to do. Although I must admit that the homework does get a little boring after a while. But I'm going to try my hardest to stay caught up this year and not procrastinate or get behind! It's come close, but I haven't slipped too big yet!

A lot of fun things have happened over the past several days. Seminary, homework, birthday's, Doctor Who, dance, swim team, reading, HOSA, emergency drill's at the hospital, football games, volunteering, and lots more!

It was Kelsey's seventeenth birthday yesterday, and she got everything she wanted. It was a really good birthday for her! I made her lemon cupcakes, and I would tell you the present I got her, but I haven't finished making it yet, and in case she reads this I don't want to spoil the surprise! It's really nerdy, and she'll totally love it; although anyone else would think it was the weirdest thing ever. I think she'll appreciate it though.

I'm taking a short break from my homework to write this (it's getting a little hard to concentrate on my Spanish homework -- not the funnest homework in the world), so I can't take too long to write this. But I know I really need to get a post in! It's been too long!

I hope all of you who are reading this have had a good start to your school year (or a nice return to work after a good vacation) and are enjoying yourselves and doing well! Thanks for reading!

Peace Like A River.

--Sadie

Escucho la Musica

So, I'm going to blame Kelsey for my new admiration for the band Sea Wolf. I LOVE THEM. Their music is so inventive, creative, original, and awesome. My two favorite songs of theirs are "Middle Distance Runner" and "You're A Wolf". If you've never heard this band, please go look them up! Unless you aren't a fan of Indie-Rock and that type of music. But I really love it, and you should at least give it a try.

So, that's all I have to say for today, folks. I hope you all are enjoying your weekends and have a great Labor Day weekend! :)

--Sadie

If I Lost it all Tomorrow...

I saw this really interesting quote the other day. It went something along the lines of, "What if you woke up tomorrow with everything you thanked God for today?"

That thought really changed my perspective, and I honestly thanked my Father in Heaven for every single thing I was grateful for before I went to bed. It still didn't even cover the list. The point is, I think we all need to be a little bit more grateful and realize just how blessed each of us is.

I'm so grateful for all my wonderful friends I have. They're so thoughtful, supportive, influential, awesome, and so many other words I can't even begin to describe. I don't know where I would be without them, and I hope they all know just how much they mean to me.

I'm also very grateful for my family, even though I know I don't act like it sometimes.

I'm grateful for school, even though you've probably heard me complain about it before. I really do value my education, and this year I've made some goals for myself, so that I don't get behind as much or forget to turn in work or any other past mistakes. I really want to do well this year, and I have a feeling it's going to be a really good year.

So for all of you out there reading this, I hope you're grateful for everything you have, whether you believe in God or not. Because I promise you, we can all find something to be grateful for; some of us might have to dig harder than others, but we can all find something. It's your attitude that counts, not the events around your life. As long as you stay positive, you'll be happy. It's your choice. So make the right one, even if it's hard. Try and keep a positive outlook, and know that sometimes it has to get worse before it can get better.

--Sadie

More About Me:

For this post I've decided to post some things about myself. Stuff I really love, hate, anything from A-Z.

If you can't tell from my other blog I have, The Literacy Society, I LOVE reading. My life would be completely miserable without it. I love being able to escape into another world and have any sort of adventure you wish there. I'm currently reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, and I'm really enjoying it.

I loved the movie. Short little story here, I went against my number one rule when it comes to books and movies. If they make a movie about a book, I can't see it until I've read the book. Like Harry Potter, or The Help. Now, I wasn't aware at the time that The Secret Life of Bees was a book that was made into a movie, so I saw the movie, and shortly thereafter discovered there was a book. And I never got around to reading it until now. So you'll probably hear either here or on my other blog what I think of it when I'm done.

Another thing in life I couldn't live without: Irish Step Dancing. If I lost a foot, or my legs were amputated for some reason, I think it would kill me. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to dance! It's so much fun, it's good exercise, and I love all my friends from dance. They're the best. :) If you've ever heard of "Lord of the Dance", "Riverdance", or Michael Flatley, then you'll know what I'm talking about. And no, it's not tapping or clogging or anything.

My favorite dance I do is called the Hornpipe. It's a hard shoe dance (the shoes are pictured above), and I think I love it so much because you just get to pound out awesome-sounding rhythms. I can't find the words to describe how much I love it.

Also, I couldn't live without my family. I know sometimes -- or maybe a lot of the time, I dunno -- they think I don't like them, or they're weird, or obnoxious or whatnot, but I love them a lot. My parents are the best. They're young, and cool, and I can't imagine having better parents. My brothers are the bomb too, even though they can be a little obnoxious sometimes. I hope they can say I'm a good sister too, and I'll definitely try to work on that.

Now, I won't even start on the joys of music.

Hopefully you enjoyed reading a little more about me, and if you already knew a lot, hopefully you learned something new. :) Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, everyone.

Over and out.

--Sadie

Day Number 9:

Tomorrow's just going to be such a golden day (yeah, it'll probably be hot too). In the morning I have a college appointment. I'm not really sure what'll happen there, but it's gonna be good. I'm kind of scared at the thought of leaving home on my own and going to school all by myself, but I know it'll be a good experience. All the same, I'm glad I have one more year of high school left.

Then from 4:30 to 6:00 I have Irish Step Dancing try outs for our dance school's performing company, Shelley Irish Dance Company (a.k.a. SIDC). I'm super excited, and I feel pretty confident that I'll make it. I've been on it for a few years, and it's tons of fun! Not to mention the fact that I absolutely LOVE Irish Dancing. It's my life. I'm not kidding, I don't know what I would do without it. It would be heartbreaking.

I survived my first week as an Upperclassman! I've gotta say, I'm loving this school year, and all my classes! It's going to be a really great school year! :) Well, I've gotta sign off for now, cause my brother's being annoying and won't quit playing the guitar while I'm on the phone until I give him the computer. So, ta ta for now! Have a FABULOUS day! :)

--Sadie

Two Weeks Later...Summer's Almost Over!

Wow, summer makes your life so busy! Two weeks ago I went to Girls Camp, and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Up there in the beautiful mountains and gorgeous scenery, away from all the modern city life -- it's amazing. I can't even describe how amazing it is. What made it even better was that my best friend who lives in Tennessee was able to come with me; she's still here visiting, and it's been awesome. We have had lots of fun together. :)

Today we hiked the Y, and that was certainly an experience. I won't go into the details, but it was certainly something I'll never forget, and we will most definitely be laughing about it when we're eighty.

We've done lots of fun stuff, and it's certainly been anadventure. I seem to have lots of adventures with all my cool friends! Friends are great, and I'm glad I have them. :) Family's good too.

Trivia of the Day: name this movie.

"The devil speaks backward on the record. I hear the devil everywhere now. Aah..."

Only the most hilarious 70s show in the world. I'm just glad I wasn't born then, because who knows what stupid things I would have done. :P

Ah, TV is hilarious. Well, some of it.

Well, hopefully I'll be able to get on here and write more often. :) I hope you all have a fantastic day, and if you don't hear grommets again, a nice week. :)

--Sadie

Twelve Years Ago Today; Wow, What A Long Time! (Day Number 6):

Well folks, sorry it's been such a long time since I've last posted! I've had a really busy last two weeks! This past weekend, I went down to Moab, Utah for a youth conference. It was a BLAST! We went river rafting down the Colorado River -- if you ever get the opportunity to do that, DO IT! It was so much fun, and totally worth it. Floating down a river is one of the funnest things I have ever done, not to mention going through some pretty awesome rapids (they aren't as bad as you would think).

This week I've been busy getting ready for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2! It comes out tomorrow night at midnight (or you could say Friday morning at 12:00 if you wanted). It's hard to believe that this is the last Harry Potter movie ever to come to theaters! It's kind of a sad thought, but I'm really excited at the same time. It's going to be so awesome! I think I might dress up as Rita Skeeter, but I'm not sure. My friend Kelsey is dressing up as Luna Lovegood. It's going to be awesome! I'm going with Kelsey, Lizzy, and Brian. Poor Brian, he'll be the only boy; but hey, this was his idea. It'll be a ton of fun, and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! I'm on the fourth book, and I have to finish the seventh one tomorrow by midnight. I bet I can do it though, no problem.

So, today is my Diabetes Anniversary. I have Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1). I've had it for twelve years today, and boy it has been a journey. Sometimes it gets really frustrating and annoying to take care of, but it's not that bad for the most part. I'm grateful I don't have cancer or something. It's hard to believe that I've had it for twelve years; that seems like such a long time! It hasn't really been an eventful day so far though. I've been really tired and lazy, and I haven't done a whole lot. But that's okay.

Last night I went to the gym with my mom at midnight -- the latest I've ever gone to the gym. I swam laps, and it was pretty nice because there weren't very many people there. But I was really tired when I got home, for sure.

I think after this I will go get dressed for the day (even though it's almost seven) and try to accomplish at least something useful today. :P

Hope you all had a nice day!

--Sadie