How We Do Things

It's different, when you take people to a place you've been to many times before.

Because you know the place, you have routines that you fall into when you visit the place.

But the friends you have with you....have their own vacation routines that they fall into on vacation.

So it takes a bit of maneuvering to get all the different wants and needs on the same page.

One of the things about our Moab trip was the focus our friends had on food.

They weren't as concerned about where we were going, or what we were doing. They wanted to know when we were eating. Where would we go for lunch and for dinner. The insistence that we stop and get a hamburger before we go hiking, and then grab food after we were done hiking for dinner.

lol.

It was weird for my family, as we tend to be like "Okay Breakfast is whatever the hotel is serving or we have in the room, be sure to pack lots of snacks as we'll be hiking all day, then when we get home we'll grab a larger dinner."

But it was also in other things.

Where we're like "Oh yah this hike isn't that hard." Because we've hiked it a million times before and know the terrain so we're like "Yah there's this little bit of climbing and this bit of walking over a fin." yadda yadda.

But because my family grew up basically hiking in Arches National Park.

Nothing we encounter is....well....terrifying.

Because we've been around those situations our entire lives and know how to be careful, know what to do to stay safe and outta trouble etc.

So when we encounter a thing like....climbing up the side of a fin, walking along a wide ledge, or walking over a fin that's part of a cliff face....

We don't think twice about it.

It was rather surprising then to find out that most of our friends....

had a fear of heights.

Which, we could understand a fear of heights when it comes to walking up to Delicate Arch, or along the long fin by Double O arch. As those heights are terrifying to those unused to it.

But they were scared/wary/not comfortable with climbing the side of a rocky mountain. No cliffs or anything, just getting above the road....or the bowl below Delicate Arch, or climbing up six feet over a fin. O.o

It's just....mind boggling.

Which I suppose....because we're so familiar with the Arches and with the hikes....we're more...relaxed in the area.
So it's harder for me to understand....what there is to be afraid of.

*shakes head*
It's just a strong reminder that everyone is different. :)

Thankfully, our friends muscled through their terror, and I believe they had a ton of fun on the different hikes. :) Maybe if they come down with us again in the future, they'll be able to be more relaxed about future hikes. ;) or avoid them completely haha. :)

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

April 2010 General Conference -Saturday Afternoon

Dieter F. Uchtdorf -The Sustaining of Church Officers

Robert W. Cantwell -Church Auditing Department Report, 2009

Brook P. Hales -Statistical Report, 2009

• Total Church Membership: 13,824,854
• Full-Time Missionaries -51,736

L. Tom Perry -Mothers Teaching Children in the Home

• While times may change, a parent's teaching must never be devalued.
• There is no such thing as overpreparing to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, for gospel insights, whether or not they are used during class time, can always be taught in the home.

D. Todd Christofferson -The Blessing of Scripture

• The scriptures also enlarge our memory by helping us not forget what we and earlier generations have learned. Those who either don't have or ignore the recorded word of God eventually cease to believe in Him and forget the purpose of their existence.
• God uses scripture to unmask erroneous thinking, false traditions, and sin with its devastating effects. He is a tender parent who would spare us needless suffering and grief and at the same time help us realize our divine potential.
• Faith will not come from the study of ancient texts as a purely academic pursuit. It will not come from archaeological digs and discoveries. It will not come from scientific experiments. It will not even come from witnessing miracles. These things may serve to confirm faith, or at times to challenge it, but they do not create faith. Faith comes by the witness of the Holy Spirit to our souls, Spirit to spirit, as we hear or read the word of God. And faith matures as we continues to feast upon the word.

Koichi Aoyagi -Helping Hands, Saving Hands

• I know many of you privately extend your loving and saving hands each day.
• I do not have time to tell you about all the good things I see Church members do. They follow the counsel of the prophet--not out of duty or responsibility but of their own free will, anonymously and joyfully.
• Sometimes we feel that we are weak and lack the strength to rescue others, but the Lord reminds us, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Bruce A. Carlson -When the Lord Commands

• Obedience to the Lord's commands, in spite of how trivial or unimportant we believe them to be, will surely brings His promised blessings.
• The Lord's response when we obey His commandments is sure. He has promised us, "If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life."

David A. Bednar -Watching with All Perseverance

• The convincing and converting powers of the Book of Mormon come from both a central focus upon the Lord Jesus Christ and the inspired plainness and clarity of its teachings.
• Youth of all ages, even infants, can and do respond to the distinctive spirit of the Book of Mormon.
• "Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man."
• Are you and I helping our children become agents who act and seek learning by study and by faith, or have we trained our children to wait to be taught and acted upon?

Jeffrey R. Holland -Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul

• Immoral activity is not just a man's problem, and husbands aren't the only ones offending. The compromise available at the click of a mouse--including what can happen in a chat room's virtual encounter--is no respect of persons, male or female, young or old, married or single. And just to make sure that temptation is ever more accessible, the adversary is busy extending his coverage, as they say in the industry, to cell phones, video games, and MP3 players.
• Someone said once that true love must include the idea of permanence. True love endures.
• True love we are absolutely giddy about--as I am about Sister Holland; we shout it from the housetops. But lust is characterized by shame and stealth and is almost pathologically clandestine--the later and darker the hour the better, with a double-bolted door just in case. Love makes us instinctively reach out to God and other people. Lust, on the other hand, is anything but godly and celebrates self-indulgence. Love comes with open hands and open heart; lust comes with only an open appetite.
• These are just some of the reasons that prostituting the true meaning of love--either with imagination or another person--is so destructive. It destroys that which is second only to our faith in God--namely, faith in those we love. It shakes the pillars of trust upon which present--or future--love is built, and it takes a long time to rebuild that trust when it is lost. Push that idea far enough--whether it be as personal as a family member or as public as elected officials, business leaders, media stars, and athletic heroes--and soon enough on the building once constructed to house morally responsible societies, we can hang a sign saying, "This property is vacant."
• Let's speak of what some personal actions can be.
• When we face such temptations in our time, we must declare, as young Nephi did in his, "[I will] give place no more for the enemy of my soul." We can reject the evil one. If we want it early and deeply enough, that enemy can and will be rebuked by the redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Until you next read these words;

I'll be watching the leaves.

Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Drawn to Each Other

Sometimes, at home, I feel like I have the gift of suddenly reminding my roommates of things they have to do.

Because the last few days....
I feel like whenever I finally feel social enough to be social....and go out into the living room to try and interact with them...

My roommates, who've been chatting and laughing in the living room for the past two or three or seven hours...
Suddenly are like:

"Oh, I need to go take a shower."
"I need to go make some food."
"I need to go change into my pjs."
"I really should go to bed because you know, work in the morning."

Which,
All are understandable.

Yet...
this suddenly 'pressing matter'
Only seems to happen when I come in.

Part of it is probably my fault.
Part of it is theirs.

Mostly in that we don't really have the same topics to talk about.
We have different interests and such.
So chatting....isn't the easiest.

And so to probably avoid awkward.....they suddenly remember something they'd wanted to do.
And then use that as an excuse to avoid it.

*exhales*
But....

*shakes head*
I find it interesting....
How there are friends who can hang together for forever.
Like they can chat and laugh and do things together like 24/7
It's almost like they're magnets.

Unable to stay apart for long.

I find myself jealous of that sort of friendship.

Where you can be around a person for forever.

As my roommates, really have that type of bond.

One may leave to their room on that excuse I mentioned earlier.
But within 5-10 minutes of the one leaving....

The other roommate will eventually wind up in one of their bedrooms.
Once more chatting and laughing in their room.

Having a blast.

Leaving me....alone.
Being jealous of that friendship.
That ability to chat and laugh and talk and enjoy being around someone else without it being a strain on me....

....I really need to go find more friends....

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Big Moment

There were multiple reasons for me to be excited about our trip to Arches National Park.

As I mentioned earlier in the week.

I finally got to see Ring Arch!

But there was another purpose to this particular weekend that we'd picked to go see the Red Rocks.

My brother had a purpose.

A very important question he wanted to ask a special girl.

And my family was there to help throw her off, from this purpose.

Mostly in that me and Kikay had invited friends -those who hadn't been to Arches before- to join us for the weekend. Since it was more of a friends and family thing now...it threw her off. lol.

In any case.

A week ago.

We made the long hike up the slick rock to Delicate Arch.

To await sunset there.

For the perfect moment.

Only, the weather....was being less than helpful.

It's always windy up at Delicate Arch.

but the wind was being particularly fierce that day.

The clouds covering up the sun.

Which, when you want the sun to be shining on the arch when you ask that important question....

Is rather difficult.

So after hanging out for about a little under an hour.

My brother decided that he wasn't going to get the perfect circumstances.

And he might as well do it now, instead of waiting longer in the cold wind.

So he took his girlfriend over to the Arch,

To wait in the line there,

To get their pictures taken under the arch.

While they were waiting.

My family moved into position.

Each taking our cameras so we could capture the moment.

I chose to head over to the right side of the Arch.

As everyone else was moving to the left side.

To get a different perspective.

*exhales*

Unfortunately the pictures I did take....were too blurry. :(

Because the wind was blowing so hard it was difficult to hold the camera steady. Y_Y Boo....

But thankfully the others got way better pictures of the moment than I did. lol.

And the amazing thing is.

As they stood under the Arch, getting their picture taken.

As he turned to her.

And got down on one knee.

The sun came out of the clouds just enough, to brighten the Arch noticeably.

Just like my brother wanted. :D

Such a cool moment!

I'm glad in a few months I'll be able to call her Sister. :)

Because of course she said Yes!! :D

Until you next read these words;

I'll be watching the leaves.

Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Day The Music Came Alive

I heard it in the distance.
And it confused me.
The music.

I could hear music playing at work.

but I couldn't tell where it was coming from.
At first I thought it was someone's cellphone going off.
But it was too loud and long to be a cell phone.

My next thought was that someone was throwing a party outside the store.
Which was....inconceivable really....
I mean, who'd be throwing a music party outside the store? An ice cream truck? It would be random.

But then I saw one of the manager's walking away from the registers.

Had we decided to start playing music from our little portable radio?
It would be random as it was midday.
And our portable radio is only used to give us music before the store opens. To play while the stockers worked really.

To have it playing midday...too seemed odd.

But then I realized.

The music was coming over the speakers in the store.

O.o
Was it a fluke?
We haven't had music playing in the store for over 2 years.

I mean, when I first started at Starsmet nearly 4 years ago.
We had music playing over the intercom.

Then like a year and a half later they started putting Starsmet commercials in the middle of the songs playing >.< Which made it annoying.

And then....the music stopped.
We were left in silence.
Because the company decided that they didn't want to waste money in providing music. As apparently no one listened to the ads there anyway.

So in silence we worked while the store was open.
Only having music on the portable radio for a few hours.

But then.
Half an hour before I was to get off.

These Tech guys came in.
AND TURNED THE MUSIC ON!! :)

WE HAVE MUSIC IN THE STORE AGAIN!!!

Oh. Very. Happy Day!!

I'm so excited you can't understand. lol :D
The best part.
Is that so far...there've been no commercials! :D

 I hope it stays that way.
Never have I looked forward to going to work more than this.
Yay for music!! Yay for getting it during the day!
I'm so excited. :)

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Dedication

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of John Rowe Moyle.
John was a convert to the Church who left his home in England and traveled to the Salt Lake Valley as part of a handcart company.
He built a home for his family in a small town a valley away from Salt Lake City.
John was an accomplished stonecutter and, because of this skill, was asked to work on the Salt Lake Temple.

Every Monday John left home at two o'clock in the morning and walked six hours in order to be at his post on time.
On Friday he would leave his work at five o'clock in the evening and walk almost until midnight before arriving home.
He did this year after year.

One day, while he was doing his chores at home, a cow-kicked him in the leg, causing a compound fracture.
With limited medical resources, the only option was to amputate the broken leg.
So John's family and friends strapped him onto a door and, with a bucksaw, cut off his leg a few inches from the knee.

In spite of the crude surgery, the leg started to heal.
Once John could sit up in bed, he began carving a wooden leg with an ingenious joint tha tserved as an ankle to an artificial foot.
Walking on this device was extremely painful, but John did not give up, building up his endurance until he could make the 22-mile (35-km) journey to the Salt Lake Temple each week, where he continued his work.

His hands carved the words "Holiness to the Lord" that stand today as a golden marker to all who visit the Salt Lake Temple.

John did not do this for the praise of man.
Neither did he shirk his duty, even though he had every reason to do so.
He knew what the Lord expected him to do.

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf -Lift Where You Stand -October 2008 General Conference

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Gotta Find That Arch!!

This past weekend I went to my favoritest place in the entire world.

Arches National Park.

Ah. I can't get enough of the red sandstone arches that dot the land there.

The red rocks are a much needed energy boost to me.

I can't get enough of the place,

And I'm always left wishing I had stayed longer when I have to return home to CollegeTown.

This trip in particular though.

Had a certain ferver to it.

As a couple months earlier (I may have even blogged about it)

I discovered that one of the Arches I'd been trying to find/visit in the park for the past two or three excursions....

Had partially collapsed!! ()_()

Ah!!!!!

Partially collapsed is only a step away from fully collapsed!!

And I couldn't stand the thought that it could be collapsed right now and no one would know!! :S

I mean, since it's not on the main trails, people don't go see it much... I mean they only have a general idea of when it fell. Sometime between April 2014 and Oct 2014

Which meant, I HAD to go see it before it fully collapsed (if it hadn't already)

Which left me....very ansy to go see this Arch.

I mean, it had been two years since this partial collapse! It could collapse at any second!!

It was my number one priority in a trip already filled with tons of priorities.

The Arch in Question?

Ring Arch.

And you can see it from the main road...with binoculars.

It's very tiny in the distance.

And difficult to get to...since there is no official trail there.

The main directions are "Follow the wash."

Which looking on maps didn't seem that difficult.

Of course.

Maps, especially the google earth kind that are seen from directly above....

Do a horrible job of conveying the kind of terrain that I'd be hiking through.

I mean, it looks like flat ground for the most part.

But that 'flat' ground could be deep gullies, high cliffs, who knew?

Still...

I'd driven past the area enough to think it wouldn't be that hard to reach.

Just follow the wash right?

So.

The first day down, like literally we (my family and friends who'd joined us) had basically arrived at our hotel room, dropped our luggage and headed into the park to go see Ring Arch.

I. was. Not. waiting. Another. Day!!!

My friends and family were all too willing to join me on my adventure.

I mean! New ARCH!! Never before seen!!

ha....

ha...

ha.

Note to self: When bringing greenies (people who'd never been to the park before) on trips down to Arches....Do. Not. Take. Them. Off. Trail. Especially when you'd never been to the feature before.

As the journey....

Ended up being more difficult than anticipated.

Isn't that how it always goes?

Since we came in the spring time, after some recent rain storms.

The wash was pretty muddy where it didn't have water in it.

And it was GREEN.

Like huge cottonwood trees towering above us.

Lots of thick grasses.

Lots of green bushes....

Basically....the wash was hardly the wash that I'd come to expect from hiking elsewhere in Arches.

I mean I knew there were trees, but I didn't expect it to be so green underneath.

Which meant a lot of bushwacking through the wash to try and find a good route to get us over to the Arch.

We had to slide down into gullies.

Climb back up....

And my poor friends....had worn kapris and shorts.....

Meaning that by the time we got out of the wash....

They were pretty cut up. As there were thorn bushes and pointy bushes among those greens as well. :(

oops.

Though, how was I supposed to know?

Like I said, never take people on a hike you've never been to before.... lol.

But oh!

Was it worth it!!

To see Ring Arch.

To see it STILL STANDING!!

But wow.

Is it thin.

Super thin.

Like I'm surprised it hadn't already fallen thin.

It can't be more than 6 inches to a foot thick in some areas.

But so gorgeous with a great view from underneath it.

I'm glad I got to see it. ^^

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

I Know Someone Famous

I remember thinking it was a disappointing gift.

But White Elephant parties are like that.

You have a couple super amazing gifts.

And the rest of them are just....well....random.

It was Christmas time.

About 4 years ago.

When I was on the LDSSA Institute Council at school.

Us, the council, decided for fun to do a Christmas Party.

It was to be an ugly sweater party....though nobody had told me it was an 'Ugly Christmas Sweater" party. So I just found a sweater that was red/brown/orange that looked like it had been the carpet from some grandma's house.

We were to do the White Elephant exchange during the party.

I don't even remember what my own contribution was.

I just remember sitting down.

Doing the whole pass it back and forth thing.

And finally it was time to open mine!

And what was inside?

A picture frame.

With a photograph of a little boy holding a guitar with a signature on it.

O.o

What in the world?

Turns out one of the council had decided to autograph a picture of himself and give it away as a White Elephant gift.

Which like I said before....I thought it was a disappointing gift.

I mean...what use would I have for a picture?

Why would anyone want to give away a picture of themselves?

In my mind, back then, I thought it was rather conceited. Heh...

But then he explained his thoughts behind it.

And it became rather cool.

He did it. Signed a picture of himself.

To give to one of us.

So that when he became famous in the future.

the signature on that picture would soon be worth a ton of money.

A signature of 'so and so' before they were famous?! Ah! $$$$$ everywhere lol.

Which, I liked the idea of.

And since the picture was mine now.....if he ever did become famous.... ;) I could get rich off of it. haha.

You know, those random day dreams where you come into a ton of money. Yah. Fun times.

I'm sure, At some point. Anyone else would have just tossed the picture and frame away, or given it to the D.I. or something.

Me?

I've kept it.

Granted, it's not usually on display. Usually put away, somewhere 'safe' (aka in a closet or under my bed depending on the move) where I could pull it out when the fancy strikes me.

Mostly when someone goes "Hey do you remember...."

and I can go "yes! I still have it!" *pulls out picture*

lol.

In any case.

Like I said that was fourish years ago that I got that picture.

All of us were still in college.

No one had really made a career out of anything yet....

And we probably never really took it seriously that he was going to get famous.

I don't know if he did himself....at least not then.

We all dream of being famous, but only a few take the steps to actually become famous.

My friend,

Stuart Edge did that.

He's become a YouTube sensation.

Posting videos of various things.

Charity work, magic tricks, pranks, etc.

Tons of things, that just skyrocketed.

To the point where he was asked if he would write a book about his experience.

A book.

That just came out.

I'd seen that he was writing a book, seen that he was going to get it published.

I thought "that's cool! I'll have to get it when it comes out...." if it comes out in a hard format like paperback or hardback. And then didn't really think about it again. (I have difficulties buying E-books it's just not the same)

But tonight,

As I was in the middle of making dinner.

I happened to check facebook.

And see that Stuart had posted he was doing a signing in the bookstore nearby my place.

But the times of his event....was going to end soon.

Me, being me.

I want to do my part to make things a success, to help people out.

And I know that book signings, especially when you're unknown....can be a rather lonely thing in the beginning.

A handful of people to drop by, lots of time sitting there looking pretty surrounded by your book.....

I didn't want him to be alone, as it would be the worst thing to go to a signing and have no one at all show up.

So I decided I would show up and support him.

....Of course, he could be surrounded by a ton of people...he is a famous YouTube sensation after all. ;) lol

But at least I would show up and show my support.

So, I placed my just made dinner (ramen, nothing fancy) in a container hoping that it may still be warm when I got back,

And changed out of my t-shirt into a slightly fancier shirt, just to give off a good impression. You know...girls gotta do that. ;) lol.

And went.

I was right.

His event was basically empty.

Tons of books stacked all over, but only a couple other people besides myself in the store.

...perhaps marketing should have been better.....as I wasn't aware of this event until it was halfway over....

But in any case.

I got to see Stuart, reminisce, chat, get his book signed....

And then.

He mentioned the picture.

The one he gave me a few years ago.

Double checking to see if he'd used that picture in his book. (he hadn't, he chose a similar but different one.)

And then decided to include me in one of his Vlogs, telling his audience about the story I just shared with above. About him giving the picture as a joke, and it actually become true. lol.

Good thing I decided to wear that nice shirt huh? lol. ;) yay for that inspiration. So I didn't look too bad in the video.

Must say, I didn't like being put on the spot like that.

I didn't know what to say or do or where to look.

So hopefully I don't come across as....well pathetic....in that video.

If he posts it.

I'm more than likely not going to look at it. lol.

Still. I'm really grateful I changed into a nicer shirt. lol.

And when I got home, (and ate my still warm dinner) I dug around and found that picture.

And took that picture with a picture of his book next to it. lol.

It's good when dreams come true. ^^

Until you next read these words;

I'll be watching the leaves.

Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

April 2010 General Conference -Saturday Morning

Thomas S. Monson -Welcome to Conference

• We will always strive to be among the first on the scene of disasters, wherever they may occur.

Boyd K. Packer -The Power of the Priesthood

• While it may be said ... that we are but a handful in comparison with ... the world, yet we may be compared with the leaven of which the Savior spoke, which will eventually leaven [or lift] the whole world.
• We can and in due time certainly will influence all of humanity. It will be known who we are and why we are. It may seem hopeless; it is monumentally difficult; but it is not only possible but certain that we will win the battle against Satan.
• We have done very well at distributing the authority of the priesthood. We have priesthood authority planted nearly everywhere. We have quorums of elders and high priests worldwide. But distributing the authority of the priesthood has raced, I think ahead of distributing the power of the priesthood. The priesthood does not have the strength that it should have and will not have until the power of the priesthood is firmly fixed in the families as it should be.
• "It seems clear to me that the Church has no choice--and never has had--but to do more to assist the family in carrying out its divine mission, not only because that is the order of heaven, but also because that is the most practical contribution we can make to our youth--to help improve the quality of life in the Latter-day Saint homes. As important as our many programs and organizational efforts are, these should not supplant the home; they should support the home."
• We need everyone. The tired or worn out or lazy and even those who are bound down with guilt must be restored through repentance and forgiveness. Too many of our priesthood brethren are living below their privileges and the Lord's expectations.
• We must go forward, confident of the supernal power of the priesthood. It is a source of strength and encouragement to know who we are and what we have and what we must do I the work of the Almighty.
• Authority in the priesthood comes by way of ordination; power in the priesthood comes through faithful and obedient living in honoring covenants.
• The adversary is not actively disturbing our Church meetings--perhaps only occasionally. By and large we are free to assemble as we wish without much disruption. But he and those who follow him are persistent in attacking the home and family.

Julie B. Beck -"And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit"

• Revelation can come hour by hour and moment by moment as we do the right things. When women nurture as Christ nurtured, a power and peace can descend to guide when help is needed.
• "We want to be ladies in very deed, not according to the term of the word as the world judges, but fit companions of the Gods and Holy Ones."
• Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time.

Keith B. McMullin -Our Path of Duty

• For those who eschew evil and live good lives, who strive for a brighter day and keep the commandments of God, things can get better and better even in the face of tragedy.
• Duty does not require perfection, but it does require diligence. It is not simply what is legal; it is what is virtuous. It is not reserved to the mighty or high in station but instead rests on a foundation of personal responsibility, integrity, and courage. Doing one's duty is a manifestation of one's faith.
• We should seek to do good in the world. This is our duty.

Wilford W. Andersen -The Rock of Our Redeemer

• Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.
• Miracles do not produce faith but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness.

M. Russell Ballard -Mothers and Daughters

• "It is not for you to be led by the women of the world; it is for you to lead the ... women of the world, in everything that is praise-worthy, everything that is God-like, everything that is uplifting and ... purifying to the children of men."
• There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman.
• My dear young women, with all my heart I urge you not to look to contemporary culture for your role models and mentors. Please look to your faithful mothers for a pattern to follow. Model yourselves after them, not after celebrities whose standards are not the Lord's standards and whose values may not reflect an eternal perspective. Look to your mother. Learn form her strengths, her courage, and her faithfulness. Listen to her. She may not be a whiz at texting; she may not even have a Facebook page. But when it comes to matters of the heart and the things of the Lord, she has a wealth of knowledge. As you approach the time for marriage and young motherhood, she will be your greatest source of wisdom. No other person on earth loves you in the same way or is willing to sacrifice as much to encourage you and help you find happiness--in this life and forever.
• Love your mother, my young sisters. Respect her. Listen to her. Trust her. She has your best interests at heart. She cares about your eternal safety and happiness. So be kind to her. Be patient with her imperfections, for she has them. We all do.
• Mothers, your example is extremely important to your daughters--even if they don't acknowledge it.
• "What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say."
• "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Henry B. Eyring -Help Them on Their Way Home

• Heavenly Father has assigned us to a great variety of stations to strengthen and, when needed, to lead travelers to safety Our most important and powerful assignments are in the family. They are important because the family has the opportunity at the start of a child's life to put feet firmly on the path home. Parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and  uncles are made more powerful guides and rescuers by the bonds of love that are the very nature of a family.
• In his wisdom the Lord has inspired His servants to place some of the most powerful ways to strengthen us and to put in place the best rescuers as we pass through the teenage years. The Lord has placed a pattern of rescue and rescuers in His kingdom.
• "Learn what we should learn, do what we should do, and be what we should be."

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Swell of Sound

It was like an avalanche descended on us.
You could hear the noise swelling in the distance, small at first, but then it got louder and louder.

What was this noise?
A group of school children coming into work.

You can always tell it's a group of kids because they're always chattering, ooing, awing, laughing, sometimes screaming, and just being themselves.

Considering the store is usually pretty quiet except for the occasional barking dog....
It's pretty obvious when there's a big group of people who suddenly come in.

It's not an unusual occurrence.
For some reason the schools in the area love to bring the little ones (usually PreK, Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd graders) to the PetStore.
I'm guessing its an easy free nearby thing to do.
Usually it coincides with something they're learning about at the same time.

In any case.
Every now and then we get groups in.
Sometimes they call in advance and let us know so we can plan to have them, and have someone around to show them the animals.
But most of the time, they just randomly show up out of the blue.
Not always a big deal because either we're not busy and can show them things, or else they're just looking and aren't expecting us to show them things.

What was interesting about this particular group....
Was the fact that it was sooo big.
Like usually it's a class of 10ish kids.
But this group had to have had like 40 kids.
All together, but at the same time divided into four groups of ten so the adults could keep track of them all.

So instead of the noise being all together....
It was like the entire store was ringing with children.
As there were kids at basically every single animal section we could have.
As well as other groups exploring other areas of the store too.
*shakes head*

It was crazy. Nearly felt like a surprise attack in a battle or something lol.
Just because they basically came out of nowhere. lol.

Thankfully I wasn't expected to try and keep their attention, nor talk loud enough for them to hear me, or show them the animals.
They just looked around for 10-20 minutes and went on their merry way.

Which was fine...
Until like 20 minutes later another smaller group showed up.
*shakes head*
lol I don't know what it was about this week,
But we've gotten a bunch of these field trips in the store.....
So today it felt like a double attack.
All the noise noise noise. lol

But I think it all went well for both sides.
We just had to tolerate an increased amount of noise for a little while.
And the kids got out of school and were able to see animals. lol 

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Note: Won't be posting the next couple of days. Gone on Vaca! :)

In Another's Grief

Let me share with you the true account of one sister, Ellen Yates from Grantsville, Utah.
Early in October, 10 years ago, she kissed her husband, Leon, good-bye as he left to go to work in Salt Lake City.
This would be the last time she would see Leon alive.
He had a collision with a young man 20 years of age who was late for his first job and had tried to pass a slower vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision that killed them both instantly.
Sister Yates said that after two compassionate highway patrolmen told her the news, she plunged into shock and grief.

She records, "As I tried to look ahead in life, all I could see was darkness and pain.
It turned out that her husband's best friend was the bishop of the young man's ward.
The bishop called Sister Yates and told her that the young man's mother, Jolayne Willmore, wanted to talk to her.
She remembers "being shocked because I was so centered on my grief and pain that I had not even thought about the young man and his family.
I suddenly realized that here was a mother who was in as much or more pain than I was.
I quickly gave my permission ... for a visit."

When Brother and Sister Willmore arrived, they expressed their great sorrow that their son was responsible for Leon's death and presented her with a picture of the Savior holding a little girl in His arms.
Sister Yates says, "When times become too hard to bear, I look at this picture and remember that Christ knows me personally.
He knows my loneliness and my trials."
One scripture that comforts Sister Yates is "Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you."

Each October Sister Yates and Sister Willmore (both of whom are here together in the Conference Center today) go to the temple together and offer thanks for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, for the plan of salvation, for eternal families, and for the covenants that bind together husbands and wives and families on both sides of the veil.
Sister Yates concludes, "Through the trial, I have felt the love of my Father in Heaven and my Savior in greater abundance than I had ever felt before."
She testifies that "there is no grief, no pain, no sickness so great that the Atonement of Christ and the love of Christ cannot heal."
What a wonderful example of love and forgiveness these two sisters have demonstrated.
It has allowed the Atonement of Jesus Christ to be efficacious in their lives.

-Quentin L. Cook -"Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time" -October 2008 General Conference

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Prepared

I don't often like having plans sprung up on me.
As more often than not, it causes a stressful situation.
So if out of the blue someone is like 'hey you want to go do this?'
9/10 times I'll probably say no.

Because a) I may already have my own plans.
and b) I only have so much energy.
And often my energy is used up at work, having to be social and deal with people all day long is exhausting.
So I usually need a couple of hours or so to recharge.
Or even an entire evening.

I mean, I can continue after work to go out, be active, go do things....
If I plan for it.

But if I plan one thing, and get sprung up with another thing....
I usually end up tense and with a headache.

So when I can, I avoid such a situation.

Which means, if someone out of the blue asks me if I want to do something.
If I don't say no.
But don't have the energy to say yes.
I'll see if I can reschedule it for a different day.

That way I can mentally prepare for the outing.
And I can take measures to ensure that I have the energy necessary to socialize.

That doesn't mean that it doesn't end in 'happily ever afters'
Sometimes I still get the headaches.
Sometimes the socialization drains me.

But for the most part, being prepared and knowing when and where something is going to happen.
Helps me to be able to go out and have fun.
Even if the situation is potentially stressful. :)

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Rearrangement

There's always a bit of happiness, when you can find joy in the small things.

For example work.
If I'm looking for it, I can always find happiness from the simple things.
Whether it's bagging the correct number of crickets on the first try,
Or scooping up all the fish needed in one scoop.
Or being able to answer a customer's obscure question.

So, one of the things we have started doing at work.
Because the higher ups decided it to be so.
Is that our fish tank and stand combo tanks.
That we have on a shelf...waiting for customers to buy them...just were sitting empty.
So the higher-ups proclaimed that we should decorate the tanks.

You know, to kinda give customers an idea of what decorations can look like when they're placed in the tanks.
Especially when the customer is looking for ideas of how to decorate.

And I have to say, it's rather fun.
I like to experiment. See what goes together what doesn't.
Make the tanks look pleasing while also making them all look different and unique.

;) Plus. It gives me a great opportunity to test out different decorations together for when I get my own fish tank lol.

I spent like an hour today redecorating those tanks.
As we sold a few of them and got new ones in that needed to be redecorated.
Then I decided, since the other ones had had the same decorations in them for a while, to redecorate them and put different ornaments inside to see if that would generate interest in the tanks.

In any case.
It was rather relaxing, soothing. And I really enjoy looking at them. :)
lol too bad I can't take all those fish tanks home. ;)

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

October 2009 General Conference -Sunday Afternoon

Jeffrey R. Holland -Safety for the Soul

• There is one kind of latter-day destruction that has always sounded to me more personal than public, more individual than collective--a warning, perhaps more applicable inside the Church than outside it. The Savior warned that in the last days even those of the covenant, the very elect, could be deceived by the enemy of truth. If we think of this as a form of spiritual destruction, it may cast light on another latter-day prophecy. Think of the heart as the figurative center of our faith, the poetic location of our loyalties and our values; then consider Jesus's declaration that in the last days "men's hearts [shall fail] them."
• Love. Healing. Help. Hope. The power of Christ to counter all troubles in all times--including the end of times. That is the safe harbor God wants for us in personal or public days of despair.
• If anyone is foolish enough or misled enough to reject 531 pages of a heretofore unknown text teeming with literary and Semitic complexity without honestly attempting to account for the origin of those pages--especially without accounting for their powerful witness of Jesus Christ and the profound spiritual impact that witness has had on what is now tens of millions of readers--if that is the case, then such a person, elect or otherwise, has been deceived; and if he or she leaves this Church, it must be done by crawling over or under or around the Book of Mormon to make that exit.

Quentin L. Cook

• A faithful steward is one who exercises righteous dominion, cares for his own, and looks to the poor and needy.
• We live in a time when virtue and chastity are not safeguarded. The eternal significance of personal morality is not respected.

Brent H. Nielson -A Call to the Rising Generation

• I pray that you of this rising generation will stand up for truth and righteousness.

Dale G. Renlund -Preserving the Heart's Mighty Change

• They must have frequently assessed the condition of their spiritually changed hearts. They did not simply assume that all was well. By figuratively examining their changed hearts, they could identify any early hardening or rejection and treat it.
• In our homes we need to talk of, rejoice in, and preach of Christ so that our children--and we ourselves--will desire to apply the Atonement in our lives.

Michael T. Ringwood -An Easiness and Willingness to Believe

• This easiness and willingness to believe in the word of God comes from a softness of heart. It comes from having a heart that is sensitive to the Holy Ghost. It comes from having a heart that can love.
• An easiness and willingness to believe the word of God will come from repentance and obedience.

Joseph W. Sitati -Blessings of the Gospel Available to All

• The love of our Father in Heaven has been evident as the way has been opened for all living and dead of every nation, now and in the future, to receive exaltation in His presence according to the exercise of their agency.

D. Todd Christofferson -Moral Discipline

• I do not believe there is a double standard of morality.
• Policemen and laws can never replace customers, traditions and moral values as a means for regulating human behavior. At best, the police and criminal justice system are the last desperate line of defense for a civilized society. Our increased reliance on laws to regulate behavior is a measure of how uncivilized we've become.
• In the end, it is only an internal moral compass in each individual that can effectively deal with the root causes as well as the symptoms of societal decay. Societies will struggle in vain to establish the common good until sin is denounced as sin and moral discipline takes its place in the pantheon of civic virtues.
• They will have gained strength from what they are, not only from what they know.
• Seeking to be neutral about the gospel is, in reality, to reject the existence of God and His authority. We must, rather, acknowledge Him and His omniscience if we want our children to see life's choices clearly and be able to think for themselves. They should not have to learn by sad experience that "wickedness never was happiness."
• All of us experience temptations. So did the Savior, but He "gave no heed unto them". Similarly, we do not have to yield simply because a temptation surfaces. We may want to, but we don't have to.
• Mere wanting is hardly a proper guide for moral conduct.

Thomas S. Monson -Closing Remarks

• How grateful we are that the heavens are indeed open, that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored, and that the Church is founded on the rock of revelation. We are a blessed people, with apostles and prophets upon the earth today.

General Relief Society Meeting

Julie B. Beck -Relief Society: A Sacred Work

• Members [of Relief Society] should permit neither hostile nor competitive interests of any kind to detract from the duties and obligations, the privileges and honors, the opportunities and achievements of membership in this great Society.
• Never suppress a generous thought.

Silvia H. Allred -Every Woman Needs Relief Society

• Among the real heroines in the world who will come into the Church are women who are more concerned with being righteous than with being selfish. These real heroines have true humility, which places a higher value on integrity than on visibility.

Barbara Thompson -Mind the Gap

• Remember that every soul on this earth is also a child of God. We must treat each other with the love and kindness befitting a child of God.
• Do not let doubt and uncertainty enter into your minds. Be assured that God loves you dearly and you are His precious child.
• If you associate together [meaning older and younger women], your minds are improved, you are gaining intelligence, and you are retrenching from ignorance. The Spirit of God will impart it to each other. I say, God bless you my younger sisters. Remember that you are Saints of God; and that you have important works to perform in Zion.
• There is no sister so isolated, and her sphere so narrow but what she can do a great deal towards establishing the Kingdom of God upon the earth.

Henry B. Eyring -The Enduring Legacy of Relief Society

• A wonderful part of the heritage of Relief Society is evident in the way the priesthood has always shown respect to and received it from the Relief Society in turn.

Until you next read these words;

I'll be watching the leaves.

Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi