187th Semiannual General Conference -Sunday Sessions

Sunday Morning

Jean B. Bingham

• Lasting joy is found in focusing on our Savior Jesus Christ and living the Gospel. 
• God loves you individually and understands you perfectly. 
• No matter what we have suffered, Christ is a source of healing. 
• We must come unto Christ and allow him to work his miracles in order to be healed. 
• Sometimes we are afraid to trust because we don't understand God's desire to help us.
• Peace will come as we trust that Christ has the power to soothe our aching souls. 
• Our Father in Heaven is not concerned only about our comfort, but also our upward progress. It may be hard, but keep trying! 
• We have Divine Potential and Royal Promise despite the world trying to tell us that this life is a Dead End.
• When we put our faith into action, the Holy Ghost bears witness of eternal truth. 
• Are our testimonies built upon the firm bedrock foundation of Christ and his gospel when the storms come? 
• Make time and take time to come to know Jesus Christ. 

Donald L. Hallstrom

• Sometimes the miracle never comes...at least in a way you want to have the miracle. 
• Often we describe a miracle as being healed or avoiding danger by a means not fully explained or a prompting. 
• Man, in faith, can work might miracles.
• Do you have full confidence that God can save you? And if you're not saved, do you still keep that trust in God? 
• Miracles. Being a child of God. Is a miracle. Receiving a body. Miracle. Gift of Savior. Miracle. Atonement. Miracle. 
• We should focus on the spiritual miracles available to ALL of God's Children. 

David A. Bednar

• Sometimes we try to run so fast, that we forget where we are going and why we are running. 
• Eternal life is the ultimate exceeding great and precious promises. 
• Ordinances that are received worthily and remembered always brings purpose and blessings for mortality and eternity.
• We are too apt to forget the great object of life. 
• Don't allow yourself to go down to the level of the world, stay on the Lord's level. 
• Our thoughts, actions, and demeanor are signs we give to God and are an indicator of our love for him. 
• What we do in our homes with His sacred time & what we learn in His sacred space is important to become partakers of divine nature. 
• What we become is the result of and our willingness to learn from. It's not the sum total of our daily pursuits in a lifetime.
• We are blinded if we look beyond the mark if we focus on the cares and concerns of the world instead of the light of the Lord. 

W. Christopher Waddell

• There will be times in our lives when we find ourselves on an unexpected path, facing events out of our control. 
• No amount of change, trial, or opposition can alter the Eternal Course. Only our choices as we exercise our agency. 
• Hope and peace are Always Available. 
• We cannot control what happens to us but we can control how we respond to the trials and events that happen in our lives.
• Rather than blame God, turn to him, and pour your hearts out to him, and he will ease your burdens. 
• Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs. 
• You have the choice. You need to take action. Look and Live. 
• Dealing w/ the challenges of life is not about ignoring reality, but focusing on the ways to overcome them w/ a positive attitude. 

W. Craig Zwick

• Look beyond what you see.
• We must look past the easy assumptions and stereotypes and look through the narrow lens that lets us see others potential. 
• Are we acting as a wrecking ball? Or are we using a more gentle touch catered to another's needs? 
• In reality don't we all come from different countries, speak in different languages, see the world through our personal experiences?
• Don't look through the lens of social media. Instead look inward to the Godly attributes found within. 
• You can love and accept others without having to embrace their ideas. 
• Remember to put Jesus Christ at the center of your life today.
• Focusing on the negative aspects of others isn't going to make you happier or change them. Let. It. Go. 
• Open our eyes to divine truth, prepares us to be healed of mortal shortsightedness. 
• CTRL+A, delete. All of the negativity you've been focusing on. Let it go. 

Henry B. Eyring

• In a season of increasing tumult in the world, the increases in testimony have driven out doubt and fear and have brought feelings of peace.
• Courage will come from their Faith in Him as their Rock. 
• If ye sow Good, you will reap Good. Therefore. Go and Do Good! 
• We just got here. Where can we go to help?
• The miracle of faith drives out doubt and fear. 
• Help can come in the most unexpected moments when you're feeling the most overwhelmed and closest to tears. 
• A man filled with the love of God is not content on blessing just his family and friends, but ventures out to find others to help.
• Our hearts remain changed only as long as we keep trying. If we stop after one burst of effort. The change will fade.
• As much as we've built faith and courage in our hearts. The Lord expects more. Be stronger. Be braver. Cus you'll be greater. 
• Sometimes you will be the angel sent to bear others up, other times you'll be surrounded by angels to bear you up. 
• Faith always defeats Fear. Standing Together always produces Unity. 

Sunday Afternoon

M. Russell Ballard

• If we lose our ties to those who have gone before us, we will lose a very precious treasure. 
• Have faith in every footstep. 
• We need to remember the trek through life continues for each of us as we move forward placing our faith in every footstep. 
• We must be careful where our footsteps in life take us. We must be watchful to avoid pitfalls strewn along the way. 
• Be wise and Be aware. Some things may be emotionally appealing but may end up spiritually or physically harmful. 
• Welcome and Embrace anyone who is making their own trek, no matter where they are in their journey. 

Tad R. Callister

• Scriptures in the Book of Mormon are messages with a heartbeat. They live and breathe and inspire us to be better. 
• While some may choose to belief the critics, for me, that's a route to a dead end. 

Joni L. Koch

• In spite of our differences the Lord expects us to be One. 
• We should leave behind our differences and instead concentrate on our common spiritual objectives. 
• What destroys our unity is how we act when we are apart from everyone else. 
• Depending on what we choose to say about and to each other will either create more unity or erode the unity.
• Oftentimes we put permanent labels on a temporary problem.
• We have no right to portray anyone as a 'badly finished product' instead realize they can change for the better and can be better.

Stanley G. Ellis 

• We learn some of the Best lessons during the Hardest times. 
• Hard is good. Makes us stronger. Gives us a chance to prove ourselves.
• Hard is part of the gospel plan. One of the purposes of this life is to be proven. 
• Hard is the constant. We all have trials. The variable is our reaction to the Hard. 
• Trying to make things easier for others can deprive them of the very thing that could ensure they'd be successful. 
• Do we Flee or Fight? Which is right? Either choice has it's dangers. 
• For evil to prevail, it's only necessary for Good people to do nothing. 
• We each have a different opinion on what is hard and what is easy.

Adilson de Paula Parrella

• We should always act when our living prophets speak. 

Ian S. Ardern

• Do we unknowingly let caterpillars into our lives to eat at our spiritual roots?
• Unless we are spiritually vigilant, we may find ourselves bound with Satan's chains. 
• Immediately turn away when those try to persuade you with devious means. Don't let darkness take away your light. 
• The greater the light in our lives, the fewer the shadows. 
• The trying of our faith worketh patience. 
• Hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes. 
• I may not know all things, but I know enough. 

Jose L. Alonso

• Love without service is like faith without works. It's dead indeed. 
• Sometimes our stewardships end sooner than expected, but that does not mean we failed in said stewardship.

Neil L. Andersen 

• A central idea may come quickly, but the content and details may require enormous spiritual climbing.
• The messages you receive may be very literal or may be customized just for you.
• You don't know everything, but you know enough. 
• When we choose to have faith, we are prepared to stand in the presence of God. After the Savior's Crucifixion, he only appeared to those who had been faithful to him. Those who had rejected him could not behold his presence nor look on his face. Our faith prepares us to be in the presence of our God.
• I love you. I pray for you. May God Bless you. May his promised peace be with you Now and Always. 

To read/watch/listen to the full talks given please visit: 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference?cid=HP_SA_23-9-2017_dGC_fBCAST_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng

Until you next read these words;

I'll be watching the leaves.

Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

187th Semiannual General Conference -Saturday Session

Saturday Morning

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

• We all have an innate desire and instinct to find our way home.
• How do we know where to go? It's instinct. 
• Human beings have an inner guidance system that draws them to their heavenly home.
• Deep within us is the desire to reach through the veil and embrace the heavenly parents who await us on the otherside. 
• Are you quenching the light of desire within yourself?
• God calls to you. He knows you. He knows the many times you've sought him. 
• No matter your history, know that you are not alone. God still calls to you. 
• If you call to him, He will speak to you this very day.
• Turn to the Lord. Why? 1. Your life will be better. 2. God will use you to make others lives better.
• Just as God makes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good. He also allows adversity to test the just and the unjust. 
• Following the Savior will not remove all of our trials. It will remove the barriers that prevent you from getting the help God wants to give.
• Those who heed the inner call to seek God, even if they stumble will receive the assurance that all things will work for their good.
• Turn your soul to the Light. Begin your journey home. Your life will be better, happier, and more purposeful. 
• As you serve God, and care for/help your fellow man,  You will see progress in your life. In ways you can't fully imagine.
• Don't focus on your limitations. Don't focus on being "more" of something. Blessings come not from our abilities, but from our choices.
• God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound those that are mighty. 
• Until we are presented with the trial ourselves, we don't know quite how we will react. Nor can we judge others on their choices. 
• God will use you, magnify your desires, if you are willing.
• In many ways we are far from home, though we don't need to feel alone or lost. We have the light of Christ to guide us. 
• Good things come from making an effort to reach those things. 
• Life is not a self driving car, a plane on autopilot, a boat drifting down the stream. We must act. Swim against the current to progress.
• No one else is responsible for our personal journey, the commitment and burden falls us directly.

Bonnie L. Oscarson

• When you're searching for an answer, you should pause to consider that it's right in front of us. 
• Those who live only for themselves, figuratively shrivel up and die, while others who serve others grow and flourish.
• Be careful to not turn inward and forget that the essence of the gospel is service. Helping others. 
• Are we distracted? Are we being too ambitious in looking ways to help? Remember you can help right in your own home. 
• We may be so focused on the disasters around the world, that we don't notice the person needing friendship sitting next to us. 
• What good is it to save the world if we neglect those that are close to us? 
• God places those who need us, close to us. So that we may more easily help them in their times of need. 
• Do you ever act because you saw a need and desired to help? 
• Serving others can begin at any age at any time. 
• Changing the world begins with strengthening your own family. 
• There will always be someone who is lonely and needs a friend. Be that friend. 
• We are not just receivers and takers of the gospel at church. We are also givers. 
• The Savior most often ministered to ONE person at a time. 
• Some of the greatest needs may be the ones right in front of you. 
• Begin where you are. Love them as they are. And prepare. 

Dallin H. Oaks

• We must be vigilant in a world that has moved far from being spiritual.
• The opposition of the world and the pride thereof are reasons for us to hold fast to the iron rod. Too many blessings are lost.
• If we lack faith in God's plan and refrain from it's actions, we forgo receiving growth and maturity. 
• Every generation that has sought to follow God's plan has encountered challenges. 
• Seek to show love for all. 

John C. Pingree Jr.

• Our Heavenly Father has specific and significant things for you and me to accomplish. This is for everyone, not just a privileged few. We all have a meaningful role to play in furthering God's work.
• God has always used ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.
• The Lord has more in mind for you than you have for yourself. The Lord needs you to change the world.
• All gifts we have are purposeful. There is no insignificant talent given to us. All are essential.
• The Lord will often use your trials as a stepping stone to help you later help others.
• Sin is perhaps our greatest stumbling block. Blocking and dimming our views with distractions that make it difficult to focus.

D. Todd Christofferson 

• As we partake of the sacrament, we would do well to consider how to incorporate Christ's character into our own lives and being.
• We cannot be content to remain as we are, but should be constantly moving to become better. 
• Often you can feel God's love and mercy most strongly when you are on your knees. 
• We are the product of all we read, hear, do, think. 
• Our Mortal experiences offer us the opportunity to choose. 
• Service is not something we endure so we can earn. Service is the very fiber of which exalted life is made. 
• God will show us our flaws and failings, but he will also help us turn our weaknesses into strengths. 
• Let us not be content with where we are, but also let us not be discouraged. 

Jeffrey R. Holland

• The scriptures were written to bless and encourage us. 
• Celestial goals may seem beyond our reach, but we're never given commandments by God that he knows we cannot keep. 
• As Children of God we should not demean or vilify ourselves. That's not going to make us the person that God wants us to be. 
• We can pursue personal improvement without demolishing our self esteem. 
• Here in mortality. Perfection is still pending. 
• Focusing on the Father's and Son's achievement rather than our own failures doesn't justify us to dumb down our standards. 
• Our only hope in True Perfection is receiving it as a gift from Heaven. We won't earn it.
• Try to be a little more Godlike in little things. 
• While in mortality, lets strive for steady improvement. 
• We are all called to serve somewhere. 
• Look at my life now, and look at my former life. Can you not see that I am trying to be better? 
• If I know the way home, but am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right way simply because I'm staggering?
• Don't gloat. Give your help to anyone striving to walk the road back to God.

Saturday Afternoon

Henry B. Eyring -Sustaining of Church Officers

Gary E. Stevenson 

• A spiritual eclipse can occur if we allow minor obstructions to get so close that they block out the light of Christ. 
• Perspective is the ability to see all relative information in a meaningful way. 
• Sometimes we try so hard to do something Good that we block out the Spiritual Light of Christ and end up in darkness. 
• Comparing our seemingly normal existence with others apparent well crafted happiness will make it difficult to add light. 
• When confronted with images that portray idealized reality, let us not compare ourselves to it, but allow it to inspire us. 
• Pride is swallowed in Humility. 
• Some of the greatest and most effective people are those who are the most meek and humble. 
• Don't let life's distractions eclipse Heaven's Light

Stephen W. Owen

• While there may be undefeated seasons in sports...there aren't any in life. 
• Repentance points us to freedom, confidence, and peace. 
• The Joy of Repentance is more than the Joy of living a Decent Life. 
• Faith keeps you moving. Faith keeps the father patiently watching. 
• We are all prodigals. We all have to come to ourselves (usually more than once) and choose the path to come back home. 
• It is not enough to gain a testimony. You have to maintain it and strengthen it. 
• Now is the time to Begin. Do not Procrastinate. 
• The Reward IS worth the Effort. 

Quentin L. Cook

• We are all Equal before God. 
• Anyone who proclaims superiority under the father's plan because of differences between people does not understand God's plan. 
• True Humility is seldom visibly evident. 
• While life is incredibly short, it is also incredibly significant. 
• Sometimes humility is accepting callings when we don't feel adequate. Or serving faithfully when we think we deserve more. 
• We need to yield ourselves to the enticings of the Holy Spirit. 
• We can celebrate our uniqueness without putting down others in the process. 
• Agency requires that we respect many choices of which we may not always agree. 
• As often as we repent, the Lord will forgive.
• Holding a grudge is poisonous to our souls. 
• Humility is a sign of spiritual strength. It's a quiet confidence that day by day, hour by hour, we can rely on the Lord.
• The Test of Greatness is the way one meets the Eternal Everyday.

Ronald A. Rasband

• God does not work by coincidence, but by divine design. 
• There is a guiding hand above all things. Often when things happen, it is not by accident.
• What may appear to be a random chance, is in fact overseen by a loving Heavenly Father.
• Changes in our plans aren't always missteps in our journey but first steps to heading out on the Lord's errand. 
• Heavenly Father can put us in situation with specific intents and results in mind. 
• Heavenly Father continues to place us in each others paths for a reason. 
• The Lord loves to be with us. 
• Not all of what God asks of us is a result of how strong we are, faithful we are, or what we may know. 
• When we are righteous, willing, and able and are striving to be better qualified, we find ourselves in places we never imagined. 
• The Lord's hand is guiding you. He's in the small details of your life as well as the major milestones. 

O. Vincent Haleck

• A man can live in the dark for a period, but there will come a day when he'll long to come into the light. 
• The Heart of a Widow is the one who senses, feels, and embraces the Light of Truth and yearns to bring others into that light. 

Russell M. Nelson

• You could have given me diamonds and rubies, but there is nothing more precious to me than this additional knowledge of Christ.
• Each individual receives a witness and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Immersing ourselves regularly in the truths of the Book of Mormon can be a life changing experience. 
• The full power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is contained within the Book of Mormon. Period.
• Book of Mormon = Power.
• Power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, cheer our souls.
• If you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon you can be immunized from the plagues of the day. 

Priesthood Session

Dale G. Renlund 

• The opportunity to benefit from the Savior's Atoning power is his most important payload & is made available through the priesthood.
• God intends priesthood to be used for more than a class on Sunday or a service opportunity.
• The use of the priesthood is governed by priesthood keys and covenants. 
• Priesthood is not an amorphous source of autonomous power.
• God's atoning power is made accessible through the Priesthood.
• Being casual and apathetic in a priesthood calling, can jeopardize the priesthood covenant could lead to mission failure.

David F. Evans

• Never put others down for having questions. Let them voice them and help them out as you can. 
• Do the things you should and don't do the things you know you should not do. 
• You are responsible for finding the answers to your own questions and acting upon what you learn. 
• If you do not have a firm testimony, do what is necessary to obtain one. It's essential you stand on your own testimony.
• Whatever I'm asked, I'll do.
• Choose to act rather than be acted upon by the doubts of others. 
• Our search for answers should focus on the Best of books, speakers, words. 
• When things are hard we may have to just push through patiently with tried cheer and a smile on our face. 
• At times you may need to hold onto the faith of others while you find your own faith.
• Without knowing everything we can know the truth. 

Richard J. Maynes

• Earning the Lord's trust is a great blessing that requires effort on our part. 
• Integrity or the lack thereof, is a fundamental part of a person's character. 
• With each choice we make we either gain or loose the Lord's trust. 
• To Earn the Lord's Trust, you must first place your Trust in Him. 
• Having trust in someone is similar to having faith in someone. If there's no faith or trust then instead you find fear and doubt. 
• Once you take a bribe or compromise your integrity, it is very difficult to get it back. Don't even do it. Not even once. 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

• Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who cares about our troubles. 
• Sometimes spiritual illness comes as a result of sin or emotional wounds. Sometimes spiritual breakdowns come so gradually that we can scarcely tell it's happening. 
• Just because spiritual trials are real, does not mean that they're incurable. We can heal spiritually.
• The Savior's healing touch can transform lives in our day, just as he did in his day.
• Darkness reduces our ability to see clearly what was once plain and clear.
• Light allows us to see things as they really are. Between Truth and Error. Vital and Trivial.
• We will find spiritual healing as we step away from the shadows of the world and into the everlasting light of Christ.
• He who humbly follows Jesus Christ, will experience and share in his light. And that light will grow until it dispels the deepest darkness.
• Light = Spirit & Truth 
• The Light of Christ, enlightens and saturates the souls of all to the voice of the Spirit. 
• If you'll open your mind and heart to receive the light of Christ and humbly follow the savior you'll receive more light.
• God will not force us to embrace his light. 
• If we become comfortable with darkness, then we will be less willing to change. It takes action to step from the darkness into the light. 
• Even in the darkest of nights, the sun doesn't cease to radiate it's light. Only half of the earth is in shadow. 
• Darkness is not an indication that there is No Light. It simply means that we're not in the right place to receive the light. 
• Even in moments of greatest darkness, God hears our humble petitions for help. 
• It is up to us. To be in the right place. To see and feel the light and truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even when night has fallen.
• Remember. You are a bearer of Light. 
• Every time you turn your hearts to God, you experience His light. 
• It is our quest to seek the Lord until his light of everlasting life burns brightly within us. 

Henry B. Eyring

• The Lord's leadership of the church requires great and steady faith. 
• God calls imperfect people into positions of trust.
• Delay judgements until you can see as the Lord sees. 
• No matter where you are in the chain of priesthood service, faith is essential. 
• Go with Faith that you're on the Lord's Errand. 
• Every Leader is a mixture of strengths and weaknesses. It's up to you to see their potential or their possible failures. 
• Can you see another's weaknesses and look past them to the strengths beyond. 
• By choosing not to judge others you could receive the confirmation that you desire.
• We should look past perceived imperfections, warts, or spots and uphold the office that they hold. 
• There is a thread that binds us to the Lord in our Service. 
• It takes faith, trust, and humility to serve in the place we are called. 

To watch/listen/read the conference talks in their entirety please visit: 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference?cid=HP_SA_30-9-2017_dPFD_fGC_xLIDyL2-3_&lang=eng 

Until you next see these words;

I'll be watching the leaves.

Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Still Being Stubborn

I've often stated that I'm too responsible for my own good. 

It's often the case when it involves work.
I'm stubborn about being where I've promised to be.
And if I'm scheduled to show up for a work shift, then by golly I'm going to show up for a work shift. 

*exhales*

So Wednesday night/Thursday Morning.
I ended up with a nuclear headache.

One of those painful ones where it wakes you up in the middle of the night, feeling like your skull is being pounded by a hot iron, your shoulders tense, unable to get a full breath, your stomach churning. It's a horrible feeling.

And something I definitely didn't need to be dealing with right before work.
Why?

Because yesterday (Thursday) was the day scheduled for us to have our District Manager come into the store to do a basic 'check in' to make sure we were looking good and the like. 

And I've known about this visit for like a week now.
And the managers were expecting me to get certain tasks done that morning before she came in to make sure that my department looked spic and span and would pass the visit. 

But Thursday morning....
I felt awful.
More awful than I usually feel when dealing with a nuclear headache.
And I think it's because I was feeling drained in general already from having to be social in situations I'd rather not be social in. And that was a stress for me. A strain....
And I think it just got to me Wednesday night. 

In any case.
I was feeling shaky, weak, unable to eat anything due to my churning stomach, lacking sleep, and of course...dealing with a still aching head. *exhales*

In all Honesty....I should have just called into work and been like "I'm sick, I can't come in." 

And that's when Responsible me kicked in.
Because I couldn't call in.
Not on the day of the DM visit! Not when there were things I needed to be doing because I hadn't told anyone else to do them.
...Okay admittedly I did think about calling a coworker to ask if they could cover for me...but it was in the early AM in the morning. Before the sun was even up. And I didn't want to wake her up. 
Nor did I want to leave work scrambling for someone to cover my shift.

And since I had no idea who was coming in with me this morning, nor WHEN they'd be coming in....
It could mean that we'd have even less time to get open if I didn't show up like I usually do. 

So.
Feeling shaky, weaky, ill....I got up and got ready for work.
Halfway hoping that I would be able to feel better once I got in.
Because after dealing with a nuclear headache...going to work and cleaning -exercising my muscles- can often help with the tension I'm feeling and make the headache go away.

And the headache did go away.
But my ability to function...didn't really improve.

lol to say how 'out of it' I was....

I forgot to clock into my shift.
Which...I can't remember the last time I forgot to clock in....if I ever have.
But yesterday. I forgot.
Because I was so focused on checking to see who would be coming in when and making a game plan.

Because standing up right...I already had decided that if I was able to...I would leave early.

I mean...I've often wanted to leave my work shifts early after dealing with a nuclear headache. But usually the schedule works against me where I couldn't feel comfortable leaving because there would be no coverage in my department.

-Like I said....too responsible for my own good. 

Today though. There was coverage.
A coworker coming in at the same time as me, and staying nearly as long. While another person in my department would be coming in before my coworker would be off. 

So even though the DM was coming in...my department would at least have coverage. Yay!

Which meant that I could now have a game plan in store.
In mostly that I would stay long enough to ensure my department was up and running and all the morning tasks were done. And then ask to leave.

Things worked in my favor where the head manager quickly found out that I wasn't doing good at all. 
Truthfully they were like "Just go home."

But stubborn responsible me was like "No. I'm going to get the department opened first."

Can I tell you it was difficult?
It was difficult.

I felt like half of my focus was on staying standing and not collapsing. 

Yes...I should have just called it quits. lol.

But I persisted. 

I did all the things that I promised would be done. 
Got the department open and such. :) yay!

I really should have just gone home then. I was mostly dead on my feet. 

The manager certainly thought so. When I finally approached him he was like "So you staying or do you need to leave?"
And I was like "Leave."
And he was like "Okay then, go."
And I was like. "Did you want me to cover my coworker's lunch before I do though?"

Surprise crossed his face. 
Probably because the thought hadn't yet crossed his mind that my coworker would be by their selves in the department for the rest of their shift. And who knew when the DM would show up.
So he was like "Alright, if you're up to it." To which I was thinking, no I wasn't lol but I wanted to be as helpful as possible since I would be leaving my shift halfway through. 

So I covered my coworker's lunch. 

And then I could finally go clock out.
-Which is when I discovered that I hadn't ever clocked in lol.

And when I was leaving the manager was like "Thanks for being you, Sarnic." 

^^;;
Heh.
I try.

I mean, anyone else would have called out and left the department scrambling.
but me?
I don't like to work that way.
Honestly it stresses me out when I even consider the idea of just...leaving the dept shorthanded.
because I've been on the receiving end of that shorthandedness way to often to feel comfortable about doing it myself unless I'm confident that the department will already have coverage.

And yah.
I came home.
And basically died lol. 
I slept for three hours, and spent the rest of the day just recovering because I was still shaky and tired and achy....

In any case...I hope the visit went well....I won't find out until tomorrow how it went. :S 
*fingers crossed* 

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

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Safety Barrier

Some time ago while visiting Australia, I traveled to a beautiful horseshoe bay renowned for its surfing. 
As I walked along the beach, I was enthralled by the magnificence of the large crashing waves breaking just outside the bay and the smaller waves rolling in closer to shore.

As I continued my stroll, I encountered a group of American surfers.
They were obviously upset about something, talking loudly and gesturing toward the sea.
When I asked them what was wrong, they pointed to just outside the bay where the big waves were breaking.

"Look out there," one of them angrily told me. "Can you see the barrier?"
Looking more closely now, I could indeed see a barrier stretching across the entire mouth of the bay, right where the large, enticing waves were breaking.
The barrier appeared to be made of a heavy mesh and was supported by floats on top of the water.
According to the surfers, it dropped all the way down to the ocean floor.

The American surfer continued, "We are here on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to surf these big waves.
We can surf the smaller ones breaking within the bay itself, but the barrier makes it impossible for us to surf the big ones.
We have no idea why the barrier is there.
All we know is that it has totally spoiled our trip."

As the American surfers became more animated, my attention was drawn to another nearby surfer--an older man and obviously a local.
He seemed to be growing impatient as he listened to the ever-increasing complaints about the barrier. 

Finally he rose and walked over to the group.
Without saying anything, he pulled a pair of binoculars from his backpack and handed them to one of the surfers, pointing out toward the barrier.
Each of the surfers looked through the binoculars.
When my turn came, with the help of magnification, I could see something that I had not been able to see before: dorsal fins--large sharks feeding near the reef on the other side of the barrier. 

The group quickly became subdued.
The older surfer retrieved his binoculars and turned to walk away.
As he did, he said words I will never forget: "Don't be too critical of the barrier," he said. "It's the only thing that's keeping you from being devoured." 

As we stood on that beautiful beach, our perspective had suddenly changed.
A barrier that had seemed rigid and restrictive--that seemed to curtail the fun and excitement of riding the really big waves--had become something very different.
With our new understanding of the danger that lurked just below the surface, the barrier now offered protection, safety, and peace.

-Von G. Keetch -Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God -October 2015 General Conference

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

-Sarnic Dirchi

Their Discovery

Today while I was on break at work, one of my managers also happened to be on break at the same time.
Which can be a bit of a trial in that I use my breaks to try and regain a little bit of energy back, usually through napping. 
And some of my managers enjoy chattering throughout the break...like they can't stand to not see me being awake? lol. *shakes head*

This wasn't quite the case today as it was a different manager.
But they too decided to randomly start chatting. 

Which somehow came to the topic that I like to write, that I write blogs a lot. 

And the manager, curious, was like "What type of blogs do you write."

So I told them.
My Everyday blog (this one), My work blog, my story blog, and my conference blog. 

Unsurprisingly, the manager focused on the work blog.

"What do you write in that? Today, I hated my job. Tomorrow I expect to hate my job still?" 

And I was like. O_o No? 
Considering I love my job...not gonna happen that I'd write that I didn't like it. lol. 
But I mostly use the blog to mostly post some of the interactions I have to go through with customers on a daily basis. From customers being unable to tell me which fish they actually want, to convincing customers to putting two hamsters in a cage is a bad idea, to helping customers out to their cars, to talking about mishaps that happen in the store...it's just a blog of work experiences really.

So we touched briefly on the subject. 
And then dropped it.
And I pretty much assumed it would be forgotten lol. 

However, a little bit later, when my manager and I were working on totes -putting product on the shelves- I came upon a section of the fish aisle that had been...well...made messy.
As occasionally customers (and/or their kids) get bored and end up moving product around the shelves, creating scenes, patterns, just moving things from one shelf to the other....
...and then don't put it back.

Which is always irritating lol. 
I definitely understand my parents better when they were like "Clean up after yourself!" Because I think that at least four times a day a work. If you make a mess dear customers, CLEAN IT UP. *shakes head*

In any case.
I took a picture of the section before I fixed it and put everything back before I went up to that manager and was like. "Look what I just found." 

And the manager looked at it.
Then looked at me and was like "Does Head Manager know about your blog?" 

*blinks* 
O.o ....I didn't quite see how he connected a picture on my phone to my blog....but...
I was like "No?"

And my manager was like "That's probably a good thing." 

To which I was like. O.o 

I mean....
This manager hasn't even seen my blog.
So they have no idea what it's even like or how I post.

So I don't quite see why it would be concerning if the head manager knew about it.
I mean, even if they did stumble across it...I change names all the time. Use nicknames and such. So it wouldn't be clear if I was talking about one particular person or a different one.
*shakes heads* 

Though if I think about their comment earlier about 'hate my job'
Perhaps they think it's a blog about me constantly complaining about my job? That its a more negative take on work? *shrugs* Who knows.

Honestly, I don't think there is a reason to be concerned.
It's just a blog to write down my thoughts, to share crazy stories, just like my other three blogs do to one extent or another lol. 

That doesn't mean I don't now have a wiggle of doubt in the back of my mind. Like...is it bad I'm posting about work? 
*shakes heads*

Ugh, I didn't really need that minor stressor in my life. So I'm doing my best to push the thought away (by writing it down here and hopefully forgetting about it afterwards) 
And still do what I love to do. 
Write.
And of course, work at my job. :D lol 

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

-Sarnic Dirchi

Would You Help?

We're having our District Manager (DM) visit the store again this week. 
*exhales* 
Considering that the DM seems to come into the store nearly weekly....it's hardly something that phases me anymore.
I mean, back when we'd only see the DM like twice a year, it was understandably a cause for panic.
But in this past year or so, when the DM's been dropping by more often. Just for stupid reasons. "You didn't make enough money this past week." "You didn't get enough email signatures." "Your conversion is low." "Just checking in to see if your employees know the new program." Blah blah blah.

It's just....one of those things that isn't....stressful for me anymore?
Because we see the DM often enough that it's like "Oh, Hi, you're here again?" 

But the past month or so the DM has been stopping by in a more....idk 'threatening' isn't the right word. But an intimidating manner because of this and that. 
Which always throws me off guard, especially when the reason is like "Your store isn't up to standard, the store looks messy" blah blah blah.
As often I have customers complimenting how clean our store is compared to other pet stores they've been in.
As well as often our problems aren't in direct relation to us. Like having empty shelves? Often is a Supplier issue, not because we don't have the product.

*exhales*
In any case, this week the DM is coming by again. To check in on our progress of keeping the store nice and looking good and that we're up to standards and whatever else.

Which means that tomorrow (the day before the visit) the Managers are going to go more haywire then they were before. Wanting everything looking squeaky clean and perfect etc etc etc.

And part of this onset paranoia of making the store look cleaner...is getting more of my coworkers to come in early to help out. 

Where do I come in in this?
Well, apparently the Head Manager had asked one of my coworkers like yesterday or the day before if they would come in tomorrow to help prepare for the visit. 
And they'd said no. 

Which isn't surprising. I mean, I don't like coming in on my days off. So I would have probably said no as well.

But today, head manager pulled me aside and was like "I want you to ask soandso if they can come in and help tomorrow. Wear them down. Make them say yes." 

To which I was like. O.o ...why do I have to play monkey in the middle? 

Honestly, my opening coworker and I would have the store pretty dialed in by ourselves without having to bring in a third person.
-But also because if there's more people to help out things get done quicker which leaves me scrounging around for something to entertain me the last couple of hours of work before I go home. 

So I wasn't going to try to hard to convince my coworker to come in tomorrow. 
Because if they didn't...then yay! I would be able to have more to do for longer and be able to stay busy.

Still. 
At the end of my coworker's shift I just was like. "Hey, would you be able to come in tomorrow morning for a couple of hours? The managers want the place to be squeaky clean and we could really use your help." 
Something like that. 

And surprisingly. My coworker said yes. 
Basically because somewhere in there I was like "You'd only need to stay for three or four hours, not too long but we'd appreciate the help."

But yah! My coworker said yes and agreed to come in tomorrow morning with me and my other opener to help out.

To which, when I went to report to the Head Manager that the coworker was indeed coming in, he was like. O.o HOW DID YOU DO THAT?! They told me no! 

And I was like...'because they like me?'

lol. I dunno. I just asked nicely, probably gave a bit of puppydog eyes, and gave them the option to say no. lol. Plus, stating that the shift would be short probably helped. As I know I'm more willing to come in and work a short shift if needed than a longer shift. 

*shrugs* 
Hopefully tomorrow goes well in cleaning....
And that I don't end up bored out of my mind once the other two leave. *exhales* 

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

-Sarnic Dirchi

October 2016 General Conference -General Women's Session

Jean B. Bingham -I Will Bring the Light of the Gospel into My Home

• The building of hope and faith and even greater love between receiver and giver are inevitable results of true charity.
• The greatest form of charity may be to withhold judgment.
• When we see our own imperfections more clearly, we are less inclined to view others "through a glass, darkly." 
• We can't direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude. 
• Words have surprising power, both to build up and to tear down.
• Choosing to say only that which is positive about--and to--others lifts and strengthens those around us. 
• Charity, in positive terms, is patient, kind, and content. Charity puts others first, is humble, exercises self-control, looks for good in others, and rejoices when someone does well. 

Carole M. Stephens -The Master Healer

• Regardless of perceived differences, all of us are in need of the same infinite Atonement.
• The Savior meets us where we are. And because of who He is and what He has done for us, He understands.
• Hope and healing are not found in the dark abyss of secrecy but in the light and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bonnie L. Oscarson -Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion

• We have an innate strength and faith that will allow us to meet the challenges of living in the last days. 
• The moment we learn to unleash the full influence of converted, covenant-keeping women, the kingdom of God will change overnight. 
• I worry that we live in such an atmosphere of avoiding offense that we sometimes altogether avoid teaching correct principles.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf -Fourth Floor, Last Door

• Faith is a strong conviction about something we believe--a conviction so strong that it moves us to do things that we otherwise might not do. 
• Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
• There are more ways to see than with our eyes, more ways to feel than with our hands, more ways to hear than with our ears.
• Just because we can't hear something doesn't mean there is nothing to hear.
• Perhaps better advice--or anyone who wants to increase faith--is to listen differently. 
• One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.
• Faith is powerful, and often it does result in miracles. But no matter how much faith we have, there are two things faith cannot do. For one, it cannot violate another person's agency. 
• As painful as it might be for our Father in Heaven, He will not force anyone to choose the path of righteousness.
• God will invite, persuade. God will reach out tirelessly with love and inspiration and encouragement. But God will never compel--that would undermine His great plan for our eternal growth.
• The purpose of faith is not to change God's will but to empower us to act on God's will. Faith is trust--trust that God sees what we cannot and that He knows what we do not.
• Walk by whatever faith you have.
• Faith comes to the humble, the diligent, the enduring.
• God "rewards those who earnestly seek him," but that reward is not usually behind the first door. So we need to keep knocking. Don't give up.

Until you next read these words;

I'll be watching the leaves.

Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi