Leaving on my Mission!!

I'm being set apart as a missionary in about 36 hours so here are the addresses to write me. My mom will be posting my emails here as well as pictures on my missionary blog, sistercloward.blogspot.com (you can also click the above tab, "Leigh's Mission". If you want to receive the emails when she forwards them, email sister.cloward@gmail.com. 

MTC address: (I will be in the MTC until May 28)

MTC Mailbox # 250

BALTIC 0528

2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT 84604-1793

(you can use the MTC mailbox number above to write me via dearelder.com as well)

Mission home address:

Sister Sarah Leigh Cloward 

Baltic Mission

Cesu iela 31-2K2

Riga LV-1012

Latvia

Also, my mom will be printing emails sent to sister.cloward@gmail.com and mailing them to me every other week.So, feel welcome to send emails there if you don't want to pay any money for postage.

In case you didn't get the chance, read up about my mission call here.

A Tribute

As all of you should know at this point, there were 20 kids shot and killed at an elementary school in Connecticut. This is a video I found in tribute to those who died on this tragic day in America's history.

If the video doesn't work above, click HERE to watch it as well.

I know that there are many suffering at this time because of the lives lost in this horrible act of violence, but I also know that there is peace available to those who are suffering. Through the Jesus Christ we can find peace and forgiveness in this hard time. I know that the children who died were welcomed into heaven with warm embraces and much love, and that they are at peace there. I hope that we can all find peace and forgiveness in the wake of this trial. May God watch over those families who lost loved ones and may we all be mindful of those who are suffering around us, and keep them in our prayers. 

Mission Call!!

I definitely should have posted this earlier, but here it is anyways. I got my mission call about a week and a half ago! When the President of the church announced that the mission age was being changed for woman to be able to go on a mission, I just knew that now was my time to share the truth of the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm so excited.
Well, drum roll... I'll be going to the Baltic mission on March 27!! The Baltic mission has four countries which are Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Belarus. I will be speaking Latvian, so I will probably spend most of my 18 months there in Latvia! I'm excited and spend most of my free time now learning about the area and what it is going to be like!! Here is a map of the countries in relation to Russia and Poland.

Change is in the air!!

Well, I have big changes in my life coming up. I'm sure most of you have heard how the mission age for the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints has been lowered. So, men can now leave at 18 and women at 19. Well, I'm 19! So, I'm taking a leap of faith and going on a mission! I'm almost done with my papers. I've done my part of the papers and had my final interview with my bishop. All I need now is my final interview with the stake president and he'll submit the papers to the church headquarters where they will decide where I'm going to go. I'm hoping to have my mission call by Thanksgiving, but we'll see how behind they are with the many papers of other people they have gotten so far.
The first thing people ask me when they find out I'm going to go on a mission, is where do I want to go? I always tell them I'm willing to serve wherever I'm called. But in all honesty I would love to go somewhere French speaking, whether it is Canada or France or some country in Africa. It doesn't have to be French speaking, but I would love to be fluent in such a beautiful language. So, I'll post it on the blog when I know where I'm going, but if you feel so inclined you are welcome to post a comment with where you think I will go. :)

Salt Lake Diversity

Working in Utah has been quite the learning experience. I've enjoyed it so much. I couldn't ask for any better jobs than what I have now. My favorite job is in Salt Lake. One thing I've had to learn is to drive in Salt Lake. I love it though. Salt Lake is quite the different, diverse place.
Well, while working at the art gallery the other day. I sold a piece of artwork to Elder Steven E. Snow. For those who don't know who he is, he is a member of the seventy and also the church historian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He came in and bought a large print of the St. George Temple. It was a great experience to sell something to such a great man.
In great contrast, on my way home from work that evening, I was driving past an intersection and looked over and there were two police officers. As I looked more closely, I saw them arresting someone right there on the sidewalk. Growing up in a small town bubble, I have never seen someone get arrested. It shocked and scared me. What a stark contrast from my earlier experience!
So, Salt Lake has really shown me what differences there are in the world. It is really only possible to see both of these stark contrasts in Salt Lake! I couldn't see and meet a general authority and then see an arrest in any other big city besides Salt Lake. I love working in Utah!

Meeting President Monson!

I shook President Monson's hand!! I know, it is something that doesn't happen often, but I shook his hand. President Monson is the prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is an amazing man who has become my role model over time. He is big on promoting service and compassion. He is someone who I look up to as someone that I would like to become like. If I could be even just a little more like him, then I would be pretty set in life. Well, anyways, back to the experience. I was at a viewing for the father of a member of my ward. I didn't know the guy personally, but I really look up to his daughter who is our neighbor. So, I went with my grandmother to support her. Well, just as we were about to leave, we were talking to her husband when in walked President Monson. He shook everyone's hands and then went into the viewing. So, even though I didn't get to talk to him, I did get to shake his hand. He really is a prophet of God! I know that God talks to him and directs him how to run his church. Below is a picture of President Monson:

Once Upon a Time Season 2!!!

So, it isn't actually time for season two to start, sadly, but there is a sneak peak that was just released today that makes me so excited! I can't believe I have to wait until this fall to see it, but here is the sneak peak for you all to enjoy. And if you haven't seen Once Upon a Time then you are sorely missing out. Anyways, here it is!

The Moments That Matter Most

I have to thank my good friend Kristiana for inspiring this post. I read her post which got me thinking. Do we go through life too fast? Do we savor the moments that are most important? Honestly, I don't think I spend enough time enjoying the most important things in life. I'm busy with three jobs and sometimes I forget that there are important things besides the jobs. Well, anyways. Here is a video clip that shows many of the great joys in life that we get to experience and look forward to experiencing.

Three jobs!

Yes, I really am working three jobs right now, and I love every bit of it! I have two food jobs and a sales job. I work at Red Mango (a really good frozen yogurt place) and Teriyaki Grill. I also work at an art gallery in Salt Lake called Al Rounds Studio. The art gallery is probably my favorite job. I really enjoy my work and while three jobs keeps me pretty busy, I definitely enjoy every bit of it. Some say I'm a workaholic, but I don't think so. What do you think?

Also, here are some paintings of Al Rounds.

City Creek 

Joseph's Nauvoo

Sacred Grove

Bones

I've been watching Bones on Netflix, and I love it! But at the same time I hate it. Why? Because the writer has done way too good of a job keeping the viewer watching. They keep stuff hanging so that you just always want to keep watching it. It is so awful! I really wish that Booth and Brennan would just get together! That is all I am going to say. I just love this show and I recommend that everyone watch the show and try it out!
Here is a picture: