I’ve actually been growing quite fond of Atlanta… Lately I’ve been feeling restless, looking for a change in scenery, and Atlanta keeps coming to mind. There’s a wonderful coffee community, my uncle lives there, and it’s just a nice size city – not too big, not too small. AND it’s only a 4 hour drive from Nashville, so I wouldn’t be too far from my mom. We’ll see what the future holds, but I do have some ideas brewing…

Anyways, Saturday morning Joe and I began our venture down to Weeki Wachee, Florida!

Weeki Wachee is really not that exciting of a place – it’s mainly just a home for retirees – but I was determined to go to the beach while I was in Florida… The next day we took a day trip to Clearwater Beach, and then to a nearby Greek village called Tarpon Springs, where apparently, the area is known for having the “World’s Finest” natural sponges. Lots of beach shops with TONS of sponges, and amazing Greek resturants and bakeries. Wohoo! It was so nice to be by the water…

Monday was probably the highlight of the trip. My cousin Sean was in town visiting my Grandparents as well, so Joe thought we should all go to Universal Studios, to check out the new Harry Potter theme park.

The park was SO busy, and there was about an hour long wait to get on most of the rides. There was a 2 hour wait to just get into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but it was so worth it. Oh, and I had the privilege of getting pushed around in a wheelchair because of my feet, so I was fine with waiting in line :)

It’s absolutly amazing how they made Howarts and all the shops in Hogsmead look so real! I never really got into the Harry Potter books, so I wasn’t geeking out like I know my sister would have, but I  have to say I was thoroughly impressed…

Tuesday, Joe and I headed back to Atlanta. It was a short trip, but I know it meant a lot to my Grandparents that we came down. I feel like our family is pretty distant, both emotionally and geographically, and I’m trying to do what I can on my part to work on that. Hopefully, one of these days we can get everyone together in the same place! It makes it difficult with me  and my mom in Nashville, Tom and Deidre in Connecticut, Joe in Atlanta, my Grandparents in Florida, and now my sister out in Arizona.. oh, and the rest of the family in New York.

Anyways, here are a bunch of pictures from the trip. Enjoy, and feel free to comment :)

I do know, however, that God is doing some serious work in me. I’m almost certain that if I received this awesome “high” from the weekend, like I was expecting, there’s a good chance I would have returned home and crashed pretty hard. And I NOW know, that it is happening in a healthy, gradual manner.

Anyway, I’ve decided to share a journal entry from Saturday night:

“The weekend is coming to an end, and I have to say, I’m not sure how I feel. part of me feels a sense of relief, and peace of mind. But another part of me still seems to be struggling with ungodly beliefs and resentments. I do know, now, that it’s a process, and I know things are changing within me. Miracles do happen, but I know this healing process will indeed take time.

I just ask God for discernment, and sensitivity to people, places, and situations that might delay this healing process. I know I’m weak, and although I am forgiven, I can’t just bank on Grace all the time. I want renewal of the mind and heart, and I want to break free from the bondage I’ve been in.

I feel something HUGE happening in me. Part of me is scared; walking into the “unknown”. But that is faith, and I need to remember that I will not be left alone. I’m also very excited and anxious to lead a healthier, holier life! God is so good and faithful, and his timing is perfect.”

I feel like it’s been a while since I let you all know what’s been happening in my life (well, for those of you who actually read this)…

]]> http://sarahsanfino.com/2010/06/16/im-a-crazy-cat-lady/feed/ 0 http://sarahsanfino.com/2010/05/20/health-and-faith-update/ http://sarahsanfino.com/2010/05/20/health-and-faith-update/#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 16:16:26 +0000 Sarah http://sarahsanfino.com/?p=461 As of just this morning, the company my mom works for CHANGED THEIR MINDS and decided that they indeed ARE going to participate in early enrollment for the new Health Care Bill, allowing young adults to go back on their families plans until 26…

They had originally told us last week that I would not be allowed back on until 1/1/2011.

This is truly amazing. There are no worries about pre-existings or any of that either! I am soooooo happy, and God is soooo good!!!! Now hopefully I can really get this whole ankle thing under control so I can get back to working with coffee, doing what I loooooveee!!!!!!!!!

The last few weeks/months have been really hard, being out of work and having no idea what the outcome is going to be with my feet. I haven’t been able to work, I haven’t been able to run/walk/exercise, and simple things like getting out of bed are SO painful. It’s very restricting, and my mind has gone to a pretty bad place. I’ve always measured my self-worth by how hard I work, and with that gone, well, my self-esteem went out the window.

My moods have been extreme, I’ve been so lazy and unmotivated, and honestly just depressed. I felt like I had decided I was screwed, and that was that. I stopped praying, and I just didn’t want to be told “It’ll all work out” anymore.

I started to feel like I was being punished. I’m so young, and I really felt like God was mad at me or something. I know that sounds dumb, but I really had just given up on prayer, my faith was nearly gone, and I just felt hopeless. My mind was really going to a bad place, and I just didn’t care.

Last night I had the most random and beautiful conversation a few amazing people, and felt so exposed to the Holy Spirit. Words can’t really express how I felt, or even what was talked about. I felt like a sponge, just soaking up all of the love and truth that was being spoken to me. And it wasn’t at a church, it wasn’t formal, it wasn’t expected. My whole evening was truly a gift from God. And I am so overjoyed, I want to explode.

Last night was so moving, and so spiritually reassuring to me, and then to wake up with this wonderful news about my health insurance. I just feel such a great peace.

(and here’s a sweet picture of Bubbles)

Although surrounding areas were underwater early Saturday evening, my neighborhood seemed to be fine other than heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Then, Sunday morning we got a phone call from our good friends/neighbor telling us to move our car out of the street. We looked outside, and my car was already 4 feet underwater! I wanted to just go back to sleep, but Randy put on swim shorts and decided to go walk around and talk to the neighbors. Kids were swimming in the street (which is disgusting) and people were gathered on their porches watching the water rush down the street. We are very fortunate that our house stayed dry, and there was very minimal damage. Others were not so fortunate. People got stranded on the interstates and lost their vehicles, lot of people were evacuated to shelters, and houses all over were flooded and severly damaged.

Nashvillest has been doing an awesome job of keeping us updated, and @Nashvillest on Twitter has been sending frequent updates on volunteer/donation information.

Anyways, here are some photos we took of our neighborhood yesterday, and a few of downtown today. I am so thankful to be safe and dry!

Last Spring, Randy and I met at a coffee shop after church. After a few failed attempts of Randy trying to track me down at local coffee shops, we finally crossed paths at my work a few weeks later. I served him a French Press (he says he was trying to impress me with that) and I even sat down and took my lunch break next to him… but of course, he didn’t even talk to me!! On his way out, we talked brefily about the time we met, and about our church… and yet again, he left without giving me his number or suggesting we hang out…

Randy was obviously kind of awkward, and not good at this sort of thing, so I took control. I knew he’d be at church the next day, and I knew he would go to that coffee shop we met at. The problem was that I had to work untill noon, and I knew I would miss church. I decided to call Rich (the owner of The Frisky Berry Coffee Co.) and told him to look out for a guy named Randy that rides a scooter and has a backpack with a white Macbook. I told him to tell Randy to stay put because I’d come over after my shift.

Lo and behold, Randy was at the coffee shop. Awkwardly awaiting my arrival (he later told me he thought it was really weird that I called Rich). We chatted for a bit, and finally exchanged numbers apon my leaving :)

Later that night, I received a text asking if I wanted to get coffee or dinner sometime. A few days later was Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s, and I suggested we get some lunch, go to the park, and them get some free ice cream! It was just our style, and a beautiful day in Downtown Franklin. We ended up eating a Mellow Mushroom Pizza at the park, walking around Franklin, and sitting on a bench across from Ben and Jerry’s with our ice cream….and well… Here we are, one year later :)

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of crazyness and stress. Randy and I have been challenged with the decision to postpone our wedding, and although difficult, we have concluded that is the best thing for us to do right now.

Our friends and family have been very supportive, and highly commend us on our decision to take a few steps back and really try to strengthen our foundation. I think Randy and I have some pride issues (as well as other issues), so deciding to cancel 2 weeks before.. was really difficult… kind of embarassing… but also very humbling.

I really do think that God put us in each others lives for a reason. But I also think we have somewhat lost our focus and direction. So please, to whoever may read this… Please pray for us… for clarity, patience, and guidance…

We’re also open to any opinions, suggestions, advice on our *continued* path to marriage.

Thanks everyone!

We will also have an RSVP feature after we send out our invitations. Hurray!

Check it out!  RandyandSarah

Gwilym Davies – you know, the current World Barista Champion – has come up with a rather splendid card: the disloyalty card.

The idea is simple:  If you go and drink coffee at 8 interesting, quality focused cafes around (mostly) East London then he will say thank you by making you a coffee for free.