The "Tattooed Mormon" Al Fox!

Greetings!

My oh my, it's been quite some time since I've posted! So, I was on Facebook today and was led to a video of a girl named Al Fox or "The Tattooed Mormon". I don't really know how I got to the video but clicking around on Facebook and randomly ending up on pages is kind of my specialty. ;-)

Anyway, I watched about four videos of her giving her testimony, and I was so moved by her! She has such a genuine & honest spirit about her and I really enjoy listening to her stories. Fast forward an hour and I've subscribed to her Youtube and followed her blog & Twitter.

I just wanted to let you all know about her because I think she's absolutely great! Check her out in the links below, and let me know what you think!

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/22alfox
Blog: http://alfoxshead.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/22alfox

Make Your Dreams Your Reality!

It's the second day of the year. What are you doing TODAY to ensure your dreams become your reality?


Hey Friends!

     In my last blog post I talked a bit about starting over, creating new goals or "resolutions" for the New Year, and let you in on some of my most important resolutions. Now that you've listed out the things you'd like to accomplish in 2013, what are you doing about it? It's great to have goals, but it's essential that you have a plan to accomplish them. In order to accomplish everything that you set out to do ask yourself daily, "What am I doing today to ensure that my dreams become my reality?". You should always be able to answer this question. If you can't, you know you need to do something!

Here's what I did today to ensure that my New Year's Resolutions are completed!

1. I prayed as soon as I woke up this morning & I will pray before I go to sleep. I forgot to pray before one meal, so I did it as soon as I remembered.
2. I joined Slim4Life and I've been sticking to my diet plan diligently!
3. I've posted a video and a blog post.
4. I complimented two people today.
5. I read five chapters of The Book of Mormon & The Bible.
6. I'm going to audition for a professional theatre company tomorrow.

There you have it friends. It may not seem like a lot, but as we complete these small daily goals we are adding to the bigger picture. By the end of the year all of these small daily goals we completed will have snowballed into some GREAT accomplishments!

So, what are YOU doing today to ensure that your dreams are becoming your reality? Let me know in the comments!

The Big Apple

Wow! In the four months since I have written, I have learned and grown so much. I was in a fantastic production of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" and learned so much about my strengths and weaknesses as a performer. I was so blessed to be a part of such an incredibly talented cast and crew and I am so thrilled that I was able to show both my voice and acting chops. It was an amazing experience, and it helped me grow as a performer so much. For that, I will be forever grateful.

The cast of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change"!

I also moved to New York City. I never thought that I had the courage to get up and move across the country with only a suitcase. I didn't know a single person when I moved, I found a roommate online, and soon enough I settled into New York life. I feel so at home in New York. I know that I was meant to come here, and meant to learn so many lessons. I learned that I can not only make it living on my own, but I can thrive. I learned that my relationships with my friends and family will not die because I am away from them. I learned that I can make it as an actor, and I will. I also learned that I have SO MUCH to learn-- and I'm trying to be a sponge and soak it all up. I'll post with more details about exactly what I have been doing in NYC soon!

Times Square!

I will be back in Kansas City on November 17th until January 14th. Although I wish I could have stayed in New York, I know it's for the best. I know that I want to be with my mom during the Holidays and I know that I need to come home, work seasonally, and save up more money to head back to New York. I have so much more knowledge I know that when I return to NYC in January I am going to be incredibly successful. I know this with all my heart and I can't wait to show the world what Sarah Montoya can do!

A great mural I passed each day as I walked to my acting & voice lessons.

Wine & Design

Holy moly!

I can't believe it's already almost July! I'm so sorry I haven't posted in what seems like FOREVER! Let me give you a little run-down on what's been going on the past few months.

1. I quit my 9-5 job
2. I have auditioned non-stop.
3. I've been taking 2 voice lessons a week, and one acting class.
4. I've been going tracting a lot with the Sister Missionaries.

That about sums it up! After quitting my 9-5 I have been doing my best to audition my little booty off! I start rehearsal for a hilarious musical called "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" on Monday and I couldn't be happier!!! I'm also currently looking for a part-time job here in Missouri, full-time job I can do via the computer, or a full-time job in Los Angeles.

Oh yes, that's another thing...I've decided to move to Los Angeles. I love acting TOO much to waste time in Kansas anymore. I have to get out there, get to every audition I possibly can, and live my dream. I know I can do it, now I just have to do it.

My best friend Kevin is going to be moving out there in September so I'm hoping to do the same. I may give it a test run from September to December and see how I feel. I always seem to feel a bit better when I take things slow instead of committing for a year's lease or something.

Today my mom and I went to something called Wine & Design-- basically you drink wine while learning to paint. It was a blast! My mom's turned out great. Mine on the other hand...not so great.


Here's mom's picture! Isn't it great?! I REALLY love it and I think she did a wonderful job!

 

And here's my picture. Umm...yeah. It looks like a child painted it. Hah! Oh well, I had fun!!

In case you couldn't tell by the two butterfly paintings, tonight's theme was a butterfly. I wish I would have started my first painting experiment with something a little more...simple. I still think my mom's looks so good! We'll definitely be going back next month.

That's all for now folks! I'm applying my little heart out for jobs and auditioning as well. This is just what I needed...time for a fresh start. Ahhh...feels good. 

MAY?!

Holy moly!

I can't believe that it is already MAY! Time has been flying by. I am back from Las Vegas and I actually turned in my resignation letter at work two weeks ago. My last day is May 25th and I'm filled with excitement and fear all at the same time. I love my job, don't get me wrong...but I feel like it was taking up time that should be spent on other things namely church, acting, and school. I'll finally be going back ON CAMPUS next semester!!!! I haven't been able to be on campus for two years because of school and I am so excited to get back. I also am really excited to have the availability to go to more lessons with the Sister Missionaries as well. I'm pretty terrified that I won't have my income anymore...but I know that God will provide.

Speaking of God, I recently got the opportunity to meet the prophet Thomas S. Monson last Saturday when he came to Kansas City for a Cultural Event and our Temple dedication. It was INCREDIBLE! I always believed that he was the prophet but I don't think it really hit me until he walked into the room. You could literally FEEL the Spirit as he came in and I was crying and smiling all at the same time. My cheeks hurt a little after his talk because I was smiling from ear to ear. I hope that if any of you get the opportunity to be in the same room as President Monson you take advantage of it. I can't explain the feeling that I got...but it sure was incredible.

I really miss Sister Moore & Sister Porter. They've both been transferred to the middle of nowhere Kansas! I write them every week and Sister Porter & I have a journal that we send back and forth and write our letters in. It will be great to sit together and look over it once her mission is over. She's having a tough time with her current companion and I just don't know how someone could be so cruel. Especially someone who is on a Mission for the Church. It really hurts my heart for her but I know she will be fine. She's an amazing girl and she has so much to offer. She's touched my life so much, and she's sure to touch so many more.

Anyway, I better get off here and do some work, right?! Only a little over two weeks left and I'm out of here!

So Many Blessings...

Can you say "WOW"? My life has been so unbelievably blessed these passed few months. I have been skiing in Austria, had a massage in front of the Alps, seen two incredibly Broadway shows, spent Thanksgiving in New York City, been invited to Phoenix with our sales group, won Chairman's Club to Las Vegas, got a raise and a promotion, got a new car, and most importantly, been baptized. When I look back over my life since November I can't help but feel a little overwhelmed. I have SO much in my life...I am so thankful...and I know so much more is in store for me.

Recently, my life has taken a turn for the even-better. I was baptized on January 20th, and I couldn't be happier. The missionaries that taught me Sister Moore (http://mooreinmissouri.blogpsot.com) and Sister Porter are the most incredible people I have ever met. They teach me about the gospel, life, and myself every single day. I have grown so much as a person and I owe so much of that to them. They are some of the kindest, most genuine, selfless people I have ever had the opportunity to meet. I am so happy that they came into my life and I know we will be lifelong friends.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has brought so much joy and positivity into my life. I am beginning to study my scriptures each and every day and in doing that I feel closer to the Lord and I feel closer to myself...if that even makes sense. I've also began praying every night. Not the type of praying I used to do; half-hearted, while listening to the noise around me, and thinking about my day. No. I have been focusing all of my energy on prayer and it has become sort of a meditation for me and I love it. Christ has blessed me so much with these simple but heart-felt prayers. The other day at work I had to make a very difficult call to a customer-- this customer was irate and I was not looking forward to calling them. Before I made the call I said a quiet prayer to the Lord. To my surprise the client was not irate anymore and in fact they were very agreeable. It was such a pleasant call and I was so very thankful that I said that prayer.

Prayer is so powerful. Focus, pour your heart out to the Lord, believe in Him, and trust that He will always respond. It works. :-)