Alright guys! Here we go... first blog post.  I don't actually know what I'm doing but let's hope it works.  I actually LOVE sharing pictures, because that's what I feel will give you the best idea about what's happened to me in the last month since I've been here at BYU.  So I searched around for the HIGHLIGHTS from this new BYU experience.

 I love Women's Chorus

 This was the day at the devotional they totally zoomed up on my face for the entire world to see.  I had random people come up to me and say, "Hey, I saw your FACE on the screen this morning".  So embarrassing I know, but I felt officially inducted into Women's Chorus.

 This is my buddy Harry Truman and I at the top of Squaw Peak.  It was such a beautiful hike.

 The pathway, I felt, was like paved with GOLD.

 Can't get any cooler than that...right?

 Lindsey is like my best friend.  She and I have so much fun together, and she's such a sweet girl too.

 Yes, I miss my family.  This is my dad next to the Provo River when they came up for the weekend.  He's so handsome...

 There's always time for Sudoku during lunch time. Free in the BYU newspaper.

 I love my bro and sis...this was during the first football game and when we watched it on Helaman field.

 The Civil Engineer program has tons of service projects all the time.  I went with them to pack boxes full of clothes to give to Mongolian families.  So fun!!

 Daniel and I went to the volleyball game.  We're definitely gangsters!

 My bishop and I are best friends for life.  Such a great guy.

Bridge building 

 Who knew Matt was so good at making balloons come to life.  He made this adorable flower for me.

These are my roommates who are super fun....Sunday photo shoot

How Firm a Foundation

I had never particularly loved the hymn "How Firm a Foundation". It was fine but nothing special to me. I didn't really like the music and never paid much attention to the lyrics. Recently, however, I have heard a lot of people talk about how much they love this hymn. We even had a whole lesson dedicated to it in Relief Society a couple weeks ago. Members of the ward, including the current and former bishops, shared experiences of when the words of this hymn strengthened them and "caused them to stand". We sang the words to the tune of "Away in a Manger" because some feel that the current tune sounds too much like a march. It was beautiful, and I was able to focus more on the words. I have typed up my favorite verses below. As a sidenote: I always thought we were the ones speaking in the last verse - "I will not, I cannot desert to his foes" and that we will never forsake God. But God is speaking in the rest of the hymn. Why not in the last verse? To the soul that has sought rest and peace in Jesus Christ, God says, "I will not, I cannot desert to his foes". And even though all hell will shake, God will never forsake that soul. I believe that.


Fear not, I am with thee; oh be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow,
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and they gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!

Wins and Stats

I often feel like the goal of my life is to rack up personal successes, but if we're all on the same team, that reasoning doesn't make sense. Winning the game together is so much more satisfying than a few individual stats.

Food and Family

Hey Messi-Sabey Family (Sorry, Messinas, but you only get two syllables in the hyphenated name, especially since you insist on your name going first!),

We loved the amazing beef sandwiches served at the Messina's reception, so we got the recipe from the caterer, and we made them the other day when we had friends over. Delicious, again!  So here is the recipe for anyone else who wants to have it.  It includes the caterer's comments.

Mini Beef Sandwiches

I will give you the recipe and then tell you what I do!

Per 12 Costco Rolls
4 tsp Dijon Mustard
1/2 cube of butter
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1Tbls. Poppy seeds
2 tsp onion powder
12 slices deli roast beef
4 slices Swiss cheese cut in fourths
Make sandwiches and place in 9x9 pan close together
Combine remaining ingrd. and spoon over sandwiches. Cover with foil and bake 20-30 min at 350

I only add 1 tsp of mustard, I add 1 tsp garlic pepper and cut the onion powder to 1 tsp. and I add 2 Tbls of Worchestershire sauce (depends on if you like it) and I add this to an entire cube of melted butter!!!
If you can't find garlic pepper make your own. I don't always add all that butter to just 12 but I add it all when I do it in a 9x13 pan with more sandwiches in it. I can squeeze 15-18 in a 9x13. You can use Hawaiian Rolls instead of Costco or SAMs. They are smaller but delicious. And for the wedding I made pot roast instead of deli roast beef.

Also, here is the recipe for the fudge sauce from the Colorado openhouse:

Fudge Sauce

Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen
Total Time: 37 min
Prep: 10 min
Inactive: 15 min
Cook: 12 min
Yield: 4 cups
Level: Easy
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces
2 3/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
In a heavy bottomed saucepan over low heat, bring the cream just to a boil then add the brown sugar and stir just until it dissolves. Add small pieces of butter and mix until completely melted, then stir in the chocolate chips. Wait 3 to 5 minutes so that chocolate is very soft before folding it in with a spatula. Stir in the salt and vanilla extract and blend until well incorporated. Let cool for 15 minutes; it will thicken as it cools.

*Cook's Note: Can be stored up to 1 week in the refrigerator in a glass jar. Heat until warm but not hot, before serving.

Thanks for the great foody memories and such a joyful summer.  I love seeing the pictures from the various wedding festivities. The Messinas are so photogenic! Danielle is so kind and talented and beautiful and smart. We are proud to show her off as a new family member. She set a record, I am sure, for scheduling the most piano students in the shortest time. We are also glad for connections with James and Emily at BYU, and we look forward to many years of happy associations. 

The insightful, powerful comments of Mike and Deanna on the issue of women and the priesthood got me thinking, and I have started an essay that I will share with you all, once I have finished a draft, to get your comments.
We love the Messinas.
--Dad Sabey 

Of recipes, winging it, and pumpkin curry

The other day, we made pumpkin curry. You read that correctly--pumpkin curry. Never heard of it? That's because we invented it. In fact, Google it, and you'll find...[verifying what "pumpkin curry" brings up on Google]...well, I guess there are a lot of recipes out there of pumpkin curry. But this is our unique version. The best part was that we made it up on-the-go. If you'd like to try that, ignore what follows:

1. Saute onion, garlic, and yellow bell peppers.
2. Blend half a can of garbanzo beans with a can of pumpkin puree (the stuff you use in pumpkin pie) and a handful of baby carrots. Add some soup/broth (we used red pepper-tomato soup) if you need more liquid. If you don't use it here, add it during the next step.
3. When onions, garlic, and peppers are soft and sufficiently sauteed, add the other half-can of garbanzo beans and the pureed mixture. 
4. Add half a can of coconut milk.
5. Season with salt, pepper, curry powder, ginger, soy sauce, and a pinch of brown sugar.
6. Let it cook until you are convinced that both it and you are ready. 
7. Eat with rice, noodles, rice-noodles, etc. We were out of rice, so we used spaghetti noodles. 

Mmmmm. That's the smell of love, with hints of Thailand and Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

Peaceful Tones

The colored leaves,

That spill the sun,

The waters clear,

That flow as one.

We see Him there,

And vanish groans,

In silent songs,

And peaceful tones.

So close to earth!

So bare the sight!

And not in words,

But through the light.

But more to my view,

As the great vision grew,

Were the faces so bright,

Of the children of light.

And in the great waters,

We hear His soft voice,

Speaking great things,

And our spirits rejoice.

Life-Bringer