It’s day ten of 31 Days of Interviews with Single Women. You can find a list of all the interviews in this post.
Today we’re talking with Sierra Burton! Sierra says:
I wish I could say no, I never do or have gotten mad at God. I use to a lot more than I do now. But that is because I didn’t understand God’s plan for me. But now when discontentment and heartache creeps in I push it out by reminding myself that my Father in Heaven knows me, He knows what He needs me for, and He will bless me as I stay strong and have faith in Him and His timing for me.
Sierra is 25 years old and lives in Olympia, Washington. She is an Event Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce. She also blog at “Enjoy to the End” and “Sisters, What!”, which is a blog she writes with her sisters. Let’s meet Sierra!
Brenda: First, tell us a little about yourself – your name, age, where you live, and where you grew up.
Sierra: Sierra Burton, 25, Olympia,Washington, and I grew up here as well.
Brenda: Where do you work, and how did you get started in your job?
Sierra: I am the Event Coordinator for the Lacey Chamber of Commerce. I got started in this job simply by referral. A family friend mentioned it to me and thought I’d be good at it. Three weeks later I was starting the job!
Brenda: Do you feel like your job is God’s calling on your life or do you hope it leads to something else one day?
Sierra: I think it is a stepping stone to my calling in life. I definitely think God gave me this job for a reason, and it also came at a time of need. So while He was blessing me with this position, He was also putting me in this position so I could bless others. But I don’t think this is where I’ll be for forever and it will lead me to what He has in store for me next.
Brenda: When you envisioned your life as a young girl, did you hope to have a career when you grew up or was your desire more for marriage and children or did you want both for your life?
Sierra: The answer to this question all depends on when you asked me. I went through different phases. One was I wanted to have a career and marriage, but honestly this one didn’t last for very long. And the other was when I wanted a career untill I was about 30 and then I’d start having children.
Brenda: What fires you up? What are you most passionate about in your life and in the world?
Sierra: The Gospel of Jesus Christ, my family, youth and teaching. I love learning, teaching and sharing the Gospel. I can just be having a normal conversation and then the Gospel is brought up and this light inside of me is triggered, and I just get so excited.
I love my family more than anything. I’d do anything for them.
I love youth. Being around them helps me not only feel young but also helps me see how amazing they are. I am able to see God’s love for his children through them. They teach me how to be a better person all the time just by how they live every single day.
Brenda: Are you involved in serving in your community or church? What, if any, ministries or organizations are you a part of?
Sierra: In a way I serve in my community. My job puts me right in the middle of the community. I am involved in many events. But I’m paid so technically it isn’t service, but I still get the opportunity to help many people in the community.
I am extremely involved in my church. I teach a 16-19 year old class for any youth interested in serving in missions, as well as I work with a group of about 25, 14-18-year-old young women helping them find out who they are, grow and learn.
Brenda: Tell us one thing you LOVE about being single and one thing you hate (or your biggest struggle) about being single.
Sierra: I love that I can have my own schedule and do things on my time-table.
I hate that I have to do things alone and have to be the third, fourth, fifth wheel all the time. Especially with my family since everyone is married and/or has kids.
Brenda: I imagine there are times when you feel content in your singleness and other times when you want to throw something across the room because of it, but overall, how do you feel about being a single woman? Is there more contentment and peace or more of the opposite?
Sierra: You know this isn’t a simple answer for me. There are days where I’m full of peace and contentment at being single. Where I’m at in my life I probably have more than less peaceful days because I know my Heavenly Father has a plan for me. But I do have days where I’ll see my siblings and friends with their cute little families and something inside me desires that more than anything.
Brenda: Do you ever get mad at God because you are single? When bitterness, discontentment, confusion, and even jealousy creep into your mind, how to you deal with it? Do you have a go-to person or scripture verse or something else that helps?
Sierra: I wish I could say no, I never do or have gotten mad at God. I use to a lot more than I do now. But that is because I didn’t understand God’s plan for me. But now when discontentment and heartache creeps in I push it out by reminding myself that my Father in Heaven knows me, He knows what He needs me for, and He will bless me as I stay strong and have faith in Him and His timing for me.
A favorite scripture of mine that helps a lot with this is Isaiah 49:16 – “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”
This scripture reminds me that my Savior will not forget me, that I am not alone.
Brenda: How do you deal with loneliness?
Sierra: Sometimes I just cry. Sometimes just letting the tears flow and getting it out helps a lot. Other times I’ll look for activities or hobbies to distract me. The best thing that helps is finding ways to help others.
Brenda: Do you struggle with obsessing about guys and dating? Like, if you’re interested in a guy or if you just start dating someone new, do you think about him constantly, analyze every conversation, and get overly attached quickly? Is so (or if not) how do you deal with your emotions?
Sierra: I think every girl does this to an extent, but I don’t think I obsess. Sure I think about him more than usual, but that is all a part of the honeymoon phase of dating. I usually avoid getting overly attached in the beginning in order to avoid heartache.
Brenda: What is your biggest pet peeve about the way single women are perceived?
Sierra: They assume we aren’t married because either something is wrong with us or it isn’t a priority for us.
Brenda: Do you struggle with finding community in your local church? How do you find community in a world that seems coupled up?
Sierra: My local church has been great about welcoming me in and helping me feel a part of it. But what I do to “find community in a world that seems coupled up” is I remind myself there is nothing wrong with being single. You can still have fun with these people even though they may be married. You can still provide value and life. As well as they can teach me things too.
Brenda: Are more of your girlfriends married or single? How do you find authentic friendships as a single woman?
Sierra: Mine are about half and half. I have many who are married but I have many who are single. Finding authentic friendships with women is something I struggle with in general. But I look for woman who are in my same situation so we have that common ground and build from there.
Brenda: Our perception of you is that you are living a fulfilled, purposeful life as a single woman. You’re not waiting around for marriage, but fulfilling God’s call on your life now. What would you say is your secret to doing this?
Sierra: It has taken quite a journey to discover my secret but it comes down to one thing, having a relationship with Jesus Christ. By developing a relationship with Him I have come to know for myself that He has a plan for me. I may not know that exact plan right now, but I know there is one. I know as I stay faithful and keep pressing forward it will all work out. And what works out will be the best for me. I make sure to not just sit around waiting for the right guy, but I live in a way that I’m becoming the woman he will need me to be. I’m learning and growing and living!
Brenda: What words of advice do you have for other single women who want to live with purpose now and not wait for marriage to start their lives?
Sierra: Find out what you love, strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ, serve others and start moving forward. One step at a time. As you do those things you’ll find purpose in your everyday activities, you’ll find yourself growing in ways you didn’t know you could and you’ll find yourself living a full life.
Brenda: And some fun stuff!
Brenda: Which do you like best – Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Pinterest (or all of it!)?
Sierra: Instagram.
Brenda: What’s your favorite drink?
Sierra: Cherry Limeade from Sonic
Brenda: Where would you want to live the rest of your life – beach or mountains?
Sierra: I love the mountains, but the beach and I just belong together.
Brenda: Do you read more fiction or nonfiction?
Sierra: Half and half.
Brenda: Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Sierra: Extrovert with a little bit of introvert.
Brenda: What’s something quirky about you?
Sierra: I love small things and kid things. Small scriptures, all things mini, kids snacks, coloring books, animated movies, etc.
Brenda: What else do we need to know about you? Where can we connect with you online?
Sierra: I have two different blogs. One I write on my own, “Enjoy to the End” , and one I write with my three sisters and mother, “Sisters, What!”
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