Thank you, I was feeling a bit...upset, overwhelmed with the abruptness of some opinions, although I can appreciate the kind intent beneath. I also am thankful for everyone's comments and am open to the advice (I have learned to not ask for it unless prepared to receive it)!
Right now I feel like I have a piece of paper that ties me to this man and now I am waiting for another piece of paper that tells me I am not. We were married by a JP and no sort of religious ceremony. By law I am still married and I will respect that, yet I look forward to the day I will (if it is in Heavenly Father's plan) be sealed to my eternal partner in a temple.
I choose not to be bitter about this and am able to talk to my ex without feeling any attachment beyond wishing him well as a fellow human. Time has brought me to that. Hopefully we can continue to sort out the details together and finish this as gracefully as possible, considering.
I entered into my marriage naively and am coming out of it with my eyes wide open and in NO rush. Thankfully M isn't in any rush either. Waiting will not be a problem and I know he will wait for my divorce to finalize. At least with the long distance we are forced to not see each other often regardless so that would make it easier to wait.
I feel very new in church and am relearning the basics. LOL :) I have a great non-LDS friend base with the same basic morals that are good for me to be around. My best friend even offered, and came with me, to church the first time I went back so I wouldn't have to go alone. Not a lot of people my age in my church, those few there are have a busy family and their own lives however I have met nice people that are friendly. Our two wards recently combined (as they were quite small on their own) so that should help! I will look into what activities there are offered.
Thanks for your thoughts.
~SJ