Job Applications

Here's a question all....Who invented the process of job applications/interviews? It has been a question that has been on my mind since I started this wonderful journey of finding the perfect school counseling job. One day it will be answered, but today, I just enjoy the adventure. Love it!

Adjusting

The dictionary defines adjusting as, "adaptation to a particular condition, position, or purpose." Well, I can honestly say that coming home from a mission is an adaptation and who knew it could be so hard sometimes. But the great things is there is always an amazing support system. I have amazing parents, sisters, brother-in-laws, and best friends who are there. I love them and I am sooooo grateful that they are here with me forever! Love it!

And so, as my theme of my mission became "poco a poco" (meaning little by little), it has now become my theme of my life. Surely but certainly, I will keep moving forward, poco a poco! :)

Guatemala here I come!!

I received my call and I am going to the Guatemala Quetzaltenango (Ket-sal-ten-a-go) Mission (Just the name alone is a new language for me!!)!!!!  I report the the Provo MTC on Oct. 7th and leave 3 weeks later to head down to the Guatemala MTC!  I am ecstatic!!

Things I have learned so far about my mission...

-I get to go where there are more than 3 volcanos and there are also earthquakes because of the volcanos.  (Sweet!)  Oh yeah, they also have a rainy season from May to November because of the hurricanes in the area.

-They broke ground for the Quetzalteango Temple in March of 2009 and should be completed by 2011.  (I totally could be there!!)

-I have an opportunity to learn not only Spanish, but dialects of the local native people.

-Has Mayan temples!!!

-A nickname for Quetzaltenango is Xelaju (Shayla-Who), which I personally think is a lot easier to say than the actual name.

-Guatemala is considered among the 10 poorest countries in Latin America.

-My cousin informed me that I will be able to live on rice and beans for the duration of my mission.  YUM!!  :)

Patience...

I believe my trial for the month is patience.  In the dictionary it is defined as "the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset."  My patience is one of delay.  I wish my mission call was here now, but Heavenly Father is trying to teach me patience in the delay of my mission call.  First it was delayed being processed.  Then it was delayed by my blood pressure being too high and I had to have it re-test three times.  And now, I get to wait.  So, everyone cross your fingers that it will come today!  :)

Road Trip!

"Happiness is... Road trips with a friend!"

One Way Awesome Movie!

Jamie introduced me to this awesome music video of Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson doing their own rendition of Taylor Swift's "Love Story."  It is absolutely amazing!!!  The music is just fantastic because it sounds like a whole orchestra is there in the room and it is actually just the piano, the cello, and a drum.  Hope you all enjoy!!!

Trip to Portland

Beach at Seaside

I was able to go to Portland, OR this past weekend!  It was a blast.  It was my first airplane ride, which I thought was a blast.  It was my first time renting a car, a very nice 07 Chevy Malibu.  Above is one of the neat waterfalls that we were able to hike to along the Columbia River Gorge.  If you ever get a chance to go up that way, you have to take the scenic drive along the river and see all the waterfalls.  Also, while we were in Oregon, we went to Astoria and Seaside to play on a very cold beach.  Of course, we had to take our shoes off and walk barefoot in the sand.  :)  Because we went Astoria, we decided we had to watch Goonies (Go Chunk!) since it was recorded in that area.  I haven't got the pictures for the Portland Temple, but when I do, I will post of them.  The temple is just amazing with the pine trees surrounding it!