Update....?

It seems like the blogging world has died but whatever! I have about a half hour of time so we're gonna do a really quick recap.

.... But not really because I don't even know where to start! Haha life has been crazy. Not so much as busy, but just not what I was expecting. After finishing at H&R Block I (literally) immediately started a new one! Like, I quit on April 18th and started on April 19th.. Haha I've never found a job so quickly.

Now I'm at Kokopelli Gallery on Main St! :) I was a little skeptical at first (probably because I didn't have to scrounge around for a job), but I absolutely love the people I work with. Christell is a year younger than me, and she's from Fiji. So sometimes she'll teach me Fijian and we bonded pretty quickly! I love my bosses, too.

Moving on, I actually completed my BYU application! Three times the charm haha. This is my third time trying to apply. I never finished the first two times (Because of Lithuania... and then my mission).

Speaking of mission, I report in less than two weeks! AHH! I am insanely terrified and also really pumped to start this adventure. I've met a few Czech people at work- the first time I was bewildered (when I heard them speaking I thought to myself what an impossible language that would be to learn hahaha), and the second I was so excited! It's gonna be great.

Those are the three apparent things on my mind right now but maybe I'll get around to updating before I leave...? Don't get your hopes up though haha.

I got to see Asia again!

Christell and me :)

Btw I met Elder Dyches of the Seventy haha

Quick story about these guys- I got to be an extra in a BYU Vocal Point video in March, and they were there. I have no joke been stalking/crushing on them for FIVE YEARS. Never knew their names, but me and Asia would see them at Theatre Conference and we were smitten! I finally got up the nerve to ask them about it and they were so sweet! I mean, they'd probably never speak to me again but.... it was a dream come true ;) 

I Love to see the Temple

Hoorah for temple trips! I feel really blessed because I've been able to bring so many family names to be baptized for. I'm also really grateful for the people who did the names I couldn't! We went last Tuesday and the temple worker presiding testified that the people of the names were invited to be there, and I know they were!

I love the temple. It is easily my favorite place on Earth. Every time I am there I just want to stay forever! Haha so my new goal in life is to live in a city with a temple (and a Cafe Rio.... side note). So I guess... Provo!

"The temple is a point of intersection between heaven and earth. In this sacred place, holy work will be performed through selfless service and love. The temple reminds me of all that is good and beautiful in the world." ~David A. Bednar 

CZECH THIS OUT

I'm keeping this short and sweet- I've been called to serve in the CZECH/SLOVAK MISSION. Totally did not see that coming and yet I couldn't be happier!!! A billion thoughts ran through my head such as, "I'm going back to Europe!!", "GELATO", "Chocolate!", "What the heck does Czech sound like?", "Is this real?", and so on.

Remember my last post about being willing to serve when He needs me to? Yeah, I'm reporting on July 19th. Being completely honest I definitely wanted to leave earlier than that. BUT I'm not really disappointed anymore. I'm just grateful that I've been called to serve! And on the bright side, there will be no waiting for nothing when I get home. ;)

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!

Where and When

Today it became clear to me that it's easy to say I'll go where He wants me to go, but not so easy to say when He wants me to go. I like to have a plan, and my plan was serve a mission, get home by the end of 2018, go to college in January 2019. I had a plan when I wanted to have my papers submitted, when I would get my call, even when I would leave.

I'm ready to serve wherever I'm needed; whether it's Stateside or Foreign, it doesn't really make a difference. One thing I learned in Lithuania is it doesn't matter where you are, it's the people that you love the most. So whomever I'm supposed to serve, I'm going to be ok with it.

The hard part is when I'm supposed to serve them. Sometimes it feels like my papers will never be submitted. I haven't even been waiting that long but when each day passes without progress, it KILLS me. First I was hoping to get my call at the beginning of February... then the middle... then the end.. and now I'm hoping to get it at least by mid March. But I can't really know, because I have no idea when my medical papers will come in the mail. I can only pray that they've at least been mailed, and don't get lost in the mail.

I've been hearing girls getting their calls right now and not reporting until June... Which could potentially mean that I might not leave until July depending on how long it takes to get my papers in, therefore thwarting my plans to go to college in January. The thought left me completely anxious.. I do not want to be in Moab for another four months after this.

Today after all of these thoughts were running through my head, I had to ask myself, "Am I willing to go when the Lord wants me to go?". If I'm not needed until August, would I still want to go? Would I still serve even if it meant getting home after all of my friends? (My plan was get home around the same time).

The answer is yes. A very humbling, swallowing-my-pride, putting-all-my-faith-in-God yes. Every week that I don't submit my papers, I ask myself, "Is there something I should be learning?". Well, for one thing- patience. I think this is a good way for me to learn to have complete faith in His plan, even when that means throwing away my plan. To serve the Lord with real intent, for the right reasons. To bring people to Christ, to really sacrifice my time and devote everything in me to being His servant. Now it feels more like a privilege to be called to serve. Of course I'd still prefer that I get a call sooner than later, but it is comforting to know that He has a plan... a perfect plan. Whenever I'm supposed to give those 18 months, it will be the right time.

Hired!

And so the turntables... (That is an Office quote that makes me laugh everytime!!)

Ok, really this week has been awesome. On Monday, I got called in to substitute at the elementary cafeteria. I sorted pickles into dishes and cut apples before lunch. During lunch I served french fries, and after lunch I washed dishes. Usually I would hate that but the sanitizer/dishwasher was so fun for some reason haha. I was a machine in there, just pushing dishes in and stacking trays..

Anyways, after that I went to apply for another job (a more stable job). Turns out the receptionist there is someone I know! Her dad is the boss and she said she'd put in a good word for me. When I came back to drop off an application, she asked me to come in for training on Thursday! Woohoo!! So long days of unemployment and uncertainty! For better or for worse, I have a job (let's be real, I think it's for better.. I was going out of my mind).

The day I got hired or something like that, I was studying in Matthew where there's a huge storm on the sea and everyone is freaking out and when they wake Jesus, he says "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?". And I realized I had been the disciples who saw the tempest and forgot whose hands they're in. It's comforting to know that everything will be OK, because we are loved. "Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?".

Also, I finished my mission papers so that made this week that much better!

Theatre Conference, Life... Job Searching STILL

I went to the theatre conference with my school *as a chaperone*. Yeah, I still feel like a student but now I have privileges. Such as sitting backstage during Will Swenson's performance because there weren't enough seats. Here's my proof!

Oh hey there Will

It felt really weird to not have my friends there, but overall I had a good time. And we ate at Cafe Rio not once but TWICE. I love that restaurant. Not to mention I got to see Becca and Aunt Suzie! (Susie? Maybe I will switch to Karen for spelling purposes haha). 

Other than that, I've just been here, in Moab... Still searching for a job and/or a purpose to be in Moab! Haha I have a few hobbies to keep me entertained. But actually I am optimistic about a few jobs that I have applied for (or am about to). Plus, I'm 99% ready to submit my papers, so yay!! Life is good. Sometimes I just get overly excited about the future. There are so many good options! Haha the real question is, where to start? Who knows... But it's gonna be good! :)

Although it has been a little bit hard to be home, there are reasons to be happy. I am the chorister for the Singles ward now (this is my "dream calling"). Even though I conduct music for the whopping five people in sacrament meeting, I still love it! haha

I'm also speaking in church and taught a lesson last week, which is good because I like having jobs (or whatever you want to call it). 

Today also marks a month that I've been home. I almost can't believe I spent four months in Lithuania, but I have the pictures to prove it. Here's a little throwback because I miss my students like crazy. 

Job Hunting

Now that Taylor is gone, which officially marks the beginning of everyone else's back to school/work, I am prepping to begin my own search... For a job (if you didn't catch that from the title). I thought finding a job during the summer in Moab was hard, but try winter! Haha... ha. It's rough.

Well, there is one place I know is hiring: McDonald's. I've decided to use this as a last result. Like, after literally all other companies have turned me away, I will go to McDonald's. Yes, they are paying $12/hr... But let me tell ya something.

I worked at Burger King my junior year, and although it was not the worst thing I've been through, it is not a place I would skip back into. Unless it was my only option. Which is not yet, so I will keep you updated.

About a week ago, I was willing to work there. I had an application ready to take! But I was standing in line, and looking around at everything... then I turned around, got in my car, and drove away. I couldn't bring myself to do it! So I talked myself into it one more time, forced myself to stay in line, and then presented my job application. The guy at the counter, Pete, shifted into what looked like to be an imitation of Flynn Rider's "Hey. How's it goin? Name's Flynn Rider". It was weird and he was giving me creepy vibes and I had the wrong application so I told him I'd come back tomorrow and left, again.. Except now I'm not sure I can go back.

Ok, I'm awful I know. And obviously I'm not that desperate for a job (yet). I'm going to try my luck with some other jobs. But if worse comes to worst, $12/hr at McD's can't be that bad... Right?