Sunday, October 27, 2013

Big Decisions

"Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come." ~Robert H. Schuller

One of my last posts talked about a job opportunity that I had in Kuna, Idaho. After speaking to my Dad about it I really started thinking about it! I did math (shocker, yeah?) and figured things out. I know that I couldn't afford to live here with a part-time job! It was a hard thing to come to; I didn't want to accept that. It was a scary thing for me to accept! In fact, I'm still not sure if I've fully accepted it yet. But, I know that I couldn't afford it. It is such a wonderful opportunity for me and I'm so grateful for the support and love that I have from my mentor teacher in finding this job for me! I'm grateful she helped me fill out that application and helped me realize that I really could do it! I know that the Lord has other plans for me though and I need to follow that!

Another decision I've had to make had to do with Institute Choir. I have really enjoyed being in the Institute Choir! I miss Collegiate pretty much every day of my life! The friends that I made there and then the music we would create; man I miss it! It feels nice to be a part of a choir again! Several weeks ago Brother and Sister Knight asked if I could learn a piano piece for our Christmas performance. I was so excited!!! It is a jazz arrangement of "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and it is so much fun to play! I've been working on it for weeks and I'm finally getting it! On Wednesday Brother and Sister Knight announced that our performance will be on December 1! I was so excited! After choir Sister Knight and Brother Knight asked if I would be interested in conducting a small group for the performance! Of course I was all over that!! I accepted and then went on my way!

Well, when I got home I checked the dates and realized that I would miss 3/5 rehearsal we'd have before we performed! That just isn't acceptable! I thought to myself that I could try and squeeze it into my schedule and do my best to get it done, or I could drop it all together! Again, after much prayer and thought I decided that I can't do it anymore. I was broken hearted and I couldn't really handle it! I called my parents on Friday night before I went and watched part of the BYU vs. BSU game (go Cougars!!!) and talked to them about it! More than anything I just wanted to be home and have all of these decisions past me. I spoke to my parents for a little bit and they gave me great comfort in my decisions. I haven't taken care of them yet, but I am this next week. I'm nervous about it, but I know that I cannot do these things! These decisions have been some of the hardest I have ever had to make, and yet I know that the Lord is going to help me get through it all.

I Met Iron Man!!!

The last few days I've been working at Skyview High School's Haunted House! My job is to escort the people out who get really scared and don't think they can go on. I thought my job was going to be pointless because I thought it was going to be cheap and lame, but it was really quite elaborate! Scott went all out on this! On Friday I was there and, in all honesty, I really didn't want to be there! I had had a rough week and a particularly rough day and I just wanted to go home and go to sleep!

I was standing by my spot and I saw that a little boy (about three years old) was scared and they started walking him over to me. His Mom told him that I would take care of him and he grabbed my hand and we walked out. When we got outside I looked down at him and my heart broke! He had blonde curly hair, big blue eyes that were full of tears, and his bottom lip was poking out a little bit! I sat down with him on the concrete and asked what his name was. He responded by saying his full name! I smiled at him and noticed that he was wearing an Iron Man costume. I gasped and asked if he was Iron Man. His face lit up and he said, "No. It's just a costume!" I laughed and told him that he looked like Iron Man! He giggled and started pulling on his costume, "No, I'm not Iron Man see!" He was the cutest little boy ever! It didn't take long for his family to get out of the Haunted House, but those few minutes with Iron Man really turned my day around!

As I've been thinking about that small exchange I couldn't help but laugh because God knows me so well! He knew what I was feeling and that I was struggling! He knew that I needed that light around me at that time! He knew that I needed the chance to serve and help somebody else! God is aware of me and He hasn't forgotten me! He loves me and wants me to be successful in everything I do! I'm so grateful for His love and for the chance I have to strive to be more like Him every day!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Conquering Fears

“It’s OKAY to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave.” 
                 ~ Mandy Hale

I, in all honesty, am scared right now . . . according to this quote, that means I'm about to do something really, really brave. Last week my mentor teacher let me know about a job position opening in Kuna, Idaho for a part-time choir teacher. I was so excited to find out about the job opportunity and have my first real job in my field! But, at the same time, it's really scary for me too! I'd be fairly far from home which isn't necessarily bad, but it's just very different than I'm use to. I, fortunately, called both of my parents and let them know about it. My Dad and I had a really nice conversation about what kinds of things I need to think about when it comes to considering this job. Will I be able to afford to live here? Think about rent, food, gas, insurance, etc.

I've filled out the paperwork and am currently waiting for hear back from them. Joie has talked to them and they said I would at least be getting an interview! We'll see what happens!! I'm doing a lot of praying and studying to see if I could do it. Here's to hoping! :)