Officially Counting Down

Holy moly.
Just ONE MORE MONTH to go! I can't believe how quickly this all came together - the timing has been impeccable. There is no denying that Heavenly Father has His hand in all of it, and I'm so grateful. I'm so ready and open to learn more about these people, this country, and this culture.

xoxo,

     Rebecca

"In all thy ways acknowledge Him..."

I had an epiphany today. 

I'm often surprised at how capable I am at blowing personal development epically out of proportion.  What should I do? Where should I go? Who should I be? These kinds of questions have haunted me ever since I graduated high school and began my journey in the world of "higher education." So much time and exhaustive effort was put into trying to figure it all out. Something about our society - I'm unsure if it's an American thing, or a world thing - seems to put a time limit on "self-discovery."  Like if you don't know what your grand contribution to the world is going to be by the time you graduate from college, you're some kind of deadbeat who's living on welfare and tax-payer's dollars. 

Uh, ok... thanks world.

I've always been so jealous of friends and other random people, who divulge that they "always knew" they wanted to be a *blank*, or they knew from the time they were *blank* years old that they wanted to go into *blank*. When I was young, all I wanted was a little brother or sister, and for my brothers to live with me in the same house (neither of which happened). I also had massive interest in extending my bedtime, getting my parents to let me watch pg-13 movies, and begging for a dog (none of which happened either). I wish I'd had that kind of foresight in my life; I don't think my curious little self could comprehend the idea of choosing ONE thing to do and be forever, when so many things fascinated me, especially with my parents encouraging me to be involved in so many diverse activities. To some degree, I still don't understand it, but maybe this has allowed me to be open minded towards opportunities that have come my way because I didn't have a set plan, although I certainly did try to come up with one. I still do it now, as I think about pursuing a Master's degree someday and not really knowing which direction I want to go with it. There are so many variables and possible outcomes!

The beautiful thing though, is that God knows your greatness. 

If you are doing what you're supposed to, and you seek Him out, willing to hand your life over to Him, He's going to use you to achieve His purposes. You don't need to stress (like me - I'm a worrier and a planner) about figuring out who you are or what you should do with your life. If you are proactively and eagerly engaged in seeking out and doing His will, God's not gonna just let you sit on a shelf collecting dust - He'll put you to good use. 

"In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:6

I wrote this in my scriptures during my Seminary years of high school:

"If I want to receive an answer to my prayers then I must be willing to place my life and future in the hands of the Lord. I must be willing to give everything I have to Him. I must be patient."

The loudness of the world creates a mind full of chaos and doubt, but in the core of my being, I know that I'm doing alright because I am TRYING. Besides, "the best way to predict the future, is to create it."

xoxo,

     Rebecca

This is a video a friend of mine shared on Facebook. It's mind-blowing. This is what initiated my thinking leading into this lil' epiphany of mine. Have a look! 

This is NOT a Prank

Yes, it's true: I'm moving to Switzerland! :D

Near the end of 2013, I learned that a good friend, whom I had the pleasure of meeting during my time in Hawaii, was going to be working THIS year in Germany, as an au pair. I was intrigued and asked her about it and how she came upon such an opportunity. She informed me of a couple legitimate, safe websites where you could register to become an au pair and look at possible families (while families in turn, register and search for possible au pairs). I decided, on somewhat of a whim, to create a profile. However, after a discussion with my best friend, and at the beginning of my senior year at school, I quickly put it aside and didn't think much of it. 

I went about my studies, trying to balance being a full-time student, dancing on my University's ballroom company, working on my senior project, three part-time jobs, familial duties, and an effort to maintain some semblance of a social life - all more than plenty individually to preoccupy my mind and my time. 

At last, after four months of insanity and chaos, finals came and went - as did graduation!

I had every intention of moving to Oregon, it was just a matter of when. I had a place to stay, thanks to the kindness of my cousin and her family, lots of other family members and friends in the area, and I felt really good about it. It felt right. And it had been an excruciatingly long time since I had had that much clarity about what I should do, so I was stoked. I even started looking into schools there to eventually pursue a Master's degree.

Well, in the midst of all of this, I decided to check my au pair profile, mostly with the intention of deleting it. Once I got there though, I decided it couldn't hurt to just see if there were any opportunities now that I didn't have school tying me down. I spruced up my profile hoping to impress some family. Much to my surprise, soon I did have people showing interest, especially after I browsed through some families and voiced an interest myself, to those who seemed like a good fit in various countries (you click a button that says "interested" and wait and see if they respond the same way or if they "decline"). Several families in Australia were inquisitive, and one in particular very much peaked my interest and seemed perfect, but after reviewing Australia's visa restrictions etc... I had reservations.

Around this time, a family in Switzerland showed interest and after reviewing their profile, I eagerly responded in the affirmative. Soon after that the mother, Tamara, messaged me. We corresponded through the website's messaging system for about five days, and regardless of having never met this woman previously, I felt an immediate connection with her, as you would with an old friend. You could tell she was just a bright, happy, giving person.

Everything seemed to be falling perfectly into place, but I didn't want to get my hopes up too high too soon. 

We decided to exchange email addresses, and traded more messages and photos. Ah! Be still my heart - cutest children, EVER. 

 Baby girl <3

The BOYS

On the carousel w/ her brother. Girl after my own heart :)

We set up a time for a Skype chat where I spoke with Tamara and her husband Peter, and I was able to "meet" their daughter. I just kept falling more and more in love with the whole family. 

Silly girl with her momma, Tamara

Peter & all the kids

During the interview we all confessed we were each other's favorite "candidate" and that we were both ready to proceed with official paperwork. 

The extent of my excitement and joy was (and still is) overwhelming. Like how little kids get overly excited and so full of emotion that they don't know what to do with themselves so they just burst into tears haha. I can't believe this is really happening!  
I couldn't help but post the following epiphany to my Facebook timeline a few days later:

"Recently, Heavenly Father has brought some wonderful opportunities into my life; opportunities that have made me the happiest I can ever remember being. And I have realized, that He was waiting for me to be THIS person; who I am NOW. With this knowledge, this education, these life experiences, and THIS desire in my heart..."

*Side Note: Currently we are working on finishing up all the paperwork and getting a visa! Guess where there just happens to be a Consulate of Switzerland for me to pick up my visa... Salt Lake City, UT :) 

God really is in the details of our lives. Yes, moving to Oregon would have been good; actually it would have been great, but remember that General Conference talk "Good, Better, Best" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks? Being an au pair in Switzerland for this family, is the BEST decision for me at this point in my life. This is EXACTLY what I'm supposed to be doing, and where I'm supposed to go, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be able to continue to get to know these beautiful people welcoming me into their home, and into their lives.

xoxo,

     Rebecca