Perspective

So I've been home for about six weeks, and coming home the second time around meant (you guessed it), the great job search. I'd been pretty stressed because I did graduate in special and elementary education, but I just wasn't sure I wanted to jump into teaching right away. I was still recovering physically, mentally and emotionally from two bouts of mission difficulties and I just didn't know if I was ready for the commitment level that comes with being a full time teacher.

It's pretty intimidating, coming back and instantly having to look for something to support you through the next few months or even years. Especially because I've been thinking more and more about grad school, and what I want to do to expand my horizons and potential jobs. I was one of those people who didn't change their major in college- not even once (unless you count changing from general studies to my real major, which everyone has to do). 

In retrospect, it might have been better to really truly figure out what I wanted to do for work, rather than jump into my major because I didn't want to lose or waste any credits. Not that I don't love teaching-- I do. I'm just not one hundred percent sure it's something I want to do right at this time.

For grad school, I'm looking into a few options. Possibly speech-language pathology, but I'm also looking into something humanitarian-services related, as well as possibly wildlife conservation. I haven't figured out exactly what I plan on doing, but since I want to pay off my undergraduate student loans before I apply for grad school, I know I have at least a little bit of time before I really need to worry about the GRE and applications.

So when it came to figuring out a job situation, I started looking in the education spectre. I had two interviews at two different preschools. One I had to turn down because it was downtown and a bit too far away to drive on a daily basis. The other, I accepted, but after a week and a half, it wasn't working out (for personal reasons). The week that I left that job, I started applying to a bunch of positions on KSL jobs. Again, I was blessed to have two different interviews by two different locations. 

One of these interviews took place last Thursday morning. That afternoon, I got a call offering me the position. I was so happy to be able to accept the job at the Salt Lake Board of Realtors! The pay was exponentially better than my previous jobs, and the benefits and environment were just unbelievably amazing.  

I started this past week, and it's been such an amazing experience. Every day, I learn new things about the job and the company, and every day I go home to my parents and spend ten minutes telling them how amazing this position is, the awesome benefits of working there, how wonderful the people I get to work with are, and how much I am loving everything about this job. 

Following a weekend of General Conference, I just feel so incredibly blessed to be where I am right now in my life. Sometimes, I still fight some bitter feelings about being home from my mission and seeing others out serving and having the most amazing experiences. I'm human, and I'm trying to adjust to the trials I've been given in this life. 

But having this job, having this time with my family before everyone goes off in their different directions (Virginia, Mississippi and Idaho)-- I'm so grateful. Because if I didn't have these trials, I wouldn't have these amazing blessings. 

And I wouldn't trade those blessings for anything in the world.