Life Keeps Going

I've been meaning to post over the last few days but just haven't had much time.  No, really.  This last week was super busy.

I started my job at Young Living on Monday.  Let me tell you, that first day went phenomenal.  I think I already said that actually.  PS, I really like the word phenomenal.  I went to fhe that night and it felt great to talk to so many people.

Tuesday...I was at work until really late.  Then I visited my dear friend Jana at her job.  She's always so busy and I wanted to see her since it had been a few days.  She works at Seagull book and it was nice to just be in that store and chat for the time that we did.  Don't worry.  I didn't distract her from work.  My friend Shelby was in town and Stephanie invited me over for dinner.  That's where I spent the rest of the evening.  I miss Shelby.  She is wonderful and it was nice to have us all together again catching up.

Wednesday, I had work again.  My Tia Claudia invited me (well technically I invited myself over) for Thanksgiving.  She said to come down Wednesday to help prepare the meal.  I love spending time with that family.  Her kids are little angels.  I'm not exaggerating.  They are very respectful and even more obedient.  I would love it if my kids turned out that way.

Thursday was Thanksgiving.  A busy day indeed.  After dinner, Tia Claudia, her two oldest kids, and I went shopping.  I really didn't want to go but I was with them and got stuck.  I'm glad I did.  It was a blast.  We stayed up until 4:30 am and I realized I'm too old to stay up that late.

Friday, I got a hair cut, came home, and then went to the Christmas lights down at Temple Square with the Hales.  Oh, my car was towed as well.  $280 freakin' dollars later and at midnight.  Ugh, it was annoying.  I'd never heard Kevin curse until that night.  He was livid at the situation.  Not because of anything I did.  It was because those stupid tow companies wait to pounce on unsuspecting victims.  My car was literally towed 9 minutes after we left.  They should have come and said something to me.  But if they did, they wouldn't have made so much money.

Saturday, I slept all day.  Probably until 1pm.  I was so exhausted from the previous 3 days.  I went to the Temple with Jeremy.  I helped Stacie set up for her party.  Then I went to dinner with some friends.  I watched the movie Four Christmases with Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn.  I came back at 11 and people were still here.  In fact, there were people here until about 2 am.  It made it hard to fall asleep with all of the ruckus going on out in the living room.

Today, I had church and then went to dinner with the Hales.  A friend came over because she needed to talk.  Then I got ready for bed.  I didn't even get to talk to my mom.  :(

As you can see, it's been a pretty busy week.  I want to write all about Thanksgiving and I will.  Hopefully by the end of this week.  I'm trying to be better at this whole blogging ordeal.

Young Living

I started my new job today.

Usually, all that new employee mambo jumbo stuff gets pretty boring.  Today turned out to be an exception.  The HR department did a phenomenal job of getting me excited to work for their company.

I guess I should tell you where my new job is.

I will be working in the accounting department of Young Living Essential Oils.

I'm really excited.  Really excited.  Like, snow on Christmas morning excited.  Or a missionary mom seeing/hugging her son for the first time in two years exciting.

Lovin'

I've been so overwhelmed lately with all of the support I have felt from family and friends.  Especially in the last few weeks.

Deciding to move back to Utah was easy breezy.  That doesn't mean I didn't think about how others would view it.  To be honest, I was a little worried what everyone's reaction would be.  I was scared...but mostly embarrassed.

I have felt nothing but love and support from people near and far, people close to me and mere acquaintances.

Today, one of the members of the Bishopric in my ward pulled me aside.  He told me how happy he is that I am back in the ward.  He said when he saw me walk in that first Sunday, tears came to his eyes.  He said I have a beautiful, strong spirit.

I was so grateful for what he said.  I'm not perfect.  I know that.  But I also know how good it feels to to be acknowledged.

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2 Dates in One Week

I can now officially say my last date happened yesterday!

Before that, it had been a few months.

I went on a lunch date with my friend Erik.  We got grilled cheese sandwiches and cupcakes.

 

I loved Melty Way.  I got their Turkey Cranberry Sandwich and it was delicious!  About two years ago, I went on several dates with Erik.  He started dating a girl and fell off the planet.  Apparently he broke up with her at the beginning of the summer.  Last Sunday he showed up at my ward.  We got talking and one thing led to another.  It was nice to catch up with him.  We didn't run out of things to talk about.  The conversation ranged in topics.  After lunch we headed to the Sweet Tooth Fairy.  Erik owed me a cupcake.  The change in atmosphere didn't deter us from conversing.  It really was a good time.  We'll probably do it again.

Last night I went on a date with Jeremy.  My friend Katie invited me to go to the Bell Choir Concert at the Tabernacle.  They did a phenomenal job.  Here's a picture of me and Kate.

I'm so grateful for good friends.  I have felt so much support from them since moving back to Utah.  I truly have the best friends ever.

Anyway, one of the best things about going on a date with Jeremy is that it feels normal.  I don't have to impress him.  It's natural.  It just flows.  Jeremy is the kind of guy every girl deserves to have.  He is great.  He is funny and spiritual.  He listens.  He is kind and considerate.  He's the "stranger" who left those flowers at our door last week.  Jeremy makes you feel valued.  He's going to make a great husband and father.  Another plus is his mom.  I just love her.  She is fantastic.  

I really can't wait for more exciting date opportunities in the near future.  :)

God is Great

I've only been back in Utah for 10 days.  In those 10 days lots has happened.

-I received a calling.
-I was asked to go back to my old job.
-I had three job interviews.
-I got offered a great job.
-I've been asked out on a date.
-I got set up by a friend.
-I asked a boy on a date for this Friday.
-I gave my phone number to a stranger.
-I've been to dinner with several friends.
-I've received invites to hang out.
-I helped the sister missionaries with a lesson.
-I went to book club.
-I started Zumba.
-I've hugged more guys than I can count on two hands.
-I went to institute forum.
-I am happy and sure that I am where I'm supposed to be.



God is good to me.

The Hales

When I moved to Provo at the beginning of the year I really struggled.  One night, I was coming back from Sandy and the tears just poured down my cheeks.  I knew I needed a priesthood blessing.  I just didn't know who to turn to.  I felt scared, alone, unwanted, and unimportant.  I prayed out loud and asked the Lord to help me know what to do to feel better.  All I wanted at that moment was to feel like I mattered to someone, anyone.  And the Lord blessed me by guiding me to the Hales home. 

The Hales are relatives of mine on my mom's side.  The woman I call "Tia Claudia" is actually my mother's first cousin.  She is married to Kevin and together they have four of the cutest kids.  

I didn't know if they were going to be home.  The only thing I knew is that I needed to go over there.  I got there, knocked on the door and Kevin answered.  The moment I saw him, an overwhelming feeling of peace enfolded me.  I explained what was going on and asked him for a blessing.  He quickly agreed and gave me one of the most beautiful blessings I've ever received.  He sat with me and we spoke.  He made me feel important and he showed me true Christlike love.  He invited me to stay for dinner and his sweet kids, all four of them, came and gave me hugs.  They did magic tricks, cracked jokes, shared stories, and fought over who would sit next to me.  I felt at home.

After dinner, her two oldest kids serenaded me.  One played the guitar and the other sang.  They were great.  

Once everyone went to bed, Kevin, my aunt, and I chatted a little while longer and they made sure I felt better before letting me leave.

Since that night, my aunt has checked in on me to make sure I'm doing okay.  Today, I had dinner over there and I had that same feeling of being home.  

It's tough being away from my family.  Some days are harder than others.  Even when I know it's the right thing for me in my life at this time.  I know I'm missing a lot and I often feel left out.  I know it's not their fault.  I'm just gone.  The longer I'm away the harder it is to maintain a close relationship, or make the effort at communicating, and the easier it is to forget about me.  

One of my favorite things while in Arizona was being close.  Being there, participating and being a part of my families life.  I might never have the relationship I would like to have with each of my siblings.  I guess I'm just not sure how to make it better.  I try but I often feel that I'm not given a fair chance of showing how much I've changed and matured over the last few years.  If there's one thing an Ordonez-Guzman is good at, it's holding a grudge and holding on to the past.  Haha.  But I never want to regret not trying.  Those sibling relationships are some of the most important ones I will have in my life.  I never want them to doubt how much each one matters to me.

Kevin often reminds me that I am their only family here and that I'm always invited over.  It's comforting to know I have somewhere to turn when I need family.  That cold January night, the Hales opened their door to me and in the process without realizing, helped knock down one of the walls surrounding my heart.  

Doorbell Ditching

I attended the wedding reception of an old roommate today.  She looked beautiful and so happy.  A few minutes after I got home from the reception the doorbell rang.  I first thought my friend who dropped me off noticed I left something in her car and came back to drop it off.  However, when I got to the front door nobody was standing outside.  There wasn't even a car in the driveway.  Our front door has a small glass window.  I looked through it to make sure I wasn't missing something.  Then I noticed this:

I feel so blessed to be back in a place that feels like home.  I'm not the best at telling people how much I appreciate their friendship/example in my life or how much good they do in this world.  I need to be better at it.  When things like this happen, it's a great reminder that Heavenly Father is aware of each of us.  This "stranger" will never know how much it meant to me personally, to receive this note today, of all days.  Thank you kind stranger.