The pieces are finally starting to fall into place!
First, I got a job, which is a giant answer to prayer! I am going to be working as an Au Pair for a small family living outside of Zurich. For those of you who don't speak French, "Au Pair" means "on a par" or "equal to," which is no help at all because the translation gives no indication of what the word is actually used for. According to the oh-so-convenient-but-not-considered-reliable Wikipedia, an Au Pair is a foreign-national domestic assistant working for, and living as part of, a host family. Now in Amurikan (said with the best George W. Bush accent), an Au Pair is a live-in nanny. Typically, Au Pairs take on a share of the family's responsibility for childcare as well as some housework, and receive a small monetary allowance for personal use. Unfortunately, that is all the information I am going to provide you with because this blog is ultimately about me and I want to maintain the family's privacy...not to mention they don't know I'm writing a blog and I don't know how they would feel having details of their personal lives platered on the internet for the world of sketchy strangers to read. Note to self: Keep Job. If you really want to know the details, feel free to shoot me an e-mail and I'll break down the details for you.
What I can tell you is that I am super excited about working for this family and they were my first choice of families to work for. I can't wait to meet them and get to know them! I know that God has chosen to place me with this family for a reason and I am excited to discover what His purpose is for me in this home.
Second, I am officially signed up for German lessons! I am signed up for a one month long intensive German course at a school in Zurich. Every day for a month I will have three hours of lessons followed by one hour of language (so I can practice the gross noises that German insists on including in their language). Then once a week the class will go out in the city to a movie or something to hang out and practice our German.
Third, well, I don't really have a third point, but having an even number of points has always been awkward to me. Instead, here are some interesting facts that you may not know about Switzerland:
- The official name of Switzerland is Confoederatio Helvetica, which is Latin
- There are four official languages: German, Italian, French, and Romansh
- The population of Switzerland is 7.34 million, just under the population of New York City (7.39 million)
-Switzerland borders 5 other countries: Germany, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, and Austria
- The Swiss flag is the only square flag in the world
- Switzerland declared it's neutrality in 1812 and has been independent since 1815
- Switzerland has not been to war since 1515
- Every citizen is required to have a bomb shelter or access to one
- The Swiss system of government is based on the United States Constitution
- Switzerland joined the United Nations in 2002 but is not part of the European Union
- The CHF 1,000 bill is the highest denomination note in the world
- As of 2004, Switzerland was the third richest country in the world
- 90% of the population is either Roman Catholic or Protestant
- There are no Mosques in Switzerland
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was founded in 1863 in Geneva. The flag of the Red Cross is the flag of Switzerland with the colors inverted
- Zurich is the largest city with 250,000 people
- Zurich was founded by the Romans in 58 BC as a customs post
- It is illegal to flush your toilet after 10pm
- You may not wash your car on a Sunday
- You can't turn right at a red light
- It is illegal to mow your lawn dressed like Elvis
- Switzerland has the largest consumption of soft drinks in the world
- The average Swiss eats 23 lbs. of chocolate a year compared to the 11.7 lbs consumed by Americans
- Switzerland has the highest life expectancy rate in Europe (after Sweden)
- About 20% of the people living in Switzerland are foreigners
- Albert Einstein was a clerk at a Swiss patent office when he came up with his Theory of Relativity
- The typeface Helvetica was created in Switzerland
- The literacy rate is 99%
- Swiss Army knives are red so they can be seen in the snow
- 60% of the electricity is produced by hydroelectric power
- 70% of the country is covered by mountains
- Switzerland's diverse landscape ranges from 643 feet above sea level in Ascona, where the climate is Mediterranean, to 15,199 feet above sea level in Dufour Peak. These locations are just 43 miles apart.
- You are never more than 10 miles from a lake
- James Bond's mother is Swiss
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Friday, July 16, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Bucket List
Bucket List: (n). 1. A really bad movie starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson in which money was wasted filming on what was obviously a green screen. 2. A list of things you think you need to accomplish because you feel your mortality is closing in on you. 3. A list of things you make in order to not feel insecure about the fact that your life is going nowhere. 4. A list of hotties you always had your eye on and must now go conquer.
Since I am leaving the country, I made three bucket lists. One for Los Angeles, one for Seattle, and one for Colorado. I hope to accomplish all things on these three lists before moving out of the country. As I complete an item on my bucket list, I will add in the date completed and who came along! (Note: Items on the list are not in order of priority)
Los Angeles Bucket List:
1. Disneyland - July 19, Whitney Rice. Um, Happiest Place on Earth. I met Mickey Mouse and reverted back to 6 years old when he kissed me on the cheek. I road the Matterhorn (awesome) but my favorite by far was Space Mountain.
2. Medieval Times - Never got around to it, but I went in high school, so no worries.
3. Santa Barbara - July 11, Ciani Champion and Kevin Peters. We parked on State Street, walked along the mall, ate at Kahuna Grill, walked to the pier, back to the car, and then went to Neverland.
4. Catalina Island - Never Happened
5. Honda Music Road - Never Happened
6. Pink's Hot Dogs - July 8, Nynette Marceth and Michael Ocontrillo. I ordered the Bacon Chile Chesse Dog and it was one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted in my entire life.
7. Sliding down the poll at the Culver City Fire Station
8. Venice Canals - July 18 - Liz Steiner. We got Chipotle and had a picnic on the bridge late at night. July 25 - Barb Steiner. We got Natalie Thai and had a picnic on the bridge during lunch time.
9. Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel - July 8, Nynette Marceth and Michael Ocontrillo. We got to the pier after the ticket booth had already closed but I begged the lady to let me on the ferris wheel. When I told her that it was on my bucket list, she gave me three tickets for free.
10. YMCA picture on the Mummy Ride at Universal Studios - July 24, Kristin Oplinger, Sam Lewis, Rob Sham. Unfortunately, the day we went was a blackout day on our season passes, so I had to pulle the "I'm moving to Switzerland and this is on my bucket list" in order to get us all in, which they did! We took the picture and then road on Jerassic Park (hate the drop at the end and got soaking wet), and then stood in line to ride the new King Kong attraction on the back lot tour...TOTALLY WORTH IT. It was 360 degree 3D. Epic.
11. Concert at the Hollywood Bowl - Didn't get around to it
12. Taye Diggs - July 3, Kevin Peters. Revolution, Ninja, Batman, Roaring Rapids, Terminator, Sky Tower and Museum (my personal favorite).
13. Dodger Game in the Beach Section - July 24, I took a picture at the old Dodger Stadium Seats at Universal Studios...which basically means I went to a real game.
Seattle Bucket List:
1. Pike's Place Market - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro, Ken Nsimbi. See below:
2. Original Starbucks - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro. I ordered an extra hot grande 6 pump soy chai with no water and no foam. Delish!
3. Beecher's Homemade Cheese for Tomato Soup - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro, Ken Nsimbi. I could eat that tomato soup every day for the rest of my life! SO GOOD!
4. The Daily Dozen Doughnut place - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro. There's nothing like an assorted dozen doughnuts that cost $4.
5. Catch a flying fish - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro. THIS WAS THE COOLEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE IN SEATTLE! So I walk up to the fresh fish counter that is famous for throwing fresh fish to stalk the counters. Well, I walked up to one of the fish men and said, "I know this might sound crazy, but I've always wanted to do this...so can I catch a fish?" The guy looked at me, grabbed my hand and said "Follow me." We walked over to fish man #2 and fish man #1 told me to ask fish man #2 to teach me how to catch a fish. So I asked fish man #2 how to catch a fish and he proceeded to teach me the proper catching stance. Then he picked up a real dead gutted headless fish and put it in my hands so that I knew the weight of the fish I would be catching. Then he told me to go behind the counter to fish man #3. I walked behind the counter and was thinking to myself, oh my goodness, what have I gotten myself into?! Once I was behind the counter, I thought that surely they were going to throw a stuffed animal fish in case I dropped it...but the next thing I know, all of the fish men were yelling and sure enough, the real gutted headless fish was flying through the air in front of about 100 people...AND I CAUGHT IT! Coolest thing ever.
6. Kerry Park - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Josh Verro. I proposed to Christie, we took some pictures, and left. Quite romantic.
7. Gasworks - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro. Took some pictures.
8. Chinnook's on Fisherman's Wharf - August 8, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Melissa Reich, Josh Verro, Ken Nsimbi, three random friends of Ken. I had the Dungeness Crab Alfredo with angel hair pasta. It was heavenly.
9. Chopsticks Dueling Piano Bar - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro, Noelle and Casey Olmstead, Angela and Brian Tucker, random friends of Christie. Dueling Piano Bar...enough said.
10. Ride in a water airplane - Jack was out of town. :(
11. Tully's - My favorite Tully's moved, so I boycotted the entire event.
12. Swing Dancing at Century Ballroom - Decided it wasn't worth it since none of the SPU people would be there.
Colorado Bucket List:
1. Flagstaff Lookout to see the Ocean
2. Smelling Vanilla and Chocolate Trees at Chautauqua - August 18, Andrew Mac Lean. Hiked up at Chautauqua and smelled trees. Andrew made fun of me and took pictures but he did it too!
3. Listening to a concert on the grass outside the Chautauqua Concert Hall
4. Johnson's Corner for breakfast with dad
5. Grizzley Rose
6. FHS to say hi to Mrs. Lee - August 16, Mrs. Lee.
7. Jarrow to say hi to Ellen - August 16, Ellen.
8. Cabin in Nederland
9. Luge run in Winter Park
10. Noodles & Co. - August 13 - My mom. I ordered Pesto Cavatappi with extra vegetables.
11. Illegal Pete's
12. Japango all you can eat sushi Tuesday - August 18, Andrew Mac Lean. I ate myself into a food coma but it was well worth it!
13. Hapa for the Orgasm Roll - August 15, Adam Jones. Multiple Orgasm Roll, they named it that because it's THAT good.
14. Boulder Reservior for a sunset boat ride
15. Casa Bonita
Since I am leaving the country, I made three bucket lists. One for Los Angeles, one for Seattle, and one for Colorado. I hope to accomplish all things on these three lists before moving out of the country. As I complete an item on my bucket list, I will add in the date completed and who came along! (Note: Items on the list are not in order of priority)
Los Angeles Bucket List:
1. Disneyland - July 19, Whitney Rice. Um, Happiest Place on Earth. I met Mickey Mouse and reverted back to 6 years old when he kissed me on the cheek. I road the Matterhorn (awesome) but my favorite by far was Space Mountain.
2. Medieval Times - Never got around to it, but I went in high school, so no worries.
3. Santa Barbara - July 11, Ciani Champion and Kevin Peters. We parked on State Street, walked along the mall, ate at Kahuna Grill, walked to the pier, back to the car, and then went to Neverland.
4. Catalina Island - Never Happened
5. Honda Music Road - Never Happened
6. Pink's Hot Dogs - July 8, Nynette Marceth and Michael Ocontrillo. I ordered the Bacon Chile Chesse Dog and it was one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted in my entire life.
7. Sliding down the poll at the Culver City Fire Station
8. Venice Canals - July 18 - Liz Steiner. We got Chipotle and had a picnic on the bridge late at night. July 25 - Barb Steiner. We got Natalie Thai and had a picnic on the bridge during lunch time.
9. Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel - July 8, Nynette Marceth and Michael Ocontrillo. We got to the pier after the ticket booth had already closed but I begged the lady to let me on the ferris wheel. When I told her that it was on my bucket list, she gave me three tickets for free.
10. YMCA picture on the Mummy Ride at Universal Studios - July 24, Kristin Oplinger, Sam Lewis, Rob Sham. Unfortunately, the day we went was a blackout day on our season passes, so I had to pulle the "I'm moving to Switzerland and this is on my bucket list" in order to get us all in, which they did! We took the picture and then road on Jerassic Park (hate the drop at the end and got soaking wet), and then stood in line to ride the new King Kong attraction on the back lot tour...TOTALLY WORTH IT. It was 360 degree 3D. Epic.
11. Concert at the Hollywood Bowl - Didn't get around to it
12. Taye Diggs - July 3, Kevin Peters. Revolution, Ninja, Batman, Roaring Rapids, Terminator, Sky Tower and Museum (my personal favorite).
13. Dodger Game in the Beach Section - July 24, I took a picture at the old Dodger Stadium Seats at Universal Studios...which basically means I went to a real game.
Seattle Bucket List:
1. Pike's Place Market - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro, Ken Nsimbi. See below:
2. Original Starbucks - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro. I ordered an extra hot grande 6 pump soy chai with no water and no foam. Delish!
3. Beecher's Homemade Cheese for Tomato Soup - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro, Ken Nsimbi. I could eat that tomato soup every day for the rest of my life! SO GOOD!
4. The Daily Dozen Doughnut place - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro. There's nothing like an assorted dozen doughnuts that cost $4.
5. Catch a flying fish - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro. THIS WAS THE COOLEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE IN SEATTLE! So I walk up to the fresh fish counter that is famous for throwing fresh fish to stalk the counters. Well, I walked up to one of the fish men and said, "I know this might sound crazy, but I've always wanted to do this...so can I catch a fish?" The guy looked at me, grabbed my hand and said "Follow me." We walked over to fish man #2 and fish man #1 told me to ask fish man #2 to teach me how to catch a fish. So I asked fish man #2 how to catch a fish and he proceeded to teach me the proper catching stance. Then he picked up a real dead gutted headless fish and put it in my hands so that I knew the weight of the fish I would be catching. Then he told me to go behind the counter to fish man #3. I walked behind the counter and was thinking to myself, oh my goodness, what have I gotten myself into?! Once I was behind the counter, I thought that surely they were going to throw a stuffed animal fish in case I dropped it...but the next thing I know, all of the fish men were yelling and sure enough, the real gutted headless fish was flying through the air in front of about 100 people...AND I CAUGHT IT! Coolest thing ever.
6. Kerry Park - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Josh Verro. I proposed to Christie, we took some pictures, and left. Quite romantic.
7. Gasworks - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro. Took some pictures.
8. Chinnook's on Fisherman's Wharf - August 8, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Melissa Reich, Josh Verro, Ken Nsimbi, three random friends of Ken. I had the Dungeness Crab Alfredo with angel hair pasta. It was heavenly.
9. Chopsticks Dueling Piano Bar - August 6, Christie Reich (soon to be Mattern), Barry Mattern, Josh Verro, Noelle and Casey Olmstead, Angela and Brian Tucker, random friends of Christie. Dueling Piano Bar...enough said.
10. Ride in a water airplane - Jack was out of town. :(
11. Tully's - My favorite Tully's moved, so I boycotted the entire event.
12. Swing Dancing at Century Ballroom - Decided it wasn't worth it since none of the SPU people would be there.
Colorado Bucket List:
1. Flagstaff Lookout to see the Ocean
2. Smelling Vanilla and Chocolate Trees at Chautauqua - August 18, Andrew Mac Lean. Hiked up at Chautauqua and smelled trees. Andrew made fun of me and took pictures but he did it too!
3. Listening to a concert on the grass outside the Chautauqua Concert Hall
4. Johnson's Corner for breakfast with dad
5. Grizzley Rose
6. FHS to say hi to Mrs. Lee - August 16, Mrs. Lee.
7. Jarrow to say hi to Ellen - August 16, Ellen.
8. Cabin in Nederland
9. Luge run in Winter Park
10. Noodles & Co. - August 13 - My mom. I ordered Pesto Cavatappi with extra vegetables.
11. Illegal Pete's
12. Japango all you can eat sushi Tuesday - August 18, Andrew Mac Lean. I ate myself into a food coma but it was well worth it!
13. Hapa for the Orgasm Roll - August 15, Adam Jones. Multiple Orgasm Roll, they named it that because it's THAT good.
14. Boulder Reservior for a sunset boat ride
15. Casa Bonita
Monday, July 12, 2010
Miracle on Wilshire Blvd.
Preface:
By raise of hands, how many people dread it when the church asks you to tithe? Ok, put your hand down 'cause you look like an idiot raising your hand alone with your computer.
In all honesty, that used to be me too. I used to tithe, but I would always sit there in service and think to myself, "I wonder how big the pastor's house is?" Then one horrible afternoon in January, a tree fell on my car, my insurance company gave me the boot, I had to transfer the titile of my car to my name, register it in California, and get new car insurance. *POOF* My savings account was gone. Now that I was broke, tithing was the first thing to go. Then I got called out on it by a few people in the kids ministry and I reluctantly started tithing again.
Miracle on Wilshire Blvd:
June 20, 2010 was like any other Sunday morning for serving at Oasis. Once again, I snoozed my alarm one too many times, probably didn't shower, put on my Texas Tech orange and white Oasis volunteer shirt, stopped at Starbucks for a cup of instant personality, and then gathered in the back parking lot for the Oasis Kids prayer meeting. But this time, I didn't show up late. Time came for the big news, prayer requests, and praise reports before the prayer. I took the opportunity to tell my volunteer team about my plans to move to Switzerland and ask for prayers about the sadness of leaving and my anxiety over my financial situation. After tearfully exposing my emotions of being totally overwhelmed, a voice from the circle asked me if I would accept a love offering, to which I quietly responded, "yes."
Now for those of you who don't know what a love offering is, a love offering is an offering...of love...in the form of money. It is a gift that is not to be mistaken for a loan or investment and does not require anything in return. It is a beautiful thing.
After the prayer circle was finished and the crowd dispersed, a woman who I merely recognized approached me and asked me how much money I needed. Woah. Talk about an awkward situation. How do you begin to tell someone how much money to give you? Standing in the parking lot in complete silence after being asked am impossible question, I just kept thinking that $500 would be tremendous. But it's not easy to look a stranger in the face and say, "hey, can I have $500 and never pay you back? K, thanks!" I mean, it's easy to fantasize about winning the lottery or finding yourself in the position of Preston Waters in Blank Check, but in real life I didn't just get hit by a car on my bike by a convict who who had just stolen millions, so this woman owed me nothing.
After realizing that I had been standing there with a blank look on my face for far too long, I mumbled, "I need a lot." (A lot? What does that even mean?!) She looked me in the eyes and said, "Would $1,000 be enough?" I burst into tears and she gave me a check for $1,000.
"Bring the whole tithe to the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10
By raise of hands, how many people dread it when the church asks you to tithe? Ok, put your hand down 'cause you look like an idiot raising your hand alone with your computer.
In all honesty, that used to be me too. I used to tithe, but I would always sit there in service and think to myself, "I wonder how big the pastor's house is?" Then one horrible afternoon in January, a tree fell on my car, my insurance company gave me the boot, I had to transfer the titile of my car to my name, register it in California, and get new car insurance. *POOF* My savings account was gone. Now that I was broke, tithing was the first thing to go. Then I got called out on it by a few people in the kids ministry and I reluctantly started tithing again.
Miracle on Wilshire Blvd:
June 20, 2010 was like any other Sunday morning for serving at Oasis. Once again, I snoozed my alarm one too many times, probably didn't shower, put on my Texas Tech orange and white Oasis volunteer shirt, stopped at Starbucks for a cup of instant personality, and then gathered in the back parking lot for the Oasis Kids prayer meeting. But this time, I didn't show up late. Time came for the big news, prayer requests, and praise reports before the prayer. I took the opportunity to tell my volunteer team about my plans to move to Switzerland and ask for prayers about the sadness of leaving and my anxiety over my financial situation. After tearfully exposing my emotions of being totally overwhelmed, a voice from the circle asked me if I would accept a love offering, to which I quietly responded, "yes."
Now for those of you who don't know what a love offering is, a love offering is an offering...of love...in the form of money. It is a gift that is not to be mistaken for a loan or investment and does not require anything in return. It is a beautiful thing.
After the prayer circle was finished and the crowd dispersed, a woman who I merely recognized approached me and asked me how much money I needed. Woah. Talk about an awkward situation. How do you begin to tell someone how much money to give you? Standing in the parking lot in complete silence after being asked am impossible question, I just kept thinking that $500 would be tremendous. But it's not easy to look a stranger in the face and say, "hey, can I have $500 and never pay you back? K, thanks!" I mean, it's easy to fantasize about winning the lottery or finding yourself in the position of Preston Waters in Blank Check, but in real life I didn't just get hit by a car on my bike by a convict who who had just stolen millions, so this woman owed me nothing.
After realizing that I had been standing there with a blank look on my face for far too long, I mumbled, "I need a lot." (A lot? What does that even mean?!) She looked me in the eyes and said, "Would $1,000 be enough?" I burst into tears and she gave me a check for $1,000.
"Bring the whole tithe to the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10
How it all began...
One fateful morning on June 1, 2010, I was called into my boss' office for the kind of meeting you never saw coming and wish you never had to sit through: the formal reprimand. DUN, Dun, dun. Now before you jump to conclusions and think that I was auditioning to be the star of a new TV series Interior Designers Gone Wild, I would just like to say that the reprimand had nothing to do with my work ethic, performance, or quality of design that I have contributed to my company. I will spare you the details, but lets just say that when it was over I thought it was a clear indication that my position at the firm was on the line.
After lots of tears, advice from the fam, and several conversations with the Man Upstairs, I slowly loosened my grip on my life as I knew it and decided to embrace the chance to discover what opportunities might be at my fingertips. Then, on June 6, 2010, while on a drive down to San Diego, I was surprised by a phone call from my brother. Usually conversations with my brother are along the lines of:
"Hey, how are you?"
"Good, you?"
"Good. How's work?"
"Fine, you?"
"Same old, same old."
"Ok, glad you're doing well, talk to you later"
"Love you!"
"Love you too."
The end.
This conversation? This conversation went a little like this:
"Hey brother, what's up?"
"Not much. I've been doing some thinking about your situation at work and I think you should go to work on Monday, quit your job, and move to Switzerland."
"What?"
"Yeah, I think you should quit your job and move to Switzerland."
"No. You are out of your mind."
"Do it."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"YES!"
"Fine."
So I went to work on Monday and I quit my job. Ok, maybe it wasn't that simple and I prayed a lot and consulted a couple people over the course of the weekend, but in one conversation my life was turned upside down and shaken like a piggy bank. Oh, and I didn't quit my job on the spot, I put in a one month notice, which to my great relief, was a surprise to my boss and a supported choice in the end.
So now that I had decided to move to Switzerland, put my notice in at work, it was time to look for a job abroad and then contact my family in Switzerland see if it was ok with them if I moved.
Wait...hold on a second! So you mean to say that I quit my job with no money saved and without out a place to stay, and with no job abroad?!
Yep.
Was I out of my mind?
Probably.
Woah.
And that, folks, is what happens when God says, "Go" and you obey with no questions asked. You end up waking up every morning thinking to yourself , "You're out of your mind. YOU are OUT of your MIND!" As it turns out, my family in Switzerland was more than excited to hear that I wanted to move in with them and told me that I would have no problem finding a job by the time I moved at the end of August. So while I may have done a few things out of order, everything was falling into place.
Besides, it's exhilarating to see how God already has everything planned out and unravels the next chapter at the perfect moment.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
After lots of tears, advice from the fam, and several conversations with the Man Upstairs, I slowly loosened my grip on my life as I knew it and decided to embrace the chance to discover what opportunities might be at my fingertips. Then, on June 6, 2010, while on a drive down to San Diego, I was surprised by a phone call from my brother. Usually conversations with my brother are along the lines of:
"Hey, how are you?"
"Good, you?"
"Good. How's work?"
"Fine, you?"
"Same old, same old."
"Ok, glad you're doing well, talk to you later"
"Love you!"
"Love you too."
The end.
This conversation? This conversation went a little like this:
"Hey brother, what's up?"
"Not much. I've been doing some thinking about your situation at work and I think you should go to work on Monday, quit your job, and move to Switzerland."
"What?"
"Yeah, I think you should quit your job and move to Switzerland."
"No. You are out of your mind."
"Do it."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"YES!"
"Fine."
So I went to work on Monday and I quit my job. Ok, maybe it wasn't that simple and I prayed a lot and consulted a couple people over the course of the weekend, but in one conversation my life was turned upside down and shaken like a piggy bank. Oh, and I didn't quit my job on the spot, I put in a one month notice, which to my great relief, was a surprise to my boss and a supported choice in the end.
So now that I had decided to move to Switzerland, put my notice in at work, it was time to look for a job abroad and then contact my family in Switzerland see if it was ok with them if I moved.
Wait...hold on a second! So you mean to say that I quit my job with no money saved and without out a place to stay, and with no job abroad?!
Yep.
Was I out of my mind?
Probably.
Woah.
And that, folks, is what happens when God says, "Go" and you obey with no questions asked. You end up waking up every morning thinking to yourself , "You're out of your mind. YOU are OUT of your MIND!" As it turns out, my family in Switzerland was more than excited to hear that I wanted to move in with them and told me that I would have no problem finding a job by the time I moved at the end of August. So while I may have done a few things out of order, everything was falling into place.
Besides, it's exhilarating to see how God already has everything planned out and unravels the next chapter at the perfect moment.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
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