A Season of Waiting...

As Scott and I started talking earlier this year, and I got used to calling him Scott instead of Elder Martin, I found myself being really interested in him. I didn't know if I was just making things up or if he really was the way I dreamed him to be. I needed to meet him in person. I started dropping some not-so-subtle hints about a possible trip to England.

We planned the trip for 1 March. Kim and RaeLene (2 of my counselors) took me to the airport. After a short stop in Chicago, I was on my way to the London Heathrow Airport. After I got my luggage and made my way through the port of entry and customs, I saw him. Scott spotted me as well, and casually ducked under the rope to pull me into his arms for our first-ever hug.

The trip to England was wonderful! I might do another post just on that with pics and stuff, but it was so peaceful and comfortable... and I loved being with Scott and his family.

The night before I left England, Scott asked me to marry him. I told him I'd think about it... just kidding! I said YES!

We set the date for sometime in August, but knew we would need to figure out what country we'd want to live in and which country we wanted to get married in... and then had to figure out how to make it happen.

We decided to get married in England and live there for the first little while. So, we started working on a fiancee visa for me. After a month of paperwork, we finally mailed it off. Our documentation arrived at the British Consulate General in Los Angeles, California, 20 April.

And then? We waited. and waited. and waited.

I bought a wedding dress. We planned some wedding stuff as we talked online (skype).

I moved back to Texas to live with my parents at the end of April, fully expecting to be here a week or two, and then on my way. Nope. More waiting.

Finally, 6 May, I received an email saying they had received our package and finally opened it. I misread the email and thought they would arrive at a decision within 24 hours. Nope.

We waited... and waited... and waited some more. I babysat. We planned some more of our wedding from pictures online. I tried not be be frustrated. Sometimes it worked.

Forty-five business days from the arrival date at the Consulate, we received another email saying my visa had been approved and gave a ups tracking number.

They sent it to Utah. My old roommate told them I didn't live there anymore. Another previous roommate called me to let me know what happened. I called UPS, and got the address corrected. They 'guaranteed' it to be at my door in Texas the next day. Nope. Didn't happen. More waiting and phone calls.

And then... it came!! 25 June 2009. I had it in my hands, and the information is correct. This season of waiting is finally over.

A season of miracles...

It all started back in May...

My apartment lease in Austin, Texas, was up in June and I needed to find another place to live. I looked all around Austin, but nothing seemed to fit me or feel right. Cameron Scott and I were talking one night and he asked me if I felt like I needed to stay in Austin. 'Have you thought about going back to school?' he asked. I started to look into it, and it felt right.

A couple of days later, I got a massive ear infection that wasn't going away with anything I was doing... I tried everything! I even went to the doctor and got antibiotics... I also got a Priesthood blessing from Cameron. In the blessing I was told that I was making the right decision to move to Utah and that everything would unfold before me beyond my present comprehension.

It really has! I drove up to Utah, not having a place to stay or a job. I had tried to look online and network, but I met deadends everywhere! There was a little voice in the back of my head that just kept telling me: "Wait until you get there. Everything this going to be fine."

I packed my car, and headed Northwest. I finally got to Provo on a Thursday afternoon (miracle #1). I found a great apartment a couple of hours later and moved in (miracle #2).

Next, I needed a job. Thankfully, I had already had something lined up for a week in Austin during the month of July that would make me a couple thousand dollars (miracle #3). The money I had in the bank worked until I got paid for that contract job (miracle #4). Before I left for Austin, I 'randomly' found a position available for Aspen Grove and applied (miracle #5). I had no idea what I'd be doing, but it the thought of it made my heart sing with joy... so I applied.

I got an email from the program manager while I was in Austin, and set up an interview a couple days later. They liked me (miracle #6) and offered me the job.

The job pays for room & most of my food (miracle #7 & 8). I live and work in the mountains just North of Sundance. Incredible. This job is in my field of study (Marriage, Family, and Human Development), and I get to work with great people.

I can stay here throughout the Fall & Winter Semesters (I start school in January). I'll just commute when school starts (miracle #9).

Then... my car started acting up again (last Friday). The thought came to me: get a different car. The next thought went something like: What? Are you kidding me?

So, Saturday morning, I bought a car. It only has 21,000 miles on it. It took me about 25 minutes to pick it out and start the paperwork. It's a 2006 Hyundai Elantra. It's beautiful, and I got a really great deal on it. The salesman knocked off $5,000 off the sticker price, which meant I could afford it. (miracle 10 & 11)

Miracles have not ceased...