So, since we won't have a lot of access soon to internet and probably won't get another update opportunity in the next few weeks I figured now would be a good time to put in an update for all who are dying to know.
I survived the trip up to Rexburg!
It was actually wonderful weather. All the prayers made the difference. There was a light dusting of snow on the roads Saturday morning when I left Provo, but beyond that everything was beautiful. I am glad I made the choice to drive during the day. I left Friday morning before the sun was awake. Jason was wonderful and got up with me and made me eggs while I finished the last few details. I drove all the way to some random spot above Phoenix before I realized my GPS was being stupid and hadn't plotted the correct route, but it was impossible to change things at that point, so I drove an extra hour. Then later I sped past a waiting officer and realized that I didn't have proof of insurance. He was kind enough to wave the ticket since I wasn't too far beyond the speed limit, but he did write the $950 ticket for not having insurance. Have no fear, I've already taken care of that :)
Those were the only incidents.
I got to Utah and had Jason call my friend who was going to let me spend the night and about thirty minutes later she called and apologized profusely for forgetting and being out of town, but she had already done all the work to find another mutual friend that I could stay with, so I ended up staying with her and her five roommates for the evening. She even cooked enchiladas for me!
I got up a little later the next day and finished up the four more hours to Rexburg. It was nice. I felt good, like slipping on a cozy sweater (minus the warmth said sweater would have provided). I went to the store first to get the few items I would need for my lunches and then continued to the home of JR and Karen Hayes where I would be staying.
How do I know them? I don't. I know my boss who knows them. Apparently they have provided short-term housing to over 100 people/families in their time. They have built 5 houses over the years and in each one they have almost a full house downstairs where people can stay. I have my own kitchen, bath, bed, living and dining room. There is even a door to the outside, but it faces the back. I don't use anything but the bed and bath, but it's nice to have my own space when I want to escape.
They are extremely nice and so far have fed me 4 of 4 days I've been here. They are retired and serving as missionaries in the area. They host addiction classes through the church for various problems from eating disorders to pornography. Pornography is their main area though and they love to watch the changes in the lives of those who learn to overcome whatever is holding them back. He deals with the men (usually the ones with the problems in this case) and she deals with the wives (also struggling with the effects).
They also serve weekly assignments in the temple, he is a sealer and she works wherever they need her.
On top of that she just had knee surgery and is still recovering. She's walking but it's often painful. I help as much as I can with the household things.
As for work, it's a blast. My first two days were a lot of orientation and training remembering how to do everything, however at the midpoint of the first day Jeff walked in and dropped three giant files on my desk. . .
It took me a lot longer than it probably should have to get the first one done, but there was a lot involved including entering and reconciling the last few months of bank statements, so I didn't feel too bad. Today was nice too, although I ran out of things to do about mid-way through the day and ended up begging work from anyone who had any. Eventually I just moved around the desk/office they had set up for me and called it a day. I started facing the wall and in an office that provides a walk-through to other areas and I ended up facing out so now I can comment on anyone walking through :)
There are a LOT of people I don't recognize. Most of the older staff are familiar, but the younger staff seems transient. Everyone they offered a job to when I worked for them last is gone and in their place are strangers.
Everyone is still friendly and it's still an awesome place to work. I am salary now, which is an interesting change, and I'm still struggling to figure out what to sign up for (insurance/other), but it's all starting to settle. I even got my key today so now I don't have to stand outside in the cold for ten minutes every morning.
Today was also the first morning that it snowed. It's been warm and melting the last few days, but last night it dropped about 3 inches and this morning I remembered what it was to scrape my windows :) I even nicked my knuckle on the ice and it stung for most of the day.
The upcoming week will bring a lot more change. next Wednesday I travel down to Salt Lake to catch a plane to Tucson, then catch a plane to Florida where Alisabeth, my mother, and I will spend a week. After that Alisabeth and I will fly back to Salt Lake and drive the rest of the way with Jason who will have moved into our new house while we were gone. It's going to be exciting.
The one great thing is that Alisabeth doesn't miss me at all. Yesterday Jason handed her the phone and she started saying something like "when you get home. . . " Jason stopped her and said "That's mommy."
Alisabeth went, "huh?"
"Ask her who she is Alisabeth."
"Who are you?"
"I'm your mommy."
With a surprised and disappointed voice she said, "Oh." then immediately handed the phone back to Jason.
She thought I was Nana. Ah well.
