Merry Christmas, Rodney

Last night was one of those nights I wasn't sure was going to work out all that well.

Per the usual, I had overlapping events.

This is not because I don't know how to say no. It's not.

It's just because I think I can do everything all the time.

Right?

So I might've been an hour late to a work party last night....

and they might have been waiting on me for my portion of the food.

Oops.

But I have a really good reason.

This week is our dark week (week without shows) for Savior of the World because the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert is this week. 

So instead of shows, there have been a few service/fireside opportunities.

Last night, we met at a care center in Pleasant Grove to sing and do a program for the residents. 

They were so beautiful.

It's always fun for me to go and sing anywhere, doing most anything.

But there's something extra special to me about singing in rest homes.

Last night was no exception. At the end of the program, we closed with "Silent Night" and started moving out into the audience to find someone to sing to/sit by while we sang the song. I went straight to Rodney. I'd met him at the very beginning of the night. He was sitting quietly by the door, just minding his own business, but I decided I wanted to know who he was. We had a nice, albeit brief, chat before the program started. But at the end of the program, I knew exactly who I wanted to sit by. I walked back to him, and there was only just barely enough room for me to kneel in front of him, and just hold his hand. He was so happy to have someone near! I couldn't help but cry, and he sang right along with me, with a clear, happy twinkle in his eye. His hands were shaking the whole time, but his happiness was so strong in that moment. I haven't felt that much love and pure joy in a long time, and it was just  from holding Rodney's hand and singing "Silent Night" with him. 

He might not know it, but I just love him. He changed my night, and suddenly the busyness of my little life lately just melted away and everything became completely worth it. He helped me FEEL a little more of the love of my Heavenly Father, and of the reality of our Savior's birth.

I told him Merry Christmas before I left, and thanked him for letting me sit with him.

He took my hand, looked right up at me, and said, 

"Merry Christmas, and a cool yule to you too, Dee." 

(We were on a friend name basis by then, of course.) 

First he made me cry, and then he made me laugh. 

Someone please explain the miracle of service to me. Sometimes I think I know what it means, and then I feel like I have to rediscover it all over again. I gave him next to nothing, but it came back to me ten-fold. There wasn't even room enough to receive it. Sound familiar?

I think my heart grew three sizes last night, and I'm not even the Grinch. ;)

I left wishing I could shout "Merry Christmas!" from every rooftop.

Oh, and I'm moving on Saturday because Heavenly Father answers prayers...so I won't be homeless. :)

Just fyi.

So, the end of November came, and then my life turned up-side-down.

Gratitude will change your life.

At least that's my conclusion after a month of doing my best to focus on it, and then seeing what it did to my life....

The last two days of November consisted of a sudden influx of interviews. For new jobs.

I've been officially looking since August, and had a few bites, but nothing was sticking yet.

Until November was about to be over, and apparently that's when everything was supposed to change.

November was my last month of working for EFY.

At first, that made me incredibly sad. Four years didn't really fly by, but there are some people in that office that feel like family to me. AND I had to say goodbye to all the teachers, which may have broken my heart more than theirs, but...it really was tough to say goodbye.

Uh...until I'm sitting here a week after accepting a new job and I'm ALREADY breathing easier, and I won't be scraping by from paycheck to paycheck anymore.

Freaking finally.

In the mess of all the hubbub, I also sold my apartment contract.

My home is beautiful, and my roommates are the nicest.

But I kept feeling like I should move, though I had no idea where I'd move.

I finally followed through. (go me.)

And my contract sold THAT DAY.

So in one day, I accepted a new job (at BYU, in the Registration department...that's the short version) and sold the roof over my head.

I still have no idea where I'll be living in January. Zero, zilch. Nada. 

Um, are you reeling yet? Because I was.

Sometimes I think Heavenly Father likes to see me freak out. He finds it entertaining because HE knows it's all going to turn out, but good grief.

Savior of the World is still the best idea in my life at Christmastime. I'm so incredibly grateful for how it continues to change my life by strengthening my testimony. I'm not sure words alone could ever express how much I love the combination of music...and the gospel. 

Speaking of which, I start MoTab on January 5th. That's so soon!

 With change always comes the bittersweet. First, I left some incredible co-workers of four years (whom I do not have pictures of...DANG IT.) and then my roommates and fellow friends from the ward will all be different come January 1. 

But meanwhile, we've gone to so many freezing Christmas light displays, and had such fun...I'm grateful I got to spend some time with these crazy kids. :) 

And I just have to give a shout out to Miss Whitney here. This girl is made of gold, ladies and gents. She has more positive energy than I can even comprehend sometimes, but I have learned so much from her in this run of the show! She loves life, and loves the gospel even more. 

My new co-workers are taking me out for Thai food today. 

YUM.

My little sister has a concert tonight in SL just before my show, and I'll actually get to see most of it!

I love my new job.

Prayers are getting answered ALL OVER THE PLACE...

The only thing left is finding a new roof over my head, preferably in the next week or so since...I don't think a cardboard box will be very warm in Januray.

I'm pretty sure that prayer will be answered as well, but...ah, if only patience came now! 

hahahah.

Ahem.

But really...

Welcome, December. EVERYTHING is different. 

...And not a moment too soon...