Well folks, I am no longer writing on this blog as an intern! I am all finished!!! The last day of my internship was last Thursday.
I managed to finish all of my projects in time, bring closure to my groups, and end on a high note as I received a great final evaluation! It was hard to say goodbye to all of the staff and patients that I saw on a daily basis. I think that was the hardest part for me. My co-workers had become like a family to me and I will miss them dearly.
I have felt so much growth in my development as a music therapist. Towards the end of my internship, I was really trying to hone in on more therapeutic skills and stretching myself musically. My supervisors challenged me to develop more skills as well. I am grateful for their trust in me and guidance that they showed. I was extremely blessed to have so many great people to help guide me along the way.
Since my internship has ended, it has been quite the roller coaster ride of things to do! I spent last weekend in Bend and Sisters (central Oregon) with my friend Rebekah as we went to an arts festival and a quilt show! I got a chance to see my good friend from Utah, Missy, as she was selling her artwork at the arts festival. The unfortunate thing about the whole weekend is that I got the stomach flue while we were camping... not fun. But we managed to make it to both events and had a good time.
I was able to take a few days off in June to visit my family! I was able to see everyone in my family, mostly because they were ALL living at home when I came to visit haha. Yup, all 7 of us under one roof for a few days was kind of crazy. We enjoyed a lot of time together and I arrived in time for a family reunion on my mom's side. For the first time in almost 7 years we had family photos taken. It was the perfect opportunity to do it while we were all together for a few days. These precious moments that I have with my family are so treasured to me. Now that we are getting older and living in different places, we don't get to be together as often as we used to. I am grateful for my family and the amazing blessing they are in my life.
Earlier this week I got my visa application finished to go to India! My sister Sandi and her husband Dan moved there about one week ago for his job. They will be there until Thanksgiving time. With what remaining money I have left, I am going to go visit them for a few weeks! I have been yearning for an opportunity to travel abroad again and this is a great way to me to visit family and see a new part of the world as well! As soon as my visa application is approved, I will purchase a plane ticket! I am hoping to leave around the end of August.
Next big news... I have been hired for a temporary job working at the Portland Oregon Temple! The temple will be closing for three weeks as a crew (that's me!) works on the outside of the building to paint and sandblast. The job starts on July 28th and will go for three weeks. This opportunity was an amazing answer to a prayer. I had been praying for what to do for work while I was waiting to go to India so that I can continue to pay for my expenses and an upcoming trip. I received information about this job while I volunteered in the cafeteria of the temple a few weekends ago. I made a phone call and had the job later that week!
It is the most perfect timing for what I need right now. I wasn't looking for something permanent and it fit the time frame I was looking for as well. Heavenly Father is truly aware of me and what I need at this time.
And the list of big news goes on... I am going to take my music therapy board certification exam on Tuesday! That's right, two days from now! I will get certified just in time to apply for openings at Oregon State Hospital, where I completed my internship. Again, the timing of this is truly a blessing. I send in my application to take the exam later than expected but they were able to rush it so that I could get approved to take the exam. The job postings for the hospital are only open for 10 days and I really needed to be certified to send in my application. What are the chances of both of those things happening at the same time?!? Again, another tender mercy and answer to a prayer. Although getting certified and finding a job can be stressful, I have felt an overwhelming peace about everything. Even if I don't get the job at OSH, the fact that I will be certified in time to apply is a true blessing from Heavenly Father.
Amongst all of these things, I have had some fun times exploring Oregon!
Bike rides, races, river rafting, open water swimming, hiking, and more!!
Springwater Corridor bike ride with Jan Williams
Hike to Pittock Mansion overlooking Portland
Bald Peak Half Marathon with Amber! Finished my 10th half!
My new favorite place to hang out and swim - Clackamas Cove
Silver Springs State Park
Behind the waterfall!!
Bus ride to our rafting adventure down the Deschutes River!
Earlier this week I watched a movie about India called "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." In this movie there is a quote that I really feels applies to my life right now as I figure out what my next step is...
"Everything will be alright in the end... If it is not alright, then it is not yet the end."
I have always been prone to worry about my future. Where I will live, where I will work, etc. But I know that everything will be alright in the end. And it is alright now! I trust in God and His plan for me. Whatever may come my way, I know that He loves me and is helping me to be the person that He wants me to become.
