So much going on!

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14

Wow, life has been crazy lately! There has been so much happening, I can't seem to keep up.

I'll start with addressing the horrible tragedy that happened at SeaWorld. I am in shock that this happened to Dawn, such an amazing and experienced trainer. My heart goes out to her family, both biological and her SeaWorld family. I can't get my mind off what happened. Most guests were really nice and were saying how sorry they were about everything. I did hear a couple things that made me mad, but what can you do?

The media is distorting everything, and I get so enraged when I read people's ignorant comments about SeaWorld and how we care for our animals. My entire job is to educate people about wildlife and how to better care for it..and people are saying that SeaWorld is only in it for the money and doesn't care about animals?! And that we should release all of them, where they would likely die?!! Ugh. It is very frustrating, but I need to just suck it up. Arguing with people isn't going to help anything. Though we do have the stronger argument ;)

What we should focus on now, is what a wonderful person Dawn Brancheau was and how we can respect her memory by continuing to do what we do! Her funeral was today. I'm praying for her friends and family. I'm sorry that this happened, but it has been really cool to see how it has brought us all close together..my supervisors, co-workers, and I are leaning on each other during all of this..I'm so glad we've been able to do that.

In other news, I moved today!! I LOVE this place! I feel like I've lept into the lap of luxury..haha. My bathroom is like almost as big as my room. I haven't had a bathroom that big since I shared one with my brother 6 years ago. Everything is so nice, not just the apartment, but our pool and our entertainment areas as well. I'll be living here for AT LEAST a year too, which will be nice. I hate moving.

Though, including myself, I had 10 people helping today, 4 men. So it really wasn't that bad! Went super fast :) I am so incredibly thankful to have such helpful friends and family.

I miss Lisa already :( You can't live with someone 5 years and not miss them when you leave!! I'll get used to not having her as a roommate, but it's hard. I feel like I got divorced or something. Haha!!

I'm tired of writing. Actually I'm just tired in general. Which is understandable considering I've worked 11 days straight and then moved all my crap on my day off. I have lots coming up..mostly involving weddings. Jaime's Shower, Lisa's Bachelorette Party to plan, Lisa's wedding, Jaime's Bacherlorette Party, Jaime's wedding!! Ahhhh!! It will calm down after that. But 3 of my best friends will be married, strange! Oh well, at least my roommie and I are single an fabulous ;) Alright enough for now..her comes the train..one interesting thing about living here. Ha.

Until next time,

Kelli

Tragic

I just met her on Thursday during my swim test :(

Some quick thoughts..

"And what shall I say further? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by [the help of] faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions" Hebrews 11:32-33 (AMP)


I'm reading through Hebrews 11, the faith "hall of fame" as some like to call it. I'm again reminded of how, as children of God, we are made to defy the odds. There are countless stories in the Bible of faith and impossible things happening. The writer of Hebrews mentions it in the verse above, there's not even time to tell all of the stories! I love that about God! He loves defying the odds and showing us that all we have to do is trust Him, He can do anything. I mean He created the universe, what should we expect?!

By faith, this life God has given us is meant to be LIVED. Don't be afraid. Trust God, and aim to do the impossible. Because that's what He does best.

I desperately want to live my life that way. I haven't in the past..I let fear and distractions get in my way far too often. I have a limited number of years on this earth, and I want to make the most of it. Hebrews has already been written, but I want to live a life worthy of the faith hall of fame.

:)

Kelli

mega excitement!!

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6


Yesterday something really exciting happened :) A few weeks ago I applied for an animal training position at SeaWorld, my 4th time applying for animal training. Pretty sure everyone reading this knows it, but this is my dream job..since I was 7. I was so stoked that the position opened up, I've been swimming and preparing a lot, getting my resume ready going over interview questions. I am READY. Anyway, yesterday HR called me and said they were interested in moving me forward, which means SWIM TEST.

Thus, I have a swim test at 7:30 this Thursday morning. Woo! It's almost exactly a year since I took it last. And boy I am so much more ready and so much less terrified than last time..lol. I mean, I am incredibly nervous, but I know it will be ok. And I am gonna pass it this time, darn it!!

I'm not too confident that I'll get the job this time around, just because I've got some stiff competition. but there's definitely a chance. You never know what can happen :) Let's just go through all the ridiculous things I have to do in this test..just for kicks..(just for kicks? I don't talk like that..haha)

-5 minute water tread with hands out of the water
-220 ft. freestyle swim
-110 ft. underwater swim, no breathing allowed :)
-Pull yourself out of the water, and stand up right away, no going to your knee..it tests upper body strength
-Surface dive 26 feet to retrieve a 3 lb. weight
-4 ft. platform dive (basically look like a pretty Shamu trainer)
-Bucket carry or push ups..apparently it's going to be a surprise! I'd much rather carry buckets, but I'm practicing the push ups juuust in case
-Last but not least, read a script

I am perfectly capable of all this, I've done it all before. But it's gonna be COLD! According to weather.com it is a high of 60 degrees and a low of freaking 39 degrees!!!! And the water is 72!! Oh my. Oh well, if my group can tough that out, they need to hire all of us.

Anyway, God is so good and it's just confirmation that this is where He wants me. It may take a while for me to get this job that I've wanted forever, but I'm gonna get it. There's such satisfaction in working hard and being determined to meet a certain goal. I have enjoyed the journey. Bring it on SeaWorld ;)

I know I sound cheesy, I'm just excited. This is a big deal. So pray for me if you think about it! I would very much appreciate a prayer that I don't get hypothermia or something ;)

That is all :)
Kelli

"Alas, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and Your outstretched arm! There is nothing too hard or too wonderful for You--" Jeremiah 32:17 (AMP)


Life since graduation has been nothing short of CRAZY! It's about time I blog about my hardships and joys I've been experiencing in this new stage of life.

I'm closer than ever to the career I have anxiously awaited my whole life. I'm financially supporting myself for the first time. I'm thriving. But I am only thriving because God has been SO good.

The past 9 months have been arguably the scariest of my life. At one point I had no idea where I was going to live and if I was going to lose my job. I pretty much freaked out and left God out of the picture. He still provided. I moved in with Lisa, not knowing where I was going to go when she and Tim got married..but I knew that was the best decision. SeaWorld promoted me to part-time from seasonal. Part-time isn't the best, but it was much needed job security. God was faithful.

Then I was only working 1-2 days a week. I freaked again! How do I support myself on 10 hours a week? [one problem is that I ask "how do I support myself?! like I'm the one who takes care of me and in control..still working on letting God take care of me] I searched and searched for a second job. Just when I thought all hope was lost, He provided again. Spark! Enrichment Center. A job that would work amazingly with my SeaWorld schedule and build my character. I have learned so much while working at Spark! ..about myself and I've gained so many important career skills. The pay is incredibly low, but this job plus SeaWorld met my needs. I don't have much, but I have always had enough.

I've complained. I've envied. I've been angry. Yet in reality, I have no right to do that. I have what I need and all I have the right to do is be thankful.

This past year I have been tried spirtitually, emotionally, relationally, physically, oh my the list goes on!!

I really feel like it should be documented because I know one of these days I'm going to look back and realize that I made it. Or should I say WE made it. I could not have done it alone.

Nothing is too hard for my God :) He's worthy of trust!

More to come...
Kelli