It's That Time of Year Again!

Phew it's been a while since I have written on here. I have been so busy and a lot of things have changed within ONE year!

Here is a recap:
I hit a mid life crisis (yes, I know. I am too young for that. But, it's what I like to call it.) In order to get things in my life going again- I decided to take advantage of my dual citizenship and move to London. That's right, Big Ben is in my back garden!

There was a series of events that triggered it all. For a few months I thinking about going back to an English congregation with my parents. I was tossing some ideas back and forth with my family. I thought it would be a good idea to England for the summer- jus to get away for a bit. The idea was, I'll apply for some jobs- if it works, great. If it doesn't, no big deal I'll come back to Florida. Until some horrible events happened at work. It really hit me hard to the point I wasn't my normal self. I barely ate (and that's strange, because I love food) and just slept all day. Then I decided "I just need to get out of Kissimmee." And the idea to move to London was born.
I pitched the idea to my friend who also had dual citizenship. She thoguht it was a great idea and decided to join in. She talked to her family and they invited her to stay with them until she got things sorted. They even extended the invitation to me! So in June I packed my life in a suitcase and moved to London.

I was still tossing the idea of going back to an English congregation. My friend suggested the idea of writing to the branch and seeing what congregation in the area needed help. But I have been helping a congregation for a few years already, I just wanted to find a place that felt fimilar with- that felt like home. So I went to a few English meetings. But, it just didn't feel the same. Not that the brothers and sisters weren't lovely. But if you ever been in foreign language for a number of years, you know what I mean. I had a friend who was in the BSL congregation. She knew I just moved and asked when I was going to come visit. So I went to the meeting and it felt like home. I knew it was the right decesion to move to that congregation.

Now getting a job was not easy. I have a lot of experience working with children with Autism. When I talked to Teaching Agencies (almost every job here is done through agencies) they seemed really eager to sign me up and send me to interviews. Except there was one tiny problem, I needed a background check from the US. It never even crossed my mind to do that before I left. So when I contacted the FBI to file for the check. They informed me it would take me 3 months to go through the entire process. THREE MONTHS?! I didn't have time for that. I was already overwelcoming my stay with family I was living with. I didn't know what to do. Every time I talked to my family, I was just overwhelmed. They threw ideas out. But the major one was "Go on a nice holiday for a week or so, then just come back home to us." But the thing was, I didn't want to leave. I was attached to my congregation already. So I prayed a lot and was clear on what I wanted. I told Jehovah: if I meant to stay I will have an interview this week for a waitress position. Even if I don't get it. I know I am meant to stay. Later the next day, I got an email to come for an interview at a little cafe. I got my answer. Within a couple of weeks I finally got a job with a catering agency (see, everything is done through agencies.) But, I knew in order survive money wise, I needed that job at the schools. I was entirely grateful for the family for letting me stay with them. They helped me out so much. Words can't describe how grateful I am. But, I knew I had to go. I had a friend who had a room available with some other sisters. So jumped on the opportunity and moved in with them.

The teaching agency with getting really antsy with the whole US background check. The schools that I interviewed with kept asking about me. So the agency found another alternative. They said I could file a background check with my state instead of the FBI. I filed it with the State of Florida and with in minutes I got an email saying I was cleared. I sent all the info to the agency and the next day I got a job with a school.

Jehovah has really blessed me through this entire experience. I don't know what I would with out him. They're moments when I really miss home. I missed some pretty big moments:being a bride's maid at my best friends wedding, seeing my brother get baptized. Plus losing a close friend to the world isn't fun to deal with on your own. But knowing I have Jehovah has made it a lot better. Also knowing the fact that my parents love me and are proud makes it a whole easier as well. They make sure they say it everyday when I talk to them.

Wow, that was a bit of a rant. Next time it won't be so personal. I have had many intresting experiences. Most of which have a funny story to tell.

Francesca xoxox