Count Your Many Blessings

" So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end."

-Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Count Your Many Blessings is a hymn we sing at church pretty regularly. 

Lately, it has found a special place in my heart. 

In the pursuit of Dan's future career, we having dedicated 2011 to gaining valuable experience to add to Dan's resume. Dan is a finance major and his dream job would be working for one of the big investment banks in New York City. 

However, due to a little think called the Financial Crisis, jobs for Finance majors are super hard to come by. 

I would know, as a 2009 Finance graduate. Yuck. 

Let alone jobs at prestigious firms that Dan wishes to work for. 

So we decided that it would be better for Dan to graduate a year later than planned with lots of experience and a wonderful resume that will potentially land him a job, then to graduate on time with no experience and no serious job prospects. 

So Dan started applying for internships. He received his first one at Citi Bank in Miami. We were there from January 2011 to July 2011 while he interned for the Credit Risk Division. 

He recently received his second internship in the Capital Markets Room at the Untied States Treasury. 

So we took off for DC. 

We have been here now for 4 days and we have just been amazed at all the blessings that have come into our lives in the past year. 

This month, (the 20th to be exact) Dan and I will be married for one year. In that year we have lived in three different cities in three different apartments. We have certainly had some trials, and sometimes we (mostly I) have become discouraged and frustrated. 

Moving, especially, (oh and driving across the country) can do that to ya. 

But we have stood amazed at all of the blessings that have been poured down upon us. Dan and I decided that we really needed to document these blessings, as they have truly been miracles in our lives. 

The Silliman's generous offer of their fabulous apartment in Provo at a steal of a price. We loved living there and it made the perfect first home for Dan and I. We were truly sad to leave it. 

Our friends Dan and Kelsey telling us about a job opening at the company they work for, Digital Gateway. I ended up getting that job and it has been such a blessing. When Dan got his internship in Miami, I gave notice that I would be leaving. Without my knowledge another (angel) had recommended me for another position within the company, one that I could do from home. I got that position right before we left and have had steady work throughout all of our moves and have not had the tremendous stress of finding a new job every few months. I cannot put into words how huge this is to Dan and I. 

Dan receiving his first internship for Citi Bank in Miami. He had been so discouraged about his resume not being impressive so he took the initiative to make it better. He is always willing to do things others aren't, and I just know that will help him in the end. 

We found a FABULOUS apartment through another BYU intern that was there the term before we went. We lived in a highrise right downtown Miami. It was literally right next door to Dan's office, so that in itself was a blessing for our one care family. It was like living at a resort with a fitness center, hot tub, and pool. We had a beautiful view of Biscayne Bay. It was a fabulous six months. 

For this beach bum, the location of Miami was a blessing. 

The next blessing came in the form of a friend Dan made at BYU who told him about the internship at the treasury. He really rooted for Dan and talked him up. He got Dan the interview and Dan took it from there. We are really so grateful for his friend and all help he gave Dan. 

Then Dan, through hard work and preparation, got the internship at the Treasury. This was a truly special moment for us as a couple. Dan wanted this internship so bad. It is well-known and looks amazing on a resume. Not to mention, this is truly Dan's Passion. He follows the markets every day on his own, and that is what this internship is all about. It's perfect for him. We worked together to get him prepared to apply and interview and the moment he got is was special. Together, we accomplished an amazing goal, we were so blessed. 

Next came the apartment hunt. We only had two weeks to find a place and it was quite the struggle. Everything was SO expensive (especially since this internship is UNpaid) and we just didn't know the area well enough to know what was a good area. We also only had one car, so being close to the metro was super important. We didn't see how we could find something we could afford. Then we posted on a local ward's website that we were moving to the area and needed a place to live. The next day, we got a call. A member of our church here in DC just happened to have a basement apartment that we could rent short term. The price was PHENOMENAL, and now here we are. We are living in the Capital Hill area of DC. Dan's commute will be no more than 20 minutes. Amazing. 

Last but certainly not least came very unexpected. I got a raise at work! I can't imagine for a second that the timing is a coincidence. As soon as we accepted an upaid internship, my anxiety levels rose to crazy levels. Then I got a raise. Blessing? I think so. 

Now here we are in the our Nation's Capital for the next five months. We are so excited to be here and ready to explore all that is has to offer. This is another great chapter in the adventures of Dan and Ashley.

Whenever we get discouraged, we remind ourselves that we have been ridiculously blessed throughout all of this and know that we can rely on God for anything. Come what may.