Jelly Belly Advocate

Life in California has commenced and I could not be happier.

 

I work at the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, CA in the guest service section. Jelly Belly gives free tours of the tours of the factory and during the tour the guest stop to take a picture with Mr. Jelly Belly in front of a green screen and then continue on with their tour. So I basically take their picture, edit their picture on the screen and add a bunch of jelly bellies to their background and people buy these photos for $22. It is so ridiculous, I feel like I am robbing people most of the time, then I remember that it is just Jelly Belly that is the greedy one. With that aside, I love my job. I get to work with my best friend, who is also my boss, Ruby. She tells me things like “Kristen, you have to pay me $100 to go to the bathroom.” When I greet the tourist I am constantly being made fun of for the things I say to them. Some of the most ridiculous things come out of my mouth. For instance, the other day I was trying to sell a picture to a couple with jelly bellies in the background. The lady was teeter-tottering on the idea of whether she wanted to buy her picture and I joking said, “You know, the jelly bellies really bring out the colors in your eyes.” Shortly after saying this I realized that she had black eyes to begin with, so I thought to myself out no…what have I just done. But to my surprise my comment swayed her in the right direction because she ended up buying the photo. Week 1 of working at the Jelly Belly factory is awesome and full of fun and laughter. 

 

I think that it is amazing that I work in a candy factory. If you know me (and hopefully you do know me…if not please discontinue reading my blog) you know that I love candy. Surprisingly enough, I haven’t really eaten that much candy. I’m growing up I guess. With that aside, I work right above the bakery where they make things like fudge, chocolate cell phones, chocolate covered apples, and all kinds of tasty treats. When I’m not busy, I like to watch the bakers make all of their little desserts. Yeah, I’m pretty much in a constant state of temptation.

Not quite international in California

There are many things that I am unsure of.....where I will be in five years, or one year for that matter, but I am sure of the calling that God has put in my life; to love and serve people internationally. A part of me wanted to leave the moment I graduated from IU (which was a week ago) and dive into the Taiwan, France, Denmark, Belgium, Tanzania, Russia, Chile, or anywhere really. Anyway the wind would blow me, trying to ignore "perfect timing" and seek the adventure the world had in store for me. I applied for English teaching jobs overseas. With possibilities opening with every person I spoke to, I became overwhelmed with a decision that could affect the rest of my life. My eyes were constantly wonder left to right, asking myself “Well, I can use my French here, I can get a good start here, I can get a good salary there, they will hire me there, this place has the cheapest plane tickets.” When did I get so discombobulated that I forgot the very reason I wanted to travel outside in the first place? My priorities went all A-wall, on the count of not letting God’s say into the mixture. When I head off to distant lands, I want to be sure that I am being called to that specific area with a group of people that are united in a purpose to see Jesus impact the lives of those that He is calling after. I want to be in THAT MIXTURE! The Lord is preparing my heart to love Him and others in a bigger way. I want to follow where God is leading me and He is leading me to the West. 

Tomorrow I am head off to Fairfield, CA for a summer-long adventure with some of my favorite people. I will be working at the JELLYBELLY factory making the big bucks in the photography sector. I know, I know, the first question everyone ask me is "Are you going to be taking pictures of jelly beans?" and I reply, "No... I'm going to be taking pictures of people and jelly beans." Photography by day, something far greater by night after quiting time. You see, in Fairfield there's a group of people, that are completely amazing by the way, that have planted a church, Remnant (check it www.remnantloves.me ). Their mission is that "people far from God fall in love with Jesus." They are loving people without limits and I get the awesome opportunity to join them in a summer internship!!! Woohooo! ( I really enjoy writing the expressions sounds that I am feeling and will continue doing so throughout) I am excited to hang with my amigos, live in California, and eat jelly beans all the long-day, but most importantly, I'm excited to see how I can be stretched and used this summer. So just as I recorded my endeavors in France, I will attempt to bring you all a special viewing into my life as God calls me into the deep and away from home. I love you all.

You have my heart Indiana....