What I've learned selling Pest Control

After finding out the obvious... The fact that I am not very good at the whole sales thing, I've decided the best way to confront that conclusion would be to put together a list of all the positive things I've discovered from selling pest control...  

- Patience is everything! You can go an entire day knocking door after door and you won't get someone who's remotely interested until 8:30... Now we all know I'm not the most patient person, so let's just say this has been a huge test. The patience and motivation to just keep chugging is really what it takes to keep going throughout the week. With that, I have to say this has been such a great opportunity for me to work on that whole patience thing, as there really is no other option than chugging along ;) 

- Prayer and faith really do get you through it all. If anything this experience has been one hundred percent worth it, just for the fact that everyday has helped  to strengthen and impact my personal testimony. A couple weeks after being here, Austin and I started wondering why exactly we were supposed to come to Houston. For those of you who don't know, Austin and I were going back and forth between two summer sales companies. After lots of praying and temple trips we both felt strongly about Alterra... And we have yet to find an exact answer. With that being said though, I know without a doubt this is where we're supposed to be. Without that faith, I know I would have given up a long time ago, but because of our constant prayers and faith in why we're here, everything has worked out and we've been blessed with many opportunities along the way. I've really just learned to take a step back, relax and when in doubt pray... Reassurance and comfort always come... 

- Probably one of the toughest things I really had to learn to get past - not taking rejection personally. After constant no's, I really started to think there was something wrong with me... Which may or may not be true, but! It really is that people aren't necessarily saying no to me... Just the service. 

- Why I married Austin. Like I said after a couple weeks, Austin and I were wondering why exactly we're here. One of the many reasons I've come up with is for Austin and I to grow closer together. We literally spend all day every day with each other and instead of getting on one another's nerve, it has completely worked for us (knock on wood :) ). I think the best part of working at Alterra would be being able to have the opportunity to work with Austin. This summer has been such hard work, and guess who has never quit? Austin. He's constantly going, going, going, always encouraging me, helping me and making sure we're doing what's best for us. ! 

- Of course, being here in Houston, I've really come to realize just how much I love Idaho! Really, Idaho is Idahome and I miss and love the fam oh so much, only two more months guys!

- And one last thing... Some people LIKE their bugs!!! Yup you heard me, some people really have no problem with ants and spiders roaming free. One guy I talked to said, and I quote, "You know, I see no reason to mess with God's critters. He put them here and as long as they're not getting in my home, I see no reason to kick them out of theirs!" Which I mean, good for him. I could never live with fire ants and hornets everywhere... But if he can than more power to him I guess! 

For those of you wondering what Austin's learned?? "A lot"... & there ya have it! We've learned so much in just this short time that who knows what'll change come the end of August :)  

                We send our love! 

Hey y'all!

   Wow what a crazy and busy past few months it has been! Since May, Austin and I have  finished our first year of college, moved out of our first house together and of course moved away to Texas!

    (Saying goodbye to the Farmhouse) 

   Our move down South was pretty much smooth sailing... Mostly thanks to Austin as he basically drove the entire way to San Antonio and then Houston nonstop... About 22 hours combined! Driving through New Mexico we hit the biggest sandstorm where we couldn't even see the lines in front of us... After that we were randomly stopped at about one in the morning by border control just getting into Texas... Other than that we made the long drive to Houston and let me tell you,  not only is it beyond gigantic, but HOT! Everyone warned me, but I was most definitely unprepared for the humidity. Despite the heat, humidity and hard work we really are starting to love Houston and make it our home. Our place here is tiny!! We're staying in an Extended Stay which works out great because we didn't have to worry about furniture, utilities or any of that before getting here. It's turned out perfect, we have a mini kitchen (even though we mostly live off cereal anyway)  and really are only here to sleep.  Our days Monday-Friday start at nine where we have our morning meetings with the team. From there, we drive about an hour to our area to start knocking doors till about 2:30. We take a quick lunch and then knock again until it's dark outside... Usually about 8:30/8:45. We then drive an hour back to the office for paperwork and end up finally getting back to our place around ten o'clock. We get lucky on Saturdays and get done at four... But needless to say the week is pretty exhausting. The job itself is a lot harder than I could have imagined. Of course we didn't start out thinking sales would be completely easy but it has definitely taken a while to get used to... I quickly came to realize that sales is not my strong area and rejections are tough! Austin  however picked it up pretty quick and has always been there for encouragement. With that, we are learning A TON  out here, trying to stay motivated, be positive and really reach our goals. I'd say we're slowly but surely getting better after each day. At the end of the day we just remember why we're out here and it always works out. What's great though is that we love everyone we work with! The guys are great and fun and we've made some awesome friends being out here. I'd say the best part so far would be getting to know and hang out with everyone on a daily basis.  

                   Crazy Sand Storm!

           Awesome farmer's tan from 

                          the Texas sun. 

   Other than working hard this summer we've been able to get away and enjoy Houston as well. One lucky night while waiting in line for a Houston Astros game with one of our work friends, some extremely generous, random guy came up and handed us three free tickets that were  just ten rows up from home plate! My first pro game with Austin will definitely be hard to beat. We've also been able to see the Houston Zoo, (which I had been absolutely dying to do ever since getting here! ) and drive over to San Antonio and see Austin's parents. That was such a fun getaway and we can't wait to go back! 

   It's crazy to think it's already the end of June and we only have two more months until we're back home and settling into our old routine. This summer has been so good to us, it's been perfect to be able to get away and have our own little adventure. Regardless of the heat, the crazy drivers or the door after door knocking, I know that our Heavenly Father sent us here for a reason and we wouldn't have it any other way. 

We love and miss you all!!

-- Honey & Saucy