The "Holladay" Inn

It’s been a joke just recently, that our home will be known as the “Holladay” Inn…at least for the time being. My youngest sister and her boyfriend have just moved here from Portland, Oregon and are living with us while they start their new jobs, develop a steady stream of income, and find an apartment of reasonable living standards. Also, my cousin and his wife will be moving here from Salt Lake City, Utah to continue their growth and prosperity in Primerica, while helping us build the business alongside of them. So, in essence, they too, need a place to live while they find a house of their own. Now, as it may seem we are taking people into our home, as they come, it unfortunately is not an invitation for anyone else, as there is no longer any more room at the Inn. Of course, I’m just being facetious when I say that, so there is no serious intent regarding this, but logically you can see why. It was just a few short months ago, when I said to my husband these exact words: “You know hun, it would be nice if we had more people stay with us.” “It just doesn’t seem like we ever have company over, nor do we ever have guests stay in our guest bedroom, of which I’ve decorated for that main purpose.” I’m not sure if I should be kicking myself for saying that, or if I should be glad my wish came true. It’s definitely going to be an adjustment for all of us, but all in all, I believe everything in this unique situation will turn out just fine, and I’m grateful that we can help out our family in their times of need. That is all that matters the most.

Pass Guarantee

I have finally conquered my undesirable feat…that, being the life insurance exam. I had been waiting long enough to take it again, and that day finally came. I went to take the general portion of the exam that I had previously failed by 3 points today, and passed it the second time…finally! It is a huge relief, and I can finally breathe! I had been studying more than I want to think about, but somehow I was still feeling unsure of myself that I could pass. Those same feelings of anxiety and failure began to set in, and even though I would tell myself over and over again that I was going to pass the exam, there was still a part of my subconscious mind that was telling me otherwise. I believe I was guided and directed today, with the Lord’s help, and that I have to be thankful for. I am thankful also, for those who have showed me your support and encouragement. I am now an officially licensed agent of Primerica, and that is an achievement worth waiting for. Now, I just need to go celebrate…after work.

Lake Las Vegas Retreat

Our business just gets more and more exciting with each passing day. We have been feeling so privileged to experience in a few small ways what it’s like to live a life of freedom and luxury. This past weekend, we drove to Las Vegas for the 2008 Team Dynasty Primerica Retreat, where we stayed at the Ritz-Carlton of Lake Las Vegas. The immaculate beauty of it alone, had me standing in awe. The service we received was exceptional and friendly. We had planned on sharing a room with my cousin and his wife, because the price alone to stay there was as great as the hotel and resort itself. However, with the last-minute cancellation of one other couple, we were able to stay in their room for half the price…and as a bonus, we got two queen-sized beds! The first night we arrived, we got ready for the formal dinner, which took place in the Grand Ballroom, prepared with tables of fine china and silver. The dishes we received were those served in only the fanciest of restaurants ranging $20-$40 per plate. I had never tried Filet-Mignon, but it’s the kind of beef tenderloin that just melts in your mouth. Of course, I have had cheesecake, but when it’s arranged on a pretty platter designed with berries and a slice of chocolate, it’s more than just the ordinary slice of cheesecake. Those were a few of the delectable treats we were served. There was a recognition ceremony, where several people, including my cousin and his wife were given promotions, and were recognized for all their hard work. The next day, we attended training, where we were taught from a few of the great millionaires of the company, and other influential people working in Primerica. We had a lot of free time while we were there, so we walked around the resort, checked out a few shops, and stopped in at Tutti Gelati for some very yummy ice cream! I was thrilled to find out that Kenny G would be performing that night, lakeside on the stage. During his performance, we enjoyed a BBQ put together by the staff at the hotel, located in the courtyard, surrounding the lake. The wind was blowing pretty hard in the beginning, and it was followed by a lightning storm in the background. Luckily, we didn’t get any rain, so with the many lights surrounding the hotel and resort, the colorful lights of the stage, and lightening that lit up the sky, it was all a beautiful site to see. The rest of our night was spent at a party located in the suite that the RVP of our base shop was staying. There, it was a social celebration of the greatest opportunity of our lifetime…that being Primerica. The following day, we spent the morning at the last training of the retreat, and again, learned many great lessons, were given many tools to live by, and received a greater insight to the wonders of this business and the potential it will have on our family...and that we have to be grateful for.

Falling Short

Yesterday, I experienced moments of excitement, anxiety, and despair as I took the life insurance exam for Primerica. It’s weird that you can feel all of those emotions at the same time, and still remain calm and collected…to some degree. After passing my practice/simulator exams with flying colors, I went to the testing center with confidence that I would pass the exam without too much trouble. However, when I began to answer the first question on the computer screen, and it was taking me much longer to answer than I anticipated, I began to worry. I still had 90 questions remaining, and I was restless, and getting nervous. After about an hour and a half, I finished the exam, and was still feeling optimistic, even though it seemed difficult. I waited for the results, and got both good and bad news. The good news: I passed the law portion of my exam, so I will not need to retake that part of the exam again. The bad news: I needed a 70% to pass the general portion consisting of life polices, but only got a 67%. So, unfortunately, I will have to retake the general portion over again in about 1 week from today. I wanted to cry after it was all over, since I felt so prepared upon taking the exam, but I had to look at the bright side of it all. At least I passed one section, and I will know what to expect the next time I take the test. I have been told that many people who work for Primerica don’t actually pass the exam the first time they take it. So, I have felt a little relief just knowing that.

Trial, Error, and Accomplishment

I will soon venture off to complete and conquer a rather undesirable feat. It would seem unusual that this would be considered an accomplishment, but one that would be unwanted at the same time. As I have said before, the process of getting my feet wet to experience many great opportunities of which I have yet to embark upon, do bring periods of trial as well. I have been studying for an important test for the last 3 weeks, and have taken more practice/simulator exams online than I can count on both hands. But, I will be faced with the real thing, and I will have to take it more seriously. I know, many of you may be thinking what I have been thinking..."It's just a test!" Yes, but somehow, it has me feeling very anxious. It's been awhile since I have taken a test that counts for anything. So, I will finally be presented with a series of questions to determine my level of knowledge as a future life insurance agent/producer for the state of Idaho. I don’t feel that I have ever been blessed with the innate ability to take tests with the intellect of a skilled mind, but with that aside, I will give it my best shot. Even though I am not looking forward to this particular test, I do believe I have studied all that I can study, and I am about 90% sure I can pass the exam. So, wish me luck!

The Life Insurance Lingo

I had the opportunity a week ago today, to attend a PFSU class (Primerica Financial Services University). It was two days of learning nothing more than the life insurance concepts that we must have the knowledge of, before we can sell the products and become fully licensed agents of Primerica. I did not know there was so much information about life insurance, and while it was overwhelming at first, I began to get a grasp of the concepts rather quickly. Since I am a visual learner, I found myself very attentive to the “Sesame Street School of Insurance” method that we were taught, with picture diagrams, charts, and written illustrations. That I could relate to, as opposed to just reading the manual. We must know such things as, completing the application, underwriting, and delivering the policy, the types of life policies, life policy provisions, riders, and options, taxes, retirement, Idaho statutes, rules and regulations common to all lines, and other insurance concepts. I have exactly one week from today, to continue my study of these concepts, before I am tested on the material I have learned. My mind is experiencing an overload, but as always, the stress will pass, and I will be more intelligent because of it. I am excited to see where this new level of knowledge will take me.