Moving

We're moving.  If I think about it too much right now I might cry.  I'm leaving behind so many good friends and of course family.  I have truly loved Texas with all of my heart.  It has taught me so much and I'm not sure I'm ready to let it go.  It has become home.  If this isn't home...I'm not sure where home is.  I'm excited about this new chapter in our lives but I know it's going to bring a lot of change and starting over for all of us...which is never easy. It's a good thing that I have Paul and Audrey.  I'm not sure I would feel at home anywhere without them. 

I wanted to thoroughly document our life here and this home.  I'm going to miss it so much!  I thought about taking pictures in every room of the house before we leave.  It was going to be my picture project before we leave.  I hope I have time.  There are so many loose ends to wrap up before moving, along with teaching a choir class and being my community photographer.  You tell everyone you're moving and suddenly everyone wants a family photo session. I've really enjoyed learning so much but it has been a little overwhelming.

  So here's our backyard.  It's not much but we've spent countless hours out here enjoying the sun, running in the sprinklers, star gazing (in the winter you can see the entire Orion constellation, which is currently Audrey's favorite).  We've chased poppy around, picked lemons and drank lemonade, played soccer, chased each other, watched clouds, made mini fires, bird watched, and slid down this small slide countless times.  It's been our space and home.  I'll miss the memories it holds.  The only thing I won't miss is the weed we call grass here. :) 

Coming Unto Him

At times in my life I have felt like my prayers have gone unanswered.  It seems like it happens the most when it's about something that's really important to me.  

I feel like I'm only just barely starting to understand why.  Today our bishop's wife gave a talk about Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  She said when answers to her prayers didn't come she felt like the Savior was expecting her to seek him.  It was then that she had to work her hardest to come unto him.    As she spoke memories and experiences flooded through my mind.  I have felt the same call from the Savior to come unto him...as painful as it has been sometimes. This verse of scripture comes to mind, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

I've come to realize that it's always been my will against his, what I think my purpose is vs. what He has in mind for me.  I've tried to understand His will, but still secretly hoped that his will was what I wanted.  

In the last few months he has answered countless prayers and has given me endless peace despite the storm that seems to rage around me.  I feel like Peter.  It's been his hand that has been there to catch me in my time of need.  It was as if receiving answers to these prayers meant that he was still there.  He was still watching.  He was just quietly teaching me, beckoning me. It's only now that I recognize that his purpose for me maybe different than what I had envisioned...and that's OKAY.  I may not always receive answers and that doesn't mean that he has left me alone.  It only means that he is expecting me to come unto him.