February 29, 2012

Leap...


I've been thinking a lot about faith lately. How we need to actually have times in life where we need to exercise our faith in order for it to grow and become stronger.

Moving back home to Utah was a really scary thought for me. I knew that we wanted to move back, but just because you want something doesn't mean it's the best decision or what you should do. I knew that my husband really, really wanted to move back, but there was so much at risk... this was not a decision that I could make or do just based on want.

So I did what I usually do in situations such as this. I prayed. I prayed a lot. I prayed that if this was what we should do that I would know it, somehow. My answer came the first weekend in September. I was driving up to central Utah to go camping with my in laws. My boy was asleep in the back of the car and I was longingly gazing at the beautiful mountains around me. Is it time to come back? I wondered and prayed for the thousandth time....

Yes, I felt it throughout my whole being.

Yes it was time. This was what we needed to do. And somehow, all the little details of life would work out so that we could.

Coming back was a path of great resistance. We both had jobs in Vegas, something we did not have up in Utah. My husband was even offered an amazing nursing job in Vegas, straight out of school {I haven't told this to very many people, because then I just feel like we are super crazy}. He turned it down. When he told me he turned it down I felt really good about that decision. Somehow this was all going to work out, I just didn't know how. Trent was delayed in taking his nursing licensure test by two whole months due to misplaced paperwork. At the time this felt like huge problem, but in those two months we were able to save up enough money with both of us working for us to live on when we got here. That money lasted us until last week when he started his new job. Huge blessing. We also needed to sell our little condo that was worth half of what we had bought it for 3 years earlier due to the housing crash in Vegas. We waited till August to put it up on the market and attempt to short sale it. We had an offer two days later, in cash, for our asking price. We still had to do a short sale, but it was not as bad as I feared it would be. Our closing papers came as we were driving the moving truck up to Utah... I miss my cute little place, but it worked out for the best. One of my biggest hold ups... health insurance. Hello!?! I'm in remission for cancer, and leaving my job meant I would lose coverage. Have faith Meg, have faith. This was the biggest pill for me to swallow, and like everything else... this too has fallen into place and we were able to keep me covered until new insurance started. It's been a blessing to watch these small and simple miracles take place as we've made this transition in our lives.

In my mind we needed to have a job before we made the move, but as I realized this was not going to happen I also realized that sometimes we can't see how things are going to work out. If we did, then it wouldn't be required for us to have faith. I had my confirmation that this was the right thing for us, and now I needed to put my trust and faith in that we would be taken care of, somehow, some way...

I wish I could say that I had perfect faith through this process but I did not. So many times I said, maybe we did the wrong thing... we should have stayed in Vegas... things are not going to work out. My poor husband. I don't know how he stands my wavering faith. But he does, and for that I'm grateful.

As I have sat back these last three months since we made the move I have been in complete awe as to how everything has worked out. Trent would not have been able to get the job he did get if we had still been down in Vegas, sending in applications online. The little details of our lives that have been thrown up in the air are all falling back into place right where they need to be.

I'm grateful for this experience and what it has taught me. There were lots of people who I'm sure thought we were totally crazy for doing this, at this time, in this economy... but it was right for us. Every day I feel great peace in knowing that we made the right move for our family.

I still miss Las Vegas everyday... I miss my friends, I miss my amazing job and co-workers, I miss the warm winter, I miss our jewish grandma that we adopted, I miss my ward, I miss teaching lessons in Relief Society, I miss being able to walk to Target whenever I pleased, I miss my life down there. But I know that I'm where I need to be now. I know that this is where we want to raise our little boy. I know that we will be blessed for doing what we felt was right... we already have been. I'm grateful that we were able to take that leap, and that the landing has been wonderful.

I'm excited for this next step in life... whatever it may be, and am grateful that I am able to take it at home, with my family and friends by my side. I'm thankful that my faith has been strengthened through this process, and hopefully next time I'm required to leap I can do it without hesitation.

... and happy leap day by the way...

6 comments:

  1. Dale and I never thought you guys were crazy. We know both of you well enough to know you were doing what was right for your family and yourselves. Plus you've been talking about moving to Utah for years to us. :D

    Meg you're an inspiration of faith to us 'normal' people. Thank you for sharing and reminding me that I don't have to be in control. I need to let the Lord guide my life more often then I do. :D

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  2. What a beautiful post!! (I love that picture, btw) We are still in the midst of a HUGE leap of faith for us, a leap that took us nearly a year to make and one that we can't see the end or the fruits of yet. You see, due to my health and our financial situation, we decided several years ago that we were done having children. I always wanted a big family, and I mourned for the big brood I wouldn't have. But our reasons were real (my health especially), so I hugged my two little ones and thanked the Lord for the children I was already blessed with.

    I had finally come to terms with our decision, and in fact, was really enjoying my "older" kids and the fun and freedom that they brought to us. But about 2 1/2 years ago things started happening. Dreams, impressions, promptings... the Lord let us know that He had another plan for us. We ignored them at first, and though John and I both were feeling the same way, we didn't share them with each other and therefore had no clue that we were receiving the same inspiration! This went on for weeks - months even, before I finally spoke up to John. I was relieved to know that I wasn't alone, but we were terrified. Our financial situation was no better than it had been, and my health had actually been declining due to my disease - we (and my doctor) honestly didn't even know if it would still be possible for me to conceive. So we pushed it all aside and went back to our normal lives. Or at least, we tried to.

    I have learned that sometimes when we don't listen, the Lord quietly steps back and lets us exercise our agency without forcing His will upon us. But sometimes... He sends a brick flying through the window. We received a brick (several, in fact, haha). It took us over a year to finally acknowledge and accept that the Lord had different plans for us and that we needed to step forward in faith. But we finally did. And although we *knew* that it was the Lord's will, it was still a very difficult step to make.

    We were BEYOND shocked when we discovered that I was pregnant, not 2 months after we decided to exercise our faith and let the Lord guide us. We were FAR from trying, and given my condition and our past fertility issues, it was absolutely miraculous. And terrifying. More terrifying than anything else I have ever been through. And although I know that it is the Lord's will, I confess that there are times that I question, when my faith wavers and I wonder "What the heck were we thinking?! We can't have another child right now!!" But the Lord, in His infinite patience and wisdom always sends me the sweet, calm, peace and reassurance that yes, this is His will and He will bless us. We don't know how or when or in what capacity, but He will. And at least I have faith in that.

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  3. Thanks Mindy and Shaela! Thanks for your great comments. It is great to have good faith promoting experiences. Shaela, I really admire you for going through with this and taking such a leap of faith! I'm excited for your family to have this new little one soon!

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    1. I feel blessed to know you Meg and have watched you from the sidelines over the last few years. I have learned so many things from you. Every time I look at my little tree hanging in my kitchen I am reminded of you and your friendship. I hope I can be as brave as you. Leaps are hard but it is so good to know that you are being guided and prayers are answered. Good luck with all that lies ahead.

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  4. Beautiful post, a huge leap of faith it was and I am so glad it is all falling in place for you now. Sometimes decisions that everyone thinks you are crazy for, end up being the best ones you make. A lot of what you said is how I felt about us moving TO Vegas, Bracken had a great job, we owned a home and loved where we lived and we gave all that up to be poor students again but I wouldn't change our decision now. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. First of all, I just want to say thank you for one of the nicest compliments anyone has ever paid me. You are the sweetest. You are beautiful!
    Now that I know what your blog is, I am going to stalk you right back. How are you doing? How are you feeling? I read you are back in Utah. We have moved back and forth from so many places. Now we are settling back in Utah. It's so good to be near family, as much as I miss the places we lived and people we met along the way. Life is an adventure that is for sure. Can't wait to continue to read up on you and your life. Love ya!

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