The Faith to Move

I love how moving makes a person realize how much stuff they have. I always thought, I'm not a "keeper" type of person. That's my husband. Then we started packing.

I found myself keeping paper mice and chicks that my nephew made in preschool, birth announcements, cards from my grandmother, and thank you notes from friends. I found the spent shell from my grandfather's 21-gun salute and held it tightly in my hand, the memories flooding back in such a rush that I cried. No, I CRIED.

I realized that, even though I am the one who decided going back to college would be a great adventure, part of my heart wants to stay here and never let go. I find myself paralyzed when I look at things that are in boxes, things that aren't in boxes, and when I think of taking pictures off the walls.

Then I think, how long will my succulents survive in Utah? How many of them can I reasonably fit in a two bedroom college apartment? I've had some of them for almost ten years.

I'm not afraid to make friends, be in a new ward with new people, and I'm not scared of school. I'm petrified that I'm leaving my home.

However, as soon as the paralysis begins to set in, a peace overcomes me, reminding me that this decision was one of faith, made with my spouse and my Heavenly Father. I remember the tender mercies I've seen that have helped a dream fifteen years in the making come to fruition, and for at least a few moments, I remember that Heavenly Father is in control and I'm just along for the ride.

Remember, when we act in faith, Satan wants us to fail. He wants us to be discouraged, to falter, and to fear. Then he has us. That's why we need to continually take one more step into the darkness and allow Heavenly Father to light our path. He will continue to show the way, but only as we continually allow Him to guide us. As we remain close to the Holy Ghost and act in faith, our ability to act in faith and follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ increases. Finally, our faith can be made perfect through Jesus Christ.