Coming Home

It was hard for me to come home from vacation.  It was hard because I love the beauty of the Redwoods and California Coast.  I enjoyed exploring the area with my family and didn't want play time to end.  It was nice being together and not worry about everyday stuff.  I am grateful for the wonderful memories we made and will hold onto them.

I also had a hard time coming home because it meant coming home to a big change.  A few days before we left for vacation Rich and I met with President Fisher (Stake President) and Rich was called to serve as the Bishop of the Rossmoor Ward.  Rich accepted the calling and I supported him.  The next few days I focused on preparing for vacation which was a nice distraction from this big upcoming change.  I am truly grateful we planned this trip to spend some time together before our lives and schedules changed.

As we packed and prepared to come home Saturday I was sad.  I was sad because we had to come home a day early, so Rich could be sustained and set apart as the Bishop.  That morning I started feeling overwhelmed and nervous about the changes that would be coming.  I worried about how our family would manage and balance family time as we supported Rich in his calling to serve the ward.  I worried about Ava and how she would handle the change of having less daddy time.  I worried about this and more.

As we got in the car and headed home I was not happy.  We drove along the coast for about 15 minutes and I enjoyed the view of the ocean.  It was beautiful!  As we got to the turn off to head inland I began to tear up.  Rich sensed my sadness and squeezed by hand to comfort me.  I appreciated the gestured and it reassured me that it would be alright.

I have to admit the drive through the mountains did not help my mood.  The roads were curvy, it was raining, and I felt sick.  At this point I started feeling anxious about getting home.  I just wanted to get home and prepare for the following day.  It wasn't until we got on I-5 that things began to change.

By this time the weather was clearing up and so was my mood.  The roads were smoother and I began to feel much better.  The sky was beautiful.  The clouds, sunshine, and 4 rainbows we saw calmed me and brought peace to my mind.  I thought about how much Heavenly Father loves me and knew everything would be okay.  I knew that our lives would change, we would face challenges, but most importantly we would not be left alone.  With help of a kind, wise Heavenly Father, loving Savior, and each other we will be fine.  I know I have a lot of adjusting to do and it will be a learning process, but I think we will learn a lot and be better people from this new opportunity to serve.  So, please wish us luck and keep us in your prayers because I know every little bit helps.

The beauty that calmed me...