Best Friends in the World

What can I say to some of the most amazing women in the world? I have been feeling guilty lately for all the kind things you have done for me that I will be unable to reciprocate! Thanks for being there for me through some tough times, for making me laugh, for helping me relax a little bit (and realizing that is okay!), for feeding my family, for crying with me through my pregnancies but cheering for my new baby, for park days and ward picnics and babysitting, and putting up with me on my bad days. Thanks for inspiring me to be better-- for inspiring me to desire to help others, learn how to sew, to read more, and to make at least a little time for myself. You even inspire me to do my hair once in a while. You are amazing! I am really going to miss you.

On Moving Trucks, Yard Signs, and Goodbyes

I know its been so long since my last post! I've been so sad about moving I just haven't had the heart to write about it yet. This is the longest we've ever lived anywhere-- nearly half of our married life has been spent here! Although I'm not attached to my house as a house, it has become home for me. We've been through a lot here, watched our kids grow and our family grow, and I've made some of the best friends I've ever had. Its also been a great ward, where I've really enjoyed serving, being served, and learning from the amazing examples all around me.

I enjoyed serving in Relief Society, intense as it was. There was a special spirit that came into my life at that time and I was definitely buoyed up beyond my natural abilities. I still feel my time was too short, but I learned a ton. One of my big concerns as we considered Miguel's job offer was making sure I felt we'd be doing the right thing. In the end, it boiled down to him being happy in his job and being closer to our family.

As our move date has drawn closer, it has become clear how much the friendships we've made here mean to me. The part of me that wants the comfort of the easy road (that is the loudest voice in my head lately) wants to ignore the right choice and just stay here. I have to remind myself that we really did think this through prayerfully and we are making the right choice, hence everything will turn out okay. (Even though, as Kaedon says, "change is hard! Why does Obama have 'change' as a slogan? it should be 'no change!'") :)

I've been reading a biography of John Adams (by David McCullough), a new hero of mine. In a world that mocks idealists, he was a shining star of sticking to his principles, in spite of all the hardships it entailed (his wife as well!). (refreshing after the recent political furor) Several years before the revolution, he was offered a position within the British government in Massachusetts. The man who offered him the job was similarly bright and talented, and lived a much more lavish lifestyle because of the job he had taken for the British. I'm sure this was a tempting prospect! But John turned it down, opting instead for the hard and tedious road that would lead to eventual American independence. If he had taken that job, undoubtedly he would not have been selected later to represent the burgeoning colonial government, and his part in shaping this great nation would have never existed. When the tide rose in favor of independence, his wife in a letter quoted Shakespeare to him:

"There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in the shallows and the miseries...And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures."

A good lesson in taking opportunities when the time is right, even if it entails some personal sacrifice.

In the end, I'm glad that goodbye isn't forever (if all of you would just move with us, that would be great.), and I'm thankful I can keep up with your lives on your own blogs.

So, I'm sorry for yet another introspective and serious blog post. In about another month I hope they'll lighten up a bit! :)