You want us to what?!?!....

To the dedicated 5 of you who actually read my blog...sorry to leave you hanging at the end of that last post :) Meant to follow it up yesterday, but life happens :) Here is the story behind our new beginning.

It started with my husband going to the General Priesthood session of conference a little over a month ago. He went, listened, and came home just like he always does. But this time was a little different :) I asked him about the talks, etc. and if anything stood out to him. He kind of looked at me funny, and then related the experience he had had. I will sum it up :) As he was listening to the speakers, he heard a distinct voice inside his head that said, "You need to move your family out to the mission field." It took him by complete surprise, but he summoned up the faith to ask where we were supposed to go. As clear as day the voice specifically and gently said "You need to move your family to Texas." And that was that. I wish I could say that I reacted peacefully and calmly. But since this blog is me doing my best to be honest, I will just say that I acted less-than graceful about it. I will say though, that I 110% trust my husband and his ability to seek and receive inspiration, revelation, and direction for our little family. This is just an example of a time where the inspiration received came completely out of far, far left field. It surprised us both, to say the least.

As soon as I was able to have a calm discussion :), we both decided that we would completely leave the situation in Heavenly Father's hands. If He really wanted us there, then things would start happening to lead us there, and it would become really clear. So we both prayed for the next few weeks about it, and neither one of us got a clear answer about if we were really supposed to do it or not. It seemed so crazy!! So after a few weeks went by, we both (especially me) went phew!!, I guess we don't have to worry about that after all! The very next day a company started recruiting Derick, completely out of the blue, from...Texas. It kind of took all the air out of my big "Phew!!" :) And from then on, the ball just started rolling. Heavenly Father would send us experiences every day, practically shouting at us that this was His will for us.

Probably my favorite experience: I was driving out to my sister's house for her birthday party. It is about an hour's drive and I had the car completely to myself...a treasured gift :) Anytime I have the car to myself I take the opportunity to pray out loud, because the opportunity to have a quiet minute all to myself with my Heavenly Father seems more rare than it probably should be. So I prayed the whole drive down. I guess I should use the term "prayed" very loosely. It was basically me crying and whining to Heavenly Father about how this was way too hard for me, and it was unfair of Him to ask it of me. Pretty sure there was swearing involved. :) Luckily Heavenly Father is so, so patient, and merciful. By the end of my "prayer" I felt peace, like if I had to do it, I could...I still didn't WANT to do it, but I would if it is what He really needed me to do. At this point I am almost to my sister's house. I was just quietly thinking, minding my own... I still didn't know if it was what He was for sure needing me to do...when a car completely cut me off. I had to swerve into another lane to avoid being hit. Once I got over my initial shock, I looked down at the "rude" car's license plate...and the word Texas might as well have slapped me in the face. At that point, I'm pretty sure I started laughing. I got the point. I am so stubborn that it took me practically dying to get it, but I got it :)

Each day since then, Heavenly Father has continued to direct and guide our little family. There are moments when I feel like this experience will require more faith than I currently have, but through the divine grace of the Savior, a loving Heavenly Father, and the countless people I am blessed to have in my life who are so loving and patient with me...I know I will be made able. That doesn't mean I won't still have my tantrums and pity-parties...I know myself too well :), but I know that Heavenly Father's plan for me and my family is ALWAYS better for me than my own. He loves me so much that He will direct me to the very best plan that will provide me with the very most opportunities to rely on Him and my Savior. I know that if I just trust Him enough to follow His plan, it will ultimately bring me the greatest capacity for peace and joy in this life.

Time to take the big leap of faith...Texas...here comes the Turner family!!