Moving to AZ

This post has been a long time coming.  It all seems so unreal and overwhelming.  I've been looking forward to this day for well I guess 6 years, yet now that it's here it just seems as if it can't be happening.

We moved to Seattle 6 years ago and in a the little over a year that we lived there a lot happened.  We visited a lot of really cool places and did so many fun things.  I would say that that year almost seemed like a vacation for a whole year.  It was seriously amazing.  Then after that year was up Zach got an offer to move to Oklahoma and we were both kind of shocked.  At the time we felt as if it was important for us to move closer to family and also move somewhere we could actually buy a house.  Oklahoma has been good to our family.  To say I learned a ton would be an understatement.  I've learned so much more about what it is I truly want in my life.  I've learned that when you are truly and completely lonely you learn to trust in the Lord or you get run over by Satan.  I've had to learn how to trust that the Lord has my back.  That when I'm doing everything I can to follow the Savior the blessings really do come.  But sometimes we have to struggle for a while because that is where and when the growth comes.  Even though I've struggled with so many things here in Oklahoma and honestly the struggle is not quite over I wouldn't trade it for anything because I know that the Savior is shaping me and molding me into the person he wants me to be.  I wish I listened better and learned faster but I guess I'm still human.  I still have a long ways to go.  I wish I trusted more and forgave more readily.  I'm learning that when I can forgive and trust more it truly sets my spirit free.  I honestly don't have the time now nor do I feel like I could express it words all I've learned but what I will say is this.  I just hope and pray that I can share some of the things I've learned with anyone who will let me coach, mentor or teach them.  I also hope and pray that God will continue to show me what he wants me to do with my life from this point on.

I've also learned in a major way that you can learn something from every single person that you meet.  You may not like what someone does or what they say to you but you can learn and grow from the experience if you choose to.  Also you can either learn from the past or you can let it define you.  I try really hard to learn and grow.  Every one has a story, and honestly I've learned that almost every single person who you see around you has something they are struggling with.   A lot of times people try and hide what they are going through as well.

From my experience, the people in Oklahoma are God Fearing, Generous, and Caring.  They love others and take care of their neighbors.  They are family oriented and conservative.  They do all they can to take care of their families and they know how to work hard for the things they want.  They know how to party and how to cheer on their team.  They love community events that bring people together.

There is also so much more to do in Oklahoma then I ever thought before I came here.  They have the Olympic rowing team who practice here, great football teams, a good basketball team and amazing softball teams.  The science center is the best one I've ever been to and I've been to some in Utah, Arizona, Washington and Texas and Oklahoma's if by far the best.  They have done a lot to their zoo and are doing a lot of renovations even now.  Downtown Oklahoma city has some really cool things to do and there are also a lot of cool museums.  There are a lot of lakes around some pretty cool places to go explore or camp.  One of the other cool things about Oklahoma is that it's in the middle of the US and you can get to pretty much any part of the US in a day or two drive.

Long story short I'll just say this, I will miss this place.  We bought our first home here, we've had 2 kids here, we've traveled to a lot of places and we've grown closer as a family.  I truly think moving away from family is exactly what Zach and I needed to draw closer together and to rely more readily on each other.  

Mel's funeral

Funerals are not my favorite but honestly they are truly beautiful.  They are a blessing from Heaven, if you will.  They help those suffering to process and to feel the peace only the Lord can bring.  I feel very blessed that we could come and support the Murphy family during this difficult time.  I know that we will see Mel again and I also know that the Lord has a special plan for him.

I never knew Mel to be anything but a fun, loving, caring man who loved his family.  I know things weren't always easy for him.  He divorced twice and never remarried after that.  I know that was probably hard on him but I truly believe that he did the best in could in the last few years of his life to make things right.  That he served in the Salt Lake Temple for 8 years and through that experience he learned and grew so much.  I know that he loved his time there and that many people loved him.  Even though him and Dixie were not married anymore he always treated her with respect and kindness from what I could tell.  I believe when he died they were truly friends and I feel that is special.  It is kind of a weird relationship but none the less I'm glad for their children's sake they could still be in the same room together.

Through this whole experience I feel to mention one other thing.  I truly believe that the Lord is in charge.  That the things we go through in this life are what we need to go through to shape our character and our spirits into becoming more like our Savior.  Mel had a very different story than anyone of my Grandparents but I feel he was doing the best he could and that he loved the Lord and was trying the best he could at that time to follow the commandments and to live righteously.  I hope I can share with my children over time how great a man he was and that one day we will see him again.  That I'm sure at some points in my kids lives he will be on the other side of the veil cheering them on or looking out for them.  I feel there is much to be done in Heaven but I also feel there are times when God lets those in Heaven watch over us on Earth.  God speed Mel, we love you and we will miss you.