Why now? Why Alabama?
Good questions.
I consider myself a very blessed individual. I have an amazing family that would do anything to help each other succeed. I have a professional career that is unheard of for someone my age. I feel content with my relationship with my Heavenly Father and yet I do not feel right.
In fact, I haven't felt right for quite some time.
I could continue to raise my family status quo, settling for content or I could continue to seek an answer to my unrest.
This has not been an easy decision.
I can count on one hand the most life altering decisions I have made. All have involved Natalie, and guidance from the Holy Ghost.
1.) Rejoining the Church
2.) The heartache and joy of growing a biological family
3.) The heartache and joy of finding my family 1/2 way across the world
4.) The decision to leave everything my family has ever known, and move to Birmingham Alabama.
When I look back on the adversity I have gone through, I always find a blessing at the end.
- Falling away from the Church at a young age, I learned what I didn't want or need in life. I learned what my limits were, and pushed myself to a point I never wanted to return Spiritually and Mentally.
- After multiple failed attempts of having a Child, I treasured her so much more once she finally made it through.
- The pain of finding out I would likely NEVER have any more kids biologically was heartbreaking….until our hearts were led to adoption.
- The brutal 18 months to get Andrew home were unbearable… until Faith entered our lives.
I have quickly learned that when Heavenly Father places an obstacle in my path, rather than complain and feel sorry for myself, I can rejoice in the thought of the treasure I will unearth at the end.
I was inspired to find a different place for our family to grow. A place where we could come together as one and rely on each other in our darkest moments.
That would not have happened in Utah. Utah was too easy. Too much support. Too much Love.
When a job opportunity presented itself in Birmingham, my immediate reaction was "No". Or quite possibly… "Hell No!" (sorry mom).
But I prayed, and things started to feel good.
We visited, and things started to feel better.
Natalie had a dream….and things felt perfect.
Birmingham Alabama was the place for our Family.
I do not know what challenges we will face, but I know there will be many. We will be forced to defend our Family, to defend our Faith, and grow or break because of this decision. This is not a decision we have made lightly, but one we have accepted.
After 4 days alone, I have already seen a difference in Andrew and Faith. They are not stared at. They are not pointed at. They are one like the rest of us. The diversity here is perfect for our family.
I am sure we will get some negativity, but for now…things have been bliss.
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| Playing at Oak Mountain State Park Beach |
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| Playing at Oak Mountain State Park Beach |
"Faith is something greater than ourselves that enables us to do what we said we will do. To press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid. To keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is uncertain." Gordon B. Hinckley
