Packing

This is a season of much packing in the lives of my loved ones and friends.

Julianne and Brenden will take a leap of faith from their comfortable Lincoln, NE (after 7 years there) for a home in Kearney. Leaving loads of friends and memories behind. They have been packing for weeks and this weekend, June 25, will be their "trek" to a new beginning in Kearney. When they moved to Lincoln, Grandma and Grandpa Buehner followed them out in Grandpa's horse trailer, packed to the brim. It was just the two of them then, now there are 4. Ward members will rally around them to send them off with sadness and new ward members will be there waiting to greet them with anxiousness.

This is also the same week end that Jeff and Vita will be moving from their comfortable apartment in Tempe. They were married over a year ago and this was their first home. (Don't you always remember your first home?) They also leave behind many memories and wonderful friendships. The ward put them in perfect callings to serve children that needed them the most. That made the moving decision harder to make - those children. But they felt the time was right, so Mesa will be their new home. They also have been packing for weeks for their new beginning there. They already have friends that live close by. That will make the transition easier. . . And thank goodness for Grandpa Buehner's trailer.

Last week was a hard week for Mike and Eloise. The fires in Sierra Vista made the evacuation from their home mandatory. Packing up only precious photos, computers, documents, etc. in a matter of minutes, they hurried off to stay with family close by. Now they can only wait and pray for hopeful news about their home being saved. I shutter to think of the frantic packing that must have taken place there. And I pray for their safety as well as their sweet home.

I visit teach a girl, younger than Carianne. She has a loving husband and three beautiful children. Their oldest, Cloe is 10 and she has a disease that will eventually take her young life. When I imagine the many surgeries and hospitals across the country that have cared for her, it overwhelms me. Their home is filled with a special bed and lots of hook ups for IVs. This last week was the second time since March that their home has flooded. Being renters, they were put in a hotel for a week until the problem could be repaired. Twice. Each time the special equipment took them hours to pack and unpack. They are frantically trying to find another home in the ward as they pack at the same time.

I am filled with emotion as I think of each of the packing that must be taking place in all these beautiful homes. Some packing done slowly and some in a hurry. But either way, each done thoughtfully, with sweet reflection, and hope for a bright future. Hope - the key word. "There is hope smiling brightly before us . . ." It's not just hope, it's smiling brightly. Because we know we have a Father in Heaven who won't leave us if we walk by faith. So I imagine your boxes filled to the brims with valuables, and unwavering faith placed at the very top. "Lead Thou my feet. I do not ask to see the distant scene. One step enough for me."