{our front door}

We are planning our big move across the country and couldn't be more excited! We know that we are supposed to be in North Carolina for the next four years and can't wait to get started on our new adventure. But it is bittersweet. We've lived here in Provo for 5 years. And for nearly 2 years of that by the time we move, we have been married and we have lived through an old white door and inside an almost 90 year old little basement apartment.

Through this front door into our home, so much has happened. In this house we have opened piles of wedding gifts and wrote hundreds of thank-you cards. In this house we both studied hard and had late nights doing homework, resulting in both of us graduating from Brigham Young University. In this house we found out we were pregnant and then waited up until midnight to go buy a nice pregnancy test {not just the dollar store kind we had} because it was a Sunday. In this house we had some spider issues and glitches and funny stories to tell our kiddos someday. It was in this house that we met with our Bishop, and Travis accepted the calling to be the Young Men's President, and I accepted the calling to be the 2nd Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency---callings that have given us excellent experiences and opportunities. In this house we stopped feeling our first baby kick after 8 months of awaiting her arrival and walked out of the house almost in a daze---with a greater power carrying us out of the front door. And it was through that same front door where we walked back into our home fully equipped with baby supplies but no baby to use them. In this house we planned the simple graveside service for Elaine Raquel. In this house many priesthood blessings have been given and peace has been felt. It was in this house where we felt such a stupor of thought about PhD programs, and it was in this house where we finally accepted to attend the University of North Carolina feeling perfectly peaceful and knowing it was right. In this house lots of laughter, crying, and praying has taken place. In this house I took an online photography class and started a love for a new hobby. In this house we had the impression that I should start working as an ordinance worker in the Provo Temple---exactly where I need to be right now.

That little house has become our home. Its white front door with yellow curtains has a crack down the side, it's old, and it's a miracle it even locks. Yet, it does its job well---it keeps out what shouldn't be inside. I think Heavenly Father works the same way. None of us are perfect, that's why we're here. But, when we're striving to do what's right, nothing will happen that won't be for our good---that won't benefit us. His spirit can be within us and we can be endowed with power. Inside each of us and inside each of our homes, He lets things happen so we can grow and become more like Him.

We are excited for the future front doors we walk through and homes we get to have---and for all the growth and joy that comes from living here on earth. But, oh how we will miss our first little home in Provo where the foundation of our marriage was created!

"No other success can compensate for failure in the home. The poorest shack in which love prevails over a united family is of greater value to God and the future humanity than any other riches. In such a home God can work miracles and will work miracles." -David O. McKay