Sunday, November 18, 2012

our pursuit of HAPPYNESS...

It's funny how we think we have life all figured out...

and then things change.

And all the sudden all our plans are gone,

and we realize the only plan we have is that everything will work out because Heavenly Father is in charge of our plan.

His plan is our plan and we're okay with that.

Our plans to go to medical school and live here in our pretty little house for four years?

Nope.

Dan resigned from medical school on Friday...

and we're moving.

on our way out from VCOM... for the last time!

He realized it wasn't for him or for us as a family. He realized that it wasn't best for our eternal family and that money and position really don't matter. The sacrifice of being $200,000 in debt and being "indentured servants" for the rest of our lives is not worth it. And for what? For Dan to work long hours in a job where he is controlled by the government and not enjoying what he does? It all culminated last Wednesday with Obama's victory. Dan told me he had not really been enjoying school at all and just hadn't said anything to me about it.

stopped by the park afterwards... what!? time?! what do we do with it?!


eyes closed in pictures... so in right now. 



It was stressfulcrazyscary few days but we are feeling better, really good even. We know, without the slightest doubt, that we doing what is best for our family. We are thankful for this lesson we are learning, even if it took our life savings to learn it. It was worth it. Because now we'll never look back. Dan has (re)realized Optometry really is what he wants to do with his life day in and day out. It just suits him. Remember that talk in conference two times ago? I forget who it was by but he shared a story about a father and son driving home late one night. They came to a crossroads and didn't know which way to. They both felt like they needed to go right. So they went right. Before long, they came to a dead end and realized right was wrong. The son asked his father why they both had a feeling that they should go right when it was the wrong way? His father told him that now they can confidently go the other way and know it is right. Heavenly Father doesn't always answer their prayers in the way we think. This is us. We were supposed to move to Boiling Springs for a few months and do medical school for a few months and if we could take it back and go straight to Optometry school we wouldn't. We know we have learned lessons through all this that we have needed to learn. We can move forward confidently (humbly confident) in this direction and we know it is right for us.

so excited, jude's legs started kicking and he "ooo oooo!!"'ed when he noticed them :)

QUACK QUACK



We are excited for what the future brings. We have been humbled and are thankful for it!


9 comments:

  1. rachael! HUGE changes! i'm excited for you guys though, now that you KNOW what your next step and current path is. do you know where you're moving to or anything? does he have to wait for a new semester or year to start? good luck with moving and saying goodbyes!

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  2. wow crazy!! way to be so faithful :). I'm sure the Lord will bless you for understanding His plan for you! You three are just awesome. Oh and that orange tree....pretty!!!!! Do you know where you will be moving now?

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  3. You guys are the best. Also, we munched on pineapple tonight and it was delicious (thank you!). You know we only want the best for you. Also, email me the address of where you'll be at Christmas? I need to send you a card!

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  4. I fully support your guys' decision! Not that you need my approval ;) We're trying to figure out life too: what school/location/tuition costs will be best for our family. It's tough! But I'm happy you guys know which direction you want to take and I'm excited to hear more!

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  5. Racheal - as always you are amazing. Life does always seem full of change and we never quite know what lessons we are going to be learning in life. I am impressed with your willingness to follow promptings that turn life upside down - do you know where Dan will be going to school? Isn't amazing how you can feel peace when looking from the outside at the craziness you shouldn't be able to feel it. Since our car accident a year ago i am always grateful for the peace that comes. We were told in a blessing that our accident was "a gentle nudge"! from the Lord to help us get on track with the training that my husband needs for missions later. How exciting is that?! However if that was a gentle nudge I sure hope i don't ever need a push in the right direction! My husband struggles with being in school and the financial hardship that (and our accident of course)it is causing. It's hard to remember everyday that Heavenly Father is in charge and that His plan will one day lead to those wonderful blessings that we are promised. Keep your head held high and know that there are many who will be praying for you along the way. Thanks for sharing your life with us (with me!) I love reading your blog - you help me. Karin

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  6. That totally makes sense. Now you won't have to wonder "what if". My brother in law graduated from Pacific University in Optometry in 2011 and loved it. He could get Dan in touch with some good people if he was interested. Just thought I'd throw that out there. Have fun with your new adventures!

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  7. What an amazing post! Isn't life silly (and by silly I mean, every other emotion as well). I am so glad that you feel peace about your new direction and I know everything will turn out just perfect in the end. Someday you will come across some one who will need to know exactly what you have experienced so you can help them through a similar tough decision. Best of luck to you and all the adventures ahead!

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  8. Thank you everyone for being so sweet and supportive! It helps to have wonderful friends who are in our corner and rooting for us. :) We love you!!

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