My name is Rachel and I am 27 years old. I was raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have been married for almost 8 years and I have four children, ages 6, 5, 2 and 1. If you do the math on that one, yes, I was 18 when I got married and 20 when baby number 1 came along. I graduated with my degree in English when I was six months pregnant with baby number 2. I grew up in Utah and after moving around a bit at the beginning of our marriage, we went back.
I am someone who struggles with change. I think I cried the whole way up to Idaho when I left for college. And then, four years later, when I moved away from Idaho, I cried as we left. Change and I are not friends.
About two years ago my husband finished school in Provo, Utah and got a job in Salt Lake City, about 30 miles north. The commute was too much and so we moved up to Salt Lake to be closer. While I was so excited to live in a bigger place, I was devastated to move away from the friends that I had made in our congregation (ward) in Provo. We had lived there for over two years and really had made ourselves at home.
Our first Sunday in our new home we headed to church. It was hard. It was the day after we had moved in. The house was still a mess of boxes and we were both exhausted. Emotions were close to the surface. I spent most of the service (sacrament meeting) in tears. I didn’t feel at home. I felt like a visitor and I already missed being surrounded by people that I knew and loved. By the end of it, I was ready to run home and throw myself on my bed for a good pity party.
The meeting ended and as we stood up to leave we were almost immediately surrounded. No less than five people had noticed that we were new. They all came over to introduce themselves, welcome us to the area and ask if there was anything that we needed. I had trouble fighting back even more tears, this time of gratitude. At that moment I knew that the Lord was aware of the prayer of my heart and had sent these wonderful people to make sure that I felt loved, even in an unfamiliar place.
This experience didn’t provide me instant friends. I still had to work for that. But it did offer me the peace that I so desperately needed that Sunday morning, as well as the confidence that I would get through this and make new friends and come to love my new ward as much as I had loved my previous one.
One thing I love about being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that opportunity to meet people that you might not typically meet and be a part of a ward family. I love the strength that it offers to be surrounded by other women struggling with some of the same challenges that I have. I love the feeling that I am not alone in my challenges and trials. And I love knowing that the Lord has provided these incredible friends, these Mormon women, to show me that he does love me and doesn’t want any of us to feel alone.
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Oh Rachel, I’ve recently moved too. I had a similar experience my first day in the new ward. One thing that made my transition easier was getting a calling. I am the Sunday School teacher for ages 13 turning 14. Every time I come home from church I come home happy because I love teaching Sunday School. I’ll be sad to get a new group of kids in January, but I bet I’ll like them just as much.
Rachel, thank you so much for sharing your story with us!
Rachel, I lived in the same ward for fifteen years growing up, but I’ve moved frequently as an adult. I love to sing, so my strategy is to join the ward choir immediately. Ward choirs always need more singers and I instantly feel welcomed and appreciated. The worst move I ever had was when we moved to a ward that didn’t have a choir. I just felt like a fish out of water! I’ve now lived in the same ward for almost nine years, so your story was a needed reminder of what it feels like when you’re the new kid on the block… Thanks!
I hate change too.
As a member of that beloved Provo ward. . . I miss it, too. I knew it was a great ward, but didn’t realize how special it was till we left. Great post, Rachel Sue!
Great post! As someone who has moved a lot (7 times in 8 years of marriage).. I have definitely come to love the church in that it immediately connects you with people with the same values and people who care.
Moving is never easy, but it is nice to have the church…it really does make finding friends much easier.
We just recently moved from a very large ward to a very small branch. I love that everyone is instant friends, but in other ways it’s harder. I’ve finally had to branch out and make friends that aren’t members of the church, and I can honestly say that I have grown from the experience.
I too am now on the verge of a big move; moving is never easy, but is always filled with the exciting wonders that Heavenly Father will provide along the way.
Even though in Jamaica we don’t have wards as yet, only Branches/Districts. It’s usually hard for me to visit another branch; knowing that we are the same, but it’s still unfamiliar territory. Now we are looking to move into another District, i just keep telling myself that it’s Heavenly Fathers’ decision and not ours. One of the best joys of moving is being able to spread the gospel, by being an example.
Now my husband and I are looking forward to our Big Move next year!!
Great post Rachel! We have lived in our current ward for 2 1/2 years and I still have a hard time feeling like I fit in. I make sure that when I see a new family, that I make sure to go over there and say hello. Change is definitely hard.
Rachel,
We moved this past summer as well and I know exactly how you felt. The Provo First Ward was extra special. It just was. Something about the right people in the right place at the right time. I made friendships in that ward that I will have forever. Not every ward is that way but you’re right, the closeness and camaraderie in any ward is an extra special feature that the LDS church offers its members. It’s an instant network of wonderful people who share the same love for the gospel and an emphasis on family.
Love you Rachel!
Kiera
Rachel –
You are an awesome woman and I love and appreciate that for so many reasons: John, Eden, Tayleigh, Seth and Eric, to name just a few. mil
Thank you for your testimony of a very real fact. Mormon women rock.
Change is a good thing. I can always look back at the different changes I’ve experienced and see the growth in my character along with all the new people I got to meet along the way.
Moving around alot has taught me to reach out to others who are new into my sphere…it always feels so good to be welcomed.
Now I can say I have a trail of friends that stretches across the US and even across the pond to the UK and other places in Europe. Change can be healing too.
It’s good to go from a wonderful Ward and use what you learned from that ward family to be a blessing to those in your new ward too. Just grow, grow, grow.
Married to the military meant moving every 4 years. In 16 years of marriage we lived in 5 wards. One of which was 3,000 miles from home…that one was the hardest, but also the hardest for me to leave. The church is so awesome in so many ways. This is one of them. I love our church.
Cool to see you here. Thanks for pointing us in the right direction. 😉
Change is hard and scary (for me at least). Even when it’s bigger and better. I love your comment about not being alone. When I go to church I feel that too.