Better late than never?

(the following just transpired in my facebook inbox)

Laurel:

It's totally fine if you are too busy to write me back or even read this email, but I really need advice and I think you have the best help for me since you've gone through this.

One day my family was listening to your cd and you mentioned the fact that you had to move during high school. I will be a senior next year nad my family has to Texas because of my dad's job. This situation is tough...

I suddenly find myself very resentful towards my family. I'm doubtful I will ever see any of these people again.

I need your help badly. Everyday closer to moving is another devastating day that I dislike being with my family more and more. Each day I realize I will never see people that I just can't even bear right now to live without.

I'm a happy girl and I love life and the gospel, but right now this ia a huge trial I just can't seem to overcome.


Cute Girl:

I wish we could go to lunch...I would take you tomorrow! I read your email and feel like I'm reading an email from myself. I hear you...THIS IS HARD.

I was devastated when I found out we were moving. I think my biggest regret, though, was all the time I wasted being made about it. (I seriously didn't talk to my parents for the first 6 mnths after the move.)

So, I would counsel you to trust 2 things:
1.) Your parents are doing what they feel is best for the family.
2.) NONE OF THIS is a surprise to your Father in Heaven.

Now, if #1 is true, it needs to be the thing you cling to every time you want to be mad at your family. In the end, the only thing being mad will do will make it harder for you to feel the spirit...and right now you need the spirit more than you ever have before.

If #2 is true, that means the Lord is already preparing the people that you will meet and become friends with and have an impact on. There are experiences in Texas you would not be able to have in Arizona. There are people you need to know...and likely more people who need to know you. God is already ahead of you and is preparing it to be what YOU need in order to become the woman He needs you to be. I believe that with my entire soul.

To this day, I am dear friends with the girls I left in Kentucky. So many of my facebook friends are as a result of my family's move to St. Louis...people I never would have met if we hadn't moved. My best friend to this day I met my senior year...without her, I'd be lost.
College was easier because I learned to make friends easily.
My mission was easier because I could talk to strangers on a corner.
Dating is easier because I can keep a conversation going with anyone (grin).

If you can see this whole experience as an adventure...almost excited to see what God has planned and waiting for you...it will change everything. It's SO HARD to see it that way...but I promise you...as someone who has "been there"...your experience will be so much better if you do.
You will cry.
You will have days that you feel so alone.
But, in the end, it will be exactly what you needed because it's exactly what God knew would happen. He's so good that way.

You'll be okay.
You'll be more than okay.
It will be SO GOOD...if you let it be.

Go hug your mom & dad...chances are they are feeling worse about this than you can know...and they are praying for you that you'll be okay.
xoxo,
Laurel

P.S. You hug your mom and dad...and I'll hug mine. I think I just realized I owe them a "Thank you" & an "I'm sorry"...about 21 years late.