Chapter 40: Unexpected Change

"Be it according to the will of the Lord."Alma 14:14 After six weeks in Aberdeen, my time there has come to an abrupt end. I was definitely not expecting to be moved so quickly, but as I've wrestled with the news since receiving it, I have come to understand that it is the will of God. I may not understand everything, and it may not have been what I initially would've wanted, but I know now that there are lessons to be learned from this change. With that said, I am currently in Glasgow! My new area is technically called Airdrie, but my companion, Elder Lewis, and myself do not have a flat there yet, so we are living more in the city for now. Airdrie has not had missionaries for over a year, so we will open that area, along with reopening the Glasgow Zone. It's exciting for sure, a blank canvas upon which lies our responsibility to seek to paint the picture God intends us to. It will take a lot of faith, but it will be worth it. And that's how life is isn't it? When we receive unexpected news, when we face difficult or surprising change, when we must face uncomfortable and stretching circumstances, how much power comes from being able to simply say, "be it according to the will of the Lord." I know that his will is all that matters. I invite you to draw from that power. Deepen your faith, and choose to attribute everything everything God and His will. I promise, peace will flow. As I struggled to understand this change, I wrote a poem. Here is my poem below: "I fell in love with a city once A city by the sea. Her buildings tall of deep, grey stone: pure in simplicity. On her streets I've walked a while And felt within my soul That no where else I'd ever been Could compare to this new home. I fell in love with a city once Her parks on grand display. With coats of endless greens, the trees dance in gentle sway. To free my restless mind I've lain on her fields of fertile sod And pondered on the mystery Of the goodness of my God. I fell in love with a city once And with her people too Who work so hard, and are so kind, with whom deep friendships grew. I've met those whom with which I've laughed And those with which I've cried. With them I've built fond memories, The kind that never die. I fell in love with a city once I've left her now today To answer a call to serve anew and help more along the way. It may be hard to leave her here To go to someplace new But I trust in my God above And to Him I'll be true. I fell in love with a city once She taught me a lesson plain: That when we receive a call to be It doesn't mean it's a call to stay. So give your all, where'er thou art Be the best that you can be. Treasure each moment and person in full, until the day you leave."

Life is good.

God is wise.

Don't give up. Elder Childers