11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
For a few months now Aaron and I have been talking about what is coming. We have learned both from our study and understanding of the scriptures and from our own life experiences that life is full of ups and downs. In our case we were very aware, and grateful to be on a long and high Up. Other than the number of hours Aaron was working, and a little more work related stress than normal we have all been very happy and were grateful for the lack of opposition in our lives at this time. But we were also very aware that things would not remain this way, life would happen, and something less than enjoyable would be coming our way at some point. But when......
A few years ago we were on one of these Up swings. Life seemed to be moving in the right direction. I had just recovered from an illness and from a surgery that was supposed to restore my ability to have children, even if only temporary. Aaron had just accepted a new job offer in the Boston area. We were happy and excited about the new chapter. But unknown to me, Aaron was praying in faith for a mountain to climb. Three months prior we had heard a talk at General Conference by President Henry B Eyring titled Mountains to Climb. In this talk President Eyring talked about his own experience in praying in faith for a mountain to climb, a hard life challenge/trial, that he could grow from spiritually. Aaron accepted President Eyrings challenge. That was a hard year for us. I very quickly found out I was pregnant, which was great news after all of our fertility trouble, but it was a difficult pregnancy and I spent the year very sick and mostly in bed. Aaron struggled in his new and horrible work environment and found himself emotionally and psychologically drowning. Financially it was hard because we weren't able to sell our home in CT and apartments in the Boston area cost more than our mortgage back in CT, plus I wasn't working because I was in bed pregnant and sick. Bottom line it was a very hard time, our faith was tested, and in the end we relied on the Lord and he saw us through it. We truly believe we were there for a purpose, and that was to have Amelia. We were there for 9 months. 2 days after Amelia was born Aaron started his new job in NH which he has loved and says is the best job he has ever had. It was only a few weeks later that our house in CT sold, and right in time because we were down to our last $200, after supporting 2 households on 1 income unexpectedly. Ever since we have been enjoying the peace and quiet of the Up swing.
During that challenging time we learned a few things:
1) Don't pray for mountains to climb without talking to your spouse first, lol/jk.
2) The most important things you can do for yourself are the basics, read your scriptures, say your prayers, go to church.
3) Accept help. Even if it is just a listening ear. The Lord works through his servants.
4) Your most important possession is your knowledge/testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ.
5) Prepare. The best way to endure a hard time is to be prepared for it. Prepare spiritually as well as temporally.
Well the Down swing has arrived. Last week Aaron was laid off from his job. There has been a lot of change there in the last year, everyone all the way up to the CEO has been replaced, so we anticipated that his turn was coming. It has been bitter-sweet. Aaron loved the people who worked for him, and he loved his job for the most part. But we know it is a blessing and have already seen some of the blessings that could not have come any other way. We are grateful we didn't take a job just for the sake of taking a job a few weeks ago when we were considering it because now Aaron can take the time to find the right job where he can thrive. Unlike the last Down swing, we are well prepared. We knew something would be coming eventually and prepared accordingly both spiritually and temporally. That being said we both hope that this time next year we aren't still looking for a job because that would be some unwanted stress and worry.
We aren't sure where we will end up (it will be somewhere on planet Earth), or when things will be resolved, but we are excited..... for change and for this phase to be over. We appreciate all the supportive thoughts and prayers we have been receiving, as well as all the employment help.
Beautifully said Jill. Very inspiring. You two have so much faith. So sorry about Aaron's job, but in my experience this kind of thing is usually a bless in disguise. As they say, when God closes a door He opens a window. Maybe this is your chance to come out to Utah? 😊
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