Move to Malad

Once again we have moved.  We were offered the job in Malad and we felt like it was the right thing to do.  We are in the process of purchasing 6 acres about 2 1/2 miles north of town.  The property has an old farmhouse on it that we are currently living in until we build a new house.  It has been a real challenge going from a large modern home to a tiny old home.  The new motto that I have tried to live by is, "Things are the way they are, and complaining doesn't help!"

We have been here now for almost 4 months.  People here have been very friendly and welcomed us within open arms, but the stress of moving and all of the change has been very stressful on our whole family.  The first two months the children and I lived with Aunt Christine while Larry spent most of his time trying to get our house ready.  Toward the end of the two months I became so stressed that I felt like I had to get away for a few days so I went to Erika's house. The first day I got there I broke out in a really bad case of the hives from all of the stress. I have often reflected on what the pioneers went through as they left their beautiful home in Nauvoo, leaving behind virtually all that they had and going forward in faith to the unknown.

When we first saw the house and property, my first reaction was an emphatic NO! The house was old and run down and there was still lots of junk on the property. The property had sat empty for 2+ years. When Larry first moved there, he spent the first few months trying to reclaim the house from the invasion of pack rats. I had never heard of such a thing. They look like a cross between a squirrel and a rat and they really do take your stuff and "pack" it away. The damage we have found so far has been a chewed-up sock, my night gown was shredded, and the baby's swing got chewed up by the little buggers. We have joked about the pack rats hoarding all of the stuff that we can't find!

Once of the biggest challenges we are currently facing is financially securing the property. Our plan was to sell both of our houses in Utah and pay cash for the property, but we ended up selling both of them by owner on five year contracts, so it will be awhile before we will get the cash. We thought we would be able to get a loan on this property, but it has proven to be a more challenging task than we had anticipated. The house is so old and in such disrepair that nobody wants to touch it. Therefore, we have spent most of our time trying to fix and repair things so that we can get a loan on it. We also have a time line to get something done so that we don't lose our home insurance.

Mom Moving To Provo/Contemplating Move to Malad

I just found out yesterday that Ann is moving my mom to Provo next month and that is very stressful to me. One thing that have have noticed lately is that I have been turning to food way too often to help with stress and depression.

Larry and I have been looking at investment properties to increase our income.  Three of them have fallen through for us now and we are starting to wonder if the Lords is trying to tell us something.  We both feel strongly that we need to do something different, but what?????

Yesterday, the thought of moving to Malad entertained our thoughts once again.  In some ways it makes so much sense--we could have free land to build on, we could sell both of our houses and build one and be completely out of debt, we could be there to help run the farm while Larry parent's went on their mission, and this is the year that the present high school auto shop teacher will be retiring and Larry would be perfect for the job.

I am just sick inside about the thought of leaving Spanish Fork and moving again.  I have really learned to love it here and we have made so many good friends.  Just the thought of starting over again makes me want to throw up.  I feel very torn.   I have also thoroughly enjoyed my friendship with Erika and her family and I would be very sad to leave that, but I also know that we have family in Malad that I would enjoy being around.

Larry reminded me last night that we need to make sure that our lamps are full as we make these very difficult decisions.  I feel very compelled to pray and read the words of the prophets as I know that these are decisions that we need inspiration to make.