I Will Go ... to Alaska

After everything that happened with Devin and I and the Air Traffic Control world, we had some deciding to do about where life would go next. It took a lot of "maybe we should do this" or "maybe we should do that" but we decided that a little while after Hatcher was born, we would move back to Alaska. This seemed like the best move for us because Devin decided he needed to go back to school since his Air Traffic Control Degree would now most likely do him no good. It was best for him to continue his schooling up here because of our Alaska residency and because it would then be easier for Devin to feed into the job force up here after graduating from a University within the state.
When we decided that we were going to be making another big move "up North," I definitely felt that it was the right choice for us but it was really hard for me. I struggled thinking that this may be the last time that I lived close to my family and circumstances have made it seem that we will probably be in Alaska for the long haul. Everyone always asks me, "Do you like Alaska? Do you like living there?" And I always answer yes because I love Alaska and it's beauty- it is unlike any other place. But it is so sitnkin far away! And that distance makes it hard to see some of those closest to me.

"The move" was hanging over me with everyday leading up to it. I hate to admit it, but some mornings I would wake up and thinking about moving made me sick. I felt terrified to say goodbye to my family. It was harder moving this time around than in the past. Maybe because Hatcher has joined the picture? But despite the difficulty of it all, I kept reminding myself that it indeed felt like the right thing to do.
My mom had found this story in a book called Daughters of God by S. Michael Wilcox and shared it with me when we moved to Alaska the first time in 2011. It perfectly described then and perfectly describes now how I felt:

"WITHER THOU GOEST, I WILL GO:

Ruth's words have a deeply personal meaning for me, for I have been the recipient of this type of love. My wife, Laura, was born in Alberta, Canada, and grew up there in a family who are fiercely proud of their Canadian heritage. We met at Brigham Young University, fell in love, and were married. Four years later I was transferred to Alberta and taught seminary there for three years. Because of concerns over retirement, the Church Educational System told us we needed to make a decision between teaching in Canada or the United States. After counseling with each other and with the Lord, we decided to spend our lives in the United States.

"I remember the last day we were in Canada. We had already sent our belongings ahead to Colorado in the moving van. The morning was dark and drizzling as we left for the border. No one said a word. The silence in the car seemed appropriate to the weather and the mood we were in. My wife looked out the window at the passing countryside, the familiar places she had known as a child and young woman. I did not know what to say.

"As we crossed the border, her tears began to fall, and they didn't stop falling until we reached Great Falls, one hundred miles away. We didn't speak, but as I drove, listening to the rain on the windshield, the words of Ruth returned again and again to my mind.

"Many Latter-day Saint women are modern-day Ruths. Often when they are married they give up the home of their childhood, the only home they have known and loved. When husbands are transferred or find new work, they travel to distant places to rear their families and contribute to the Church. They often long for home, family, and familiar landscapes, but, like Ruth, they follow those they love. I hope these women see Ruth in their own countenances."

Devin left 2 weeks before I and drove our car up with as much stuff as he could possibly fit. I followed 2 weeks later and flew. It was hard to say goodbye. I felt emotional most of that day- because of the departure and because I was so nervous to travel all that way with a new baby. Thankfully I had Devin's mom with me who was a tremendous help! And, a big answer to all of my prayers was that... Hatcher slept the whole time we were in the air and chose to be awake on our layover, which was perfect!!

Hatcher sleeping away on his first plane ride

Since our arrival, I have felt much better. It is nice having lived here before, because I already feel that it is home. Thankfully we have things like FaceTime where I can see all the faces of my family and they can still see Hatcher and how he is growing.

I love living here and being surrounded by so much beauty. I no longer have that "sick" feeling because being here, I have felt tremendous peace. This is the place I'm supposed to be.

And, what do you know but our second Sunday here, our Sunday school lesson was about Ruth and how she followed Naomi - "Wither Thou Goest, I will Go." And while it may be hard to live away from Utah and my family, I will follow my love and go where he goes. And for now, we are calling our home Alaska.