No Longer a Stranger

At one of our very first Sacrament services in the Louisville 1st Ward (Jan 2015) we sang the hymn, "O My Father".  As the second verse started and developed I read the words "You're a stranger here" and found myself drowning in tears. I was missing my San Diego family and friends so much, feeling like a stranger, and hating everything about the move that I just couldn't hold them back. Here's that verse...

For a wise and glorious purpose

Thou hast placed me here on earth (in Louisville)

And withheld (or rather made me think often) the recollection

Of my former friends and birth;

Yet ofttimes a secret something

Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"

And I felt that I had wandered

From a more exalted sphere.

 

Since that time I hadn't really given that moment another thought and though I have had times where I or my family have felt far away from what is familiar, we have tried hard to immerse ourselves in and be a part of the local culture. It's not always been easy but it really hasn't been especially hard.

Side note: Two days ago I returned from Young Women's Girls Camp where we had a brilliant time and Stake leaders were so kind and loving to my ward family and I while there.  We felt cherished and blessed to be there.

Today for the closing hymn during Sacrament we again sang "O My Father".  My reaction this time was completely the same.....except my tears did not come from a place of sadness.  As we came upon the line saying "You're a stranger here" the memory came back so vividly and I chuckled to myself as the feeling of love and home flooded my soul.  Tears began to flow but this time they were the tears of joy, such JOY! Part of that joy came from having just returned from a wonderfully successful year at Girls Camp but more than that I looked around at those who have made an effort to help make Louisville our home.  One sister in front of me told me recently about her prayers for new move ins and new friendships and felt her prayers had been answered with me; she has been an incredible friend, another sister who has seen me laugh and cry, a few families who have had us in their homes and instantly considered us as having always been there, and many others beyond that.  I chuckled to myself among the tears that I'm no longer a stranger here and how nice it felt to be home!

Second side note: It's been almost 6 months since our move in date.  We have seen a lot of change through seasons and been through a lot of change through everything. Brent is attending summer college courses, Emma is out of school for summer, and now that I am finished with Girls Camp....I can finally start my summer reading list!