Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...

Our family has lived in this area for over 7 years now. It has become our home. A large part of what has made us so comfortable in this area has been our church and the congregation (ward, we call it) that we meet with every Sunday for three hours. Even though I don't see most of these people outside of church, they have been such wonderful examples to me, good friends and my family away from family. And the thought of not seeing them on a regular basis just kills me.

But our congregation just grew and grew while a neighboring one did not, so the "powers to be" decided that part of our congregation would be moved to the smaller one (this is called a "ward split") and our neighborhood was part of the move. I am so, so terribly sad today. I'm sure I'll see a lot of them often, but what about the goofy librarians, and my kids Sunday School buddies, and Yoda, and my "no-Sunday School" buddies because we're always in the foyer with our young ones, and the Young Women (ugh, the young women don't get me started on them--it's like I sprung a leak), and what about all of the teachers who have taught me and my children so much. I'm going to miss these regular associations.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited for change, for meeting knew people, receiving new callings, having new opportunities to serve, but I don't remember what it's like to be the "new one" and I don't remember if I'm very good at it!

Along with this big change, Rob will be "released" from his service as a member of the Bishopric (our ecclesiastical leadership). That in itself brings on a whole other flood of emotions! Our family and lives have been so greatly blessed since he received this calling to serve. We have never been in a happier and better place as a family. Even though it has required him to be busier and away from home more, we managed to become stronger and better because of it. Funny how the Lord blesses us this way.

I will now not have to sit by myself while wrestling two little ones and shushing two older ones during Sacrament meeting. Evan and Anna have never sat with their Dad during church and Tyler and Jared don't remember sitting with him. They actually said they'd prefer to stay with their friends over having their dad sit with them! I'd be willing to make that sacrifice, too!

So, I feel like I'm saying a "mini" goodbye today to two things that have played such a HUGE role in my life and my family's over the past 7 years.

It's hard.

And I know it will be okay.

But that's why I'm sad...