Faith and Callings

“Do you really have to move Rose?” Nyasha my best friend since second grade asked me with tears filled in her big brown eyes. “I could ask my mom and you can move in with us. We are like family and you know she won’t mind” This was probably the twentieth time in counting Nyasha had said that to me ever since I told her my family would be moving in 2 months.

“I told you before, dad won’t let me. We have to move in and live together as a family. That’s the whole idea, I already talked to him and he won’t let me.”  I said forcing back tears. I could feel my throat tighten and tears blinding my eyes.

I still could not believe this was happening. It was the most tragic thing ever. Everything was going well both in the neighborhood and in the ward. I had managed to convert my best friend and her family and they were now strong in the gospel. The cute guy in my ward whom I had a crush on for as long as I could remember was finally beginning to show interest in me. We had been on a couple of dates and each time I got back home, I would be in the most cheerful mood ever! Tatenda was tall and handsome. Every time he called my name, I thought I would melt. I had just been called to be president of the mia maids in young women. Things were perfect and now we just had to live that all behind and start all over again?

“Rose, it’s time to go home” my sister yelled from the family car. “I will call you tonight” I quickly said as I hurried to the car with my cheeks all covered in tears. The family was impatiently waiting for me as we had to hurry home and finish packing. We had all worn our best Sunday attire as this was going to be our last Sunday in the ward. The Bishop had allowed some time for me and my family to bear our testimonies and say our goodbyes, even though it wasn’t a Fast and Testimony meeting.

“You bore beautiful testimonies everyone, I am so proud of you” my mom said in her low sweet voice. “Rose” she continued, “do you know who is going to take over your calling?” I simply kept quiet. I was really having a hard time leaving. I seemed to be the only one who did not want to move. Both of my sisters were extremely excited and my brother too! I figured it’s because they didn’t have anything good going for them in the ward that’s why they didn’t care.

Tears flooded my eyes as I looked out the window at the neighborhood for the last time. Memories came flashing back. After what seemed like the longest drive home ever, we finally pulled in the driveway and I ran to my room.

“I don’t want to move” I yelled as I heard the door open. “Why not?” I looked up as I saw my little sister Edith walk in. She had just been recently baptized and was a sweet, understanding girl for her age. “Why don’t you want to move? It won’t be that bad. You will have me” I wiped my tears and squeezed her really hard. She was looking really cute in her white dress with pink flowers.

“Let me break it down to you, Edith.” I said as she sat next to me on my bed. “Moving really sucks. You live all your friends behind. You have start all over again and it’s tough. I don’t even have any friends in that ward, we don’t even know anyone in the neighborhood” I poured out my heart to her and how I didn’t want to leave Tatenda. She was really attentive as she listened to me going on and on.

Her simple reply was, “But Daddy says that’s where the Lord wants us to be. We must listen to him.” My mother walked in the room shortly after, calling us to eat lunch. She had worn her favorite purple African Brocade attire and looked really nice. It consisted of a white hat with a matching cloth she put over her shoulder. With a purple Dashiki top with black embroideries on the neckline and, a matching purple skirt.

“I will be out in a second” I replied. My little sisters’ words really got me thinking. Her two sentences continued to echo in my mind. I started feeling ashamed of myself. Clearly, I had overreacted. I had not even given a single thought to it that this is where the Lord wanted us to be. I had been selfish. All I ever did was think of how much I would miss my friends and how miserable I was going to be. I did not understand why we had to move. All my dad ever said was that’s were the Lord wants us to be. Why not here? We were happy weren’t we? I just did not understand and that’s why I felt so angry.

“Are you going to join us for lunch?” my dad’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. “Your mom and I have something to tell the family” I simply nodded my head and followed him to the dining room. I sat at my usual place, next to my brother. He always found joy in teasing me. Ever since he could talk, all he ever seemed to do was make fun of me. It was our way of communicating I guess.

“The reason why we have to move to Highlands is because a few months ago I was interviewed and found worthy to be called to be a Mission President. Your mom and I were asked to keep it from everyone including you guys, until we received a call as to where we will be going. We got the letter this morning and haven’t opened it yet, we wanted to open it when the family was there.”

Wow! My siblings and I were really shocked. We did not see this one coming. In the midst of our shock, my dad came back to the room with a letter in his hand. “Open it!” we all shouted. We were all anxious to find out exactly where we would be moving to. He opened the letter and read “Zimbabwe Harare Mission” The room was filled with cheer and relief. It was good to know that we would still be in our home country. We would still have to move, but it was only an hours’ drive away from our home. That is where the mission home was located. I would still be able to visit Jake and Nyasha once in a while.

“Rose, I bet you just feel so bad right now” my brother turned to me and said in his teasing voice. I was about to say something mean to him and my dad said, “She just has to work on trusting the Lord and having faith just like Edith. She was okay with moving the very moment I told her it was where the Lord wanted us to be”

“Oh ye of little faith”, my sister who is 2 years younger than me teased.” You had nothing to worry about after all. I felt bad, I had over reacted, maybe if knew it was because of a calling I would have been okay with it. I smiled and apologized to the family.

“Now come on” my sister whispered “Let’s go and talk about how great it will be to be around all those cute missionaries in my room”

I was now very excited to move and could not wait.