Where Can You Find Strength to Face Change?

Ailia C., age 16, currently living in Nicosia, Cyprus

Loves reading, writing, and playing softball.

I naturally shy away from change. I like to plan things out. But because of my dad’s job, my family has moved around a lot. With this lifestyle, you never know what’s going to happen.

For example, when we were leaving Zimbabwe, the plan was for my dad to go to Afghanistan for a year. The rest of my family would live with my mom’s parents. However, right before my dad left, we found out they weren’t sending anyone into Afghanistan for a while. That meant we wouldn’t be moving to live with family. As happy as I was to have my dad, this abrupt change was really hard for all of us.

I was mad, and unfortunately I took my anger out on Heavenly Father for a while. I remember praying one night and basically just yelling about why I was mad. But despite my anger, He helped me eventually humble myself and feel peace. It was like He was saying, “Whatever happens, good can come of it. Just trust me. I know it’s hard right now, but it’s all going to work out in the end.” I was able to calm down and think about things. I needed to learn to trust Heavenly Father and be OK with things not going according to my plan, because His plan is always better.

My experiences in moving so often have brought me closer to my Savior because He’s the one thing I can consistently rely on. Friends will come and go. Places will come and go. But the Savior is always there, and He’s always willing to help with whatever I’m going through.