Part 2. To Canada
Speed Limit 80 KPH (Kilometers Per Hour for my American friends). What is that like 10 MPH...? I was driving down the White Mud (a freeway) when the sign reminded of what a different place this was. Better pick up the pace, dinner was ready. Oh how I have always loved Canada. Too many things to count seemed to be passing through my mind this last week. Still trying to decide what I should do with my life. I knew not signing for the Marine Corps was the right decision, but now what? Should I do school? Work? So many thoughts jumbled together passing through my mind, definitely faster than 80 KPH. I drove past the LDS Temple. It's so beautiful. My thoughts turned to my parents and their teachings. I drove over the bridge. The scenery opened up over the River Valley. I was amazed at the beauty of the area. The emotions of the moment seemed to catch up to me; this is my home. Oh it felt so good. So true. Wait... What? This isn't my home! This is Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Home is 18 hours South of here (unless you're my family, then it is 14 hours South). As quickly as I passed over the bridge, the feelings past, but the thoughts remained. I mulled it over the rest of the drive to Grandma's. Again, I knew it was the right path to take, but how?

As dinner was settling in my stomach, another great meal cooked by grandma, dad and I had a good chat in the basement. A chat about my future. Let's be real. Mom and dad only invited their youngest son, their little Bradley-boo, on this trip because they were worried about where I was going in life. They were looking for any opportunity to talk with me one-on-one in a place I couldn't run from them. How glad I am they were so persistent. A midst our conversation of what I wanted to do, dad paused and thought, his head tilted back. I could almost see the thoughts flashing across his mind.
"Bradley, have you considered moving here yet?"
How could he have known? Amazed I responded, "It has been on my mind all night."
That same tilt of the head back and the accompanying smile and nod of the hea
d. I knew he had his impression confirmed. "What do we need to do to make that happen?"

A lot was needed to make the move happen. We got to work. We were only in Edmonton for a week. I applied for school. Got in. I looked for a job; A great man offered me one. I needed a place to stay; Grandma opened her doors to me. It all fell into place as if by divine design. I needed to take care of so many things back home right? Well, because I had been preparing myself to go to Boot Camp with the Marines, most everything had all ready been figured out. I was astounded. Everything was falling into place. All ready I could see a few immediate benefits of trusting the promptings which had come to me. It increased my confidence there was a God who cared about me. These experiences have only increased my trust in Him. I have had those experiences again and again. He feels so involved in what I do. I continue to feel something beyond myself guiding my life. I have learned to trust those feelings. It is what drives me to find my purpose here on earth. I have always felt like I was meant to do something in life. A fundamental doctrine to my beliefs is that we are children of God. He is our Father; the Father of our spirits as the Bible teaches. Believing this has caused me to raise my expectations of myself. I know there is more out there for me than just living from one moment to the next. I need to make a difference in this world. It is part of the reason I am here.

Even though I was doing what was right, those first few months were a struggle. No one would know. Not until they read this blog. I was so lonely. I get that way fairly often. We all do. I had left behind everything. I left it all back in the U.S. and started my life over. I was grateful for the fresh start. I could be whoever I wanted to be up here. Life presents us with so many fresh starts. That is the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; a fresh start. I came up to Canada to make something of myself. I didn't want to waste this opportunity. I had so many chances before. It seemed life I had squandered those. Let's do it the right way this time right ? (refer to older post for an application there)

I remember one night in particular feeling so painfully alone. I had many friends by this point, but I still didn't feel apart of anything. I didn't feel I was connecting. I turned inward as I so often do; no doubt a coping mechanism innate in all of us. I struggled to find happiness. What should I do? Was this really the right path for me? Was I really supposed to be in Canada? Should I turn back and go to Utah? I turned to the scriptures. Again they held the answers I needed. I read Doctrine and Covenants 6:22-23 wherein the Lord says "Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?" Peace distilled upon my heart again. Here was another quiet moment where God spoke to me. The calm peaceful assurance I was where I needed to be. I couldn't see the whole picture. Again, I knew I only had a few steps in front of me illuminated, but I knew He was leading me somewhere. Greater purpose lying on the horizon.

It seems like the perfect antidote to loneliness is turning outward and getting involved. The ensuing months brought greater opportunities to help others and make a difference. I learned and grew so much in Canada. I developed friendships I will always cherish. The changes I made were sticking. I was becoming who I wanted to be. All my experiences and mistakes became teaching opportunities. I could take what I had learned and now help others overcome their challenges. These things did not come all at once, but looking back it is so easy to see. I was being prepared to make a difference in the world around me. The lessons I learned in Canada have stuck with me on my mission. I have learned and developed the skills to adapt to different circumstances and hold to the most important things. This has enabled me to pursue my dreams and visions. All too soon my mission will end. The seasons of life come and go, but our experiences carry over with us. No doubt we are given the experiences we have to help us do greater good in the days and months to come. There is a purpose to our being here in life. We really do matter. They help us to face the next great obstacles.