Moving to Oregon

by Julie Brown

In the spring of 1992, our family was “randomly” assigned to move from Newton, Iowa to Portland, Oregon for my husband’s internship. We would live there for six months before he received his permanent territory assignment, which could be anywhere in the United States, but for the meantime, and having been raised here in Everett, we were thrilled by the “luck” to be back on the west coast and closer to our families.

As we began searching for our apartment, I recall the most important amenity was a dishwasher. It seemed like the epitome of luxury after washing dishes by hand for the previous four years. It seemed a miracle to me that every place we looked at had a dishwasher and I was pleased to know the desire of my heart would be met.

We narrowed our choices to two apartments. The first was a three bedroom flat. We then went to look at the other option. This apartment had more amenities than we could imagine; swimming pools, workout facilities, restaurants, etc..  And it was located in the upscale town of Lake Oswego.  The sales people were very persuasive and we loved the idea of living in luxury for the next six months.  The sales people had us totally convinced and we were ready to sign the lease.

However, before we signed the lease at the second property – I can’t explain why, but I felt I should take one more trip out the first apartment, just to be sure. As I drove into the parking spot outside the leasing office – I heard a voice inside my head letting me know “I was home, this was our new home.” I didn’t even get out of the car.  I simply drove back to the hotel and shared with my husband what I had experienced. We knew without a doubt we were being directed and we listened. We didn’t think twice about the second apartment option.

On our first Sunday in our new ward, my husband met a man who would eventually present an opportunity that would change the course of his career, bringing us to a company that he has worked at for the past 28 years.  In addition, like a feather in the wind, I had been blown back home by a heavenly wind over a nine month period, from BYU, to Iowa, to Oregon, and then yes, of course, the position that my husband was offered in 1992…  right back home to Everett, WA.

To this day, we continue to be blessed because I listened and acted on the personal revelation that I received that day so long ago.