By Shelly Webb

The Law of Gestation says: “Plant your own idea seeds, and then be patient. Don’t uproot your idea seeds with doubt.”

In December 2018, I wrote down a dream I’d had for a while: to take my kids to Disneyland in September 2019. I had visualized the trip, felt the excitement of it, and held onto that dream tightly. I’m not sure if I had written it down before then, but by December, I had made it official.

As 2019 moved forward, I felt strongly that I needed to sell my home in Utah—something I had been completely against just months before. But I wasn’t meant to sell it earlier. Timing mattered. I listed the house in April 2019, and it sat there for a few months with no real movement. Finally, in July, I got a good offer, and the buyers agreed to close by August 8.

That closing date was significant. The following week—August 11th to 17th—was the only week the entire summer when all of my kids could be together. One daughter was starting college on August 19th, and another was preparing to leave on a mission shortly after. I realized my Disneyland trip wasn’t going to happen in September, but I still knew it was going to happen. Part of the proceeds from selling the house were meant for a vacation with my kids, and I held onto that.

As we got closer to closing, things got shaky. The buyers’ lender required a second appraisal at the last minute, and suddenly they couldn’t close on time. On Monday, August 12, the deal still hadn’t closed, but there was a small chance it might come through that day or the next. I had already signed my papers the Friday before, hoping to hit the road. At that point, my checking account was completely empty—and using credit wasn’t an option. My boss owed me some money for work I’d completed, so I reached out and asked if she could send it over. She said yes.

By Tuesday, I had just enough money for gas, food, and a hotel. So I told the kids, “We’re going to California—hopefully to Disneyland.” I made a real effort not to doubt. I reminded myself that the worst-case scenario—spending a few days at the beach, laughing and being together—wasn’t a bad outcome. But it wasn’t the dream I had planted.

Halfway to California, my realtor called and let me know the closing wouldn’t happen that day or the next. There was no chance we’d have the funds in time to buy tickets. I felt that wave of frustration hit and said, “This is so stupid!” Not at her, just at the situation. She understood completely, and I appreciated that—but I was disappointed.

By every outward sign, Disneyland was off the table. But something in me kept whispering to just keep believing. When we got to the hotel, I told my kids I was going to pay my tithing from the money I had received earlier that day. I hoped for a miracle. The next morning, I felt a strong impression to text my realtor and apologize for how I had reacted. I wrote:

“I want to apologize for getting so upset yesterday. I know, you know, that it wasn’t directed at you, but it also wasn’t necessary. We have the necessities covered, and the kids are super excited to spend some days at the beach. I’m sorry for being a pain. You have been so great. Thanks!”

Her reply shocked me. She asked if I’d be okay with her buying our Disneyland tickets and letting me pay her back the following week. I couldn’t believe it. I accepted her offer, recognizing it immediately as the miracle I’d hoped for. We had the most amazing vacation.

The house ended up closing at the end of that week, and the funding didn’t come through until after we were home. In all my planning, I never would’ve imagined we could go on that trip before the money came in—but we did.

That experience taught me just how powerful the Law of Gestation really is. I learned to keep thinking truth, no matter how things looked on the outside. I learned to keep going, even if I could only take one small step. And above all, I learned to protect the seed from doubt at all costs.

The seed is growing.

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