The Twin Falls roller coaster

Jotham's brother and family live in Twin Falls, we love visiting them as every one of our kids except Hollie has a counterpart just their age.  For years, my sister-in-law has been trying to convince us to move to Twin Falls and I'd always counter, "Well, find us a job and we'll come"

Near the end of February we were in Pocatello, watching my nephew wrestle for first place in the State Wrestling tournament, when my sister-in-law told us she'd found a job.

For months now, we've been praying for a new job opportunity.  He's needed a change for a while but we haven't been too interested in moving out of the valley.  We've kept one eye on the job market but franchising/training jobs in Cache Valley are slim to none. Actually, most jobs in Jotham's career path are located in big cities, which is not only economically challenging to our equestrian lifestyle but we really are small town people at heart, making the job search that much more difficult.  So, I found it ironic, that a homeschooling SHAM and retired RN found a job for Jotham in Twin Falls, Idaho (a town similar in size to Logan)... in franchising. We were incredulous but pleasantly surprised when her brother, who was working as a head-hunter, contacted Jotham a few days later. It turned out to be a really fantastic opportunity for which Jotham was not only qualified but a pretty smart fit.  After several interviews and a few trips to Twin Falls, my amazing and hardworking husband was offered the position. After much fasting and prayer, we accepted the job a week ago last Monday.

Now, realize it wasn't his dream job, it offered plenty of room for growth and career development, but he's not too keen on selling home decor and as a small and upcoming franchise, it would also be a small financial step backward (at least initially) with no benefits like health insurance or retirement but still do-able and it would provide the needed change with great future potential both monetarily and for his career.  All in all, we were at peace with the decision.

Jotham was traveling all that week and knowing he'd be leaving his current employers in a difficult situation, he wanted to wait and tell them in person.   All week I worked like crazy trying to spruce up our "project" house, contacting real estate agents in both locations, researching schools and areas and basically just coming to terms with the logistics of actually uprooting our family (with a few unwilling teenagers) to move out of state and away from friends, family, and both sets of grandparents.

The next Monday, Jotham told his employer and less than 24 hours later we are presented with a counter offer.  A really good counter offer.   And suddenly our determination to move wavered, we had a reason to stay as several of his concerns would be eliminated and it became very obvious that Jotham's current employers really needed and wanted him. We'd planned on spending the next few days during spring break in Twin Falls to look at housing, and so with the counter offer in the back of our mind we headed off to explore our options.  Over the next few days, we went up and down the rollercoaster, twisting and turning, getting sicker and sicker to our stomachs, ready to get off the ride but not sure what direction to jump.  Agony.

just plain agony...

The answer wasn't presenting itself...

Can I just say the Twin Falls Temple has never been my favorite temple, I'd always thought it looked like a concrete box with a steeple. However, as we attended the temple early one  morning and experienced the force of God's love powerfully impressed upon us, it caused me to change my mind and I realized it was one of the most beautiful places on earth.

And the answer came quietly.

We could choose.

With pros and cons in both locations, God was leaving the decision up to us. Our family would be fine either way, which was not the answer we wanted or expected.

So the roller coaster kept gaining momentum and speed, up and down, down and up.

And so finally we just jumped.  We jumped off the train and landed at home. Safely at home. We chose grandparents. We chose the familiar over the unknown. And we chose to pray in gratitude for the overwhelming blessings we currently enjoy.  And instead of praying that our kids will adjust to the move, we chose to pray for Jotham that he can deal positively with the same heavy stress that has tried his patience daily for the past few years to be able to hang on just a little bit longer.

And it feels good to be home.



A few pictures from from the town that almost was...

the Falls

Prienne Bridge

Dierkes Lake 

The twin sisters

It was a very stressful spring break...next year we are going to the beach!