Wyoming Bound!

Lots has been going on in the job realm these past several months.  Dave has been applying nonstop for jobs.  He didn’t get the New Mexico job, which was kind of a bummer.  Mike, the recruiter sat in on interviews and said he had it in the bag, but they ended up going with no one, so not meant to be I guess. And based on how stringent and stressful interviews were, the politic there, and their past history, it’s probably a blessing!  For a while it was like crickets and frustrating because Dave wasn’t hearing anything about these jobs he was applying for.  He got to do the American College of Healthcare Executives conference online, and that was super good and reassuring.  But they did say it was the worst job market in about 50 years because lots of new schools offering health administration are popping up and there aren’t enough jobs to go around.  But his old boss, Vern, has been amazing and calling lots and encouraging, as well as past board members, coworkers, and colleagues.  So that’s encouraging!  In March, he started getting lots of calls, and he’d start having quite a few interviews in a week or sometimes a couple in one day.  At this level, you have probably 4 or 5 interviews online before going in person. 

He was able to have several interviews for a new hospital opening up in Saratoga, WY, not to far from where we used to live. That went well and he still has lots of contacts down there, so that helps.  He went and interviewed in person.  He stayed at the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, which was fun, wish I could’ve gone that week!  But I have been there so it wasn’t a big deal. The interviews went well, they weren’t super intense.  The town is nice and pretty, and close to lots of outdoor things to do, including the Platte River, the Snowy mountains, the hot springs, a lake, and more.  But he was a little turned off by all of the houses that didn’t upkeep them well, though.  We’ve reached out to a few friends we know who live there and they really like it and say they love the schools. He got an offer, and it was a lot lower than he’d been wanting and the benefits weren’t as great, but they negotiated and got it to where he felt was good.  Funny, small world because Dave’s attorney he worked with called him and let him know she ran into Karl, the Health Management Company director out of Billings hiring for this and for some reason they started talking and got onto the subject of Dave and were surprised the other knew him and both said how they were impressed by him and really liked him. The board in Saratoga was excited to have the prospect of Dave directing the nursing home and building and managing the new hospital.  He has many connections down there still so he has been talking to them, needless to say they would love to have him. We had to turn down that job offer, which Dave was sad about but we didn’t feel as good about that opportunity as some of the others.

Then we headed to Kemmerer, WY a week and a half later to interview in person there.  The town wasn’t the prettiest, but it was pretty nice and had some amazing schools, some fun family things to do there, and the Church presence there is strong. We would like this one a lot as it is close to family (less than 2 hours, 40 minutes from Amy) and conveniences in Utah, as well as Bear Lake.  The communication wasn’t great (they were scrambling to get a hotel as we were heading down there as it was graduation weekend and didn’t have much open, haha!), but the interviews all went really well.  So we will see. We drove around a lot, checking things out, driving through neighborhoods, walked along their main street area, went shopping at a few little shops, got our Artic Circle fix and went to an amazing Mexican restaurant. It was nice to get some quiet time together.  Mark and Mayela came to stay with the kids, they offered and it was so sweet of them. The kids were stoked!

We went to Tulalip, WA for an interview there for a director of Health and Dental Services job, and just extended our family vacation a bit more.  That would be a neat experience, and everything went really well!  That job would be for the Tribal health and dental services director. It was a nice area and the people seemed great! So we will see.

We were blessed with not just one job offer but several. Grateful that the Lord answers our prayers in His time and way. It is nice but also makes it hard as well to decide too. Now it’s time to have faith and trust in the Lord that He will show us where He needs us. And we will go. We went back and forth so much between Kemmerer and the Washington job.  They are total opposites basically and we put together so many lists, weighing our options, and they were pretty equal in pay and benefits. As we all fasted and prayed about it, we felt like either option would be good for our family, it depended on what we wanted. We all felt that way. This was hard, as I like that cut and dry revelation, but we all felt He was leaving things up to us and either place we could go forth and serve. We all stalled, but felt in the end, Kemmerer was it. He will be working for South Lincoln Medical Center. The kids were cheering “Kem-er-er!”  Will be great to get back closer to family for sure!  They have great schools there, its safe, a big Church presence, lots for the kids to do (for a small town), and we’ve heard great people. As we have been studying the Doctrine and Covenants this year, the people had to move around a lot. As we have, we have been grateful to not feel alone. Moving around hasn’t been easy for our family. But just as the Lord said go and they did, we can too. When Dave first knew he would have a career shift and we’d have to move, I felt like we were dust in the wind. But now as I have reflected on it, I feel like we are seeds in the wind, getting blown where the Lord needs us to grow where we are planted and help those around us. One night i was really struggling about the whole move and overwhelmed by everything and not sure if we made the right choice, but the Lord said as I prayed more than once, "I need you there!" So here we go!  We're headed down south!  “Go ye to the Kemmerer“!   

He knows us individually

We recently were visiting our old branch, and as we partook of the sacrament, I noticed they had all of the bread in individual cups.  Usually they are all in one big pile of broken bread on the sacrament trays.  When I took the sacrament that day, thinking of the individual cups of bread and water, it got me thinking how Jesus Christ took upon Himself all of our pains, sorrows, sicknesses, heartbreaks and sins individually in the Garden of Gethsemane.  My flesh experience was felt by Him in the flesh. I always knew that, but it hit me in a different way this day.  The water in individual cups reminded me that some of those drops of blood He shed were mine, for me so I wouldn't have to suffer as He did if I turn to my Master and repent.  He is a God of love and loves us one by one, He knows us, He can help us.  That's why we take the sacrament each week, to remember that sacrifice, to remember that love is always there for us.  I am grateful for the gift of the Atonement, that it is personal. That Christ did what He did for us even when he wanted to pass that cup along, he endured for us.  He loves me, he loves you, as an individual and as such, knows just what we need and how to succor us.  In Him, we can be whole.  As I shared this experience and my testimony of the atonement, I could barely keep it together. Even Dave was crying and I can count on one hand the amount of times I've seen him cry.  I also thanked our branch for the great examples they were to us of the Savior and sharing His love. We will miss our branch so much. But I am thankful there is one Church, one Gospel, one Christ wherever you go!

Image from ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Yongsung Kim's "Little One"

A Mostly Normal Feeling Summer

Now that most of the Covid restrictions have been lifted, we had a mostly normal feeling summer again - yay!  Summer is the best!  

I can’t lie, it has been so nice having Dave home all summer. He helps the kids get ready, I have someone to help keep them in line, we can go wherever we want during the week when it’s less busy because he doesn’t have to work.  So we took advantage of that! 

We went and visited Pompey’s Pillar, a national landmark where Lewis Clark and his expediton came through and signed the large butte.  Lucy went on a field trip here recently so she was like our little tour guide. Pretty neat, and we love the beauty of this area.

We’ve been playing outside a great deal…lots of sprinklers, tramp, pool and slip and slide. Our pool also opened back up again, hooray!  Kids have been going a lot. Cov, Lucy and Sydnie also all enjoyed lessons and passed with flying colors. Sydnie kept her teachers laughing with all her comments! Little fish we've got around here.

We held a neighborhood block party.  We were planning on doing this last year after finishing our yard but with Covid, we held off. We had a bring your own meat BBQ and a side to share, fun things for the kids to do, and we all sat out and chatted.  Joni and Blake stayed really late.  We had a great turn out and our neighbors are so great!  We will really miss them!

We have been participating in the summer reading programs at the library. The kids got to learn about repitles, dinosaurs, turtles, and more. Cal and Emma got to do some cool crafts, they especially liked making dragons eyes with model magic. The kids have been reading away like always. Even Emma won a bike as a prize at the end of the program!

We had a piano recital, featuring Jazz, Blues, Ragtime, and Boogie music. Super low key and fun.  We got all the kids sunglasses they picked out to wear.  They all played amazing and I am so proud of them!  It was the Meier family and our family.  Here’s what everyone played. Emma – Pouding the Beat by David Karp, Blueberry Rag by Martha Mier (a duet we played together), Callahan – That Boogie Beat by Betty Collie, Hammock Blues by Robert D. Vandall, Lazy Chord Blues by Nancy and Randall Faber, Lucy – Strutting Turkey Blues by Elizabeth W. Greenleaf, Down Home Blues by Tom Delaney, Coverton – Primetime Blues by Bill Boyd, Celebration by Bastien & Bastien, Levi – The Entertainer by Scott Joplin, arr. By Jon Schmidt, Easy Does it by Betty Colley, Sawyer – Boogie Brigade by Roger Grove, Heart and Soul and I played Night Train Express by Tony Caramia.

The kids got to go to Cooney with friends a few times.  Cal and Lucy went with Casten & Maryn Martin over to go boating, explore, and play on the beach.  And then Cov went with Dean Montgomery and his family. They had a blast! We went boating with the Fairbanks and Brocks for a youth activity at Cooney too. A good time was had by all on the beach and boat, and we even got Cal to skip like a rock when we knocked him off the tube!  Good times.  

Dave took the older three golfing one day to Overland golf course, and I took the younger two to the Absarokee pool.  They tought the best part was driving the golf cart and watching Dad hit the ball so far. Cov and Sydnie loved the diving board best, and I helped Syd the first few times, and after that, she wanted to do it all by herself (with a life jacket of course). We also had a fun picnic in the backyard all together after that. 

We got to see not just the Idaho Potato World's Largest Spud truck, but the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile twice. Kids thought it was pretty novel.  We even got some weenie whistles. 

We stayed busy with some Young Men and Young Women activities. We made a bunch of wood welcome signs for a fundraiser for our youth conference. Then, the Relief Society asked Emma to teach a painting class to the women and young women. Lucy also brought a friend. Fun times!

We kicked off the Olympics with some fun food. We made an American flag pizza (go Team USA!) and olympic ring cupcakes that we shared with neighbors.  We watched the opening ceremonies...I love it! I don't ever binge watch, unless it's the Olympics and then I always binge watch.

Lots of makeovers going on this summer, haha!  Sydnie got a makeup set for her birthday and has been doing everyone's makeup. She also gave my fingers a makeover one day. 

We got to go to the little fair here and enjoy some local food trucks and see some of our friends and their animals and displays they made for 4H. Cov liked calling back and forth to the animals and trying to get them call back. Some did! We have also helped some of our friends get ready, like rounding up the chickens!  Always fun at the fair! 

Spent lots of time at the park and in the backyard. Bug hunting is a favorite activity. My favorite is when the kids come up with impromptu games they make up together and all play nice. Those are the best times! 

A smoky summer again...half of the state of Montana (and lots of the west) is on fire. So sad!  We have been praying hard for the elements to be tempered and for the fire fighters. One day Lucy said "I just want to see the blue sky again!"  All of the smoky air felt oppressive. We saw some really red suns, but were so grateful when things started clearing out. Have to keep reminding ourselves "the sun will come out tomorrow!"

When things got too smoky, we had our fun indoors. Kareoke, messing around, playing games, making crafts, video games, chatting with friends and sleeping in, playing with toys and Jazzy, all the things that keep us busy. 

We ejoyed cheering on the Utah Jazz during the playoffs!  Emma made a cool sign and Cal cracked us up as he impersonated the opposing players! While they ended with the best regular season record ever, they fell short due to some injuries. As we say every year "next year"!  

We had lots of great times with friends!  From sleep overs and playdates, going places together. Emma's favorite hangout session was when we took her and Emily to Billings shopping and out to lunch. Fun day!  Cal loved hanging out by the creek building the fort and building things with his tribe. Cov's favorite was going to baseball games with Hunter and going camping and fishing with the Emmetts. Lucy enjoyed all her sleepovers and movie night with the neighbor girls. And Sydnie mostly just tagged along with her siblings friends! We also had a bunch of fun birthday parties the kids went to. i went out  with Lindsey Wilhelm to the Japenese Steakhouse where we did the fun show. We were also going to go to a trafficking demonstration before but got a call to do a showing of our house so we weren't able to go to that. At least we made a cool sign. We will all sure miss our good friends here. 

Emma got her first real job and paycheck!  She worked at Kid's Club doing watering, landscaping, weeding, and other outdoor things. She enjoyed it and we love Shannon Moore, the director there. 

Gas prices were going bezerk, along with lots of other things. Anytime we fill up our tank or something else goes wrong, we say "Thanks, Biden!" When we were driving through idaho, this made us laugh. Too bad our tank was more than $5.00 to fill up. The kids in our town also diss each other and say if someone is doing something they don't like "You support Biden!"  Silly politics!

For our bucket list this year, we wrote on our poster the things we did. Fun way to see all the good times we had. We pretty much ended the summer in Montana, moved on Saturday and started school the following Monday. So bitter sweet. We loved our summer and so glad to be feeling pretty normal again!