I'll go where you want me to go, Dear Lord....."

Have you ever been told to do something and even though you didn't understand why, you did it anyway because you were told to? Well, in a couple of weeks, you could ask me the same question and I would answer a very enthusiastic "YES"!

Before I explain....let me start by saying this is the hardest decision I've ever made. Ever. Yes, even harder than deciding who to marry, or when to have children. Is that backwards? Maybe. But now you understand exactly how hard this has been for me.

We knew right away after James took the job in Park City that something wasn't right. Nothing seemed to click right away with the job, or the ward, or anything. We just felt really unsettled. It was so hard to understand because we KNEW we were suppose to be here, but I guess not as long as we had planned...or maybe the timing was off. We loved the area, and being so close to family, but nothing else was going right. James found out that he REALLY did not like working retail. (He worked hospital all through school and loved it, and assumed he would also like retail, but found out quickly that they are VERY different.) He also wasn't liking the schedule, especially working every other Sunday.

We immediately started to look for Hospital jobs in Utah, (since it's harder to find a hospital job the longer you work retail) but nothing was available. Everything he applied for required a few years of experience, or a residency. Believe me, we applied for EVERYTHING, and weren't having ANY luck! We finally decided to look outside of Utah, and came across this job in New Mexico (four corners area).

We went down for the interview...probably a little closed minded...I mean come on...it's NEW MEXICO(!), but we both felt super good about the city and the job, right away. Now...it took a lot of convincing on God's part, once I was home, that this is really where my family needed to be, but after a lot of temple trips, fasting, praying and scripture study, we both knew what we needed to do. (I remember one day opening up my scriptures and reading in the D&C, "Your prayers have been heard and you are immediatly called to the four corners thereof." ...I mean, really? Can you dispute that? I couldn't.)

So we finally made the decision, and we have been so blessed to have such supportive family! I know it's going to be hard , but if this is what we're suppose to do, than everything will work out fine.

Also, the job does have it's benefits. James will be working in a hospital. He can get the experience he needs, and possibly even do a residency with them. Plus...he's going to love it! He knew that the one day he was there for the interview! Also, they will most likely be paying off his student loans, and he will only have to work every 5th or 6th Sunday. Hallelujah! There are also a lot of extra bonuses when he gets commissioned with the company in a year. (30 days paid vacation....etc!) We learned that it's more important to get paid a little less and ENJOY what you are doing, then making more money and being miserable!

The hard part is leaving. We LOVE it here!


How could somebody NOT want to live here?????


Goodbye beautiful Heber...

I'm gonna miss the green grass and the large yard!

...And the beautiful waterfalls....

...And the countless hiking trails...

And throwing rocks in the Provo River....

And the gorgeous green mountains....

And all the trees in the Fall....

But....we know we have to go, and that's all that matters.

Things will look different in a desert, but I guess "beautiful" is a relevant term. Personally, I like green. But...in it's own way, I guess the rocks and cliffs are also beautiful. I'm sure it will grow on me. I'm excited for another adventure, and I know James is too. (I've never lived somewhere that isn't surrounded by Mormons on every side. I'm kind of looking forward to doing more missionary work!) It's good timing for us though. None of our kids are even in school for another year still, so it's easy enough to relocate. Also, my sweet family has been renting us their home so we're not tied into a home or lease either. What a blessing!

I know this post has already gone on forever, but here is a little taste of where we'll be.....

Welcome to New Mexico.... Climates are similar to Northern Utah, except not nearly as much snow.

The city, where we'll live (close to the reservation where he'll be working) has a population of about 50,000 or so. 70% white, 16% Native American, and 14% make-up of other races.

When we were down for the interview, we went to explore the city. We found a nice park with a splash pad, and playground that leads into a fun river walk. (okay...so the river is a little muddy....at least there are rivers. I was expecting total desert, so finding this made me smile.)
Oh...and we ran into a few skunks on the way! I'd better keep Carson close when we go to throw rocks in the water here!

James will be working with the Indian Health Services in the hospital. We are in for a culture shock, I'm sure, but it's kind of exciting! This is the rock that the reservation is named after. I think it's pretty cool. (We won't be living ON the reservation...but in a nearby town.)

This is a picture of the hospital on the res, where he'll be working. It's actually super nice. It's a very big facility, and James is so excited to start working!

And this is where we'll be renting for a few months while we look for a place to buy or build. It's small (especially compared to where we've been) but we can handle it for a few more months. We did it for 5 years...what's a few more months? A lot of the homes are Santa Fe style, but not all. And, although most have rock landscaping, there are a good amount of homes with grass in the backyards, so that's a plus. The homes are smaller than Utah, (they don't have as many kids!) but they have some really nice areas that we would be happy living in.

So, the plan is to go for a few years, get the experience he needs, pay off the student loans, and hopefully move closer to family with a job we like. But who knows?....Maybe we'll love it so much here that we'll decide to stay forever?!!! Probably not. But...if I've learned anything, it's to always keep my options open and stay close to the spirit. "I'll go where you want me to go, Dear Lord...I'll be who you want me to be."