The Winds of Change Have Blown Us Far Away!

2014 began as a year of downsizing and digitizing, then serving in the Laie Temple still, and now we find ourselves 11 months later across the ocean blue returning after 30 years to Utah.  From the north shore of Oahu to the north shore of Utah Lake in Saratoga Springs, we are settling in nicely here nearer to family [most of them that is] and enjoying a new kind of life.  The Lord's blessings abound.  He knows us, our needs, and what we need most.

We'd known we'd be retiring but not in Hawaii.  As the Jensens left, then the Pierces, and with Megan remaining in northern Utah, it seemed like the right direction to head once our temple service ended.  In 2012 we began legally preparing our duplex for possible sale one day as we began what became a complicated CPR process.  Timing was all important, and though we didn't/don't know the end or outcome, the Lord knows, and we do feel His hand in all that has transpired in the many months since this decision to move was made. 

Our downsizing effort was very greatly attacked during Temple break the first two weeks of the year.  The previous post highlighted that.  We kept tracking the progress of the CPR, though snail's pace would describe that at best.  Thanks to attorney  Jennifer Aquino, it   F I N A L L Y  reached completion and papers were in hand in May.  Hmmmm......and interestingly, motivation to purchase our home jumped into the picture that very week!  3 offers later, and on July 7 and had a bona-fide buyer! 

In the meantime, between May and June, our temple president was made aware of our home sale options, and along with Megan's increasing needs for support, and to be nearer to Bill's mom,  it was determined we would receive an early release from our positions at the temple.  That was the hardest thing about leaving.  We LOVE our hundreds of ordinance workers, staff, and missionaries and presidency members, but knew the Lord's hand was being protective and kind in this timing of our release and departure.  The Church leaders' blessing, and the confirming words of personal revelation, "Get ready to go" allowed us to then speed up our efforts to prepare for a move, scheduled for July 31. 

Our temple "closure" of two weeks took us to Utah, where we also found a home that would be able to accommodate all of our family for visits, like this Christmas holiday we're experiencing now. 

We ended our service at the temple one day after its reopening, about July 16, as Stuart and Charlene Bell were set apart in positions we had held.

Our final days at Kam Highway were cherished.  Leaf raking, upgrading, painting,  recycling at Give and Take on campus--MANY loads there--and taking time to just sit on our lanai and admire the beautiful ocean view  -- were packed into those few weeks.  We left with 30 years' worth of many memories of what we call our "golden years" and now look forward to great memory-making here for perhaps the next 20+ . . .

August was our "homeless" month.  The Pierces accommodated us and we also stayed at the farm with Carol in Iowa and the Hauschildts in Marion for that time.  Spending time in the Midwest included visits to Kansas & Missouri Star Quilt Company, Nauvoo, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Shell Rock.  While in Shell Rock, Bill received an important phone call from friend and former colleague, Norm Wright at Utah Valley University.  It seems they were "desperate" for an acting MBA director. . . that was not a tough choice for Bill.   And thus, his acceptance of that offer means he was retired about 4 weeks total!  Hmmmm.....timing.  

Settling in Saratoga Springs means he commutes 25 minutes each way to UVU, but to see once again the joy on his face of being needed, being innovative and proactive, and being well connected to students and beyond have all brought his favorite kind of fun to his life professionally, once again.  It seems he wasn't ready for a life of retirement.  But I am and fortunately, it's happening for me. 

Settling this new larger home and finding furniture, where to store everything--there's so much room!  That's our new luxury-- and acquiring the long wished-for food storage have become my new hobbies and profession.  I love my home.  I love making it a home.  We acknowledge the Lord and His hand in finding this place, this wonderful ward.  We have much thanks in our hearts. It's a good place to be, and being nearer to most family is what makes this our Goldilocks house--everything is just right!   Megan has her own space, we have offices and project spaces, it was the right house, indeed.  

The Hauschildts came in September and stayed here for one whole week with their RV.  They dedicated their lives to helping us change doorknobs, hang wall decor, shop lots,  help create arrangements, stabilize the mailbox, build and repair Megan's bed and headboard, offer suggestions about landscaping, and so on.  Their touches are everywhere here, so we do think of them each day.  We four day-tripped to Park City and the canyons in the middle of that, and are so grateful always for their dedication to help us make this truly feel like our home.    

Travel for recruiting for the MBA program included some exploring for us to southern Utah.  Cedar City and St. George were college sites for those fairs and we got to appreciate once again the red hills and cedars in that part of the state. We eventually made it to Logan, so we've spanned the state once again, getting reacquainted with this part of the world, our new for-a-time world, and seeing friends we've known for a long time but haven't seen.

Mid-October was the fall leaf ride PLUS--to Nauvoo, Shell Rock --a surprise visit for mom-- and then Marion.   In Nauvoo, we got to pick up the new Felicity harp made by Irene T. and attend the temple.  We can do this more often now!  One of our other luxuries.   It was so beautiful as we enjoyed each gold/yellow/bronze/red mixed with autumn green wherever we drove.  Cherished, after 30 years this timing couldn't have been better.  And the same goes for our drives through WY--at night!  Watching flag football and being near the 4 boys and Lindsey and John is a choice, cherished time, too. 

Early November, we knew we wanted to have Erin and her family near for the holidays, so . . . . it worked out to use our miles to get them here. ! ! !    A Christmas/anniversary gift for us, a surprise for the sisters!   And . . . .it seemed to be accomplished. YAY!   We are enjoying the Howes here right now.   It was right after making those arrangements that we headed to AZ to care for the Jensens while Jenny had a business trip.  Seeing these loving kids and Jen and Aaron were days of thanks and warmth, too.  Such a great place, we'll get to go there more often and have them come here, too.  Like for Christmas--now!   A dream come true, for sure.  No empty chairs.  No sweeter joy in this life.  Great thanks to the Lord for allowing this to happen--in His grand timing.