We are moving to Elgin, Oregon, population 1651. We have lived in La Grande for over 10 years. We lived in this beautiful big old house for one year, and now we will go to a new land, make new friends, and make our home in a new house.It was Saturday night of Conference weekend when we went to the stake center up the road for a baptism. The little girl who was being baptized is a girl from Elgin whose father directs the plays at the Elgin Opera House and who has worked with Sam several different times therewith. The newly-called bishop was a carpenter who had also worked with these men and all had a positive relationship with each other. Throughout the course of the baptism, Sam felt prompted again and again that he needed to speak with the new bishop. An appropriate moment never came up, so Sam dismissed these promptings. On Monday morning, however, the father of the baptized girl called up Sam and told him that he had felt like he needed to ask Sam to speak with the bishop. Sam figured that he should probably just call up the bishop and see why both he and his friend had felt these promptings. The bishop's reaction to Sam's call was that he had felt prompted to speak with Sam and ask him to join the ward by moving out there to Elgin. Since that fateful conversation, everything has fallen into place for us to make the move. I don't know why the Lord wants us out there, but it is obvious to me that He does. We found a cozy cottage close to the church, the schools, and the Opera House. Our landlord has been uncharacteristically encouraging about it, even letting us break our lease without penalty. That in itself is a miracle. Another miracle is my attitude. At first I was so upset that I made everyone's life miserable. I love the home we're in. We have so much room to spare, room for all of the activities we could possibly choose. The home we're moving into is literally 1/3 the space, with no extra room for anything. Not even an office. But for some reason my attitude changed yesterday when I found out that we're in it for reals. I am so excited for the new adventure we're on! Home isn't the house with the most room for all the kids and places for visitors to stay. It's the place where we all love each other and are willing to make our circumstances work, no matter what they are. I have such a wonderful life and the best family I could ever choose. My husband is the coolest person, and his passions make him beautiful. Although my life is on a track I hadn't planned for, I am grateful that the Lord takes care of us in any circumstance.
