The snow is almost melted around our Love Cottage in Rexburg. Just as the seasons change, so has our lives. At times I love how things are and wish nothing would ever change. However, change, trials, and challenges are inevitable and often lead to progress.
At the end of February I finished my 2.5 years working for the family business. The first week of March, I was as frantic as a chicken with his head chopped off, if you went to the Handy Redneck Family Reunion, you know what I am talking about. I have had a lot of new responsibilities since I married Mary. No longer do I enjoy my mom's cooking, laundry care, and home cleaning. I get to share these responsibilities with Mary. Accompanied with the job search, it has been stressful.
We are living in Rexburg, Idaho while Mary finishes two more semesters of school. My housing, food, and living expenses have more than doubled. In Rexburg, Idaho it has been a little difficult to find a professional job. At each place I walk into they take one look at me and say,"Yeah, another volunteer intern." Luckily, I found a job with Madison Memorial Hospital working in Public Relationships which will keep me very busy for a few months. I have invested a lot of time learning some new skills... Online Reputation Management, Social Campaigns, and Website Development. My little trials have brought me closer to my wife, and my Creator. We are in the process of making long term plans together over the next few years.
This weekend, there has been one person that I believe feels a little like I do...My Father-in-law. He is also living in a new place, starting a new job, and taking on new responsibilities. I admire his courage for doing this. Michael Webb moved to Raft River around 1972, just after he graduated from high school in Bonneville, Utah. With his father, uncle, brothers, and cousins they built a farm and dairy over the last 40 years. They are currently dividing the Raft River Farm and Mike found another farm for sale in Moore, Idaho to start over in a new place...no this is not an April Fool's Day joke.
If you are wondering where Moore is, I was too... it is close to the middle of no where. The county has about a population of 3,000 with the county seat being Arco. The growing season will be shorter, and there are some rocks. Certainly, it has trials and beauties of its own. I admire his courage to take this risk, and challenge. I hope it works well for him.
I believe this farm has about 700 acres. We saw deer, hawks, antelopes, and talked to the locals about wolves and rattle-snakes which are present. It is in a sweet valley completely surrounded by mountains. On the other side of the range is Sun Valley. To the North is the River of no Return. A couple hundred miles to the east is Yellowstone National Park.
On their farm, they own Antelope Creek Cabin. Which is a classy, state of the art, cabin next to the mountains. It is accessible by car year round. It is the perfect place to visit if you want to forget about civilization, go snowmobiling, fishing, or hunting. There is also a hang gliding event from one of the ridges. Their next door neighbor, Susan Lind, was in the grade younger than my mom at Burley High School. She remembers my mom's long, dark hair, and Grandma Hansen teaching her art classes. Looks like they have good neighbors... Good Luck Mike & Carol on your new adventure!
- Lucas Handy
The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the word Easter is bunnies and the color pink. Too often the true meaning behind it is forgotten. This video is a good reminder of what Easter means to me.
Easter was so much fun! My family just bought the new farm in Moore, Idaho on Friday and they stayed there for the weekend. We received a phone call Saturday morning. Surprised and excited, we decided to leave for Moore after I finished my two tests. I felt good coming out of the testing center and I hope that my grades show it.
Lucas and I immediately climbed the big hill / small mountain behind the cabin and walked across the ridge to another peak where we took the panoramic shot above. The valley is completed by the tall, beautiful mountains that surround it. We spent the remainder of the weekend enjoying our time with the family. Zack and Ashley, the newlyweds, were also there.
We had the opportunity to invite the neighbors from Declo, Idaho for Easter dinner. We had an enjoyable discussion with them about life in Moore and the transition it was for them to move there. It seems to be a different farming method, but it will be a positive learning experience for them. We're nervous and excited about this new adventure for my parents and brothers. It's fun that they're going through big transitions at the same time as us. In a couple months we'll have to pick up our stuff and figure out where to go too.
-Mary Handy
No comments:
Post a Comment