Life change

This past year has been one that has taken a great deal of faith. Last summer certain circumstances made us consider a career change for Marshall. He entered the Church Education System pre-service program in August and took the semester long class. He ended it with two weeks of student teaching and then made it through the first round of cuts. He has then spent this past semester student teaching early morning seminary at two local high schools, all while being bishop, working full-time as a prosecutor, and teaching a night class at the local college. It all began with inspiration and hope, but as we went through the process it was confirmed to us over and over again that this was something we HAD to do. We could not deny that confirmation. This is what the Lord wanted and we had to do it.

We found out at the end of April that Marshall made the cut and was hired full-time by CES to be a Seminary teacher. We were so excited! However, there wasn't an opening here in St. George and we were told we would have to move. We were so sad to leave behind our family, friends, and life we had made here, not to mention the whole mess of packing and selling our house. We were told we would get our assignment in a few weeks of where we were going. We decided to sit tight and not act until we knew for sure what we were doing. I packed four boxes and that was all I could handle before getting too sad. Marshall was released as bishop, something that has been in the works since January, as he hit his five year mark. It was a bitter-sweet day to think we would be leaving our ward that has become our family. But we knew we had to put our lives in the Lord's hands, that this is something we had to do. I had told the Lord during this year long process all the reasons why we should stay here, but I also knew He would take care of us wherever we went.

This past week we found out that we will be staying in St. George after all! Miracle of miracles, a seminary principle from one of the local high schools put in for a transfer to Colorado. This opened up a promotion to one of the seminary teachers here to that position and left a teaching spot open for Marshall. No having to move, no having to leave our family, friends, and schools. We feel so blessed.

We are so excited for this new chapter in our lives. Marshall will keep his law license and continue to do prosecution work for two small cities that have begged him to keep working for them. But that will only be twice a month. For most of his time, Marshall will be doing what he loves, teaching the Gospel to the youth! Hallelujah! It was a crazy year, but worth it. We've made it!