We arrived back in Houston on April 3, 2017, and Bob began his new job as Managing Director of Drilling Specialties Company the next day. He also continued to manage the affairs of the LDS Military District of the church in Korea, and was dealing with the details of planning the District Conference at which he would be released (remotely) on April 23. Throw into the mix a little house-hunting, car shopping, and family responsibilities ...
We contacted a former neighbor, Diane Kink, to see if she would be willing to act as our realtor. She suggested that we work with her son, Parker, who had joined the family real estate team. Parker was a friend of our son, Michael, and so we were excited to be able to give him our business. It was fun to reunite with him, and with other good friends from The Woodlands. I went to lunch with Millie Bickmore and Dee Butts as soon as I could.
We drove to San Antonio the weekend of April 14 to spend Easter with Chelsea, Thomas and Knox. It was so fun to spend time with Knox, who loved being with grandMA (yep, that's the way he said it) and pa. Everywhere we went, Knox was looking for something to "drive". He's got of future with wheels involved for sure! Bass Pro Shop was sponsoring some children's Easter activities so we stopped in to see what was going on.
We spent Saturday in the heart of San Antonio where we rode the Zoo Train. I've never seen a kid more excited to ride a train. Knox would pull his arm up and down and shout "choo-choo" around every bend!
After riding the train, we walked across the street to the Chinese Tea Garden. It was fun to stroll around the park and see a version of Asian gardens in Texas!
Easter Sunday was a treat with a kid in the house! There's just something about kids that makes the celebration of new life very tangible and desirable. How grateful I am for the blessings provided through the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ!
It was a fun weekend and we all hated to see it end!
About a week later, on the 24th of April, Bob and I flew to Utah for Michael and Kristin's graduation from Brigham Young University. Kristin had earned a Bachelors Degree in Information Systems, and Michael received his Bachelors Degree in Geology. We are proud of their accomplishments, especially with their daughter, Eve! Managing jobs, school, home and family is a difficult but commendable achievement! Their family remains in Orem while Michael continues working on his Master's Degree in Geology at BYU. We started our visit and the celebration by getting some photos around campus:
The following day, Kristin's Mom joined us for commencement services held in the Marriott Center. We ran into Michael's cousin, Mckenna and her husband, Taylor.
This is where life begins to get a little crazy. Let me preface this by saying that when we returned to Texas, we were informed (and yes, warned) that The Woodlands Stake Presidency of the LDS Church was going to be reorganized soon and that there would be boundary realignments and probably a new stake formed as well. We shrugged it off knowing that we would be out of town and that we didn't even know where we would find a home. Yet something inside had haunted Bob from the minute he received a job offer to work back in The Woodlands. We have always known that our work related moves have really been spiritually driven and directed by God. He has always placed us where He needed us. The very day we were flying to Utah, Bob received a phone call from The Woodlands Stake President asking that he cut his trip short and return to Texas where he was requested to interview with General Authority Seventy, Elder Bradly Foster, in relation to the reorganization of that stake. Ironically, Elder Foster was the keynote speaker at the commencement services! Bob was obedient to the call and returned to Houston the next day.
We had previously committed to watch Bobby and Jill's children for the next several days while they went on a 10th anniversary vacation. Sadly, Bob was unable to spend time with me and the grand-kids, and I was unable to accompany him through a momentous weekend in his life. He was interviewed by Elder Foster Saturday morning, and called back that afternoon. Our dear friend Craig Sorensen had been called to serve as the new Woodlands Stake President, and Bob was extended the call to serve as President of a newly formed Conroe Stake! Realizing that we knew no one in the Conroe Stake, Elder Foster suggested two men whom they had interviewed to serve as Bob's counselors. I received a phone call from Elder Foster at that time, asking if I would sustain the actions. I remember stating that it was my understanding that if I were to say "No", that I could spare Bob the responsibility. Obviously, however, the answer was "Yes"! The following day, Bob and his counselors were sustained in joint meetings throughout the north Houston area. And from that day on, the burden of organizing a stake from scratch consumed my dear husband nearly every waking hour. (Along with learning and managing a new industry at work, and navigating and searching a new area for a home!)
I had a great time with Linley, Max and Elynor until May 5th. Our days were consumed with fun and games at home, lego building workshops at the mall, soccer games, and fairy dance parties. I dare say, I had a little more fun than Bob! (Although Bobby and Jill may never leave Grandma Poohpie in charge again after watching the video of Elynor.)
A visit to Stephanie and Ben's family in Wyoming was next on my agenda...
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