Decision Updates

I met today with the Area Director over the Hampton Inn Naperville.  Last week he had indicated a desire to speed up my application process so I thought maybe he would be bringing an official offer to the table but this was not the case.  Too many things happening for him right now so the timing of my offer just isn't right, give it a couple more weeks and we will start moving forward then.  So... I remain in Naperville as the Task Force GM through the end of this month and part way into next month.  Which is basically what I was expecting when I first came out here and not the main reason for this post.

While shopping for some odds and ends this evening I received a call from a social worker covering Savannah, TN wanting to perform a home inspection.  I haven't had one in half a year now and am WAY overdue.  Of course, being in Naperville makes this rather difficult and after explaining my situation and listening to her terse and, to be honest, annoyed response, I came to the sad but firm conclusion that it was time for me to give up on my attempt at becoming a foster parent. 

I am very lucky blessed.  I have not been treated poorly by my friends and family.  I have been trusted with their children from time to time and, to a small degree, have been able to experience the joy that comes from being around children.  I love all of the little ones (some not so little anymore) in my life and have to point out something that may not be said nearly enough...  you Moms and Dads are doing a TERRIFIC job!  I don't think I need to mention how precious they are, I see that enough in your eyes when you hold them and care for them.  So Thank You for being the examples you are to them and to me.

One Decision Made

Along with all the activities going on over the past few weeks I have been smack dab in the middle of deciding about pursuing the job opportunity for me in Naperville, IL.  I have been at this hotel now for a week and have spent a great deal of time driving to and from downtown Chicago to spend some priceless time with my parents.  I did find some time to drive around the city of Naperville and I have gotten to know the staff at this property while also getting the big picture on what it is going to take to get this hotel to perform at the levels it is expected to perform.  I have tried out several restaurants, experienced some cold weather (this week, not last, and nowhere near as cold as it will get in the true winter months), and checked the baseball schedules to see when my Red Sox will be in town (this week if you were wondering, and I wont be going as there are more important things for me to do).  Then end result is....

I have decided to go for it. 

There are still lots of things that have to happen before an official offer is made and accepted but I am now officially working towards that goal and, barring some unexpected situation, I expect to be moving to the Chicago area in May.

Farewell for now

I have tried to write this post 4 different times now.  There are so many things I want to say and yet, when I sit down to type them up, I find myself overwhelmed with the thought of stating what my Grandfather has meant to me throughout my life.  I think I will instead save those thoughts and feelings for when we all get together for the viewing and funeral next week.  Instead, I have decided to share the words of an Apostle of God. 

When I first heard that Grandpa's time was at an end it was during General Conference weekend.  The talks, as always, were wonderful and inspiring, but there was one talk in particular that seemed to be directed at me.  The words were what I needed to hear and the spirit was so gentle as I listened to the message being delivered.  I have since gone back and read, and re-read President Uchtdorf's talk entitled "Grateful in Any Circumstances".  I could post it all here but I will instead share the paragraph that struck me the most, so forgive me now as I borrow the words of this wonderful servant of God.

"We are not made for Endings"

"In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem unacceptable to us?  There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings.

Why is this?  Because we are made of the stuff of eternity.  We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number.  Endings are not our destiny.

The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all.  They are merely interruptions- temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful.

How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings."

As I prepare to return home to participate in the events we associate with the ending of life I am truly comforted to know this life is not all.  Our Grandfather has moved on, and for a time we will be separated from him.  But I know he lives on and we will see him again. I have been blessed to have known him for almost 40 years now and, when the time comes for me to leave this earth, I look forward to thanking him for all he did for me here in this temporary state we call life.