NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!

I've been waiting to write this post for a LONG time.  Two and a half years to be exact, and more intently the last 6 months.  Two and a half years ago Warren's firm lost business and he lost his job.  New management tried to get some of that business back and rehired him after three months of unemployment on a monthly type contract basis.  We hoped it might become permanent again or that we would find a different job, but neither scenario worked out.  Business never picked up and after a year and a half of contract work, his contract was not renewed.  This was a tough time for our family. Both bouts of unemployment happened while I was pregnant with our third and fourth children, respectively.  The economy has been down and lawyers have been hard hit this time around, so although we knew we were not alone, it didn't change the fact that it was hard. 

Elder Holland spoke to our Stake recently and said, when things get tough, don't get out of the boat.  During our struggles, we stayed in the boat.  As a family we prayed together, had faith, and worked hard to always be kind to each other and not lose hope.  And so in some ways, instead of just being a difficult time, it was also a sweet time that we will be able to look back on and see how much closer we grew as a couple and a family.

And now, after 6 months of intense searching (plus the two years) we are happy to announce:

WARREN HAS A NEW JOB!!! :) Location wise it is near where he used to work, so we will be able to stay right where we are.

It makes me emotional to think of the support we have had from so many of you during this time.  You will never know how much your prayers, well wishes and kind words meant to us.  So often when we felt like nothing was happening, somebody would ask if they could pass on Warren's resume to someone they knew.  Even though that's not how we got the job in the end, it was those kinds of things that kept us going when it seemed like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all of you who have been there for us emotionally and also with kind deeds, including food, clothing and other needs openly or anonymously.  Every single act of kindness meant so much to us.  Every single prayer kept us going and has been answered.  It always gave me strength when someone would come up to me and say: "We are praying for you."

I just hope that I will be that person for someone who is going through a struggle like you were for me.  I hope I can take what I have learned and pass it on.  I want to give as I have been so generously blessed by so many of you during this time.  Once again, thank you for loving our family.  We will never forget you, whether we know your name or not.  You are in our hearts forever. 

Two weeks before Warren got the job offer, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to our Stake for Stake Conference with Elder W. Mark Bassett of the Seventy, to reorganize our Stake Presidency.  Warren has served as Bishop of our ward for the last three years, a calling that normally lasts around 5 years.  However, Warren was asked if he would now serve as 2nd Counselor in the new Whittier Stake Presidency.  Once again, thank you for the prayers offered on behalf of Warren and our family as he has served as Bishop during two rounds of unemployment and two difficult pregnancies for me.  So many served our family during these years.  A bishop cannot do his job without the support of the ward members and we felt your love and support.  Warren has loved serving as Bishop.  We will cherish this time in our life thanks to the love we felt from you!

Meeting Elder Holland and learning at his feet all weekend long was an incredibly special and spiritual weekend for us as a family and as a Stake.  Everyone continues to talk about how blessed we were as a Stake to be able to listen to and learn from an Apostle.  It was a wonderful weekend.  We also enjoyed getting to know and learn from Elder Bassett, who was also a marvelous gospel teacher. 

President Waite (1st Counselor), President Powell (Whittier Stake President), Elder Holland (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles), Elder Bassett (Area Authority Seventy), President Williams (2nd Counselor)

Trials will always be a part of life, but we are grateful to be able to share this good news with those we love and have a rest from this particular trial at this time! 

Once again, thank you for your love and support,

Dorothea and Warren