We lived in Spokane, Washington for about 18 months. When the Vacaville Unified School District recinded my tenure, stripped me of three years seniority, and handed me a pink-slip, in 2003, the VTA refused to represent me, or even hear my story, so I was "done" with Vacaville. During Spring Break, I attended a teacher's job fair in Tacoma, WA, and met a whole bunch of folks who were interested in hiring me, especially folks from Spokane.
We took a "leap of faith," sold our house in Vacaville, and moved to Spokane. I immediately started looking for work, and got hired in Coeur d'Alene, ID, right before the start of school. I was 52, had suffered a stroke a year before (which wasn't my first, I was told), and once again had "that feeling" that something was missing. We were hoping for a fresh start, in a new city, and were not disappointed. I found out why I was having "that feeling".
I was OK, I hadn't had a drink in a long while, although I was a bit "crushed" by the lack of support I had received in Vacaville. We had visited Spokane, and fell in love with the city moments after our fist view of it. We had a three-bedroom apartment, with very low (by California standards) rent in Spokane Valley, one of many, many suburban areas that surround the City proper. It was a nice, residential area, not far from Couer d'Alene, and close to just about everything.
Stll, something was missing. I was going to Church, more or less, and we were meeting some really great people, making friends, and enjoying the new environment. I was in the habit of getting up at 5 am, getting a paper, and going to a shady spot, and listen to the Bob and Tom Show on the radio. When school was out, I kept the habit up, because it gave me the opportunity to think about "stuff". I came to the conclusion that I wasn't happy, it was my fault, and I needed to start considering that it was due my own stubborness regarding the Church.
Tyffany had told me that she would be married in the Temple, regardless of my status at the time. It meant that much to her, but I heard the unsaid urging, very loud, very clear. I knew that more than a Temple marriage, she wanted her dad to be there when they made their covenants. I had a lot to consider, and only a short time to do so.
I quit smoking, started to attend all of my meetings, and generally got involved in Church-stuff, We started having some of the young families over for picinics, dinners, and always a few games and things. In AA, we often talk about having a "hole" in our hearts, or souls, that we try to fill with booze and drugs. After years of not drinking, I still felt that hole, but after each picinic, or dinner, it got a little smaller.
I heard that the Church was sponsoring a "program" for members who had addiction problems, while in Spokane. Although I was not attending AA, by that time, I saw the potential of the Addiction Recovery Program, and figured it could answer the questions that arose, once AA had awakend my spiritual-side. I went, a couple of times with the Missionaries and an investigator, and noticed a change in the Church's attitudes about "sinners" such as myself. For the first time, in a Mormon Church, I held my head up, knowing that I was not the only "sinner" in attendance. Nor, did my sins seem to be the worst.
I started to read the Scriptures, and made it a habit to pray, often, in my own way. I know that they were heard, because they were answered. I was given to know that, because of my faith in Jesus Christ, my sins had been forgiven long before. I was the only one with regrets and recriminations, I was the one who felt un-worthy, no one else even wondered. If I were ready to move forward, Heavenly Father would guide those first steps.
We lived eight-tenths of a mile from the Spokane Temple. After I got my Temple Recommend back (in time for Tyff's wedding), we attended pretty often. When I was told that I would not be re-hired at Coeur d'Alene, May 15, 2004, we attended a session at the Spokane Temple. When we were in the Celestial Room, I said a prayer, basically to the effect of "What do I do now?" The response was quick, and forceful, and I knew in my heart that everything would be OK. I was to take care of my family, first and foremost; magnify my callings in the church, and to be a worthy Priesthood holder. Since that time, I am fulfilling my side, and receiveing the blessings He has seen fit to bestow upon me.
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