On to Idaho...now what?

As I drove north to Idaho in early October, both my heart and mind were racing, with thoughts of Sylvia, and questions to my Father in Heaven…. what am I supposed to do in Idaho? How am I going to build a tourism business? Should I work for myself, or someone else, and Who then? And how does this new found love interest play into all of this? But I have learned one thing over the past few years, and that again is, that Faith proceeds the Miracle. By exercising complete faith in the Lord’s plan, and turning all things over to Him, and following His will, not my own, that amazing things will happen. So, I relaxed, and just Let God work his miracles, and don’t you just know it, He did!

I KNEW from my experience in August as I sat in the Salt Lake Temple, that I was meant to be in Idaho. So, I sold most of my worldly possessions, and moved here, completely on faith. I also knew that if I kept my eyes and heart open, I would see and feel miracles.

My interview with Michael Collins, the manager of Canyon Crest was a pleasant one, and we agreed there might be some possibility of working together, but I was not sure that this was the answer for me. My next stop was to the LDS Employment Services office, which just happens to be managed by Josh Olsen’s parents, who are on a volunteer “Service Mission” there for the church. It was nice to see them again, after meeting them in 1996 when I drove Becky to Idaho from Michigan. And they were very helpful, inviting me to attend a Job Workshop which just happened to be scheduled for that very evening.

The seminar was led by former professional HR personnel, and business owners, and one of the key components was developing your “30 second commercial” or some call it your “elevator” statement , as it is how you describe “who you are” in a brief description. I came up with mine, which is-“I have over 30 years experience in soliciting and hosting group events in hotels and resorts, where my knowledge and enthusiasm in promoting my products and services resulted in building successful sales teams and profitable operations. My strength is in creating collaborations both within the organization, and in partnering with outside entities, for the benefit of all. My Vision is to create a synergistic organization which will bring thousands of visitors to the Twin Falls area”

Little did I know that the next day I would have the opportunity to use it for the first time, and it would take me on a course that would change my life, and lead me on a new and exciting step on the journey..

The "Chance Encounter"...

Waking up in this part of Idaho, is quite a bit different than Northern Michigan, as it is quite flat, with sagebrush as far as the eye can see, but the most impressive view from my backyard window, is the Snake River Canyon, just a hundred yards away. I was anxious to start making things happen, and was making some phone calls, when I needed to run out to my car to get some notes I left there.

Becky was in the driveway talking to a friend in a truck, when she called to me that I needed to meet someone, who turned out to be Gary Stone, the man who had sold them the land their house was on (which I might add, is smack dab along the original Oregon Trail!). Gary had stopped by, because it “just so happened” ,(coincidence?) that Gary’s horses, Licorice and Liberty, had figured out a way to open the new gate Gary had just installed, and had moseyed on over about ½ mile to “visit” the Olsens horses. Josh had found them that morning, corralled them, called Gary and went on his way to work.

She had told me on my previous visit a little about Gary, so I was interested in meeting him, and I was happily surprised to do so at that moment. When Gary said to me, “so what do you do?”, it "struck me" to tell him my 30 second commercial I had written the night before, and had been practicing that morning, so I gave him my little speech.

Gary smiled at me and said, “I’ve been looking for someone like you for 20 years”, asked me what I was doing right then, and told me to jump in his truck for a ride over to his place… and this became the start of a friendship, and business partnership….and the rest, as they say, is History.....which you will soon learn about!