Our famly on the beach. I hope we'll have more chances to take photos together as a family on St. Martin.

Heavy Loads

My dad once told me that his dad used to tell him, “If you pray for a strong back, the Lord will give you a heavy load to carry.”   As a child, this expression always struck me as something a farmer would say, perhaps more so because my dad grew up on a farm where back-breaking hard work was the normal daily routine.  I’ve come to realize, however, that “heavy loads” don’t always mean farm animals or bales of hay.

The past few weeks at the Crookstons have been a time of heavy loads.  Collectively as a family, we have been hefting around the very real possibility of splitting up our family for the next 12 months until Carina is done with classes at AUC.

 

 

Plan A

We left Minnesota seven months ago with high hopes, excitement, some savings in the bank, and an offer to teach French at the local private k-12 school. We knew things would be tight, but we also had faith that it would all work out. When we arrived, however, the teaching position ended up being nothing short of a fiasco (read the full story here), and with the dizzying high cost of living on this island, our savings didn’t last all that long. The student loans to which Carina has access are, by design, just enough to support one person. They are decidedly *not* enough to support a family of five and a nanny. Most students here are single and can split the high costs of rent, utilities, internet, etc. As a family, we pay 100% of everything, and without an income, our life here just simply is not sustainable.

Plan B

Once we learned that teaching French was not going to happen, we implemented Plan B. I’m lucky enough to have a skill that can easily be done from anywhere, and I immediately began to search for a programming job which could be done remotely. I thought it would be a short search.

Yeah. I was wrong.

Back in May I thought I had a temporary solution. I’d found a short-term contract that would have paid enough to see us through for quite a while, yet it turned out the company who “hired” me had jumped the gun, and they hadn’t actually secured the contract with their potential client, meaning the job they were offering me never really existed.

Fail.

We were fast approaching the point where I either needed to find a job that I could do remotely, or go back home to get a normal job. Splitting up the family seemed unconscionable, and we were literally praying every day that I would find employment that would allow me to stay on the island.

In the final hour, I received a call from a recruiter for a position that was 100% telecommuting, meaning I could work from anywhere. At last! A strong lead! I submitted my resume and then tore into researching the company and pouring over their job description, brushing up on all the skills they were looking for. The first interview went well and we scheduled a second. The second interview consisted of deep technical questions, and while I did well on 95% of the questions, it also included some areas of programming that are not my strong point. Except for those few questions I couldn’t answer, I thought the interview went well and I felt confident that this was the job which would allow our family to stay together.

And then word came: They were going to pass on me and keep looking.

Despair

We had a family council in which we discussed what now seemed inevitable: We were going to have to split up the family. There were a lot of tears as we discussed the logistics and details, and while Cari and I tried to remain optimistic, it was darn hard to put a positive spin on this unpleasant reality.

The day after I heard that the 100% telecommute job didn’t come through, I set out looking for any job I could find in or around the Twin Cities or St. Cloud, even if it meant moving back and leaving Carina until she was done with classes at AUC. I made job hunting a full time job, pouring over posting on Monster.com and Dice.com and sending my resume to dozens and dozens of companies. It didn’t take long for the phone calls and emails to start coming back, and I began lining up initial telephone interviews. Jobs in my industry are plentiful… if you are willing to work in the office every day and not try to work remotely from a Caribbean island.

The Job Hunting Road…

In the past several weeks I’ve had too many first interviews to track, a multitude of second interviews, a few offers from off-island and out-of-state companies that I turned down, and one offer from a Twin Cities based company that I accepted.

Today is the last day of July, 2012.  For the past two weeks, Andi, Tanner and I have been back in the U.S. staying with friends and family in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud.  Tomorrow, August 1st will be my first day as an employee of Connexions Loyalty Travel Service.  It’s a good company, and it’s a great offer.  Under normal circumstances I would be totally thrilled for such a job.  But… the job also requires me to stay here.  So as it sits now, I will be staying in Minnesota while my family goes back to the island without me.

Yeah…

It makes me so sad I can hardly even think about it, so I think I’ll be done writing about it for now and move on to other subjects.

In Other News… Tropical Storms and Heat Waves

While Andi, Tanner and I have been up here enjoying beautiful weather in Minnesota, Carina, Piper and Michelle have been enduring a string of tropical storms down on the island. Before the storms, and before we left, the weather was just plain HOT.  Instead of enjoying the beaches and the pool, we tried to find ways to stay busy and productive inside.

Each block weekend, the Spouse’s Organization raises money by selling burritos and treats to the medical students who are too busy to cook for themselves. They often ask for volunteers to man the food table, so last blocks, Andi, Tanner and I took a turn.

It sure beat just sitting around and being bored at home, and it was a good chance to mingle with the students and meet new people as well.

Andi and Tanner selling food and treats to med studetns during block weekend

Students lining up to buy food

Some AUC Updates

A view of the front of AUC's campus where construction has begun on two new buildings

Carina studies while Piper makes use of the expensive headphones courtesy of AUC

Just before Cari began classes at The American University of the Caribbean, the school was purchased by DeVry. Almost at once, DeVry began pouring money into the old and dilapidated campus. In addition to fixing up and renovating the existing buildings, they are also adding some much needed new buildings as well.

While new buildings are great, that also means construction. And construction means noise. Loud constant noises and medical students trying to study do not mix very well, and after many complaints, DeVry decided to deal with the noise by giving away a free set of Bose noise canceling head phones to every student.

Sweet!

St. Martin, Round II?

For Andi, Tanner and I,  “St. Martin, Round I” came to an end two weeks ago.  Michelle and Piper will join us soon. And Cari will catch up to us while we’re in Utah towards the end of August after she finishes her second semester. Andi and Tanner are soaking up every second they can with friends, but we also miss Mom and Piper more than we thought we would.

Although it looks like a long shot right now, I am literally praying that this separation will be ONLY for a few weeks, and that when August is over, we will all head back to St. Martin together, as a family, and that these uncertain times will finally be behind us.

No matter what happens,  we will all embrace “St. Martin, Round II” with open arms, together or separated.  Andi and Tanner will be in school making new friends, and we’ll have discretionary income to enjoy some of the activities St. Martin has to offer beyond just the beautiful (and free) beaches.

Final Thought Before I go to Bed…

Just before the three of us left St. Martin, we discussed the words of the prophet Lehi.  “For it must needs be, that there is opposition in all things. If not so, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad… having no joy, for we know no misery; doing no good, for we know no sin.” In short, Lehi is telling us that in order to know true happiness, we must also taste sadness as well.  Without opposition in life, we will never fully appreciate the good times.

While what we’ve been experiencing isn’t anything near “true sadness”, it hasn’t been challenge-free either.  I want so dearly for this St. Martin time to be wonderful, sweet and pleasant for Andi and Tanner.  (Piper won’t remember much of it, I suspect.)  But so far their experience had been marked not entirely, but mostly with loneliness and boredom.  The shortcomings “St. Martin, Round I”, I fully believe, will only make Round II all that much sweeter.

I hope, with all me heart, that the rest of our time here will be every bit the happy experience I envisioned for our family before we moved, and when we go back home for good we will reflect on St. Martin as a special time of our lives which we will treasure and remember with fondness forever.  And in the mean time, the slightly heavy loads we are carrying right now will make us stronger in the long run.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

COMMENTS
    R.O. Despain commented

    I hope things work out a bit better.

    The noise cancelling head phones reminded me of a novel by Kilgore Trout. A benevolent dictator rules a stinky planet and he can’t figure out a way to stop the stink. So he cuts everyone’s nose off.

    Could comment on opposition but that would lead me too heavily into my understanding of church theology and that never works out.

    Reply
    August 1, 2012 at 3:32 pm
      ccrookston commented

      Hey Captain, luckily we all have our noses still 🙂 Good to hear from you!

      Reply
      August 2, 2012 at 1:00 am
    Ryan Johnson commented

    Casey,

    My heart breaks at the idea that you may have to spend so much time separated from your doing so beautiful family (the thought of being so with mine almost sends me to tears). I know though that the Lord has his purposes and will keep your family in his hands while you are away preforming such an important duty. I hope what you do will be sacred to you as you are sacrificing much for what in the end will be a short time in your life. You will be blessed and they will be blessed, though that doesn’t make the pain any less, I’m sure. You have our prayers and thoughts.

    Reply
    August 2, 2012 at 1:58 am
      ccrookston commented

      Thanks Ryan. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment, and I’m very grateful for the prayers! This will all work itself out and in the long run we’ll be stronger for it.

      Reply
      August 9, 2012 at 3:03 pm
    Rebecca commented

    I also love in Ether, when they are on the boats, and furious winds keep blowing, burying them in the depths of the sea where there are “monsters of the deep” and causing mountainous waves to crash upon them. And God caused this wind to blow? Really? What was He thinking? Ether tells us. The furious winds were blowing them continuously toward the promised land.

    I will pray for you to find a job situation that allows you to be with your family while Cari finishes school.

    with love,
    Rebecca =)

    Reply
    August 2, 2012 at 5:27 pm
      ccrookston commented

      Hey Rebecca, at first I thought you said Ester, and I was thinking I really need to brush up on my Old Testament, as I don’t recall her every getting into a boat. Ether makes a lot more sense. Thanks for the comment, and for the prayers! Hope your move to Orem is going well, and we are *really* looking forward to spending sometime with you guys.

      Reply
      August 9, 2012 at 3:05 pm
    Jen Swenson commented

    Hey Casey

    Sorry to hear that your family has to be separated it was difficult when we moved to Utah and Shad had to stay in MN until he found a job for us it was 3 months which was a long time, so I hope that things work out and you can get back to St. Martin to be with your family until Carina is finished with school. Are you guys coming to Utah? If so we would love to see you guys, let us know.

    Jen

    Reply
    August 3, 2012 at 2:35 pm
      ccrookston commented

      Jen, I know you guys can understand, having recently done the same thing. Thanks for the note! We will be in Utah the third week of August for a whirl wind trip. Hopefully we can squeeze in a lunch or something. Where are you guys at?

      Reply
      August 9, 2012 at 3:07 pm
    kim barrett commented

    Casey, this post has sat heavy on my mind for the last couple of days as I’ve considered just how much your family has been stretched this last year. We all know how heavy loads can help us grow, but somehow when our vision doesn’t match reality it’s tough to not feel a little disapointed. I admire your positive attitude for the coming year, it reminds me of when your UHaul broke down when you were moving to the new house in Saint Augusta, you were SO CALM, even though things were a little crazy. I’m confident that whatever comes your way, you and Cari and the kids will find the sweet moments that are there to be found. Our prayers are with you. Love, the Barretts

    Reply
    August 5, 2012 at 3:39 am
      ccrookston commented

      Hey Kim, I saw you in church a couple weeks ago but never had the chance to say Hi. I didn’t see Dave… was it just you? Thanks for the note, and for the positive thoughts 🙂

      Reply
      August 9, 2012 at 3:09 pm
    Jason commented

    Hang in there Casey, it will all be worth it in the end.

    Reply
    August 6, 2012 at 3:10 pm
      ccrookston commented

      Thanks Jason. I’ll be calling you soon. Need to hook our families up when we are in UT.

      Reply
      August 9, 2012 at 3:09 pm
    Erin Miller commented

    I love your attitude about this, Casey. Hoping for the best outcome for you and your lovely family.

    Reply
    August 10, 2012 at 10:43 pm
      ccrookston commented

      Hey Erin, I appreciate you taking the time to check in and leave a note. Thank you!

      Reply
      August 14, 2012 at 9:38 pm
    JoAnn Holm commented

    I loved Rebecca’s comment….that sometimes when the Lords is pressing us towards the promised land, the way is threatening with monsters and giant waves….For Moses….lots of serpents bites, manna and desert, for Lehi….hard work building ships, going back to Jerusalem several times in precarious circumstances…..teaching us what? That the way to returning to our heavenly home….has only one WAY, and Amy (in her last days in mortality told me best…) Mom, Jesus is the only way…and He is faithful to bear our burdens, carry our loads and comfort our sorrows…..when we Trust Him to do so…for he has lived them all. I see the growing….in you, Casey, in Carina…In Michelle….and soon in all the children….And then if thou endure it well…comes the reward!

    Reply
    August 13, 2012 at 10:05 pm
      ccrookston commented

      Well said, JoAnn. Good learning time for all of us, and for that I am certainly grateful. Thanks for the note!

      Reply
      August 14, 2012 at 9:39 pm

The Crookstons is proudly powered by WordPress and the Theme Adventure by Eric Schwarz
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).

The Crookstons

Work hard. Play often. Be nice.