From Beaver Beginnings to Madison Missionaries

Kirsten  and Sam Hibbard at MHS graduation

Dave's first teaching job brought our little family to Beaver, Utah.  It was August of 1990 that we moved into the old home next to the Kerksiek Nursery.  (The description of that rental is a sure story for another day.)

As baby Camille (nearly 1 years-old) and I were exploring our new surroundings, we ventured into the nursery located next to our rental.  The employees were mostly Kerksiek family children, but there was one employee that looked to be about my age.  After inquiring a bit further, we found that we had much in common.  Her husband, Rob Hibbard, was also a new hire for the high school and would be teaching debate, history, and drama.  The knowledge of being in such similar circumstances immediately provided me with a new friend, Dianna Hibbard.

In our years at Beaver, we both delivered two babies, had many a get-together and became lifelong friends.  When we both left Beaver four years later, we really didn't expect that we would ever live in close proximity again.  But as events turned out, a few years after Dave took the job at Madison High School, the drama position came open.  Knowing that they weren't entirely settled with their position in Grace, Idaho, we let them know of the job opportunity.  As stated by the principal, he probably would not have given Rob a chance if it hadn't been for Dave's word that he would be a great addition to the MHS drama department.  Happily, Rob was offered the job and they moved onto Rexburg.

It has been awesome having them near us again.  As both of us have arrived at a time of life where schedules are swamped because of activities that coincide with growing children, we have not been able to spend as much time enjoying their company.  But when we do it is always a great time.

This brings me to the reason for giving such a lengthy description of our past connections.  Their oldest son,  Samuel, who was born in Beaver, gave his Sacrament talk yesterday, and now he descends upon the MTC this Wednesday.  Sam has been called to the Montreal French Speaking mission.  Most of the family attended the talk yesterday.

(As a side note, Camille and I actually attended Molly Davis's Sacrament Meeting.  She is going to the England Manchester mission.  Molly was the Jr. Miss for MHS the year before Camille was in that position.  As a result, we gained a good friendship with the Davis's from sharing that common thread.)

Camille & Molly Davis and Moms (Mindi) - Jr. Miss 2007

So our lives are facing many changes as our children reach the age where serving missions and attending college are options.  Many emotions flow as children begin to leave the nest.  It is certainly what needs to happen but that doesn't take away the sting that is felt when these leaps occur.

We wish Sam and Molly the best as they embark on their missions to England and Canada.