Mountain Lane Homesteaders

He Leadeth Us......To MONTANA!

Good morning.  I have just spent a long time reading and reading some blogs and my eyes are already tired but I get started and just don't want to stop.  They are all so WONDERFUL! 

Yesterday I started to tell the story of our adventure in moving to Montana.  It is such a miracle story.  We had no income, no savings, no cash.  Everything that could be liquidated was already sold.  What does someone do when finding themselves in such a situation?  Well, look for land to purchase of course!  As I mentioned, we found a property that just got us even more excited to move to the "wild west".  So I said to Sam, "Well, if we're going to move there you're going to need a job.  Here.  This is a list of a bunch of banks in the area.  Call them."  Which is exactly what he did.

After several aborted efforts he finally made a phone call to a bank in a small northwest Montana town with a population of about 1200 people.  It was 6 miles from the "drool over" property.  He was put in contact with the president of the bank and was on the phone with him for I think about 2 hours.  After hanging up the phone Sam came to me wide eyed and shaking his head.  "You are never going to believe THIS!" 

 Although the bank was not advertising for any openings, they had been "searching" for "the right person" for a position they were creating for about 2 years.  Turns out the bank president had told my husband that if everything Sam had told him on the phone was true, it seemed as though he might just be that person.  Of course he couldn't just offer him a job over the phone without meeting him......."and your wife and kids". 

How many future bosses want to meet the wife and kids?!!! To add to the wonder of it all, Sam said one of the interview questions was whether he was the kind of guy who was involved with his kids.  Did he, you know, go to school events and things of that nature?  The kicker was that he WANTED him to be that guy!  Being a small community, this was how he was going to get to know the people in town!  Could this be for real that there really was a job out there where the boss wants to meet the wife and kids and actually wants the employee to be an involved parent that attends school plays, sporting events, and Christmas programs?  I guess only a trip to Montana for an interview would let us know.  

The problem now, as you may have already surmised, is how in the world are we going to manage a trip to Montana that may or may NOT produce a job?  Gas, food, and lodging for 1500 miles (one way!) and a van with a bright red engine light.  Hmmm.

From a fellow Montanan

5:09 PM, Wednesday, July 12, 2006 .. Posted by Patti

I was introduced to your blog through one of my friends, DeeDee06. Just wanted to say hi, as I am from NW Montana, although I currently live in the Boise, Idaho area. I graduated from Flathead High School in Kalispell. My parents still live in Kila, which is 13 miles west of Kalispell. We are leaving on Saturday for a several days visit with them. I am guessing, based upon the size of the town you mentioned, that you are in maybe Eureka or Libby?
Anyhow, I hope that you love it there. I am adding you to my friends list so that I can continue to keep up with your venture.

I just have to say..

1:09 PM, Thursday, July 13, 2006 .. Posted by marys4littlelambs

that I love your blog!! I can't wait to hear the rest of your story:0) I