Update

For any interested, I still haven't heard about the job that I applied for. I have been told that the vice president is comming out next week, and I was told that was a good sign. Please if you add this to your prayers, ask that those who make this decision will be led by the spirit to make the choice that will fulfill the Lord's purpose. Our kids here at APA really need his help.

Also I retest on the 27th of May. Please include this in your prayers because I really need the help of the Lord to accomplish this. I missed the required score last time by about 1-1 1/2 questions. That would have given me a score of 70% I am trying for a 75%. The higher score is not only enough to pass in South Dakota but would also allow me to license in Utah should the desire and the opportunity to return there strike at the same time. Again I am trying dilligently to hear and follow the counsel of the Lord, which is not always something I have been good at. Thank you all for you kind words and thoughts, and all of the prayers on my behalf, and that of my family. I really do love you all. Thanks,

Drew

Katie

Happy Birthday Katie Girl. You're already 10 years old. We love you.

Mom and Dad

In the "leafy treetops"?

Today I had to be at work at 7 A.M. It was kind of gloomy as rain was predicted. but as I walked into work I heard the birds chirping. It was very cheering. I very much enjoyed listening to it. the chirping is louder in the front of the store. yes, Walmart has birds and while they live in the lofty rafters, not the treetops, it is fun. They even bring grass and leaves in from outside to build their nests. I am sure the birds are the bane of the maintenance crews existence as it is their job to take out the nests. but I do enjoy listening to them. I think it is also fun to side with the children of shoppers as they are trying to convince their parents that they did too see a bird.

P.S. Toms new test date for his EPPP is May 27.

Apology

I just wanted to apologize for leaving the Covey's off of my list of service members both Preston and Uncle Wix served in the military (USN and USA respectively). I also need to appologize to my cousin Kristin Veare (her maiden name) she and her husband both served in the Navy as medics. Any other oversights are unintentional as well but if there are readers out there know anyone not included one this list (again these are all people who I know personally) please comment to let me know. -- Drew

Service

Yesterday Jim and I had a very interesting opportunity. The eldest member of our branch passed away last week. While I didn't know Bro. Probst very well, I did know that he was always pleasant andusually telling jokes. I was unaware that he had been in the military. Yesterday I learned a lot about this special man. Because many in his family were also elderly the branch was asked to provide pall bearers as well as giving prayers and the eulogy. He apparently was the only member of the LDS church in his family. Jim and I were both pall bearers and I was asked to give the opening prayer. I learned about this man from the lovr that was shown for him by those in attendance. I was honored to be able to serve and even more so when I learned that as a young man Bro. Probst served as a scout/sniper in the US Marines on Guadelcanal (2 Bronze Stars, Presidential Unit Citation). It made me think of Grandpa Hugo and Grandpa Everett and their service in that same theatre. I then thought of my father's service in the far east and the service of my good friends and brothers-in-law and their service in the Middle East. In our local cemetary everyone is burried facing South, except for veterans who are all burried facing the flag. The local VFW gave the 21 gun salute while Taps and the presentation of the flag was performed by a contingent of a locally based unit of the National Guard. Again, I felt very honored to have played a part in this service. I also wanted to express my appreciation to all those who have served our country at the peril of their own life. That is everyone who has served in the military whether or not they have seen combat. When one of Jim's teachers asked why he was so set on serving in the Army they only reply I had to give was that service to our country is a family tradition. They looked at me a little strange so I listed those that I knew that had performed this service to whom Jim is related:(in no particular order)
Paul Wilkinson Tsgt. Ret USAF Viet Nam (USA)
Emily Hugo, USAF
Mark F Everett, USA WWII
Leroy Hugo, USA WWII
William N Christensen, USMC
William N Christensen II, USAF
Richard Graham, Ltc Ret. USA
Frank Thomas Wilkinson Sr., ANG CCC
Frank Thomas Wilkinson Jr., USAF
Evan Eric Wilkinson, USAF
Leroy A Trujillo, USA
Jerry Cox, USA Korea
Dave Thornton, USA WWII
Dick Thornton, USA WWII
Harry Thornton, USN
Andrew J Kirby, USN WWII
Mikel Hugo, Maj. USA
Brian Mack, Maj. USA
Preston Covey, USN
Wix Covey, USA (Viet Nam)(Thank you Aunt Alice for the reminder and the new information. I think it is important to remember all who served.)

These are only family members of ours that I have known personally who have served our country in this way. I think that this qualifies as a family tradition. Thank you all. Drew

Keep the prayers comming

Thank you all again for all of the faith and prayers that have been directed our way recently. As you know the interview went well and I was invited to go to breakfast with the owner and the president of the corporation. That also went very well, most of the time was spent answering questions about my mission and other early life experiences. One question in particular struck me when I was very delicately asked if I and my family would be more comfortable living in Utah? I responded that even though most of our family lives there that Lillie and I (and the kids of course) really like it here and we could see ourselves living here for a long time to come. I don't know when they will inform us of there decision but things look very promising. On another note Today I received my confirmation of elegilibility to sit for my licensing exam (again). My test is scheduled for the 27th of May, which means that I should have results on or around June 5th. I originally had scheduled the exam for June 3rd but was then informed by my boss that that was a date of a conference which I need to attend. It might also be scout camp week which I will be attending this year (I may have to leave for part of a day to attend the conference) with Jim. By the way I now have all of the basic training that I need to qualify as a trained leader and I should be going to woodbadge in September or October. Any way I have one month to polish up for the exam, and while I have been studying, I still need all of the help that your faith and prayers can give. Thank you, I hope to have really good news soon. -- Drew

Interview

I interviewed with the Owner, the President, and the Clinical Vice President of Clinicare Corporation. That is the Parent corporation of Aurora Plains Academy where I work. The interview was for the position of Executive Director, which would be a promotion to one step above my current boss. My interview was scheduled for 3:30 to 5:00 and at about 5:55 they decided that they had to move on to the next candidate but that they still had questions that they wanted to hear my answers to so I was invited to go to breakfast with them tomorrow. The interview was very positve and we seemed to be on the same wave length throughout. we discussed my clinical vision for the program and when I asked the question about what they are looking for in a Director the gist of their was that they were looking for someone with a clear clinical vision that moved in the same direction of their own. It looks pretty promising They even stated that we could talk about loan repayment since, if offered the position, I will lose the opportunity for federal loan repayment. I am very excited and also grateful for for the prayers and other demonstrations of your support.