Sharon and I wanted to update you on an exciting development in our lives. We have purchased a home in Laramie, WY and plan to split our time between Laramie and Iowa. We are moving the week of May 13.
What is behind this? Years ago, I asked Sharon where she wanted to retire, and without hesitation she answered, “Wherever our grandchildren are.” Currently, our daughter Rose and her husband Willie live in Center Point with their four kids. Our son was living in Denver. So we began to explore if it might be feasible for us all to end up in the same place. Ben was not interested in having Iowa be his long-term home, so we began discussing all moving to Colorado some day. In addition, I love the mountains and have always wanted to live out west.
Running in parallel to our desire to be near our kids, for the last ten years, we have been involved in an organization called THRIVEtoday. They integrate the related fields of brain science, relationships and spirituality. They utilize cutting-edge research on how the brain works and how it relates to relationships; to how to bring more joy into relationships and how to deal with problems as they arise, and inviting God into the process.
This organization has been a huge help to Sharon and I in our marriage. Ten years ago we were stuck and didn’t know how to make progress and they were a tremendous help to us. Now I am on their board and spend a lot of time doing volunteer work for them. (I named our firm Plan2Thrive being inspired by this organization.)
There are churches in Ft. Collins and Laramie that are extensively putting into practice the concepts taught by THRIVEtoday. Their leaders have invited us to join their community and be part of helping to teach others what we have learned in our journey. In the end, we felt that moving to Laramie was the better option for us.
We will split our time between Laramie and Davenport. Laramie will be our primary residence, but we plan to come back to Davenport one week a month or so and hold appointments with Jeff’s financial planning clients.
If you are coming out West, we would love to see you!
Shalom, Jeff and Sharon