Saturday, December 29, 2012

We lost the election

We lost the election. I have wanted to post something, but I have been in shock for several days. It is difficult to share feelings at a time like this. Richard lost his re-election campaign for county supervisor by 11 votes, with Greenlee County having a 69.5% voter turn out.

It wouldn't be so bad if we had lost to a really good man, but we lost to someone with little or no character. We tried to run a clean campaign and not throw mud. Our opponent wasn't as generous. It was a very dirty campaign. He had the Tea Party backing and lots of people working for him and against us. Part of the hurt is that some of those people were once considered our friends. One of my biggest hang ups is trying to forgive them.

We tried to include the Lord in our campaign and in the work Richard did as a supervisor. In March when the campaign got really bad, Richard and I prayed and asked the Lord to help us deal with this. We both had great feelings of comfort and peace. We never doubted during the rest of the campaign that things would go well and go our way. After the shock of election night Richard said, "I am not the only good man who lost tonight." That was very true. We feel self doubt. We think, why did we feel such peace?

Richard thinks,"what if I had done this, or what if I had done that, would the outcome be different. I had such a dream job, I was at the peak of my career and I let it slip through my hands." He was to become President of the Arizona County Supervisor's Association. He was appointed to represent Arizona in the WIR, an organization of all the counties west of the Mississippi. We had planned to work as Supervisor for 8 more years than serve missions. That plan is now changed.

People are asking what our plans are. We are working until January 1. We are currently looking for new employment. Richard has many connections throughout the state in government, the electric industry and the cattle industry. We really wanted to stay in Duncan and be with our friends and family there, but we will go where the job takes us.

Many people have told us that the Lord must have a different plan for us. We know that is true, but it doesn't make it any easier. We compare this to the trials of others and realize in comparison that it is a small thing. I do like to hope that the Lord really does have a plan for us. Richard has lots of really great talents. We just have to find the job that fits for us.

I know we are going to land on our feet. Time will heal most of our hurts. We have a beautiful family and enjoy good health. We will let you know when we find something else to do with our lives.

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