I’ve lived in many places in my life, and this page is dedicated to telling you a little about them.
Idaho Falls, Idaho (various) My hometown, and still the place I consider “home.” “IF” or “The Falls,” as it is affectionately known by outsiders pretending to be locals, was founded by settlers in the American West in the late 19th century. It was first known as Taylor’s Crossing, then as Eagle Rock, before the building of the falls on the Snake River and the change to the (so-far) final Idaho Falls. It’s a growing area, with a current population around 50,000, a booming economy, and low crime rates. It’s also got one of the lowest ratios of single adults to married adults.
Brugg, Switzerland (1993-94) In my teens, I moved with my family to Switzerland, where my Dad worked for about a year. I learned German there, discovered myself, and began developing a personal relationship with God. Needless to say, I have quite the soft spot for this town. (It’s also where I got hit by a car — but that’s a story for another day.) It’s a small little town, built in a valley on the Aare River, and I’m sure it rains at least 300 days of the year.
Rexburg, Idaho (1997-99) My first college experience, Rexburg is probably the smallest town I’ve lived in so far. I used to walk to Wal-Mart, on the other side of town from where I lived. Very fond memories of this town, as well, as it’s the place I first learned how to live on my own, without Mom and Dad.
southern Germany (2000-01) While serving as a full-time missionary for the LDS Church, I lived in six different locations in Bavaria and Swabia. Towns included Munich, Stuttgart, and Villingen-Schwenningen — the last of which celebrates Fasching (similar to Mardi Gras) in grand style. I took regular train trips through the Black Forest, which was absolutely gorgeous!
Provo, Utah (1999, 2001-04) My second college town. Besides Munich and Stuttgart, this was the largest place I’d lived in up to this point. Although I enjoyed the town itself, I didn’t appreciate the long, highly populated Wasatch Front. However, Provo lives in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains, which are absolutely majestic. (My personal vision of heaven includes watching baseball in the BYU stadium, facing the Rockies.) I taught my first college course in this town (German 101) and got my first “real” job here.
Lancaster, England (2004-05) I never understood my Dad’s obsession with France, until I lived in England. I’ve never felt more at home in a foreign place as I did here — I’m sure I was meant to live in England. Lancaster is a historic town with a still-working castle, located a few miles off the northwest coast of England. Although it doesn’t get much publicity, it is truly a fascinating and (at times) beautiful city. This is where I studied for my first graduate degree, and I will forever be in debt to the brilliant professors there. I still get homesick for Lancaster/England on a regular basis, and I have grand visions of moving back there one day, to stay for at least a few years.
Denton, Texas (2005-07) My least favorite place that I’ve lived so far. Although I was reasonably happy in Denton, it didn’t grab me and make me love it. I studied for my second graduate degree here, which contributed to my mixed feelings about the place. Denton is located about 30 miles north of Dallas and Fort Worth, and I didn’t realize how much I had gotten used to having the big cities so close until I came back to Idaho.
Derby, Kansas (2007) Located just a few miles south-east of Wichita, Derby has been one of my favorite places to live thus far. It helped that I was living with one of my favorite people in the world. But Wichita was a pleasant surprise. Derby itself is quite small, and was recently evaluated as one of the top ten best small towns to raise a family in. I will be forever grateful for the time I spent here, even though it was only for a summer.
