Free State Wyoming Forum
Prospective Free State Wyoming (FSW) Members and Interested Parties => Prospective Free State Wyoming (FSW) Members and Interested Parties => Topic started by: Strider on July 19, 2006, 05:28:44 PM
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Greetings Everyone,
I've been reading in the forum for a few weeks, and figured it was time to say hello. I think FSW is one of the few viable avenues for having an impact on our country and its culture. For that reason I'll support it and hope eventually to participate in it.
Unfortunately, in the short term I think I'll have to settle for being an associate and not a full member. I live in Minnesota, which has a very statist culture, despite at one point having elected Jesse Ventura as governor. I'd love to move west right now, but mainly for job reasons find that impossible at the moment. Now I have read the advice of a number of members here to the effect, "just move, there are plenty of jobs". Here is my problem, one I haven't yet come across in the forum: I don't just have a job, I have a vocation. I'm sure this sounds strange to some, but I feel a calling to what I do. I am a professor at a private Christian university, Wyoming doesn't have any schools that would allow me, let alone encourage me to teach the things I do and unfortunately I don't have the money to found my own university there. If I did that would solve a lot of problems. In my selfish moments I'd love to chuck it all and move now, but I'd be turning my back on something I believe God has called me to do.
So, what is my solution. At least for now I think finding some land in Wyoming and gradually building a retreat/cabin there with the hope of someday moving is a reasonable compromise. I plan to participate regularly in the forum and hope that I will be welcome even though I can't move to Wyoming in the short term.
Anyways, greetings to all. I look forward to future interactions. I'm planning a scouting trip to Wyoming for August (I'll start a different thread) and I'll look forward to some input.
Steve
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Hi Strider,
Thank you for your interest in the forum and the Free State Project.
God will getcha here in "His" time.
It is hard not to chuck it all, and not just go for it. For me, it is my son's senior year in High School, and I do not want to yank him away from his friends. Next year is a whole new ballgame!
Welcome,
Mutt
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Hi Strider, I spent the first eighteen years of my life in Minnesota. Going back there to visit is an awful thing, you wouldn't think that a roadsign that sez "welcome to South Dakota" would be a welcome sight, unless you are leaving Minnesota.
Your post talks about the impossibility of your leaving your present status for a move at this time, since you cannot transfer your "job" to place lacking the need for it. But you might want to pray harder for guidance. What's in Wyoming most likely does not meet your current needs. There's needs out there, maybe you can help in a way that is out of the envelope of your current way of thinking.
I've done my time at various oil/gas patch jobs in Wyoming and surrounding states. If you think about another way to get your message out, you may find that your efforts are not confined to a university. Think about your possibilities, once you have decided to discard the college life.
l
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Welcome, Strider.
Remember...
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
"The Dunadan", B. Baggins
(JRR Tolkien, "The Fellowship of the Ring")
http://www.thepriceofliberty.org/04/01/19/hunter.htm
There are Christians, and Christian young people in Wyoming who desperately need you... The orcs are coming...
MamaLiberty
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Howdy Steve ! Welcome here . I find it wonderful that you have found your vocation. I was wondering if your teachings are limited by any certain religon ? How about level, do you teach at a university level or can you teach Wyomings younger children? I would love to have you find a place to continue your work in Wyoming so I will offer the following.
Please take a look at the following, it lists all Wyoming schools and I see several schools which may fit your criteria ?
http://wyoming.schooltree.org/counties-page1.html
In fact this one is hiring at americas job bank.
http://stmarys.k12.wy.us/
Miles
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Thanks all for the welcome and the encouraging suggestions.
I was wondering if your teachings are limited by any certain religon ? How about level, do you teach at a university level or can you teach Wyomings younger children?
Miles
I currently teach Biblical/Theological Studies and Biblical Languages at the University level. I could conceivably teach at the high school level too, although it is a rare high school that would offer studies in these areas. Also I am a protestant and most Catholic schools wouldn't be open to a protestant teaching there.
Miles, thanks for the links. I haven't figured out how to locate the private schools on the first one though.
Anyways that's my current situation. However, I am expected to research and write as part of my career, and I figure the beautiful state of Wyoming would be a great place to do that :). So unless I find some out of the box alternative, I figure doing that as a part time resident is the next best thing to being a fulltime resident.
I hope you can image what its like to be a gun-owning (OK, nut ;D), Christian, libertarian in the academic world. We are about as common as honesty among politicians. Its nice to find some similarly minded people!
Thanks again for the welcome,
Steve
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You are in good company. There are a couple of teachers here. I am currently pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Art Education, also a lonely place to be for a gun-owning Christian libertarian.
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Welcome Steve. As others have said already, I'm sure that you will to WY when it's time. It's nice to see a private educator who is not willing to be part of government indoc.
Dave
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Welcome Steve:
I escaped from Minnesota a year and half ago and now live in Wyoming. I truly love it here and have no plans to return to Minnesota--even to visit.
I knew in my heart for several years that I belonged in Wyoming but couldn't imagine how I'd get out here. I didn't even know where to start.
When my youngest son graduated, we hopped in my truck and headed west to explore Wyoming. The first place we stopped was Newcastle and we actually never got any further. We looked at each other and said "This is it!"
When the time came to return to Minnesota, I literally wept--I didn't want to leave. I have felt as if I belonged here since I first set foot on Wyoming soil.
After my return and in an effort to pull myself out of the depression into which I had fallen, I prayed to God that if He wanted to be in Wyoming to please just let everything fall into place. And it did! And I'm here!
(I have to admit that every time I come back into Wyoming and see the sign "Wyoming Welcomes You" my heart leaps.)
Anyway, let me know if there is anyway I can help.
Cat
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Thanks everyone for the encouraging words.
Welcome Steve:
I escaped from Minnesota a year and half ago and now live in Wyoming. I truly love it here and have no plans to return to Minnesota--even to visit.
When the time came to return to Minnesota, I literally wept--I didn't want to leave. I have felt as if I belonged here since I first set foot on Wyoming soil.
After my return and in an effort to pull myself out of the depression into which I had fallen, I prayed to God that if He wanted to be in Wyoming to please just let everything fall into place. And it did! And I'm here!
Glad things worked out so well for you! In a few weeks I going to take a road trip vacation to Wyoming. Part of it is because the Mountains are the best way for me personaly to get energized for a new academic year. So I'll spend a significant amount of time camping ahd hiking. But I also plan to use it as a scouting trip for likely places to buy some property. I'll concentrate on the northern half of the state from the Big Horns west and see what I find.
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Strider, glad to see you here.
Expect some real "magic" during your Wyoming trip.
Lots of people quickly relocate here once they've seen it!
You've FSW friends all throughout Wyoming, so please meet some of them.
Mol?n lab?!
Boston
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Strider, glad to see you here.
Expect some real "magic" during your Wyoming trip.
Lots of people quickly relocate here once they've seen it!
You've FSW friends all throughout Wyoming, so please meet some of them.
Mol?n lab?!
Boston
Boston, thanks for the welcome.
I have been interested in establishing a residency somewhere freer for about 4-5 years now, but my attention was focused mainly on Montana. FSW, in general, and your Molon Labe have convinced me to focus on Wyoming instead.
Mol?n lab?!
I have to remember to require my Greek students to master this phrase this year ;D
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They have a Theological studies program at Northwest College in Powell, WY (Park Co.). Here's a link that might be helpful, it's from their academic studies/religious section.
http://www.northwestcollege.edu/Programs/ProgramPage.cfm?PID=46
HTH,
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First of all, my LOTR nerd radar totally went off thanks to Mama Liberty's quote... ;D Good to know there's others who appreciate Middle Earth 'round here! (I'll confess to occasionally yelling "For the SHIRE!" before doing something adventurous...)
Aaaanyway, with that out of the way, here's an idea for you, Steve: you mentioned trying to buy some WY land and building a cabin/retreat. I know it's kind of a crazy thought, but have you ever considered a retreat in the BIG sense - like a... summer camp kind of thing? Perhaps you could start some sort of Christian retreat for high school or college aged people, or whoever. It could be intellectually focused but outdoorsy as well.
Such an establishment could be a chance for people to attend a retreat that is maybe a little more academically focused than your typical summer camp sorta place, and it could be your chance to expose people not only to your fields but also demonstrate the wonderful junction of Christianity and libertarianism/free living. You could essentially be responsible for bringing hundreds of intellectual Christians into WY each year - and who knows how many of the might fall in love with the place and decide to relocate!
Pray for guidance and ask God for creativity. If He has given you a talent for teaching, it doesn't necessarily have to be on a traditional campus... He'll put you where He wants you. ;D
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Laurel & Survivalmama,
Those are good suggestions, which I'll consider. Thanks. I'd like the retreat idea in particular, if I could get a few other thinker/teacher types interested. I'll have to keep my radar tuned for likeminded folk in my 'other world'.
Blessings
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Steve,
Be sure to check out the Buffalo and Sheridan area along the Bighorns. It is about to bust loose with growth. This will mean education opportunities will increase as well.
Regards, Danl
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Just talked to several mothers in my area and they said that a Catholic University is coming to WY. Could that be a avenue for your teaching?
Brandy
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On my road trip next month I plan to pass through Buffalo and camp in the Bighorns. So I'll definitely check out that area.
As far as Wyoming Catholic College (I think that is its name), some Catholic schools are open to hiring protestants and others are not. My PhD is from a Catholic University so at least that is a possibility. It plans to begin in the fall of 2007 and is south of Lander. It certainly is an option to look into further. Thanks.
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Strider,
If you camp in the Big Horns stop in Buffalo at the "Just Gone Fishin'" shop along Hwy 16 as you go thru and get you a day permit to fish.? Pick up some night crawlers and drown a worm and catch you some brookies for supper? :D near about any of the camp grounds up there.
Regards, Danl
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Hi Steve,
Another Minnesota native here.? You may have checked out the Wyoming Catholic College web site already.? If not, here it is:? http://www.wyomingcatholiccollege.com/
Laurel brought up the idea of a retreat.? The Thomas the Apostle Center near Cody is different than what she described, but at least one retreat center exists in Wyoming:? http://www.thomap.org/
If you can make it as far as Cody on your road trip, let me know!
Barry
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Dan & Barrry,
Thanks for the info. Good things to check on, in-person and on the web. ;D