Six months passed and Efren felt he had not saved enough to return to Mexico and start again. He continued working at extra jobs, seeking better paying positions, until finally, he was able to find a job as a welder.

It was heavy work and dangerous, but with it they were able to save enough money to make a down payment on their own house in Libertyville, a small town that reminded them of towns in Mexico. By 1962, they considered their move north a permanent one and sold their home in San Luis Potosi.