Atlanta, here we come...again

Well, this is one post I never dreamed I would be writing... that's for sure.  But, after a series of crazy, unexpected, God-led events, the Shoe fam is moving back to Atlanta.  What???!  I know!  I am just as surprised as the rest of you... trust me! 

Here is the story...
Justin and I went to Arizona in January and the night we got home, Justin got an email that was sent to his entire company announcing a new job posting for a product trainer at their home office in Atlanta.  He read the email out loud to me and I looked at him, confused, and said something like, "Umm.. why are you reading that to me?  We aren't moving to Atlanta!"  He just said, "Okay." We briefly talked about it a little more that night and when I realized he was serious about wanting to apply for it, I asked for 24 hours to pray, process, and think about it.  We talked the next night and both really felt like he should at least apply.  I was surprised that I felt like that because I have been telling people since the day we moved back to Iowa that we are here for good, this is where we plan to raise our family, etc...  But, I just knew I couldn't say no.  This is the job Justin has always felt like would be a perfect fit for him.

So, we got the initial email on Monday, he sent his resume on Wednesday, and on Friday, he was asked to put together a one hour presentation on selling to pediatricians.  He was told that during the process he would be presenting it.  He worked on it all weekend and honestly, that was when I realized how much he wanted this job.  As some of you who know us well already know, Justin has struggled with going back and forth between different jobs, being laid off, not knowing what to do with his life, etc... and it has been so hard to watch.  I have cried so many tears for him as I have watched him struggle through choices, options, unknowns.  He is such a talented guy and has always felt like the jobs he has done have not really allowed him to use his talents.  Seeing him working on this with such excitement and passion was so refreshing for me.  I haven't seen him this excited about work for... well probably ever!  Anyway, he emailed his presentation on a Tuesday and on Wednesday was told they would be flying him down on Friday for an interview.  He flew down for the day on Friday, sat through an intense interview and gave his presentation.  He was asked some really hard questions but, at this point, he was even more excited about the chance.  Without knowing how many people were interviewing for the position, and only being with the company for a short while, we weren't sure what to expect.  Well, they ended up calling him the very next day (Saturday) to offer him the job.  By this time, God had really changed my heart and made me excited about this opportunity.  And, truly, ONLY God could have done that because I was totally set on never leaving Iowa.  But everything about this opportunity can only be explained by the fact that this is what God wants for our family.  We both really believe that.

So, he took the job!  Our house is on the market and whenever it sells, we will move!  They want him to start by the end of March.  Until then, he will mostly be working from home with some occasional trips down there for a few days at a time. 

Is that not the craziest thing ever?!  I still can't believe it is actually going to happen.  I have cried so.many.tears. about leaving the most amazing friends a mama could ever have, our families, an amazing church family, our pediatrician (seriously... i love her), and just our life here.  It will be hard.  So hard.  And I know that.  But, if this is what God has for us... then we must do it.  I am learning to adjust what I thought our life would be. 

Anyway, that's the story, folks.  We are moving to Atlanta!