Let's give 'em something to talk about

Well folks, it's time to spill the beans.  The crazy, unexpected, smack-you-in-the-face beans.  I'm sure, given our track record, even though it's super surprising, it's not really that surprising.  We.are.moving.again.  This time to Chicago.  I'll just go ahead and address the thoughts I'm sure you are having...

No, this is not a joke!

Yes, we did JUST buy a house one year ago!

Yes, we thought this move to Atlanta would be much more long term!

No, we weren't looking for a new job!

Yes, we are crazy to be moving back to the land of frozen tundra!

Yes, we were just starting to LOVE living here!

No, we haven't even unpacked every box!

Yes, the Lord loves to teach our family flexibility!

Yes, it is truly bittersweet!

So, the story goes like this...  Justin wasn't looking for a new job but was approached by one of the directors at his company about a month ago.  The conversation went something like this, "Hey, Justin.. do you and Annie have any desire to move back to the Midwest?  The district manger of the Chicago territory just resigned, so if you want the job, it's yours!"

When Justin came home from work that day and told me, we both decided - no way!  We just bought our house, we like it here, and if we can't get back to Iowa, why bother?  Fast forward a few days to the next conversation that went something like this, "Hey Justin, you do realize that the company would pay realtor fees on the sale of your house and relocate you, right?"

When Justin came home from work and told me THAT, we were both like... whoa!  How can we pass this up?  Even though I am sickened at the thought of starting life over once again (it's like a sick joke), we just couldn't say no.  The chance for Justin to take this promotion, the fact that moving expenses are covered, and the chance to be close to family again... impossible to pass that up!  And, to be honest, we really feel like this is God's next step for our family.  Why He keeps uprooting us over and over again after we work so hard developing relationships and attempting to put roots down, I just don't understand.  He's doing something, I know that.  But, y'all, it's painful.  It is so painful to keep investing investing investing only to be torn away.  I love our home and I adore our sweet little neighborhood.  I have made the most amazing friends. I have put so much energy into putting roots down here.  It really pains me to dig those up.  But the truth is, we need to go where He is calling.  Despite how painful it is.  My friend reminded me yesterday that God's kingdom is everywhere and moving will not take us away from God's work... it will just bring us into a different area of the Kingdom where He is already at work.  I'm excited to find out what this next season will look like.  But that doesn't make it any less painful.  The good news is these two years in Atlanta are PROOF that God provides.  I never thought I would grow to love Atlanta.  But I do.  I never thought we would find 'our' people here.  But we did.  I never thought we could find genuine community in such a huge area.  But we have.  And, even though it's painful to leave that, it's just evidence of God's faithfulness to provide.

So, our house is going on the market today, Justin has officially accepted the offer, and soon we'll be packing up our life and embarking on our next adventure.  It's so insane.  You can't make this stuff up.

Shoe News

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!

Attention!!

Claire has a special announcement that she'd like to share with all of her faithful blog readers...

(click on the pictures to enlarge if you need a better view)