26May2009 By the Skin of our Teeth

This morning I read a news article that stated, beginning immediately, due to current economic conditions, the company we interviewed with has initiated a hiring freeze. I called all the folks I knew the numbers for but only got voicemail messages. Finally around 6pm tonight our consultant called and let us know that as far as he knew we were not affected by the freeze. Shew! The sense of relief is immeasurable but my heart aches for other folks stuck in the pipeline.

25May2009 No Longer a Secret

So yesterday we made the big announcement at Green Street. For the last couple years we have been in this process and it has been very private. Only family, a few friends and folks that filled out reference information have been aware. It was a litte unnerving to publicly unveil something that has been up to this point extremely personal. However it turned out to be a very positive experience with many folks loving on our family and expressing overwhelming support. In six weeks I will be leaving a job I've been at for over nine years and leave relationships our family has forged over fourteen years at Green Street.

23May2009 Paring Down

While we await the final word about the new job it's been a very busy month cleaning out the house. What a shame to get rid of stuff we have spent so much money on, but how very rewarding to sell, donate and give things away.
Here are some of the steps we've taken to liquidated belongings:
Yardsales - Our first yardsale is under our belts and another is planned to take place in three weeks. Yard sales are labor intensive but can also be a lot of fun. Having complete strangers come to your house and give you money is always a plus.
eBay - She has been selling stuff on eBay for weeks now. The latest casualty is my library. Books have been flying off the shelf and to homes across America via the USPS.
Salvation Army & World Relief - I've got two hefty bags full of clothes sitting in the hall outside our bedroom right now. Every morning, when I get up to workout, I am reminded they're there when I trip over them in the predawn darkness. Hopefully I'll remember to deliver them tomorrow.
Friends - What a great opportunity to give things to buddies! Not only does it show them we're thinking of them but its a great reminder for our friends to pray for us whenever they use or see the item we gave them.

15May2009 Interview

We just arrived back home from our interview for a new job, teaching English as a Second Language to one of our favorite people groups. My mind is jello but my spirits are high. The prospect of being involved in the lives of a people group we love, building new relationships, immersing ourselves in a new culture and being on adventure with our family is very exciting. Leaving our extended families, taking the kids away from the only home they've ever known, living in a country where we don't speak the language and many variables, both known and unknown are all sobering.

Back to the interview, everything went well, better than expected actually and all indicators point to getting the job. We'll know more in the coming days....