We are moving on....

It's always hard to know how to start a post like this.  It is a relief to finally to be able to share our story and details of what has been going on in our lives the past 3 months.  It's also incredible to look back and see how God has been working and continues to do so.

Shortly after the new year, I found a link for a library job opportunity in Cookeville, TN.  Of course, this piqued my interest as this is the city where my parents live.  Though Josh wasn't thrilled about living that close to them (!!) and the job wasn't his specialty, he applied anyway.  He never heard a word from them even after a few emails.  Even though nothing ever panned out with this job, I believe this was the first step in the direction that God would be taking us.  Before that, Josh hadn't been thinking about looking.  A week or so after applying for the TN job, he got an email from one of the library "list-servers" he subscribes to.  I'm not exactly sure what this is, but I think it's a way to spread news and job openings about academic libraries around the country.  So, this email had a job opening at Cedarville University-- where we both are alumni.  This alone interested him even though the job was listed as library liason to the Health Sciences departments (pharmacy, nursing, pre-med).  I actually laughed out loud.  My comment was "You don't know anything about health sciences!"  We discussed it for a night and in the end decided that it was worth applying for even though he wasn't a bit qualified (or so it seemed).  Being an alum was in his favor and his administrative skills couldn't hurt.  He also said this job had been previously posted with no success and so instead of requiring a medical background, it now was preferred.

All of this came up during the busiest month in the past six months for me!  I had started my grad class along with increased hours at work which were taking up so much of my time!  Now, I was thinking about the possibility of a move however remote it seemed!  We prayed about it every day asking God to help us be sensitive to His leading. 

Cedarville was impressively on top of things.  They corresponded with Josh ever step of the way.  They confirmed they received his app and other documents needed.  Within a week, they wrote stating he passed the theological section (statement of faith, beliefs, etc).  His app was passed on to the Dean of the library.  This is where we thought it would flop.  Not the case-- he received a few more emails within another week and a phone interview was set up.  He had his phone interview on a Monday afternoon.  The director he spoke with is over this position.  After the interview, he was told he probably wouldn't hear anything until next week when he had a chance to speak with the Dean and other staff in the library.  Imagine the surprise when Josh received an email the very next day stating how impressed this director was with him and how he recommended to the Dean to set up a campus visit and in-person interview for Josh.  

I have to admit I was very surprised.  Apparently, they felt the medical side of things was minimal compared to having good people skills, rapport with faculty and ability in the classroom.  Medical jargon could be learned.  The other stuff not as much.

Between trying to juggle Josh's schedule and about 4 Cedarville people's (including the Academic VP), it was a challenge to come up with a day or 2 to come so everyone involved could meet with Josh.  We were also careful not to have Josh miss too much work so as not to arise suspicions.  If nothing came of this, Josh didn't want to have people at BBC concerned or upset.  I was proud of him for handling it professionally.

It was so hard for me to keep this a secret.  I told a few trusted friends and family and managed to keep it a secret from everyone else!  (this is hard for me- I have a hard time keeping stuff secret)  I was very excited about the possibility.  I grew up in the midwest for nearly all my life beginning at age 5 when my family moved to NE Ohio.  Then we lived in the Chicago area for 4 yrs and then in WI for 10 more.  I lived in Ohio another 5 years between college and my first job in Columbus.  Then I lived another 3 years in WI before getting married and moving to PA with Josh.  Sooooo, I have to say I love the midwest and am very familiar with it.  I don't even mind that it's flat which so many people seem to have an issue with.  Though I've always broadcasted that I wanted to move south someday, I was happy with the idea of Ohio even if it wasn't Florida :)

Josh left for Dayton on a Sunday around lunch.  I was alone for approx. 48 hrs before Josh returned home.  The only full day he was away- Monday- was torture on me!  I didn't hear from him from 7:00am until nearly 10pm!  We exchanged a few texts, but he had a very full schedule.  He met with several groups within the library, the Dean of the library, the Academic VP, and perhaps someone else I can't remember.  Then he had dinner with a former prof and surrogate father of sorts of mine-- and the father of one of my closest friends.  When we finally talked, he said everything went very, very well.  Everyone was impressed by him and didn't seem to think his lack of medical knowledge was an issue.  They will probably send him to a class at another university.  He said the staff was to meet that week and discuss his interview. 

Waiting from Tuesday to Friday seemed like an eternity, but finally on Friday afternoon, Josh received the email he had been waiting for-- he was offered the job.  Though it wasn't a shock, it hadn't really sunk it for us yet.  He told them he'd give them an answer at the beginning of the next week.  I don't think there was ever a doubt that he'd take it, but all of sudden, a huge flood of emotions washed over him.  He loves BBC, the people, his job, his boss, and the flexibility.  After prayer, we both recognized this was God's working no matter how hard, sad, or uncertain we felt.

Over the next several days, we began telling people.  We have gotten positive responses both from friends and colleagues of Josh's.  We told the boys before we had told anyone and immediately the whole Sunday school knew!  This probably wasn't the best tactic!

We didn't waste any time working with a realtor and getting the house on the market.  Josh's start date at Cedarville is July 1st.  We are thinking that moving mid-end of June will be our goal.  That gives 3 months for the house to sell.  We have been praying often to this end.  We are thankful for others who have been as well!  I have spent much of the past week packing up things we don't need for the next 3 months--decorations and extra toys mostly.  It's hard thinking that certain things are our "lasts", but we are enjoying doing things here and spending time with the people we love!

A wise friend told me that just because it's hard to leave friends, a job, a church, and familiarity here doesn't mean this is not God's will.  That has helped me a lot.  I am very excited to begin a new life in SW Ohio.  I will always value our memories and experiences the last (almost) 9 yrs here in PA.  We came as brand new-ly weds and we are leaving with 4 kids!  A lot has happened!  We are both excited to see what will happen in the next 9 yrs and beyond.