Tuesday, September 15, 2009

This is it!

Here it is, the post you've all been waiting for - I'm sure you've all been checking in daily for this one... actually, I bet I lost you somewhere in June. At the end of May, I made this post. Remember that? Well, we finally made that decision. It has been a roller coaster of a summer, with many nights of tossing and turning. We turned down the offer at the beginning of the summer... and then they called us back, and wouldn't take "no" for an answer. They were so persistent and it paid off - we signed the offer. Signed, sealed, and delivered. It's official - we're moving to California. Never did I imagine that us country bumpkins would be living in California. In fact, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around that idea. I think when the moving truck gets here, it will start to sink in. Good thing we still have until June to let it soak. We should be "wrinkled" by then... :)

For many of you, this is not good news. I know. It's been really tough thinking about saying good-bye to all of our wonderful friends and colleagues. If we could just take everyone with us, our house, and yard, we would love that. After seeing what the housing market is like in CA, we really appreciate our home here.

I wanted to share more about making this decision, because it has been the decision of the century for us. Those of you who know us well know that it's very hard for us to make a decision, due to our cautious nature. We were really hoping that the offer would fall through and we wouldn't have to make this decision. But once all is said and done, we feel very grateful for this opportunity and humbled by the offer. I can't help but see some divine intervention in this whole process, because things should not have happened the way they did. So here's the story, if you're interested.

Way back in January, after one lousy day, with several let downs and one bad thing after another, Alex saw a position in California for his "dream job" and thought he would apply just for the heck of it. A couple of weeks later, he got a call, asking if it was okay to contact his references. Right away, we told them we weren't really interested in leaving Oklahoma. Alex took his name "out of the hat". After stewing over it, he contacted them again and said, "If you're still interested, we're still interested." Alex really was still thinking about that free trip to Santa Barbara and chance to get away from me and the boys (well, mostly to get a good night's rest since Owen was still sleeping like a newborn). Surprisingly, they wanted him to fly out for an interview. So he went, with no intention of getting an offer. He also realized he wasn't the most qualified candidate, so he was the most relaxed he'd ever been in an interview. Well, once again, he was surprised when they said, "We really like you and think you would fit well here." What?! That was when we first started thinking seriously about it. And about a week later, they made an offer. Now what were we supposed to do? We weren't supposed to get an offer. Life is good here in Oklahoma - we have good friends, a stable job, and easy-going life. Well, it didn't take us long to realize that, but now I wanted MY free trip to CA (we almost didn't even make the trip out there). So we went to check things out, and surprisingly I really liked it. But after studying it out and making a budget, we knew we just couldn't make it out there in CA with what they offered. So we turned them down (again). Whew! It was done... or so we thought. About a week later, they called back and asked what it would take to get us there. They weren't interested in any of their other candidates and asked us to reconsider, with a better offer. So then we put it back on the table. Every time we attempted to turn them down, they'd offer another incentive. Our excuse for not being able to make it financially was weakening - we realized that it now was a possibility, if we wanted it. When they said "name your price" (within a range), we were starting to wonder if this was the Lord's way of providing a way for us. Things like this just don't happen. We felt like we were supposed to say "no" when we did, but that was so we could get to the point we're at now.

We have really been seeking the Lord's will throughout this whole process and didn't seem to be getting a clear answer. All summer, I was still very resistant to the idea of moving to CA. The fear of change and the "unknown" kept clouding my mind. It wasn't until the end of the summer that I truly opened my mind to the possibility of going. After reading a talk on "Making Decisions the Lord's Way," by Steven Wheelright, I realized that my faith was weak and that I wasn't trusting in the Lord. There is a passage in the talk from C.S. Lewis, comparing us to renovating a house. It says that we may be content to build a "cozy little cottage" but the Lord is building a "palace." I think the Lord has a much greater plan for us than we have in mind. I also kept getting the thoughts, "Take advantage of the opportunity" and "You have some growing to do." We also read a talk by Elder Hales on "Personal Revelation: The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets" from October 2007 general conference. A couple of things jumped out at us. One was an experience from President Lorenzo Snow: "President Lorenzo Snow had studied the gospel for several years before joining the church. But he did not receive a witness until two or three weeks after his baptism when he retired in secret prayer." Another passage spoke to us - it says, "Revelation comes on the Lord's timetable, which often means we must move forward in faith, even though we haven't received all the answers we desire." And also, "By unwavering faith, we learn for ourselves that 'it is by faith that miracles are wrought.' Generally, those miracles will not be physical demonstrations of God's power... most miracles are spiritual demonstrations of God's power - tender mercies gently bestowed through impressions, ideas, feelings of assurance, solutions to problems, strength to meet challenges, and comfort to bear disappointments and sorrow. These miracles come to us as we endure what the scriptures call a 'trial of our faith'. Sometimes that trial is the time it takes before an answer is received."

We definitely have felt a trial of our faith, but we feel like it is time to press forward in faith. I think it will be hard, but we are trying to take advantage of this opportunity and trust in the Lord to see us through.

So... there you have it. We're headed off to new adventures in California! Anyone want to buy our house here?

23 comments:

Lissa said...

Congrats on your new adventure! I told Jason I would never live in California, no matter what the salary was, so I can't say congrats on going to California. :) But I'm glad you had the chance to learn that this is what the Lord wants for you. Best wishes!

Unknown said...

well join the never wanted to live in CA crew... you'll have to let me know where... we're in Sac if that's close :) Thanks for sharing your process- somedays it's nice to know that others have difficult times with those tough ones too!

Emma said...

Congratulations on the new job! There's a lot of good stuff in CA! We wish you the best.
Thanks for sharing how you came to your decision. It's a great reminder to rely on the Lord.

hollase said...

I tried to talk Keith into CA for grad school!!!! We both love California and I'm sure you guys will too (although living in Cowboy country is going to be hard to top). It really is crazy where God can lead us in life but things always seem to work out. I'm so excited for you guys! Keep us posted.

Dirk and Trish said...

Exciting, but a bit scary too I'm sure. It was challenging to leave OK, but we have felt, and still do, that this is the place for us to be. Hopefully you will have that same peace in your new adventures!

Sharon said...

You are such a great example to me when it comes to your faith, I have no doubt that the Lord is guiding your family because you always put Him first and seek his will. And now we have another reason to visit california...

WhiteEyebrows said...

Woo hoo! Cali will be awesome. Can't wait to come visit you there. My uncle asked what part you were moving to (he lives outside LA) and he was very excited for you. SB is one of the most beautiful, best places he says.

John IV said...

You have some great problems Annie. Congrats to Alex on the job. I'm sure you guys will love California because that's where the Lord wants you.

Peterson said...

Congrats Annie!! It sounds like it will be an AWESOME adventure!! We should get together before you leave!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your new job!! You will be well loved wherever you go! The people in California are pretty darn lucky to have you. :) Also, thank you for sharing your process with us. It is an inspiring story.

Pam said...

Hate to see you go, but happy to hear you are open to what the Lord wants you to do. That's the important thing. Everything will work out. It will surely be an exciting adventure!

Leslie said...

i grew up in california, it still feels like home to me in some ways (though i LOVE texas). are you going to be near santa barbara? best part of the state, if you ask me!

Alabama Apples said...

I'm so excited for you and your new upcoming life!!! It is right if it is right...which it obviously is. Thank you for letting us peek in on your experience. It wasn't easy, but sometimes the most assurance of mind are those we work hard to receive. Hooray for you and your family!!!

Kathryn said...

Congrats! Yay! How soon can we visit?

Unknown said...

Annie, I'm so impressed. What an adventure/growing experience for your family. Listen, this little girl never thought for a day she'd be raising her family in the southern depths of GA, but we are here, are supposed to be here, and love it. I'd never had imagined the trials we'd go through on the way, but we are stronger for it. Enjoy the west coast....you'll love the sun!

Anonymous said...

You guys are awesome! Now you just have to get through all the waiting!

Coty said...

I loved the messages that you shared and the testimony.
I couldn't have asked for a better post to be reading at this time in my life. We are in limbo with a similar decision, and it's been difficult for me to just "let go" and let His will (not mine) be done. I'm suprisingly stubborn in that regard (which is embarrassing to admit).
Thanks Annie, for sharing your process, it has helped me more than you know.

Burt Family said...

Great to hear you finally have an answer. It's not always easy to just let the lord take control, but once we do amazing things happen. I resisted moving to the caribbean before we went, but looking back now I wouldn't give up that opportunity for ANYTHING! It truly was where we were supposed to be.
Also, California isn't to far away from where we want to end up so maybe we can come visit.

whitney said...

Good luck!!! I'm so glad that y'all found peace with such a HUGE decision! Lucky, lucky Californians. They have no idea what a treasure they'll be getting.

Mike said...

Sorry I've been MIA. We are at least among the ones excited you're coming to CA. Will be great to have you closer to us. What a great story and fascinating to see the Lord's hand at work as everything unfolded. Now I guess it makes more sense why you seemed to totter on the fence throughout the process. If you had been strongly inclined in either way, there's no way it could have turned out the way it did. I'm glad the Lord provided a way for you to make this move.

Carrie said...

Congratulations! I NEVER thought I would live in CA either!! It is a beautiful place with a lot to do...we still need to get out more and we have been here over 5 years. What is Alex going to do? Good luck on selling your house and moving!!

The Purtle's said...

an inspiring story..thanks for sharing. Definitely praying for you as you make your transition..I know you will be loved where-ever this life adventure takes you!!! :)

Jeannie said...

I loved reading how you came to move out here. And I'm so glad you decided to come! What a blessing your family is to our ward.

So, when can we have you over to dinner?