The Job Hunt is Over... Whew!

Jeremy made it safely back from Dallas yesterday evening, and not a single one of us could have been more excited to have him home. He was gone for a week-and-a-half, and of all of his trips, this one felt the longest-- by a long shot!

One of the aspects of our marriage that I treasure the most is the way that Jeremy and I stay up late into the night sharing our dreams, our thoughts, our prayers and our perspectives with one another. It's pretty astounding to watch just how the Lord synchs our hearts into a simultaneous rhythm. So when lots of wheels are spinning in our lives, that's the time that I most desire to draw near to Jeremy, and for both of us, together, to draw near to God. Needless to say, we weren't able to do that (in a tangible way) over the past two weeks-- and it magnified his absence that. much. more.

So back to the news that you all REALLY want to hear: (I'll keep it short and simple for now.)

The two job opportunities that Jeremy ventured to Dallas to pursue didn't exactly go as planned.

Company #1: Great interview. Fantastic company. Second interview secured. Hire date pushed back to April 1 (or maybe later).

Company #2: Interview kept being pushed back. He had a guaranteed spot in the line-up for a solid interview, but, I mean, really... come on, without a definite interview date he couldn't crash on Josh and Terrica's air mattress forever.


What we didn't expect? When Jeremy got down to Dallas, a friend that I've been doing a little bit of side work for over the past year asked Jeremy out to lunch. His wheels were spinning-- and he had been praying. Over the course of a week and multiple meetings, he invited Jeremy to join his company, The Winn Group.

After much prayer on our part, and laying down our quest for security in larger companies (because we've seen first hand just how far that has gotten us), we agreed concurrently that this is precisely the door that we need to walk through. Furthermore, the peace surrounding it truly surpasses all understanding. That same Peace has been our measuring rod throughout this journey and it has always proven trustworthy.

Jeremy will be doing a host of things for The Winn Group (and also Winn Events and The Winn Agency), but his primary responsibilities will be(a) account management/sales and (b) consulting with clients. The Winn Group specifically works with ministries and faith-based/cause-centric nonprofit organizations and business. Truly, their goal is to help people run with the vision that Lord has given them. If that doesn't line up with our heartbeat, I'm not quite sure what does.

Jeremy will work out of our home; although, a significant portion of his time will involve travel as well. We.are.pumped!

What does this mean for the "Big Move?" We don't have any specific answers on that end at this moment, but it does mean that we won't be saying goodbye in just two or three weeks.

One
step
at
a
time.

I'm so thankful for that. So while we're not unpacking, we're not boxing anything else up quite yet either.

Who knew? Um, God did. Jeremy went to Dallas seeking and God met him there.

Now, let's get some more play-dates and coffee-dates on the books Lafayette friends! As we know now-- I'm learning not to waste a single moment, or more importantly, a single friendship. Keep praying for us.

I told mom yesterday, I feel like I'm in this action movie and Jeremy and I are secret agents and God is our commander. The script goes something like this:

"Great work, super agent Smith Family. You've successfully completed your first mission. Your next mission, should you choose to accept, will commence in precisely T-minus (X) days." We just need to be ready to suit up and go when the next mission presents itself.

I love that my journey with the Lord is always an adventure. I pray that I never take my eyes off Jesus. Even if/when He asks me to walk on water, I want act on my faith, not my fear...not ever.

Something New

We've been sitting back waiting, watching, praying and seeking God's plan for our family over the course of the past year. On January, 1st, 2010 (the 365th day following the moment that I first felt the inklings of something new breathed into my spirit) we surrendered to what had been on our hearts for some time...

To move our family back to Dallas, TX.

I would love to tell you that it is for reasons "x", "y", and "z," but the truth is that it goes far deeper than the lure of a "great opportunity." It's simply a matter of positioning, peace and obedience. The "why" will come later (maybe years later), but in this moment, we know beyond any shadow-of-a-doubt that we just have to go.

I could write a more eloquent explanation, but for the past few weeks my words have been few. My heart is filled with excitement for all of the mountains that I see moving, but saying goodbye to my friends and my family will be tremendously difficult. The Lafayette area has been "home base" for me for a good majority of my life. I always had a feeling that we would end up back in Texas, but not yet-- and not Dallas. But here we are. And it's good. It's peaceful. It's just perfectly right.

Jeremy leaves to drive down to Dallas on Friday of this week for two scheduled interviews next week. Both seem very promising, but one in particular feels uniquely suited for Jeremy. Please pray. We want God's best.

This week we've been packing boxes and taking down the decor from our walls. I thought that it would be accompanied with endless tears, but so far the packing has brought sweet joy and freedom. I'm so thankful. ...and I can wait just a little bit longer for the tears.

Once we have the green light (aka a firm job offer), I'll post and invite you all to join us on the journey. Until then, I'll probably remain relatively quiet. But I can promise that it will be quite an adventure. And adventures are no fun when you make them alone. I love you guys.

~K

Silent Prayers

Haiti.
Orphans.
Sickness.
Depression.
Despair.
Hunger.
Loneliness.
Widows.
Slavery.
Abuse.
Injustice.

Sometimes there are no other words.

Silent prayers breathed in desperation resound the loudest.