handsful

We’ve lived in North Florida for almost 5 1/2 years now.  When we moved here, we anticipated staying around 2 years, and then returning to our home state, North Carolina.  God kept us here longer, and we are extremely thankful for the life he made for us here, especially our friends and amazing church family. 

In March, Randy received an unexpected call from a job recruiter trying to fill a job here in Florida.  Randy politely declined…approaching existing customers representing ANOTHER company wouldn’t really fly.  Making conversation, he said it was a shame he wasn’t looking for someone in the NC area.  The recruiter perked up, telling him that they were actually hoping to fill the same position in the Charlotte area even sooner than the Florida position.  Hmmm…

Randy went through the interview process, which involved flying down to Ft Lauderdale for a face-to-face with the executives.  He was offered the job a few days later…so, after much thought, even more prayer, getting advice from mentors, and talking with our kids, we’ve decided that God is moving us to Charlotte. 

And, when I say “God is”, I mean it.  Recently, Randy’s job has not been going as well as he’d like.  The economy in N. Florida, especially for the sales field, has been very slow, and we had already been in discussion and prayer over what God was doing in our lives right now.  What changes were we going to have to make?  How would we downsize/make ends meet?  And, with our impending adoption – how would we afford it?  We had stepped out in big-time faith, knowing that God called us to Dylan…certainly he’d provide.  We just didn’t know how. 

If Randy could design his own job, this one would be it.  Amazing.  His last paycheck included commissions for past sales he was not expecting.  Amazing.  He received three times the amount he expected back in Paid-Time-Off reimbursements.  We now have money needed to make improvements/repairs to our house before putting it on the market.  Amazing.   So many other littles things that have come together, giving us peace that this is truly our path right now. 

We are sad to leave Florida.  We are sad to say goodbye to the friends we’ve made, and Randy and the older kids are hurting when they think of the relationships in the youth/junior high that will become “long distance”.  But, we have promised our kids that we will make many trips back here – we’ve already planned to bring them back for our church’s Power Up Clubs at the end of the summer.    We’re also excited about this move…we love NC, and are happy that we’ll now be about 2 hours from family, instead of 7.  The kids are looking forward to SNOW.  I am, too.  The smaller areas around Charlotte look wonderful, and are very homeschool-friendly. 

We know that God has the right place for us.  A church that we need (and, maybe, needs us).  Friends to be found.  We’re trusting.