Mandy (my wife) and I have been on the edge of a big decision over the past couple of months. And yesterday we made the decision. Ro Paxman, CEO of Scrap Girls is a mentor and friend of Mandy and I’s and she has referred to this place in our lives like being on the edge of a cliff. That you can’t see to the bottom to know exactly what will happen when you jump, and that it is definitely scary to make that first leap. But that as soon as you do is is exhilarating, exciting and usually results in more than you could have imagined.
3-4 months ago my brother Matt asked me the question we have all posed to each other at some point. “So, if money where no object, what would you do in your life right now?” My answer without hesitation was, “Move to California and enter into the Saddleback Internship program.” Since then I have not paid much attention to that answer because I didn’t think we could afford it. But now, that is blooming into a passion and desire for both Mandy and myself.
So yesterday we jumped. We made the decision that we are going to leave where we are now, and that we are going to move to California and become involved with Saddleback Community church. Our hope is that we will be able to save the amount of money we need to for me to do the Internship at Saddleback, and just as important, that I would get accepted as an Intern. I have had a strong desire to learn at the next level, and while this isn’t like going to seminary, I feel that the relationships and practical experience will be more valuable than any of that.
This leaves us with some hard discussions to have with our current situation, but I will seriously doubt that us moving away will surprise them. And despite the frustrations and conflicts I have had here, my stated reason for leaving is going to be to pursue Continuing Education. Because that is the truth, my priorities have changed and at number one is making sure that I am working at a place where learning and skills development is a high priority.
Please pray for us as I will be looking for a job and living situation in an area where the cost of living is 3-4 times higher than what we are used to. I have already applied at an Apple Store in Irvine, CA and I think that I have a very strong chance of getting a full time position out there. But with everything in mind - we still believe the risk we are taking is more that worth the rewards and blessings.
