Catching up...

Man, this has been a crazy summer, probably one of the most chaotic and also the most blessed our family has experienced thus far.

Back in October we decided it was time to start looking at MBA programs for Justin. As much as he enjoyed Black and Decker, it was becoming more difficult to advance his career, largely due a few ethically challenged superiors, and although we knew we'd miss friendships we'd made, it was time. We began to research various programs around the country, but the two that made the most obvious sense to us were the Olin School in Saint Louis, Missouri and the Marriott School in Provo, Utah. He could do the evening program in Saint Louis and maintain his full-time employment, or he could do full-time school in Provo and leave Black and Decker. He was accepted quickly into both programs, so we began to sincerely seek guidance through fasting and prayer as to which path we should pursue. The answer came quite bluntly in February when Justin became a surprise casualty of "company downsizing", and the most solid tie we had to Wash U was suddenly a non-issue. But February??? Seriously, no program starts until August, so we were left with a conundrum of decisions. After looking for employment for a couple of months with no solid offers, we decided to put our house on the market in March, "just to see if it sells", knowing the market in Saint Louis was slowing up and it may take all summer to see it sold. We then spent a huge portion of March and April in Utah for weddings and funerals, and learned standing in the airport on our way back that the house had three competing offers! So, having never had to "show" the house ourselves, it was sold and we were making plans to move to Utah. Then, crazy enough, the dry job market suddenly picked up and Justin had two offers... but too little too late. We can only feel we were led, as frustrating as it was at the time he was applying with little outcome, and that had we found a job earlier, or even still been working for B&D, we may have been more tempted to stay in the comforts of our home and lives in Saint Louis. We miss it still every day, but although our lives have continued in the same type of chaos since our move, we know it was the right thing and are anxious to discover where our path will continue.