One year ago, I accepted an offer at the North Side YMCA in Oklahoma City. When I got the call from Chris, the executive director, on Wednesday, July 12th, offering me the position, tears immediately welled up in my eyes. I knew that it was going to be a tough decision, with Anthony not having anything lined up in Oklahoma. Right after the call, I had to go on the pool deck + work one-on-one with one of our swimmers that has special needs, while campers were swimming on the other side of the pool. That was the longest 30 minutes of my life, trying to keep it together with a little bit of sadness in the pit of my stomach. About 15 minutes into the lesson, my boss Paul walks in to give me the biggest hug. At the time, he had no idea I had received the offer, but he had just spoken with Chris, giving a glowing reference. I lost it at that point, tears streaming down my face.
I had a Skype interview with OKC in the middle of the day. It worked out because it was right after my lunch time Zumba class, so I went over to the seminary library without it raising any red flags at work. After the interview was over, I went to the bathroom across the hall. When I came back I found this note. Thanks but no thanks mister!!
Here is the story that not many people know (I did share this in October at a conference I attended with my boss + fellow colleagues that had no idea either!) I officially accepted on Friday, July 14th. On Monday morning, Anthony received an offer to work in the special collections department at the seminary, a position that was in essence created for him, that was held up for many months. As I eluded in my post last August, that whole week was spent talking with everyone we knew + trusted, praying, crying, + talking it over with one another. It was an emotional rollercoaster!!! On Monday, July 24th, Anthony received a phone call from Nanny. She had been praying as she fell asleep the night before. In one of her dreams, God came to her, telling her that everything was going to be alright. He had the most perfect position for Anthony in Oklahoma. When Nanny told Anthony this, we knew that we were 100% moving back to Oklahoma. We knew we couldn’t question God or Nanny!
Kicking it into high gear, we had to figure out how we were going to move back (PODS), how we were going to visit all the places we wanted to see before moving away(!!!), plan our week long vacation driving back, + finding a place to live. We really don’t like things to be easy. 🙂
Last time at the Jersey Shore
One year later, two amazing jobs for both of us, we know we made the right decision. There is not an ounce of doubt for either of us. We still miss the East Coast terribly, but being able to drive to visit family every weekend is the absolute best!!!
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