Modeling persistence and leading an adventurous life.

We’ve never doubted for a moment that our family was meant to make this move.  Four years ago when we leaped out of our highly chaotic lives in Chicago to move to West Michigan to accept a wonderful position at a fine company, we knew in our hearts and minds it was excellent.  It was time to change. In that day, our eldest at home was an incoming high school junior, and neighborhood jaws dropped when we shared our plans to move “at such an important time in his life.”  How could we?

It wasn’t a flippant or easy decision. But in the end, all three kids were up for the adventure and once we knew which school district we preferred, we let Eldest Boy choose a particular school before we selected a house.  Since then, his path has been clearly blessed by this move, and the relationships and confidence he experienced here lifted him more than we could have predicted. It’s true with all the kids. More than we imagined. Our decisions were in right order and each stepping stone rose to meet our feet. Each transition door opened before us and offered us ease of passage.

What’s more, as we turned those pages into this new Michigan chapter, our former business roles in Chicago turned to dust; practically evaporated. We would have been left searching had we not taken the leap.

This is the joy of seeing miracles.

Today we reflect on this magnificent season. Challenges to strengthen us, and beautiful enriching relationships all around. Now we’re getting ready to leap into a new journey again. Many families go through job changes and career transitions and would never dream of moving from their hometown – and they make every necessary compromise to stay put.  An honorable choice indeed. But as much as we’ve loved this environment, we know that our family is up for adventure. We like cities and we like exploring and, frankly, we thrive on growth. Dare I say: change.  Though we are beautifully settled into a community of people and relationships with school, church, neighborhood, (and we can’t bear leaving!) we know that those friendships will remain. We believe that the next move we make will be more beauty than we can yet see: a launch pad for college and career-bound kids, always being who we’re meant to be as individuals and as a blended and beautifully intertwined family, joyfully thriving on growth and invigorating trust.

Bringing every drop of this experience with us as we journey forward.

We will [hopefully] bring less material stuff, but far far more beauty.

Perhaps the most important part is our children have seen us walk out this experience as strong, trusting, consistent servant leaders and parents.  In our executive roles we are confident; evaluating great positions, teaching the lesson of genuine credentials and always hard work.  In our roles as parents, we are gleefully open about the potential moves and our kids know in their bones that any choice we make will be for their good. They need to sense this above all: we always do what’s best for them.Whether it’s London, Detroit, Chicago, Southern California, Staying here (which might be the biggest adventure of all).  No matter what, we crave growth in the right direction. Fear does not win, ever. Though it tries (trust me, it tries.)

And in the end of this transition chapter, we will have chosen a path that is worthy of our story of always-connected, happy adventure and God-led growth.

yehaa.