Yes. Yes. Yes. We are indeed moving to Ohio.
(Or Ohia as they say in many parts of that fine land.)

Sarah and I have been working on plans to rejoin our family in the Midwest for quite some time. We didn't want to say anything because we didn't want anyone to get their hopes all up in case it didn't work out, but now we have solid enough ground to stand on, and we are going to be moving on October 31st!

About seven months ago, I opened talks with a hotel in northwest Ohio, near my dad's hometown of Archbold. We hit it off immediately, and after several long calls, and after they checked out my references, they let me know that they would be looking for a way to fit me into their future. They simply didn't have anything yet. I have kept in contact, and we've continued to build our relationship.

At the same time, things at the Antlers have been winding down. I've been coming to the end of my "training" and as such, was expecting an offer. About 2 months ago, I was moved to the front desk to "temporarily" help out while they found a new asst. front office manager. Soon after I began my second stint at the front desk, they offered me the job. I turned it down. Partially because of the money offered, but mostly because I hate that department, and would not want to be miserable every day. It's the one place in the hotel I don't like working... complaints all night long... etc. (Ask Sarah...)

Needless to say, I'm still there, "helping out." A few weeks ago, the assistant restaurant manager left for Pittsburg, and that opened her position up. When she left, they decided to restructure her job into an assistant restaurants manager with responsibility over all beverage in the hotel. Alot of work. Especially in the beginning because our beverage control is pretty lousy right now. I was interested in the job, and it had alot of benefits, but like I said, alot of work. After several interviews and several days of getting approval on the offer from corporate, they offered me her job two days ago. But before we get to our decision regarding that job, let's step back a few weeks.

After turning down the FD job, Sarah and I got thinking seriously about moving to Ohio. Our thinking was that if the Antlers wasn't going to work out, and our lease on our apartment was up in October, we may as well make things work elsewhere. Near family. So we continued our research into the home market (which is great in Ohio!) and the job market there. The hotel in Ohio still had nothing, but vowed to look harder into positions that might work. Moving to Ohio without a job lined up wasn't impossible, because we can live rent free for a short time with my family in their farmhouse, but wasn't preferable at the time.

We decided then to plan for two contingencies. One of moving to Ohio and making things work with my family until we can buy our own house, and one of staying here, taking an Antlers job, and waiting till the Ohio job opened. We began praying heavily for answers regarding which path to take, and our small group began praying for the same. Around that time, in my personal prayer time, I became impressed with a specific number. A salary number, that would be the sign we were looking for in whether to stay or go. It was concrete, reasonable, and would enable us to be comfortable with either decision. If the Antlers offered me a job at that number or above, we stay until something opens up, if not, we head back to Ohio and figure things out. I've never had anything quite like this happen in my prayer life before. Usually God gives me a blank piece of paper and crayons, not a sheet with lines on it, but as we were asking for direction, He obliged in this case and gave us some.

Now moving also depended on having the money to do so, and since we didn't have it, we were viewing that also as "doors" God would need to open for us to go. In the last two weeks, over $1000 has come out of the woodwork, and we were able to get the moving truck at a fifth our expected price! My parents' advice was to move forward and God would shut the doors if it wasn't the right move. Well, the doors have been flying open, but the offer still hadn't been made. So we waited.

I think that waiting period was what was hardest on Sarah. Planning for two very different contingencies is difficult to wrap one's head around. We waited and prayed, and packed and planned, and the offer from the Antlers came on the same day a call from the hotel in Ohio came.

Actually, I called them to check in, and the HR director told me of a job opening that he thought I'd be great for. It's a general managership of the hotel's restaurant! The operations director is out on vacation, but once he gets back, we would start talks regarding that position.

So now we had an option. Something to go on, but still hadn't heard from the Antlers. My pastor was asking hard questions in the week before, like "What if they offer right below the number you think is right? What if your 'number' is just a ballpark?" That sort of thing. And I had to admit, it bothered me a bit. But I decided that the provision for us to move was twofold. It would depend on the Antlers failing to offer above the number, and us having the money to move. If they shot just short, and we didn't get the dough... well then, we'd stay. So I headed into work after getting the call from Ohio ready for anything.

The offer was low. I mean real low. Shocking even to me low. Not what I expected. Apparently, they felt they were really offering me something because the offer was approximately 10% of my current income. But it wasn't even up to what the last person in the job made, which with all the increased duties I expected them to excel her salary. But they didn't, and after talking to the management, they really expected me to fall over myself to say yes. They still have the utmost confidence in me. Obviously, if they keep offering me jobs... but it just isn't where we need to be if we're going to stay here. So I gave them my notice, and we're heading back to Ohio. We have the money to move. Jessica is flying out to help with the move and baby. We have tons of friends here to help with the lifting. And our family can help us with the transition.

The job offer isn't final out there, but I have faith that the hand that opened all these doors so far, is the hand in control of whether the job opens up or something else comes available. On the practical side, it makes alot of sense to leave when our lease is up, and Sarah mentioned that once we're out there, the hotel will feel a great deal better about making offers. With me still out here, and my hotel having an offer pending, they've probably been nervous.

So here goes. Another step of faith. But this one is stepping back to family, friends and a life we want for Kiah. I couldn't be more excited. Thank you all for your continued prayers and thoughts as we continue living as un-normal a life as possible! We love and appreciate you.