We will be moving to Knoxville, TN in August for Jeff to continue his journey of education to become a English professor. He will be getting his PhD from the University of Tennessee and will come in with a teacher's assistantship. Jeff and I are excited and nervous to make this move. This will be a huge change for our little family. Jeff will be leaving a job with great security and ability to move up the ranks. We will leave our families, friends, and the only place we have ever lived. Some would read this and say WHY? It seems like life is pretty great for your family.
True, our life is great and comfortable. We don't just want great and comfortable. We want to be exactly where Jesus wants us to be, and for us that is to leave all we know and love. I know for me I am closest to Christ when I am furthest from what is comfortable or easy for me. While this completely scares me, I can't wait!
Jeff isn't just going to school to teach, he is going to school so he can be a light in world. In my college experience, I had few professors that had a relationship with Jesus. Also, it is the time in your life when you are questioning everything. Jeff can speak truth into these minds, and I want to support him anyway I can.
For Jeff and I these next 5ish years will probably be the hardest we have ever faced. Our income will be cut in half, He will be teaching and going to school most of the time. We will have to find the new, well... everything (church, home, friends). But this is our calling. How can we not answer?
Please pray for us when you think about it. We need our house here to sell. We will need to find a place to live in Knoxville. My biggest concern is Ollie adjusting to life without family around. He is very close with our parents, and I know it will be hard for him to understand that he can't see them every week like he does now. I know God is bigger than all my fears so I will rest in him.
