Salt Lake City

It was September 5th and I was sitting on my friend Rachel's back deck discussing life and choices and a million other things. She was talking and I was listening when she said "Well if it doesn't work out

  I'll just move to Utah!"

It hit me so hard, as if she had physically hit me over the head. She continued to speak and I looked at her and said "I need a minute."

It seems silly that such an idea would seem so foreign to me. Especially since I had watched many people from DC (and many friends of mine) move to Utah or at least talk about moving to Utah. Yet, on that September afternoon, it was as if the heavens had parted and this was a brand new idea. 

Fortunately for me, I was on the road for work that next week and in Kentucky of all places. I don't know anyone in Kentucky so I had plenty of time to myself and plenty of time to mull over this ever growing thought of Utah. 

I made lists.

 Pros and Cons of Salt Lake City (its the only place in Utah I would really want to live at this moment) and Virginia.

 I called best friends. 

I tossed it over and over in my mind and at the end of the day I knew what had to be done.

I was moving to Salt Lake City. 

In the end, this is what I asked myself:

 What do I care about? 

I care about my family and friends. This is what matters in this life. I want a family and I want to be with my family and friends and guess where a good chunk of them live? 

Utah. 

In recent months I've also come to the realization that my work/life balance in Virginia is pretty horrible.

 I am a workaholic. 

I need a slower pace. I need to regroup. I need to make my desires for a family a priority. 

It really all came together and I knew. 

I KNEW I wanted to live in Salt Lake City. 

I was giddy. 

I fasted about it on Sunday, September 15th to ensure my decision was correct. 

The entire day I had the thought in the back of my mind

 "You already know the answer."

And I did. 

It was right. 

The next day (I don't really waste much time in my decision making) I decided to speak with my boss. A man I love and respect. I knew I wanted to leave in January- It just made sense to start 2014 with a new adventure. I sat down with him at the end of the day to begin what I knew, would be one of the most challenging conversations. 

Time and other concerns do not permit me to detail all that transpired that day or after but  I can say that on March 3, 2014

 I will be the Regional Manager for our Salt Lake City satellite office. 

I was able to leave our Virginia office on January 3, 2014 to begin what I am affectionately calling my "Sabbatical."

It is incredibly humbling how the Lord is able to work his power in our lives. 

I am blessed. 

I am very, very blessed.