Big News

Something is happening for the Nances this months.  No, we're not pregnant, but you'll still want to hold onto your chair, because this one is a doozie.

Some of you know that early in December, David withdrew from his program.  This was a long time coming, and we finally felt the Lord's strong opinion that it was time to move on.  There are many many reasons why, but in short, a person can only live a lie for so long before it becomes evident that he can't turn the lie true.  So, with a few ideas of what he might do instead and as-strong-as-we-can-muster faith in God, we (I say we because we did it together even though it fell to him to physically say, write, and type the necessary words) resigned from the PhD program.

Over the next few weeks, I launched into high gear, trying to find enough freelance content writing and copywriting clients to keep us afloat as we transition into the next phase of our lives, whatever the future may hold.  I have found some so far, but not enough, and while I'm still looking, we realized our runway was running out very quickly, so we tried to think of anyone we hadn't called yet.

I called David's Aunt Delonie, who is the VP of Human Resources at her rapidly growing company, to ask if she knew anyone who might be looking for freelance copywriters.  She actually got really excited as she asked about my experience and qualifications, and then encouraged me to apply for a full-time position with benefits at her company.  We prayed and decided I would apply, and through other research and pondering and prayer, decided that living near David's family in Utah was better than Texas now anyway. Whatever the Lord sent us here to do is essentially done, and it's time to move on - and on means to Utah.

So now we're selling almost everything we can't carry onto the plane, and giving away the rest, and starting a new life in a place of our own with a newer-than-ever car (this one's staying here!) and the future looks bright for the Nances.  We're hopeful that David's book writing, through his perseverance and hard work, and my freelance writing will add up to enough to allow me to come home again within the year.  So if you or anyone you know is looking for a writer, put in a good word for me.

Anyway, enough of that.  We're all sad to leave the people we love here and David is especially sad to leave his aspirations for a Doctoral degree behind, so even though we're certain this is the right thing to do, we ask for your prayers at this difficult time.  We have things to pack, things to get rid of, books to mail, friends to say goodbye to and get addresses from, three children to coach and physically move through the experience, fly nonstop from Houston to Salt Lake, a home to find and buy or rent, a minivan to buy and register...you get the picture.  All the prayers and encouraging thoughts you can send will be appreciated - we feel and appreciate those you say already.

Speaking of minivans, David and I chuckled today that faith and tithing are probably the only reasons why our van isn't already dead.  A pickup truck backed out of an opposing parking spot at the same instant we did Friday night and we collided.  Thankfully, neither party could see any reason to make a big deal of it, so we went our separate ways without exchanging insurance information.  We didn't realize until this morning how much damage was done - the whole driver's side is pushed forward from the rear to the point that it's hard to open the driver's side door.  The week before that (also on date night!) we ran over a huge nail-type thing and popped a tire, but when we took it to Walmart they ignored my request to replace the tire and patched it instead.  The week before that we had the oil changed and the nice man informed us that there was oil in the coolant.  At this point  I'm praying I'll be able to drive it to the junk yard when we go to sell it for scrap rather than have it towed :)  I'm ready for something nicer moving forward!

That brings you up to speed on the crazy Nances.  Anyone who wants more details can feel free to call me - I'll be busy organizing and packing and cleaning here until we fly out Wednesday, January 28.

Thanks for reading - we love you! :)