No. We are not having another baby.
However, there is a big change for us. My wife (Brittany) and I are excited to share that we are making a big move in the next 4 weeks. We will be moving to Chicago, more specifically, the suburbs south of Chicago where I grew up. Before anyone panics, this is NOT a job change. I’ll still be working for Faithlife as a National Conference Speaker. This move actually has a lot to do with my job. Why uproot and move my family after 3 years in Bellingham, WA? Well, it really boils down to these two reasons.
1. Travel
It’s hard to have a job where you spend most of your time in an airplane and have to fly from the pacific northwest. The time change, connections, and location all add up to days away from my family. By making a move to become more central, I will instantly cut down on travel days and be able to spend more time with my wife and kids. I’ve always been a strong believer in putting your family ahead of any ministry. I believe this is also the same for vocation. This move places my family as a priority.
2. Indian Culture
Brittany and I have always wanted to raise our kids with an immersion into Indian culture. Realistically, the best way that can happen is to be around it. While we have absolutely loved our time in California and Washington, we are excited to expose our three boys to more of the Indian side of of their heritage. I have an extensive Indian community in Chicago that I grew up in. I’m excited for my boys to be near their “uncles” and “aunties” and experience some awesome Indian weddings, prayer meetings, and parties. Even better, my immediate family will be about 2-4 hours away. We are really excited to be close to everyone!
Bonus:
Deep dish pizza. Enough said.
This is just from my perspective. Get my wife’s thoughts on this on her blog. She gives more details into the family and culture side of things.
We plan on making the move in mid June. I have lots of conferences in the summer so adding a move into the mix is a bit challenging. If you guys are thinking about our family, I would love your prayers! If you are in the Chicagoland area, shoot me an email or like my Facebook page and comment. I’d love to connect!
Congrsts Joel and Brit!! Are you moving back to Hillside area? Now I have an excuse to visit Chicago again 🙂 Well you all and deep dish pizza of course 🙂
Mike, we are moving to the Naperville, Bolingbrook area! Would love for you to visit!
I’m never visiting! All you had to do is quit your job and move back to California. I mean, how hard is that? It’s easy, “I quit”! See? Next, vroom, vroom next exit, California, YAY! But no, you had to think of what’s good for your family, like that means anything in the grand scheme of my life. (Calculating grin) Lets see, what else can I say to make you leave the best thing that’s happened to you in forever. Okay, no more jokes. I look forward to driving or flying out to visit and actually seeing the sites. But most of all I am excited because you and your family are excited to begin a new adventure.. New beginnings, what a wonderful time. I wish I was moving out there. (paused consideration) Hey, can I come? You won’t even know I’m there. I can get a job after I, you know, take a six to nine month vacation. That’s reasonable right? Ok fine! I’ll just, I don’t know, live my life. I should start a blog of ranting or is it whining? Anyway, love you and can’t wait to see you guys.