Oct.16.2009 at 3:36 pm | joshua
An Unexpected Twist
A little over ten months ago I wrote this post. Essentially, I had decided it was time to quit my perfectly good job of six years, Ryanne and I had discussed it at great length, and we decided that it was time for me to move on to whatever was next. Originally my goal was to find a Monday – Friday, 9-5 to support my first passion; photography. I did everything I could to make this happen… I applied for nearly a thousand jobs all across the country, had more interviews than I can remember, and even visited Denver and Oregon for interviews.
Around August, after six months of failed attempts to find full time employment, I started playing with the idea of just being a photographer. I put all my energy into all aspects of being a small business owner, and while I still was looking for part-time employment somewhere else, most of my time went into taking pictures and selling pictures. This was good, for a while. I finally felt like I was doing what I was supposed to be doing, and it appeared that I was being rewarded for it. Money was coming in, we were paying bills on time, and it was good.
Now, a few months later I am faced with five straight months of no planned income whatsoever. The problem with living in a state with what seems like eight straight months of winter, is that nobody gets married from December – April. This makes being a full-time wedding photographer, especially a new one, rather difficult.
I’ve always said that while I love photography, I love the local Church more. If given the right opportunity, I would go back and work for one in a heartbeat. I’ve done some side work for a few Churches the last few months, and out of the blue a Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico contacted me in September. We had a couple conversations over the phone, and a few weeks later they flew me out for a couple of days to meet everyone, as well as have a formal interview.
Today, October 16th 2009, they offered me a full-time job.
Ryanne and I have gone through nearly every hypothetical possible, and even now we’re still blown away by the prospect of picking up and leaving everything we know. Admittedly, the thought was a bit easier when we were considering moving to a place where we would already know a few great people (Oregon), but now we’ve got little to no safety net. Intimidating might not be a strong enough word. But, we are together in knowing this is the right move for us right now.
Within the next month, we will be saying goodbye to Toledo. We will be saying goodbye to our friends, our families, and the places we’ve grown up and spent our entire lives to step out into the great unknown. We are both excited, and terrified at the same time. It’s an unexpected twist on the adventure we were planning, but a welcome one. I will once again have a full-time, steady paycheck, but this time I will have more freedom to continue pursuing photography, and frankly I am stoked at the idea of doing photo shoots in the desert. There are so many things we still have to discuss; where we’re going to live, how we’re going to afford to move, how we’re going to find an apartment and no place to stay in the interim, when we’re going, who in the Toledo is left that would actually help us move (we’ve done this a lot), who’s going to host our most-awesome going away party (ha), what do we take, what do we leave behind, how do we get our house sold, what kind of GPS do we buy for Ryanne, …these are just a few right off the top of my head.
This obviously affects Love is Greater Photography (Toledo) in a big way. Rest assured, Gregg and I are working out a plan that will continue the level of creative and rockstar photography all you Toledo friends have become used to. And for my new friends in New Mexico… well get ready =). I will post more on this in the upcoming days.
This blog has been neglected the last few weeks, but now, perhaps more than ever I’m going to have a lot of things to talk about. I invite you to join Ryanne and I on this amazing adventure. We have few expectations at this point, and we absolutely would love some “virtual” company on our journey!
WOW This is huge – I'm so glad for you! What an adventure!
wow! that IS a twist! congratulations on making a courageous leap toward adventure. What is the job, exactly?
I see God all over this! Congrats! I'll be praying as details are worked out on both ends of this transition. I will also be praying for your families. Change is tough on all involved! Great news Josh and Ryanne! Lori
Let me know if I can help out with anything!
Awesome news man! I know God has His hand on you guys and you'll flourish in NM.
We actually have a lot of family out there so I'll buzz you up next time we're headed that way.
Congrats on the new opportunities and new adventures!
Wow! God is so good! What is the job?
Sounds like an awesome adventure. Godspeed.
Praying for the changes ahead Josh!
From the snow to the sand. Done that. It takes a while, but I love the desert just as much as lush green fields, trees and rivers.
Well done on following God's crazy rabbit trail – I think He's teaching us that the journey is more important than the destination.
i just broke into a a cold sweat.. when exactly next month are you leaving? :(
the bride in my is shivering.. congrats on the new adventure though!
I would suppose that u are leaving then b4 the 14th of next month? or did i squeeze in before your departure?
:)
:) So happy for you, Joshua. Rock it, man! ROCK IT!!!!!
So awesome. That is my FAVORITE place in the world! We go every five years to the balloon fiesta in October. We are going again in 2 years. We will have to visit you when we are there! We will miss you guys so much! Let us know what we can do to help you.
Val and Ben
How exciting! It's an awesome adventure to pack up & leave everything you've ever known behind. You guys will do fine and make friends fast.
Congrats! I know you will do great things wherever you go. Have you told your mom?
I'm ready bro!! Let's ride! We'll be praying for you and if there's any way we can help, we'll be there.
I'll be expecting some rad Area 51 shots very soon :-).
very awesome!
WOW — I am so so so so happy and excited for you and Ryanne. praying you through this…. :)
all i can say is…New Mexico…watch out and prepare to have your faces rocked off!
DOOD!!!!! I am so stoked for you guys! God is so good and this is going to be an amazing journey! Thanks for letting us be a part and let Kristen and I know if there is anything we can do to help you and Ryanne.
Congrats man… what exactly are you going to be doing there?
Just read that you're moving, woooooooooooooot! Craaaaaazzzzyyyyy!
Make sure you take a good look at the fall leaves in Ohio. It's one thing I miss. I doubt NM has loads of deciduous trees either, eh?
Congrats!
Congratulations. What an exciting time. We will keep you both in our prayers.
YAY!!! i am SO excited for you guys.
you know what? this wasn't an unexpected twist for God though… this is EXACTLY what he wants for your family. how awesome that you had the past however many months to meet so many new people (who just may be your biggest cheerleaders) and grow in a way you NEVER would have if you didn't suffer through the "drought"
praying for you guys, still…