A little story I like to call, "What the?...."

Has life ever given you an opportunity that was scary, unexpected, and maybe a little questionable? Have you ever made a decision to go with that opportunity, even though it was scary, because you had a feeling that it was the right decision? Call it intuition, inspiration, or faith, whatever you call it, you go with the unexpected opportunity but later find yourself saying "What the...?" Why did we do this again? Why am I here? What was I feeling? Was it the wrong choice?

As you all know, at the beginning of the year Blake was given the opportunity to take a new job. Part of this new job required that we move out to Herriman, I had to transfer branches with America First, we left friends and comfort behind, and we really had to rearrange our lives because of this change. But we did it because it just felt right.

As the weeks ticked by we began to question the move in jobs as well as homes. The ward felt awkward because we were going to church with residents Blake has to deal with during the week. Blake was working 50+ hour weeks, as well as feeling an enormous amount of pressure from his manager. Not to mention a whole fiasco concerning a time-off request. Though he was successfully leasing apartments, he continued to feel discouraged. The primary reason for the move was because he wanted more opportunities to grow, but after a couple weeks he’d been delegated to little more than a glorified leasing agent. While the commission and overtime-pay was awesome (usually doubling his paycheck), the stress and disappointment had begun to overwhelm.

We’d hit a brick wall. Here we’d done the scary thing because we were sure it was the right course for our lives. Yet all we had to show for the decision was stress and frustration. It’d become so overwhelming we had to start looking at other options.

Moving was our first priority. We needed to put some distance between family and work. With almost perfect timing the basement apartment in Blake’s dad’s house came open. A two bedroom apartment, twice the size of the one we’re currently in, centrally located to school and work, it just made sense. Thrity-days ago Blake submitted a notice that he’d be leaving. We started packing Monday, and had arrangements to be out by Friday.

Amidst all these changes, Blake’s entire office staff was changed. His manager and all the leasing agents who had become his friends were moved to a different (easier) property, leaving him with a new manager an entirely new staff, a huge leasing mess. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Blake started exploring other employment options. Not seriously, casually, knowing that where ever he went, he’d have issues. But also knowing that if things continued down the same course, switching jobs would be an inevitability.

So why the crap were we brought out here?! I kept feeling we needed to give the entire situation more time, and after a while Blake started feeling like patience was key. But it was SO hard! Time, when you’re unhappy and struggling, DRAGS ON AND ON!

With that said, Monday morning Blake received a phone call from corporate, requesting Blake and his former manager to come down to visit with them. The entire meeting was centered around Blake’s needs, and how they can help him overcome previously experienced obstacles to get the property in a better situation, as well as Blake. The company expressed their desire to keep Blake on their team, that they wanted him with the company as a career not a transient job.

Huh…okay…a step in the right direction.

Fast forward three days, they offer Blake a $155.00 deduction off rent to keep him living on-site. We decline the offer. Then this morning, they offer us free rent, a better apartment, and a raise. And suddenly “What the..?” becomes, “Oh, I see.”

Without the financial burden of rent, we’ll be able to save for a mortgage, pay-off our cars, and who knows what else!

All I can say is I’m glad we followed.