http://willnorris.com/2006/01/life-and-love-and-why

Dear friends, Will and I are seriously praying about what the future holds for us and we covet any prayers you have to offer over the situation. Neither of us really have answers to any of the questions you may have because we don’t know ourselves just what is going on. This is why we have decided to share this with you, our brother’s and sister’s in Christ, because we want to keep the situation bathed in prayer. Much love to you all, -Jade

And my additional reply…

so just to put things into context a little more, refer to my last post about job possibilities. I haven’t posted any more updates on that since nothing is final yet, but things in LA have been quiet for a few weeks while things in DC are moving right along. I’m excited about the DC job itself, but certainly not about living on opposite coasts. And both of us feel too strongly about all of this to just pass on it because of the circumstances as they are now, or how they might be for the next couple of years. It’s a lot to consider, and that’s really begun to sink in with us recently… so yeah, we are definitely going to need the prayers of friends and family with this. -will

So I think most people are aware that I’ve been interviewing for a couple of jobs the last month or so. It started with a chance encounter with someone looking to fill a position at the University of Southen California. Unfortunately that didn’t work out, but other avenues have presented themselves and I’m potentially looking at having two pretty good opportunities. One on the east coast, one on west coast. One in Higher Education, one in the private sector. One a great career move, the other a great life move. Given cost of living differences, salaries should be fairly comparable but money isn’t a huge factor at this point in my life. Such is my dilemma.

West Coast + lots of friends I’d love to be closer to — good life move + good tech area + presently in interview process and is going really well + great fit for the job - I have a lot of experience in the majority of the technologies I’d be using there - job in private sector that I can’t easily get real excited about +/- small company

East Coast + near perfect job in higher education — good career move + love the Washington, DC area + great fit for the job - working on a project I’ve been with for the past year + already have some good connections through my current job - don’t know anyone in DC +/- large university

Faced with this decision two years ago, it would have been easy — go for the career move. I’ve been very career oriented for the past several years (perhaps contributing to why I’m in this situation), but don’t really have that kind of tunnel vision anymore. Faced at the possibility (security) of having a stable full time job in either location, I’m free to look at some of the “life” considerations. I know a lot of people on the west coast that I wouldn’t mind be closer to. (a few in particular). The atmospheres these jobs are in are very different — professionally, politically, culturally — but I could really see myself being happy in either one. Things are moving along rapidly and I need to figure out where to focus my attention. Please pray for calming and trust.

I’m NOT afraid of making a bad decision. I AM afraid of making the wrong decision.