On the move

Wow, it's been about a year since we first comtemplated joining my parent's company in Houston. I remember having lunch w/ Cliff last fall and talking to him about this.

This year is my 10 year anniversary with IBM. When I first joined, I didn't think I would be there that long. It's been a great journey with IBM. It really is a great place to work --- there are a lot of great people to work with and IBM cares about and takes care of their employees.

After 10 years, I feel like I've done what I want to do at IBM. I went from verification, to verification team lead, to development, to development team lead, to release lead. I think if I were to stay at IBM, I would definitely want a change.

I was thinking and praying through two different things.
1) Joining IBM China. IBM is ramping up a software development group in Beijing and are looking for experienced software developers from the US to help develop that team.

2) Joining my parent's company, which is in the enhanced oil recovery business.

When I started praying through this, I had more of a peace about joining my parent's company than I did IBM China. That was very interesting b/c I always wanted to go to China, learn the language and the culture, and also see how the church is in China.

The timing seem right to join them --- a lot of different things are coming together.

• Our project at IBM wrapped up at the end of May.
• I'm at the point in my career at IBM where I feel like I've done what I want to do and it's not easy to go to the next level.
• My parents business has grown to a point where they need help. There's too much stuff for them to do everything well.
• Grace's materity leave ended in May, so it was a good transition point.
• My parents are getting older and I desire to spend more time with them.
• I have a desire to be a witness for them - to be salt and light for them.

After talking to Cliff about all of this, he encouraged us to 1) move in the direction of joining my parent's company, if we felt God leading us to do that, 2) Seeking God and asking for his confirmation.