Things are changing for the Coddington Tribe and we are excited, though we don’t exactly know what all the changes will be!
The Facts
Recently my relationship with TAI has changed. I am moving from an internal, salaried role to an external, commission-based role. It is very similar to what I was doing a few years ago with TAI before they pulled me in as a full-time employee. While we are giving up a regular and predictable income, there are two very big upsides of this move. The first is my income potential. In my role as a TAI Sr. Associate, I can actually earn more money with the structure TAI has in place for Associates (TAI has always been a generous company). Secondly, I gain a lot of flexibility. While I am committed to the vision of TAI and believe God will use TAI to do great things, I have had to put a number of things aside or on hold for a while as I have committed to employment these last years.
Karen and I (and the kids) are stepping out in faith, unsure of the all the details, but absolutely certain that God is working it out to His glory. In fact, we are excited about the vision we think He is unfolding for our family.
The Vision
Back in fall of 2010, through interesting circumstances which I will not detail now, Karen and I felt a fairly strong leading to move to Southern California. As we sought the Lord in prayer, He seemed to confirm that this was His direction and that summer 2012 was the right time. We began casually talking to family, close friends and accountability partners, asking for prayer and sharing vision. We were, and still are, committed to working with and through TAI, but it didn’t seem like a move to SoCal was going to work in my former relationship with TAI for a lot of reasons. With my new relationship with TAI, California 2012 seems very possible. In fact, we are beginning to feel, as we felt in 2010, that this has been His plan all along.
So you may be asking, why SoCal? I have never had a desire to live there and the idea did not come from any personal desire to be there. While the idea and benefits are growing on me, it’s not my place of choice (you’ll hear a different perspective from the members of the Coddington Tribe who love sun and beach, which is everyone but me). Here are some of our reasons.
Karen and I have a desire to help the worldwide church grow. God is doing amazing things all over the world and we feel called to be part of it. For example, the church in Asia is growing rapidly (you may not know it but South Korea has surpassed the US in sending missionaries). One of the big needs in the Asian church is leadership development. We feel that living on the West Coast would make sense as we have opportunities to help in that arena.
Also, there are plenty of business opportunities for TAI. At TAI we have talked for a long time about having a West Coast office and this would allow us the chance to test those waters.
As well, my brother Dave just moved there last summer and we don’t want him and his family to get lonely.
The Prayer Requests
We covet your wisdom, thoughts and prayers. Here are some specifics:
– We are looking for guidance and direction as we contemplate this move.
– We are walking in faith as we wait for God’s provision.
– We want our kids to grow through this time, learning to appreciate how rich we are, how much God provides and what it’s like to live by faith.
Thanks,
wes©
I will be praying for wisdom for you both, and that all your needs will be met as you contemplate this next part of your journey. He will confirm your path step by step as you know.
It is good that you have family there already if you do go.
Sounds like an exciting opportunity for family and business.
Phil. 4:13
Millie
Wes and Karen – we will definitely praying (just did) for God’s perfect guidance and provision for you. Nothing can be more exciting than to see God work as you step out in faith – and how great it is for your children to see that lived out daily in your lives and giving praise and glory only to Him.
You guys have been such a blessing to me as I watch how God has worked in your lives – the future will be fun to watch.
Thanks for keeping us updated.
Aunt Debbie
There’s an excited quickening in my soul as I reread this. Just a time as this…. You’re all inspiring to me, as well…..
:(….My heart is in my stomach as I read this……YES…I know you have to go where God is directing you….BUT….I will be very very very very very SAD and will miss you all very very very very very……much!!!!
Actually crying now…..I know that I can visit but it just won’t be the same….love having my sleepovers w/ the kids…going to the movies, taking them out and just popping over to say HELLO….all that will be no more…..my heart is aching…..and I will be truly changed by this move!!
Wish you all the best and if this is where God wants you then it is not for me to say….but I just have to share my heart with you and I’m sure you know that this is going to BREAK my Heart but unfortunately it’s not about me 🙁
Linda-
All I can say is: I don’t recall you going through this when the Ken Ivins’ moved to Tennessee, so I will just assume you love us more. Thank you.
wes©
PS – We will get a place with a spare bedroom and call it “Linda’s Room” as long as you promise to visit often.
PPS – Let me know well in advance of your visits so I can be in Asia…
PPPS – That was a joke. You know I love you like crazy!!
I know you are kidding but just to remind you… you were the 1st one to turn my world upside down when you took my sister to Canada in 1995 (OK…I know God took her there but it was only because she was marrying you…LOL). You were living in Canada when the Ken Ivins Clan moved away in 1996 so you were not around to see my heart break and my whole world being turned upside down once again…and if God does choose to take you all to California it will be turned upside down once again!! 🙁
You better have a room for me but it doesn’t have to have my name on it…I will share it with the many others who will want to come and visit you who will also miss you…maybe not as much as I will but will miss you just the same! You know that I will visit every chance I get….I have always wanted to visit California but not this way so I guess you all will get to show me around!!
I already told Karen that I will need advance notice for all the BIG events in the kids lives…what you and I think are the BIG events may be different so I suggest you just send me the monthly schedule a month ahead of time so I can decide what I will attend!
Love you all with my WHOLE heart (which is breaking at the moment)! 🙁
Let’s see:
* Linda’s world was right-side-up at some point
* Karen moved to Canada so Linda’s world became upside-down
* Ken moved to Canada and, once again, Linda’s world was turned upside-down (actually making it right-side-up, right?)
* Karen moved back to Philly and Linda’s world was turned upside-down yet again
* If Karen moved to CA, wouldn’t that make your world upside-up again?
oops…Ken moved to TN
very funny….NOT….
It’s a topsy turvy world that I live in….you get it now??
Just when you think you are upright again….it’s back to being upside down…..
Linda
As a rider on the roller coaster of God’s calling away from a monthly check…I am excited to hear that you’re considering it!!! I will continue to pray for clarity and affirmation as you seek His direction in this.
And if He says yes, this will only serve to confirm that there will be snowmobile trails in heaven…and that we will ride together THERE.
One thing’s for sure; God’s going to use you wherever you wind up! (Big time)
Very exciting. And just so you know, I have never, ever liked the hot sun. But, the sunshine and 72 degree weather is quite lovely. It snowed 30 miles from here yesterday but stayed 70 here. Strange, huh?!
Hot sun, cool sun, whatever. You’re talking to the guy who now has to avoid sun due to immunosuppressants! I do find it funny that God may call us to a place that is sunny all year long just after He set me up to be a high-risk skin cancer patient. But, as my good friend and mentor Larry Shultis always says, “Oh well.”
I suppose it’s God’s problem to deal with. <—– Dangling preposition.
AND, for all my mothers out there (Mom Coddington, Mom Ivins, Grandma Coddington, Gina Grieco, Ling Chang, Trish Coddington, Denise Taylor, Pat Sarringer, etc.) that does NOT mean I won't be careful. I plan to own stock in Under Armour as I'll wear long sleeves year 'round. But thanks for loving me enough to think about lecturing me.
Well, the only thing I know is that the Lord has allways made it possible for me to travel (as well as my liking it) sooooo….. as long as he gives me health, a little extra $$ I guess Linda will have to share her room with me, heh heh. Well, then again we probably won’t be there at the same time. And sun?? I love it – right now I’m in Chile with 80 degree sun!! And then I’ll two nephews and families to visit!!
Actually the only important thing is following the Lord’s leadng – otherwise the road goes nowhere – I’ve made a few detours that didn’t go anywhere.
Anyway, love you guys wherever you are. Hmmmm, Asia?!? Just let me know when and where.
Chao,
Aunt Ruthanne
We had such a great time this weekend reconnecting with you guys and your precious kids. Jake and Morgan both woke up this morning asking if they could play with the Coddington’s again! We’ll be praying for you as you listen for God’s direction on this new adventure. It’s so obvious that you want to be right where HE wants you. Praying he makes that clear and that you can all be at peace with whatever his answer will be.
On another note, when can we get together to play 7 Wonders???
Coddingtons, this is big news. I will pray for you guys (and hope to see you all in Cali myself, God-willing).
Hey its me I will miss you guys 🙁 so much you guys were like a second family to me i will never forget you. Dakota you were my best friend and my friend closest to GOD we had so much fun I will never forget paintball, sleepovers, freedom, manhunt, pokemon, halo, blackops, and all the fun i could not name you were like a brother to me. Kadin and Kasey all the fun we had i will never forget. Wes you were like a father to me when i needed one. You guys will always be in my prayers.
Love,
Ryan Kauffman
(A.K.A) to Kasey
Hugie