Where Have I Been - Big Changes Coming

Sorry to be MIA for a while. Life is changing very fast in the Wood household and I'm barely keeping up. Here is the letter I've been sharing letting people know what's going on. Hang in there with me. I'll be back and posting regularly again soon!!!!

Dear friends,

It is with mixed emotions that I share some important news that affects my family and the future of Xylem.

About four weeks ago, my husband Asa was offered a position in Ohio. Three weeks ago, his company flew our family out to the Cleveland area to get a feel for the area and determine whether or not we would be willing to take the position. Two weeks ago my husband officially signed the contract for his new job. It is all moving very quickly, and we will be moving to Cleveland next week so that he can start August 1.

This is an incredible opportunity for Asa for a variety of reasons and it was hard to pass it up. However, it is with very heavy hearts that we are leaving everything we know here in Colorado including family, friends, our church community, and familiarity. But we are also excited to see what God has in store for us in Ohio.

With the support of the Xylem board we have decided to bring Xylem with us. This is actually a fairly simple process, in some ways easier than shutting the organization completely down. We will be donating a large portion of the Xylem assets to a ministry here in Denver and bringing the rest with us. The plan is to still be assessable to the many families we’ve worked with here in Colorado through Facebook, my blog and phone and e-mail consults. Some of the families that have benefited from Xylem in other states, and even in other countries (England, Australia and Germany), should not be affected and can continue to benefit from the support Xylem offers.

Tim and Nina Sloan, who are current board members, have been great this past year and will help make sure the transition is smooth. They have provided amazing leadership this past year and have been supportive in making the decision to transfer Xylem to Ohio. I am so grateful to have had them this past year and especially now during this time of transition.

You can read the formal announcement regarding the moving of Xylem from our board president, Tim on the Xylem Family Resource Facebook page. This provides further answers to questions regarding how this decision was made and what it means for the future of Xylem.

Once in Ohio, I hope to do some speaking at MOPS groups and local churches in the Cleveland area within the next year, but will begin by primarily putting my focus on the social networking sites, my blog other writing opportunities that have presented themselves this year and working with families via phone and e-mail. Xylem has developed a wonderful reputation the past six years and has gained a lot of credibility within the church community. Through talking to many individuals, including those in Ohio, it was determined that keeping Xylem and its nonprofit status would be an asset in opening new opportunities in Ohio so that Xylem can continue the work of restoring the sacredness of family.

I have been truly blessed by my community in Denver and cannot even begin to express my sadness in having to say good-bye to the place I’ve called home for most of my life. However, Colorado cannot get rid of me that easily. We have family in Colorado, close friends, not to mention that Asa’s company is located here, so we will be back often to visit.

If you haven’t already, please become a fan of Xylem on Facebook and follow me on my blog www.parentingwhatipreach.blogspot.com to stay in touch on the adventures of Xylem. And of course I will remain a regular presence on my personal Facebook page.

Please keep my family in your prayers as we begin this new adventure. You will most definitely remain in ours.

Blessings!
Tara