A few weeks ago we shared with you one of the biggest faith-testing decision we have ever made. We called 2017 our year for “Crazy Faith Required Things”, and this last week we took one more giant step towards our plan of going into full-time business for ourselves.
Eight years ago I was laser focused on only one thing – marrying the girl of my dreams! I just graduated from Bible College and had moved back to Arizona to be with Erica. We were in love and engaged and busy planning for our wedding in July. (Side note: Yes we’ve lived in Arizona all of our lives and yes we know that was a terrible date to have an OUTDOOR wedding. Here’s an official apology to all of our family, friends and vendors who braved that nasty heat and made our wedding day so special.) Reality struck me as I started to realize that I would soon be solely responsible for the health and wellbeing of my new wife and something about that realization made me grow up quickly. I did the only thing I had ever known or thought to do – pursue a steady job that came with benefits.
I didn’t know a THING about tractors. Like, nothing. But I was happy to take a job with the local CATERPILLAR dealer steam cleaning equipment knowing that it was a good company with a great reputation and would provide well for my new family. It really wasn’t all that glorious, standing in the 115 degree summer sun with full coveralls, rubber boots, and safety glasses spraying 125 degree water on hot greasy yellow pieces of iron. It was hard, and there were times I hated it honestly, but it provided for my family and was a training grounds for a future in the equipment industry I never knew I wanted.
Persevering through that role is what prepared me for the jobs I would later hold in sales, and working for a CAT dealer is what opened the door for us to move to Washington when we felt the urge to go.
But there is a difference between doing something you somewhat enjoy but mostly need to do for your family, and doing something that you love and are passionate about. We sometimes wonder why it has taken us almost 8 years of marriage to muster up the courage to go after our dreams, but then again it’s taken us every bit of those 8 years to get us to this place where we feel ready now more than ever!
Selling our home in Washington was the easy part. We still had an out. We could still back down from our plans and buy another house in Washington and keep things the same. But last week we took another step of faith that really solidifies everything we are doing and there is no turning back now.
Last week, I gave my official notice at the CAT dealership. I was scared to death and relieved all at the same time. I am leaving thankful for the life lessons the industry taught me. It taught me how business works and that honesty and doing the right thing for the customer are two principles that will never steer you wrong. I am thankful that from day one my wife was able to stay home and raise our kids because we had a dependable job that provided everything we needed. And I’m thankful that God is giving us the strength to step out in uncomfortable and faith testing ways to bring us closer to what He has for us.
Debt free scream… check!
Selling our home in WA… check!
Turning in my notice at work… check!
In the words of Lloyd Christmas, “We’re really doing it!”
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