This journey for us has been a good one in many respects.  One of the most enjoyable portions of my time of transition has been the people Our Heavenly Father has placed in my path.  One such person is a guy who left a significant income stream to dedicate himself to international missions.  The difference in his story to me is he didn't leave the US to do so.....He and his family are reaching the international community in East Tennessee.  He sold his home and scaled-down their lifestyle to self-fund the ministry. He sends a monthly newsletter with updates and financial transparency unlike any other missionary I've ever met.  
I had the opportunity to speak with him via a teleconference and must say, his courage and confidence in the sustaining power of Jehovah Jireh far exceeds what I though I had.  In essence, he and his family are taking the Bible literally and focusing only on the mission of spreading the gospel of Christ.  His "cushy" income and corporate benefits are all a thing of the past.  They rely on a part-time job he holds down while also ministering to those he believes needs to hear the Good News we have to share.  Much like a lone sailboat with no engine, only sails, he and his family are waiting for the wind to blow and then utilizing what they have to make their way.  That total reliance is very scary but I'll assure you when you're humbly seeking G-d's will, your reliance will become a passion you will not easily compromise.

If you would like to know more about him and his ministry, send me a message and I'll email his info to you.  

If you look closely at the picture there are two fish (largemouth bass) on one fishing lure.  I've been fishing for over 40 years and I have caught two fish at once when I've had a rigging such as a two flies about 12 inches apart on the line but never 2 fish on the same lure at the same time.  Of course I had to snap a picture and brag to some of my fishing liars.....uh I mean buddies.  I released both and went back to casting to see if a much larger fish was interested in what these two were. No luck.  Really didn't matter though as I had done something in my lifetime that very few (as far as I know) have ever done.  There's a ton of similar circumstances in life were we have the chance to do something different than the majority but it doesn't seem like many people work to accomplish something worth remembering/sharing.  Might be something we all need to considers.

Our family has been on a bit of roller-coaster with the job search, traveling to interviews, preparing the choir for Christmas, etc....  I've adjusted to not having a stable, daily clock to punch but I'v worked even harder to provide for my family and meet our financial obligations.  Even though we've had to scale WAY back on our discretionary spending, Our Heavenly Father has supplied and sustained us in ways that can only be explained as divine.  In a way, we've received a "Two-for-One" that we didn't expect, much like the two fish I caught.  Since my job was eliminated I've been blessed to be with my son and wife much more than ever before; I've been able to relax and work at my passions and pace; I've had multiple days and nights to reflect on whether I really want to get back into the fray of this world's agenda or devote myself to His Kingdom in every area of my life......  Don't misunderstand: I'm still committed to earning a living for my family as that is a Biblical premise but we, as a family are reevaluating what our lifestyle needs to look like.  Your prayers are appreciated and solicited.