How it all began

Journal Excerpt: December 7th 2008: I am in a most challenging and positive time in my life. I am inspired. I am troubled. I am discontent in a manner which gives energy and focus. I am exhausted but affirmed. I am pleased with my progress, dissatisfied with my current position, excited for what is ahead. This is good.

The Conversation
(Scene opens)
Wife waiting for Husband. He’s late. Supper ready, baby happy, coffee brewing.
(Husband enters)
Wife: Hi! Welcome home! You’re late, I was getting worried! Supper’s ready when you are.
(Baby laughs and waves as husband stands in the doorway)
Husband: So… guess what? (dry chuckle) I was just laid off….
Wife: ….
Wife?
Wife: Wooooow…. Hm…. I love you.
Husband: I love you.
Wife: Wow…. crazy….
Husband: Yup, good times. (another chuckle)
(husband and wife stand in embrace)
Wife:…interesting…
(Baby laughs and blows bubbles at his Papa)
Wife: Well. I made supper and there’s fresh coffee. Let’s eat.
Husband: Thanks Love….
(Couple clasps hands in prayer. Baby laughs.)
Wife: Well. I love you. So… recession. Crazy company.
Husband: Yeah…but it’s all good. Let’s take a look at things and see what could be, ya never know….
Wife: Hon’…it’s the week before Christmas. When does this start?
Husband: Effective immediately.
Wife: Wow!
(Baby reaches for his Papa)
Husband: I was kinda looking forward to the Christmas party. I already rsvp’d….
Wife: Ha. Yeah…. Well, I love you crazy man. Time to see what’s coming…..
Husband: I love you.
(Baby laughs, unaware)

It was in that embrace that we, the husband the wife and the blissfully unaware baby, came to meet the door opening before us and began to understand the manifestation of months of unknown preparation and reflection. Unemployed, indebted, and already exhausted: we had just been handed a key to a new life.

—
Basically, from there we prayed and pondered and wondered…and then wandered. We sold and packed and planned. Then we loaded up the rest, moved West, started our own sweet little coffee roasting business, and camped (literally) in my in-laws driveway for the better half of a year. It was totally ridiculous and remains one of the best things we ever did.
Leaving and risking and being that uncomfortable in the midst of everything unknown began to stir up way more than we ever expected. Camping and working in a stinky old RV with a stubborn man and a 6-month old baby loses its romance fairly quickly (which was somehow a surprise to me….). We thought that stepping into a new life and diving into something like this was kind of an answer in itself, but it turns out that it was just the beginning of the questions. I had no idea.

Christmas 2008