I knew that I wanted to write a six month update on my life since leaving my job. I actually asked my husband if he would write a post for this blog. No doubt, that this life changing decision affected him and our family almost as much as me. He was supportive every step of the way- from the initial conversation to dreaming of “April” to talking me through the pit in my stomach when it was time to turn in my notice. If you take the time to read his side of the story, you will see that it wasn’t an easy journey. In fact, we both had moments of doubt. Through it all, we trusted that God was in control. 

Here are his words–

In October 2014, Julie and I visited New York City for the Hillsong Church Conference. I went expecting to be in awe of the city and to be impacted by the conference. Little did I know that on the flight out Julie would receive a word from God that would be transforming to our family and we had not even arrived in New York yet. 

You see, Julie had been working for a company for nearly 13 or 14 years and for the first 6 to 7 years, it was a great job. We enjoyed many perks from this job and it had definitely been a blessing to our family. Sometimes however,things change and not always for the better. 

In January of 2009, we welcomed our second child, Gary,and Julie was on her maternity leave when she received an offer for a new position at work upon her return. The offer sounded really good so she took the position. 
Fast forward 5 years and it had not been all that it was cracked up to be and Julie found her self praying that God intervene in some way.

You see it would not be easy, because this new position had opened up the opportunity for Julie to stay at home with our kids and we had decided we would homeschool. So decisions were made and plans put into place based on the new position job description and hours.
Now back to New York 2014, at this point the job description she was given had changed drastically. The work environment was not the same at all. She found her self in a situation that had become unhealthy and looking back was effecting our whole family. Honestly at that time, I did not even realize the effect it had on our family. As I look back from where we are now, I have thought about it many times and how it was hard on all four of us.
Now all that to bring you to the point where God would speak and Julie had to listen. Only problem was when He spoke, it was not exactly something I thought was possible. God told Julie that 18 months from when she heard Him on that plane she would leave her job. Now that sounds great and empowering no doubt. When she told me I was very excited for her and I really, really wanted her to be able to walk away from her current situation. I just have to be honest now, we were both working very hard just to make ends meet sometimes and since we are being honest, this is where my human reasoning and me being unfortunately so much of a realist took over. Some may call me fatalist or a Mr. Negativity, if you will, but in the days to come after she told me what she had heard from God, I could not fathom how in the world we were going to make it. 
Julie had her heart set on this. She knew what God had told her and while I know she had doubts, she was trusting in Him and His plan. She had discussed it with me now several times, I guess in hopes that I would say you know what I have prayed and God told me do it, it’s time. Only thing is I just could not get over the thoughts like…we are barely making it now. How will we pay the bills? How will we afford to eat? How will we go on vacations and trips that we have been going on and planning? You see that’s a lot of me,me,me; very selfish I guess? She told me she was waiting on me and would remind me that she was hoping that I was praying and listening. I was, but maybe, sometimes I was not praying about as often as I should. Why? Because my mind was telling me there is no way this can work. Just look at what you make. Your going to live on that alone? How different will life be? It’s going to be miserable. Again pretty selfish right? Sorry, but that is just how I felt sometimes when the conversation would come up.

So then we found ourselves at the 18 month mark and still I had no definitive answer for her. Disappointing huh? Yeah, I was disappointed for her and I was disappointed in myself. My selfish thinking and fears were trumping my faith. Then I begin to go through some struggles, actually we both did. Through prayer I came to realize that our struggles were no accident. Could it be that we were actually now in disobedience? We were a month past the 18 month mark now and I realized that God wanted me to trust Him more than I ever had before. So, the first week of May I told Julie that I knew now that she had to go and turn in her notice to leave.
It’s been 6 months now and although we still have challenges, that’s life right. It has its ups and downs, but God is God and He is still Good. It’s amazing how He has provided and taken care of us.
A great balance has returned to our home. Julie is so much happier and so is the rest of the family. The kids so enjoy having her home to concentrate totally on their homeschooling and also many home projects. Julie has gotten her own little business going with AVON and she has seen a lot of growth in that area. Most importantly we have been able to go to things as a family and enjoy them as a family. The date nights are great!!’ Our daughter is at the age now that she can stay home with our son, so we have been able just to go and have these random dinner dates, that was never an option before. 
Trust in God put ALL your faith in him. He will not let you down.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I am so thankful for the support of this man and so many others that spoke life into us while we walked through this transition. God is so faithful. It makes no sense to me how we have made it 6 months. I tell people all of the time that it is God’s tithing math. God can do more with your 90% then you could with 100%. It is all about obedience and being faithful. That is what our family has done. We stepped in obedience, even when it didn’t make sense. It’s been scary at times, but the Lord has been good to us. 

Stay faithful. When He speaks, listen and obey. 

You can never walk on the water and be a part of the miracle, if you don’t step out of the boat. ❤️