Early last fall began a huge transition for our family that has resulted in some wonderful changes in our lives. Kim and I began having the conversation about living more frugal by downsizing and tried to envision what that might look like. We briefly considered a “55 and over” neighborhood in Jacksonville that that was very intriguing - smaller house, less to maintain, smaller yard,, less to maintain, strong amenities, potentially more free time. It made us stop and think what are we really doing with our time and what do we want to be doing with it in the future.
For me, it made me think about use of time, how much do I want to sell every week, how much do I want to give away and how much do I want to keep? These are serious questions that I needed to step back and consider.
In September things began to change a bit at work and I started to realize that the vision and direction that I had hoped to implement at this company were not equally shared by the owners, although we had agreed conceptually before I started, the reality of change and giving up control was a difficult task. After making several appeals for change and no significant response, it became apparent that my influence and time of contribution was over. In a very short time, my career opportunity had diminished to that of a stale job. Very disheartening. I resigned my position the second week of November. The owners were very gracious to me and offered to extend my pay through the end of the year as I shared with them how Kim and I were contemplating a significant change in our lifestyle.
At the very same time, our church of (17) years was also in transition with almost a complete turnover in staffing and the senior pastor scheduled to retire in December. This was rapidly changing my once close relationship with our church to more of a casual connection.
For Kim the search for meaningful community was also high priority as she wrestled with what she is passionate about and where can she use her skills and talents, plug in and make a difference. In October Kim decided to drive up to see Sarah-Grace at Covenant College for her fall break and take some time to be reflective about our future. While she’s in Lookout Mountain, opportunities present themselves for her to meet people, get introduced to a “55 and over” community that is being developed, take a closer look at Chattanooga and comes back with a vision and startling news.
She announces, “I could live in Lookout Mountain, Georgia”. For a Jacksonville native with extended family in the community to even talk about such an idea is quite a revelation. Her enthusiasm for the idea did not seem to wane over the next few days or weeks. So I began to take her idea with real consideration. Why not? If this revelation is truly from God, then we need to be obedient and trust that He will work out the details.
Over the next few months, we made two trips to Lookout Mountain to get more affirmation with the idea. Each time the sense of calling to this area increased. By mid-December we asked each other “How fast can we do this”? It was bittersweet news to share with our immediate family that we really felt led to move…without them. However, God also used our Christian mothers to encourage our decision. They both felt the opportunity and timing was right.
So on the 4th of January we had an estate sale to thin our belongings and on the 11th listed our house. I bought Sarah-Grace back to school on the 12th and took possession of a rental house on Lookout Mountain. Before I could return home on the 15th we had a negotiated contract on our house with a preapproved buyer with no contingencies that could close in 45 days. Wow, God delivered again. Now the scramble begins to find a new place for Haley and Philip to live, select a moving company, sell some more stuff, give some things away, box up our entire house and get some repairs made to the house in accordance with the contract.
Although I have nothing specific lined up in the way of employment, each of the visits to Chattanooga were encouraging to me to see an up and coming entrepreneurial community and making contacts with community leaders each time. About the middle of January, I receive a call from a former associate dating back to the mid to late 90′s that was responsible for me getting the opportunity to work with Caterpillar. He indicates that he has another client lined up for consulting work and wants to know I would be available. Then he tells me that the client is located in Adairsville, Georgia which is about an hour south of Lookout Mountain and we can start in February. Another example of God providing the right thing at the right time. I am speechless.
So we moved the last week in February, closed on our house the first week in March, landed back in Lookout Mountain on March 8th. We know for a fact this is where we are supposed to be, our steps have clearly been ordained. What is not so clear, is the mission(s). We are very excited about the possibilities and our new beginning.