WOW, I just realized that I haven't blogged in about 6 months.  Once faithful, I have slipped into some sort of inward-gazing lackadaisical mindframe.  Not that anyone probably reads this anyhow, BUT.....

So, I guess for starters, the best way to sum up what has happened to Tristan and I job-wise is to post a copy of an email that I sent out to my Men's Group a few months ago (I'm too lazy to re-type it all...hehehe):

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Guys,

On Sunday, March 16th, God spoke to me during church (totally unrelated to the sermon) that the money that Tristan and I had in our Savings Account for a house was NOT for a house.  I wrote it in my Bible at the time and showed it to Tristan...  We couldn't quite figure it out.

Over the course of the next 2 weeks or so, He revealed to me that I was supposed to be working with the poor and needy.  I realize now (after re-reading my last 2 years worth of blogs, that this has ALWAYS been my
passion, but I had not been in touch with God like I should have over the last year or so.  He made it abundantly clear that everything we have been through in our marriage in the past 12 years (bankruptcy, foreclosure, re-learning how to live frugally and BUDGET, being able to be self-sufficient, etc...) was all part of his bigger plan.  And I truly feel that he has big plans in store for Tristan and I in a Ministry of our
own someday.

About 3 weeks ago, I had dinner with an old friend of mine, who used to go to downtown Birmingham with me and the kids to feed the homeless.  We hadn't talked in a long time and it was just kind of a random meeting.  I told him what I thought God was doing, and out of the blue, he said, "Have you been to Oak Mountain Missions and talked to the guy that started the place, named Roddy?"

That place had been on my heart a long time ago, but I had never pursued it, and admittedly had pushed it to the back of my mind. 

I prayed about it for the next week, and God placed it on my heart that I should go there.  At the time, I didn't know how or why, but I went the next day.

I walked through the door and asked for Roddy, I just looked at him and said, "My name is Dusty, and I really don't know why I'm here, but I feel that God wanted me to come here and that maybe you could use some help."   He didn't hesitate or even bat an eyelash, but immediately put me to work sorting donations, unloading trucks, assisting people picking out clothes, furniture, etc.... (volunteer work). 

Over the course of the day, he mentioned in passing that he might be replacing one of his Drivers who just wasn't working out due to personal problems.  I left that day, and told him that I'd eventually be back to volunteer some more.  The place just felt "RIGHT" and Roddy just felt "RIGHT", as well.  I was truly at peace there.

 

Then, later that week on Sunday night, my dad and I sat down and had a talk. He could tell I was miserable at work, and I really was. It's hard to sit still at work when you feel God calling you to bigger and better things.

Then, in the midst of my conversation with my dad, he admits that he has not cashed THIRTY-ONE of his own paychecks because the business hasn't always had the moneysince adding me as an additional employee (plus Insurance, etc...).  WOW.  Thanks for the confirmation, Lord, you actually just made what I'm about to do THAT MUCH EASIER for me!

 

So, I asked if I could resign.  Business was slow and he has plenty of help to cover the schedule.

 

probably end up in Ministry of some sort, but we never mentioned it to you."

 

So, I walked away from a family business and a Future.  Walked away from a chance to own my own store someday and be set FOR LIFE, probably.  And, believe it or not, it was the BIGGEST RELIEF to walk away.  It was like a burden was lifted.

It was kind of like doing a U-Turn in the road when you suddenly discover you've been driving in the wrong direction!

So, I spent the next 2 weeks or so at home with Tristan, helping her get the house in order and doing Spring Cleaning, and just spending much-needed time together with her while the kids were at school.

Then, towards the end of that 2 week, on a Thursday night, while Tristan and I were doing our devotions, God pretty much hit me over the head and said, "What are you waiting on?  Go talk to Roddy."

So, I dropped Tristan off for her doctor's appointment on Friday morning and had an hour and a half to kill.  I went down to Oak Mountain and asked Roddy if he was really serious about hiring someone.   I explained that things had changed since I saw him last, and that I was no longer currently employed with my family, as God had told me to resign and prepare my house for doing HIS work, and that it didn't matter what the pay was or how many hours a week, and that he'd probably think I was over-qualified and crazy, but that I just wanted to and NEEDED to work there (I didn't really mention the part that Godwas TELLING me to work there, although in hindsight I probably should have!)

 He gave me an application and told me to come back the first part of the next week.  At the last minute, as I was
leaving, God placed it on my heart to ask Roddy if I could leave my phone number for him, and if he had
time over the weekend to talk, that I would explain/introduce myself further.  Roddy told me to just write it down on one of the blank index cards on his desk,and so I did.

That night and the next day (Saturday), I had a church Men's Retreat in Springville, Alabama, up in the mountains.  It was 8:30 Saturday morning and I just happened to be standing in the ONLY place at the Retreat where I

could actually get a cell phone signal.  I really had no business being in that spot at that moment, as it was

no where near where I was supposed to be!  My phone rang, and it was Roddy.

He said, "I know this is going to sound odd, but a lot can happen in 24 hours.  I've been on the phone with the Military and the Red Cross all night.  My 27 year-old daughter is in the military and is stationed
overseas.  She just found out she has a hole in her liver (turned out to be a leaking bile duct) and is being rushed to a hospital in Japan where no one speaks English.  I'm going to have to leave right away for Japan.  Is there
any way you can come in Monday at 7:00 AM, and let me give you a crash-course in running the warehouse, dispatching the trucks, handling donations and deliveries, and organizing the volunteers?  I'm going to need
you to step into my shoes for about a Month while I'm gone and run this place."

I swear to you guys, I know I am very creative and have a VERY overactive imagination, but I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried!

It's amazing when you TRULY follow God's will for your life, how he provides and takes care of you.  It's like riding in the "curl" of a giant wave!

Tristan turned in her two week's notice at the Church about a month ago, and is no longer working there.  She is now being a stay-at-home mom.   I came home today and she was scrubbing the bathroom with a toothbrush.  God has made it clear to her that her "mission" right now is to be a stay at home with the kids and be the mom that she should be and that they needed MORE of in their life.  Working at the church was taking too much out of her mentally and physically and our household was going downhill (my fault, too....), as well as interfering with

our time that we were able to spend together during Services, as it seemed like shewas practically LIVING in the church bookstore all day on Sundays and all night on Wednesdays.

The money isn't tremendous and it's only from 7 AM til Noon, Monday thru Friday (25 hours per week), but I KNOW that it's going to lead to bigger things and that God has his arms around us, both spiritually and financially.  So, in the meantime, I'm not worried about it and it's not about the money, anyhow.   I just HAVE to do what he wants me to do.  I can't run away from Him anymore.  I HAVE to answer his Call and quit trying to do my own thing and be "successful."  I've spent 35 years doing that.

And the amazing thing?  The Mission is like a giant yardsale of used items pouring in, and boxes full of food coming in from grocery stores, and day-old bread from Panera, Pepperidge Farm, Publix, and chips from Golden Flake.   And furniture and appliances that need to be cleaned up and minor repairs, and it's just amazing that it's a COMPILATION of everything I've ever done my whole life!

Thank you ALL for your prayers this morning and for your continued prayers. All I can say is, I'm not spiritual giant, not by any means, but guys, I'm TELLING YOU, if any of you out there have ever felt God calling you to a
different vocation (and/or you're currently miserable in the one you're in....), do NOT hesitate to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.   Open your heart to Him, get all the junk out, and be RECEPTIVE to what He wants you to do.

It is not the least bit scary, even though you'd think it would be, when you KNOW for a fact you're doing His will.  It's like having big, old, strong arms wrapped around you every step of the way, and it's EXHILERATING.

And if you know for a fact that you're doing what he wants you to do, but you dread going to work everyday (and it's become a drudgery), then PRAY and try to go into your job every day with AGAPE LOVE, and I assure you that it will change!


In Him,
Dusty

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So, since that time, Roddy came back from taking care of his daughter (she's doing better and back to work now).  Apparently I did such an impressive job that he brought me up at a board meeting and they voted to keep me on as Warehouse Manager!

The Mission doesn't sell ANYTHING.  We just give it all away.  People DO have to be pre-qualified, however, to come in (through an outside agency such as DHR or one of the Shelters), and they have to have a referral.

But it's really cool.  The bills get paid every month, whether through Donations or Grant Money, the money just SHOWS UP.  I guess when people find out that their donated items are NOT being sold but GIVEN AWAY with love, that sets us apart from some other agencies which apparently have turned into big business.

And it's nice to have a boss who TOTALLY "Gets It"...  I mean, he went out on faith to start this place almost 15 years ago.  He did it totally on FAITH and obedience to God, and has continued to run it exactly as God instructed him year-after-year ever since then!

Well, last month I felt that I could do more if I had a truck instead of the old Astro Van.  Maybe I could run extra errands or deliver extra Bread to different Shelters after work if I had room to haul it.

So, I decided to pray.  And I decided to pray specifically!   I asked God (if it was His will), if I could have a Full-Size Chevrolet Truck, extended cab (to have room for the kids), and I didn't have much to spend.

I waited about 3 weeks and kept praying.   I tried not to get discouraged, but it really wasn't that hard, because deep down inside, I KNEW he was going to come through!

Then I found it on Craigslist.  A 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, extended cab, tool box, bed liner, CD Player, Air Conditioning that ACTUALLY WORKS.....and the price?   $3,000.00

No Lie.  I figured it was a mistake or maybe a typo.  But I called the guy.  Turns out it was high-mileage from a long commute, but the price was RIGHT, 3 Grand....