If you’ve found your way to this blog you have shown some level of interest in knowing why I decided to give up what many consider the “American Dream” in favor of a path of uncertainty.  For practical purposes, I had everything I needed.  I was safe and secure with a good job.  The only thing missing from the typical American dream was a husband and kids running around in the backyard.  I’m not sure where to start the story, but I’ll give it a shot here.

I have been working for Caterpillar for 8 years.  It’s been a very good 8 years. I’ve lived in 3 states, met lots of great people, and learned a ton.  I have learned how to run a project, how to efficiently troubleshoot problems, and how speak more effectively.

Approximately one year ago I had my greatest success as a Caterpillar employee.  It was the day that a technology I had been fostering for 2+ years was first operated in our production plant. I was elated to see it turn on for the first time.  That evening I was driving home and suddenly became distraught.  I still can’t explain exactly what happened or exactly why, but I broke down in tears on my 15min drive.  I felt so alone in this success that it felt meaningless.  Work has never been quite the same since that point. I still like the technologies, the people I worked with, and the fact that in the remanufacturing business we are making mining slightly more environmentally friendly.  Yet, I just couldn’t shake the unsettled feeling.

As time progressed I started to think more and more about other opportunities, but would get distracted by the day to day rigmarole.  I started to think more and more about things that I could do to have more to spread God’s glory and have an impact on our world.  From this point I slowly came to a point of contentment with the idea of not having a home or a secure income.  I can’t put an exact date on this, but sometime early in 2014 I reached this point.  From there I tried a little more to research other options and became overwhelmed with the multitude of possibilities.  I would periodically look into things, but had no clarity as to what was really right.

Then one day, I realized that the only thing holding me back was me.  I know God has a bigger better plan for me and I knew that I was not finding that in my current situation.  As a result I am stepped out onto a grand adventure. I have worked my last day and sold my house.  I am fully jobless and homeless. I should probably be scared but in reality I am excited.  I am going to be doing two things that I love; exploring God’s creation and looking for the right next step in life.