Chad,

Paul

Just today I received this simple email asking a simple question from a friend that I hadn't heard from or talked with in a few months.  It made me realize that:

1. Others may be wondering the same thing, and
2. That its a really good question if one actually takes time to answer it with more than the proverbial "Doin' great, thanks!"

My answer is below.  What is yours?  PLEASE add it to the comments!

__________

Paul,

Thanks for asking.  We have taken a couple of weeks off to settle some things after Amy’s grandfather passed away, and had to get our house leased out again, which we have done.  It has been a challenging window of time, but we knew it was all coming, so it wasn’t a blindside.  During the downtime, I have all but turned off my updating to twitter and facebook, so if I look like I've dropped off the face of the internet, it's only temporary!  We are planning on heading north then east starting sometime in mid-June after the kids birthdays here in Boise. (May 25th for Dillon and June 7 for Emily)

I guess to say that “all is comfortable” would be stretching it or at best overstating things.  Financially we have learned a million new ways to trust the Lord.  That’s code for “we’re broke, but continue to be amazed as we live day by day by the grace of God.”  We wouldn’t trade the experiences and opportunities to see God move that the road trip has provided, and that is why we are headed back out for another year.  It has, however, been a bit like tightrope walking on what seems like an overly stretched rubber band…

Our "monthly support base" is in desperate need of company.  The four of them are getting lonely.    But, on the flip side, thanks to one-time gifts and speaking opportunities, we have miraculously always had the funds we needed to move when we needed them, and the divine appointments we have had during unanticipated delays have proven why we were where we were.

We began a book project in early December that is nearing completion.  One and a half chapters to go, then on to editing and finally we’ll self publish it hopefully before fall.  We have also started a companion curriculum for small groups based off of the same material as the book, and will follow up shortly thereafter with a devotional book on the same content themes:  compassion, sacrifice, passion, teamwork, and leadership.  The devotional specifically will feature many of the stories and personalities that we have met on the road trip, along with some of the amazing things God has done either with us, through us, or in us this year.

So do I wish we had done it differently?  No.  It has been amazing and continues to be so.  Would I have done it the same if I knew ahead of time that it was going to go like this?  I’d love to say yes, but I have a fear of lightning strikes.  It’s not that it has been bad, but why else do you think God had to sneak it in on me?  The last six months has made us realize our weaknesses like never before.  It’s like eating Orange Juice concentrate.  It’s the exact same stuff as the orange juice but without all that water (space) in between, it just doesn't taste the same.  When you concentrate a family by squeezing it into 282 feet, you have to get used to how different it tastes…   Alas, God has my full attention now, and like a lopsided xtreme fighting match or a sporting bloopers reel, you just have to watch with curiosity to see how it all turns out , even though you know its likely going to involve a little pain and make you cringe. 

So here we are, trusting God, getting ready to load back up in our amazingly dependable 1993 Bounder that we have put over 15,000 miles on since last October.  We are striking East in a few weeks, this time for the states of Montana, South Dakota,  Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and who knows where else.  The house is leased out starting June 1 for a full year this time.  Perhaps we’ll get to the east coast.  Maybe not.  We’ll see.  One thing we do know is that we’ll be trusting God along the way, and that we certainly appreciate knowing that we are remembered in the prayers of those who care and count us among their friends.

Thank you for being one of them.  And sorry for the novel, but this book writing experience has made it so I can’t give a short answer!

By the way, is all well with you?  (Remember… You get points for honesty, and double bonuses for laughing at your self.)

Sincerely,

Chad Houck
Co-founder/Director
World Wins International/Share5
www.share5.org
(208)585.7370 c