After 6 (or 7?) years at Zahn Builders, and 16 years as a Carpenter, Jordan has left to be on his own! Late summer, Jordan came home and told me from the other side of the bathroom door, 'It's Time.' I knew what he meant because we've talked about 'this time' for years. When, if ever, would we go on our own? And that day, he had a feeling. We've been trying to go by 'God's time'. Not knowing when that would be or how we would know. But Jordan felt it, we entertained the idea, and we started to tell some close friends. And then consultations and business started to steadily roll in. Jordan had work for Spring, so he spent many nights there pulling in any extra income he could. And since we are artistic, we didn't have any idea how to go about this business-like. So that meant many conversations with friends, a client or two, a banker, a lawyer.... and things just snowballed from there!
We landed a main floor renovation with a sweet couple and that was the final straw - we decided to take the plunge. And in true 'us' fashion, we waited until the last minute on everything... just coasting through as we learned. We finally started getting a loan set up and it was official the same week Jordan was giving his notice. He tried getting a meeting with his boss one Monday morning. Was told he would just have to give a call. Jordan insisted it required a sit-down. Was told he couldn't meet up for 2-3 weeks. Ugh. So then, Nov. 1, he was going to put in his notice with Chad, the general manager of the company. And before he gets to it, Chad blows up on him. This had never happened! Jordan took it. And took it as constructive criticism, even if it wasn't exactly fair. And I think that was such an example of Jesus! So much for quitting on those terms! So the next day, a Friday, he goes in with the intention to quit - again - to Chad. Chad gets to him first, requiring a meeting in the truck. He apologizes for chewing Jordan out. Begins to tell Jordan that it's just that they're going to be transitioning him into a bigger role at that company... more responsibility, a crew..... Seriously?! So Jordan interjects and shares that he is actually transitioning out! This is where I see God having worked: Jordan has been a light to the company, sharing his faith and exemplifying it. And although it doesn't seem to have been accepted by his co-workers, they have worked alongside this 'Christian' all these years and have witnessed a modern-day Jesus lover. The company never seemed to overly-value Jordan. He never asked for more - ever! And neither did he receive any special treatment. Other employees demanded it and got it! Now after all this time, he's being offered a promotion! But God! It was such confirmation all week that it was certainly time to get out. And then this special treat of affirmation through a potential promotion! Just in time...? I think so! I'm so glad Jordan got to leave on the terms of knowing he WAS valued! And if these men, who are not believers, could finally acknowledge that in Jordan to the point of promoting him without his asking for it, then certainly God knows what he is doing as he is calling Jordan out. I just think that's so kind of God! Finally, Jordan's boss could meet with him the following week. Of course he knew the news which is what Jordan had wanted. Jordan acknowledged at the start of the meeting that they both knew why he was there. His boss encouraged him. Stated that he was surprised but also shared what he admired of some of Jordan's finer work and how much excellence he had seen in Jordan. And Jordan shared how this was all a GOD thing! That we just had to follow His lead! It was a great meeting... he got an open invitation to sub through ZBI and that the door is open if he ever needs to come back! Jordan thanked Tony for his employment all of these years. (Told me he even got teary-eyed). This was one of the biggest decisions of our lives to this point!
So he had 2 weeks left. And we only had a loan. We set up an official business name at this time White Pine Construction and Design, LLC with White Pine Construction as an assumed name. We hope to score White Pine Design someday! This was one week before Jordan was officially done! His first morning as WPC was Nov 19. An hour after he began work, our general liability insurance was approved! Seriously, we are so last minute!
And now some more cool God stuff: People keep calling! We've had a consultation about every other week since Jordan started! And we more fully realized how God had worked in preparation in my job at Troxel. It was a 2018 January morning that I just felt like, 'I think there's something more for me... I think God has design in my future.' I was in the shower and I just asked God, 'is this for me?' And it was clear that yes! This was a gift and talent and I felt so surely that God was saying, 'do this!' So I talked to Jordan and said, 'I don't know how, but I'm going to get work. I'm going to focus on this above anything during my time at home.' (Emmy was in her first year of school.) He was for it, of course. So I set about that day, trying to step up my marketing game. I got on linkedin and friended a few 'random' people. A couple hours later, I got a message from Drew at TCH. And I knew this was it! We met a couple times in a couple of weeks. I got the job! My first official job since leaving the workplace 11 years ago. God had richly blessed all of those 'stay-at-home-mom' years! It was something that was so important to me and He had provided for us through Jordan's job all those years. I also always had some side job going on (massage all those years, sewing bags for 3, Norwex, Photography, Babysitting, Interior Design... he is so good!) Back to TCH: I was to be their Client-Experience Manager. And that included accounting (bills/lien waivers/sworn statements/budgeting), marketing (and marketing research), selections (helping the client as well as organizing incoming info.) Every. Single. Task has further developed me for the role I will play with WPC!! It's unreal, just so divinely orchestrated. About 8 months into the accounting role, my boss decided to take that duty from me and in it's place, I started to meet with clients/manage selections (more in line with my passion). But the accounting was for our WPC!
So now we are 1 month in as official 'business owners.' We are trying to navigate the 'business' end as well as we can. The bookwork isn't super fun. The estimating is hard. But even before Jordan was finished at Zahn, we had lined up work at least through January. One month later (currently), it seems we have work through March. Blown away by our community of support. We are so thankful to God, He has made this easy for us! He has worked out the details, he has made us laugh at the clarity of His will, we are overwhelmed by His plan for us. My prayer is that we continue to want what He wants and to do His will. To God be the Glory!
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