Forever Dreamin'

When you step out in faith and work hard to pursue and build a dream, you learn very quickly that the way is filled with obstacles and challenges. Not only do you have to overcome the limitations your own doubts and fears place on you, you have to stare down those who would seek to discourage you. You have to frequently check your dreams against God's plans, and, often, find your hope for what is to come by remembering what He has already done in your life and with the dreams He placed in your heart.

Choices and decisions constantly have to be weighed, prayed about, and made. Sometimes they work out amazingly well - like when Sarah sent an email to a company which was advertising on Craigslist that they built food trucks. Not only did the gentlemen want to build us a food truck, they wanted to build us the exact food truck we were looking for. AND they kept it in our budget. Crazy and true. 

Sometimes, the decisions we make don't work out as well as we hoped they would. We entered a partnership with a start-up non profit organization in which we would share space in their building by renting the kitchen, dining area, and classroom. It was a blessing for us to have the space to teach our summer class. Sarah and I and our volunteers put in hours of work because the building was in pretty rough shape before we moved in - but we got our area looking beautiful and ready. We had a lot of plans and dreams as we pursued a commercial kitchen license so we could use our space as a commissary and serving area for the Torch - while we continued to teach students and grow 180.

As the other organization worked to grow, it became apparent that it would not work for us to continue to rent the kitchen, and so we decided to end the sublease before we licensed the kitchen. For many people, that might have felt like a huge setback, but the people who are behind the Torch and 180 are not like many people. We have rejoiced at the great things that happened this summer. Three of the six students are employed. During the course of the summer, we were nominated to receive a grant for a commercial refrigerator and freezer. We were chosen to receive that grant. 

And Sarah and I got a powerful glimpse into the great potential there is to grow 180 so it can impact the people in our community, and beyond. We know we need our very own space. We will be relentless in our prayers, planning and pursuit of the perfect space. 

We learned so very much - and look forward to what is coming next. Is closing the door on the sublease disappointing? Yes, it is. Is it debilitating? Absolutely not! There are so many options and opportunities before us. And with God in control - ANYTHING is possible! 

Let's go!