Several weeks ago I asked you to pray about a major change going on at our house…and then I was heartless enough to NOT tell you about it until almost a month later. Many of the details still needed to be ironed out and we had to “get all our ducks in a row”. Ever tried to line up a bunch of ducks? It’s kind of like trying to get your kids and their cousins to all stand still and smile AT THE SAME TIME so you can take a picture.
Now that everything is all official and stuff…I can tell you about the new job my husband is taking on.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a long time, you might know how we’ve dabbled a little bit in “food service” work. Last summer we experimented with a Shaved Ice business…we purchased a trailer and have sold concessions at auctions and other events…we’ve sold food at our farmer’s market.
All of these ideas have worked fairly well, but have been difficult to carry out since Matt needed to still work full time at construction, coach soccer, and work these businesses on the side as he could. Ultimately, Matt had a desire to open a restaurant some day. One that would serve good food. One that might serve locally grown food.
But of course…in order to carry out an idea like this you need two major things: time and money. So, the restaurant idea was kind of placed on the back burner as a “maybe someday” kind of an idea.
In mid-July, a man from church (who somehow knew of Matt’s desire to run a restaurant) approached us with an opportunity. He planned to open a brand new restaurant in town…and would Matt like to help him run it?
Um, well let’s see. Matt would get to do what he’s been wanting to do, yet we wouldn’t have to back this plan financially? And he would be receiving a salary? With benefits?
Sounds like a no-brainer.
Except that it wasn’t. Matt has worked HARD the past two years building up his construction business. It was just starting to really take off and jobs were rolling in quite consistently. He’d already committed to doing several jobs for people and was behind on the ones he was currently working on. Was he just supposed to stop all of that mid paint brush stroke and move on?
And what about coaching soccer? Giving that up would be difficult. Would he have to give up coaching?
Long story short…all of the ducks got into their row. God has a way of helping ducks along. If it’s something God wants for you…all the details fall into place, don’t they?
Matt officially started his new job two weeks ago. The restaurant hasn’t opened yet. Right now he and the other manager, along with the owner, are working on ALL the details (lots and lots of ducks). Opening date is set for November 1st.
Matt will be the “morning guy”, which means that we’ll all be learning how to go to bed really early so that Daddy can get up and off to work by 5 am. Then he’ll be home around 2pm after the lunch rush. (Okay, except we all know restaurant managers work crazy hours sometimes, so we won’t count on this being a consistent schedule.)
But just imagine it…Daddy coming home from work most afternoons just about the time we finish with school for the day? What in the world might THAT be like?
And…he’ll still be able to help coach soccer because most of that takes place after 2 pm.
So there you go. That’s the news.
The boys and I got to go take a tour of the restaurant yesterday. Be still my heart, I got to walk through the BIGGEST commercial kitchen in town. Somebody hand me an apron.
I’ll try to keep you updated as time goes on. Thanks for your prayers during this transition. Change can be hard for me…even good change. Ah, but we’re trusting the One who never changes. The One who can always line up the ducks.
Ooh, I think some pictures are in order, huh?
ooh how wonderful for you. Praying for a smooth transition.
That’s amazing!! I wish we could be there…just having a new restaurant in town is exciting stuff! And I know how nice some form of consistency can be. Can’t wait to hear more details. :)
Quack, quack. (That’s duck for God will continue to be with you and, may you feel his presence and may he bless this opportunity.)
I love watching God work. :-)
Your family will stay in my prayers as you transition – and accept change.
So true, God is great at lining up ducks hehe! So pleased for you all, how exciting that you and the little ones will have him around for more fun times!! :D
How exciting! :)
How exciting! I wish your family all the best Matt begins his new adventure!
Congratulations Laura and Matt. We have had a similar dream. Ours would be a really top of the line sub shop in the front with lots of homemade goodies and in the back a Christian counseling center! I would feed their bodies and my husband would feed their souls. :)
Cant wait to see how God lines this all up!
Quack, Quack
Isn’t God amazing?! Good luck with the new venture!
It sounds wonderful!!! Thinking of how God often gives us the desires of our hearts, only in much better ways than we could dream up ourselves. I’ll be praying for your family during this time of transition!
Congratulations! Sounds like a wonderful and exciting change!
Sounds so exciting! :)
And, yes, pictures are in order.
Isn’t it amazing to see God at work?!
Oh, wow! Congratulations, and can’t wait to hear how it unfolds!
Congrats!! How wonderful! Praying everything goes smoothly for y’all!
Congratulations! Prayers for a great opening and a smooth transition into this big step!
Congrats! My husband is a teacher and here the high schools are in session from 7 AM until 1:30 PM — which is absolutely insane for the kids, but means Daddy is home by 2 PM everyday. We love it!
Congrautlations! How exciting…praying that God continues to line up all the ducks and that the openeing goes smoothly – and that you all get to have a blast! Praying…
What a blessing! Can’t wait to see the kitchen :)
when i heard about how soccer takes place after 2 and he gets off at 2- i KNEW God had planned this!!!
How great for your family! My hubby switched to a super early shift at work a little over a year ago and its great. Down side: we all get up so early. Up side: he can get things done at places that are open 9-5 only on the way home and still be home before 5pm.
Congratulations! Isn’t God just grand (I was gonna say ducky, but thought it might be disrespectful!) to allow for us to have dreams and goals and then let Him fulfil them?! I’m happy for all of you!
Wow!
And how far from Omaha are you?? A God-honoring restaurant with good food sounds like a ‘destination’ to me ;-)
Just the big, beautiful new commercial kitchen sounds drool-worthy.
Wow Laura!! That`s great news!! Praying everything goes well!!
Congrats! It is amazingly wonderful how things work out they way they were meant to.
Yeah! I’ll have to send my parents down to give the new place some business since its a bit far to come on my own. I can’t wait to see pictures!
Wow. How amazing. My DH has a dream of us opening a sandwich shop. When we first got married I suggested we follow his dream but he works with computers and his income was quite substatial. Practical DH would not give that up. Well, the Lord has decreased it by 1/2 and now….well, we’re praying about it. What an amazing and encouraging post this is to me! Praise the Lord for His faithfulness in providing opportunity for you and thank you for the reminder that the Lord knows and answers!!