The Road to Amarillo

Yes, it has been way too long. I have had inspiration to write, but no time. Then more stuff piles up on my "to write" list, and then I get overwhelmed. I need to catch up.

Last post was written while I was still doing the start-up thing. I was helping Not For Sale by starting up a beverage company that would throw 5% of all revenue back to the non-profit anti-slavery side of the organization. REBBL Tea (Roots, Extracts, Berries, Bark and Leaves) was the product, Headwaters Natural Products was the company. Two days after writing that post, I get a call from the chairman of the board...they want to make a change. I wasn't getting the product to market fast enough, they had doubts about securing funding and worst part, they didn't like the way that I wanted management to participate in that funding round. Okay, it was their company and all, so not much I could do. I was asked to resign, which I did. I pretty much guaranteed that they would get change with this move, but I didn't say it would be positive change. We were scheduled to launch the new tea in March, which is a month away from today. That in itself was a very high hurdle to set, but we were on schedule. I even had about $450,000 in funding secured...enough to get the first inventory of product produced. The board asked the VP of Product Innovation to be the interim CEO. I heard that the first thing he did was to delay the launch. Change that they can believe in...NOT. It was hard to hear that the job I was doing was not good enough, or what the board wanted. I believed I was doing what was best for the company. I thought I had learned my lesson...I told myself not to get involved in anything unless I had control, and I broke that rule...I only had 10% equity, not enough to control things. In hindsight, I should have not jumped in so quickly...as fast as NFS moves, they really don't think much through, or plan strategically. They work by "feel" and jump in with both feet. That should have been a warning to me. But I was excited about doing something cool and something worthwhile...something fulfilling.

I did feel weird, though. Here I was working full time for a non-profit that was not Christian Relief Fund...which I love. I was on the board for CRF, while working for NFS. I did feel like I was cheating on CRF. I know, I know that sounds weird, but it's true. So, after leaving Headwaters, I wanted to find something that would excite and fulfill me. I also wanted to just take a break and chill for a while because I was feeling burned out. It was near the holidays, so I thought I would just wait until the new year to look for a job.

I went to our end of the year board meeting in Amarillo, TX in November. It was mostly business as usual...the books looked great, the growth impressive, and best part, we were sponsoring more orphans and needy children and feeding thousands of refugees in Kenya and Haiti. Towards the end of the meeting, the president of CRF reported that two candidates had been offered the job of director of field operations, but for some strange reason both had turned it down. I was half listening, but when I heard that I looked at him and asked, "what job?" He repeated the job title, and I said, "Milt, I would do that!" I had been praying for a way to work at CRF for over 2 years. I knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my working life. I love the organization, and I wanted to make a difference in the world. His reply, "Larry, you're joking, right?" I told him I was dead serious, and that it was something I had been praying about. He continued, "We could never pay you what you are used to making." He was trying to talk me out of it. At this point in my life, it isn't about the money. I could learn to live on less, make sacrifices, and not get caught up in things like title, salary, and lifestyle. I told him I wanted to be seriously considered for the job.

I still had people to convince...why would I want to move from Seattle to Amarillo for a third of what I would "normally" make? Luckily, my wife was not one of those doubters. She supports me without question. Her questions are more about my happiness and satisfaction. She would hate to move from Seattle, but she knows when I am serious.

She and I spent a long weekend in December in Amarillo interviewing, looking for an apartment, getting a feel for the culture. We will do the separation thing until our daughter finishes her studies at U-dub in 18 months. Our budget will be tight as we try to keep two households going, but we are game. I drove down to Amarillo the first week of January to start in my new position. It is challenging, exciting, and totally fulfilling. The stories I get to hear each day about lives that are changed are so amazing.

Amarillans are warm, hospitable, and genuinely friendly. The culture here is less diverse than Seattle; I describe it as a monocultural city. If you aren't Republican, it is best to keep quiet. Same goes if you don't like hunting, guns, BBQ, or country music. I wish I was kidding. I am finding my way around town and am looking for a place to worship. The number of churches astounds me after living in Seattle. I also found an Asian market that has 90% of what I would want. I find that to be a blessing.

My road to Amarillo has God's hands all over it. I have learned to trust in Him more and more. I am going to see where He takes me on this incredible journey of service and obedience. My life has changed so much since I promised to listen to the Holy Spirit more in my life as I make decisions. I'm just along for the ride.

Chow!