The Miracle of Union

God's commandments always lead to peace. God gives His commandments with precision. He is the engineer that designed the Sun's furnace and keeps the planets in their orbits. He designed the intricate beauty of a baby's palm. I think that our human minds unconsciously translate our own carelessness into his plans. His course is one eternal round.


Kristen and I still hold our goal of being debt free. We even have a rough idea of our time frame to accomplish this step towards freedom. But we recognize the imprecision of our own plans and designs. In this light we watch, we pray, we work and we live, watchful for His guiding hand.

There are a lot of factors in our plans to become debt free. Kristen is finishing school shortly, so we will have the flexibility to move, the opportunity to start a family, and her additional earning potential. I am considering a job change, with eventual plans to launch my own business. We'd like to move somewhere warmer. We want to live close to friends and family and put down roots somewhere.

I've spent a lot of time recently considering my job goals and plans. It's a scary time to quit a job. Especially without Ben's excellent skills and education. Still, fear drowns out the Spirit. So I've tried to ponder this job change while I've been at peace. Regular temple attendance has certainly helped that.

I have a good job right now. It pays a decent wage, requires moderate effort, and is comfortable. It's also a place where I will have a very difficult time growing my professional skills. Kristen and I don't want to be wage-slaves, regardless of the earnings. I've always been an idealistic dreamer. I'd rather consider what's possible than see what is realistic. It's gotten me into trouble in the past. But it still feels right to ask the Lord to open a door for me. I need a work environment that doesn't kill my dreams.

The nuts and bolts of the above opining is that Kristen and I have decided on a list of places we want to live, found some companies that we'd like to work for, and sent out letters and resumes to them. We have 10 letters out right now. I am making 5 follow-up phone calls on Tuesday, May 12th. I'm making another 5 calls on Tuesday, May 19th. I am nervous about how these calls will go. I have never landed a long-distance position. I've never relocated my family based on a job offer. I don't know what this future will brings, but I will embrace it.

Peace is your heart reminding your head that God's in charge.

Nate

Logjam in the Lindorf Household

Hey everyone,

Crazy days in our world. This week, in addition to starting this blog, we have also found ourselves swamped by Sleep Angels, keeping our house ready to sell, dealing with freak spring snowstorms, etc, etc...

It's kinda funny how things crop up to get in the way when you set an action goal. Kristen and I fasted today. We know that all things are possible with the Lord. We're going to keep moving forward in an earnest effort to keep pressure up on this logjam of issues. I know that one day soon, He'll step down and remove the plug, then comes the ride!

For a (hopefully) short time, the emphasis of this blog will not actually be on debt payments. With several upcoming major changes/expenses, we are stockpiling cash. Once we navigate the rapids, we will then be able to tackle our debt more directly.

Love you all!

Nate

p.s. Goals we are currently working on to free the logjam:

• Sell the Motorcycle
• Increase our income
• Sell the house
• Finish Kristen's school
  

Lindorf Challenge

This blog will document Nate and Kristen's efforts to get out of debt. We encourage any family members to join us in our Challenge and race us towards being debt free. We also want to invite any of you to start your own Challenges and share with the family your goals, struggles, and victories.

The Terms, The Terms, here come The Terms:

Goal:
To be completely debt free November 25th, 2010.

Scope:
Kristen and I have no credit card debt, but we do hold a car loan, a personal note with Dad, and some sizeable student loans. Our scope will be presented in terms of a percentage of debt payed off, starting today.

Efforts:
The focus of this blog will be on our efforts to win our freedom. We will achieve our goals through hard work, frugality, and whole lot of love. We'll talk about how it feels to pinch pennies, funny coupon stories, cheap dates, extra jobs, etc. Any advice on things to do and things to avoid is welcome.


Hopefully this adapted Lindorf Challenge will draw our family closer together. After all, our families are why we're here.

Lindorfs eat crusts!!!

Nate and Kristen