@Ellen – Hey there! You can ABSOLUTELY call me Aubs. I’m glad that you found me (but more even more so @RowdyKittens – that girl is just full of encouragement and inspiration!). So glad to hear about your downsizing bringing freedom. It’s amazing! Oh…and mission trips…well, I love them! They truly do put things into perspective when you see how others live with next to nothing. Amazing. One day I hope to go to Israel! I would like to go to Africa or India next, but we’ll see how it goes. I’ll update about the program I’ll be starting Tuesday with my Church. It’s gonna be great! Oh…and thank YOU for reminding me about the sparrow.

@RowdyKittens – Thanks! You really do have some great readers.
And yes, be expecting some calls from me. I know ya’ll have years of experience with this and I’m so fortunate to have you to call! I’m with you on the iPhone and (eventually) the Jeep. Hopefully, I can start working myself out of the Jeep and more on the bike. I don’t know of any van pools right now, but I’ll look into it. Thanks for the encouragement! You always motivate me!

@LynseLeanne – Thank you! Ahhh….your husband is a pack rat, huh? Yeah…that’s been me, but I’m excited as I start making this change…it’s been so freeing! Thanks for the encouragement! Also, you’ve been a great inspiration to me with the transition you’re in right now. You’re amazing! Can’t wait to hang out next week!

You know you can always call us if you need anything.

My vote is to lose the car and keep the iPhone. You know, I bet if you sold the Jeep you could afford the internship. And it might be a good opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of public transit in your church.

Do they do van pools or anything like that? If not, maybe you can advocate for that type of program? Keep up the writing! I love reading your blog.

I too have downsized. Our need was ongoing medical bills; my reward? FREEDOM. Thank you for reminding me about the rich man. Please let your readers in on your missions trip. I have been to Israel 4 times, once for six weeks with 3 of our 4 kids, Lifechanging, that was! We also got on a bus one year with other families and went to work in the dumps of Juarez where people live. That is where the light bulb really went off that I was a selfish, materialistic woman, even though we have always lived on a very small income. Wow, I’m so glad for that experience with my family.

Thanks so much for writing about all this. It sounds so great. Ellen – Yes the sparrow has found a house… where she may lay her young.

I have tons of questions of course. Here are just a few:

Could you tell us more about the big goal?
What are the details behind this 18 month training?
Is this training in Nashville or is it outside of the USA?
The Jeep wasn’t on “keep” list does that mean its being sold?
What does “whatever it takes” mean? For example is this goal a big enough priority that you are willing to give up the iphone and get a cheaper cell?
Do you have a good local support group for this big transition?

I ask about the support group because removing all of this stuff from your life usually has serious psychological side effects, namely the five stages of grief: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kübler-Ross_model. Tammy and I both experienced this and went through a few relapses of bargaining and depression before we made it out of the woods.

I think you can do it! We are here to help! Give us a call anytime! It will be stressful but if your goal has you sufficiently motivated it will really help you keep focus.

~Logan.