It’s beginning to look a lot like…er..wrong topic… It seems to be getting about time to start paying attention to some of the apocalypse movies I grew up on in the 1970’s & ’80’s. No, not the ones with brain-eating zombies and androids covered in living tissue, or even the ones where pod aliens replaced sleeping citizens. I’m actually referring to the ones where people were forced to make do with unusual arrangements in a land where the price of a sandwich is equal to three days’ wages. That is, of course, if you could find the sandwich and/or the employment. Now, I’m not a doomsayer, so you’ll have to find another website for all that – fortunately (or unfortunately) there are many to choose from. I am, however, looking into alternative ways to bring the income and outgo into a more cooperative balance.

My young adulthood also included another media trend that has soured the minds of the American (if not world) public, and frankly gives me hives (metaphorically). There was a time when every week would reveal another televangelist who had stuck a gold-plated foot into his newly facelifted mouth… You may remember tales of air conditioned doghouses and 24k gold faucets paid for by faithful little old ladies who gave their last two coins for the Lord’s work and found it intercepted by a seeker of comfort rather than a seeker of souls. While I will gladly and thankfully accept any donations people may be inclined to make for loan repayment or ministry expenses (or even living expenses, if one is inclined to send gift cards), I just can’t bring myself to actively ask for financial support. Fortunately, there is the story of a minister in early 19th century England who shared his bills only with God, and watched them get paid. If/when I receive ministry donations, I can assure you they’re not going into a gated mansion with golden fixtures – well, not on this planet, anyway 🙂

For a little history… I did the American Dream thing, complete with the white picket fence, minus the husband and frequent buyer points for diapers. I got my points on cat litter & vet bills. I left the computer world to return to school and a long-standing calling to be a missionary to the few hundred thousand deaf people in America. I signed loan papers to the tune of $39,000 and satisfied the requirements for a Bachelor’s degree and had an Associate’s thrown in for good measure. I learned a little more and a little less than what I intended to, but all that is for other posts. I also knew what I was prepared to do to honor my commitment to pay back the loans, and now that the loan has come due at $500 monthly, so has the time for my next lifestyle change.

In the past year, I’ve been encountering (and actively researching) a growing phenomenon referred to as Tiny Housing, Full-Timing, and the like. Many people in America have made the decision, for a variety of reason(s), to do some extreme downsizing. Changes in technology and policy have made this not only possible, but comfortable. A few more changes would make it a bit more comfortable, of course, but my point is that those who choose this lifestyle aren’t at the level of cardboard boxes under bridges, and in a crazy-like-a-fox sort of way, they’re ensuring that they won’t be. That is my thinking and objective – mobility, economy, and the ability to keep a few large items that are really dear to me.

There is, of course, a counter argument – responsible people are supposed to live in solid houses on stable foundations in safe neighborhoods. I understand this perspective, and offer the following rebuttal: search for yourself how many people have lost their lives and homes to thieves, murderers, floods, storms, and earthquakes. Go ahead & limit it to 2012 if you like. Or, you can go back several centuries and take it from Jesus Himself: “store your treasures in Heaven, where moths and rust do not corrupt, and thieves do not break in and steal.”

So when you ask my family “What is she Thinking?!”, I trust they’ll remember to point out this article, and you won’t look at them sideways for having an eccentric in the family.