Daddy's Disclosures

Laid Off

Over the past two weeks, I’ve been mulling over a blog post. I’ve been somewhat at a loss for words.(In quietness and confidence is my strength…., I trust the Lord, with patience, I wait on Him.) I have had the opportunity to catch up on current events, ponder has happened to me, dream about Dreams, meet with much wiser men, seek the Lord and even do a little painting on the side. So, with that, I would like to lay out what happened, sprinkle on a little perspective and wrap it all up with what I am doing right now.

Rewind six months. I was hired by the company in the summer of 2008 by the then CFO. Being at a place in my career where I was seeking the guidance of a mentor and a faster pace, the move made sense. I was hired to oversee the Accounting Department for the purpose of helping the company become clean and efficient as they relates to the Accounting System. “What a challenge, this is right up my alley,” I thought. I love EXCELLENCE and making processes better. The business changed more in those six months than I can begin to describe. The company opened an International Office, changed IT providers, created and implemented a newer/more in-depth Financial Reporting System, moved offices from Trussville to Downtown, had a round of layoffs(some of which had no cross trained backup) and hired some heavy hitting industry experts. To that end, for the next six months I worked at least 12 hours a day, no exaggerating! I worked day and night dissecting the financials to learn the business, developing useful reports, creating and implementing new controls, etc. Though I had quite a few obstacles along the way, I felt like I was making noticeable progress.

Then, on Friday at 4:30 on January 9, 2009 I got the news that the company would no longer need my services. Now, my former self, under the circumstances, would have probably hit the roof. The incredible thing of it all was that I had a COMPLETE PEACE as I sat in that chair and lost my job. Something in the depth of my soul urged me to stay calm. I felt wrapped in God’s arms at that very moment. I must say, the Bearer of Bad News himself was more tore up than I. I asked plenty of questions, thanked him for the opportunity and felt led to minister, “my hope is not in the things of this world, I am going to be just fine”. So, 1 John 2:15 is the first verse that came to mind.

On my way home, as I spoke with Lindsay about what had happened, I told her about the peace I had. “and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart”(Philippians 4:7) came to mind. It is unmistakable - that peace. I have only had that peace a couple of times in my life. Most of them were instances where I couldn’t have sanely looked at the circumstances and functioned. Lindsay’s response strengthened me even more. No gasps, no anger or conclusions, just questions and understanding. She had a confidence about her. Lindsay is very practical and practically she replied, “so what are you going to do”. “Seek God’s will”, I replied.

I got home and began unpacking my office things and I ran across a stack of bible verse cards that were strewn all over the place. As I shuffled them together, because that’s what we OCD Accountants do, I thought to read the top card as though God has some direct line of communication with me. 1 Peter 4:12,13 jumped off of the card, “beloved, think it not strange the fiery trial which is to try you…”, confirmation that God is with me. Then 1 Peter 1:6,7 jolted my mind, “rejoice, though for a season, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations….that your faith might be found to praise and honor and glory…” All of this is awesome. My faith is being strengthened and I know that the Author and Perfector is making straight my path.

As I try to figure out the meaning or purpose behind all of this, I realize that it would do me very little to bash the company, the decision, or the owner. I have no ill feelings at all about my given circumstance. I’m not sure where I will be in the next couple of months. I do know this though. In every instance where I have grown, it was after a time of hardship/anguish. I know that in these times, I got going. I didn’t wait around or believe that I could just be idle and God would drop something in my lap. I worked hard to make sure that I was putting myself in places where His will could manifest itself. I’ve tried to make things happen by myself, but in most cases, I just worked hard. Right now, I do not feel as thought I am enduring some hardship. I am trying to figure out if my confidence supersedes any anxiety and just how long this “trial” will last. Please pray for us that it is quick, and according to His will.

Daddy's Disclosures

Looking Ahead into 2009

As we close the books on another year, it is nice to reflect on the Profits and Losses of 2008. Did the resources we used in 2008(time, money, actions and words) yield a profit? Did we overspend in certain areas and underspend in others? Are we increasing our eternal gains or our earthly gains? Are we focusing our attention in areas that are meaningful?

On January 1, 2009, to ring in the New Year, the first thing Lindsay and I did was discuss and set our 2009 household budget, went over our monthly cash flow and set goals for our finances, our family and personally. I know, I know, what a dork. It may seem a bit prude to do such a thing on a holiday but the tone it sets for the year is great! For this to be the first thing we did on the first day of a new year was awesome! I am so happy that Lindsay participated and it showed that she really cares about our financial well-being and future. My wife rocks! Finally, to keep our eyes on the future and to have goals is the only way that we will get anywhere in this life. My wife rocks!

Happy New Year.


A Few Goals

Financial
Stick to the budget
Save X$
Invest X$
Paydown Debt

Family
Have a weekly Date Night
Take an overnight trip

Personal
Workout 3X/week
Blog regularly on Lindsay’s Blog
Read one Book per Quarter
Home earlier on workdays

Daddy's Disclosures

Sept 7, 2008

Financial Peace

When I was in college I used to listen to a guy named Dave Ramsey on the radio as I commuted to and from class. I recall being always entertained by the indiscreetly blunt advice that rolled off his tongue. I remember one time a lady called in, clearly in denial about her financial state, inquiring about/attempting to justify a potentially detrimental financial decision. It may have had to do with taking out a second mortgage to pay off medical bills and credit cards or something to that affect. After learning that the household salary of this lady was $85K, Dave got on a rant about the fact that they make twice the median US family income and needed to curb their spending instead of sinking into further debt. After that call, I was hooked.

So, this marks the second season that I will be involved in teaching Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. Lindsay and I got married with a small amount of debt, small household income(poverty level), and very little financial sense. It’s funny, I am the Accountant and yet Lindsay had more experience than me when it came to budgets. She gives the all the credit to her father and grandfather/former CFO of a public company. We both knew early on that we would have to be extremely frugal and diligent with our finances. Lindsay and I have been a great team when it comes to living within our means. I have received a ton of advice over the years and read several books regarding personal finance and one message remains consistent, “If you don’t tell your money where to go, it will find a place to go.” Stewart Welch’s, 10 Minute Guide to Personal Finance for Newlyweds, is a great resource and Dave Ramsey’s, Total Money Makeover is also great. Lindsay’s grandfather, Boyd Walton once told me, “you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been”.

All this to say, I am certain of the following:

1) We have to have visibility in our finances; our spouse is someone to whom we are accountable. Case in point: I have a friend who “handles” the finances in his marriage. He gambles on football without his wife having any idea of what’s happening. This is dangerous and deceitful. What’s tough is that his greatest Confidant doesn’t even know.

2) Budgets are essential to financial health and will not, I repeat, will not result in rashes, insanity or cold sweats. Our budget has been the main reason that Lindsay and I aren’t in financial distress. Some 97% of Americans don’t have a budget. This amazes me.

3) We all make mistakes. Lindsay and I have had our fair share. We’ve purchased the car on the 72 month plan, bought the TV on credit, financed dinner out. I’ve neglected to include Lindsay’s input in our budget, gambled with Christmas money and shuttered the window into our personal financial struggles. The truth is, we all need to realize our mistakes and, more importantly, need to be willing to change

What I really like about Dave’s curriculum is that it is practical and entertaining. The other great thing about this curriculum is that it is for everyone, not just the financially ill. Dave motivates! I recommend getting plugged into one of these groups, even if you have it all together.


If you or someone you know is interested in joining our fall small group contact Robert at rlmcclel@yahoo.com, subject line "financial peace". Any inquiries will be confidential.

Daddy's Disclosures

Since my awesome husband got his awesome new job, he has less time to blog. SO...I think I've talked him in to periodic postings on my blog. They will be called "Daddy's Disclosures" (pun intended) and I hoping to get something out of him at least once a week! Maybe I'll tell him that he can't eat dinner until he writes his blog - just like the kids can't eat until the playroom is cleaned! hehe Anyways, this is his recent job happenings in his own words! Enjoy - he is an awesome writer!




7-13-08

God’s Rich Blessing

I had always been one who perceived success as self-inflicted. It has been this very mind frame that pushed me to my limits in most everything. Many times, I have also been the Bain of my success. My patience has always been something that I know needs attention. That said, from a career perspective, I have paddled myself in so many circles that I finally decided to let God have control.

It was about 2 years ago that I accepted the position of Accounting Manager with a well-known company. I must admit, going into the position, I had self-conceived notions of what my career path would look like as well as the culture that I was walking into. It wasn’t long that I had a “feeling” (impatience) that the culture wasn’t what I was looking for. I attempted to influence the culture in such a way that would develop the company to be what I wanted it to be. I pushed harder to attain success and acceptance by learning and developing, revising and redeveloping. I was getting nowhere fast. Although I had success based on my work ethic and ability to develop efficiencies, I was not getting what I wanted. I wanted a culture change. Ultimately, after a few short months I knew that I wanted something different. I searched every nook and cranny to expose some viable reason as to why I should get out. I was desperate.

It was in that time that I sought counsel, counsel that I had to seek diligently and with open ears. Over the course of several weeks it was apparent to me that my counsel did not want me to “move”. It seems like every verse that I read had some form of “hold fast” incorporated into it. I tried to reassess/retranslate the verses and the message that was so blatantly screaming “don’t move”. I had one job opportunity during this time of assessment that offered me well above where I was from an income perspective. However, I felt a strong urgency to stay put based on the counsel that I was so graciously given. Through my obedience I gained more experience in my career than I would have had I accepted the “better” offer. I eventually became the leader of the Accounting Department and my salary increased by almost 50% in just 18 months. Still, I had a “feeling”.

One day, a good friend called me and informed me that I should call a guy he knew. This friend knows me quite well from a career perspective and knows my aspirations and determination. Turned out, the guy that I called is a very respected and successful businessman who happened to be looking for a Controller. He is the type of guy that you meet and go, “wow, this is someone I want to work with”. For whatever reason, Danny became interested in me and although I was not what he was looking for in terms of experience, he was willing to give me a shot at a job that can greatly influence his continued success. Mind you, I have only been an accountant for less than 3 years.

That brings me to today. I am currently the Controller of a company called Summit Products, LLC. I’ve been given great responsibility and even greater opportunity. The culture fits. You know when you just know? It’s like when I met my wife, I just knew. I have an opportunity to mentor with someone who has been there, done that. I had no mentor at Stratton’s. I was a leader that was tapped out in potential. I look forward to learning and growing every day. I am excited about being a part of the Summit team.

Over the past several years I have learned one thing for certain; God’s timing is impeccable. Faith is the one key factor that allows for God’s timing to prevail. God’s timing is an incredible faith builder. Without His timing in my life, I would have no experiences from which to grow in faith. Over the past several years I have had to learn the hard way that I am not in control of my own life. God rewards those who seek and obey.