An Update - The Next Step

Several people have commented asking me how the adult Burgtorfs are doing, when are we coming home, etc. I have been hesitant to answer for a number of reasons. One, I really wanted to have something positive to report, and two, I don't know when we are coming home.

Two weeks ago we decided that we were going to set a deadline. We have had so many almosts that have kept us hoping, thinking next month the funding will come in. There has been one project in particular (a documentary on out of control parents in children's sports) that the producer sought Marshall out and was finding all of the funding. It looked like such a sure thing. But he keeps stalling, giving Marshall empty promises, or even outright lies, that it no longer seems like a good thing to work with him, even if he does decide to do it. Another project, the documentary on the football team, also looked hopeful. A local businessman came up with the idea and was extremely excited. Marshall worked for about a month on an awesome proposal and then contacted the man so that he could help Marshall raise funds. This one is still up in the air, as the businessman was initially excited, but has yet to rerun Marshall's phone calls now that there is work to be done. As for the tornado documentary, the initial reason that we came out here, there is still no funding. Marshall has used every resource that he can think of to no avail. Everyone is excited about the project and thinks it will be great, but no one wants to give money.

So here we are, almost nine months into the process with nothing accomplished. The money that we had from odd jobs and tax returns is running out, but even more importantly we are running out of hope. Our deadline is June 23rd, Noah's 1st birthday, and nine months from when we left Bend. If we don't have a breakthrough by then we are off to the next step.

What is the next step? Well, we know what Marshall wants to do- have a production company, and we know where we want to live- Bend. These documentaries were supposed to be the stepping stones to that end goal. If those don't work out, we will have to find another way to reach that goal.
Plan A: Money comes through for football documentary, we finish that and return to Bend in January.
Plan B: Marshall gets a video job somewhere/anywhere (he is already sending out resumes) and he works there until he has the experience and money to start his own company in Bend.
Plan C: Marshall works in the oilfield here while we pay off debt and save like crazy so he can start his own company in Bend.
Plan D: [insert your ideas here]

I really really want to go home and have been grieving for the past few days at the thought that that may not be the next step. But, I know that wherever the next step takes us, the Lord will go with us. I am strengthened by this scripture, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3