1. The Dawn of a New Season & Family Celebrations

We are not entirely out of the woods yet, but the light is breaking through and a new dawn is clearly on the horizon.

August was a month marked by gratitude, reflection, and humble celebration for two birthdays in our household: our youngest son, Angel David Jones, and myself. Our family carries a cherished tradition handed down by Amanda’s late mother to always celebrate birthdays with cake and ice cream. Though she passed on March 30th, 2022, the ache of her absence still feels close, yet we choose to honor her legacy and remember the unconditional love she poured into our lives.

Despite current financial constraints, God continually showed up through community and unexpected blessings:

• Angel’s 7th Birthday (August 8th): After picking up a cake the day before, my cousin Kevin surprised us by inviting the family to the mall for arcade games. The boys were able to fund their own arcade adventures using money earned from their business deals with their grandfather, Earl Jones, alongside gifts from Grandma Cassie. Coupled with cake, ice cream, and quality time with cousins, God turned what could have been a quiet day into a joyful, unforgettable memory.

• Aunty Nora’s Continued Faithfulness: We are continually reminded of God’s care through people like Aunty Nora, an angel in human form to our family. Ever since she became a lifetime supporter on our Buy Me a Coffee during our very first multi-state road trip plans, she has consistently sent a birthday gift every single year. Her contribution for "a slice of sweetbread and coconut water money" remains a deeply touching blessing.

• A Restful Birthday Celebration: For my own birthday, I relish having a "no-plan day" with nowhere to go and nothing demanded of me. Alongside Aunty Nora’s thoughtful gift for tea and coconut water, my mother and sister partnered with Amanda and the boys to surprise me with a birthday cake and Chinese food on top of the wonderful dinner Amanda prepared. Two birthdays celebrated simply, humbly, and filled with genuine joy.

2. The Rhythm of the Work

The first half of August demanded focus, endurance, and spiritual alignment across multiple disciplines. Our daily rhythm moved steadily through:

Podcasting | Coaching | Publishing | Consulting | Building | Visioneering | Praying | Reading | Giving

Every conversation, manuscript edit, and strategy call continues to be planted with precision, trusting that faithfulness in the small, unseen tasks builds the foundation for lasting Kingdom impact.

3. Ministry Realities & Boldly Asking: The Family Intro

Walking in full-time ministry brings lessons that theory can never teach. Over the first eight months of this specific journey, I observed that financial giving does not activate naturally merely because high value and excellence are put forward.

Scripture speaks directly to this tension: “Ye have not, because ye ask not.” Jesus also reminded us that whatever we ask of the Father in His name, He will provide. Leaning directly into this truth, we decided to take a tangible step of faith: we have now introduced a family intro at the beginning of the podcast episodes, personally asking our listeners to support and donate to the mission.

Rather than holding back, we are choosing to communicate clearly and step out boldly. While immediate financial capital may be tight, God has also richly supplied skills, consulting insights, and entrepreneurial wisdom developed over years in business. Sowing those abilities sacrificially while giving our community an open invitation to partner with us is already bearing fruit.

4. Strategic Coaching & Seed-Sowing Impact

Our consulting and accountability frameworks are creating tangible breakthroughs for leaders in our orbit:

• The 12-Week Year Coaching Program: We introduced this initiative structured under a flexible "pay-as-you-can" format, actively directing contributions back into the podcast as mission donations.

• Faithful Partnership: Even with the flexible structure, clients like Roger were determined to sow faithfully and pay for the program. Seeing partners step forward with honor and commitment confirms that our professional value and ministry heart are aligning powerfully.

5. Stepping Into the Final Quarter

With our soil tilled, lessons embraced, and family unified in faith, we enter the upcoming months with bold expectation. We will ask boldly, give generously, and serve without hesitation.

Onward with the conversations with Jesus believers.