During this period, I devoted significant time to my employment and my involvement with a homeless agency, while also actively participating in theatrical endeavors. The demands of these commitments diverted my attention from the economic turmoil caused by the 2008 financial crisis. Nevertheless, I was undergoing a profound spiritual trial, which I attribute to the years of reciting the Psalms. This practice had acclimated me to the fluctuations of life's experiences, enabling me to articulate curses against spiritual adversities with increasing proficiency. As I encountered greater opposition, I learned to assertively counteract these challenges. I felt compelled to express my frustrations with heightened urgency and intensity. Over the course of four months, I engaged in passionate struggles through these pronouncements. Throughout my life, I had come to recognize that extreme trials often preceded significant movements within my family. However, I was also acutely aware of the formidable opposition to my aspirations, based on previous experiences during family relocations. I found myself confronting a formidable adversary. At the peak of my fervent declarations, I encountered a level of spiritual turmoil that was unprecedented for me. Through this period of desperation, I discerned that certain Psalms were intended to be proclaimed with fervor, akin to battle cries issued by priests prior to engaging in warfare. I experienced these Psalms as confrontations with malevolent forces, during which I felt a palpable sense of victory, as if the opposing spirit had retreated. Simultaneously, we were achieving notable success in our professional endeavors and within our nonprofit organization. I contributed to the development of the homeless agency by assisting in the installation of the trim package in its new facility. During this time, I underwent a transformation in my relationships with individuals dedicated to supporting the marginalized and those who had experienced profound loss. This period marked a time when God was softening the hearts of my family.

While we were engaged in preparations for various retail establishments, a woman affiliated with the CEO's church extended an employment opportunity to my wife for the position of bookkeeper at a newly established shelter. This development marked the commencement of a new chapter for our family, as the organization was also in need of a carpenter to undertake necessary repair work on the facilities.

We transitioned from collaborating with the home school group to engaging with the Chief Executive Officer, ultimately directing our efforts towards addressing homelessness within the city. Our involvement included participation in fundraising events and various other functions.

During the renovation, I commenced the removal of the second floor of the large structure. While standing on the decaying floor, approximately 20 feet above the concrete base littered with fallen trusses, I reached to untie the next truss. Unfortunately, I lost my footing and plummeted headfirst through the deteriorating plywood, landing directly on the trusses that rested on the concrete below. Had the compromised floor not given way, the fall could have been fatal. Instead, I landed on my side on a section of the floor that had broken off, cushioning my descent. Remarkably, I sustained no broken bones and was able to return to work within a week. My survival became a topic of conversation within the homeless assistance community, as many were astonished by the circumstances of my escape. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) established a connection with the municipal administration, which proposed an abandoned building for renovation to serve as the new headquarters. I volunteered to lead the redevelopment initiative. My past experiences had been profoundly transformative, as I increasingly found myself drawn to a spiritual connection with God through fervent appeals. This marked the commencement of a process through which God began to refine my reliance on personal achievements, subjecting me to trials that resulted in the loss of all I had accomplished. In this context, God was guiding me towards a deeper desire for His goodness, overshadowing my attempts to mitigate my losses.

During our four-year engagement at the theater, where we managed the food booth and observed various performances, we witnessed a significant cultural transition. This period coincided with the emergence of smartphones equipped with internet connectivity, which began to permeate daily life. I observed a marked shift in social dynamics, as individuals increasingly relied on their mobile devices for communication. Concurrently, the nation experienced an unprecedented economic scandal, representing a pivotal moment in our country's financial history.

I operated a business that specialized in the installation of trim within residential properties. Our typical workflow involved completing one subdivision before transitioning to another. I was poised to commence work on a new subdivision when, almost overnight, the stock market experienced a significant downturn. This decline coincided with political figures purchasing stocks from individuals who were obtaining loans to acquire homes. The housing market was highly active, with buyers purchasing properties with the intention of reselling them. The demand was so intense that builders were able to sell land for prices exceeding the costs associated with both construction and the sale of the homes situated on those parcels.

The market experienced a significant downturn due to the overheating associated with substandard lending practices, resulting in builders being left with devalued land. Consequently, I secured employment at a retail establishment, albeit at substantially reduced wages. Concurrently, our active involvement in the homeschooling community necessitated a considerable adjustment period as we both transitioned into our respective jobs.

A retired Chief Executive Officer, during a routine gas station visit, encountered a homeless individual situated near the entrance and chose to provide him with financial assistance. This interaction profoundly affected him, particularly upon discovering that the city lacked adequate homeless shelters. Drawing upon his extensive experience in corporate development, he resolved to establish an organization aimed at addressing this pressing social issue.

Following the performance, we volunteered to oversee the food booth, prompted by our son's involvement in an improvisational theater group. My wife served as an instructor for the ensemble. Our son displayed exceptional talent as a performer, leading to consistently sold-out audiences on improv nights at the theater. The majority of the participants in this improvisational group comprised homeschooled children.

Over the course of four years, I attended approximately fifty theatrical performances, with my son participating in around thirty of them. My personal favorite among his performances was his lead role in "Holy Canoli." Additionally, my preferred play overall was "Romeo and Juliet." I have viewed all of Shakespeare's works, and I believe he excelled in capturing the profound emotions experienced by two adolescents in love. I found myself deeply impressed by that particular performance.

Several children initially exhibited shyness and faced challenges in their personal lives. However, once they took the stage, they experienced a remarkable transformation, demonstrating considerable talent in acting. This experience significantly impacted their lives. Theater provides these children with an environment that fosters encouragement and support. We have long held the belief that an imaginary barrier exists between the stage and the audience, allowing the performers to thrive in an atmosphere of unwavering support from those watching.

It is important to recognize that my vocal expressions of faith led to significant challenges in my life. During this period, I became a focal point of controversy within the community, resulting in substantial feelings of rejection. Consequently, I found solace and encouragement in the theater, which served as a supportive environment. The leadership decided to produce the play *Godspell*, appointing my wife as the co-director. Concurrently, I was tasked with overseeing the set construction for the production.

I attended every performance of the musical, which was composed in the 1970s by a Jewish playwright who had previously experienced reprimand for his long hair while attending a church. At that particular juncture in my life, the themes presented in the play resonated deeply with my personal experiences. I have come to recognize that my true identity aligns with that of an artist.

Following the theatrical performance, we offered our services to oversee the food booth, prompted by our son’s involvement in an improvisational theater group. My wife served as the instructor for this ensemble. Our son’s exceptional talent as a performer consistently resulted in sold-out audiences during improv nights at the theater. Notably, a significant proportion of the participants in this improvisational group were homeschooled children.

During a span of four years, I attended approximately fifty theatrical productions, of which my son participated in around thirty. Among his performances, my preferred production was his lead role in "Holy Canoli." Conversely, my favorite play overall remains "Romeo and Juliet." I have had the opportunity to view all of Shakespeare's works, and I find him to be a masterful playwright who adeptly conveys the intense emotions experienced by two adolescents in love. I was profoundly impressed by that particular performance.

I will always remember the last week of performances when we arrived at the theater to find residents from a local retirement home, wheeling in their drip bags, eager to attend our show. Clearly, our play had become a topic of interest within the community. Having spent numerous years contemplating and articulating the emotions of the character David, I believed that engaging with the Psalms would assist me in embodying the persona I portrayed on stage. I immersed myself in the Psalms to facilitate a transformation in my emotional state. I came to understand that my character was somewhat unsettling. I reasoned that if my fellow actors could be persuaded of my authenticity as Arvide, the audience would likely find my performance more enjoyable. I was playfully accused of harboring a crush on my character, and I would often chuckle to myself about how convincingly I had portrayed him when I was offstage.

Following the theatrical performance, we volunteered to oversee the food booth due to our son's involvement in an improvisational theater group. My wife served as the instructor for this ensemble. Our son proved to be a remarkably skilled entertainer, consistently drawing full audiences on improv nights. Notably, the majority of the participants in the improvisational performances were homeschooled children.

Over the course of four years, I attended approximately 50 theatrical productions, with my son participating in about 30 of them. Among his performances, my favorite was his leading role in "Holy Canoli." However, my personal favorite play remains "Romeo and Juliet." I have had the opportunity to view all of Shakespeare's works, and I find that he skillfully captures the profound emotions experienced by two adolescents in love. I was deeply impressed by that particular performance.

Upon the decision of the home school group to affiliate with a local community theater, we selected a theater situated within our town. We received an invitation to audition for a production of "Oliver." During the audition, I observed my son perform for the first time, an experience that elicited surprise among us when he was cast as a member of Fagin's gang, with a secondary role as the Artful Dodger. Following my initial attendance at the performance, I developed a profound appreciation for the theater, leading me to attend all three performances each weekend over the course of the subsequent four years.

I rapidly discovered my appreciation for being challenged in my artistic endeavors. Furthermore, I found great enjoyment in the performances of individuals on stage. In fact, I derived greater satisfaction from my son's theatrical performances than from observing him engage in sports. My son exhibited considerable talent as an actor.

Upon becoming a member of the theatre group and attending several performances, I felt motivated to audition for a role in the musical *Guys and Dolls*. This production was notably grand in scale. During my audition, I performed “You're Just Too Good to Be True.” Unbeknownst to me at the time, the director was specifically seeking an older male actor to portray the character of Arvide, who sings a song to his granddaughter, Sarah, illustrating the concept of being loved by a man.

As this was my inaugural theatrical production, I found it challenging to engage in dialogues while simultaneously memorizing my lines. Consequently, I made several errors during rehearsals, including the final practice the evening before the premiere. The director expressed concern regarding the possibility of my making a mistake on opening night. However, I successfully delivered my lines flawlessly, and the performance was met with considerable acclaim, resulting in sold-out shows over the course of four consecutive weekends. This experience was immensely enjoyable for me.

The performance profoundly influenced me, as I had been interpreting the Psalms as a mechanism of creation. I found myself experiencing life through the emotional responses of David.