Paul and Sharon Wolsten
- Interviewed by Robin Ryan, March 30, 2010
The declining economy in our area hit close to home in 2009 when Paul lost his employment. For five and a half months Paul and Sharon struggled to get along on Sharon’s salary alone while Paul looked for work. As they fell further and further behind in their monthly obligations things began to spiral downward quickly. It was during this time that Paul and Sharon kept noticing the joy and peaceful countenance in the lives of their son and daughter-in-law who had recently completed the New Hope Relational Program. With their encouragement Paul and Sharon agreed to sign up, hoping to find a way to help them make ends meet. Signing up for the program was very humbling to Sharon who never imagined finding herself in this situation. But “it was necessary to get our financial house in order” and, if this was what it was going to take, Sharon was willing to make it work.
In the beginning Paul and Sharon found it daunting to fill out all the necessary forms. They felt discouraged because everything seemed so controlled and they didn’t see or feel anything happening right away. But they stayed committed to the program and before long things began to change. Working with their financial mentor, Lloyd Ayers, made all the difference in the world. Lloyd was willing to listen with a non-judgmental attitude and, above all, was always a source of encouragement. Lloyd continued to remind them that “It was our budget and our choices to make,” said Sharon. Meeting every Thursday became a highlight of the week and it is Paul and Sharon’s desire to continue their friendship with Lloyd. They cannot wait to invite him and his wife over for a summer barbeque. You can hear in their voices the deep respect and friendship they feel for Lloyd.
During the program Paul and Sharon were excited to pay off $9,309 in debt. They have also been able to stay on a cash-only basis which included an $1,800 car repair as well as purchasing new tires for their car. The first bill they paid off was a Les Schwab bill. Paul chuckled as he said that his old way of thinking was to expect he would have a Les Schwab bill for the rest of his life. He is delighted now in his new way of thinking to know he will never owe them money again. The food pantry and clothing closet included in the New Hope Program were paramount to the success of their new lifestyle and they both agree they couldn’t have come as far without that help. Both are quick to point out, however, that the best change that has come about is that they began tithing. In fact they sometimes give more than 10% and are very excited about being able to do that. Paul has been changed by the blessing of giving, impressed as he has watched all the volunteers of Love INC give so unselfishly of their resources and time to help others. It has inspired him to be a person who gives unconditionally as well. Paul states that in the beginning he wasn’t so sure about all the hugging the greeters do in the entryway. But over time he has come to enjoy the hugs and now looks forward to them every week.
Paul and Sharon are excited about their future. Their son recently told them how proud he was of them for completing the New Hope Relational Program, and those words reached deeply into their hearts and still bring tears to their eyes. They feel ready to branch out on their own, confident that with the tools they have acquired they see only success in their future. But, just in case, “they are keeping Lloyd’s telephone number in their wallet,” they said with a wink. And as for those forms that seemed so daunting at first? As they complete their year-long budget they are finding these forms to be immensely helpful and love seeing a visual picture of their debt being paid off dollar by dollar.
Paul and Sharon are very thankful to Love INC and truly believe that God has blessed them through this ministry. Their deepest desire is to take what they have been given and be a blessing to others in return.
