What Showed Up on the 405

A footnote to the post from August — The Free Job That Opened the Door.

Many years ago when we were about to start the company, I stepped out in faith.

I had a good job working for a cabinet maker, installing cabinets. It was a great job, but Tammie and I felt the call to step out in faith and start A.J.T. Construction Company. And I was nervous. Real nervous.

One day during that transition, I was driving from the Santa Monica area into the valley on the 405 Freeway.

I’ll never forget it. It was a clear day and you could see the beautiful San Fernando Valley opening up as I headed north. While driving, I was feeling nervous, concerned, about this big step I was taking, and then, out of nowhere, something went right up my nose. Instantly it started itching so bad I could barely stand it. I frantically started looking for something to blow my nose. Then, at that moment, I noticed something flying up the freeway. That moment a clean Kleenex wrapped itself around the driver-side mirror of my El Camino.

I rolled down the window, grabbed it, and blew my nose, and instantly I felt relieved. It was just what was needed.

At that moment, I sensed God telling me, “I will provide your needs.”

That was 1982. And I can attest to it. Through all the challenges of life and business since then, I’ve always seen the faithfulness of God provide in incredible ways.

He sees the big steps we take in faith. And He sees the little ones as well.

As we are now inching toward the end of 2026, I count my many blessings. A wonderful wife who has stuck by my side through thick and thin. Four adult children I am very proud of. We have gone through life’s journey in the midst of the blessings — and also the trials. Navigating the many business challenges in this broken world, which brings heartache as well as joy.

But through all this heartache and all the joy, God is faithful.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

From a Kleenex on the 405 to all the years since, He is God our Provider. Miraculously, and with no credit to me, the business is still going strong after all these years.