Mark Z. Filter
(Connect with me on LinkedIn)
Hi, I am Mark Filter – Julie’s husband. You might catch me on Savvy Homemaking from time-to-time. I am currently an unemployed military veteran and a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). I served in the U.S. Navy as a Russian Linguist for almost 13 years. After nearly a decade of traveling the globe as a Diplomatic Russian Interpreter, I felt compelled to separate from Active Duty Military Service and follow what I believe was God’s nudging to move towards the unknown: life outside of the military.
Since March of 2014, I have grown so much as I have let God mold my heart in this time of transition out of the military and into civilian life. The road has been difficult. I am not quite sure if I see light at the end of the tunnel as of yet, but I figure that just means that God is not done with teaching me what I need to learn from this season in my life.
God is continuing to move us from one crazy scenario to another. First, it was separating from the military during sequestration. Then, it was selling our house and getting it on the market within two weeks before I had to leave for a short-notice training event. Then, it was moving into my Mother-in-Law’s house. Then, it was going through the ups and downs of being unemployed, interviewing for jobs and walking away thinking “YES! I got the job.” …only to find out that no news means…I am still on standby.
Now we are transitioning from living in a nice-sized house to a 240 sq. ft. travel trailer! That’s right, full-time RV living for this family of EIGHT! It is my desire to share with you our unique journey, the hurdles we will have to jump over, and the lessons learned. I hope to encourage you through our testimony. I hope that our story will inspire you or at least get you to say, “Good for them! I couldn’t imagine doing that!” This is our family. This is our story. This is our life…on the fringe.