Page 2 of: How I fell into Software Development
This journey is a long one, really, but this is the journey that I first wanted to share when I decided to build this website. I never dreamed of being a Software Developer, and that is why I have decided to include so much of my life story in this journey. This journey isn't finished yet, but as you read, I hope that you can be encouraged as you see some of the steps that took me here to where I am today, studying Software Development, and building this website.
by Christopher Wray
Four Months in Thailand
I spent four months in Thailand at a bible school and missionary training institute. I wanted to move permanently to China, and my Dad thought it would be best if I got more formal training before I embarked to China.
August 05, 2016
A best friend dies.
I remember the moment. One of my best friends past away in a car accident one early morning. Still in Thailand, I couldn't travel to the funeral, and I fell into a time of serious depression. It made me start to question my motivations behind wanting to go to China.
October 06, 2016
My Dad has an accident
It is the last week of my time in Thailand, and I get a text. My dad had been hit by a 2-ton hay bale and was in critical condition in the hospital. This compounded my already present depression and sadness. I had scheduled a one week trip to China, which I decided to do, as it was too late to cancel tickets and I was running low on money. My time in China was a special time. I was blessed so much being there. It turned out to be more for closure I think than anything else, as I have not been able to travel there again since. I met with the Buyi family that we worked with, and our wonderful coach and her family. I also spent time with two amazing families hearing about their way of life in China. I was so blessed by them.
December 08, 2016
With my dad in Seattle
After I got back from China and Thailand, I went to Seattle to help my mom take care of my Dad in Seattle as we awaited surgery on his leg. I am not sure how much I really helped during this time, but it was amazing being with my parents after the scare from the accident, and my friend dying. There is nothing like being with family who love you. During this time, my dad asked me, "why don't you go see Areli in Mexico?"
January 07, 2017
A start of a relationship
On Valentines Day, I had made it to Mexico, and I finally asked my close friend Areli to be my girlfriend. Two days later, I secretly asked her to marry me. She said yes to both questions. I had never felt the way I did with her. I gave her a packet of seeds when I asked her to be my girlfriend. I told her I wanted our relationship to be like a seed that is planted and becomes more beautiful as time goes on. Now, when we go to Areli's parent's house, the seeds I gave her are still flowering. Areli's mom has continued to save the seeds from the flowers each time they bloom and replants them.
February 14, 2017
I got an app idea
The entire summer, I had spent time in Oregon again at our nursery there. It was a good time, and I was enjoying life there. Areli came a couple times to visit as we got ready to get married in December. One day, I realized that I could improve my productivity a lot if there was an application for a specific thing I did at the nursery. I looked for a solution and couldn't find anything that would work for me. At that time, Microsoft was pushing PowerApps, and I thought maybe I could build it myself. Unfortunately, that pushed me into a couple years of trying to use no-code apps in order to build my idea.
August 24, 2017
To Mexico to marry Areli.
In October, I moved to Mexico to get ready for our wedding and get to know Areli’s family better. I had no intention of staying longer than a few (max 6) months. I helped our nursery by building a new website that was mobile friendly, posting social media, and email marketing. I was also trying to figure out how to build the app for the nursery that I thought would help improve productivity.
October 16, 2017
A change of plans.
We were finally headed back to the US. We got married on December 8th, and most of my family had made it. It was wonderful. I had spent 3 months in Mexico, and I had learned a lot, but I knew that in order to provide for us, I would need to head back to my day job at the nursery. I was excited to get back to on the ground work, and ready to start our life in the states. Unfortunately, at the border our plans changed. My wife was denied entry to the US, and her tourist visa taken away. It was a big blow, because from our discussions with the immigration office, we thought we could travel to the US on her tourist visa while we were in the process of getting her visa. That turned out to not be true.
January 30, 2018
Dig in and build a business.
I spent a week in the United States cleaning up loose ends with the nursery. Nothing is perfect when your life turns upside down, but I tried my best to prepare for being in Mexico 6 months to a year longer. We thought our visa process would go through in that amount of time, and I wanted to live in Mexico while we were waiting. I realized I needed to make my part time work building websites and doing social media a full time gig.
February 08, 2018
Soltech LLC
I was able to form a formal LLC for my freelancing company and was able to start working with a few businesses owned by family and friends. From my experience with the Buyi Project, I had a better idea of what I should and shouldn't do for my new business. Being grateful for any type of work that came in, I didn't really care what it was. I started doing social media management for several companies as well as designing websites as much as I could. My work wasn't that amazing, but I was learning from my mistakes, and trying to do the best I could with what I had. I was also grateful that my in-laws let us use part of their home in Mexico for my office. My wife and I lived in a one-bedroom, hot apartment and we didn't have internet at the time.