Tribute to Askinosie

A few weeks ago Nikole, Julia, and I took a trip to the Askinosie chocolate factory in Springfield.It not only proved to be an extremely educational experience but also a very touching one.
Mr.Askinosie, the chocolatier, started out as a lawyer. He got really big into baking and was really interested in the workings of chocolate specifically. He "left no stone un-turned" in his quest to find out all that he could about chocolate. Askinosie decided to leave his career as a lawyer and began from the bottom up in his new chocolate business, "Askinosie Chocolate".
As I read the story behind Askinosie, written by Mr.Askinosie, I was greatly impressed to find out that he had made his decision a matter of prayer. He wanted to know what it was that God wanted him to do. They didn't mention that in the tour probably to avoid any disagreements on the subject, but something they did mention was that Mr.Askinosie calls chocolate "the means to his ends". I totally did not understand that when I first heard the tour lady say it, in fact, it took me a few days to really understand what it meant. Mr.Askinosie wanted to do more than make chocolate. That was just a perk. He wanted more than anything to help people who have fewer opportunities than most of us do. Being able to do what he enjoys and help people at the same time was his dream come true.
I have not even skimmed the vast surface of the good that Mr.Askinosie has done, and he isn't near finished yet. He is the prime example of what a business man should be. I have been truly inspired and hope to one day find my own "means to and ends".