Last Friday, January 20th, I worked my last shift at FreeStyle Clothing Exchange. A manager for 2 3/4 years and employed there for almost a total of 5 years, this job has been a significant part of my life! Bittersweet as it came to a close, I had a revelation that sounds a bit like it's out of a greeting card (probably because it is)
An end is the price you have to pay for a new beginning.
Pretty simple but a healthy reminder to me why I was feeling like I needed to move on. The cool part about leaving my job at the store is that I left on such amazing terms! I would even say the last 6 months of my employment there was the best. The staff throughout my whole job was always phenomenal and I enjoyed my job more and more as time went on. It was a really fun experience. Why then, you may be asking yourself, would I choose to leave?
About a year and half ago it was really on my heart to start working with kids, youth and families but I wasn't sure fully how to go about it. I started to go back to school for this reason but in the midst of it I still had this yearning desire to be involved with kids presently on a daily basis. Working in customer service was a great avenue for this kind of daily people interaction but I still was hoping for more. Making the decision to leave FreeStyle wasn't an easy one, like I said it was so much more than a job to me, but with God's grace I was able to go forward boldly and now I am starting my dream job in just a few days, working with teenagers at Koinonia Foster Homes!
A few months ago FreeStyle became more closely involved with Koinonia by sending donations to one of the girl's houses and collaborating with other events/fundraisers. Last month my former employer and dear friend Elizabeth and I had the pleasure of delivering a check to Koinonia which was the end result of our Christmas Fundraiser we did for the girl's houses.
I love this picture because it represents the store getting to reach out to the community but also here I am with my former employer and also with my new one! The Lord really blessed me with this new opportunity and has made the transition process not only peaceful but enjoyable. I love it when the Lord puts something on your heart and then totally makes a way for you, even though it took much patience on my part haha, yay! I am very excited to be on this new adventure :)
Also I had a birthday last week, woot woot! (It has been a very eventful few weeks!)
This year I was really hoping to keep it simple and not only did I get that but I also felt so blessed, loved and cherished by my friends and family, aw! My lovely friend Margarita made me a delicious salad and soup dinner followed with an all organic carrot cake because she knows those are all some of my favorite things to eat! (What a babe) Most of my close friends were there and we just had a fun night talking and spending time together. The next day Kiersten and I went for a hike and it was a gorgeous day out! We also had a fantastic time just talking and hanging (can you tell that is what I enjoy most?) while powering through the trails. "We are women, hear us roar!" ;) Pictures:
Beautiful friends :)
My amazing cake!
the end :)
