September 3, 2010

You may have noticed...

You may have noticed that I have gone into full tilt jewelry and business mode.....
Part of the reason is that I finally applied for and received my business license. Krystledawne Fine Lace Jewelry is my official business name. Right now I am getting a checking account in order, as well as bookkeeping. Taxes make my brain hurt! Anyway, having the "business" gives me a UBI#, and you technically need that to sell at most major shows. I can buy some supplies without paying sales tax now I guess as well. All of this makes things seem so much more official and I guess motivates me to do more with it.
It is however very interesting that soon after I put all of this in place, my husband and I made the difficult decision to step down from ministry in our church. (meaning I quit my day job). So I am in the saddened position of needing to go back to slinging coffee or some other part time weekend job to hopefully make ends meet. The terribly difficult thing about that is that I can only work on the weekends as Jim is currently in an on-call position at work. Sometimes we don't know until 9pm whether he is working at 6am or 2pm the next day, and sometimes they call him in the morning at 5am and change their minds anyway. He has to maintain this position to become a "chief" (he is a custodian for the school district). The really gooey part is that there are two schools open for bid right now, and he may or may not get one of those based on a technicality that can be interpreted to his advantage or disadvantage in the union contract. If he does get one of those positions, that would put him on day shift only, so I could possibly in the future work weeknights and reclaim the weekends for family time. One really rotten thing is that we have to take (like a kick in the teeth) a 12 percent increase in medical coverage costs. I am already self insured, it would be over $500 a month to have me covered on my husbands plan...... sigh. So anyway, any extra income I can make with my jewelry/thread sales has suddenly become necessary. Honestly, I'm a little (lot) freaked out because I don't know right now how things are going to turn out. The one thing I have going for me is my faith, and I'll tell you the only thing keeping my anxiety at bay is my Bible and about 8-10 pages of journaling a day. God is really using this time of uncertainty to teach me and grow me.
So this friends, is all of the change that I have been alluding to over the past few weeks. To some, leaving a "job" may not seem such a big deal, but even more than monitarily, it is a spiritual decision that puts Jim and I on the same page, and our marriage has grown leaps just because of the trust we are placing in eachother and the support that it requires. That makes me happy.
Until next time, I thank all of you my tatting friends, who have purchased, and may do so in the future, some of my HDT (hand dyed threads). I all of a sudden have a greatly humbling experience every time someone buys something from my little ETSY shop. The emotional support you guys provide is also amazing. If you are the praying type, I'm asking the Lord to help me with the stress and anxiety that I am having trouble dealing with.

13 comments:

Michelle said...

I've been following you for a while now and really enjoy your beautiful tatting. I wish you peace and the grace of God.
Praying for you and your family.

Miranda said...

Wow, that is a huge change! I'm wishing you guys all the luck right now. Have you thought about teaching music lessons to earn a few extra pennies?

Corina said...

That's a huge change! I admire you for daring to do so, and I wish you all the luck. I'll pray for you.

Fox said...

That sure is a big life change! And a great opportunity, too. Good luck as your journey continues!
♥ Fox : )

God's Kid said...

Hey Krystle,
That jewelry set is just awesome!!!
As long as you are doing what the Lord asks of you He will not let you down!
May your family be blessed!! :)

Crazy Mom! said...

Wow. Oh wow.

That's a tough leap of faith, but I understand where you're coming from.

I had a long stretch of unemployment a few years ago (I'm the major breadwinner) and somehow we always had enough. Things would come our way to add a few dollars here and there, and we got through. God is good.

Hang in there...

Karrieann said...

...holding you in my heart and praying for all of you. If you need me.. just call or skype me.. I will make time for you. Love you!

Sharon said...

You ask for God's guidance day by day and just make the decisions that seem right. Like it says in Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. God doesn't shout out directions, He whispers them in your ear, just be attentive and you'll be amazed at what God can do. One time, when our sales cheques normally came in by mail, the mail had already come and there weren't any cheques. We sat down at lunch time to pray about it. It was a Friday at the end of the month and we had no money to pay the mortgage that was due on the Monday. While we were praying asking God to provide, there was a knock at the door. It was Fedex. A customer needed our software in a hurry and he had sent the cheque by courier. The cheque was exactly what we needed, almost to the penny. God always finds a way to get you what you need, when you need it. Learn to expect it, because really, that's what faith is all about. Jehovah Jireh, God will provide.

Tatskool said...

Good luck with your new venture.

Elena K said...

gorgeous!

Ridgewoman said...

You can count on me for prayer on your behalf. Anything that brings a couple closeness is of God; and, He will provide. Like Sharon, I've had some miraculous things happen from the hand of God in my life ~ in all areas ~ Remember, "We love Him because He first loved us" and He never lets go of our hand and carries us even when we do not realize the fact. God will bless you in your venture because you put Him first…that's what being a disciple is all about. You just be that Proverbs 31 lady, and He will do the rest.
You are rich in friends. . .
xxx bev

The Chung Family said...

About a year ago we were in a touchy situation where we were unemployed, living in my parents camper. God did provide for us beyond what we could possibly imagine (there's a verse in Ephesians that speaks of this, something to the extent that God will give us beyond our wildest imagination). Anyways, Psalm 91 was my source of comfort.
Praying for you!

Eliz Davis aka Tatknot said...

New doors are opening as others close. The decisions you have made are tough ones, and I pray that God will bless your family. This jewelry set is gorgeous and can't help but be a hit in your shop. Congratulations on your business license!