Great question.
I've been searching for an answer for almost two years now.
Most of you know I don't have a "real job" out here in Seattle. I've been pretty hard core with the job search for a little over a year now. I've sent out countless applications, had some great feedback, been on several interviews, but nothing has come out positive. I've tried to be pretty "whatever, that's life" about the whole thing, but it has been hard on me. I have times where I'll get down on myself for thinking I am a waste of my (2) college degree(s).
I celebrated my 24th birthday this month. Which reminded me that the window is closing between now ----> and when Tom and I want to start a family in a year or two or three. Maybe a job in my field isn't in the cards for me, and I am okay with that. My conversations about this with God go something like, "That's fine. I don't need a real job. But, if that's not what I am supposed to do, what is? Give me something I can pour 100% into."
He is answering me in a way I wasn't expecting. (Isn't that always how it goes?)
I have a lot to be thankful for, and lately God has been reminding me of people he has placed in life to help me through this weird time.
This guy. I tell him he's awesome all the time, but I don't do it enough on a public platform. Which I am sure he is grateful for, because he does not like the attention (So he says. We all know this is a lie, right?). Tom's work ethic is incredible and he works very hard at his career everyday. He is always thinking ahead how our current decisions (financial or other), will affect our future family. He continues to impress me with how he has completely embraced the role of being a provider and spiritual leader for our family. He challenges my thinking which has encouraged me to grow in my thoughts and how I examine my beliefs. I feel like I have become more of a "real" person since he's been leading me, especially over these past two years. We are both thankful that God has given him a job and career path that allows us to live off of one income.
I am thankful for my parents, who have never made me feel bad about not getting a job with a degree they paid for! They continue to pray for me. They grieve with me when I hear negative news after an interview. They encourage me to keep moving forward. The Holy Spirit speaks through them with advice, wisdom, and encouragement. And they do this all from the other side of the country. Pretty impressive.
I am also thankful for my mother and father in-law. My siblings. My siblings-in-law. My church community and friends here in Seattle. All of these people have been pouring wisdom and encouragement into my life over the past two years (and some longer).
All of these people mentioned above told me, at one time or another, "You should start an Etsy shop." Eventually, I did. I actually opened my shop July 2014, but I didn't start pouring a lot of effort into it (fearing it would be the reason I wouldn't get a job) until this past January. Sales and revenue have increased each month, and this past month has been exceptional. And, lately, I have been asking God, "Is this it? Is this what I am supposed to pour 100% into?"
Once again, I was faced with an answer that I wasn't expecting, but now seems completely obvious. I am not supposed to pour 100% into job searching and I am not supposed to pour it into Etsy either. I am supposed to pour everything into seeking God and His will for me, whatever it might be. I've been blinded these past two years thinking God was leading me to a job, and I wasn't really seeking his direction. I thought getting a job was the obvious next step after graduation, moving to a new city, and not feeling ready to have kids yet.... and everybody else was doing it. How could I be wrong? This realization has given me peace about what I do with my time now that I am mindful about seeking God's direction.
That being said, I do feel God leading me towards my Etsy shop. Maybe it will always be my thing, or maybe I'll have a real job a month from now, I don't know. What I do know, is that this is what I am supposed to do right now. I take comfort in the fact that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and that everything is happening according to His plan.
I am excited to continue to release new products on my Etsy shop. And, I am also excited to tell you that I have been slow to post them because I have had so many orders lately. In the coming weeks (or months) I plan to have some new embroidery designs on pillow covers with: monograms, bows, Mr & Mrs, and much more. My shop is so much more than just US States! That just happened to be the first idea I posted. I am thankful it was a hit, but I am ready to expand. If you have any other ideas for items or designs you would like to see embroidered, let me know! I'm thinking maybe canvas bags? What do you think?
I also want to start expanding the "digital prints" section of my shop by including hand-lettered or hand-drawn scripture, and custom quotes. About 2 months ago I started hand-lettering scripture in lieu of journaling, and started posting my designs to instagram. I have been doing these "doodles" about once a week, and it has been a great way to keep me in the Word and remind me of the sermon's teaching. Several people have mentioned they would like a copy of my prints, and I am excited to start including them as part of my business. I am currently working on my first commissioned "doodle," and I certainly hope it is not my last. I have been doing drawings like this since I was in high school, and I have always loved working on them. I feel like this is God's way of telling me, "I've always known what you are supposed to do."
Look through my Instagram pictures and let me know what scriptures you would like to see in the future! It would be extremely helpful.
Thanks for reading! I'll post again soon!
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