A turning point..

As some may know 2012-2014 were rough for me....in multiple ways. I got myself into a terrible job situation that took a toll on me mentally, physically, and emotionally. One thing lead to another and it began to affect all areas of my life and I became depressed. There were also some other personal struggles along the way and I just didn't understand why? I pushed the people away that cared the most, yet they still continued to love me, that of which I am forever grateful. I didn't know which way my life was going or which direction I should go and pursue. I felt such pressure to know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and slightly felt like a failure because I didn't "have it all figured out quite yet."

I looked for jobs for two long years and had over 11 interviews along the way, but none of them "felt" right. I contemplated going back to school. I began to sell myself too short. I had always been extremely career driven but began to feel that maybe this career stuff just wasn't cut out for me. My husband and I discussed several times the idea of me quitting my job and then focusing on finding something I was more passionate about. But every time we had this discussion, we came to the conclusion, we didn't want the financial stress and it didn't feel right in our hearts. Job searching is exhausting, absolutely exhausting and overwhelming to add to it. Working full time in an extremely stressful work environment, then coming home dang near every night and spending time searching for jobs was tiring, especially since I had no idea what I was looking for other than a way out.

During this time I did however turn to God, in a way that I never have before. Pat and I both did. I have always been a Christian, a Church goer, and a God follower, but I'll be honest, a lot of times he got placed at the end of the line. I hit a breaking point though and I knew there was absolutely no one else who could get me through than him. I knew what I had a passion for- the health and wellness industry. This is where I wanted to be. Hands down, no questions asked. But I didn't think it was possible. I didn't have a degree, or any credentials for that matter, so how on earth would I get my foot in the door? Almost anyone that knows me, knows my love and passion for this industry. I began to work with a few people on the side, health coaching, and I knew then, this is what I want to do with my life. I wanted to help people learn how to take better care of themselves, eat the right foods to nourish their bodies, and live an active lifestyle. Pat and I prayed together every night, my family prayed, we prayed and prayed and prayed. I was patient (patience is definitely not my forte), but I was and knew that it would all be in God's timing. I'll be honest though, there were definitely times of tears, lots of tears due to doubt, anger, hopelessness, sorrow, envy, you name it I felt it. But I also prayed that God would take away my stresses and worries, that of which he did.
Phillippians 4:6- Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.   

The time finally came and I knew in my heart I needed to quit my job. Pat and I talked and decided together it was time. I still didn't have anything lined up but I was at peace. It was so strange, I just knew it was right. I would take a bit of time off and figure out what to do with my life. My last day at my job would be December 26th. I had such a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. I was more than grateful to be able to enjoy the Christmas season with my family. It truly was so strange, I wasn't the least bit concerned about finding a job or even slightly stressed.

I'll never forget this day, it was Christmas Eve morning, I was getting in a quick workout that morning before the days festivities began. I got a call from a phone number from South Dakota, how strange I remember thinking. So I let it go to voicemail and finished my workout. After finishing I listened to the voicemail and my mouth seriously dropped. It was from a company that I had applied with back in September! I honestly had forgotten about the job. It was for a Manager position with a weight loss management company coming to Wichita. I had applied, but never thought too much of it, because I honestly thought I had NO chance of even getting looked at. I returned the phone call and got an interview set up for December 29th. I remember hanging up the phone and being in total disbelief and shock. Seriously?! How on earth did this happen? I remember hanging up the phone and looking down, and there sitting was my daily devotional that I had just gotten, it read on top "God is Faithful" and I instantly had a huge smile come across my face.

I had the job within two weeks, and much to my surprise I would not only be the Manager of the new location, but also health coaching part time, and responsible for business development for the Wichita location. I flew to Sioux Falls with my new team and became certified to coach. Two weeks later we opened in Wichita. I still feel the need to pinch myself to see if this is really happening. This job is truly a dream come true for me, I couldn't have wished or hoped for anything better and the opportunities are endless with this company.

Looking back at the last two years, I see the many blessings now that are so apparent but were hard to see at the time. Pat and I have a stronger relationship and have learned to lean on each other more than ever before. We also have a much closer relationship with God which is the most important part. Not only as individuals but in our marriage as well. It truly brings tears to my eyes to see how God has worked in our lives and our marriage the last two years. I truly believe God brings us through difficult and challenging times so that we learn to give it all to him and put it all in his control. I am a person who likes to have control, so this experience has been extremely eye opening and humbling to let it all go and give it to him. I know that we will have many more trying times in our lives, but I know whole-heartedly we will get through absolutely anything life throws our way. He does answers prayers and truly does want the absolute best for us, something I will never forget.

I am looking forward to this new chapter of life and am forever grateful for this opportunity. I will take this path and follow my heart until I am guided in a different direction.

Basement:: Completion

If you have been following along with Patty and I's lives you know that we Pat has been finishing our basement this past year. When we first moved into our house almost three years ago, there was nothing in the basement besides cement. We had lots of projects we worked on the first year we lived in the house, but the second year was basement year. Within a few months of starting the basement I'm pretty sure every tool Pat owned was downstairs. If he didn't own it when he started he owns it now. This is where I would find my husband every single weekend of 2013.

Then the dust started...everyone warned me it would be bad. But I had no idea how bad. Ugh. The dust honestly never seems to end. I would dust and by the next day I would need to dust again.

Then the paint came (which I did help partake in:). This is when it really started to look/feel real, it was like okay, we are finally almost there!

Before we knew it, we were moving furniture and getting ready for carpet. After a YEAR, the basement was finally done. We are still finishing up a few odds and ends but for the most part everything is done. Now my fun begins with the decorating:)

Hard to believe. I'm so stinkin' proud of Pat. I am so grateful to have a husband who will give anything a try, even if he doesn't know how to do it, he will learn. I often would complain about his "slowness" so to speak, but looking back I am glad he was so particular in everything he did. I get in such a hurry and will rush to get things done, so I'm glad he made the calls on this project, not me:) Not only am I so proud of him, but I am also so grateful of the llloooonnnggg hours he put into this project, the countless hours he spent at hardware stores, making sure he was always getting the "best deal", and ultimately making sure I was happy with how things looked, sheesh he's a keeper! He's not sure what he is going to do with his time now, but I bet within a month he will be planning the next project!


Until next time-

Give THANKS

Thank you. These two simple words can brighten someones day, bring a smile to a face, repair or mend a relationship, even bring tears of happiness to your eyes. I received a "thank you" card in the mail yesterday, yes, a handwritten thank you note, for really no particular reason but to simply say thanks. I had a terrible day at work yesterday, it's been an extremely stressful week and I'm just ready for the week to be over. Little did that person know that when I opened this letter, it not only brought tears to my eyes, but also turned my day around and brought such a smile to my face. That little piece of thanks changed my whole attitude for the remainder of the day.

It also made me stop and realize that how we treat others gets noticed, even when you may not think that it is being noticed. You may be having a terrible day, but could be inspiring someone at the same time. Thank you is not said enough, we live in such a fast paced world where most people are so consumed in their own lives that they do not take the time to appreciate and thank those that have made an impact on their life, helped them in some way or another, or simply have just been a good friend during a tough time. It's such an easy thing to say, so why not say it more? That is my goal and should be yours too, make an effort to say Thank You, a heartfelt thank you.

It will be appreciated I can guarantee you of that.

Much Love~
Amber

THANKful Thursday

With Mother's Day approaching, I can't help but think how lucky I am to have my Mom! Next to Pat, my Mom is my best friend, I just love her to death. And with each year that I get older I realize more and more how important she is and how grateful I am to have her. I know I was sure a lot to handle when I was younger, and boy do I respect her so much more now that I am older and see things so much differently. We definitely have had our battles at times, mainly because we are so much alike, so much alike it's almost scary! There are many traits that I inherited from my Mom, a few of those being: her obsessiveness over being clean and neat (however I DO NOT feel the urge to vaccuum at least twice a day like she does:), not having an ounce of patience, being very hard headed and stubborn, her love for cooking and baking, her go-getter attitude, her love for fitness, her need to always be busy, her sweet tooth, and her belief to treat others how you want to be treated.

She always puts others before herself, and would do anything in the world for those she loves. She has been one of my #1 supporters throughout the years, and never gives up hope on anything I've attempted or dream of doing. I don't know what I would have done without her this last year while I planned our wedding, I about lost it several times, but she always was the strong one and helped me hold it together. She's the person who I can talk to about any of my problems, helps boost my confidence when it's down, and always knows the right things to say. She has helped instill the morals and values that I have, and I couldn't Thank her or my Dad enough for the role models they have been to my sisters and I, and the successful marriage they have shared, in which I now too hope to have and follow in their footsteps.  Here's to you Mom- you rock! I love you!

Much Love~

Amber