Sunday, November 18, 2007

Happiness & Contentment

I know I haven't blogged in a while, especially about anything personal. For those of you who know me well, getting personal and sharing is a tough thing for me. However, I've been wanting to catch everyone up on what's been happening in the employment realm of my life for a while.

I spoke of changes a while back. Boy, have things in my life changed! Leaving my job at the hospital was such a positive change in itself. My mood improved so much, and my stress level (related to work) is really nonexistent at this point. But stepping away from my career as a social worker was still hard. I really felt as though being a social worker defined me, in a way. My career has been the main focus of my life for the past 11 years. I wondered what on earth I could do besides social work, and if I could find a new job that would feel as fulfilling as social work. I wondered if I would have a chance to work with people I felt as comfortable with as the girls in our social work department, and if I could find a job in which I could help people. Let me tell you, within days, I found two jobs that filled all of those requirements, and more.

At the end of September, I was blessed with 2 dream jobs. (Oh, the day care thing didn't work out - I knew after only 2 days there that 16 two year olds and over an hour long drive each way were not my thing!) However, almost immediately after that realization, I practically fell into 2 part-time jobs that were absolutely perfect.

First, I was hired by the talented Georgia of Hearthstone Knits. (I have no link for Georgia or the store yet. Her site is in the development phase - I will keep you updated.) Hearthstone is my very local yarn store - just a couple of miles up the road, actually. I have been in there a number of times over the past few years that I have been knitting. Now, I'm there every Thursday and Saturday. Needless to say, I love it! Georgia is so kind and so knowledgeable - her knitting talent overwhelms me at times. I learn something new every day that I am there. The other staff at Hearthstone is great too; we really seem to enjoy ourselves while working! (Of course, how could we not? We are knitters/crocheters surrounded by yarn and other crafters all day. We can even knit at work if we have a spare moment. Who would have ever imagined, me getting to knit at work?!)

So, just when you think, wow, how could life get any better, take note of my second job as a Loopy Ewe Elf. That's right, I also now work for Sheri at The Loopy Ewe. Again, such an amazing job, with such amazing people. Sheri is an awesome Christian business woman, and is so great to work for. Her kindness and dedication is contagious. The rest of the staff is also fantastic; everyone is so enjoyable to be around. We laugh a lot, we work very hard, and we see a lot of yarn. What more could I ask for?

Travis always tells me that God has always looked out for me and provided exactly what I needed throughout my life, especially over the past few years. If these jobs and the people in them aren't proof of God's care for me, I don't know what is. I have to thank Him for the happiness and contentment that I finally feel.