What’s that saying….oh yeah…be careful what you pray for….yes, that’s the one! About 6 months into this blogging, selling, creating products to serve the community, give to others abundantly, I started thinking about some of the community needs and praying about a community service project. What could we do to make a big impact, how do I go about finding out about the needs of the community? Randomly helping individuals comes easy to us, as a family we collaborate and get going…but something bigger- hummm….then someone approached me…you do interior design right? Well, by trade yes, I have my degree in interior design, and have done many projects since hanging up that hat 16 years ago to be mom… as a volunteer, but not as a job anymore…
I heard about the needs at the school…they had a list of supplies for teachers and students alike, but what they were asking of us for was some decor for the teachers’ lounge, which to be honest there is nothing lounge like about it. I agreed and scheduled an appointment with the principal. I left that meeting with my head spinning a little – what I was told they wanted and what was asked at the meeting felt worlds apart – from a decorating job to a full interior renovation…we are a start up company, our goal is to do big projects but we aren’t in a place to do that just yet. I felt a little defeated, I know what it takes to do a commercial interior renovation, I have done plenty and I have done schools…but how could I pull this off. You know that other saying…it’s not what you know, it’s who you know? I am thankful that for years I have worked hard to network and connect with other business owners and individuals – so I started making calls and sending messages…
And the donations started coming in…one after the other, after the other. Volunteers started signing up and individuals were messaging saying they would like to donate to the project personally! I went out of my comfort zone and messaged a very talented woman who runs an amazing home interior, DIY blog that I met one or two times at previous business events, she was previously a teacher and jumped at the opportunity to not only serve the community, but to work beside me making calls and sending emails to get donations for the space. It has been a major blessing to have someone to bounce ideas off of and share the vision for the space. Christina’s Adventures is by far one of the most well done blogs on home interiors and amazing DIY projects – if I do say so myself (You really should check it out— www.christinasadventures.com) I am so thankful for all the businesses that have so graciously donated items, funds and their time to this project. We are daily getting more donations that are going to make this not just the lounge it should be, but a retreat to refresh and renew between classes.
Yes, I know it sounds like it’s been a smooth ride, and for the most part it has been, but there are always bumps and humps when doing anything…so yeah we received a list of ‘approved colors’ for paint…ummm yeah…there was that…and the floor we got donated didn’t get approved… but there have been solutions and there has been a principal working along side us and her passion is contagious. We still have a long list of items to be donated, but we are confident because then there’s been God right there in the middle of it. With every setback there is a victory. Yesterday I got an email from the principal telling about a company she had coming in to do a training with her teachers, she also told me about some additional volunteers through a local organization. So while waiting for one of our other community partners at lunch today (we had this scheduled for about 3 weeks) I watched someone come to the patio with a plate of food and start taking photos of it. She looked at me and I commented on how it’s difficult to get good shots with the shadows outside when I photograph our products. She proceeded to ask about our products and I shared our project at Central…she looked at me and said she was the one working with the school and those other volunteers, and I should contact her if I needed additional help…she also runs a marketing firm, thus why she was at the restaurant taking photos of her client’s food….she would like to help promote the project.
Of all the people in that city. Of all the restaurants… Of all the projects that could have been asked of us. And when she walked away, I looked down and saw our newest product on my wrist…God, you are good, so very good at reminding us of exactly what we are meant to be doing if we just trust in You and Your plan.
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