Things always work out in the end. If it hasn't worked out yet, it's not the end.
Let me start by saying I'm typically not a worrier. I tend to trust that in the long run everything will be just fine. Oh yeah, sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and start thinking of things that are going on in my life and worry a bit, but usually in the morning I realize how silly that was.
The thought of losing my manager, Amanda has been hard on me. I love that girl just as many of you do. I've watched her grow from a young inexperienced girl living at home with her parents to a married woman with a beautiful home of her own.
From the day Bill and I introduced Amanda to her husband Lang I've known this day would come - the day she'd leave me to stay home to rock her babies. As much as I want that for her (just as I wanted it for my own kids) I knew I would miss her sweet competent spirit here with me every day.
The good thing about making a baby is that it takes time. Time I've needed to prepare myself both physically and emotionally for the day Amanda would be leaving.
As the months have clicked by and Amanda's belly has grown, I've slowly reclaimed some of the jobs I'd relinquished to her and found some wonderful, capable women to step in to help.
I've hired Becky Rhodes to head up the Bernina side of our business. Becky's knowledge and love of Bernina is as amazing as her laugh is infectious. Becky and I have some exciting plans in the works and it is our number one goal to continue to provide our customers with expert advise as well as continuing education on machines, software and sergers.
With Becky here everyday I was feeling more comfortable (and sleeping much better) but still felt like I could use just one more person to round out our team. This morning Andy Stewart came in with her resume in hand. She said she'd been praying about a part time job and several people had urged her to apply at Strawberry Patches.
This afternoon I hired Andy. It seems God answered two prayers when He sent Andy to me - hers and mine.
So things have worked out. As I see it, it's not the end but a bright new beginning.
A beginning for Amanda as she starts her new full time job as a mother, and a beginning for me who, with the love and support of a fabulous team will continue to help, inspire and encourage you our valued and cherished customer.
I am blessed and humbled in the knowledge that God hears our prayers. He blesses a young couple with life's greatest gift and He hears this woman's 3:00am prayer for strength, courage and the help she needs to carry on.
Encourage one another,
We are getting together on Sunday, August 28 at 2:00pm to shower Amanda with love here at the store. We would love to have you join us.
