Just a few months ago, this blog turned five years old!
In those five years, we’ve covered all sorts of topics–from how to shop at flea markets to how to do a DIY kitchen renovation, with tons and tons of furniture makeovers in between.
It’s kinda fun to look back at some of those first posts and think about how much Lost & Found has grown.
And to those of you who have faithfully followed along with me over these past five years, I owe you a huge thank you.
Without readers, there really is no blog!
I’m grateful for this community and for how it has been knit together by a mutual interest in flea markets, furniture, and all things paint.
It’s been a blessing to have a place to go where I can share about these areas of my life and know I will be with people who understand!
Being Authentic in a Digital World
Over the years, I’ve tried to be authentic with you and also let you in a little bit to the rest of my life.
I really feel like it’s important to be real on the internet; in our digital world, it’s so easy to only see the highlight reels of others’ lives posted online and walk away feeling like our realities just don’t measure up.
So in that spirit, I want to take a minute and update you all on what’s been going on behind the scenes here at Lost & Found . . .
Back in December I told you about several major changes happening with our family, including my husband’s job loss.
Since January, Lost & Found has been our main source of income while he looked for a new church staff position.
I have been amazed and incredibly grateful to see how God continues to meet our needs and provide for our family through this little side business of mine–thank you for being part of that provision!
During the whole spring semester, our future kinda hung up in the air as the two main job opportunities my husband was considering were both out of state.
I kinda mentally prepared to have to shut down Lost & Found locally as the summer approached, and started considering what all I may be able to take with me.
Well . . . to make a long story short, both of the job positions were great opportunities, but we decided that neither of them seemed like the right fit for our family.
So in late March, my husband decided to withdraw his name from being considered for either position. Instead, we were going to find some way to make staying in our current location work.
The kids were happy–they didn’t have to change schools! My husband and I were somewhat relieved too–neither of us was too excited about getting our family ready for a giant out of state move.
But there was still that pesky issue of him needing to have a job . . . .
The Opportunity We were Never Looking For
Well, you know how sometimes opportunities come out of the middle of nowhere?
One day in mid-March my husband was doing some reading and research to help with marketing the online portion of Lost & Found when he came across a new training program being offered by his favorite marketing company, StoryBrand.
And to make another long story short . . . He decided to jump in full steam ahead and attend the certification training to become a StoryBrand Guide.
This is actually the photo on the StoryBrand website right now, and I just had to share because you can see my husband front and center!
What in the world is a StoryBrand Guide?
Basically it is a person, trained in the StoryBrand method of marketing, who businesses can hire to consult with and/or build their online marketing platforms.
While we are both super excited about the work, it’s a little nervewracking because he is essentially starting his own business.
There’s no guaranteed salary coming or health care benefits, but here’s what we figured– we’ve already been living that way for 6 months now and it’s worked, so why not give it a go?
The Health of Untangling Your Identity
Now you may remember that my husband has been a pastor for 9 years, and worked in full-time college Christian ministry for 5 years before that. So . . . this is a major career switch for him!
And some of our friends and local connections have kinda struggled to get it–why would he leave church ministry after almost 15 years experience and a Masters Seminary Degree?
To be completely honest, it has been tough untangling our identity from being “church staff” and learning how to be “church members”.
We’ve had to find a new church and we don’t know anyone there, nor do they know us. It’s strange just kinda sitting back and watching it all happen and not being able to jump in and offer opinions or leadership.
But . . . it’s been sooooo good for us too!
And ultimately what we came to realize is that whether we are officially “working” for a church or not, all of the things we know God has called us to do we can continue to do as vibrant members of our local church body.
This past year has been a difficult one for our family on many different fronts.
And the prospect of packing up and moving to a new place across the country just didn’t feel like a healthy move for us.
We need time to heal, time to be together as a family and focus on just the daily things of life.
So while that option involves a few more months of financial uncertainty for us while my husband starts up his business, it felt like the right option.
So if you or anyone you know is looking for marketing help with your business–website, email lists, sales pitches, etc–I know just the guy for you 🙂
Seriously though, thank you for following along this journey with us.
I’m super hopeful that I can come back in 6 more months and share how well he is doing and how his business has taken off!
In the meantime, I’m gonna keep painting!
Melanie–I always love how real you are. That’s one of many reasons why I like following you. You give hope to others who are struggling…and that in itself is a ministry. Thank you for being so honest with your readers and followers!
Thanks so much Robin! I appreciate you being a part of this community!
Melanie,
You and your family are so wise! What caught my eye was the being real part. I seem to have to learn lessons the hard way so I have been healing as well!
I think that’s why I haven’t tried all the sample paints I ordered from you.
I did try one however and that was the grain sack milk paint. The only problem is I didn’t have enough and was determined to finish it with that paint! I would love to order another sample – just can’t seem to concentrate on it right now.
I think your husband is very brave and I have faith your family will be okay.
Here’s a quote by Dr. Rob Gilbert that I like:
It’s okay to have butterflies in your stomach. Just get them to fly in formation.
Becky Lombard ?
That is a wonderful quote Becky! And I hope you try the rest of those samples soon–I would love for you to experience the fun of creating something new and beautiful! Thank you for your kind comment 🙂
I wish you and your family the best of luck. Life can throw us a curve ball sometimes. I am glad that your trust in God is anchoring your family and giving you the courage to follow where He leads you.
Thank you so much!
Thank you, Melanie, for this post. I get so focused on my own life that it is easy to forget that I am not the only one with life changes, loses, gains and struggles. You do not need to be a pastor to be a light unto the world. You and your husband both are just in your daily living. God Bless you and your family in all that you do. Thank you also for being so willing to share yourself, ideas, guidance and support through your blog.
I think we all struggle with that Pamela! It’s so easy to get caught up in our own lives, I always tell myself and my kids that a little perspective goes a long way 🙂 And I agree–we can serve in ministry no matter what our “day job” is. Thank you for your kind and encouraging words!
Hey Melanie, I know exactly, too well in fact, just how all that feels. Our lives changed in August 2017. My husband made a career change, major move, and what money we did have we had to live on simply because of unseasonal weather. In addition to that, our new home we discovered through renovations, is literally splitting into 4 pieces! It’s a 3 story home, it’s a modular house, and the 4 desperate units were never screwed to one another! So as I type this, we are 3.5 months into this and not a single construction professional will touch this house! So much for professional! Yes this house was inspected, all the usual things prior to purchase.
So, I have handed this over to my sweet Jesus cause I just can’t handle the stress every time the wind blows and another truss or floor joist snaps.
I do believe that God has a plan, I don’t know what it is just yet, but I hold tight to my faith.
Also have a breast biopsy may 16th.
So, I’m sure you wrote this hoping to reach someone, well you did. I needed a faith boost, just a nudge, but I want to say Thank you.
Today, I pray you enough.
Today, I pray me enough.
Today, to another who needs, I pray you enough for today.
Thank you for being real with your peoples.
Oh Hope, my goodness! That is a lot to weather. I’m angry on your behalf at whoever did such shoddy workmanship on your home! That is so frustrating, to feel like you did your due diligence, but still wind up with something that isn’t working as it should. And yes, we do have to continue to believe that God holds all things in His Sovereign hand! Today is the 17th, so I hope your biopsy procedure went well and that you get good news back from that soon.
Thank you for sharing your story! I appreciate your openness. I also resonate on some level, my husband and I had to move due to a job transfer. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
Yes! It can be so hard to start over in a new area. Hope you are all settled now 🙂
Blessings to you for being open about the struggles you and your family have faced. I appreciate it so much! We all have challenges and it is good for all of us to share them with one another. Sharing can lift and inspire and encourage others so thank you for sharing.
My own journey with my new business, Reinvented Delaware, began when at 53 the job I had at my family’s business had to come to an end. Business practices that were against our moral, ethical and even legal standards were not dealt with when a young relative was hired. I don’t mean to be negative, I am sure it sounds that way. My husband and I just decided that it was best for me to leave.
I can honestly say that as painful as this has been, our Father has used it all for good. My husband and I are enjoying this new business venture and we are able to work on projects together. Our sales have increased over the 2 years we have been in business and we consider ourselves blessed and watched over 🙂
He will continue to bless you and take care of you and your business as well! Press on my friend, press on!
BTW I might be interested in some help from your husbands new business! Can you direct me to his website?
Thank you so much Cindy! And thanks for sharing a bit of your story as well. I am excited to see what all happens with Reinvented Delaware! And you can find my husband at clearmessagemarketing.com