A Personal Post

Hhhmmm... are you wondering why you see a happy face and not a card on today's post? I hope you're not disappointed but I wanted to share a bit of what is happening in my neck of the woods these days. I don't usually share lots of personal info here so I hope you don't mind. :)

So that you can understand my sheer JOY as I write this, I must take you back a year or two.... I have been a teacher for the past seven years. I've taught kindergarten, special education at the elementary and middle school level, and preschool. While I have loved my time spent with the kids, developing curriculum, and truly feeling like I am making a difference, the level of stress and hours really began to take a toll on my health a couple of years ago. I was diagnosed with IBS (yuck.... so NOT a fun thing to deal with!) and also struggled with anxiety. Unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done for the IBS. It sort of feels like that diagnosis you get when they just can't figure out what is wrong. I was soooo sick. E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y. Even leaving the house became difficult. But there were a few things that kept me plugging along---my faith, my husband, my parents, my friends, and as silly as it sounds one of those things that kept my head above water was this blog. See, when you just plain don't feel good and your mind won't stop worrying about well, pretty much everything, immersing yourself into something creative, like cardmaking, is GREAT. But what's even GREATER is sharing what you create and feeling this rush of love and sense of community from other crafters.

Honestly, every comment or note I received in my inbox was a happy distraction from the crud that I was facing. It was a smile you gave to me.

Okay, let's fast forward to the EXCITING part. There is a VERY happy ending to this..... To begin, I have been blessed to find some relief from my IBS symptoms. I'm actually finding more and more that it is food allergies/intolerances which possibly magnified from the last few years of constantly functioning at a very high stress level. As those symptoms decrease so does my level of anxiety. AND.... are you ready for this announcement? (or is there anyone still reading?? LOL) Yesterday was my last day of teaching. Yes, my classroom is packed and my keys turned in. My new full-time job will be in the designing/stamping/cardmaking field and spending lots of time at one of my favorite places, Mementos. I can't believe it. Really. Somebody, please pinch me! The doors that have been opened to me are answered prayers. And I'm not just saying that as a common expression. God has heard and answered my prayers. He is so good.

But, you see, my friends, I wanted to share this with you for a couple of reasons. One, I am just so stinkin' excited! :) But secondly, because I want you to know how your support has truly made a difference in my life. You thought you were just signing up to follow a blog, tweeting something nice, or leaving a cute comment on a card, but it is soooo much more than that. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Okay, I sure hope you made it through that LONG post. And hopefully you aren't bored out of your mind or thinking "TMI, Jill, TMI!" I will leave you with a little creation I made quite some time ago. This is actually a painting done mostly with acrylics and Distress Ink--the only stamped image is the butterfly (Penny Black). The entire piece is is 11 in. x 6 1/2 in.

And since this post is a bit sappy, I want to leave you with this verse I hold dear. In fact, I have it on a little plaque next to my computer: (thanks Heather!)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11

See you tomorrow a regular crafty post and with our last beautiful inspiration card from Amy! :)