As many of you know, my husband and I will be moving to New Orleans on January 3rd, 2020. While we are excited about the new chapter in our lives, unfortunately we have to leave pieces of our hearts here. Change is hard. Am I right??? And the thing I have been dreading the most about this new move is the people I'm going to have to leave in Alabama. Hang with me! What I say today may not seem like it has anything to do with you but I promise, you're still the SOUL PURPOSE for this blog.
I've never been good at expressing my emotions and feelings verbally, but I've always been able to sort through my thoughts when writing. So what better way to say thank you than through sharing a small piece of the diary I'm constantly writing in my head.
On December 20th I had to say "see you soon" to my work family. This was hard because change and leaving the people you love is hard. I couldn't find the right words to say to my people. I couldn't express what they meant to me while walking through my last moments in Alabama with them, but this is what I wanted to say.
To my family at Rosa Lee, you have changed my life forever. Each of you have encouraged me, supported me, and loved me through some of the most challenging times in my life. I started working with you all in September of 2018 and since then, I have graduated college, gotten married, and am now moving to a place that's 5 hours away. When I think about the growth and challenges I've faced in that time, I can't help but be overwhelmed with gratitude for the people God specifically placed in my life for such a time as this. There's so many things I want to say to each of you, but I'll start with just a few.
Dara, thank you for taking a chance on a shy, inexperienced 20 year old girl that was just trying to make some money. I had no idea the humongous role you would play in shaping my future, my heart, and my world. The opportunities and experience you have given me is priceless. You reminded me of my purpose in life and gave me an outlet to share my love for Jesus and my passion, which is for girls of ALL ages to love themselves to the fullest. But most importantly, thank you for always pointing me back to HIM.
Leigh Ann, thank you for encouraging me in everything I do and for always having a listening ear. You have taken me in like one of your own and watched out for me in ways I didn't even know I needed. You have been one of my biggest cheerleaders and I am forever grateful for the confidence you have given me.
Ashlyn, even though we are the same age, I look up to you and admire you for so many things. Your heart is kind and you are one of the hardest workers I know. I have so enjoyed your friendship and understanding as we walk closely in the same phases of life.
Sandi, your loving heart is contagious. You have such a willing spirit and your love for others is infectious. Thank you for always letting me know you love me and that you're praying for me. When I didn't think I would ever finish school, you always encouraged me to keep going. Thank you for pushing me to be my best while gently guiding me to finish what I started.
Melanie, thank you for always making me laugh. You are a true joy to work with. You have such a giving spirit and we are all blessed to know you. Your smile is a light and your laughter is contagious. I have found so much joy in the hard times because of you.
Dottie, you are like my work mom! You are always looking out for ALL of us and you are full of wisdom, energy, and love! You've always been a helpful hand to me and encouraged me in all of my endeavors. Thank you for guiding me in wisdom.
Sandra, my friend. We have known each other for a very short time, but you have been intricate in my walk with Jesus and moving forward with such a big change. You have been so encouraging and such a joy to work with. Thank you for reminding me of the real reason for everything we do.
Alexis, girl! You are beautiful inside and out! I am so glad that you joined our family at Rosa Lee. Keep working hard and chasing your dreams. Thank you for being invested in my life and for being an encouragement to me.
I love you all and I cannot thank you enough.
These ladies are hard to leave, but all they have given me and how they have prepared me is more than anything I could have ever asked for.
So, why did I write this and make it available for alllll of the world to see? It's pretty personal and normally I would never make my feelings so public, but I wanted to remind you that it's okay to be vulnerable in such a harsh and demanding world. It's okay to share your heart in different ways than others. Some people are great with words and have words for dayssssss to express how they feel, but some people are better at writing it out. Some like to express themselves in music, while others may express how they feel through art. Whatever you do, don't be afraid to tell others how you feel. It's never too late to tell the ones that have impacted you, inspired you, loved on you, cried with you, rejoiced with you, or helped you along the way how much they truly mean to you. Tell them. It's not embarrassing. It's not over the top. It's not something to hide. Tell them your heart the best way you know how.
My challenge to you this week, as Christmas is approaching, is to take time to tell the ones you love just how much you truly appreciate them because without them, our walk in life would be a lot harder. Our soul longs for relationships and without the ones that pour into us, the soul purpose would seem lonely and impossible.
Share this blog today with someone that needs a little encouragement, or someone that just needs to be reminded that it's okay to be vulnerable with others. You are the soul purpose. Now make someone your soul purpose.
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