Becca sent Chris and I a link to this picture today. We thought it was pretty funny, but true. We've joked around with the idea of pulling on people's heartstrings by putting pictures of Sam around the bakery with signs that say, "buy our bread or this little boy will starve!"
It's a crazy time right now. A year ago Chris and I were getting our business started, and we were so excited about this adventure we were about to begin. We felt like we were guided to this opportunity and that it was the right move for our family. Little did we know how bad the economy was going to get. What a rotten time to take over a business, right?! We knew it would be hard, and that we would have a lot to learn.
At my other job at the apartment complex, I had my 90 day review where normally I would be offered a raise if I were doing well. Well, I received a really great review, but the wages and salaries for all employees in the whole company are frozen, so no one will be getting a raise for the time being. Instead, I got a $25 gift card for the movie theater for which I am grateful because Chris and I NEVER go out But still, a raise would have been nice too.
At work I talk to so many people who are out of jobs, can't pay their bills, can't find a place to live because they have lost their house or have declared bankruptcy. I hear friends and neighbors who work for Boeing who are at risk of losing their jobs while they are continually laying people off every month. I don't like to watch the news anymore because it is just so depressing.
So what are we doing here? We know we are where we are supposed to be. We felt inspired to take on this challenge. We are working hard to make things work. We figure if we can weather this storm, than we can make it; only the strong will make it.
In the meantime, we're asking God what we are supposed to be learning from these experiences; we're trying to understand what wisdom we can gain. Well, for one, our family has learned how to be frugal. We have realized that we can live on a whole lot less than we thought. There are so many little costs that we have managed to reduce or eliminate. We have learned to be better at making and keeping a budget. We've learned to enjoy playing the coupon game. If only we had been this frugal from day one of our marriage! We could have been rich!
We have learned how to run a business. We've learned about marketing, branding, bookkeeping, interacting with and training employees, customer service, hard work, and so much more. In addition to that, we have learned to work together--Chris and I make a good team. We're happy to announce that working together has only brought us closer. Being away from our families, we have learned to rely on each other and help each other out more than ever. Our little family of three is closer and stronger than ever before.
We have learned that debt is an ugly ugly thing, and it should be avoided at all costs. I never want to be in debt ever again!
One of the biggest lessons we have learned is just how much we are loved and supported, and how much people want to see us succeed. From that support, we have also learned the wonderful gift of generosity. We have received so many kind and generous acts--you know who you are. We hope to one day be in a position financially to help out other family members, friends, and strangers. The previous owners have taught us that money is just money, but what is the most important are the people you love and who love you. They are the most caring and generous people I have ever met, and I hope to be just like them one day.
Life has been throwing us big juicy lemons, but we are trying hard to make a delicious lemonade. We are looking for the good and trying to help others in any way possible. We realize we are not the only ones feeling the affects of this economic situation. There are a lot of people who are in a lot worse shape than we are. I think we can all learn a little from where we're at right now.
