Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Sunday, August 21, 2016

New Ventures

It's been a long time since I wanted to write here. When life is not going my way, no matter how hard I try, I have a hard time expressing it. I'm usually better off just keeping my mouth shut. It's safer that way anyway.

It's been six months since my husband lost his job, and we're both still unemployed. I think I mentioned in a previous post that we've never been unemployed before and I really thought, back in February, that this would be a short-lived situation. Doug has been recruited multiple times to a variety of institutions and he always had headhunters calling him...when he had a job.

We've learned how much more difficult it is to get a job when you don't have a job, and especially when you have had a big gap in your employment history -- mine is 14 years. And so far I am 0 and 34 in the job application department. I've had two interviews for real jobs and one interview for a temp agency. The two real jobs ended up being jobs I don't think I could do, for a variety of reasons, for more than a couple days. No one has called me back, so I didn't get a chance. I even got passed up to be an elderly caregiver with an agency. In a phone screening, I said I wasn't sure I felt confident, having had no caregiver experience, changing a man's soiled Depends and getting him in and out of the shower/bath. Well, that was the wrong answer because I guess there are other people waiting in line to earn $10 an hour to do that job.

Doug had one Skype interview and they didn't call him back. Most of the jobs for which he applied were jobs he was over-qualified for, and he even assured the HR people that he was fine not managing a big department, just working with donors on a more personal basis. But, I guess the fear that he would take off as soon as he found something else, or the fear that he was really trying to get the boss's job was too much for them to handle and they passed, even though they were passing on 30 years' experience and contacts in this town.

We are at the age at which it becomes very difficult to find a job. I know now why so many middle-aged people start a business -- it's the only way to get a job.

Which led to Doug starting his own business while I continued to look for work. The name of his company is Veritas Philanthropy and he hopes to work with pastors, principals, and non-profit presidents to enhance their fundraising abilities. So far we have a half a client, and we need about 6-8 clients. We're learning that the church, schools and non-profits are really slow-moving vehicles. It takes a lot of people to get a contract approved. It's rather frustrating when all he wants to do is work, but has nothing to work on.

After my last interview on Friday, for a job I know I am just not capable of doing for a number of reasons, as much as I want to, and as much as I want a job, I decided I have to be real. I know what I am capable of and I was just not capable of doing that job.

 I, too, have decided to try and start my own business. My cousin (thank you Mindy!)) has been asking me  if I would be interested in cooking freezer meals for her family and doing the laundry (thank you for your persistence!). Maid services don't do laundry and, of course, don't prepare dinner either. So, my new job is, cooking and washing, two tasks I really don't mind doing (and I know a lot of people really don't like doing those two jobs, so hopefully a few of them will be my clients). I created a blog to direct potential and current clients to so that they can check the menu each week and choose their meals, and the name of my business -- One Woman and an Apron

I am going to keep Mary Devotions up and running, as well as Swaddling Clothes, so please, please pray for some successes (some clients!) with us. It's very depressing when you really want to work, and the world just keeps telling you that you no longer have any value.




28 comments:

  1. It's a good thing that you don't listen to the world! You do have value, and a lot of love to give. Keep your head up and keep pushing through!! Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.

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    1. Thank you, Jen. I'm not giving up -- at least not yet!

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  2. I think this is a really good idea! You just need to figure out how to get the word out to the right audience and I think you will have more work than you can handle. Praying for your success!

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    1. Getting the word out is always the hard part. Hopefully word of mouth will help! I'm patient.

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  3. Praying this new adventure for you and your husband goes well. Thanks for the update. Have been thinking about you a lot!

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    1. Thanks, Christine! And I appreciate that you've been thinking of me.

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  4. Continued prayers for you and Doug. Believe me, if you were closer, I would be ordering meals this very minute! Cooking one handed is so hard.

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    1. Oh, Jenny, I would already have done your laundry! Thank you.

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  5. Prayers for you and your husband as you begin your new ventures. May the right clients come your way and you both have work in abundance very soon.

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  6. Freezer meals and laundry: sounds like an awesome way to help people and earn some money. Elderly people, busy families, and overwhelmed new moms should all count themselves lucky to have such a resource. I wish we lived in your area!! Good luck, Barbara. I pray you have much success.

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    1. Thank you, Michelle. I would love to find an elderly client that also needs some company.

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  7. Too bad you don't live near me!! Freezer meals and laundry are much needed. I will continue to pray for your whole family. God has a plan. It never seems to work out how we expect. His plan is always better than we can imagine.

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  8. I think that's a great idea---love the name! You are a great cook and I know you are particular about how the laundry gets done, so people will really appreciate your services. Praying that both of you get off to a good start!

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    1. Thanks, Sara. I hope I have enough hours in the day to get done everything that needs done! Doug's been working at this for a couple months, and he has a lot of irons in the fire, but is having a hard time getting contracts signed. Priests are busy, but they need the help!

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  9. I think this is such a great idea!!! And I also love the name! Can I share a link to your blog on my facebook? I only wish I was close enough to make use of such wonderful services myself!!! I will pray for lots of clients.

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    1. Thank you, Anne. Certainly, especially if you know anyone in Columbus! Thank you for your prayers!

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  10. What an awesome idea. I will be sure to share with my friends!! Hugs and prayers for you.

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  11. Great ideas, Barbara! And good luck.

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    1. Thanks, Jennie. I had to do something, rather than sit by the phone, at least I will be doing something.

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  12. I second a earlier comment...sure wish you lived closer I could use freezer meals and laundry services but I can pray and I will continue to pray!!! Jill

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  13. I love this idea and if I lived in Ohio still, I'd be all over it. I do, however, have lots of friends in Columbus and have shared this on Facebook for all to see.

    You all still remain in my prayers.

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    1. Thanks, Beth. I appreciate the prayers and the publicity!

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  14. I hope and pray your new business ventures thrive! Your Aproned Woman business sure sounds like a perfect fit for you, as you excel so beautifully at the home arts. Folks will be well pleased with your services, I'm sure! (And may I say you should be thankful you didn't get the caregiver job. Physical care like that is not what you need to be doing, with all of your health/pain issues that you have going. That's the nurse in me speaking, dear. ;-) ) I'm sure once you get off the ground and word of mouth spreads you will have lots of clients.
    PS Our books arrived and all look great. Thank you again for the Ben- Eliza was thrilled!


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    1. Thank you, Kimberlee. I know the caregiver job would have been difficult, physically, but I really want to be able to help someone instead of just being in the dog-eat-dog corporate world. God was watching out for me! I'm glad Eliza was happy!

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!