COMMUNITY AND TRUSTING
Living in community is truly incredible! Lauren popped by to do a shoot. Spent little time shooting, more time connecting.
Yesterday I had my husband rent a car to help deliver some furniture to the loft. He said, “Why do you even do this office? You can't pay for it after the lease is over.”
He called out something I cannot explain easily to people who don't understand the calling. All I know is God nudged me to step into it, and it's provided for. After the lease ends? No idea, but I am to wait and see what can happen in these 12 months!
COMMUNITY
We had a Nepalese visitor to the loft on Tuesday. She is a representative of a hangtag factory in Nepal that we'll start working with soon. Our conversation was particularly fascinating when we compared our countries. I asked if she found it easier to be a woman here. She confirmed women are more respected in the marketplace and society, and there is more freedom for women here. If she had to choose one, she'd still choose Nepal because it is is a better place to have community.
I couldn't stop thinking about how true her statement was. Most mothers in the USA feel isolated and exhausted. Western civilization is so independent, but we were never meant to do things alone. I've been learning this since we got the loft. I treat every visitor as if they were invited into my home and the connections give our lives purpose more than success.
I continue to stand in awe of all the people who support our dream as customers, volunteers, interns, models, and more. It's the real deal.
THE CURSE OF WORK
Oh how toiling away is such a reality for me. I come from generations of farmers, and if you know about farming, you work hard from an early age and you don't vacation. I had to hustle to make it in New York City. Sometimes I get caught in the curse of work.
My husband's question is not off. He knows we've had a drop in revenue this year and increased costs. With tariffs in full effect, we do have to fix this revenue problem for Elegantees to still be around in a year from now. It feels like I have a very lofty goal to reach and time is ticking. The awareness of how fragile it all is pushing me to work way more than I should be. Choosing not to rest though is choosing not to trust. I can work as hard as I want, but only God can deliver the results. Remembering this has helped me to lay down the pressure recently.
I feel the most fulfillment in mentoring the interns, and believe I need to do more of this. Training and pouring into them doesn't guarantee it'll turn into an unstoppable collaboration, but it could. I believe I should not be worrying about the future anyway. Trusting instead of worrying. Let's see what God will do in these 10 months to go!
With hope,
Katie
