Reflect Regroup Reevaluate
Everyone has returned to their homes and our house is "empty". The last of our family left. The winter break is over. Kids have started up school again and we are settling back into our routine. I wanted to start my "New Year's Resolution" post but I thought it would be good to take some time to reflect and put in writing some of our thoughts and feelings...because a lot has happened just within the past three months that has affected our family...well..mostly Aljay and I.
I wrote about some of this in my journal but I thought I would share this on the family bog just because.
Lets have a heart to heart for a minute....
We couldn't have been more grateful to have family to end the 2015 year and to welcome a new year with. Our last few months of the 2015 year had been quite trialing because of our lack of experience with business management. The business was doing well, but our personal finances suffered due to Aljay and I not having other income. Aljay sold artwork and picked up side gigs (like teaching the Samoa section for BYU's living legends) but we still ended up having to subsidize our personal expenses with the business money. I, of course, was pregnant and then had baby. Therefore, the business wasn't able to truly grow and expand as we had planned.
The stress of keeping up with our home finances was a constant thing weighing on our minds. It's nothing new to us though. The broke life is one we're all too familiar with so keeping a positive mindset was not a challenge. I always tell Aljay that "I would rather be broke in Utah, than in Hawaii." But after having steady and increasing income since we've been in Utah, then starting a business and having to live off of savings and inconsistent income, it just felt like a set back (financially). We don't regret starting the business, no not at all. We are so happy we did, but the start up period is tough. We knew it would be, but you can't help but feel a slight sting when you go from having money, to not knowing exactly when your next paycheck will arrive....and that's after working your butt off for your own start up business and then making mistakes along the way and having to learn lessons the hard way. I think what hurt us the most was that we felt like we were wasting all the efforts of Lahvjal and Penny. Here they were working just as hard, and not seeing the true fruit of their labors. Aljay went through a period of feeling like he had failed, reflecting on what went wrong, and trying to figure out where to go from that point.
We never lost hope though. We always knew that things would work out and that the Lord will provide as we strive to keep the commandments and just keep trying to do our best. We've seen time and time again miracles and blessings that came just when we needed (not always when or how we wanted, but always exactly as was needed at the time). Our parents have been huge blessings, supporting us emotionally and financially. Giving us counsel and encouragement. It has been a humbling learning experience for us, a trial of faith, one that we are entirely grateful for.
Before all the family had started to arrive, Aljay and I decided that we need to regroup, reevaluate, and make changes to improve our situation- not just with the business but in all aspects. Our family being here with us over the past few weeks was so crucial to this process. We were able to have time to just sit and talk alone, with our minds at ease knowing that our kids were with their grandparents. We were also able to go to the temple together (favorite part). We had the wisdom of our parents to draw from when questions came to mind and unconditional love that gave us just that extra boost that we needed. Our hearts were warmed every time we saw our kids smiling and having fun with their grandparents. Our bellies were full (of course). Our minds and bodies were able to get some rest. Our spirits were renewed.
It was exactly what we needed.
Aljay and I have shared these thoughts with each other, made some resolutions, and we now feel recharged and ready to take on the year. We are so stoked because we have some exciting things already in the works....with the business that is....some super big blessings and opportunities that have just come up within the past week....but I'll post more about that later.
For now....
I wrote about some of this in my journal but I thought I would share this on the family bog just because.
Lets have a heart to heart for a minute....
We couldn't have been more grateful to have family to end the 2015 year and to welcome a new year with. Our last few months of the 2015 year had been quite trialing because of our lack of experience with business management. The business was doing well, but our personal finances suffered due to Aljay and I not having other income. Aljay sold artwork and picked up side gigs (like teaching the Samoa section for BYU's living legends) but we still ended up having to subsidize our personal expenses with the business money. I, of course, was pregnant and then had baby. Therefore, the business wasn't able to truly grow and expand as we had planned.
The stress of keeping up with our home finances was a constant thing weighing on our minds. It's nothing new to us though. The broke life is one we're all too familiar with so keeping a positive mindset was not a challenge. I always tell Aljay that "I would rather be broke in Utah, than in Hawaii." But after having steady and increasing income since we've been in Utah, then starting a business and having to live off of savings and inconsistent income, it just felt like a set back (financially). We don't regret starting the business, no not at all. We are so happy we did, but the start up period is tough. We knew it would be, but you can't help but feel a slight sting when you go from having money, to not knowing exactly when your next paycheck will arrive....and that's after working your butt off for your own start up business and then making mistakes along the way and having to learn lessons the hard way. I think what hurt us the most was that we felt like we were wasting all the efforts of Lahvjal and Penny. Here they were working just as hard, and not seeing the true fruit of their labors. Aljay went through a period of feeling like he had failed, reflecting on what went wrong, and trying to figure out where to go from that point.
We never lost hope though. We always knew that things would work out and that the Lord will provide as we strive to keep the commandments and just keep trying to do our best. We've seen time and time again miracles and blessings that came just when we needed (not always when or how we wanted, but always exactly as was needed at the time). Our parents have been huge blessings, supporting us emotionally and financially. Giving us counsel and encouragement. It has been a humbling learning experience for us, a trial of faith, one that we are entirely grateful for.
Before all the family had started to arrive, Aljay and I decided that we need to regroup, reevaluate, and make changes to improve our situation- not just with the business but in all aspects. Our family being here with us over the past few weeks was so crucial to this process. We were able to have time to just sit and talk alone, with our minds at ease knowing that our kids were with their grandparents. We were also able to go to the temple together (favorite part). We had the wisdom of our parents to draw from when questions came to mind and unconditional love that gave us just that extra boost that we needed. Our hearts were warmed every time we saw our kids smiling and having fun with their grandparents. Our bellies were full (of course). Our minds and bodies were able to get some rest. Our spirits were renewed.
It was exactly what we needed.
Aljay and I have shared these thoughts with each other, made some resolutions, and we now feel recharged and ready to take on the year. We are so stoked because we have some exciting things already in the works....with the business that is....some super big blessings and opportunities that have just come up within the past week....but I'll post more about that later.
For now....
Thank you parents for your never ending love and support.
Thank you Heavenly Father for giving us trials, tests, talents, and blessings.
Thank you 2015 for all the lessons learned.
Thank you 2015 for all the lessons learned.
2016 we are ready for you.
We can already feel that this year is going to be a good one.
Coming up...
the RECHARGE!!!!
oh yes...the super pumped up post that's all about the
NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS!!!
*look at me all on a roll with my blogging bahahhahahah getting all caught up...third post in a week hahah....and then blog famine after that lol
Comments