Hey friends!
This is not the normal party tutorial post. I completely understand if you want to do a little skip-a-roo over this one.
I wanted to tell you about some changes that are happening in my own life and the life of our little community here on Parties for Pennies.
Last Monday, I turned in my resignation to my job. Today will my last day on air at 104.7The Fish & 920 WGKA. This decision has been a result of much prayer, deep conversations with my man and with much thought. Many people are asking WHY & WHAT I’ll be doing, so since we’re friends I thought I’d share.
The best way to describe the why is like that of a long-term romantic relationship. When you first start the relationship, it is everything to you. You’d give up sleep to stay up late talking, you’d sacrifice your money to buy the best gift possible, you’d gladly give up things you wanted to do. This relationship begins heading in a very promising direction. You see the future & it looks bright. Very quickly, this relationship becomes your world. I mean…it’s what you’ve invested your whole self into. But then…a few years or more into the relationship and you start noticing a change in the other person. They seem somewhat distant. Their weekends become more about time with friends than time with you. You start to make excuses for the distant feeling. Then you start questioning yourself: “Am I doing something wrong? What is it about me that’s pushing this person away?” The idea that this relationship is over may even enter your mind but then you imagine your world without that person. It’s scary. If you’ve built your identity around this, it makes the unknown uncertain. Maybe questions enter your mind like, “What if no one wants to date me afterwards?” or “What if I really have nothing to offer?”
Eventually, you have to have the courage to let go. It may be a little scary. It may be a little jilt to your self-worth. But that’s where trust enters. Trusting God that He will direct your steps each day. That your identity won’t be found in a relationship with someone else but a relationship with Him.
I was always that girl that talked about what I wanted to do with my life from elementary school on. I remember sitting in a plane when I was 11 years old grilling a lawyer sitting next to me because, at that time, I wanted to be a lawyer. That poor, poor man. The lawyer ambition turned into television broadcasting and then I interned at a radio station and it was like a bell went off! I LOVED it. Radio has been my passion and my heart ever since. It hasn’t been easy. By no means did I fall into this. It has been A LOT of hard work, poor pay, long hours, even sleeping overnight at the station…and I have loved every minute of it. I have especially loved getting to know our listeners. They have become my friends. They have made me laugh. They have made me cry. They have been a source of grace when I got the hiccups on air or screwed up by saying the wrong direction on an interstate (lovely ditz, I am). I said this last night and I’ll say it again…the LISTENERS have been my favorite part of my job. So THANK YOU!
Now as to WHAT I’ll be doing…
It definitely won’t be this!
I already have outside “part-time jobs” that I will continue growing. I do voiceovers, on-camera work and, ofcourse this blog (including working as a contributor to Mohawk Flooring’s blog At Creative Home). I am very excited to work on some goals I have for this blog, as well as other projects I’m planning. Several people have said things like, “Wow…you get to just chill out at home” or one guy even said, “Have fun spending Mike’s money.” That one was a little harsh but I’m gonna choose to take it that he was kidding. These are far from the truth. My goal is to take what I’ve learned at the radio station (and keep learning) to the next level. It will just be for Heidi Rew Productions (my business).
Here’s where I could use your input. Since we’re friends, I’d love to get your advice. I know you’re busy but if you have time to just reply to these three questions, I’d love you more than chocolate cake…no…I’d love you more than chocolate chip cookie dough…oh…that’s love!
(1) What are the posts that you tend to not read here on Parties for Pennies?It comes to your inbox or reader, you glance at it & move on. What are those?
(2) What would you like to see more of here on Parties for Pennies? What is most beneficial to you?
(3) When was there a time that you took a risk and stepped out of your comfort zone? (Just because I love hearing your stories ;p)
One thing that I am doing is taking a little break. My wise husband has been encouraging me to do this but I didn’t want to. A really great radio mentor also encouraged me to do this. It is so not in my nature to take a break. I want to dive in. I love working but I also love doing the best job I can. I want some time for clarity and direction. I’ve got a lot of balls up in the air and more I want to throw up there…and I stink at juggling (literally)…so I’m going to take just a couple weeks to focus.
I’ll still post some blog posts but I’m going to try and scale back on social media…just for 2 weeks. I’m going to spend some quality time with my husband, some friends and the Lord. This is going to be so hard for me but I think it’s wise.
Thank you so much for reading through my long-windedness (#notawordbutidontcare)! I love this video that was posted by a blog I love, Kara Paslay Designs. Hope this encourages you to BE AWESOME in whatever you do!
This weekend, I’ll share my tutorial on creating a Valentines Day bouquet for half the price of most bouquets!
p.s. This is YOUR official invite to the party… on the PartiesforPennies facebook page! Click here.
Heidi, I respect your decision greatly! (and maybe it means you can come and visit sometime? and get your Grace fix?) I completely understand what you are feeling. You are a woman of many hats, that all turn to gold! Whatever you do, you will be great doing! I know though from experience when a little one comes along… there will not be much time to think, wear as many hats, or any alone time! Do it while you can! I love you and am always here to talk if you want or need a get away!
Katie
Thank you so much Katie and I most definitely need my Grace fix!!! Love you so much & have been loving the recipes you post on your blog! <3 Heidi
LOVE your beautiful honesty and the peace you have with you brave decision. GOOD for you Heidi! Much happiness and success to you! :o)
Thank you so much Cindy! That means so much…especially from you! <3 Heidi
I must start off by saying that I CRIED last night when I heard you were leaving us(and then I was sadder when my husband and daughters all looked at me like I was a crazy nut -_-). Through your posts and the radio, you have entered our lives and it’s gonna be so weird not hearing you direct traffic on my way home. I am sure that your future is bright and pray that God blesses your endeavors. Your creativity and wonderful personality will take you farther than you know:)
On your questions, 1) I read all of your posts because I think I learn something new from each of them; 2) I think your blog is great. I think you could add a few video tutorials here and there for things you make because not everyone can mentally imagine what they read; 3) I am from Massachusetts. In 2011, I decided to move with my hubby and three daughters to Georgia. We had no friends or family here and we had only visited once, but we knew our hearts belonged here. 1.5 years later and it has been an amazing journey. God has us right where He wants us:)
God bless you and Mike in all you do. <3 xoxo
Jackie…that is so sweet. Ha…my husband looks at me like that a lot so we have something in common! :p
Thank you for your great input. Definitely need some more video tutorials. Some projects are just so much easier with a video…you’re so right on this! And what a great inspirational story! I can imagine how tought it probably was. Appreciate you! <3 Heidi Rew
Oh Heidi, Heidi, Heidi…regardless of what you may hear from us selfish listeners who want your life to revolve around being the voice we love to depend on, kudos to you for following YOUR inner voice! It’s the one that will lead you to happiness!! Of course you will be missed, but I have spent more “time with you” through this blog than I did by hearing you on the radio…and I LOVE THIS BLOG!! So, I’m going to answer your questions the best way I can, and I hope my experience help you grasp the fact that God will lead you even when you don’t always hear Him clearly. He has a steering wheel in your back, and he will drive you where you need to go. Take your downtime to appreciate that fact.
1.) Since I joined this blog, I have read EVERY post! I always find something that I can use or tuck away in my brain’s bag of tricks for future reference. Everyone wants to host the best parties for their children, friends & family members…but in this economy it can be a real chore. Giving people more ideas and tutorials on how to do things on their own instead of paying for things truly feeds a need!
2.) It has been a great benefit to me to know where to find some of the items you use. A lot of people think that they have to go to a big box store to get supplies, etc. Sharing retailers where you find great deals is a win-win for us consumers and those business owners. I never even knew about the SERV store until I saw/heard you & Mike posting & supporting their efforts. Now, I LOVE it, and regularly recommend that my friends try to check it out! So, if you can, always give the info on where to look for items to complete the beautiful things you create! 🙂
3.) I know everyone expected you to announce a pregnancy (myself included). I believe that taking this leap of faith may be a paving stone to prepare you for the sacrifices that are required during parenthood. My leap of faith was, in hind-sight, maybe not the best choice at the time…but I was extremely validated. I was a teen mom. Not one that allowed my parents to raise my child, either. It was very difficult. My son’s father was not around, and didn’t help at all. It was just my little guy and me. He was, and still is my everything. I had always promised him I would be there for him. I had a great job at a bank. I had scheduled a half day far in advance for my then 4 year old’s Pancakes for Mommy Mother’s Day event at his daycare. The morning of the event I was told that I wasn’t going to be allowed to leave, even though he was expecting me to show up. I sat at my desk and cried, and prayed, and I went through more emotions than I care to recall. I finally went to my boss and said that I WOULD be going to see my child, and if I needed to come back afterwards, I certainly would, but I WOULD NOT let him down. They terminated me. Of course I was afraid of what I would do, how we would make it, etc. The following Monday, I went to drop my son at daycare so I could start my new job search. I met a man and woman who were there enrolling their children so they could begin work on opening a new restaurant. We talked, discussed working experiences and such, and they hired me ON THE SPOT…making $15k more that I had been making at the bank. Supporting my #1 priority truly paid off! God always takes care of us!!!
My prayer for you is that you find your peace and comfort zone; That you can spend your days enjoying what you do; That you learn whatever it is that you want to learn to make your life what you want it to be for yourself and your family. You are an amazing young woman and I hope you always hold on to the knowledge that you are perfect because you belong to Him. <3 Good luck & God bless all that you do!
Sharon, Thank you for taking time to give your sweet words of encouragement, as well a your great input! I totally jotted down your suggestion to share where you can purchase some of these items for cheap. Great idea! And…isn’t the SERV store awesome?? Love it.
Wow…what an amazing story Sharon! You are such a strong woman. To be a single mom & make that decision & then get terminated…I can’t imagine the joy you felt of being able to spend time with your son but also the worry of losing your job. I mean…what a cool story?! Thank you so much for that!
You have really encouraged me, Sharon! Thank you so much! <3 Heidi Rew
Hey Heidi. I’m sad to hear you are leaving the Fish, but I am so excited for what you are doing. Stepping out on your own can be a scary thing. I worked for a company for 8 years in Norcross and commuted from Norcross to McDonough daily. As you could imagine, being a Traffic Gal, you probably know how miserable that was for years. After 8 years of commuting and some company changes that I thought may affect whether I would have a job long term, I began to consider going out on my own as a free lancer. I’ve not changed much since we went to church together, so I am still a bit of a introvert.
My wife and I prayed for many months about it and didn’t know how it was going to work out, but we both felt God’s hand was in it. The week before I put in my 2 week notice God showed us some very clear signs that it was what we should do. I got a call from a company asking if I would contract with them for 4 weeks to help on a project, and we received a tax refund that would cover 2 months of my normal salary. The week I went out on my own I landed 3 projects with a company I had never heard of, that lined up with when I would finish my 4 week contract. From there on, I always had a project to work on.
The keys to going out on your own, in my opinion, are 2 things you mentioned…spouse and prayer. My wife was very supportive and like Mike, appeared to have a little more confidence in me than I did. Prayer was what brought me around to giving it a try. I went out on my own and made the equivalent of my salary my first year. God is so good. When you are in his will and doing what he wants you to do, it is a fun and at times, scary ride. I always fell back on the Bible verse “Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your path.” Prov. 3:5-6
Best of luck to you. I know you will do well with the new direction in your career. It’s awesome that God has provided you a husband who is supportive and willing to encourage to try new things. I look forward to hearing updates.
Jordan Burnham
Jordan,
Thank you so much. What a cool story you have! I am so glad you don’t have to deal with that commute either. I really appreciate the encouragement…soo…sooo much!! So glad things are going well for you & your family! Look forward to keeping up with you via fb. <3 Heidi Rew
Hey Heidi,
I sent you an inbox message earlier today on facebook but also want to respond to your questions. I am glad to know what you are doing and why and I think you are making a wise choice. If this seems right for you and Mike and there has been much prayer, then the Lord will open the right doors for you and direct every step. As for the blog, I love reading it and it is very helpful to me. I especially like that you include stories about how you “celebrate” your family and friends since that is such an important part of all we do. I have not seen a post that I wanted to skip over but I don’t have a great memory either LOL AND, yes I have definitely stepped out of my comfort zone from being an RN for 35 years working with people to a clinical reviewer in a physician network that deals with all the microsoft office and excel and things I was not at all familiar with. But the money was better and I was supporting myself at this point. I nkow this is not exactly the same as your situation but was huge to me! I have learned so much and shown myself I can do things I didn’t think possible. No doubt these skill can only help me in the future. I have every confidence that no matter what you do, you will be great! God Bless you in all you do.
Vicki Ashby
Thank you Vici! I so appreciate your input, ideas and encouragement. Look forward to keeping up with you via fb! <3 Heidi Rew
Since this is maybe the 2nd time I’ve been to your website, I can’t really say much to the 1st 2 questions, but to the last: I grew up in the south, GA specifically, and have never lived in a different state except for a 9 month stint. My wonderful husband was offered a job in California and we are moving there with our 4 children & 2 cats in 2 weeks. He’s actually already out there, but I’m definitely (literally) moving out of my comfort zone since I don’t know anyone there. But God is here, there, and everywhere else, so I know I’ll be fine. 🙂 You will be too!
Charlene…wow. That is a big move. I will certainly be thinking & praying for you over the next couple of weeks. Hope everything goes well! Thanks for the encouragement! <3 Heidi Rew
Hey Heidi! Like I said last night, we will miss you dearly on the Fish, but I know you are super talented! God gave you all of your gifts for a reason: to share with the world! You’ve done that on the Fish. Now it is time to do it in other ways. I love your blog when I remember to read it. (Kinda bad at that. I see it and think I’ll go back to it and then forget). You have great ideas and I love that they are inexpensive. I would have to say I stepped out of my comfort zone when I decided to homeschool my kids. I am more of a “go with the flow” type of person. I started homeschooling 15years ago when it was still not very popular. It was a big step for me to do something so “radical”. However, I wouldn’t change a thing! I wish you the very best! Please keep in touch. I’m sure Mike will also keep us up to date on what is going on in your lives. (And, don’t worry about people saying you’ll be spending Mike’s money. I’ve been a stay at home mom for 20 years. The money my husband makes is ours. I may not get a paycheck, but my job is priceless!)
Jackie…Thank you so much! Your uplifting words are so sweet. Homeschooling would definitely be a challenge. I am sure it was so worth it.
I will definitely keep in touch. I’ll still be keeping up with my social media. Thanks again for taking time to write this, Jackie! <3 Heidi Rew
I’ve not read your site before but came across it today from The Fish’s Facebook page and I have to give you a big kuddos! I left my job a few years ago to run a website and so many people thought I was just sitting at home playing on the computer, I guess most have no idea that there IS business opps. online, plenty of them if you’re willing to go it on your own and take a leap of faith! That “sitting on my duff playing the computer” has turned into a fantastic online business that has blessed myself and my family 10 folds, it was the scariest decision I ever made but turned out to be the best!
I also have no answer(s) to your questions, obviously i’m just rambling, but I just wanted to give you some kuddos for taking a leap of faith. I hope it works out well for you!
Laura…oh my goodness…thank you for sharing your story. I am soo encouraged! I really, really appreciate you taking time to share that. It means a lot!! <3 Heidi Rew
Thank you Heidi for all you have done and continue to do. You are a true inspiration. Much love and success in the future.
P.S. You will be missed on The Fish! <3
Thank you so much Jennifer! I really appreciate it! <3 Heidi Rew
***Forgive me if I, too, suffer a bit from “long-windedness”.
I have been a local Atlanta resident and regular listener to the radio station where you work for years and years (and years…). You are so stinkin’ sweet and you actually make traffic sound (almost) pleasant. I discovered your blog a while back and love watching you create and craft, and love that you share it with everyone.
I’m proud of you for taking a huge leap of faith to do something you love. I’m in the early phases of doing the same thing…praying constantly that God will show me the next step and give me the wisdom and discernment to know when He is leading me, as opposed to being led by my own selfish wants.
Thank you for being such a blessing on the radio and on the blog. I look forward to watching you grow and succeed in your new venture! Enjoy your down time and have fun. Take care!
Kirsten, Thank you so much! Your encouragement means a lot to me! I’ll certainly be saying a prayer for you as you seek out your next steps. I really enjoy your blog, as well. I look forward to keeping up via our blogs!! Thank you again. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. <3 Heidi Rew
I’m so excited for you!!! I’m a huge fan of following your dreams.
I love reading ALL of your posts! Although they may not ALL be helpful for ME, (I’m not very good at the whole crafty thing!) I normally pass them on to someone who has mentioned looking for a way to improve a particular party. 🙂 I would love a series on “this is a ____ but you can make it a ___”. 🙂 (especially Dollar Tree stuff!) That would be exceptionally helpful for me. 🙂
Most of my life has been stepping out of my comfort zone….so no single story there. I LOVE people taking that leap of faith towards their dreams!!
Thank you, Whitney! Love the idea you gave. You have such an encouraging, energetic & positive spirit! It truly is contagious, so thank you for your “pep” comment. <3 Heidi Rew
I left my job of 25 years as a preschool teacher with no idea of what I was going to do. I turned in my intent letter on Jan 31st saying I would not return for the next year. I knew God was telling me that He was releasing me from that position. My hubby was not thrilled but trusted that God was in control. Within 2 weeks my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and I was able to spend the next year before he passed away with him. How easy it would have been to stay somewhere safe but I would have missed one of the greatest blessings of my life. Time with my Dad, listening to stories of his life that I had never heard., being with him till the end and doing the things he trusted me to do.
So I say all that to say…take the leap of faith, rest in Him and enjoy the new direction He is sending you in! Even if you don’t end up where you think you will!!
Wow, Anne! What a story. So glad you had that precious time with your Dad. That must have just been the most sweetest time with him. Thank you so much for your encouragement! I am seriously going to have to read your posts whenever I begin to get discouraged. Thank you, Anne! <3 Heidi Rew
Heidi, I’ve found each of your blog posts to be useful and entertaining. If I don’t read them right away then I do read them when I get down time. I often share them with clients and friends who have reported back to me “what a success THAT idea was at my party”. I have recently shared testimony with other friends about my leaps of faith over the past 2 years and how I find my family and myself immeasurably held by the gentle and loving hand of God. He will definitely bless your faithfulness in seeking who He created you to be and what He created you to do. I am at peace with your decision to pursue your various work options because I know that you discussed it with Mike and our Heavenly Father who assured you that they both are with you and for you forever. I feel led to share my devotion for today “Luke 9:62 encourages the understanding that you don’t need to know where you are going if you know the One who does. Keep your focus on God because we can’t move ahead while looking back at what we’ve left behind.”
Leann…Thank you! Thank you for sharing P4P with others too! That is so sweet of you. Thank you for sharing the encouragement & the verse! What a great verse?! I’m gonna have to write that down to put at my desk! Thank you so much Leann! Really appreciate you taking the time to comment! <3 Heidi Rew
Hey Heidi, I’m sooo sorry to hear(see) you leave the fish104.7, I really enjoyed getting the traffic report from you…aside from being informative and precise at times it was entertaining too. I was actually wondering just the other day while on my way to work….I wonder how Heidi and Mike handle working in the same company and at differant hours…that must be hard……I did not know you were leaving until today… as I was thinking I also said a little prayer for you guys….God is good and he promises in his Holy Word that he has plans for you, good plans to prosper you and not to harm you…soooo don’t be affraid to start something new or old that you wanted to pay more attention to. God is with you and for you…in what ever you do. May He continue to bless you dearly and many blessings for your marriage 🙂 ♥
Hey Maria!! Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. Our schedules have definitely been difficult.
I so appreciate your prayers and your words of encouragement. They truly mean so much to me!! Please stay in touch via fb! <3 Heidi Rew
Heidi, I am glad to hear you are taking a break. It;s a great thing when a person can do so. We think sometimes that we are at our creative best when we are the busiest. Not true. The same thing goes for our walk with God. If we want to hear from Him we have to be quiet for a while to hear from him. So take the break, press into Him. So be encouraged. I could always use a greta eprson like you on my team I am building for Nehemiah’s Dream. We work with homeless families. Just sayin”.
Be Blessed
Clarence
Clarence…thank you so much for that. I really appreciate your encouragement to take a break. You are right about being busy. It clouds our minds and I certainly am good at being busy. ;p I’m gonna keep Nehemiah’s Drewm in mind! Thanks again Clarence! <3 Heidi Rew
Blessings Heidi! I am so excited for you! I have a magnet that I absolutely love which says, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Well, I prefer to say, “A God-adventure begins at the end of your comfort zone.” So simple, but so true, and a great reminder that I need to be ever so present to be flexible and open to go where He leads and for His glory … no matter how difficult the challenge. A life change always requires a faith step! Though you are stepping out and breaking new ground, God will be the wind beneath your wings! Christ in you will be your strength when your flesh feels weak! Press on and enjoy! Hugs!
Nancy…thank you so much! You always have such encouraging, uplifting, God-filled words. Love the magnet & love your take on it. So appreciate you & the support you have been in my life. Thankful for older women that I can emulate. Love ya!
(1) What are the posts that you tend to not read here on Parties for Pennies? It comes to your inbox or reader, you glance at it & move on. What are those? – To be honest; I don’t think I’ve signed up for Parties for Pennies e-mail, sorry. Guess I’ll do that shortly. I don’t do a lot of entertaining for others but I LOVE craft ideas and if you ever have any gluten free recipes for snacks or just general foods, I’d be interested in that.
(2) What would you like to see more of here on Parties for Pennies? What is most beneficial to you? Craft ideas and directions; maybe even a picture if available. (I’m a visual person)
(3) When was there a time that you took a risk and stepped out of your comfort zone? (Just because I love hearing your stories ;p)
I was challenged by a friend (last winter) to get off my DUFF and exercise. She suggested Curves and I said, “I can’t do THAT by myself” Less than a week later I found myself in my local Cuves JUST asking questions. Later that week I was shopping for exercise clothes (figuring if I WAS going to do this I needed the right “equipment”) and I saw one of the Curves Employees shopping in the active clothing section at Kohl’s. One piece of information I gathered at my initial inquiry was that they would be hosting a food drive: collecting at least 30 lbs of food in lieu of a joining fee. SO… I watched the calendar, went to Aldi and bought 34 lbs of food and took it to my local Curves middle of March 2012. Here it is ALMOST one year later: I’m going 3X a week (4 in summer) and have lost 10.5″ plus 10 or so pounds. I added the Curves workout to my weekly attendance at Weight Watchers meetings. I had already lost weight and a dress size or two, BEFORE joining either of those “clubs” but after a total of almost 5 years I have dropped 3 clothing sizes (1x (18) – 12/14), 52 lbs. and as I already stated, 10.5 inches!
This WAS out of my comfort zone but… I survived and I am NOW a new and improved person because of it.
Susan…Thank you so much for taking time to give me your input! Love it. High-five to my fellow gluten-freer! :p I’ve actually thought about trying to do regular & gluten-free party foods. Thanks so much. AND soo proud of you for your amazing health story. Wow. You rock & are such an inspiration!! <3 Heidi Rew
Happy birthday Heidi! Sherry & I will think of you as we celebrate HER birthday today too. 🙂
Life changes can be scary – been there, done it more than a few times. You’re doing it right – looking first to God for His guidance and will, then sharing the decisions with Mike. Trust God – He always knows what He’s doing, even when things make no sense to us. No matter how frenetic things may be around you, or how frantically folks urge you to “go find what’s next for you”, remember that God’s plan for you will unfold in His perfect time, not according to the imperfect human world in which we live.
We love you and will keep you (and Mike, and Guinness) in our prayers.
Blessings,
Jim
P.S. I’ve dumped Facebook, Twitter, and all other “social substitutes”. Haven’t gone back to snailmail, but old-fashioned email works just fine. 🙂
Thank you, Jim! I hope you Sherry feels really special on her birthday weekend! Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and wisdom, Jim! I really appreciate it! And thank you for your prayers. They are appreciated. <3 Heidi Rew
Hey Heidi!
I love reading your blog and I can’t think of anything that I wouldn’t read! I would love to see more money saving ideas as I am a bit of a couponer! 🙂 Any ideas to save money (I have 4 daughters, aged 8 and under) would be awesome! I will tell you about how I stepped out on faith:
I am a teacher by trade and have prayed for certain jobs since I began teaching. The first school I was at, I began to realize in my third year there that I needed to move on, but I was afraid (not to mention, jobs were available at Creekside Christian academy and I really wanted to get a job there!). I signed my contract anyway, and had a really rough year the next year. I knew when that school year was over I needed to move on. I left by faith and began to pray for a certain job and I got it! And, boy did I pay for it! I learned during my 2 years at this “place that shall not be named” that I was praying the wrong way! After my first year there I knew I needed to leave (there were many more jobs available at Creekside this time!) but I didn’t. After I worked my 2nd year and got pregnant with baby #4, they let me go. I came to realize it was God’s way of getting me away from there since it was a toxic place and wasn’t allowing me to grow as a Christian! I took the next year off to have my baby and deal with her medical issues and went back to teaching the next year. This time, I prayed for the job that God had made just for me! Interview #1, I thought I aced and I never got a call back! Interview #2, I did great, and was called to say that I didn’t get the job, but to keep interviewing because I was a great candidate. Five minutes later, I got a call for job #3. I went the next day and thought I bombed the interview! 2 hours later I got the call that I got the job!! God was showing me that no matter how I think I did, if I pray to Him to give me the job He has for me, I will get it, despite my limitations! That teaching job only lasted 6 months, but it was in a school of so many Godly people, and I was fortunate to be able to work there! That job allowed me to get another job to finish out the school year! We moved during the summer and I am too far from Henry County to be able to teach there, but I know God has something special for me out here. This year has been rough without a job, but God has met all of our needs and I am applying to schools now. I know God will use the schools I taught at last year to help me get a job this next year. And, you better believe I am praying for the job God has for me, not the one I think I want! Good luck to you, Heidi! I know you will be successful in whatever you do. Spend the next couple weeks with God and your sweet family! If you go by Creekside, please say hi to my mom in the bookkeeping office!! 🙂
Heather…thank you so much for your input! Sounds like you’re still stepping out! Your consistent trust is inspiring. I will most definitely say hello to your mom next time I’m there. Praying that some really awesome doors start opening up for you. Thanks again, Heather! <3 Heidi Rew
Hey Heidi!
Honestly, I read just about everything you post! I’ve started to comment so many times, but I end up… X the tab and move on…
I love your party decorating tips, the ideas, the crafts, all of it! I’m a bit of a craftie/tinker’er (yeah, I made those words up) myself… so I can relate to a LOT of your posts.
My favorites are of your family, the honesty about your siblings, your parents, Mike and the parties!
Stepping out of our comfort zone, to me, was a doozie! 10 years ago, my husband retired from the Marines. I had known the securities of living on a military base, always having military police driving by, safe neighborhoods, commissary shopping and pizza delivery! (Yeah, I’ll admit it, we lived in the sticks before moving on base, and again now… no pizza delivery! Drats! I miss that!!)
His 20 years were up and… It was time to retire. I will never forget the panic attack that hit me. “What do you mean we’re retiring?” I loved being safe in my home at night, loved my neighbors, loved the tight-nit family I had, tucked securely on Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, North Carolina, it was my HOME!
A giant step of faith later, a LOT of prayer (and tears) we moved to Georgia (near my real non-military family). He found a job fairly quickly, we built a home and the rest is history. All along the path God has been there reminding me, He is in control. My insecurities with retirement passed fairly quickly, it was actually nice spending the moving time together.
I will miss hearing your sweet voice on The Fish, but I cannot wait to see bigger and more amazing things that God will be doing in your life! My best wishes to you, as you enjoy this small break from the pressures of work and schedule. Enjoy every minute of it!!
~hugs
Love your word – Craftie/Tinker’er! :p Thank you so much, Kelley! Thank you for your input and for your story! No pizza delivery?? What? That HAD to be a risk. ;p Gotta have my pizza delivery man. Seriously…I love your story. I know that must have been scary and uncertain, yet you pushed through it and it sounds like everything worked out. I will hold your story dear! Thank you again Kelley!! <3 Heidi Rew
Heidi, I wish you much luck with your new focus in life. I know all your radio followers will miss you though!
I cannot give you advice because I think that you will me marvelous at whatever challenges you take on!Having recently retired, I am having difficulty figuring out what to do next myself! One of my goals is to follow your blog because it is so much fun, and I really learn new ideas! I am looking forward to becoming a relative soon when your lovely sister marries my son!
Kathy Quick
Thank you so much Kathy! I so appreciate you reading this blog and for not only accepting my sister with open arms…but our whole family! So thankful for David in her life…as well as his family. <3 Heidi Rew
Hi Heidi!
I’m newer to your blog, but I already love your party planning tips and have appreciated the way they inspire me to put just a little bit of extra effort into things. I’m always surprised when a tiny detail makes all the difference. In response to your leap of faith, kudos to you! I think change is good. Change makes us better people because it allows us to suddenly step into another role or another person’s shoes and see the world a little more clearly and realistically. Sometimes change is rough, and it might genuinely result in a terrible experience, but choosing to learn from the experience and take pleasure in remembering the good parts of it will better you in the long run.
For me that giant change-up came a few years ago when I graduated from college and had a spur of the moment (as in the thought crossed my mind, and a week later I was on a plane to Antalya, Turkey) thought to run off to Eastern Europe and work on a yacht. Sounds a little glamorous, but it was definitely not! Scrubbing disgustingly dirty toilets, constant puking from sea-sickness, being talked down to from the crew and its guests and never being able to do anything to the standard of perfection no matter how hard I tried quickly showed me that I wasn’t cut out for the job. I felt a bit like a failure: I gave something everything I had, and I simply couldn’t cut it. That’s a tough blow! When I think back on the experience though, I think about how much effort I put into the job, and that makes me feel good. It makes me proud of my work ethic and reminds me that my generation is not as apathetic as everyone thinks! Also, the morning I woke up in the middle of the ocean and saw 2 whales swimming alongside the boat is a memory I’ll cherish my entire life.
Best of luck to you, and I can’t wait to see the blessings unfold in this new chapter of your life!
-Jordan-
Thank you so much Jordan! I really appreciate your encouragement too. You’re right…this could be super rough but I’d much rather choose to learn than stay stagnant. You’re 100% right.
Your stint in Turkey is so crazy because I went to Turkey after my senior year of high school. I was in Antalya for 2 weeks. Antalya is so beautiful. Yeah…a yacht definitely sounds incredible but I’m so sorry it didn’t turn out to be the experience you wanted. Glad you’re able to feel good about the situation now.
Thanks again for your sweet comment, Jordan! <3 Heidi Rew
Thanks for share and thanks for being you! You inspire!
Thank you David! Hope you have a great day! Heidi
Good for you! Just got onto your blog and website and love it! Last year when I turned 60 I quit my job of 13 years to start my own cupcake shop. My entire family thinks I’m crazy. I have wanted to do something like this since I was in Jr High. My friends and now customers love it. My family still thinks I’m crazy! Good for you for pursuing your passion. Terri
Wow Terri! Congratulations to you too! What is the name of your cupcake shop? Do you have a link? I’d love to share about it through twitter/facebook! Way to go! Virtual high-five…and thanks so much for stopping by! <3 Heidi Rew