Who would have guessed??? :-)Krystal and I have gone into business. Together, we are making bracelets! :-)
It has been a wild and precipitous ride since arriving back in Arizona from Ecuador (June '09) right when the economy had taken a major plunge and 1000's of qualified, certified teachers were laid off throughout the state. What is a single mom, with no more money, no job, NO outside "assistance" of any kind, nor "family" to lean upon, to do???
I initially found a job assistant teaching at a very small charter school (K-3 grade) of inner-city, mostly hispanic children. Krystal attended Kindergarten there, and I worked closely with her teacher. I also was the "specialist" with its population of "special needs" children, witnessing many small miracles, and seeing confidences soar. In the afternoons, I would help the students enjoy and appreciate music. Although I appreciated working with the poor and relatively "humble" population here in the "States", and made fast friends with the other teachers, I was required to draw heavily upon my available credit line to pay expenses each month, even with our ultra-simple life-style. I attempted to find additional part-time work, endeavoring to establish group music classes ("Music is FUNdamental!") in the afternoons, but nothing ever came to fruition. Curious???!
I had been lead to believe upon hiring and through various conversations throughout the year that as the school expanded and the director added a classroom the next year (now in session), that I would have that (full-time, salaried) position. Although still very meager by most U.S. standards, and certainly by my former standards, it would still pay over three times what I was making and I would be able to meet our monthly expenses as well as climb back out of debt. However...
In the middle of May, after a teacher (surprisingly) commented to me that the director had advised her that I would be heading the school's summer school program, I realized that some communication was necessary and that I would have to initiate it. I had already accepted summer employment with former neighbors and friends and had a waiting clientelle for group tutoring classes for the summer. Long story short, I was informed that she, the director, was hiring someone else, a male, to take the new class this next year, as the children, she felt, needed a male role-model. Additionally, she wanted to use his computer and administrative skills to "groom" him to take over her position as she expanded into additional school sites. She wanted me to continue on in the same position, with the same pay as I had. HOW COULD I??? (Even if I had wanted to.) :-)
Something deep inside me had, for those last several weeks, been whispering: "No man can serve TWO 'Masters." Finally, I understood that I had been putting "Ms. Margaret" up...as my "master". No matter how much loving service I was rendering, I was still relying upon another (Her) to provide for our financial needs. Ah-ha!
There are so many details of this last chapter of my life story which are pretty amazing, but will need to be shared at a different time and venue. But...I suddenly found myself back in the job searching market, with only a fragment of my credit line left. What to do now???
KNOWING that I would only find the "highest path" if I remained in peace and faithfully followed any and all impressions and opportunities that availed themselves...I have been searching continually for "the answer" to this quandry.
Ohhh, that the Worldwide United Foundation were already in place...to benefit EACH of US...AND Krystal and I!
Staring face-to-face with the ever-present possibility that Krystal and I would be out on the streets soon, I chose to, instead, keep my vision bright and strong. At various moments, this was a Herculean task. My mind was open to anything (and, I mean, Anything!), though how to juggle all the variables (which I will leave to the reader's mind--many I am not able to disclose at this time), was quite a wonder.
At the request of a new friend, I accepted to care for her toddler in my home. This brought in a little money. I also was able to benefit from food stamps. Although I was strung along for many weeks past their appointed time-frame for an answer, I was finally told that I was denied any unemployment insurance because, in their opinion, I had "quit" my job and that ammeliorated my opportunity for assistance from the government.
It almost appeared to me to be a "comical" situation. How long will Kimberly be able to remain in peace, trying "door" after "door", smiling through all this? How many "dead ends" and cement walls will she come to in her pursuit to find something (anything!) to provide for herself and her small daughter???
I KNEW, somehow, that the answer WOULD come! Again, leaving out many, many amazing details....
One day as I was searching on-line, I happened upon a work-from-home situation, making handcrafts for a company. Hmmm. As I was thinking through this possibility and researching the company and the testimonials from their employees, Krystal was coming in every few minutes to have me tie off a bracelet that she was making. Half-interested in her creations, time and again one of us would drop the strand and it would fall to the carpet, requiring her to start over...again! Finally...I gave her my full attention and had my "Ah-ha" moment!
Krystal and I could enter into business ourselves! I would have NO ONE over me that I would be looking to for a pay check, direction, communication, etc. Krystal obviously was very tenacious and talented in what she had been doing for the last couple hours. Her bracelets (using the simple child's kit that her sister Bryanne and friend Colton had bought her for her birthday) were extraordinarily well-designed for a 6-year-old. They were balanced, symmetrical, interesting and beautiful. What could she do if I fully "came on board"? I have always loved creating things of beauty!
Even more importantly, my heart had yearned to find a solution which benefitted not only us...but the entire world! I had ached to create some way to live my passion, help bring forth Krystal's hidden propensities and interests, and help further the cause of the Worldwide United Foundation...thereby uniting in heart and mind the global brotherhood of man as we cared for each other...ALL of us on the planet.
Thus, "Krystal's Kreations" was born.
In my mind, "Krystal's Kreations" goes farrr beyond a mother-and-young-child business venture. In my mind, this is the beginning of something GLOBAL. I see "Krystal's Kreations" as being one of the first steps in each individual on the planet finding something that THEY can do or create to bring them joy AND help bless the rest of humanity. My vision is vast. My desires to help bring the PEACE ON EARTH for EACH of US is strong and not-to-be-extinguished! Although our simple needs will be taken care of, I believe, I see our ability to contribute to this amazing foundation growing and growing.
Since the "Gilbert Farmer's Market" opened up, nearly 4 weeks ago (nearly right-around-the-corner from us!), we have been able to find a way to "market" the hundreds of bracelets that we have made. Krystal initially contributed all of her birthday money and I have, literally, used our last cents to find and purchase the beads and other needed materials. Thankfully, a few others have even donated additional beads. I, truly, am walking this path with the faith and determination that our rent will be able to be paid...and much, much more!
Initially, one dollar of each bracelet sell is going to the Worldwide United Foundation. As our basic needs are met and this vision is accepted by others and expands, I believe that we will be able to contribute much more.
I may write in the future more about the unforeseen and interesting path that led us here, but suffice it to say at this point that WE ARE HAVING FUNNNNN! :-)
Although, officially observed as "one must work for his bread!" and "the curse of Adam", that one must "labor all the days of his life"...by "the sweat of his brow"....
I truly believe that the "Curse" can be overcome and undone. Although celebrated yearly as "Labor Day" and lived out throughout the world (EACH DAY!) by many groveling "poor" and humble, some for every moment of their miserable life...
I believe with all of my heart that THERE *IS* Another Way! :-)
In a nut-shell: I believe that it is *God's* Work and Glory to "bring about the immortality and eternal life of mankind". I believe that it is *MY* Work and *MY* Glory to Live Passionately and Kindly (in all things obeying the "Golden Rule") as I *Play* and *Have Fun* finding *MY* opportunities to be the "Creator" that *I AM* and that contribute to the beauty and harmony of the world. :-)
I would like to invite others to join with us. What is it that you enjoy doing? What brings *YOU* JOY as you passionately undertake it? One might have to, possibly, expand one's vision here. I know *I* did! (Creating beautiful, unique bracelets to sell to others when I don't even wear jewelry myself certainly was quite a new thought for me!) :-) But, you, too, can find and have an open mind and heart...! :-)
Let's together, collectively, bring forth the joy and peace on earth...in each heart and EVERY home.Simply, it requires,
First: signing the petition found at www.worldwideunited.org
and then: doing what you love that benefits others (even another's "vanity" :-) ).
We need no longer look to nor lean upon any other "Master" but that "Creative" still voice inside our own heart.
What do you think? Better yet, How do you *FEEEEEEL*?
If *I* can do it, from my precarious situation...YOU CAN, TOO!
With tremendous respect for each one of us...
Let's DO IT!
Hugs,
Kimberly :-)
