A New Season
November 1st, 2013
I’m here today to share my heart and some personal news. I have stepped down from my position as Design Team Coordinator for Taylored Expressions. This decision did not come easily, in fact it was a heart-wrenching struggle over some time. I love Taylor, TE, and the Baker’s Dozen Design Team. Being the Design Team Coordinator was a dream I had from the very earliest days of TE and I was thrilled when Taylor offered to move me into the position. I have loved doing it.
That being said, I have more recently found myself overwhelmed, exhausted, and unhappy as I have struggled to keep up with the combination of TE DTC and my job as the church Office Manager. I never want to give less than my heart and soul, MY ALL, but that’s where I’ve found myself. Both jobs require a tremendous amount of mental and emotional energy and I found myself constantly coming up short. I finally had to admit that something had to give.
I have to take this opportunity to publically thank Taylor for allowing me to be a part of TE from the beginning. I really can’t express how much I love being involved in the company and watching it grow! I am beaming with pride for you and all you have accomplished with TE in 5 short years! I know that Taylor and I will always be friends and I plan to continue to work with her behind the scenes in product development as I have always done, but in a much smaller capacity.
As of today, Stephanie Kraft is the new TE Design Team Coordinator. Stephanie is going to be wonderful and I’m so happy for her and for the team!
I’ve never been a person to embrace change or run towards it, but throughout my life I have gotten better at accepting it and trusting the Lord through it.
Even though this is quite difficult at the moment, I know it will be a good thing in the long run. I look forward to having more time (and hopefully finding the passion again) to stamp just for fun. I might even renew the desire to blog on a more regular basis again. I will continue to teach my monthly stamp classes and am hopeful that the prep will seem less stressful now. Overall, I’m just needing a little simpler, more peaceful life. {Perhaps that is just menopause talking? I’m not sure! LOL} I will remain plenty busy, that’s for sure, and I look forward to this new season of my life.
Here is a devotional blog post that helped me as I struggled to make this decision: When Change is Hard. I’d encourage you to read it.
I had planned to create a card to share today along with this post, but when it came right down to it, I was honestly just too emotionally exhausted to create anything. Instead I am re-posting one of my all-time favorite TE creations from way back in April of ’09 featuring one of my all-time favorite stamp sets, Branching Out. Your friendship is a blessing. I love this sentiment as I have been so blessed by my friendships with so many of you!
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I appreciate each one of you! With much love…
November 1st, 2013 at 8:01 am
Still praying… I love you so.
November 1st, 2013 at 8:05 am
Wonderfully written, Jami, & I can tell this was a very difficult decision. However, God will bless you abundantly as you continue to serve Him without spreading yourself so thin that your effectiveness for Him will be lessened. 👏 (a “Bravo” for you)
November 1st, 2013 at 8:16 am
Jami…change is terribly hard! I feel for you having been to this place before quite a few times. There are only so many hours in the day and yes, burnout is extremely hard. Don’t stress and take care of yourself. There will be other opportunities. It’s always hard to say farewell but I know that God has wonderful things in store for you. My advice…step away from stamping. Get some rest. It will wait. Enjoy God’s presence. If you knit, or bake, or decorate, or whatever else you enjoy…do that. Go out for coffee with friends. Enjoy each moment as they are precious. And when the time is right, you can always pick it up again. XO Feel free to message me any time if you want to chat!
November 1st, 2013 at 8:20 am
Oh Jami! I know how hard of a decision this must have been for you. I will miss your inspiration, however, I have always noticed and admired how you have put God first in your life and on your blog. He will continue to bless you as you make this change.
November 1st, 2013 at 8:26 am
Jami, having been in a similar situation, I can only imagine how difficult a decision this was for you. <3 Much love to you from Texas.
November 1st, 2013 at 8:26 am
Jami, I know how hard this decision must have been for you! You’ve been part of the fabric of TE for so long, it’s hard to imagine the company without you. But times change. I’m positive that God is leading you. No doubt you are an integral part of the church and its mission, and that’s where you’re meant to focus your time and talents. Great things are ahead for you, dear girl! Keep trusting in the Lord! {{{Hugs}}}
November 1st, 2013 at 8:41 am
I don’t comment all the time but I had to today. First to say thank you for all you have done for all of us who love TE so much! Jami my heart goes out to you as you make this big change! It is very hard to make these types of changes in our lives. I wish you all the best in all you do! And I am glad that you will still be working with TE but in a different way. I pray that you feel blessed in all you do as you transition! We certainly feel blessed by your presence in our lives!
All the best to you!
Jill
November 1st, 2013 at 10:03 am
Jami! You know I puffy heart you and I know you didn’t reach this decision easily. We will miss you, but we will still get to stay in touch (yay!) Good luck and stay fabulous! XOXO
November 1st, 2013 at 11:35 am
Jami, I know this was a huge decision, you will be missed! You have many people who love and support you and I know that this is the beginning of a new and wonderful chapter for you! Hugs, sweet Jami! “The joy of the Lord is your strength” and I pray you will be blessed with great joy! 🙂
November 1st, 2013 at 12:07 pm
You know that I ♥ you and will miss you dearly, Jami! I know we will continue to stay in touch though… xo
November 1st, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Hi Jami! Okay, girl, I’m crying again! LOVE YOU! You have left a beautiful legacy for TE. You are so kind hearted and warm and helpful and generous and wonderful. Thank you for welcoming me to the TE family when I was new….and now I thank you for your continued friendship. You have been a blessing to me and everyone at TE. Best wishes in the new chapter of your life – only good things will come to you! XOXOXOXO
November 1st, 2013 at 4:58 pm
What a ride this has been! I’m so thankful for all that you’ve given to TE and for all the memories we’ve made along the way. I know we’ll continue to giggle and reminisce and make new memories even as your role changes. Many blessings to you as you pursue what God has for you in the future.
November 2nd, 2013 at 8:29 am
Oh Jami …. You’ve expressed this difficulty in such a heartfelt, revealing way. TE has been so blessed with your presence, your talents, and inspiration basically since its beginning. Yes, change is difficult at best … but many of us truly do understand this tough decision-making process for one’s best interest. Prayerful decisions will be followed with goodness. I know you will continue to bless and to be blessed. Stamping “for fun” is a very good thing … I’ve jumped into those waters myself, and it will eventually bring more heartfelt smiles. Remember your amazing swaps? I do! You will smile again, and I’ll be praying for your joy to reawaken in your heart soon.
{{{{hugggsss}}}} from Texas!
November 3rd, 2013 at 11:52 pm
It takes courage (and lots of tears) to end a very heartfelt chapter. HE has plans and your faithfulness will keep guiding you through the next chapter of your story. I am happy that you’ll be keeping your blog and excited to see what you’ll continue to create. I still remember our first CHA in 2007 and all the excitement that followed that crazy year. How blessed we’ve all been with the lifelong friends we’ve made all through our shared love of papercrafts. Many blessings to you!
November 4th, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Good for you to realize that you need to cut down on your crushing responsibilities. I’ll miss seeing you in your present role but hope that your love for creating paper crafts will be resurgent and we’ll see you online again soon.
Best of luck as you raise your head and take a deep breath. Life is good!
November 4th, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Oh, Jami. Hugs, gf! I do know how hard this decision must have been for you. You are just such a great person, and I’m so happy to have had the opportunity this past year to know you on a deeper level. I wish you the best of everything, always. Much love to you, sweet friend!
March 12th, 2014 at 1:02 am
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