Tuesday, April 19, 2016

A New Chapter

This is a day I never expected to come. But before I explain, let me take you back to last summer......


I was overwhelmed, in a good and bad way. You girls were shopping like there was no tomorrow and I was sewing like a mad woman. It was a blessing to our family for me to be able to stay home with my kids and do something I loved.  The flip side was that I was in my sewing room WAY too much. It was starting to wear on my family. I had to cut out most of their extra-curricular activities because I had so much on my plate. It was providing financially, but I hated how much time I was having to spend away from them. You all have kids too. You know how fast they grow! That was hurting my heart that I was missing out on so much.

In August, Wes and I decided to start a 40 day prayer challenge. (If you have never read The Circle Maker, I highly recommend!) We were praying about several things, but one big one was my sewing business. We asked God to either flood my business so much that I would move to the stage of being able to afford to hire help to take pressure off of me, or either close it down and open another door for us. Things were going so well that I never imagined the second option would be what He would choose. I believe when you ask God for a specific answer and really listen to Him, He will give it to you. And He did. I went from having 30ish orders on my book at one time, to maybe 5. Part of me was sad that this was the answer He choose, but as He has opened doors, we have had so much peace.

In September, I went to a doTERRA essential oils class. I was intrigued by the products and decided to try a few out. I saw immediate results and was really excited so I decided to host a class at my house to share this info with some friends who were also interested. My friend Julie, who was going to teach, called me the morning of the class and asked if I wanted her to come early to talk to me about doTERRA business. I laughed and told her "no thanks! I've got so much on my plate. There is no way I can do anything else". After my class that night, my husband asked me if I thought this might be God's answer to our prayers of another door opening. I was still unsure, but we decided to pray about it. Julie got the last laugh. Before the week was over, we had decided this was something we should look into more.

Here I am 7 months later and my doTERRA business has flourished more than I could ever imagine in this short of a time span. It is very clear to us that this was a direct answer to our prayers. I have more time to spend with my kids and this is actually a family business for us now. My kids love to help and I love that we can do this together! And the biggest blessing is seeing these products help so many of our friends. When you find something that changes your life, it's so rewarding to share it and see it change others lives too. Sewing had it's own set of rewards, but this is way different for me. I never in 1 million years imagined that this would be the answer God would give us. But I'm so thankful! It has changed our lives, and so many people around us.

So what does this mean for Cotton Belle Boutique? It means my etsy shop is now on vacation mode. It means that last week I had to make the hard decision to leave all my sweet friends at the Brownie Goose Online Showcase. My fb group and page will remain open for now. I won't be listing items, but if I have time I will be doing some custom orders now and then just to keep my creative side alive. I still love to sew but it's moving back into the "hobby" category for now. I knew if the time came to make this transition, that I would know it was right. I've had so much peace the past few weeks. Bittersweet as one chapter closes, but exciting to see where God is taking us. I can't thank you all enough for what you helped me create with my little boutique. I have loved sewing for your children SO much!! And all the friendships I have made in this boutique community have been priceless. Thank you in all for supporting my business and my family!

If you are interested trying out essential oils and see what they can do for your family, I would love to send you a free package of samples to try out. They have changed our lives and I would love to help you find natural solution for your family as well. Please feel free to message me on fb, through my business or personal page, or email me at elizabeth.doterralife@gmail.com.

I love you all and thanks for being a part of our lives for the past few years. I hope to continue this journey with many of you in this next phase of our lives as well.

Much love!
Elizabeth