A Fond Farewell

(warning: this post is long and sappy!)

8 and a half years ago, I called a girl in my ward to order some cleanser and moisturizer. Little did I know how profoundly that would affect my life. She talked to me about me signing up to become a Mary Kay consultant. In my head, I laughed at her . . . "ME?! Are you serious? My makeup looks horrible and I am not an outgoing person. Why would I do such a thing?!"

After learning more from her (I was just being polite), I really liked what I heard. It sounded like a great company, I already new they were fantastic products, and I was only going to be teaching school for 2 more months and needed to have something to occupy my time until Nathan was born 6 months later. So, very nervously I decided to try it out for a few months. I had every intention to quit when Nathan was born.

I dabbled for a while with it. I was by no means amazing at it, but I enjoyed teaching skin care, learning about makeup for myself, and being around other women. 2 years after signing up, I decided to put in more effort and I became a Sales Director. Not for the money (although that has been nice), but because I like being a leader :) and because I love teaching others.

Looking back, it was definitely Divine Intervention that brought me into Mary Kay. The Lord had a plan for me. I have loved so much about my Mary Kay experience! My people skills have grown SO much. I am so much more confident around others. I have been fulfilled these last 8 years as I've set goals and accomplished many of them and been recognized for what I've accomplished. I think everyone needs something to work for and to gain satisfaction from, and this has definitely been that for me!

About the middle of August I started thinking about not being a Sales Director. There is so much I enjoy about it, that I thought it must be postpartum hormones and I tried to ignore the thoughts and carry on as normal. But they kept coming back, so I took it to the Lord. After a lot of prayer and a very clear answer, I stepped down from being a Sales Director the end of August.

I am so grateful to know that the Lord is in charge and that I can trust in Him. This is a very bittersweet decision. I know it is what I am supposed to do now. I am excited to have more time available so that I can be more deliberate as a mother. I am also excited to spend my service energies directed more at my neighborhood and ward.

But there is so much that I will miss! I have built relationships with literally hundreds of women over the last 6 years as their director. Those connections are important to me, and I will miss interacting with those wonderful women as often. I will miss the accolades . . . I have to admit I've enjoyed the recognition I've received. My unit has accomplished many prestigious things over the last few years and I'm glad that I am "going out on top" and feeling proud of what I've done. I hope that I have been a positive influence and a strength to the women that I've worked with.

This may sound strange, but during the week that I was making the transition and passing my consultants off to other directors to take care of them I thought: "This is a small glimpse into what it must be like to know you are going to die soon." My biggest concern was: are they going to be okay without me? Will they remember what I've taught them and go on to be successful in their businesses even though I will not be there to help them directly? Will they know how much I love this company? Will they know I believe in them and use that belief to overcome obstacles and be great?

I will still be a regular Mary Kay consultant, taking care of my customers. But now it is on to a new chapter in my life. I hope that I can be as successful with my family and others who need my love and service as I feel I was with my Mary Kay unit.

Thank you Mary Kay for all the wonderful talents you've helped me develop and the blessings you have brought to me and my family!