Last January, seven months ago, we were living in Charleston, we had a very comfortable life …then my husband’s position as an analyst with the air force was cut from the fiscal budget without one day’s notice or warning. Talk about scary! We have two small girls, a beautiful home in Charleston, …and no income. On one hand I felt helpless and afraid, on the other I was so excited to see what was next, and where we were going to make our new path.
We spent a couple months getting our footing. Pressing on. Applying for hundreds of jobs. The government contracting community was on lock-down due to the US budget cuts and my husband had to give up his dream career in intel. As a wife, that was hard to watch unfold. But, my man is a very strong and wise man (really. His IQ is ridiculous) so he refocused his vision (after much thought, research, studying, and prayer) and applied for a spot in a front-end software development course taught by the Iron Yard, in Greenville, SC. This is a total change in career/life paths for him and for our family.
The course was expensive, we had no income, our savings was, thankfully, sustaining us, but it was going to be tight. Very tight. We decided to make a leap of faith: packed up, moved to Greenville, searched for a house, found nothing (safe), my husband’s mother graciously allowed us to stay with her, and my husband started classes (and 16-18 hour work days).
Meanwhile, I have been working away, making, creating, selling, blogging, caring for our two girls, and trying not to go crazy while balancing our lives in such abnormal disarray. I’m going to be honest; these past seven months have not been easy for me. My security has been shaken and the control I felt I had over my existence has vanished. I have had to learn, yet again, to trust in God to provide for my children’s most basic needs. And He has been faithful every. single. day.
Good things have happened during this time as well: I was still able to grow my business, to go to NYC and Brooklyn, the Alt Summit, show at the Renegade Craft Fair, have a lovely studio at the White Whale, spend time with my little girls, and enjoy each day fully. God always gives us hope and joy, even when the days are hard. I know that for a fact.
And now, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel! My husband’s course is over. He completely loves his new career and feels as if there are no limits to what he can learn, do, and create. He is working as a freelance developer right now (building an amazing app we’re all going to flip over) and will become an instructor for the Iron Yard in the fall! God is good and hard work pays off!
But, I’m going to be quite honest with you. Things are looking bright, but we have an immediate need for a little extra $.
It’s time for us to move into our own home and regain some simplicity in our lives. Our girls are such troopers, and God has given us so much grace to go thought this hard time. But it’s time to find our new normal in our own home and, to do so, we need a short term burst in income.
…And that’s where my lil’ brushes come into play!
To encourage the house-hunting process along I’m going to do something I LOVE doing: I’m going to be painting an landscape or nature oil painting each day for the next couple weeks (minus a few days off for a long weekend trip we have planned). These paintings will be for sale the following morning for $100. They will be 16×20 or 12×24 inches and will make a pretty large impact on the decor in your space.
> > > < < <If you would like to commission a landscape or nature inspired painting email me:
emily at BeautifulHelloBlog.com
Check back tomorrow for painting #1 and please spread the word!
beautifulhelloblog.com 
Great post.
God provides! How awesome.
Your positive attitude about the whole thing surely has a lot to do with your family thriving during tougher times.
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That is huge. I know that my family is a unit and we’ll stick it out together and be stronger and have more love because of it. Thanks for your kind words!
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That’s very encouraging.
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Beautiful post and painting Emily!! You’ve got this girl!!! xx
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REALLY excited about this! Thank you for your transparency through trials! I LOVE your work!
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Emily these are wonderful – and when I first saw your blog I thought – wow – this girl has it all – but it’s clear what you really have is a lot of grit and determination. Hat off to you :>
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Thank you Chas! I think I have less grit than I wish, but that’s what I’m working on! ; )
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Hope it’s all going well for you and your family – it’s a lot to have on the go ..
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Thanks for sharing your heart. It is amazing to watch your calm spirit as you wait on God. Can’t wait to see your paintings–maybe one will just have to jump into our house!
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These are beautiful paintings! We are in a similar situation here at home, we should be very grateful for having hard working husbands who have our wellbeing as a priority, and equally grateful to God for giving us creativity to serve as an emotional outlet and a job to help during these tough times… blessings, Alexandra
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Soooo true. Thank you Alexandra!
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🙂
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so great you are doing this work for your family Emily! I wish you good luck and hope you get to sell them all 🙂 and so happy to hear things are better for all of you too! 🙂
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count me in – can’t wait to see the beautiful pieces that come out of this!
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OH! I love these and hope they give you the boost you need. I’m spreading the word!
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Thank you Elizabeth!
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Hello, Beautiful paintings and congratulations to your family- God is awsome! Do you have art classes? I live a few hours away.
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I absolutely love it! And I’m inspired by our faith in God!
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I can so relate to your story – of having to totally depend on God for the answer. Waiting is the hardest part. I’m watching and would love to have a painting…so …paint away.
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Reblogged this on dndfobes's Blog.
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Beautiful post, I wish you the best and your family, I believe that if you follow your heart and trust, all we be well, this is what you are doing it seems!! much love to you…
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