For my first "off the cusp" blog, I have decided to strip naked for you and quickly get down to the nitty gritty regarding what we are all about.
The Mr. and I are not perfect people. We have our fair share of less-then-classy moments and occasional potty mouths. I sometimes get the hankering for a glass of wine, and on a really bad day, Jack Daniels and a cigarette. (I have NOT smoked a cigarette since 1/1/10.) The Mr. has never drank a drop of wine/beer in his life, although for whatever reason and out of the blue, he decided to celebrate with a bottle of Patron the night before our wedding day, which is a great story to ask Paul about some day...hehe. He has the stereotypical "red-head" temper. I'm the sensitive type. It's an interesting mixture when you combine under a little bit of pressure a flaring temper + an eggshell. But whatever. It works. As bullheaded as my husband can be, he is the most honest person that I have ever met, other than my father. He will look you in your eyes, and ready or not, tell you how he feels. I'll be honest, I have been immersed in the Dolly Parton Southern Culture, and find myself saying "bless her heart," when what I really mean is, "Wow. What a stupid, stupid girl." Don't judge.
With all that said, we are believers and unapologetically-imperfect Christians. I never, ever want to represent ourselves like we are more. We don't attend a church regularly, although I DVR +Joyce Meyer Ministries on a daily basis; however, the Mr and I are about to surrender the white flag if we happen to pop into one more wonderful person of ministry from The Rock Family Worship center located here in Huntsville, Ala. area. That story is a blog all in itself!
Ever since I was a little girl, I have had a little bubble feeling in the pit of my stomach that is constantly getting my attention saying, "you are called for something big." I am so timid in sharing that piece of information with you as I believe a stranger or an unbeliever won't perceive it correctly but instead interpret it as I am terribly, terribly self-indulgent and cocky. I tell you what. I am not being cocky. That bubble has been haunting and has kept me up at night. It has paralyzed me at times to make decisions. It has kept me from taking much action, because gosh, I am not worthy or perfect enough to be "God's representative." The truth is. I'm not. But God has, for whatever reason, put this bubble in my heart and I do believe he is using the Mr. and I to serve him- although imperfectly.
It was around Oct. 2011, 2:00AM., and I was sitting in my living room painting. I'm not an artist, mind you; but I had been on a serious Pinterest binge for a couple of days, which has the power to move anyone quickly to their nearest craft store. Anyways, as I was painting, I had this "vision." I quickly ran to my computer, grabbed pieces of paper, and began drawing out my thoughts. This was the night, unbeknowest to me, that the concept of "University Pickers" was born.
At the time, Huntsville was not on our map yet. We had no savings. In fact, I was renting a little booth at Crazy Daisy Antique Mall in Chattanooga, Tenn., and selling out of my living room by running ads on Craigslist. I recall calling my sister the next day and sharing with her my "vision," which was a 25-30 yr business plan, which she giggled and said a lot of "umm humms," cautious to not completely call me crazy but also careful to not encourage me too much as what I was describing was, well, a bit crazy, risky and seemed impossible.
Well low and behold that today, the Mr. moved our desk from our home to the store, and he quickly emptied out the drawers, leaving a pretty pile of papers for me to clean up. AND, guess what??? There is was. The papers that I drew out the vision of what was to become part of {University Pickers} business plan.
Well, it's not pretty. The timeline is a bit off. But, here it is.....
1-2 yrs: 10' by 8' antique mall booth and sell via computer
3 yrs: Open thrift store (take a baby step first)
5 yrs: Open 1/2 thrift and 1/2 booth rentals
25-30 year plan: Well.... the picture says it all, and we will leave this up to God's interpretation for what he has planned for us ;)
Ever since I was a little girl, I have had a little bubble feeling in the pit of my stomach that is constantly getting my attention saying, "you are called for something big." I am so timid in sharing that piece of information with you as I believe a stranger or an unbeliever won't perceive it correctly but instead interpret it as I am terribly, terribly self-indulgent and cocky. I tell you what. I am not being cocky. That bubble has been haunting and has kept me up at night. It has paralyzed me at times to make decisions. It has kept me from taking much action, because gosh, I am not worthy or perfect enough to be "God's representative." The truth is. I'm not. But God has, for whatever reason, put this bubble in my heart and I do believe he is using the Mr. and I to serve him- although imperfectly.
It was around Oct. 2011, 2:00AM., and I was sitting in my living room painting. I'm not an artist, mind you; but I had been on a serious Pinterest binge for a couple of days, which has the power to move anyone quickly to their nearest craft store. Anyways, as I was painting, I had this "vision." I quickly ran to my computer, grabbed pieces of paper, and began drawing out my thoughts. This was the night, unbeknowest to me, that the concept of "University Pickers" was born.
At the time, Huntsville was not on our map yet. We had no savings. In fact, I was renting a little booth at Crazy Daisy Antique Mall in Chattanooga, Tenn., and selling out of my living room by running ads on Craigslist. I recall calling my sister the next day and sharing with her my "vision," which was a 25-30 yr business plan, which she giggled and said a lot of "umm humms," cautious to not completely call me crazy but also careful to not encourage me too much as what I was describing was, well, a bit crazy, risky and seemed impossible.
Well low and behold that today, the Mr. moved our desk from our home to the store, and he quickly emptied out the drawers, leaving a pretty pile of papers for me to clean up. AND, guess what??? There is was. The papers that I drew out the vision of what was to become part of {University Pickers} business plan.
Well, it's not pretty. The timeline is a bit off. But, here it is.....
1-2 yrs: 10' by 8' antique mall booth and sell via computer
3 yrs: Open thrift store (take a baby step first)
5 yrs: Open 1/2 thrift and 1/2 booth rentals
5-10 year plan: Call the store "re-PURPOSE" and incorporate booth rentals with the ability for the community (including kids) to come together and re purpose used items in "craft rooms." Instead {University Pickers} will be conducting DIY workshops where we will offer items for customization or you bring your own!
15-20 year plan: Expand and introduce an auction. {University Pickers} is in the works of introducing an auction, coming Spring/Summer 2013. (Continue to pray for our landlord AND "Fire Marshall.)
25-30 year plan: Well.... the picture says it all, and we will leave this up to God's interpretation for what he has planned for us ;)
This is a beautiful, honest story & I love it! I absolutely cannot wait to meet you--I feel like I just did--you were transparent--and there is SOOOOO much to be said for transparency! There's even more to be said for taking those steps of faith--for without faith it is impossible to please Him! Hebrews 11:6
ReplyDeleteLove you guys! Thank you for sharing your lives, hearts and time in your dream which in turn has helped so many others with their dream too!
ReplyDeleteI love this Katherine! What a great story. I feel very much like this but I am more at the middle of the night point with Sweet Beginnings. But it is ALL in GOD's Hands and ALL HIS TIMING. How blessed you are :)
ReplyDeleteJulie- your day is coming! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and don't stop walking (even when you can't see where you are going!)
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this!! It makes me like you even more. I was in your store for the first time last week, and I loved it. I didn't get to finish looking around because they closed the schools early for snow and I had to rush home. I will be back, though!! I have told as many people as I can about you all. What a great place and idea you have. I pray God's blessing over your "plan"!! :)
ReplyDeleteaww..... Thank you for your kind words! Also, thank you for sharing the news of us. We are so thankful for people just like you!
DeleteWhat you and Paul have done has also allowed many of us vendors at Univ. Pickers, who also had a vision from God to begin to fulfill that vision or calling, or whatever you want to call it. There were doors closed along the way for me and my small vision and God used the two of you to open the door that He wanted me to enter, and I couldn't be more grateful!!! Love you guys!!! "May He give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed." Psalm 20:4
ReplyDeleteTina- it's all just the beginning. We've all just got to keep putting one foot in front of the other and trusting our hearts. I cannot wait to see it all come to fruition for you.
DeleteYou and Paul have made it possible for me to have a creative outlet that I have prayed for for soooo long. I never thought I would be able to paint, sew, build stuff and put it out there for people to see and some even buy it. ;) If it weren't for the two of you believing in me I don't think I would have ever in my life had this opportunity. I can't tell you how grateful I am. I know God brought the University Pickers "family" together. I cannot wait to see what this journey holds for everyone!
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome- I love your transparency! Thank you for sharing, Kat! You, Paul, and what the two of you have created has been a BLESSING to me and so many people- I am so THANKFUL for University Pickers. It's really amazing how it is transforming the lives and businesses of SO MANY people <3
ReplyDeleteWill I ever get to meet Katherine? I ask myself that question alot. Maybe I won't, but it is amazing how much you have touched my life without ever being able to look you in the eye. That bubble, that anxious desire to do something more with your life for the Lord makes us kindred spirits. God has given that to me too! Because you have allowed Him to work through you, I can do more of what He has been prompting me to do. It is sad that I have to be out of the loop, live too far away, work on the weekends and never get to feel like I am part of the University Picker family or one of the "favorites". But I will just humbly continue to fill my spot in hopes that someday God will help me to help others as you have done. Thank you for being sensitive to His calling and loving Him.
ReplyDelete