A message from the director sharing current happenings at Hope + Vine. This quarter, it is about when to mourn and when to celebrate, and how to have peace through it all.

Happy 2024! I have to say, I love the New Year. It's like the burden of last year's defeats has been lifted, and I have a chance to try again with renewed strength and a smidge more wisdom.

But I don't go into January claiming it as “my year.” Goodness, I can’t even expect a whole day to go by smoothly. The goal is not for the next twelve months to be perfect. My prayer is to move through the chaos of life with a confidence that only comes from believing whatever happens, I am known, loved, chosen, and wanted by my Lord and Creator. I want to rejoice when it is time to rejoice and mourn when it is time to mourn, and to do both with peace in my soul.

Mourning

Last year was a year of investing and growth. This left us with expenses greater than the revenue brought in, even though it was the biggest revenue year we have had. It is humbling to share this. It feels like failure. However, I have peace. Not only because we have a reserve that has been built up over the past few years and we are still financially okay, but also because this is an opportunity to evaluate our process and fine tune it.

This opportunity to evaluate comes at the perfect time because of what I have to celebrate. 

Celebrating

We are one of three nonprofits chosen for Mission Triangle’s Shark Tank this year!! Mission Triangle is a local nonprofit that equips faith-based nonprofits through training and coaching. Every year they host a Shark Tank event where three nonprofits present their organization and needs, with an opportunity for the community to get involved.

Peace

It is an honor to be one of the three, but I was not prepared for the emotional roller-coaster that would come with it. Initially, I was giddy with excitement. Then came the moment of panic, wondering what in the world have we gotten ourselves into? After that was a feeling of being completely exposed. I don't mind failing and learning, but now my failures are going to be seen by people I respect, and that feels incredibly vulnerable. Now, I am calm, and --as I stated earlier-- at peace in my soul. 

As one of staff at Mission Triangle told me, "Shark Tank is not for the most polished nonprofits. It is for nonprofits who are doing good work and need support to take the next step." This is when the pressure came off. Hope + Vine definitely has work to do, but we have been intentional about learning and growing slow from the very beginning, and this is what we will continue to do.

Peace is not about the lack of stress or chaos. It is an inner calmness and confidence, knowing that the Lord has this.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

-Philippians 4:6-7, NLT

Blessing to you in 2024!

Rachael

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Items seen in the picture: Refine Earrings, Abide Necklace, Precious Earrings