Friday, November 11, 2011

Why, How and Multiple Blessings

Many people ask the how and why I ended up being a "cookier"--
that's what I'm called in the cookie decorating world.
Here's my story.
I was a teacher and last year was challenging for whatever reason.
I would come home each night and I WAS GRUMPY!
Really, really grumpy!
In October of 2010, I realized that I was not loving my job the way that I had for the previous
 12 years and it was time to move on---I just didn't know where I was going.
I wanted to find a hobby to "decompress"
 from testing, testing, testing, and what seemed like MORE TESTING.
I felt like a professional test giver--not a teacher.

So I started visiting different blogs. 
I was so intrigued when I'd come across the blogs of creative women
who were documenting their journey of creating. 
I was also a bit sad that I was not creating!
I realized that my creativity was gone--long gone.
I made a decision to find my creativity that was hidden away.
I found a blog of a woman who was using cookies as her canvas--
I knew I wanted to give it a try.
So I did.
My husband borrowed his moms Kitchen Aid and made me some dough
 because I was scared to use a KA and I had never made cookie dough. 
Silly I know! 

The first few dozen cookies,
 while they were edible,
 they were not so cute. 
I tried and tried and tried some more!
I was determined to make beautiful cookies.
Determined!
I'd come home from school each night and practice making and decorating cookies.
Slowly,
 they became more pleasing to my eyes
and
I realized that my stress level was getting lower and lower in the process.
Who would've thought?

Since I didn't really like sugar cookies myself,
I kept trying and modifying recipes until I created one that I liked.
By Christmas, I was getting to be an OKAY decorator.
I decided to make some snowflake cookies and sell them at a holiday boutique. 
I figured if they didn't sell,
 I could always give them away.
I made 4 dozen, all of the same design and crossed my fingers!

All of them sold in about 20 minutes.
I.WAS.SHOCKED
and
oh so humbled!
I was touched to see that others were enjoying MY cookies. 
I felt like they were blessing me!
I made Valentine cookies.
I made Easter cookies.
I made Mother's Day cookies.

I made cookies for babies.


I made cookies for special kids with special needs



and adults fighting for their lives!


That's just what I was called to do!
It felt right.

I made lots and lots of cookies.
Again, I was blessed by the happiness cookies brought others.
I gave so many away to coworkers and friends--again I WAS BLESSED.
I also became certified by the state to sell cookies from home
(God's timing--another blessing)!

I realized that my God given talent of cookie decorating HAD to be used to serve others. 
So that's how I look at this cookie journey--
this is my way to serve by using my God given talents.
Plain.
Simple.

Sometimes I feel compelled to make cookies for someone---so I do. 
I don't always know the person or people, I just listen to my heart. 
I always hope they don't think I'm nutty by handing them some cookies!
 
It's just my way of saying
I'm thinking about you.
I care about you.
I feel for you.
I'm here for you.
I admire you.
I value you.
I appreciate you!
My cookies speak from the heart.


Of course,
orders have come along (lots of orders),
 but that's NOT why I create.
I create because it's the most rewarding "job" I've ever had. 
I give each order 100%!
 Every time I deliver cookies to someone and I see their facial expression,
 I am humbled. 
My heart is FULL!
Really full!
I also get this overwhelming feeling of realizing just how blessed I really am!
I always tell my husband that I cannot believe people pay ME
to do something I truly love doing!
Cookie-ing
allows me to serve others,
 to be a NON-grumpy mom and wife,
 and to create!
Who could ask for more?
Not me!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Where this cookie journey takes me,
only one person knows--
and I am completely trusting Him.
COMPLETELY!
Love, Jackie

Everyone has a talent!
What talent are you blessed with?
Are you using it to serve others?
Imagine if everyone did...

PS- I no longer teach.
Maybe someday?
I think God saved my sanity through cookies.
I am so lucky!
That's HOW.
That's WHY.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

We LOVE LOVE LOVE your cookies! I'm kind of a sugar cookie snob...I've only ever really liked one recipe, until I tasted your recipe. Thank you so much for touching our lives with your love and talent!!!

Anita said...

Jackie,

This was such a wonderful post to read! Thank you for sharing it!

DeeAnn Kelly said...

Oh Jackie...I think you are still a teacher, your class room just looks a little different. Your cookies are stunning! :)

Jodi said...

Well, I just have to say that we are BLESSED that you found your true calling! Wow! I think you have become my newest favorite. I am inspired by your work. It is so good to see someone doing it because they LOVE it, not just to make money. Your love of your "job" shows in every detail. Thank you for producing quality cookies at reasonable prices as well. Some people charge ginormous prices and for far lesser quality than yours. Do you have a FB page that we can follow?

the plaid cookie said...

Jackie, your story reads like mine, only I did nursing for about 35 years, and felt like the creativity that I used to have had slipped away and gotten lost. Yes, so now we're on to bigger and better things...aren't you loving this??? I am. I look foward to seeing more of your work. Sharon @The Plaid Cookie Co.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your sharing... I love it so much! Though it seems that I can't try your cookies (I am in HK, far from where you are), but I thank God for having a sister like you!!! Add Oil! (it's a Chinese way of cheering!) ~ Amanda from HK

Anonymous said...

Jackie, I love your cookie story! Isn't it amazing how God works things out for us?!
I'm going to try getting in touch with you one of these days...I need to put in a cookie order:)
I haven't forgotten you...you know how life gets...busy sometimes! Now I'm off to the dentist...
Janet