When Willy and I made a decision to do Advocare a few years ago it came out of complete desperation. I am sure on the outside looking in it was puzzling. We had just moved into a new house. I was staying at home with the boys and Gabe was in private school. That looked good on the outside. Who would have known of the struggle on the inside? It wasn't meant to be known. Perhaps because of the embarrassment, guilt, frustration, weakness and shame. All things that come along with life's consequences. One may look under a magnifying glass to try and pin point at what point was a bad decision. There was not just one. It was a result of little decisions and changes. Some we had complete control over and others none. It was a result of a few years of mama staying at home with her babies. Daddy taking another job to provide more, only to discover the economy would ruin the company and its families would feel the suffering. Yes...while some things were out of our control. There was something in our control and it was a decision. To do something different.
I can not tell you what an uproar it created with not all....but some in our lives. There was chatter of many ideas and words of why The Gamaleros were crazy, selfish, money hungry to pursue working Advocare as a plan B income. We heard it...we felt it...and we kept going. No one has EVER chattered feelings of me cleaning teeth...besides those who think its gross.....so funny when you sometimes going outside the norm there becomes just that...chatter...
Sure Advocare is not traditional. We did the traditional way and saw where it got us. We no longer just wanted to be normal. A normal struggling family who lives life to make ends meet? Never able to reach out to offer a helping hand because we were so focused on taking care of our own messes. Who continues to live like that when they discover a way out?
I understand opinions have no weight when there is only one's ideas and not truth and facts. Sometimes real life makes perfect sense. Not the things we play around with in our mind. When I discovered a few years back that my mind can create the most closed minded idea of what life is supposed to look like for others...I was free and it set those who I was opinionated about, FREE.
Thankfully, we cleaned up the mess and now focus on helping others clean up theirs. Although its nice to have a clean house...It is also nice to be prepared for the unknown. Much like a hurricane...We prepare here in Florida for we understand the need for preparation whether the disaster hits or not. Whether it is horrific or not. We prepare.
For the past month. We have been in the middle of a hurricane. We still are in one....Just hoping and praying its only the outer bands. But I am here to share with you. Your idea of traditional and what my life should look like in the area of my profession holds no weight to leaving my baby during the storm. I have an incredible job. I work two days a week for a great Dentist and EVERYONE I work with are like family. But of course...if I am not there...I do not get paid. They all love me but no one has offered to pay my mortgage this month;) Oh you either?....Exactly.
So whats the point of this post? Here are a few.....
In the middle of the hurricane....I never once had to think about a J.O.B. I did think about the mess it may have created for others to have to fix my schedule but not once did I worry about my own needs and provisions because I was missing work. Maybe you don't either for a short time because of vacation days. I don't have those.
Gabe with tear filled eyes asked me on a Tuesday night in the hospital to "please don't go to work the next day and leave me". I promised I would not go back until he was ready for me too.
So you see....Advocare may have a very different meaning and truth if you choose to see it for what its worth. No, its not for everyone but anyone can do it. There is no back ground education required..No specific work experience. Just a burning desire to help people. Can I do that cleaning teeth. Yes... with oral health and prevention of decay...But families.. upon families...to help in the middle of a storm lighten the load. I didn't say save the world...I said....lighten the load. Because the first thing on our minds during the storm was not money....it was not a job...it was not fear of losing a job...It was our baby! Period!
So next time you think of the Gamaleros working Advocare here is what my prayer is that you see....The truth...and not just your opinion. The freedom to not have to worry about provisions when life happens. Even some of my friends in faith would argue....Provisions come from the Lord...YES they do and we take this as a provision from him. Besides I once heard a wise man named Andy Andrews say....
"God feeds the birds but he doesn't put worms in their nests".He has prepared us, grown us, transformed us through this opportunity and we will forever be grateful to him for that. Doesn't he do that for you too? Remember what he works through and provides for you and me may not look alike....but he is opportunity. He has given us friendships and prayer warriors what we would have never met if not through this opportunity. Many...across our great nation. He has shown us that a plan B is a great idea. Our jobs get us by...Plan B takes care of emergencies. It takes care of mistakes. It takes care of time with our boys. It has been a blessing.
The Gamaleros do this thing called Advocare and we are on a mission to help other families who need and desire some weight lifted off. Some freedoms to be able to be there with those who need you. The freedom to not need a dollar so bad that you have to miss the important things you so desire to never miss. The freedom to pay it forward and give it away.
Truth is...The Lord blessed our efforts of building a business to honor him. Through our faith...through our family...our friends...our finances..our health. In everything we do, our desire is to honor him with our efforts. Has the road been easy...not always. But worth it!
Just some thoughts that have been stirring this week. As I have been home.......with my loves!!
