This
is a public service announcement
brought to you by:
Atmosphere
the greatest restaurant on earth.
Its raining in western Pennsylvania. . .
As of this Saturday the 14th of June; I am done -permanently with the pizza delivery job. Its crazy cause it has almost been a year since I started there. Ive risked my life and my car on sheets of black ice (breinsburgh hill road anyone?), stepped in more dog feces than I would care to mention, and got to know the little town I grew up in a lil' closer than most. Parts of this little piece of mountainous area from the beautiful and hidden to scary and surreal. I initially found and kept the job because it worked well with my 'art teacher' job, emotionally and financially- being embarrassingly easy. Even more I've -from the beginning- worked with a group of really focused and admirable people.
From that group of people: Mary, her daughter Alica, and Sam, whom have just recently left also. . . with the purpose of starting a restaurant. Since I met her; Mary has shared that it has been her dream for years to be the owner/manager of her own restaurant. Through a few unfortunate circumstances and challenges the opportunity and bravery arouse in the three of them to join together and take the plunge. Folks -in my small town- this is a miracle. Our area has been economically struggling for a few decades now. Our minimum wage is one of the lowest numbers country-wide, and the welfare system here supports more people per capita than any other in our state. Just to give you an idea of why I am amazed at the ambition and bravery of these small town pioneers.
Right now- I am on a feildtrip in Sam's spartan-caravan to get hardwood flooring for the restaurant. Ooh!- Lowes, what fun. Actually I was casually asked by miss momma Mary, about a month ago, to join the trifecta and help them get this business started. I am now the official advertising and design executive of the Atmosphere international foods restaurant.
We plan to be open in September, and hope to bring some change that inspires the community to believe in the potential of this area.(particularly the potential of new business- *hardy-har-har*)
In the bigger spectrum of things; I have since about January felt led to step away from my teaching job. Knowing at the time that the main and only focus, for Matt and I would soon be Youth with A Mission, Australia.Some times it seems God is so clear about the next step, that you just have a tremendous peace- yea know? Also this would be an opportunity for a clean break at the end of the school year verses smack in the middle. Believe me- I am going to miss those kids, I'm going to miss mentoring, teaching, and planting hope in their vast imaginations.
In the back of my mind though I have asked in prayer... How then God do you want me to make myself available in this season? All the while excited for the potential Art studio I may be a part of some day, maybe in some place far away, maybe connected with a trendy-hot spot cafe' in the downtown inner city. That's MY dream. Will I have to help build it from the ground up..? How do I prepare my tools for the task, my mind for the mission?
That's when Mary asked me to be part of the restaurant this summer, and potentially solid and reliable work this coming winter. There it was again, 'peace' beyond a feeling almost confirmation.
"See Steph I told you I had everything under control"
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