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Greetings and Happy New Year!
A New Year indeed! As we enter into a New Year, Allure Spa is celebrating 20 years in business! I feel an overwhelming joy as I reflect on the past memories with both the staff and clients and also preparing and embracing for future changes and adjustments.
First, I want to share my New Year Resolution with you. The resolution is something that came very clear to me as of last week. As many of you may know, I traveled to Trinidad the weekend before Christmas for my sister Glenda's wedding.
When I first heard the news about the date of the wedding, I immediately felt a heaviness weighing on my body. I questioned, "How am I going to leave my business on the busiest weekend of the year? How will I leave my husband and two sons home during all the holiday festivities?"
Over Thanksgiving, my family convinced me that I could not miss my sister's wedding. Admittedly from the start, I had a very poor attitude. For some reason, I stole a piece of my own joy in these past two months, as I prepared for my travels.
The morning of the flight, I was dropped of at Terminal A to find out that my flight was taking off from Terminal C. The kind woman from the Delta counter informed me, "If you want to make your flight, you better RUN!"
I gathered every bit of little hope I could muster up and I RAN all the way to JetBlue in Terminal C. I made my fight, by the skin of my teeth while also managing to take the wrong seat in the very back of the aircraft. My negative attitude followed me all the way to my connecting flight in Orlando with a 5 hour lay over. I repeatedly prayed, "God Give me Strength."
As I stepped on land in Trinidad, and felt the warm sun kiss my face, I felt an inner strength come over my body. I was welcomed by my family's smiling faces, open arms and I could feel their tangible joy and eager anticipation for Glenda's wedding festivities.
I instantly had a change of heart, and the heaviness was removed from my shoulders. How could I have allowed myself to steal any joy from the beautiful blessing of Glenda's marriage? I felt myself come back, and I plunged right into the wedding preparation and planning. I was honored to help her with her makeup too!
The wedding was held at the church down the street and the reception was to follow in the back of my brother David's house located on a cliff neighboring the beach. Glenda was truly shining in every way possible, and the entire day was both elegant and beautiful!
My resolution this year is make a conscience effort to remind myself that although life gets busy and sometimes difficult, I need to reach down deep and find that inner hope. I will make an effort to take time and to see the gifts that family and friends bless us with each day.
The next time I feel discouraged, I will reflect on my sister at the alter as she brought so much joy to our lives that day. At the end of the day, it is family that gives us all great things; strength, love, challenge, joy and support.
This year, The Allure Spa family has many changes in it's future. Although I have founded Allure Spa 20 years ago, my staff are the ones who have planted their unique roots within the business. One of the greatest benefits that Allure Spa has always offered, is that its a home to so many. Its a place not only to work, but a place to feel safe, to share stories, to offer a helping hand, or feel the support one may need during a specific time. Above all, Allure Spa is a place that all my staff members can always come back to and feel as if they never left home.
This month, Julianne will be embarking on a new adventure in February. She will traveling to Hawaii for 5 weeks with her boyfriend who is in the Navy and will be stationed out there for some time. Although, her decision to live out there is unknown, her job and home at Allure will always remain the same.
Julianne has been with me at Allure Spa for over ten years. Julianne came into my doors as an adolescent in high school and worked as an assistant for many years. She graduated to a receptionist job when she went to Eastern Nazarene College. As Julianne pursued her Master's Degree, she took on a managerial position at the front desk. Julianne is an employee, that absolutely loves her job and everyone that she works with and we all look forward to sharing her journey with her!
This New Year, Carmel will be ringing it in Ireland with her family, and Irida will be celebrating with her husband in both Austria and Albania.
Viola will be bringing new life into Allure Spa with her little boy who is on the way as she is due in mid-February.
Shanel and Lisa will also be embarking on new experiences too. Shanel will be traveling with some classmates from Bridgewater State University to Belize for a Mission Trip in the beginning of January.
Lisa will be taking a month off to go to Costa Rica to share her faith and gain new perspective in her own faith as well!
And me..... I am staying put.
With all of these wonderful and exciting changes taking place, I feel as if the Lord is telling me to stay close to my business and continue to serve others. I have always felt the need to serve in my business and for family and friends. I have been so blessed and my heart is dedicated to blessing others.
I look forward to a New Year, 20th Anniversary Celebration, new projects to come and bringing in new life and new beginnings at Allure Spa!
Thank you all and God Bless,
Sandra Ishmael & Staff
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