How It All Began

My name is Shana Willis and I, along with my husband Matt, own At The Well Apparel & Gift which is a part of Journey Marketing Solutions. Journey sells custom printing and marketing services like business cards, signs, banners and direct mail campaigns, while At The Well is our custom printed clothing and gift business. 

I'd like to share a bit about our journey with you today. 

Matt and I have seven children between us. I have four adult sons, Matt has an adult daughter and a teenage daughter, and we have my niece Kinley. We also have seven grandchildren and one on the way.

About a year and a half ago or so I was working as the editor of the Crane Chronicle/Stone County Republican newspaper  where I grew up - a  job I absolutely loved. 

I wrote a column every week or so. I started talking quite a bit about my desire to live an intentional life - a lifestyle where one chooses to live in according to their values, beliefs and goals. I wanted to be able to spend more time with my family and to spend more time serving at our church. 

The newspaper sold and I decided to move to what I thought would be a less intense pace at a new company. If I'm honest, I really saw no possibility of my life slowing down any time soon but a few months after starting this new job we took part in a fast at church. One of the things I fasted and prayed over was that I wanted this intentional life and whatever that looked like. I kind of knew what it looked like, but it felt selfish and besides it was impossible. 

During the fast and afterwards, I still prayed about this goal. I wanted to use my talents and education in my own business... and I wanted to come home. 

Fast forward almost an entire year. We started making some preparations. Just to do a few things on the side. I felt crazy even starting work on our website. I could not possibly add any more to my already hectic life, but there I was night after night, weekend after weekend preparing, but for what???

Now God knows me and He knows that I will second guess myself and that maybe I don't always listen all well when he nudges me. So toward the end of this summer He presented me with a fork in the road. A fork that, according to my values and beliefs, there would be only one choice I could make. Matt and I prayed about it and I could hear God very clearly this time. Within 72 hours I was at home, working on  on our business, taking care of my family and our home and having the ability to serve more at church. 

I thank God every day for giving me this opportunity to do what I love and while helping to support our family as I do it. So many things all aligned to make this possible, but thats a story for another time. 

Ladies, God wants to help you. He cares what you have a heart for. Spend time with Him, talk to Him, praise Him, thank Him and most of all TRUST Him. He will make a way where you see none. Thank you Jesus for Your many blessings.