My new Executive Assistant, Kelly Evans, and I are settling into the new office space nicely. (Kelly started working at DiabetesSisters at the end of December 2011.) When I say office space, I really mean ‘closet space’, but I am not complaining about the size because I know we are blessed to even have office space at all!  One of the benefits of having office space and someone to answer the phone is actually receiving phone calls.  For those of you who don’t know, we have a toll free number (855-361-2012) and a local number (919-361-2012) that you can call any time between 9:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday.  Kelly will be the pleasant voice who answers your call.  I knew having a phone number would be helpful, especially during the months leading up to the Conference because we always have an influx of questions, concerns, etc. during that time.  Just this week, we received a call from a gentleman who had paid the Conference and Partner’s Perspective registration fees for his sister and brother-in-law.  He was such a pleasure to talk to because he told me how excited his sister was about attending the Conference again this year.  He actually said it was the highlight of 2011 for her, so even though she didn’t have the money to attend this year, he wanted to ensure she could still come.  He told me how she was so excited about the Walk and how she had even been making trips to Wal-Mart to walk around the store to get in shape for the 1-mile walk.  There is nothing as rewarding as hearing from someone who has benefitted from something that you helped to build.  I am not just saying that because it sounds good! J  That was the highlight of my week!

 

No doubt, without an office, a phone, and someone to answer the phone, I probably would not have been able to hear that incredibly inspiring story!  I also received a very emotional email from another Conference attendee last week that brought tears to my eyes.  Because we have received two inspiring stories in the last week from women who have been positively impacted by DiabetesSisters, I think we may have to run a contest (with a great prize, of course!) to collect and share these great stories!