A long, vulnerable and transparent post to our customers -

In the three years we have been owners of ACM II the journey has not been easy. What started out as a new opportunity for our family quickly turned into a roller coaster of changes. We have decided that our customers deserve to know and hopefully understand, why things are the way they are. Why are the shelves bare? Why don’t you have this or that? Why is there constant wait for products? Why have I seen the store for sale?

Here is the why - in the last three years our family’s health has changed dramatically. Josh has had spinal fusion on his neck, the lower back needs the same surgery and he was diagnosed with Functioning Neurological Disorder (FND). In addition to his back problems - FND is where the brain and body do not work together; the wiring is crossed and misfires often. There is research being done on FND but in our area there is very limited doctors who even have heard of FND yet treat it (he is being seen at UVA in January). He has good moments and goes to therapies weekly to help with the symptoms. So if you see him - it’s a good moment. It can drastically change in a blink of an eye. Take a moment to look it up (fndhope.org) - it’s a scary and heartbreaking disorder to have and it completely changes your world. I can’t even explain to you how this has changed our family and our daily lives.

FND took a strong, hardworking, dependable, good man out of work and in some ways out of life. When the store was purchased we expected him to continue to work at some level, and be able to provide for our family personally. Hence, FND and a list of back issues changed all of that. He cannot work (yes we have applied for disability) as every moment is different for him and well us. Our family has changed, some for the good and some for the not so good. Good - we are a more compassionate family to each other. Our kids understand physical and mental health more than others kids. We are more forgiving of each other’s shortcomings. We have drawn closer to God as individuals and family due to challenges. We have relied on our faith and each other to see us through the struggles. But the not so good changes; most of us are struggling too with our new way of life and mental health (yes, the kids too). ACM II has had to provide more than expected for our family’s needs. The store has its own financial obligations but supports the whole wellbeing of our family. Unfortunately, it’s just not enough. Lots of mistakes have been made - we are aware of this and are working on fixing them; please don’t point them out. Lots of choices have been made to keep things a float - wrong and right. Lots of talk and misunderstandings of the situation. But please know this, every decision has been made to try and maintain - both. Keep ACM II open and operating at some level and keep our family fed, warm and functioning. We know our community loves our store. We do too. But in all our efforts to advertise more, community events, specials or discounts and support; there just isn’t enough business daily to keep up with the all the finances with rising cost of living and products.

So now what? In the past month, ACM II has gone on the market with a couple interests but no “bites” yet. I have applied for numerous jobs in order to take the burden off the business and provide a second income for our family; in hopes of saving the business. We have done all we know to do to make it all work for ACM II and what is best for our family. We don’t know what the next step looks like. Sell. Stay. New job. But we are trusting God to lead the way. Open doors. Close doors. We know he will. We’ve never been hungry or cold or not had a place to lay our heads at night but the every day struggles are very real for our family. Very real.

Why tell you all this? In hope that’s our customers understand that we are trying. That there isn’t an abundance of products that should be in the shelf - we know. We are out often of products - we know. It wasn’t this way before - we know. Everyday we hear you and we know you deserve to walk in and it’s there. We just hope and pray that you understand just a little more about the situation. Please be patient with us and pray with us for God to lead. He is in control.

John 16:33 states, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We thank you for our support of our store. We do love our little country store and want nothing more than to make it succeed. We are trying; God has it. ❤️

Blessings to each of you,

The Skeens

Sarah and her family are dear friends of mine. Please pray for the Skeen family. Please help lift some of the burden of their shoulders so they can focus on Josh’s health and the well being of their family.

Thank you for any support that you can give whether it’s a donation or sharing this fundraiser.