I need your help. My heart is breaking for a woman who I call neighbor, who is doing her best to provide for her family, despite hard circumstances.
She recently heard that I had a hard day and that I was waiting for test results (they came back clear). She heard of this and set about making a gift for me, despite having her hands full of kids and house and life.
She left the gift on my porch, then texted me, telling me to check it. My heart melted at what I found, a card and homemade love inside. I know she does not have the funds to buy a gift. The one I hold is priceless, made sacrificially by her, despite having full hands. It makes me think of the first time we met, when she again, gave to me despite her own need.
I get an idea, and here is where I need your help. This gift of love that she made could help provide for her family. I suggest she make some more to sell, and her reaction is excitement and hope.
Will you take a minute to read the rest of her story, and look at her hope-filled homemade's? If you love what you see, or if her story touches your heart, would you consider buying one? I so want to see blessing rained down upon my weary friend. Even if you are unable to buy anything, I pray you are blessed by reading of her story below. I wrote it months ago right after I met her. I wanted to tell of her story, now, months later, I get the opportunity to!
Across the street, a house becomes a home before my eyes.
A man who now has my heart and prayers goes about, making old become new.
Porch blocked from view
Due to a tree
Yet sounds of children tell of its use.
A family fellowships.
A woman pregnant, whose hair shines in the sunlight
Sits in the grass and yard works
A beauty making beauty while beauty is knit within her
Fast forward to winter--
I am sick. Meals are being brought.
Our phone rings, expected meal cannot come.
I crawl in bed, unmotivated to solve the meal issue.
So He does, my God, the Problem-Solver. The Story-Weaver.
The doorbell rings and awakens me.
Confusion sets in as it sounds like a meal being delivered?
I hear husband speak gratitude.
I feel my kids excitement from an unexpected guest.
It is the woman from across the street that shines sunlight.
Her food and story provide nourishment, as she also shines Savior, a sister-in-Christ.
She shines despite pain.
As she speaks, I think back to fall.
I saw pink balloons tied to a now quiet porch, to announce and congratulate.
A little girl was born.
But, my pain keeps me from it.
It is now winter and she hurries across the street with nourishment for me.
She is no longer with child, the babe is 11- weeks old.
Her tale tells also of a 3- year old and a 6- year old. Both boys.
These precious babes, too, have pain.
The man who makes beauty, her husband who turns old to new, house to home-- his presence no longer fills.
He is now in prison for a crime committed before Savior set him free.
He is a man, changed. Repented, but who knows he must still pay the penalty.
He leaves what could be a 5 year hole, a void, in this house made home.
And in the hearts of his children, his lady.
She lives this pain
Yet, she hears of mine and provides a meal for me & mine.
Oh Lord, keep my new friend, her and hers.
Lord, shine through our stories and make sense of our pain!
Lord, keep her man filled with You and free.
May many who are imprisoned see his freedom
Weave prison stories, Lord, weave to set free.
May he find family and fellowship within walls.
May these 5 years not be wasted.
Lord, keep this precious family
Fill all voids, mend holes in hearts
Be Provider and Strength, comfort and heal.
Bring peace, provision and HOPE to this house turned home across my street.
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As you can see, she is lovely both inside and out. The gift she made for me is this beautiful beaded "A" I love it. It hang it from my rearview mirror in my car and feel very loved every time I look at it. It catches the sunlight and shines, reminding me of my friend, of course.
I am planning on having her make a few for me to use as Christmas package toppers. I also want to use them on these mugs for teachers gifts. I will have her to customize them, choosing which letters and asking her to use beads in reds, greens and golds.
She also made some cute little hair pins that my girls saw and are begging me for.
Will you include her creations in your Christmas shopping so that she and her family can be blessed this Christmas?
I would be ever so grateful if you help my friend.
Here is her Etsy store. Just click to see her Hope-Filled Creations.
