A Bittersweet Thank-you...

Last week I received this email from a customer who purchased my 'Ring of the Month Club' back in December... I wanted to share it with you... It's a beautiful testimony of a husband's love... And even more so, of God's grace to a grieving family... I hope it encourages you as it did me... That we must treasure each day... And that there is true hope to be found in Christ, even in the midst of grief and pain...

"Good day. I just wanted to send you a message to thank you for the rings and let you know what they have meant to us.  

My wife was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer April 2011 while pregnant with our third child.  The baby was born a couple months early but is fine.  Amy's cancer was both advanced and aggressive and we were told right away it was terminal.  The best hope they had was to give her another 2 1/2 years with chemo and surgery.  I got her the rings last Christmas as a gift of hope.  To let her know that our lives together were not over and that I hoped and planned on having her around to get all 12 even though I knew the chances of that happening were pretty slim.  She was always so excited to get the rings, it was a constant reminder of hope and they added beauty to a time of a lot of darkness.  Amy passed away June 5.  She got to wear 5 of the rings and just missed the 6th.  We have a lot of relief for her as she is now free from cancer and all that suffering it had brought to her.  Best of all she is no longer relying on hope as now all of her greatest desires are fulfilled in the presence of Christ.  

I do not want to cancel the rings.  Having them come every month will be good for us.  It will force us to face our loss if we are avoiding it and remind us of the things we loved about Amy.  The rings really were 'her'.  I will keep the 5 she got to wear for our family and the others that come I am giving to some younger girls and friends of Amy so they can wear them for her.  I talk with the kids as they come too about how they remind us of Amy.  The metal looks vintage and we talk about how it looks old and reminds us how things wear out and break down because of the curse of sin.  The flowers remind us that God brings beauty into this through His grace and that nothing can stop it.  My oldest two love the rings and love to talk about them.  Their mom was only 31 and died 'too soon' but we know that God has already brought beauty out of this and will continue to do so.

Thank you for making these rings.  We look forward to more coming."

Good Friday...

"He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. 

By his wounds you have been healed."

1 Peter 2:22-24

From the Manger to the Cross...

A beautiful reminder... That the manger led to the Cross... And the Cross led to the resurrection... And resurrection led to salvation, for all those who believe... That is my hope this Christmas!

Faith...

 These are my own designs so please link back to this post if you'd like to share them! Thanks so much!

Merry Christmas!

 Adorn

{Alli Rogers}

I like to think there was a pause

I like to think there was a silence

When all the wind stopped blowing

All the trees bowed low

Sharing in a secret

There must have been a million stars

That must have shaken at the moment you arrived

How could the mountains stay standing

How could the rivers still run

Did the earth fall before you

How could our hearts be ready

To hold the Holy One

How could we ever adorn you

The voice of God in a baby's cry

 Sometimes I wonder how it sounded

And all the angels listened

I bet they all came down

Wish I could hear that chorus

There must have been a million songs

Written at the very moment you arrived

How could the mountains stay standing

How could the rivers still run

Did the earth fall before you

How could our hearts be ready

To hold the Holy One

How could we ever adorn you

How do you clothe the one who hung the stars
Warm the hands that wrought the sun

And how do you lift a child in your arms

He who carries everyone

How could the mountains stay standing

How could the rivers still run

All the earth falls before you

How could our hearts be ready

To hold the Holy One

How could we ever adorn you

How could we ever adorn you

I like to think there was a pause

I like to think there was a silence...

'Dreaming Christmas 5x5 Fine Art Photograph'

Do you want to know more about the TRUE meaning of Christmas? If you do, head over to 'Desiring God' for a biblical explanation... May it change your world this Christmas Day as it changed my world many years ago... That baby came and EVERYTHING changed!

Project Idea {Advent Calendar} Part II

Brennah is pretty excited about our new tree! She's not too sure how it will work... And today is the day... The day that she finally gets to peek inside box #1 to see what's inside!

I filled the boxes with little items I gathered at 'Michaels' and the dollar store! Tiny trinkets including socks, stamps, stickers, chocolate, 'Kinder Eggs', glitter glue, hair barrettes, small wind-up toys and 'Lip Smackers' (which will be Brennah's first... She's going to be very excited)!

As exciting as Christmas is around here, I am constantly seeking to remind the girls the real reason we celebrate... The purpose of advent is to think of the Christ of Christmas... I want that, admist the gifts, to be the focus of our holiday season... So each day, before opening the box, we are going to read the Christmas story... Brennah already knows it quite well... But I'm hoping that it will cause her to stop and remember that it is because of Christ, His life, His death and His resurrection, that we celebrate!

 And don't forget to take the time to enter this week's giveaway for a calendar all your own from 'Honeytree'!

A Good, Good Friday...

"Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand

The shadow of a mighty Rock within a weary land;

A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,

From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.

Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see

The very dying form of One who suffered there for me;

And from my smitten heart with tears two wonders I confess

The wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;

I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;

Content to let the world go by, to know no gain or loss,

My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross."

{Elizabeth C. Clephane}