December Hope
This month has been a crazy ride.
I came back from the Thanksgiving holiday excited for the first jewelry class, planned for December 5th.
I had received a box of beads from my aunt out in Oregon, a friend from work donated the storage boxes, a family friend and my parents gave funds for supplies needed (I was able to purchase metal pieces, wires, earring hooks, tools and beading design boards).
It was a great start for a jewelry class right before the holidays.
On December 5th, I arrived early to set up at Sandra’s house. Nervous but excited to see the ladies and see their creativity at work.
However, as you see the table…that is how it stayed that night.
None of the ladies showed up.
I rode around with one of the middle schoolers at 6:30 to see if they were on their way, but unfortunately, they weren’t home or had forgotten about the class.
I left the trailer park disheartened. I cried on my way home. I was so confused and didn’t understand the purpose.
But the Lord had me access my definition of success and failure. To evaluate where I rested my hope. Where I rested my expectations.
……
When the next Monday rolled around, I was reminded that morning at our worship session at work of the word: HOPE
One of the leaders talked about how he was reminded of God’s hope. As I reflected on God’s hope in my personal life, I felt full of HOPE that morning. I felt full of hope for a successful and glorious day–between the Christmas bazaar and rescheduled jewelry class in Baker and Glover. God also reminded me of the name of my jewelry shop: A Promised Hope. Inspired from Hebrews 6:19 AMP, “This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope…”
Wow! What a moment of peace. He is my safe and steadfast hope. Even in the chaos. Even in the failures. Even in the confusion. The anchor of my soul cannot slip or break down under the pressures of life.
The Lord was so faithful during the Christmas Bazaar. I prayed for $500 in sales, and although I didn’t match that goal. My total sales were around $250!
(P.S. An update for the month of December, the Lord has provided different sales for me to reach $500 in sales for the month!!!! He is still faithful to answer prayers, even though it might not be in my timing.)
But the Lord didn’t stop there.
Jewelry Class happened!
The first to arrive were two new friends to classes. Alex and Misha. I met Misha at Adventures, she was in one of the leadership classes we have at our offices. She now works at a transition home for adults with disabilities, and that is where she met our new friend, Alex. Alex is a jewelry crafter, so this class was easy for her to handle without much instruction. She was able to make a beautiful necklace. Misha made her first piece of jewelry, a beaded bracelet.
The others in attendance for jewelry included: Sara and her daughter, Brianna. They were able to make a bracelet for each other!
Another mother and daughter came, Margarita and Rosa. Rosa helped with translating for the class as well, which was a great help!
Another lady, Cecilia brought her daughter, Isabel. However, only Cecilia made bracelets. Sweet moment though, Cecilia made a bracelet for Isabel to give to her friend for a Christmas gift!
The last lady from the community to come was Rosario.
I loved seeing the Lord provide in so many ways:
1. Anna was able to attend and help translate for the class.
2. Alex and Misha arrived early and were able to create jewelry independently.
3. Four of the community ladies attended, and their daughters came as well (love the intergenerational aspect)
4. Each person was able to create jewelry and have fun while doing it!
5. As I sat at the table and watched the ladies create and make, it felt surreal. To see the dream the Lord put in my heart in January 2015 spring to life in December 2016.
6. A Promised Hope (the name of my jewelry shop) came full circle. I saw HIS PROMISED HOPE in the class that night, in seeing what I thought was a distant thought to a promise to a tangible gift.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support. Without you, these stories wouldn’t be possible.
Continue to pray for these ladies, the classes and the Lord’s direction in the neighborhood!
If you would like to partner, here is how you can help:
How to Support the Jewelry Class
About half way through the blog, there is a list of ways give or donate!
