My First Home Ashewelry Party. . .

I've heard that home jewelry parties are a great way to get the word out about your business. I've also heard that they are pretty successful financially- which made it a perfect way to raise money for my trip to Uganda this summer.

I decided to have the first (of many- hopefully) @ my house- come and go. So, after getting the word out through FB, Twitter, and mostly word of mouth, many people were excited! So, we cleaned house, set up, I made a basket for a silent auction, made a "Ring Stack Station", and set out the Christmas cookies.

My expectations seemed to exceed the results. I thought there would be several sitting around our table sharing conversation and hot cider, a room full of friends, and (of course) lots of orders. Within the first ten minutes I had two customers show up!! Both of whom made orders- I was so excited! But...these two turned out to be my only customers all night. I spent the next three hours waiting for customers who had RSVP ed...but never showed up! Being optimistic though, the two orders I had that night was better than not having any orders and not having a party!

After seeing a lot of friends and neighbors the following day, I found that a lot had forgotten! BUT from that many made orders with me- by the end of the week, about 6% of my trip is funded :) it's a start!

A New Purpose for Ashewelry

A lot of questions have been enveloping my thoughts lately- as you can imagine. There are many choices that one makes in a day, in a lifetime...but I've decided that I should take mine one at a time.

Many, if not all followers of Christ wonder about God's Will for their lives, but I've heard once that about 97% of God's Will is written. (I'll bet you know what's coming next!) It is in His Word. As Luke 16:10 says: ""Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." at this moment, we know a portion of God's plan for our lives- that we follow His commandments. If we can't do these things. . .how can we expect Him to reveal more to us? If we can't follow His original instructions, there may be a reason that He isn't revealing more to us.

With this in mind, it's a lot easier not worrying about what I should do next, because I am doing what I should at this moment. Although. . .I still wondered about which missions trip to go to this summer (or if I should go on one at all!) Many opportunities have come up- and I've seeked guidance from God and loved ones around me ((Proverbs 2:6-9 , Proverbs 20:18)) and God has gently shut the door on each one. Through each experience, I've become more sensitive to His leading.

Through all this, I was reminded of what Elizabeth Elliot said about God's Will. "The Shepard is much more interested in making sure that the sheep get to where they belong than how the sheep are in getting there." I've talked to mom about this, and she mentioned that in Sunday school they discussed that very thing. We miss a lot of opportunities because of doubt. We want and audible voice and thunder! But some decisions require stepping out in faith! If the choice you're about to make is in accordance to the Bible and your concience, and after humble prayer your view doesn't change, then go ahead and act. If it's not what God wants, He will make it clear. He will shut the door someway. Even if the result is not what you expected, God was teaching you something!

I narrowed down what type of trip I want. . . and I think I've got one! :)

Empower A Child is an organization that brings volunteers to countries throughout the world to help in a variety of outreaches. Including an orphanage, juvenilles home, drama ministry, sports ministry, a childrens hospital, and VBS. I wanted a range of outreaches so I could make a better (career/life) decision based on experience. Otherwise, I will most likely be a liguistic translator (writing the Bible in a group's language) or a "Church planter" (developing a church where Christ is unknown). I would be able to choose when I go, and how long I stay. I'm also taking this trip with a close friend of mine, so we can share the experience.

The trip we've chosen is to Uganda. I'm still in the information inquiring phase, just past the informing my parents phase :) they understand. . .but mom still wants me to stay in-state (or in-country!)

~Although, I don't have to stop making jewelry! Ashewelry will be a great help in fundraising money for this (fairly costly) trip!~

Change of plans :)

Alright, so if you have reading past blogs, you know that I'm 16 and my dream is to one day own a business selling my jewelry. Well, it's amazing how things change in a matter of only 2 weeks!

No, let me change that. It's amazing how God can change things :)

Within 2 weeks God completely changed my perspective. He let me realize that the many plans I had were made without Him, and were altogether selfish. My thought was "God, if you don't want me to have a business, shut the door on it." (Now, don't get me wrong. Those who own businesses, or sell their own products may have a different story)

Anyways, during those two weeks I seriously considered becoming a missionary-- something that I hadn't thought about since I was little. And, throughout those two weeks, all I could think about was "Seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33) and "The labor is great, but the laborers are few" (Matthew 9:37). I spent A LOT of time in prayer, and in His Word...and these thoughts didn't change. I mean, think about it- what could possibly be better than to see people groups that had once never even heard the name of Christ, come to believe in Him?

I'm undecided on a lot of things...like whether or not I'm going on a missions trip, which bible college/training I'll go to, and most of all: what country I'll go too...but, God will let me know when the time comes! I will just have to remain faithful in prayer and commitment.

Oh...my brain!

After quite an impulsive decision that I was going to invest in a mutual fund (after going through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University), and months of barely any research, I have decided that this is the week I get down to business.

Wow. Isn't THAT easier said than done! After signing up at Morningstar, an online investing help, I was mor.ti.fied. ...yup! Just a tad bit more than I am ready to handle!

Turns out I didn't know as much as I thought! So, I'm forced to click on various links from links from links just to comprehend what these knowledge filled authors and investors have to say!

Actually....that's what I was just doing, so I guess I. should. go. back :(

This will all be worth it, right? I sure hope so! :)

My first sale to ship!

Well, I can officially say I have sold jewelry to a stranger!

After having my shop on Etsy for a little over 3 months, I finally have sold something!! I've had a few generous friends make an account on Etsy in order to buy from me...but there's nothing like having your first (genuine, official) sale!

Just thought I would share :)

Now, this is one of the many reasons why I love making jewelry- I get to share it with the world!

And- I have found another! Packaging! Tailoring the ribbons and cardstock to the piece that I am shipping and my branding personality!

Yes, I will definitely remain selling Handmade on Etsy :)

Suspended, everything happens for a reason :)

Alright, so I am a HUGE fan of Etsy and the community there. The people are nothing short of amazing, and never hesitate to help one another out. One of my favorite groups of people are my promoting buddies on a Promoting Forum.

I've been struggling with a question for a while : Should I promote the fact that I'm only 16?!

So, I decided to ask the Etsy Community, with a thread of my own. The reaction: everything I hoped it would be. In about 40 minutes, I got 40 responses to this question. And, let me tell you, there was a WHOLE lot of information I gained from it.

Basically: DON'T promote it on Etsy, but DO promote it in your Blog, FB Fan Page, and Twitter.
Try seeking local media, or younger targeted media for publicity. (one of the posters listed a shop that was featured in Seventeen Magazine : Marci G's

I also got in contact with another shop that was started with a 16 year old. http://www.etsy.com/shop/madelaine A shop full of eerie photography. She's 19 now, and plenty successful. A couple of others who had posted in the forum "convoed" me later, after an Administrator closed the thread. They just wanted to give me encouragement, telling me to never give up on what I believe in, and that they wished they had started when they were 16 :)

The only downfall: The same admin. that closed the thread suspended me from the community. So, no more forums, Virtual Labs (which I had just newly discovered) and chat (which I hadn't used yet) BUT I don't regret making that thread...as PoleStar said in a post "...Just look at it as a way to focus more on your shop. The community areas can be a time suck."

So, with that in mind, I am closing the computer and getting to work on some new designs :)

Following His lead

I have always pictured a very long, dusty road when I think of a "journey". When people talk about following where God leads down this journey, the pathway of life, I picture a pitiful scene. Where God is in a trailor in front of me leading the way while I walk behind. I am covered in dust and sweat. I am tired and exhasted, and am supplied with only a cup of water every few miles.

Before I continue, be forewarned that this post will be particularly long ;) So, grab your Bible and set aside some time to spend with me as we look into some of the truths of the love God has for us. Men are invited to join as well, but I don't think you will attain this information on the particular level that us females will. Alright, here we go.

For the past two summers, while I am out of school I isolate myself to spend some time with God and His word. And, for the past two summers He has brought me back to the same subject- His love for me.

Last summer, it was a website, called Kelly's Page (this website=amazing, go to it if you're struggling with "waiting" for the right guy or...if you want to furthur experience the love God has for you!) This page was found after looking at my favorite artist's website- Jimmy Needham...so after you go to Kelly's page, go listen to his wonderful music!! :)

This summer, it was a dusty old book that was found, not even fully read. But, the title caught my attention: Do You Think I'm Beautiful? Honestly, I am not that insecure about the way I look, yet I really wanted to read this book.Well I read the last chapter this morning, had to share everything that I've gained from it. These next paragraphs are going to be intermixing of my own thoughts and passages from Angela Thomas's book- which will be surrounded by (" ")

The moment one accepts Christ, there is a wedding. The bride accepts and receives a Groom to spend the rest of her life with. This Groom is there to have, to hold. In sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer. He is there for her, although she might not realize that until trials come and He is by her side. His Perfect Love never fails.

"When God looks into the eyes of a women, He sees all the beauty He created there. He sees every potential and every gift. He sees what can be and redeems what has been. He loves the curly hair that you wish were straight. He is taken with your smile and the shape of your nose. He's crazy about big feet and knobby knees and every curve that is particular to you. He is the One who loves the inside and the outside of you. You were all His idea, and you are physically and emotionally beautiful to Him. Do you want to dance?"

Life after salvation is the reception. A dance. Following Christ -> our Groom is not a long, dusty road. It is a waltz, a two-step, an electric slide. God will be there for us always. We have to be the ones to take His hand when he asks us to dance. "When God says, 'Come dance with Me' He is not saying you have to know all the steps. This is the God of all creation who provides the music, sets the stage, takes you by the hand, and then leads. If you will rest in His arms, you can trust every turn that He takes. You do not have to look behind you to see where you are going because you can trust that He is watching."

The more dependant we are, the more we allow Him to lead, the better dancers we are. There is no doubt we will trip, mistep, and fall altogether. But God will pick us up, dust us off and hold us close as we continue to dance with Him. Hold His gaze, move as one. If you let Him lead, you will easily follow. "The dance is you in the arms of God gliding around the center of the room, becoming the woman He thought of when He dreamed of you...To dance is to grab hold of what you were made to be and then let Him show you how to become."

We are not the leaders in this dance. Sorry, but every one of us are too clumsy and frail to perform a single dance move without God's lead (John 15:5). We may be the worst dancers the world has ever seen, but God takes us and through Him makes us a beautiful bride, one with class and elegance. When we let God lead, His perfect plans are fulfilled through our lives! His love for you is unfailing, He calls you beautiful! Don't believe me?

• Isaiah 54:10


• Psalm 121: 3-8


• Ephesians 4:14-19
  

Psalm 45:10-15:
Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house. The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord...All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. In embroidered garments she is lead to the King...They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the King.

"Enthralled by your beauty. That means captivated, smitten, fascinated, spellbound, and delighted. That's exactly how the prince feels about the princess in fairy tales. But this sentiment is not fiction. Enthralled is how God in heaven feels about you. He is taken with you. Undistracted. Intensely interested. Emotionally connected. He enjoys your laughter and takes pleasure in the way you think. He is not bored with you, and He would never consider you ordinary. There is no way you will ever go unnoticed with God. You are beautiful to Him. Incredibly, breathtakingly beautiful. When a man feels this way about a woman, we say that he is in love.

You may have heard that God loves you, but maybe you have been like me and misunderstood. His love for you is not just a 'whole world in His hands' kind of love. This love is individual. God and you. One-on-one. Intimate. Personal. Romantic.

God's love for you is passionate and pure and without reservation. He never holds back or plays games with your heart. There are no riddles with God. This kind of love does not stand you up. He always shows up, always remembers, and always keeps His promises. God's love is unrelenting. He does not turn away even if you do. His excitement over you does not wane. God's love is not some namby-pampy kindergarten crush. He is not fickle. God has seen you across the room, and He cannot take His eyes off you.

Do you get this? Do you hear me describing the love that you long for on this earth? Does this sound like the love you have been looking for all of your life? Maybe you have tasted this love in relationships or in marriage, yet you recognize that there is still a deeper longing. Is your heart pounding,'Yes that's the love I have imagined'? Our desires reflect our design. That love that God has for us is the love your soul was made for. It is an intimate, vulnerable, completing kind of love.

Satan whispers lies to you That God really doesn't love you, that you are certainly not beautiful! That at the dance, your only rightful position is to be a wallflower. No one would ever want to dance with someone like you!

When you are wrapped in the arms of Christ, dancing with Him, Satan will try to cut in. Over, and over, and over again. But if you are holding on so tightly to your Dance Partner, you will never even realize he is there.

Enough watching, already. That's it. One foot in front of the other. One step at a time. Find the rhythm. There you go. Now, this isn't so bad, is it? I knew you had it in you. Wait a minute, I think you're smiling! Nope, it's more that a smile. It's something deeper. Something more brilliant. Can you see it? Can you feel it? You are beautiful. Yes, you. Breathtaking.