Hebrews 11:13-16
"All these people were still living by faith when they died.
They did not receive the things promised;
They did not receive the things promised;
they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.
And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
People who say such things show that they are looking for a country
of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left,
they would have had the opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing
for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed
to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."
People who say such things show that they are looking for a country
of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left,
they would have had the opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing
for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed
to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."
In the margin of my old beloved NIV Bible right next to the above highlighted passage, this is written in my own handwriting: "7/19/2020 things may never be different than they are right now for me, but through faith given to me by God, I can live one day/one moment at a time." Little did I know at that time that in less than 6 months, Mike would be gone, and in 2 years time God would blow me away with blessing upon blessing in a new start. Yes, we still look forward and long for our promised heavenly home, but by faith and God's provision, things are VERY different for me than they were on the day I penned those words and I am filled with gratefulness and joy!
Psalm 68:5-6a
"Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
God settles the solitary in a home...
A church! - After visiting 4 or 5 churches, I have gratefully landed at Lake Norman Baptist Church. They have a new pastor who started in July and it seems they are off to a fresh start also. On my very first Sunday there a couple invited me to the Legacy class after church and I decided to try it out. I am still there and enjoying the people and the Bible study immensely. Last Sunday I went out to eat with 9 others from the class. It's fun to start getting to know people a bit better. God's word is proclaimed from the pulpit and the class with a genuine love for Him and others.
God has also brought me alongside a woman who abruptly became a widow in July. She asked me to sit beside her in class after just meeting me and then when I shared about God's blessing me after 10 years of TBI and the loss of my husband, she said it was just what she needed to hear. (Neither of us knew the other was a widow until that moment.) Since then we have talked and text with each other and plan to get together this week. My desire is to be used of God in encouraging and coming alongside other widows, caregivers, shut-ins and He's already begun to orchestrate that.
Tonight I joined a ladies Bible Study. We are studying the last half of Exodus through a Jen Wilkin video series. She is a wonderful teacher and I'm very excited about this study, plus the opportunity to meet more women. This church has 2 services so there are lots of people I would not meet otherwise.
A job! - Have I told you that God has blown me away with blessings upon blessings above and beyond what I could have asked or imagined?!! HE truly has! I started looking for a job online and applied to 3 or 4 on a Friday, August 12, I think it was. The following Monday or Tuesday, I received a call from Lanart International - Quality Alpaca Products. I had a great conversation with the daughter of the owner and we set up an interview for the next day. The family-run business is less than 2 miles from my house. I drove the 4 minute drive, with NO traffic because it's like country/residential roads and had another great conversation with the owner, Angelo, plus met David, Angelo's cousin who handles all the orders, shipping and shows. They felt my background and experience was a perfect fit for them and I felt they were perfect for me. Definitely God-led opportunity!! I started working with Lanart on August 23rd and the job could not be more perfect for me! David has been an excellent trainer and easy to work with. His wife, Maria, comes in to help some days and although she doesn't speak a lot of English (they are from Ecuador), we manage to communicate and she is very sweet. Ursula, who called me initially, also works with the business, but she lives in California. We talk often over the phone or via Zoom.
All of the handmade alpaca fiber products are made in Peru (fair trade). Angelo handles that side of the business. The products are all beautiful and so soft. I had never heard of needle-felting, but we sell lots of needle-felted sculptures (toys) and have over 300 items from alpacas of various colors to wild animals, sea life, winged, farm and pets, plus we have plush items. We also have hats, gloves, scarves, throws, headbands, skeins of alpaca fiber, etc. The only thing that is not hand-made are the socks which are 80% alpaca. The alpaca fiber comes from Peru and the socks are manufactured in Hickory, NC.
I absolutely love my job and the people! I love the variety, being able to move around which is so much better for my back, and the products are light and pleasant to handle. Imagine picking and bagging super soft teddy bears and cozy socks all day. That's my job! I work with David printing the online orders, picking and boxing the product, getting it shipped out, and making sure I've done all the invoicing and shipping steps on the computer. The only time I sit down is if I stop to eat something. David rarely stops!
Debbie, who has worked with them for about 9-10 years was out for knee replacement surgery when I started, but she started coming back a few hours this past week. I appreciated that as David and Maria were in Wisconsin at a show from Wed - Saturday. We do not have a retail shop, but David and Maria set up at the farmer's market in Huntersville on most Saturdays and they travel to other states for shows, as well. It was my 3rd week there and I was on my own for the most part. David has so much confidence in me that it encouraged me that I could do it and I think I did alright. I was glad that Debbie came in a few hours tho, plus I could call any of them, if I ran into a snag and Angelo was there.
Check out their website at https://lanartalpaca.com/ you may want to purchase some Christmas gifts or pick up something cozy and warm for yourself. I learned that alpaca fiber is hollow so it traps and holds heat. On September 24 we will have an Alpaca Fiesta at our location with other vendors, food trucks, music, crafts, etc. Come join us; it will be fun!
As you can see, I am abundantly blessed and it seems that it happened so quickly once I came to NC. God has settled me in a new place, new home, new church, new job, new start, new life after a long and often difficult journey. Yet, He is the One who brought me through all of that and gave me joy along the way even in the hard also. He is ALWAYS to be praised and glorified. My cup runneth over indeed and I am so thankful for His goodness to me.
It's getting late and I need to get some sleep. I get to go to work tomorrow! 😊
