So about a month ago, I tried my first “fundraising event” – selling some of my photographs. Overall, the day didn’t go that great. The festival wasn’t what I was expecting it to be like. (It wasn’t a “festival” as much as it was some carnival games set up for the soccer players. So people weren’t really there looking to buy things, they were there to entertain their children until the soccer games started.) On top of that, it was incredibly windy, making it nearly impossible to display my photographs (the frames just kept falling over). Overall, I walked away thinking it was a bust and was feeling a little defeated. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that God would use this day for greater things – and I was right.
That day, my mom and I got to the soccer fields early to make sure we got everything set up and ready to go. We didn’t get to pick out where to place our booth, and the event directors just pointed next to another booth and said, “set up next to them.” So we did! Little did I know, it was really Jesus who picked where my booth would be that day.
For the fundraising event, my mom had glued two nails together so that they looked like a cross. We then used ribbon to attach my business card to each of them. We thought we would pass these out for free and hopefully some people would visit my blog, read my story, and feel led to donate and/or pray for my trip. Almost immediately after we pulled these out to set on our table, my “booth neighbor” came up to ask about them. This quickly led to a discussion about my trip, where all I was going, what I’ll be doing, how much I have to raise, etc. This lady, whose name is Candy, seemed very intrigued with my mission. She started telling me more about herself; she’s an artist and makes handmade, all one-of-a-kind, jewelry pieces. She then said she would like one of those crosses so that she could turn it into a necklace for me. A little skeptical, I handed her one, she walked away, and I went back to setting up my booth.
Not even 10 minutes later she walked back over and handed me this:
It’s beautiful! As my mom was admiring it, Candy decided my mom needs one too. So within a few minutes, my mom had a beautiful necklace also. We thanked Candy for the gift, and she went back to her booth. A few minutes later, she came back and said, “here’s what I want to do: I want to make and sell these necklaces, and then 50% of the proceeds will go towards your mission trip.” Well okay! I was blown away by the generosity of a complete stranger, but I’m not to prideful to turn down help! With raising $16,000+ I need all the help I can get. By the end of the festival, we exchanged numbers, figured out the logistics of this endeavor, and parted ways.
At the end of that day, I still wasn’t sure what would really come of it. But without a doubt, God always has greater plans in store than we can imagine. A month later, the crosses have been selling great! Candy has made some exquisite pieces, and a “bust” of a fundraising event has brought more donations than I could have imagined, and taught me more about trusting and relying on my Savior instead of my own perceptions.
So if you would like one of these beautiful pendants for $20, please visit Candy’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/ShandyOriginalsJewelry or let me know and I can place an order! Just specify if you’d like
- Silver or gold wiring
- Beads or no beads
- If you want beads:
- Red, yellow, black and white beads
- Pearl beads
- Clear beads
There’s a place where sin and shame are powerless.
Where my heart has peace with God and forgiveness.
Where all the love I’ve ever found.
Comes like a flood,
Comes flowing down
