God has given me a Ministry

I have debated for awhile now about posting about something that happened a few weeks ago - but then this week something happened that confirmed my decision that I needed to go ahead and do so. I don't apologize for this being long - there is just no way for it not to be. I hope you will stay with me here - I just know someone will be blessed.

A few weeks ago I had the idea to put a few necklaces on Etsy based on scripture. I had 3 or 4 ready to put in my shop and before doing so I asked God if He would be in this with me. I wanted it to be a ministry  of sorts - I told God that I would give every sale back to Him. I sat down on the bed and opened up my husband's bible from his nightstand and just randomly opened it. The scripture my eyes fell on was from Song of Songs and read "Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels." Song of Songs 1:10.  To me that was a clear YES - I was so excited.
Within a few hours - HOURS - I had my first sale - my husband was on the phone with his mom and I ran in to tell him about it. (He already knew about the scripture God had shown me). He and his mother were excited with me. I went back to my computer and the lady had paid through paypal and asked me if I had another of the same necklace. Guess what? THAT particular one - I did have 2 of. The ONLY one I had 2 of. Again, I ran back to tell my husband - and he in turn - told him mom. The rest of the evening I was on cloud 9. 
The next night was Wednesday night - so when I went to church I shared all of this with my Debi, my Pastor's wife. She agreed that God was totally on board with this. My feelings were if I never made another sale - ever - God still used this to speak to me in a clear cut way - he allowed me to share the story and give Him the glory and I was very happy with the 2 sales. I thought at least people might stop by and read the scriptures whether they bought a necklace or not. It was still my ministry.
Since that day - I have had a few e-mails from people telling me what a blessing they have gotten from my Pamela2Heaven shop. I have sold 5 necklaces and have had 3 in giveaways. Every cent has gone for backpacks for kids that are in need so far. There are so many needs: pantry, womens mission, homeless, etc. Someone asked me why I was giving the whole thing and not just a tithe from it. The answer...I also sell RV wooden signs and God has really blessed me with this - as I have already sold 3 of these and I use that money to replenish materials for the necklaces. I really feel I have God's blessing with this. He has given me another wooden sign idea that I am working on, too.

NOW - even more confirmation - and it is AMAZING!

I just participated in a giveaway at Bees LittleQueen and the winner was to have their choice of necklace from my etsy shop. Following is the e-mail I received word for word. I have her permission to use her testimony and we are now friends. She has been such an encouragement to me.   Her name is Trinity (how blessed is that!!)

Hi Pamela,
Let me first say a big thank you, for your part in this giveaway.  I'm so excited to win! I've recently started reading your blog and love checking out all your craft/ sewing projects (I'm trying to learn to sew now). 

As far as the necklace of choice, I would be honored to wear the Birds of Flight.  Also, if you have a minute, I'd like to share how I made that choice and how God used you to remind me of something important...(not sure about you, but I LOVE hearing about God's Hand at work :-)

Choosing a necklace was difficult because there were so many cute ones, but I finally got it down to either The Tree of Life or A Bird in Flight.  However, when I clicked on the second and saw this:

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26

I knew I'd found my necklace!  Since losing my mom to an aneurysm (I lost her 2 days before Christmas in 2010), I've struggled with a sense of not belonging or having a purpose in this world.  It's something I've brought before God and am working through, but it's been difficult.  Earlier in the week, I had an especially bad day, and this verse was placed on my heart.  It reminded me that even if there's no one else, HE loves me and will meet my needs.  Today, I was feeling discouraged because I still hadn't found a part time job (that's a whole different story), and all those doubts began creeping back in to my head.  In the next few minutes, I got your email, and found your necklace with the same verse!  I just thought that was such a divine intervention!

Anyway, I'm sorry to have rambled on.  I can assure you that I don't normally pour out my problems to strangers, but just wanted you to know how much I'll enjoy wearing your necklace.  Thanks again!
 Trinity

So...Trinity and I spent the next few hours e-mailing back and forth until we had to get some sleep. 
It was just amazing. We both realized just how much God's hand was in this whole thing from beginning to end. What a night! We were both in tears - I just wish we could meet in person - I would love to give her a big hug, but I feel I have found a long lost sister in Christ. 

So - I am still thanking God for using this little platform as a ministry. I am praying it grows and grows. I am saving the e-mails I get because I want to be able to use this as a testimony some night when the time is right in our Women's Ministry - I just feel like God is really going to make a way for that. 

xoxoxo Pamela
 Pamela2Heaven Etsy Shop