I need your help. My heart is breaking for a woman who I call neighbor, who is doing her best to provide for her family, despite hard circumstances.
She recently heard that I had a hard day and that I was waiting for test results (they came back clear). She heard of this and set about making a gift for me, despite having her hands full of kids and house and life.
She left the gift on my porch, then texted me, telling me to check it. My heart melted at what I found, a card and homemade love inside. I know she does not have the funds to buy a gift. The one I hold is priceless, made sacrificially by her, despite having full hands. It makes me think of the first time we met, when she again, gave to me despite her own need.
I get an idea, and here is where I need your help. This gift of love that she made could help provide for her family. I suggest she make some more to sell, and her reaction is excitement and hope.
Will you take a minute to read the rest of her story, and look at her hope-filled homemade’s? If you love what you see, or if her story touches your heart, would you consider buying one? I so want to see blessing rained down upon my weary friend. Even if you are unable to buy anything, I pray you are blessed by reading of her story below. I wrote it months ago right after I met her. I wanted to tell of her story, now, months later, I get the opportunity to!
THE WOMAN ACROSS THE STREET SHINES SUNLIGHT
Across the street, a house becomes a home before my eyes.
A man who now has my heart and prayers goes about, making old become new.
Porch blocked from view
Due to a tree
Yet sounds of children tell of its use.
A family fellowships.
A woman pregnant, whose hair shines in the sunlight
Sits in the grass and yard works
A beauty making beauty while beauty is knit within her
Fast forward to winter–
I am sick. Meals are being brought.
Our phone rings, expected meal cannot come.
I crawl in bed, unmotivated to solve the meal issue.
So He does, my God, the Problem-Solver. The Story-Weaver.
The doorbell rings and awakens me.
Confusion sets in as it sounds like a meal being delivered?
I hear husband speak gratitude.
I feel my kids excitement from an unexpected guest.
It is the woman from across the street that shines sunlight.
Her food and story provide nourishment, as she also shines Savior, a sister-in-Christ.
She shines despite pain.
As she speaks, I think back to fall.
I saw pink balloons tied to a now quiet porch, to announce and congratulate.
A little girl was born.
I have thought of providing food nourishment and an introduction of self.
But, my pain keeps me from it.
It is now winter and she hurries across the street with nourishment for me.
She is no longer with child, the babe is 11- weeks old.
Her tale tells also of a 3- year old and a 6- year old. Both boys.
These precious babes, too, have pain.
Why?
The man who makes beauty, her husband who turns old to new, house to home– his presence no longer fills.
He is now in prison for a crime committed before Savior set him free.
He is a man, changed. Repented, but who knows he must still pay the penalty.
He leaves what could be a 5 year hole, a void, in this house made home.
And in the hearts of his children, his lady.
She bears this burden
She lives this pain
Yet, she hears of mine and provides a meal for me & mine.
Oh Lord, keep my new friend, her and hers.
Lord, shine through our stories and make sense of our pain!
Lord, keep her man filled with You and free.
May many who are imprisoned see his freedom
Weave prison stories, Lord, weave to set free.
May he find family and fellowship within walls.
May these 5 years not be wasted.
Lord, keep this precious family
Fill all voids, mend holes in hearts
Be Provider and Strength, comfort and heal.
Bring peace, provision and HOPE to this house turned home across my street.
_________________________________
htr
December 1, 2011 at 2:10 pmI just bought one for my secret sister. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to help.
Amy Bowman
December 1, 2011 at 3:17 pmHi Jessica..she is making some cute flower bobby pins. My 3 girls have been wearing them and loving them. I will take pics and post today, so check back at her Etsy shop! Thank you for your support. Misha is so very excited about the response.
jessica
December 1, 2011 at 3:09 pmGoing to purchase some letters for gift toppers, will she be having any other crafts..? Would love to buy more to help her out. Keep us posted. <3
Holli
December 1, 2011 at 3:00 pmYES! Those are adorable! I’m so getting one to hang from my rearview…and what a cute idea for Christmas gift toppers! 😀
Chara
December 1, 2011 at 12:37 amIs there any way you could tell her to go ahead and post several things on her etsy page, even if she hasn’t made them yet? I have some friends who were going to order, but couldn’t.
Amy Bowman
December 1, 2011 at 3:18 amthe shop is now running correctly, so order away! I have the best blogging community, I knew I could count on you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Amy Bowman
December 1, 2011 at 3:17 amThis comment has been removed by the author.
jeana
November 30, 2011 at 6:49 pmAs Jamie mentioned, there are none left in her shop. Will come back to check for more!
rkbsnana
November 30, 2011 at 11:51 pmI favorite’d her site awaiting new products. I think an “A” would be a great one to represent angel.
gotjoy3
November 30, 2011 at 3:45 pmWhat a wonderful testimony. I would love to help I will stop by her shop. Thanks! I too have a dear friend that went through what she is. She is a remarkable person. Thanks for reminding me to bless her.
Cindy
November 30, 2011 at 3:34 pmThank you for sharing this need, this opportunity to pay love forward. I remember how difficult is was waiting for test results after cancer treatment, and how helpful those small tokens of love were during that time.
So glad to hear your results were clear.
Cindy
Anonymous
November 30, 2011 at 8:24 pmAmy-
God is amazing! I just got finished hanging our 7 identical stockings on the mantel and thought how I need some initial ornaments so the kids don’t fight over whose is whose…then I come up to my computer and read your post about this amazing woman. I am blessed as I always am when I read your posts or caring bridge site. And on top of that I go to her etsy store and see she has the same last name as my paternal grandmother whose vast family is from Omaha…but they lived in Lincoln for awhile…my dad was born there. We are probably no relation as every other Irishman has that last name 🙂 but God shows me how close we all are in His kingdom and I am amazed again that through a blog I get to pray for another Sister in Christ that I will One Day know in person. Bless you, bless you Amy. You are a giver…in so many ways.
Carrie in Nashville, TN
Unknown
November 30, 2011 at 7:16 pmAmy once again you amaze me. I remember when I met you at Panera and you so gratiously shared your story but it never ends there. You are such a giving person. I hope that I can learn to be more like you. Love ya girl!!!
Taylor
November 30, 2011 at 6:50 pmWow, what a sweet story. I would love to purchase one, but as the pp said, they are “out of stock.” If she could list more, that would be wonderful!
Jamie Lane
November 30, 2011 at 5:21 pmI felt lead to buy one after God was so faithful to my husband and I this month with our finances, but then I noticed her Monograms were no longer in her shop after I bought one because I assume she told Etsy she only had 1 “in stock”. I would love to share her store on my facebook but can only do so if she tells Etsy she has more in stock so others can purchase it. Just thought I’d let you know the issue!