Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Incredibly Exciting News!!!

I don't even know where to begin this post.  I'm still speechless (well, more or less!) with awe at what the Lord has done.  Many of you have figured out that I am an organizer... that isn't to say that I'm organized, mind you!!  But I love to encourage ladies to be a blessing by using their time, their money and their talents more effectively.  One of the ways that I've seen progress in my own life in this area is by using a daily planner put out by GraceWorks.  A few years ago now I was introduced to The Beautiful Life Management System, a planner that combines the best of FlyLady type reminders with a daily planner.  Nestled between beautifully colored tabs are pages that cover everything from Priorities, to Things to Do, to a housecleaning schedule and meal plan.  There is a place to keep track of your exercise/menu/vitamin and water intake and even a little spot to write down a blessing, memory or lesson for the day.  One of my favorite sections, though, is the Morning Latte pages.  A place to record your thoughts and prayers as you spend time in the Scripture each day.  It is such an encouragement to me not to skip this ever so important step of taking time with the Lord!  There's also a section for address and phone numbers, a section to help you work through long term goals or projects and it is complete with beautiful Scripture verses and first quality binders. (The one shown in the picture is canvas, but there are tapestry ones and even leather ones for fabulous prices.)  Even the page markers are pretty!   And, to top it all off, there is a 3 hour "seminar" on tape that covers how to best use the planner, presented by its developer, Jennifer Neef.  It's wonderful!!  My daughters both have their own binders, although they use the more "conventional" pages that GraceWorks offers.  They use the special homeschool pages to keep track of their work during the year, and the note paper that they offer.   There are pages for homeschool moms to keep track of lesson plans, pages with tear off notes to offer encouragement, pages of calendar's, weekly pages, daily pages, journaling pages... you name it!

About a month ago Jennifer, GraceWorks founder, emailed everyone on her mailing list letting us know that she and her husband were interested in selling GraceWorks, as it didn't match their current season of life with 3 small children.  I knew immediately that this was an answer to prayer, as two of my daughters have food allergy/health related issues that will make it extremely hard for them to work in an uncontrolled environment - and even make it difficult for them to attend college.  I emailed Jennifer that we were interested but that we didn't currently have a house.  

Two weeks later the Lord opened the door for us to purchase our home.  Which had enough room for everyone... and the business.  It was an incredible price.

After our offer was accepted on the house I almost felt bad continuing to pray for the business.  I already had been given SO much!!  But the Lord had given me a verse right  at the beginning that I had put on a sticky on my computer's desktop.  It said... "Blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things that were told her from the Lord."  Somehow I just knew that this was from the Lord and that I needed to keep walking through the doors before me.

Time seemed to drag as we waited for Jennifer and her husband to make the final decision.  I knew that it was down to two families, and I couldn't help but know that if we were to be chosen to carry on GraceWorks it would only be of the Lord.

Well... yesterday morning some flowers were delivered.  Please realize that I have never had flowers delivered that I remember - so I had *no* idea where they could have come from.  I figured they must be from our insurance agent congratulating us on the new house.   When I opened the card it was from Jennifer... congratulating us on being the new owners of GraceWorks.  

I can't express in words how humbled I am to have seen the Lord keep His promises to me.  To me!  It's not just something that I've read about happening to others!  I've seen him provide a home and a business.  I've seen his care for my daughters and His provision for me to keep staying at home as a homeschool mom, and wife of a wonderful husband.  I'm thrilled that He's  given me a way to minister to other families with a product that I love and a message that I'm passionate about.   I'm watching Him take care of details that I didn't even know would exist, and I'm learning more about His grace every day.  

Over the next few weeks we will be moving, cleaning, painting, reroofing, settling into our home, bringing in inventory and establishing our new business.  If you're interested in our products you can find us online here.  Although if you'd like to place an order, feel free to wait until next Thursday when we take over! :)  If you have any questions or would like to be on our mailing list, I'd love for you to drop me an email.  Tell your friends, too! (You can find my email by clicking on my profile...)

I'll probably be starting a new blog for all things GraceWorks after we get settled.  I'll let you know when it goes online.  And I'm pretty sure there will be something handstamped in with each order! :)

Thank you so much for reading this far and sharing this special moment with me!   I'm ecstatic!

The Lord is good.

Tricia

11 comments:

fancynancykay said...

The Lord is, indeed, good. Congratulations - keep us posted!

wendy peatross said...

That is so neat that things are falling into place for you and your family. Things like that don't just happen and I love reading about people who recognize God's help in their lives. Good Luck on the day to day work of getting it going.

Tammy Q Howell said...

Praise the Lord! I love hearing how God is working in other Christians lives. He is so wonderful to us and will give us the desires of our hearts when we are living for Him. I mean to say He knows what desires are best for us and will give them to us! Thanks for sharing your uplifting story and I know that God will be there for you through all things, good and bad, ups and downs, during everything life throws at you, because He is an awesome God. I would love to be on your mailing list. How would I sign up? email at howe1472 at bellsouth dot net. Thanks for the wonderful blog entry and reminding everyone how wonderful God is and He does answer prayers!

Susan Hackney said...

Congratulations Tricia! I am so happy for you and your family.
Susan H.

Jenny said...

WOW! That is exciting news!! Praise the Lord!! You should definitely link this either this week or next week at Works of God Monday over on my blog! What a blessing!

Cindi said...

Trish

I can honestly say I have never heard of this company before; however, your excitement about it has made me terribly interested in your offerings. I am very excited for you and can't wait to see what this opportunity brings for you and your family.

I have several home school and christian friends whom might also be interested in your offerings.

Thanks for sharing your good news with us. God is good, all the time!

Cindi in OK

Angie said...

How exciting. Congratulations! You are a good sales person I already want to check out the website. I'll wait until you take over though. God Bless.

Andrea, said...

Many congratulations

Anonymous said...

The Lord is good, what a blessing for your family. It is so awesome how the Lord works. Best of luck in you knew business, will be checking it out.
Cheryl

J-me said...

Congrats!! Boy,what an adventure and blessing. God sure is good to them that love Him. I can't wait to see what you do with the business. I'll be watching. ladies retreats would be a great place to present graceworks...

Mrs. Nancy G said...

Wow!!!! That is incredible news!!! My the Lord continue to bless you all!

Big HUGS,
~nancy