Wow. Let me say that again. Wow. I am completely taken back and humbled by the many, many purchases made Tuesday. I've had a few sales in the past where maybe 5 purchases were made at most, and that was over like a couple of days. I couldn't hardly function with all the sales that came in. I would try to do something and then I'd hear that little chime that meant I had gotten another email. Of course I had to check it and would be wowed again. THANK you soooo much! I am still working on getting everything packaged and sent out, so if you placed an order (with the exception of those waiting for toy boxes), it will most likely go out tomorrow.
Did I mention how totally blown away I was, and still am? Just checking. This little job of mine started out as something I could do to help pay for dance and things like taking the kids out to McDonalds when I felt like it. My husband is a minister and well, ministry doesn't always make the big bucks. We decided early on that I would stay at home with our children while they were little, and I've never regretted it. Was it always easy? Heck no. In fact, there have been many times in our lives that God has provided for us at just the right time. There have been many sacrifices made by staying home and not working but the good has always out-weighed the bad. My most memorable God-providing-moment came when Jaden was about 4 months old. I nursed him up until that time. Formula was so expensive so I was so thankful he was able to do that. I had never had a problem in that area either, in fact I usually had too much milk, so much so that I had to stand over the shower and let them empty some so he could eat without getting sprayed. I always get a laugh thinking how that must have looked to my husband. Not attractive I'm sure. Ok, back to the story. About that time, I caught a really bad cold/flu bug and my milk just dried up. We had to buy some formula, which Jaden had no problem taking. After about a week my milk came back in but Jaden didn't want anything to do with me. He wanted that formula. We were having trouble making ends meet as it was so I didn't know what we were going to do. I tried to get help from WIC but we made $200 more than what you had to make in order to qualify. $200 more a year people. Anyway, so I dried up and we have no money for formula. We lived in Florida at the time and my sister lived near us. Florida has these places called Food Banks where you can go and buy food by the pound really cheap. It's usually dented cans, torn boxed items but where the food is still in the plastic and contained. Its just a place that's run by the community to help folks like us. My sister was in charge of keeping the food pantry stocked at church. She visited the Food Bank regularly to keep it stocked and ready when anyone needed groceries. She frequently kept us stocked as well. It had been a week since I was having to buy formula and wondering where we would find the money to buy more. God was listening to our prayers for help though because Gena, my sister, called me and said "You'll never guess what just came into the food bank today." I'm getting teary eyed right now thinking about what came next. It just so happened that Similac was beginning a new marketing strategy and changing all their labels etc etc. They had pulled several pallets of formula off with the old labels and donated it to the food bank. They were giving it away free. No limitations. I was able to get 10 months of formula for free. Jaden had been using Enfamil, but he didn't mind the change at all. I had never seen formula at the food bank, and never did again while we lived there. God is good, all the time. Don't ever underestimate His power. I was trying to figure out how we get more money, and instead He just provided the goods. Anytime we struggle now, I just remember to have faith in Him to provide as I know He will give us just what we need, at just the right time.
Yesterday I was reminded that He is still at work in our lives. During the summer I don't do a lot of business because the kids are out of school. I was worried about how I would make my payments for what I owe on my machine during that time. I bet He was just sitting there going "Duh, when have I ever failed you?" Thank you God for providing once again. And thank you to all of you again for making purchases yesterday!
Come back tomorrow and find out how to be entered in the next giveaway....
Other...: www.madbags.etsy.com
