Hearts in Heaven Gifts-The Beginning

I have a very talented niece named Heather. She’s beautiful, smart, and a great Mom. It doesn’t surprise me in the least when she says, “My washing machine broke so I fixed it myself instead of calling a repairman.” She also knows her way under the hood of a car and even calls tools by their actual name, unlike me, who wants them described in picture form. I usually attach the word “thingy” to them.

A few years back, while visiting in Florida, I watched in amazement as Heather used her Cricut machine to create the cutest things for Cups and Water Bottles. She assured me that it was very easy to understand. This was also coming from a woman who put down her own flooring.

None the less, considering myself a somewhat creative person, I began to rattle off in my mind the endless possibilities that could come from owning my own crafting cutter.

So, as Christmas rolled around, I was gifted with my own machine. If anything, I thought it would help my mind to focus on something else other than losing Josiah. I hoped it would anyway.

Are These Instructions In English?

After unwrapping, setting up, and registering my product, I was ready to start cranking out my witty words and perfect pictures. There was only one problem. I COULDN’T UNDERSTAND ANY OF IT!

I further sensed trouble when several tech savvy teenagers visiting at the time became confused. “Oh No!”

Watching countless videos would leave me more confused. I would try to follow their quick tips and solvable solutions until I would finally wipe my tears and throw up my hands in exasperation.

Trial and error turned into mostly error. After a while my determination waned. I was trying to keep up with the basics of living, plus trying to encourage my family to put one foot in front of the other. Maybe it was because my mind was so scattered from all of the grief.

So, year after year, it sat there, collecting dust. My dream of making a little extra income from home was crushed by an object that, at the time, seemed smarter than I was. I told my husband that it laughed at me when I walked through the room. I think I heard it hiss a few times.

A New Day

Now I’ll fast forward to when I began to say “Yes” to God and how he would want me to use Josiah’s loss to help others. This blog was born.

The Holy Spirit began to nudge my heart even more. God said that He had another project for me. I was sitting alone on the beach when He began to give me ideas for one thing, then another. As He spoke, I wrote.

I also told God that these were great ideas but there’s one little hiccup. “I don’t understand how to use my machine!!!” God was totally undaunted by that statement. I began to pray about the specific abilities I would need to carry this out. God, again, was undaunted.

What happened next is nothing short of a miracle. I BEGAN TO MAKE CRAFTS! The things that were confusing before became so clear. Thank you Jesus!!!

It’s Personal

As Mom’s who live with part of our hearts in Heaven, we know how special it is to get a gift bearing our child’s name. We so appreciate the gesture in honoring them with us. It’s such a Blessing when I receive a special something that says “Josiah.” You can best believe that Josiah Memories rolled down my cheeks when Heather gave me this very special treasure. Just the thought and time it took to do this for me makes me get misty-eyed right now. It never goes in the cabinet, but sits out on display all the time.

It was very exciting when the time came for me to do my very first craft fair. But I needed a name. A name that resonated with the type of gifts on my heart. That’s when Hearts In Heaven Gifts came into being.

The Lord has given me the opportunity to meet Mom’s from all over the country who are on the same journey. I’ve listened to stories of precious children gone too soon, all while praying and crying with them.

Sometimes it’s dear one’s who’ve lost a Husband, Mom, Dad, Grandparent, or Beloved Friend. At the end of the day, their loved one isn’t here anymore, and we all know that familiar pain.

Like everything in my life, this gift business is a work in progress. My main focus is Memorial Gifts, but don’t be surprised in what you’ll find. I just try to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and pray that God would use me to help comfort others. I’ve come across this phrase in my devotions recently and it’s my heart of what I ask God to do through me.

I’ve been selling online for a while now, but have wanted to bring it all together in one place, so this is the beginning, so to speak.

It is my Pleasure to introduce you to and INVITE you to heartsinheavengifts.com

If you see something you like, just let me know. If you have an idea, I will do my best to incorporate it into something special for you.

May God receive all of the Glory for what He allows me to do because it all comes from Him. A gift that was once quiet whirrs with new ideas most weekdays. May God bless each of you!

And thank you to Heather for encouraging me along the way! I love you!