I invited my sweet friend Joy to visit and tell you her story. Joy and I have known each other for over 20 years, and she has always been a special friend to me. We spent some of our "wild" years together, then both grew into the role of wife and mother. I am so blessed to have her as my friend and love the woman that she has become.
Here is Joy's story....
Here is Joy's story....
The birth of my dream, Sheer Joy Scents
You see, a month before my third birthday, my life was almost stolen. I was born just like any other baby. I grew and developed just like any other child. One August afternoon, as my mom was painting our backyard fence I was playing on our patio by our pool. Before my precious mom knew it, a toy had fallen into the deep end and I went in after it. Not knowing the dangers that the water can hold, my little body lay lifeless.
Before I continue, I want you to know, I do not fault my mom. I hold her in very high regard! She is my best friend and has been there for me through thick & thin. In fact, I believe that it was her faith & perseverance that brought me through the first stages of my healing. And it is her faith & perseverance that I now am able to call my own! She is my hero!! I am told that my sister (age 7) discovered what had happened and without thought she dove in after me. She too is my hero!! My brother (age 10) had just learned CPR in the boy scouts (now that is God!) and he became my breath all the way to the hospital. He too is my hero!
This tragic event in my life was necessary for the Lord to be glorified!! I need you to know, that when I feel the cruel pangs of “why me” or self-pity, I remember how far God has healed me and His promise to bring my body into full restoration!! MY LORD JESUS CHRIST, NEVER GOES BACK ON HIS PROMISES!!!! Oh yes my life has been tough and there are things that I would like to experience like running and jumping and, of course, driving! But it is just as well, because I probably would have given my mom heart failure with the wild things I might have tried to do in my youth.
As a result of my drowning, my brain was deprived of oxygen. I was declared dead on arrival!! Everything that I had learned how to do in life was gone. I was declared a vegetable, my doctors told my parents to go ahead & give up on me I would NEVER improve and they would be happy to recommend some fine institutions that would adequately meet my “special needs”. My mom (the SUPERMOM she is) would not hear of this. She would not send me to a cold heartless institution. I remember how grateful I was when I fully understood what a true gift that was. I remember being quite young & visiting a local “home” in the 1970’s. The kid’s looked so lonely and it broke my heart. I know that if my parents had chosen to follow the doctors’ advice, I would not have realized my full potential; I would not be the woman I am today!
Today I am married to the Love of my Life for 16 years strong!! Together we share 3 amazing mighty men, 14, 12 and 5. I am a stay at home mom, I serve at my church and I love coming along side of my friends helping them in any way that I can.
Before I continue, I want you to know, I do not fault my mom. I hold her in very high regard! She is my best friend and has been there for me through thick & thin. In fact, I believe that it was her faith & perseverance that brought me through the first stages of my healing. And it is her faith & perseverance that I now am able to call my own! She is my hero!! I am told that my sister (age 7) discovered what had happened and without thought she dove in after me. She too is my hero!! My brother (age 10) had just learned CPR in the boy scouts (now that is God!) and he became my breath all the way to the hospital. He too is my hero!
This tragic event in my life was necessary for the Lord to be glorified!! I need you to know, that when I feel the cruel pangs of “why me” or self-pity, I remember how far God has healed me and His promise to bring my body into full restoration!! MY LORD JESUS CHRIST, NEVER GOES BACK ON HIS PROMISES!!!! Oh yes my life has been tough and there are things that I would like to experience like running and jumping and, of course, driving! But it is just as well, because I probably would have given my mom heart failure with the wild things I might have tried to do in my youth.
As a result of my drowning, my brain was deprived of oxygen. I was declared dead on arrival!! Everything that I had learned how to do in life was gone. I was declared a vegetable, my doctors told my parents to go ahead & give up on me I would NEVER improve and they would be happy to recommend some fine institutions that would adequately meet my “special needs”. My mom (the SUPERMOM she is) would not hear of this. She would not send me to a cold heartless institution. I remember how grateful I was when I fully understood what a true gift that was. I remember being quite young & visiting a local “home” in the 1970’s. The kid’s looked so lonely and it broke my heart. I know that if my parents had chosen to follow the doctors’ advice, I would not have realized my full potential; I would not be the woman I am today!
Today I am married to the Love of my Life for 16 years strong!! Together we share 3 amazing mighty men, 14, 12 and 5. I am a stay at home mom, I serve at my church and I love coming along side of my friends helping them in any way that I can.
One day I was browsing Pinterest, and I saw a pin for DIY emergency candles. I am a DIY Queen! So I thought "what would happen if I put fragrance & color into it?”. I bet they will sell. I then hopped on Etsy and found the selling rate, and that began to set my wheels a turning!! I began making candles & scent bricks as Christmas gifts for my family & friends in December of 2012. I was so excited that I had actually made a candle, I shared it with my Facebook friends and asked them what I should name this crazy candle thing. A friend immediately commented SHEER JOY SCENTS.
So in January of 2013, I began my business as a fun and creative way to raise funds for my mission trip to Bolivia. As I began to raise funds for my trip, I had a sweet sister in The Lord, bless me with some money for my business. That's when I knew God had given me something more than just a fun hobby. I also blessed a lot of my friends & family with little unexpected gifts. After I returned home, my husband and I continued to work my "little" business, selling to friends, family and At a local farmers market in Clarksville, TN, I loved it!!!!
This year our youngest started kindergarten. Now with my morning hours free, I am able to devote more time to Sheer Joy Scents. I have big dreams for it, and I cannot stop the ideas from coming!! I not only create candles and scent bricks, but I am expanding into beauty & spa related products as well.
My prayer for you today is that you take some time today to pamper yourself and quiet down the busyness of life, and you are able to see the everyday miracles all around you!!
Thank You for being a part of my dream!!
So in January of 2013, I began my business as a fun and creative way to raise funds for my mission trip to Bolivia. As I began to raise funds for my trip, I had a sweet sister in The Lord, bless me with some money for my business. That's when I knew God had given me something more than just a fun hobby. I also blessed a lot of my friends & family with little unexpected gifts. After I returned home, my husband and I continued to work my "little" business, selling to friends, family and At a local farmers market in Clarksville, TN, I loved it!!!!
This year our youngest started kindergarten. Now with my morning hours free, I am able to devote more time to Sheer Joy Scents. I have big dreams for it, and I cannot stop the ideas from coming!! I not only create candles and scent bricks, but I am expanding into beauty & spa related products as well.
My prayer for you today is that you take some time today to pamper yourself and quiet down the busyness of life, and you are able to see the everyday miracles all around you!!
Thank You for being a part of my dream!!
If you would like to learn more about Joy's business and the amazing products she creates, please visit her Sheer Joy Scents website or like her Facebook page.
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