How One Event at Church Changed my Life
I've been asked several times over the last 5 years...
"How did you come up with the idea for Elly and Grace?"
And it's kind of a weird story! I would say that the idea came to me from God- it wasn't really something I came up with.
I was feeling uninspired at my day job. I had been there several years, and loved my co-workers but I needed a change. But what?
My plan had been to work at this job until I got pregnant, and then I would stay at home with our child. But...it had been 3 years of struggling with infertility. I was becoming very unhappy. I was letting my circumstances steal my joy.
Our church had announced a Christian women's event...and I wasn't planning on attending. But, at the last minute, I felt in my spirit that I should go. I decided I would ONLY go if one of my friends also said she would go. She was a really busy person so I thought the chances were slim.
To my surprise, she said yes!
We walked in to the event, and they had some super cute christian shirts for sale! We walked over to the booth, but they only had ladies smalls left. We were disappointed, but I didn't think anything else about it.
The topic was "Be Fearless"- and when speaker started talking, I heard this voice in my mind.
"You could start a Christian t-shirt company!"
I immediately thought -"that's kind of weird...I have no graphic design experience other than invitations for events and I wouldn't even know where to start!"
I went home and told my husband my idea- and he said I should go for it!
I did a ton of research, and it was a BIG deal when I bought the first equipment that I would need.
Through trial and error, I figured out my methods...and God took the dream He gave me and grew it into something beyond my wildest dreams.
From an idea to reality.
From an unfinished basement to our own warehouse.
Maybe you are stuck somewhere and you don't know where to go.
I have GOOD NEWS! God can use you right where you are. I wish I would have spent that time sharing His love with others instead of letting my job steal my joy.
Don't let your circumstances steal YOUR joy!
Your T-shirts are a ministry. God is so GOOD in giving us the desires of our hearts! I encourage Tamra to keep seeking what God has in store for you. I am close to my 72nd birthday, and the Lord opened a door for my creativity when I was 69. We had recently moved to a small town in Kansas and (long story short) was asked if I would want to make greeting cards for a new bookstore. What an adventure it has been. The Lord has brought new friends and inspiration to our lives. We know we can trust in Him!!!!
Wow! Isn’t it beautiful how God listens, even when we think we’re just speaking to ourselves? Then shows us a path, even if we’re not sure we’re looking. I, too, am in that same place. Tamra, maybe there’s a career out there for you and I. Glad you listened, Brenna. All my Bible study girls LOVE your products! And I agree with Janis, there may be a great shirt in that slogan: " Don’t let circumstances steal your joy!".
Love this! Thank you so much for sharing how God brought about Elly and Grace and also for being obedient to God’s call. Your shirts bring me joy!
I LOVED hearing about your journey Brenna!! Praise God!! My son whose name is Seth and is 45yrs.old (and incarserated) tells me, “Mom, don’t let anyone ever steal your JOY!!” You get it!! Praise God! Blessings on you, yours and your staff!!
Love in Christ, Chrissy H.
Thanks for sharing your story! The fabric is soft and comfy, and I LOVE calligraphy, so well done! I wanted to let you know that I bought a shirt for my daughter (she’s 20) which says Amazing Grace. It was to honor the 10th year of her living with Type 1 diabetes (and her middle name is Grace). It has been God’s grace that has been with us for these past 10 years with a yucky disease. I’m so happy that your lovely T-shirt spreads God’s word! That’s our story :)
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