Yesterday, I was feeling a little down after some things that had been happening with Charlie and his friends. I was so frustrated that I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do about events and the blog. But then both the LORD and David stepped up in ways I wasn’t expecting.
For me sometimes life has a way of piling things on, and even when you try to keep a positive attitude, those moments can get to you. But then I started going through my emails, and I was reminded that the Lord is always working behind the scenes, even when we can’t see it.
I opened an email from someone new in my life, a woman I already like to think of as a friend. Liz lives right here in the Dallas–Fort Worth area and as you know I had been wanting to open a DFW page on the site and she will fit into it perfectly with her companyies.
She owns two wonderful little businesses. As I read her message and learned more about her shops, I found myself getting excited about the possibility of working together and introducing her creations to our Greatful Moments family. And then came the perfect little surprise!
I’ve been telling David that I needed a Halloween shirt because I couldn’t find the one I already had. Apparently, the Lord had other plans, because here comes Liz with a cute Halloween shirt featuring a dog! Now, tell me that isn’t a little Godwink and a reminder that what I’m doing does matter.
Meet Our New DFW Small-Business Friend– Liz’s story is one I think many of us can appreciate. After spending much of her professional life working in accounting, she began exploring her creative side and discovered a whole new adventure through her own businesses.
Her two Etsy shops are Simply Soaring and Simply My Gift, and I’m excited about the opportunity to introduce both of them to you. Simply Soaring features graphic tees and sweatshirts with fun, whimsical designs inspired by hobbies, professions, and the things people love. That’s where I found the Halloween dog shirt that caught my attention.
You know how much our furry family members mean to us! I’m looking forward to sharing this shirt with David, Charlie, and our dogs. I have a feeling everyone is going to approve of my new Halloween look. Of course, knowing David and Charlie, they may decide they need Halloween shirts of their own. Sorry, guys! This one is for the ladies. You’ll have to find your own! Laughing out loud.
Liz also owns Simply My Gift, a shop featuring personalized Christmas ornaments which is perfect for our family as we each get a new Christmas Ornament each year. I love the ornaments because they are thoughtful keepsakes that celebrate life’s special moments which would be something people would keep and hand down.
I’ve already been drawn to her beautiful butterfly journal, which comes in pink but this morning I discovered it also come in lavender and a couple other colors. My family is planning to share more about her creations as we get closer to Christmas. Those journals and keepsakes have the potential to make meaningful gifts for people we love, especially when a design connects to a special memory or someone who holds a place in our hearts. I’ll be sharing more about that shop in a future feature, so be sure to keep an eye out!
One of the things I want to do here at Greatful Moments is introduce our readers to the wonderful small businesses right here in our own community. We’re getting ready for the holiday season, and I want to help shine a light on the people who put their time, creativity, and hearts into their businesses.
Liz is a woman-owned small-based- business owner in our DFW community, and I’m excited that we have the opportunity to get to know her and share her work with you. When we shop small, we’re helping real people pursue their dreams. We’re supporting the moms, dads, families, and individuals who are working hard to make their businesses grow. Those businesses need our support, too, especially during the busy holiday shopping season.
So, if you’re looking for a fun shirt, a personalized ornament, or a thoughtful gift for someone special, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to explore Liz’s shops. Visit Simply Soaring and Visit Simply My Gift. Then come share what you can’t live without with my family.
Yesterday started with a few discouraging moments, but it ended with a reminder that good things can come when we least expect them. Sometimes the Lord puts a new friend in our path. Sometimes He opens a door to a new opportunity. And sometimes, He brings a woman with two creative businesses into our lives just when we happen to need a Halloween shirt!
I’m looking forward to getting to know Liz better, working together on future features, and helping our readers discover her creations. Here’s to new friendships, supporting our local businesses, finding joy in the little things, and remembering that even on the days when we’re feeling a little down, the Lord may still be working behind the scenes. As always, I’m grateful, thankful, and blessed.
GratefulMoments.com
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
