I am Jessi Cooper Bowditch and Bridge of Grace is the idea of a home based business that I have been mulling around in my head and heart for several years combined with my love for "all things crafty" and then....add the newest dynamic--an 18 month long heart-conversion and developing compassion for "all things orphaned." As I create each item-I am spending time praying for specific children that I personally know who have been adopted or are in the process of being adopted. I pray for the children in my life who are in the foster care system or are living with legal guardians. Through the past 18 months, I have seen at least 7 children under the age of 5 adopted by friends and acquaintances and 2 placed in the guardianship of their grandparents.
James 1:27: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Through "A Bridge of Grace" I desire to help others in their adoption endeavors as well as minister to the children and families in our community who are orphaned or are ministering to the orphaned.
BUT, first and foremost I want to have a way to earn extra income to pay off debt so that we, as a family, are FREE to fulfill the callings God places on our lives, to minister to the orphaned AND the widowed in our local city! (Yes-this may sound a little selfish-to make money for MYSELF-but for those who know me-it will not, because this is NOT how I usually operate-BUT....I feel our first duty and responsibility as a Christian, is to become financially free so that we are then FREE to serve FREELY!). I want to be sure all KNOW this from the get-go....this is a home-based business that will first be used to pay off debt--and in the meantime--I will host fundraisers for specific adoptions and give all profits to those individuals. (No purchase will be designated towards a specific adoption unless a fundraiser is under way for that particular adoption/family.)
Recently, I participated in a small fundraiser for a friend's beginning stages of adoption. Eight-nine small orders raised $100, which will be enough to cover one of MANY application fees. This is one way that I am willing to help friends in their adoption process. Or, friends of friends. ;o) Contact me about a potential fundraising opportunity. I will prayerfully consider the opportunity to serve in your adoption process. email:
abridgeofgrace@gmail.com , subject "Fundraiser Opp"
The name, A Bridge of Grace, was chosen as this is what I desire for my life to be--a bridge of grace....one that helps to lead others over the murky waters of life and to the grace that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
Each of my items are handcrafted by myself and no two items are identical. Just as I have sat and prayed for each individual child and adoptive/fostering parent individually, so you will find each of my items to be: unique and one.of.a.kind. A tad "Shabby Chic" and "rough around the edges" combined with bright and bold colors that "POP", define my cloth covered bracelets and hair clips. This, in essence, is the sum of me.
Purchase an item via PayPal, from my items listed here. Help our family, as we aim to be DEBT FREE (other than mortgage!!) by December 2012!
Pass the word around. Send your friends to me.
I'll be happy to spend my evenings at my sewing machine and not on FB!
My "Little Monkey" "I"-this kid stole my heart the moment we met. Every.time.we see each other-he embraces me and wraps his arms around my neck in the biggest squeeze his tiny body can give. He pats my right shoulder and says 'JESSSSSIIIII" (his Mama is still trying to convince him it's MISS JESSI.....but I.do.not.care. He can call me anything he wants, as long as he continues giving me those hugs! Adopted by some dear church friends, "I" is from Zambia Africa and came to the States in July afer his WHOLE family (3 siblings included) went to Africa IN SEARCH of him! I love this little man so much!
