2024 Ministry Update
Blessings everyone and Happy New Year!! I hope and pray that you and your family are well and that 2024 is off to a wonderful start for you.
I wanted to give an update on the ministry. First and foremost, I would like to apologize for having to close the Foot of Cross Ministries online store for six months. I unexpectedly had to move in May 2023. I moved one (1) week before the end of the school year. For those of you who are new here, I am an 8th grade Special Education Science teacher. I knew it would take some time for me to settle into my new residence. A week after I moved, I had to prepare for summer school. My summer job is working with autistic teenagers on social skills. Many of these students I teach during the regular school year. In the midst of that, I had to travel to Michigan for my niece's high school graduation. That trip was a nightmare, but God. The same day that I was leaving for my trip, I had a major car issue. Upon returning from my niece's graduation, I began teaching summer school and then had to travel to Washington D.C. for my other niece's graduation from 5th grade. Then In July 2023, my mom, sister, niece, and my canine niece relocated from Washington, D.C. to Texas. It has been an absolute blessing having them only 30 minutes away from me. I am definitely keeping the toll road from my house to their home in business!!!! I spent a lot of time during the summer assisting my sister with assembling lots of furniture and helping them settle in…. while still arranging my own residence. Then the new school year began…. then the holidays where upon me. Finally, in December 2023, I found out that my sweet loving feline son has diabetes. He is stable (Praise God); he receives insulin shots daily. Lots and lots of change went on in 2023, but all good. All this to say that I felt that it was necessary for me to settle my personal business before continuing with the ministry. I did not want delays in sending out orders due to my own house (literally and figuratively) not being in order.
And just to be transparent, I had many thoughts of discontinuing the store. I have been shocked and saddened by several customers who attempted to scam me. This took a toll on me, and I had to go to God in prayer about it. Not to give out a lot of details, I had one customer that was unsatisfied with her purchase. I offered to fix the problem, but the customer demanded a refund. I agreed to this. The customer said that the items had been mailed back to me. They did not arrive for 2 months; however, I still had to grant a refund (I had to keep my word). One other situation occurred that caused me to question my own skills and to be overly detailed, on the website, about products. Sadly, because of this, I had to put a refund policy into place. But God reminded me that HE blessed me with creativity that is to be used to bless others and for HIS glory. God reminded me that it is his responsibility to deal with those who choose to be dishonest.
With all that being said, I am excited to reopen the Foot of the Cross Ministries online store. I will be slowly updating the store and adding new products including Ministry Resources (some of these resources will be free!!). I will also be updating the clearance section of the online store with garments. Since 2020, I've lost over 40 lbs. and the numerous garments that I made for myself no longer fit. Instead of altering them, the Lord said it was time to pass them along so that they can be a blessing to someone else. These garments are for curvy/fuller figure women and shipping will be FREE!
So, with all this being said, I pray that you and your family are well. I am looking forward to meeting your ministry needs. Be blessed.