My Mission

The Holy Spirit has been working on me for a while to prepare me to answer my calling.  Through a series of divine interventions, I know that I have found my ministry, passion and purpose.   I am still working as a tax accountant during the day, I don’t feel God has equipped me to leave YET, but I have no problems burning the midnight oil, watering this seed that God has entrusted in my care.  Praise God for a company called Trades of Hope! 

In 2010, a couple of ladies and their daughters in Florida founded Trades of Hope, a business using the home party model to sell “fair trade” products from around the world to help women out of poverty.  The products, beautiful I might add, are hand-made and profits goes directly to the artisans.  This company has empowered so many women to rise above their circumstances and create opportunities to change their lives.  Ladies who make beads in Haiti are feeding, clothing & schooling their children.  My beautiful sister in Uganda who is stricken with AIDS is affording medical care through her craft.  The stories go on.  These real women who once told of despair, now is telling a story of hope.  Entire communities are seeing life changing benefits. 

I have joined with Trades of Hope as a Compassion Entrepreneur.  I market these artisans' beautiful items and by doing so, I am a voice for these women.  I am also able to share the Gospel of Christ, share importance of fair trade and share the opportunity for women just like me to make a real difference in the world.

I am so excited and terrified at the same time of fulfilling my Mission.  I must go forward knowing that He will "equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:21

Blessings,

Linda

The Beginning

I will remember June 21, 2012 forever.  Lysa TeKuerst’s devotional that day hit me smack in the face.  Like, so hard, that the tears started streaming down my face. Then there were sobs.  I mean it was uncontrollable weeping.  “What just happened?”, I thought once I regained my composure.  I couldn’t even capture what in the devotional initiated the crying, I just had this feeling of being moved.  God stirred my heart and I knew I had to read more from her!

I found Lysa’s books and the next thing I knew, her book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God was delivered to my kindle (gotta love technology!).  I was transformed over the next few days as she led me through steps of “radical obedience”.  Within minutes of finishing the book, yes literally minutes, I found a post on www.proverbs31.org describing Trades of Hope.  I couldn’t contain my excitement as I started reading about a world changing organization called Trades of Hope.  I was reading and sharing details with my husband so fast that he couldn’t keep up!  All the while feeling a tug from God that this is the direction He wants me to go.  I was thinking, “God, really?  This is beyond me and way too fast.  I know I just read the book and I said Yes, but I haven’t even had time to digest what Yes means, and you are calling me….now?”  Isn’t it amazing how God can choose how and when to act?  We serve a powerful, awesome God!!!
Well, through much prayer and confirmation from God, I have entrusted myself to Him on this incredible journey with an amazing company.  And I cannot wait to share with you my ministry.  Stay tuned to read more of my adventures with www.TradesofHope.org , a fair trade company that is helping women out of poverty all over the world.
-Linda

A little something about me

I am a child of God, wife to J (he doesn't particularly like it when I call him that, but I think it's cute), and mother to three wonderful children ages 14, 3 and 7 months.   I like to have order and peace although I confess my life is crazy sometimes as I try to be the wife, mother, daughter, employee & household manager I should.  Through God's strength:  I am a Compassion Entrepreneur.    I am a Voice for Women with no Voice.    I am creating opportunities to change the World.  

I began this blog to chronicle my world changing adventures, but I confess that I simply am not a writer, so if you decided to read this, bear with me dear friend! I do enjoy it though :)  Joys of life also include reading a good book, cooking, summertime vacations, coffee on a crisp fall morning and loving my family to pieces.  And, I like to save money and make lists....( lots and lots of lists).    

The opportunity that awaits me as a compassion entrepreneur is greater than anything I could ever have imagined for myself.  I want to listen to God's voice and be His messenger to the world.  I want to share His message of love and hope!  Because, at the end of the day, love and hope is what is important.  Love conquers all. 

Love fiercely and give it your all.  And, when you are so consumed with love that it overflows, it will spill out of your heart as a message of hope.  Hope that tomorrow is brighter than today.  Hope that our world can be a better place.   "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Hope is Alive!


Blessings,

 Linda