Almost There!

Good Sunday morning Joy Creators and Joy Partners!

July 26th...we're almost through the 'J' months! If you don't know that term, it's what retail experiences as some of their lowest income months: January (for obvious reasons) and then June and July when everyone is on vacation, kids are home, it's HOT, and all the other reasons why we don't shop for fashion, gifts or jewelry.  But, we also know the fall fashion season is about to start, and so will Christmas gift shopping. Our racks are bursting at the seams with inventory as we keep our artisans working steady hours and try to estimate and prepare for the busy months.

Here's what I want to rejoice over. Wages are paid, and  we are almost through our bills for the summer. We have a few more big ones to pay this week, and I'm praying that our continued Summer Sale promotion this week will help us finish July with everything paid. However, we are not in the black, as a few things went on credit cards this summer.  We want those paid off in August so that we can begin to save again through these fall months. And we are still praying for the growth we need to hire another artisan.  Please pray for these women who need jobs to remain safe and to find ways to stay housed and feed themselves and their families while we work to grow. And pray for the growth of Alegria.

Here are three other items I am praying over this week and I would so love for you to join me.

1. Preparations for the Christian Products Expo trade show in St. Charles, MO next week. I will be calling and emailing all week to make sure our stores come and order and to prospect new stores to come meet us and hopefully open an account with an order.  We will also be working on some new packaging this week as well.
2. Winter collection design and selection. Praying for inspiration and creativity, for great materials in the bisuterias in Honduras for us to use, and for wisdom as we make our selections.
3. A project in Honduras that leadership is working on to comply with labor department regulations with a new employee handbook. Wisdom and discernment here for putting into writing how our jobs are created to be good jobs for mommies, but also with requirements of artisans' work that will protect Alegria for the future of all our employees.

It's a busy week! And it's so good to rest on Sunday, pray and read scripture, go and worship and sit under the teaching of our pastor and tune my heart to hear the Holy Spirit as He will always lead and give wisdom when we ask and we listen.  Thank you Joy-Creators for praying with me. May God go before you this week and give you peace and wisdom and joy!

Sarah