Making a Do-Over

First of all, I thank God for being alive. Works of Grace Ministries was started in the 90’s as a ministry to help women of all ages to be healthy in mind body and spirit. There were young women at the facility where I worked who were struggling to survive life. I started to help them in the spiritual aspects of living God’s way first and foremost, explaining that this puts things in order. Several of the young ladies had at least one child, and no spouse to contribute to the rearing of that child. I sought to mentor them, tell them “good job” when they did well, and I had a word of encouragement from the Word of God. I was given the name of the ministry with an explanation, we are all works of grace had it not been for grace we could not be saved from eternal hell. Grace is God’s unmerited favor towards us and he renews it every day along with mercy. God provides what we need spiritually and that determines how we are physically. Are we morally correct? Do we show kindness? Is there love for our neighbor? Do we speak positively? Is heaven our final resting place? The answer to these questions can be “yes” when our lives are given (submitted) to God.

In the process of life, I’ve had to adjust to many changes; illnesses, surgeries, allergies, and the effects on the body. There are probable complications with any illness you have to learn to deal with them, and I have learned to cope quite well.  In my case, there was lost of moisture to my skin, hair, and nails. I had to search for ways to keep my hair on my head instead of my comb and brush. I bought store made products, stopped putting perms in my hair that helped some, but I needed more. So I sought ways to make products geared toward my level of dryness. I sought after Do It Yourself sites on the internet and in magazines for products to improve my skin, there were trials and errors with each product until I found exactly what worked I started with foot balm, sugar/salt body scrub, and facial moisturizer. Next was a cream for sore joints and muscles, facial scrub, and body butter. My daughters inspired me to create the right fragrance they liked in the products they used one is very earthy and the other soothing. I made bug repellent, where we live there are lots of mosquitoes, my children and I have extra sensitivities to bug bites, this repellent helps the skin heal if you have already been bitten before using it.

I took the time to learn the use of several herbs and essential oils. I grow mint and lemon balm in my yard. When I buy ingredients I look for organic and purity. Each product is tested on me first, then my daughters and mother I listen to their feedback to make improvements. I pray that every product I make is a blessing to the user to meet the need for their skin. Starting a small business was the beginning of my do-over.