Let me start with some praise reports 🙂
- My hubby’s (Allen’s) level of peace with where God has him right now has SIGNIFICANTLY increased! I can only account that to prayer – so thank you for your willingness to cover him as it definitely impacts me. God’s been giving him very specific insight on things he does that negatively impact me and he’s been specifically working on addressing those – all without me saying a word. Praise God!
- My level of peace has also increased. This is SUCH a blessing! He’s been allowing me to get more work done in less time. So awesome – especially since this has left time for things like more fellow-shipping with Him 😉
- Dyed4you sales over the last couple years looked like this
- in 2009 the first 3 quarters were about the same,
- but in the 4th quarter of 2009, I grossed as much as in the 1st 3 quarters combined (which wasn’t much).
- The first two quarters of 2010 held steady doing the same as I did in the 4th quarter of last year (which was a miracle for a lot of reasons).
- We just wrapped up the 3rd quarter of 2010 and it was about a 60% increase over the last 3 quarters.
This is a HUGE blessing – since some of you don’t know my situation I’ll do a quick recap so you can understand why this is such a big deal 🙂
A little financial background
When Dyed4you launched in 2006, I was working full-time in corporate america making a generous income. Though I made a good income, our lifestyle (like most americans) was sized accordingly. So we have a large monthly mortgage payment as well as other financial responsibilities. From about 2006, God had started dealing with us on our finances so we had stopped incurring debt and began paying it off. By 2008, we had no credit card debt (and no credit cards) and car loans had been paid off, which meant we only had 2 pieces of debt remaining – mortgage and student loan.
In spring of 2008, God told me He was bringing me into a season of sabbath rest. I desperately needed it after having been in a very stressful work environment for nearly a decade. I asked God what had to change to give me this rest and He just kept saying “you’re not going to miss it.” One month later, I lost my job. And, at that time my husband was already on a sabbatical from his job. What we sensed the Lord saying was He’d set aside this time for to us to seek Him. He confirmed this repeatedly and clearly (often through Dyed4you customers who knew nothing of our situation).
Over the last 29 months God has stretched us FAR past where we thought we could go as far as trusting Him. We ran out of money in November of 2008, and yet we’re still in our home (which LITERALLY is a miracle). This has happened as the Lord has caused ravens to come and “feed” us in this season (some are Dyed4you people!). There’s literally been moments when we had food because someone shared leftovers with us, and times when we had no food or gas but we went to church with the car on empty and God prompted someone to give us provision. During this season we have not asked for anything, with one exception at God’s direction.
In July, God told me I was no longer allowed to refer to myself as “unemployed”. I understood immediately why because Dyed4you had been requiring an increasing amount of my attention. So all that to say, Dyed4you and Dyed4you Art ARE my job now (which is why the increase this quarter doesn’t surprise me). The increase in sales this month has brought us to a place where bills, food, and gas for the car are pretty much covered. That said, we’re not at a point where we can “live” on it completely. Honestly, I don’t know if God’s trying to get us there or not! LOL – but continued prayers for provision ARE appreciated 🙂
Well, that was longer than intended – hopefully the story blesses someone!
Holidays
Prayer request that I have wisdom to know how to prepare for the holiday season. Last year some of my standard sizes got sold out at my distributor early in the season and weren’t available until January. I need wisdom to know how much to get ahead of time (because again – with our financial situation it’s a big deal for me to choose to invest hundreds in silks that haven’t been bought). I’m also trying to come up with fun gift sets that incorporate the artwork (like the new Stairway to Revelation Gift Set) – so wisdom for that. The Stairway to Revelation gift set was one I had to be lead of the Lord on because I had to pre-buy the mugs to get them at a rate that made discounting the set possible. So again – just wisdom, wisdom, wisdom (and provision for what He says!)
Wisdom for Ground-Staking Outreach
Only other topic I wanted to hit is the under-cover ground-staking thing I’ve mentioned previously. I know God’s given me Holy Spirit confirmations along the way, but I’ve hit a point where anytime I try to do anything on it I either experience a check or anxiety (and I’m not one prone to it at all – but, for example, the moment I got a text today from him a wave of anxiety hit).
Scarves I’ve made that are supposed to be part of it feel completely UN-anointed to me. JI (my partner in this) is young and has been flaky in communications – and I know God’s said He’s stretching me through my communications with JI – teaching me to extend more grace, but I also can’t tell if some of my check is a reaction to his behavior.
And JI wants to talk this week and I simply need wisdom because I can’t move forward like this but I’m confused because I thought I got “yes’s” leading up to this point so I don’t understand what’s going on nor do I know how to proceed (or rather how to stop it). We’ve made decisions that leave some minor residual financial obligations and those fall on me – so I need to know what to do with that too.
In Closing
I cannot begin to thank you all for joining with me in prayer over this ministry, the extensions of it / those connected to me, and for me personally. I pray God’s richest blessing on each of you and that He multiply the blessing upon you!
Lord we thank you for the peace that you have given to Allen, in their family home. Lord we thank you for the finaces of covering over Meghan and Allen’s home, You are a wonderful Father and we give you all the praise and Glory. Father God i ask that you give Meghan wisdom in the coming holiday season, show her the amount of silk she will need for the holiday season. We thank you for all that you do, for the many blessing in the ministry of Dyed4you and Dyed4you art. You are a Faithful God! Lord I too want to thank you for this specail women of God, she has been such a blessing to me and I love her, thank you 🙂
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord thank you for your provision and the vision which has been given. Thank you for peace in their lives and marriage. You cannot fathom what is to come for you finacially and we thank you Lord for what you are going to bring in. I pray for Allen to feel secure as head of the home and the headship in directing their llives. Give Allen strength Lord and security as a man and the provider as the role he has in being head of the home. May they both find increase joy each day they spend together as you are leading them down the path you have for them in ministry and their evry day lives. I pray for such an increase in finances the windoows of heaven will open up because of their obedience to you Lord they cannot contain what is brought into the storehouse. This is is a season of harvest on earth as it is in heaven. Let them see more of your supernatural miriacles in their lives for how you provide Lord in ways they do not see or can image. We give you honor and praise Lord because you are God and God alone. holy Spirit rain down on their household and a fill them to overflowing !!
Father thank You that YOU are the only voice Allen and Meghan listen to, the ONLY leading they will ever follow, and the ONLY One they will EVER stand on. Lord You have been SO SO SO faithful to them!
Lord as You continue to test & stretch them during this time, I thank You that You are deveolping & strengthening their faith, developing the fruit of the Spirit in them, increasing & developing their love walk, and drawing them even closer into those deep, intimate places You so desire them to be in with You. Father, as uncomfortable as this time is for the flesh, I thank You that You have provided an amazing peace & comfort that truly surpasses ALL understanding that has encompassed and saturated their property, their home, and them personally. Jesus, we thank You that You are a consuming fire that devours the enemy and his schemes, that devours the fleshly ways they may be tempted to walk or think in. Jesus I thank You that You are refining Allen & Meghan in this fire and that it is purifying their mind, heart, and spirit. Thank You Lord for the divine guidance, wisdom, discernment, and focus You are giving them during this time that will be used not only during this season but to further their testimony, to further Your kingdom and bring ALL men into the glorious relationship and restoration with YOU Abba!! Thank YOu Lord that really this doesn’t have much to do with Allen & Meghan personally, but is for where You’re taking them to advance the kingdom, to prepare the Army of the Lord for this end time battle and harvest. THis is truly ALL for Your glory and Allen & Meghan will praise You in song & in dance in Jesus name!
Lord, I thank You that Allen’s season of waiting & preparation is coming to a close soon and is preparing to walk fully into Your marvelous plan for him! Thank You Lord that You are tweaking those innermost places & issues now and that Allen has such a teachable, obiedent spirit that is saying YES to You always Lord. Father thank You for removing those final obstacles and placing Allen in the right place at the right divine appointed time in Jesus name. Lord, increase that peace in Allen. Increase his confidence in You like never before. Increase the BOLDNESS and desire to preach and evangelize and let it continue to burn passionately in him!! Father thank You for making Allen the priest of the home, that He walks fully in it, that he treats Meghan like Christ does the church, and that he is a Godly example of a husband and good steward of the things You have given him, Lord. Father, thank You that You remind Allen daily in many ways of how well pleased, honored, and excited You are to call him YOUR son! ****I just sense an incredible feeling of how proud the Lord is of Allen, and almost like the Lord is patting Allen on the back and hugging him telling him (looking Allen straight in the eyes) “son you CAN do this because I CAN do this and I AM in and with you, always! Just keep going, son, keep going! You’ve GOT THIS!!! I love you, son! I’m so proud of you!”***
Father, thank You for Meghan and Dyed4you ministries. I thank You that you are honoring her heart and wilingness to die daily and walk in obeidience to the calling and purpose You have placed for her life. Lord, thank You for stretching her in newer, greater ways that will produce enormous amounts of fruit, new wine, and oil in her life in Jesus name! Though this is a season out of her comfort zone and seems almost like she’s walking blind, I thank you that like the Dyed4you Art piece that thought she feels like she’s “blind” that truly she is walking by faith and it is SO pleasing to the Lord!
***I just see you Meghan like the art piece…walking with the silk tied around your eyes and saying “yes Lord, I choose to walk by faith” and He is behind you with both hands on your shoulders (because He is your rear guard) and I see Jesus in front of you (because He is the one who prepares the way) and I see the Holy Spirit over you (protecting, comforting). I just hear the Lord saying “Keep going. Your doing just fine. Don’t think about the different paths. Don’t think about could it be this or that. Just don’t think. Just KNOW and rest in that. KNOW who I AM and what I’ve told You. I know it’s hard, but I’m with You and when the time comes you will be absolutely certain beyond a shadow of a doubt…you and Allen both. Continue to keep growing and be confident in WHO I AM and not in who YOU are. Keep allowing Me to lead you. You’re taking bigger steps….the bigger the steps, the “quicker” you arrive and grow. I’m proud of you, daughter. I’m proud of who you are and I can’t wait for you to be walking in the fullness soon. SOON, my daughter. SOON.”***
Thank You, Abba!!!!!! Blessings and praise abound. We adore You, Beloved King of kings. Wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove in life and business dealings. Some parties must “come clean” before the LORD–it is the LORD’s business; He is your partner. Focus on Him and His leading. If the Shepherd stops, you stop. He will tell you “why”
in His timing. His presence will go with you but discouragement and confusion are competing for bids and attention.
I see a picture of “ankle biting” dogs nipping at you for the purpose of distracting you. Throw away the (unconscious) tallying tab of all the icky behavior from JI. Clean slate. The enemy wants you to keep “tabs” on all of the seemingly shady things that pop up. I know this seems like a contradiction, but I sense the LORD is strongly in the midst but His presence is trying to be canceled out by little foxes that are bent on spoiling the vine. Be wise, be firm, be quick to forgive, and laugh in the face of the enemy. Holy Spirit, please refresh my sister and give her peace, as she seeks You as her first love.
Father God, I ask for confirmation of your covenant with Dr. Meghan.
This is a murky, weary, and draining process; I see taffy being stretched so thin that it looks like dental floss. Is she being stretched too thin here? What is pulling on either end, LORD? Conscience and faith?
Jesus, please reveal to her Your truth and vision for this union. She abides in You, Holy Father. Please provide her shade and waves of laughter, as You delight over Your precious child. Father God, thank You for bringing JI to a crossroad, that he will have to make decisions in line with Your will and abandon old ways as usual… In Your powerful name, Jesus, I seek and ask.
Amen, amen, amen and amen! I cannot add anything to everyone’s prayers except that I agree and will continue to pray! I thought of a song by John Waller that has helped me get through some of my waiting time while I was reading this topic and comments. Both of you are waiting on Him for His perfect timing and I see you both hopeful, peaceful and moving with boldness, confidence and obedience. I posted the lyrics below. Blessings and prayers! I praise God for how He is already moving!!!
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve you while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord
I love the way God is providing through ministry. This is an awesome testimony!