Faith

Purchase for a purpose

August 11, 2018August 11, 2018by Sheridan JohnsonLeave a Comment

I cannot believe I found Rachel online (on Instagram @putonloveco) and knew immediately I liked what she stood for, her amazing jewelry, and her sweet family!

I wanted to do a little Q &A with her and find out how and she started her sweet company (PutOnLoveCo.) and share it with you all!

Me: What inspired you to create your company?

Rachel: I was noticing the tassel earring trend and couldn’t find any that I really loved. At the time we were really struggling financially so I thought I’d make some earrings for myself since I love creating. As I wore them people noticed and wanted to buy them! And that’s how “Put on love Co.” was born! It has blessed our family greatly and I love how it’s opened doors to meet so many new amazing people!

Me: What motivates you to work on your jewelry line each and every day?

Rachel: I have a family of 3 boys (and one husband!) to provide for and they are my main motivation. Creating and selling these unique designs also supports us in our desire to minister to marriages and families through our other endeavors (Revival House). I also love the idea that what I craft by hand could be worn and loved by someone I may never know!

Me: What do you see for the future of your company?

Rachel: I’m working right now on ensuring that all of my materials are responsibly sourced. I care deeply about the environment and about people being compensated fairly for their work. I want to be a part of the movement that is helping ensure that fashion is beautiful, as well as ethical!

Me: If there is something that you would want every customer who purchased your earrings to take away, what would it be?

Rachel: :The name of the company is found in Colossians 3:12-14 which says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity..” My desire is that each woman who puts my jewelry on would be reminded that the same way she puts on accessories, she has the power to put on love, kindness, patience, compassion, and forgiveness. These are powerful ‘accessories’ that can change the world!

Y’all doesn’t her story just move you?? I love everything that she stands for (and more!) and wanted to show y’all a couple more of the earrings that I have!
These are the double Esther earrings in white-

They are lightweight (you seriously cannot even feel them on! They are adorable looking (who hasn’t hopped on the tassel trend?) and you will look and feel so great wearing these (I even had to do my special lipstick for these precious gems.)

I would HIGHLY suggest you hop on over to her instagram, etsy, or facebook and I will provide the links below and purchase you a pair (or two!)

Instagram: here

Etsy: here

Facebook: here

I hope you all head on over to one of her sites and let me know what you think! Oh and tell her that I sent you!

With love,

Sheridan

Adoption, Faith, Family, foster

In the trenches

May 4, 2018by Sheridan JohnsonLeave a Comment

I was listening to a podcast (you can find out more here) and they spoke about being in the trenches and watching God speak to you (and through you) during that time.

Since May is National #fostercareawarenessmonth I wanted to let you know how we have been deep in the trenches, and what all helped us during that time.

Fostercare is kind of like riding on a REALLY long rollercoaster, most of the time. Between court hearings (and there is usually between 3-5 within the first year), traveling to and from all of the required appointments, counseling, and visits with the parents, you sometimes find yourself in the trenches of it all.

I remember many times where I just broke down and asked God “can I really do this?” “am I made out for this” and many more similar questions. The overwhelming paperwork, the countless amount of people in your house all.month.long and the having to put your trust in such a broken system, can sometimes catch up to you. BUT you know what? You don’t stay in the trenches and yes you can do it! You see the milestones that your foster children are able to reach, you see the LOVE that is just poured out of them with happiness and joy, and you see that you are making a difference in the life of that particular child (regardless if they remember it) forever.

Every one of us has gone through something (or will go through something) that will test our faith, our friendships, our marriage, etc.. it’s what makes us human. It’s how we respond to that test that shows who we are as a person.

Did it hurt when we had to say goodbye to Gracelynn and watch her go back to people that we knew wasn’t the best for her? Yes! Did it hurt watching the boys have to suffer for SO long watching their biological parents string them along the entire way, just to disappoint them in the end? Yes! But it’s those trenches that God called us so fully depend on him and trust that everything would work out the way He intended on them to!

I am so glad that I have been through the good times and the not so good times with foster care because I wouldn’t be able to write this post with three beautiful adopted children that I get to call mine each and every day.

So friends, remember that when you are the trenches, it’s only temporary and that you can and will get through it (through faith, prayer, and action)!

Let me know if there is anything that you have questions on that I could help you with! I thank you all for continuing to follow along in our journey and know that I love and appreciate every single one of you!

Faith, Family

Pastoral’s Appreciation Service

April 6, 2017by Sheridan JohnsonLeave a Comment

This service was amazing to say the least. It’s so often that we get caught up in our day to day life that we forget to say “thank you” to those who are so important in our lives.

This service was beautiful, and filled with so many loving hearts who truly LOVE our Pastor Sandra Gates, and wanted to do whatever we could to show much we appreciated her and all that she does for each one of us!

I was in charge of the program (which I will attach below) and the pictures. I hope the images do the talking, but I know that Pastor was truly loved by so many, and that’s what is important at the end of the day!

(Here is the program I created)

pastorprogram

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Faith, Family, foster, transition

4 months of.. pure joy!

November 30, 2016December 2, 2016by Sheridan Johnson2 Comments

4 months with the johnsons.jpg

Can you believe that baby girl has been with us for 4 months now? It’s so crazy how our family feels so whole with her in it! God knew what He put a special needs baby girl in our world. We are both experienced, have so much love to give, and will never forget how much of an amazing blessing she is, each and every day.

This month has been a LOT on me with weekly visits with her parents (a 5 hr driving day for me) a TON of legal stuff (will post more on that soon), a lot of appointments with different specialist, shots for baby girl (that came with all of the side effects), a huge sleep regression, and lots of improvement (therapy wise). Let me tell you, I am so glad month 4 is over, and looking forward to month 5! 🙂

All the children have absolutely loved getting the chance to love on her, and take care of her, just like their own sister. It’s adorable to see her bond grow deeper and deeper with each of the other 4 children, and we couldn’t ask for anything more.

This road to adoption seems so far away at this time, and we don’t know if God is going to grace us with the opportunity to be able to be her parents, or if He is going to give her back to her biological parents once the trial is complete, next April. But one thing that we do know, is that we don’t ever take one day for granted with this precious baby, and raising her, has absolutely been one of the biggest blessings of this year.

She is so adorable, and I can’t wait to see what month 5 with the Johnsons, brings us!

Please say a sweet prayer, for her health during this season, for her parents, and for us to have Grace and Mercy during this precious time and to never take anything for granted!