Now Selling on Etsy!

 

 So excited to announce that Ben and I are selling antiques and crafts on Etsy!! We just opened up the shop a few days ago and I still need to add a ton more inventory. We went to Waxahachie yesterday and found so much cool stuff to sell! Like these fun candlestick holders, for example:

Hope you'll read how we got started below and add us as a favorite on Etsy! http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftyFindersKeepers 

Our Story: 
Finder's Keepers Crafts &Antiques is owned and operated by newlyweds, Ben and Shannon Gibson. We did not have a lot of money when we first started dating, so many of our dates and outings were trips to antique stores to look around and lose track of time finding antiques that we loved or remembered from our grandparent's houses. We found that we really loved the mid-century modern style. As our parents and grandparents saw our love for antiques evolving, they began to share items they had held onto with us. Many of these vintage gifts are featured in our home today, like Shannon's vintage Pyrex bowls from her Grandmama.

We began to accumulate so many antiques that we sought permission to sell some of the items. This income allowed us to go to flea markets and pick more items that we could sell. The jackpot came when one of our neighbor's gave us permission to take all the old doors, windows and hardware from his 1925 house that was about to be demolished. Once we had a large enough inventory, we established Finder's Keepers Crafts & Antiques and have loved selling. Shannon has been able to create handmade dog beds from some our vintage suitcases, as well as other crafts that have been fun to make and sell.

Established in 2012, Finder's Keepers Crafts & Antiques sells quality vintage antiques as well as many handmade crafts. Find us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/FindersKeepersCraftsAntiques

Peace

The last week of June 2013 is not something I will remember fondly. Lots of struggles and obstacles for our family that have made the road rocky. Today, God has been convicting me to give it all up in exchange for His peace. Sounds like a pretty good deal...so why can't I do it? Letting go has never been easy for me. I like to be in control (even when I'm not). I went on a drive earlier to clear my head, and while I was out I decided to drive by my childhood house as well as the house my grandparent's used to live in - they are only a short block from each other. When I got to my grandparent's house, a shock of emotions I was not expecting stirred within me. I missed this place! Memories flooded my brain, even though the house looks very different from when they lived there. But some things were exactly as my grandparents left them, exactly as I remembered them. That big wooden front door. A door that was so big and sturdy that as a child it hurt my hand to knock on it, but on the other side of it, I knew love and affection waited for me, so instead of being daunting, this door represented hope. I started to imagine the scene I would walk into if my grandparents still lived there. They would have already eaten lunch (at 11 am :)) and would be resting in their chairs for after lunch nap/tv time. Shortly after that granddaddy would go to his workshop to work on a project, or tend to the yard. Grandmama would begin preparations for dinner, or would go to the living room to read her favorite Louis Lamour book. Matthew, Jonathan and I would go play outside or take over the den tv to watch classic 1990's Nickelodeon (THE BEST). I know every inch of that house. I love that house. And I wanted to be back in it, worry and stress free, surrounded by the familiar. As I drove off, I couldn't shake the urge to go knock on the door and ask the current owner if I could just come inside for a second. Or sit on the front step and let nostalgia carry me away.... I realized that the inside of that house would look nothing like I remembered it and would probably be a disappointment. So why did I long to be there so bad? It was familiar to me, it held wonderful memories for me...but more than that, it represented peace to me. Peace. Ohhhh. The very thing God was convicting me that HE could provide for me. But instead of allowing Him to do that, I was fleeing to a past memory that had brought me peace. One that didn't exist anymore. It was then I realized that my subconscious had been driving my car, not me...that's not safe. My patient Father God then explained to me in His always gentle way, "Shannon, My courts should be so familiar to you that when you enter them you already know the scene that will be playing out. You know that you will see Me seated on My throne, and that you can come in and rest and find peace in my presence as you gaze up at me with eyes I created. You should be so familiar with my love for you that you recognize the soft feel of my big lap as you curl up in it, and immediately relax under My gentle touch as I rub your back and comfort you." Tears. Yes, Father, THAT is the peace that I so often neglect as I blindly stumble around trying to find peace in this world. God is Enough for me. I know this. As I remembered that He is bigger than all these obstacles, I realized how hard the enemy must be battling to make me think that I need to seek something other than my Big, Capable, God. I write this and share this because while your version of striving to find peace might look different than mine, we all do it. Other ways I try to find peace are through my favorite ice cream (or anything sweet, let's be honest here), escaping through a movie (romantic comedy? yes please.), going on a shopping spree (my bank account hates it when I do this), begging my absolutely amazing husband to let us pack up and leave town (escapism at it's finest!), or in very desperate times, going to the gym (I do this when I'm not trying to flee too...sometimes ;)). Why do we do this? The enemy lies to us. he tells us that God isn't big enough. That we've read all the scripture and couldn't possibly find anything comforting in it's Words today. That all that praying probably isn't doing anything, so just give up. Do what feels good, do what's easy, do what's comfortable. Ugh. I hate him. True Peace is a choice. Sometimes it's hard, and it takes effort and work on our part to dig through all the muck of this world in order to see the familiar Light of our Father God smiling back at us. But He is worth it. And He is the only One who can satisfy. Nothing else will do. Nothing. Choose God's peace and let His river of Peace flood your soul. No matter what events occur, or news I receive, God's Peace is big Enough to wash out all my anxiety, fear and worry. Every. Single. Time.

"I will find my rest in God alone. He is the One who gives me hope. He alone is my rock. He is the One who saves me. He is like a fort to me. I will always be secure. I depend on God to save me and to honor me. He is my mighty rock. He is my place of safety." ~Psalm 62:5-7

The Least of These

God has been working something out in my heart the past few months, so I decided it was time to blog/process my heart. I hope you'll follow me on this journey! If you've got your Bible handy, turn with me to the 31st verse of 25th chapter of Matthew... ;) About a month ago, I started working at Cornerstone Assistance Network, still case managing homeless participants. This is a strongly faith based organization, which I absolutely adore. In my interview with my supervisor, she verbalized a question that had been on my heart for the past few months..."Who are 'the least of these' that Jesus refers to in Matthew 25?"

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

In my life, "the least of these" has typically fallen into two categories: the homeless/hungry, or orphans/widows. Afterall, in Matthew 25:35 Jesus says,

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’"

Yep, sounds like a homeless or impoverished soul to me...I volunteer with the homeless and work with them in my day to day job, so we're good there, whew! And in James 1:27 we learn that

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Yep, orphans...widows...I volunteer at Gladney Center for Adoption, have traveled to Zambia, Africa twice to minister to orphans, and my husband and I financially support 3 orphans overseas...check! And that's when conviction set in...I got comfortable with my definition of who "the least of these" must be, and Jesus gently asked, "are you sure that's it...?" In my transition between working at Catholic Charities and Cornerstone, I was blessed to work at a private practice psychiatrist office. This experience allowed me to branch out of working with those below the poverty line, and to work in an office where most of the clientele was very affluent, and way above the poverty line. What did my clients at Catholic Charities, and the clients at this private practice have in common? Their pain. Brokenness. Emptiness. Hurts. The need for a Savior. It turned out that one of the only differences between these two types of clients was their bank account. God keeps using Jesus's encounter with Zacchaeus to teach me powerful life lessons:

"Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy" (Luke 19:1-2).

*light bulb moment* Zacchaeus definitely did not fall into the category of homeless, hungry or orphaned...but Jesus took time to "seek and save [this] lost" man (Luke 19:10). So. Who are the least of these? Matthew 9:12 confirms that my definition did not match up to Jesus's and was not near broad enough:

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

In my three years as a social worker, I have encountered many clients who knew Jesus as their Savior, they were just down on their luck and needed help getting back on their feet again (idea for future post: be humbled, this could happen to ANY of us!). And in my years on this earth, I have encountered many who had all of their physical needs met, but did not have the hope of The Savior. My mantra has become, "I live to bring Jesus's hope to the hopeless." Thank you Jesus for sharing your vision with me; for showing me that anyone who does not know and love You is among the hopeless. The least of these is not limited to the poor - the least of these are those souls that do not yet know You; poor, wealthy, or otherwise. Let me be faithful in loving ALL the least of these, and in pointing them to Your eternal hope. My favorite song right now is called "Kings and Queens" by Audio Adrenaline. A profound line from the song that is constantly on my heart says, "If not us, who will be like Jesus to the least of these?"

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound." (Isaiah 61:1)

Restored

Happy New Year 2013! Ben and I just returned from a wonderful trip to Arizona where we spent a few day's at my father in law's new house in Tuscon, and then traveled North to the Grand Canyon. It turned out this time with the Creator and with my new husband was exactly what I needed for some renewal and restoration. This was my 5th trip to the Grand Canyon, but my last trip there was about 10 years ago. As I drove higher and higher into the mountains across Arizona, I held my breath as one magnificent view after another unfolded before me. The beauty of the snow covered mountains, tall pine trees and untouched, uninhabited creation made me feel like I was soaring as my heart filled with joy over God's perfect work. I praised Him in my heart, and we hadn't even arrived to our destination yet! Once at the Grand Canyon, we discovered that the entire National Park was blanketed by perfect, glittering white snow! I had never seen the Canyon dusted with snow like it was. Ben and I spent all of New Year's Eve walking around different parts of the park taking in the artwork of our God. My eyes couldn't seem to focus as I tried to take in what I was looking at. As my mom so profoundly put it, "God's beauty is more than the human eye can take in." It seemed we would walk just a few feet around the Canyon and the perspective and beauty was completely new.

God used our visit to show me how petty and insignificant my worries and stresses are compared to the bigness and greatness of our God. I don't want to get so wrapped up in myself that I miss Him! I read the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 this morning and was able to relate.

"And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature (vs 3)."

Now, take out the word "crowd" and replace it with "work, finances, school, relationships, co-dependency, television, holidays..." and you have a pretty accurate description of how I’ve been living the past few months. All of these things, and I’m sure more, had blocked my view of Jesus – not just what I need from Him, but His character…who HE is. My encounter with Him at the Grand Canyon only confirmed how small I am, but reminded of how Big He is.

"So [Zacchaeus] hurried down and received [Jesus] joyfully (vs 6)."

Jesus encounters bring JOY!!! It's so easy to lose perspective in a world that is constantly trying to steal your Joy. In an effort to keep my renewed Joy, I've resolved to spend more time outside with God soaking up how Big He is. The Grand Canyon reminded me that life is so much bigger than the little things I get so stressed about and I want to take the time to enJOY God's creation on a more regular basis. I'm so thankful for the gift of God's restoration: "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit" (Psalm 51:12). I'm thankful that God reminded me how small my worries are compared to His eternal work: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18). And I'm thankful that God reminded me of the reason I live - not to work and have no hope in my days, but to bring glory to Him and to show others how Big my God is compared to our earthly struggles: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:10-11). Here's to soaking up more of our BIG God in 2013!

Our Engagement Story!

The moment was a wonderfully unexpected whirlwind, so Ben and I typed this story of our engagement up after he proposed so we would not forget all the amazing details to our story. Enjoy!

Our Engagement August 18, 2012 4:30 pm Atlanta State Park We are in New Boston, TX this weekend spending time with Grandmom and Granddad. Ben and I have been planning our wedding for the past month, but I had no idea when he would propose. Ben and Granddad golfed this morning (Ben won with a score of 89) and I spent time with Grandmom at the house talking and cooking lunch. When Ben and Granddad got home, we ate lunch and everyone laid down for nap time. I had slept really great the night before and used the quiet time to read my Bible and read over old Journal entries dating back to November of 2010. The entries spoke of the heartache of loneliness and disappointment of that season in life that I remembered clearly. As I read through the pages, they introduced Ben, our meeting in Zambia, Africa and how we knew within the first month of dating that God had made us to spend the rest of our lives with each other. I remembered how God and I had worked so hard to change my heart so that He was my first Love and the only One who satisfied my heart. To this day I am conscious to worship the Creator and not the created. While I love Ben more than I knew was possible, He can never fill the place in my heart that belongs to God to satisfy. I’m so thankful for a spiritual leader that encourages me to prioritize my relationship with God before my relationship with him. What an answer to prayer! After this wonderful quiet time, Ben asked if I would like to go for a drive. We love the beauty of the trees and scenery in East Texas. My response was, “Sure, can I go in my sweatpants?” I had no clue! Thankfully, he convinced me to put jeans on instead (I thanked him profusely for this after he had proposed). Grandmom and Granddad were still napping, so we left the house quietly. As we drove, Ben subtly mentioned that he thought there was a nearby lake. I confirmed how much I loved lakes and he said we would go find it. It was a beautiful drive. It’s been stormy all weekend, so there was a nice cloud cover, which in Texas is refreshing after a brutally hot summer. We drove around Wright Patman Lake and Ben told me stories of how he had grown up coming to this lake when he would visit Grandmom and Granddad. We pulled into Atlanta State Park. The park ranger, Jan, came out and when she found out that we had never been to that state park before, she gave us a free entrance pass to drive and look around it. Ben drove us over to Knight’s Bluff which was absolutely breathtaking with tall East Texas pine trees, an amazing lake view and perfect clouds. The air coming off the lake was cool, crisp and felt wonderful. Ben had brought his backpack and paused at the car to get something out of it. He told me he had brought his camera and was getting it out to take pictures of the lake. As we walked down to the lake, Ben put his arm around me and we walked side by side taking in the magnificent beauty ahead of us. We walked around for a bit and sat down on a boat dock to take some pictures of the scenery, including an old dock next to us. Ben asked me if I’d like to take a walk out onto the other dock which went further over the water. At first I hesitated because it looked so old, and possibly unstable, and the lake was very full from recent rainfall which made the choppy waves come up fairly high. After a little conversation, Ben said he’d hold my hand and we’d go together. We walked hand in hand towards the end of the dock and stopped at the end. We looked back at the shore and at how far out onto the water we had walked. Ben said, “Now that wasn’t so bad was it?” My reply was, “It’s fine now that we’re out further than most of the waves.” We stood together holding each other and then Ben reached in his pocket. He pulled out a ring box and asked, “Do you want to see what’s in here?” Immediately my heart started racing and I could not help the enormous smile that would plaster my face for the rest of the day. I enthusiastically declared, “Yes!” He then asked, “Do you want to marry me?” Again, an ecstatic, “Yes!” With a huge smile that matched mine he then said, “Ok well I’m supposed to get down on one knee…” As he knelt to one knee and took my hands, Ben asked me if I would marry him. Again, the only word my shocked brain could exclaim was, “YES!” I leaned down to kiss him and he stood and picked me up while we kissed and celebrated. He asked if I wanted to see my ring and told me there were multiple rings, but that he would explain why. And of course all I could respond with was, “Yes!” Ben waited until we got back to the shore to show me the rings. Before we left the dock, he pointed out the journey we had made together to walk out to that point over the water. He said that we would always walk through life together no matter if the waters were calm or choppy like the ones we had walked over. He said that no matter what goes on around us that it would always be us together. I finished his sentence with, “forever” and he said “yes.” Once we were on land again, we sat back down on the boat dock and he pulled out my rings. The first ring held 5 crystal clear diamonds on a white gold band; this was Ben’s Nanas ring. The second one was his mom’s ring. Ben said that he wanted both sides of his family represented in my ring since he was the only male Gibson in the family to carry on the family name. He let me know that the main diamond in his mom’s ring belonged to his Granddad’s mom on his dad’s side of the family. Ben is going to have the center diamond in Nana’s ring removed so that he can replace it with his great grandmother’s diamond. I love that he has taken such thought and care in designing my engagement ring and I feel honored to wear such a special ring that represents his family, and my future family. As we sat on the boat dock, Ben looked out at the water and said, “Wow, look at those birds.” I teared up and could not believe what I was seeing. Since I was in the 7th grade, God has used a unique type of white birds to fly by in moments where I’ve needed to feel His presence and peace with me. He used these exact birds to fly over the water by us to show us that He was there with us. I will cherish that forever; it means so much to me. Ben told me later that he wanted us to get engaged out in nature where we were secluded and could just share the moment with each other and with God. He did not know that was my dream proposal too, and it could not have been a more beautiful or sweeter proposal. God was there with us, and I’ve felt His smiling and rejoicing over us all day. It blesses my heart to know that we serve a God who so rejoices in His children and blesses them with rich gifts beyond our understanding! We praise God for the many details He has been in throughout our relationship, and especially in our proposal and wedding plans. It began to rain on us so we hurried back to the car. Once in the car, we each prayed over one another thanking God for His tremendous blessings, and dedicating our lives together for His glory. To God be the glory, GREAT things He has done!

We're Having a Yard Sale!

So far Ben and I are having great success selling the Antique doors and windows we salvaged from an old 1915 house in Fort Worth last weekend. We're having a yard sale this weekend to sell the rest! And some other cool items we've collected :) Tell your friends! Hope to see you!

Yard Sale! Friday, 4PM-8PM; Saturday-Sunday 8AM-4PM 3417 W. 5th St Fort Worth, TX 76107 Antique Doors & Windows from a 1915 Fort Worth house. Original wood, hinges, some original door handles, windows all original glass and all window panes intact. Stereo Speakers, laptops, framed art, vintage Pyrex, records, books, t-shirts & more... Find garage sales in fort-worth on Yard Sale Search

wherever He leads, i'll go

Well the guys (Ben, Matthew & Jonathan) are working on cars outside and I am stuck inside sick with what I'm hoping is not turning into bronchitis. Figure this is prime blog update time.

For the past 2 years around this time, I have been blogging Africa updates for all my friends & family supporters. This year, however, the Lord has not called me to Africa for Camp LIFE 2012. This is not the calling I was hoping for, but it came so clearly that I could not ignore it. Ben's sister, Katy, works for Family Legacy Missions who I have traveled to Zambia with for the past 2 years. This past fall, Ben and I attended a testimony time where Katy shared what great work this organization was doing and how we could support her. While listening to Katy's stories of how the orphans in Zambia had touched her life, I couldn't help but recall my own stories of these amazing orphans and the boys I've encountered in my Camp LIFE groups the past 2 years; specifically my sponsored child, Sweet Samuel - oh how I love him! While taking it all in, I cried out to God, "Father, can I please go back this summer?!" "NO." Clear as day. No more, no less...but a definite, "no." Tears filled my eyes and emotions overwhelmed me... "But, why not? Isn't it a good thing to go visit the orphans and widows? What will I do? God, why??" I excused myself to go to the bathroom and let the tears out as I processed God's answer. I knew that if I went to Zambia in 2012 it would be Shannon's will, not God's, and that is not an option. Besides my desire to be obedient to my Father, I know that there is no way I can accomplish a trip like that on my own.

Since that time, I've been praying for Zambia 2013. I am so excited to have Ben, dear friends and family members also praying about going to Zambia in 2013 too! I wait with great expectations of what God will provide; He never fails. While I'm still praying for local mission opportunities this summer, I have been unexpectedly, but completely BLESSED to support other friends who have been called to international missions this summer! It has been a humbling blessing to experience what it is like to be a part of a mission trip not by going myself, but by sending someone else. Supporting missionaries around the world is a crucial calling to all believers in order to further spread the glory of our God and make His name greatly known. Below is a list of missionaries that God has called to go overseas this summer. Please join me in praying for them and supporting them from home!

North Fort Worth Baptist Church - India - this trip already happened in February, but I pray that the seeds planted are being watered and growing.
North Fort Worth Baptist Church - Belize - specifically my baby brother, Jonathan! I'm SO proud of His obedience to follow God on his first foreign mission trip and I'm so excited to hear of the great things God will accomplish through this group. And I can't not mention my best friend Carly who is also following God in obedience to Belize...and hopefully back to Africa in 2013! After Belize, she will have officially been on a foreign mission trip with all the Ely kids ;)
Patty Gibson - Zambia, Africa - this is Ben's mom and I'm so thankful that she will be arranging for my sponsored child, Sam, and Ben's sponsored child, Solomon, to receive visits and gifts from us even though we can't deliver them ourselves. Patty is selling handmade baby onesies (newborn-24 months) to raise money to build a house for the orphans in Zambia! If you are interested in this ministry visit http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3709336770710.2174403.1194314221&type=3 "> or message me.
Katy Gibson - Zambia, Africa - As I mentioned earlier, Ben's sister works for Family Legacy Missions and needs daily prayer as she works so hard to raise self support so she can continue ministering to the orphans in Zambia throughout the year. To keep up with what the Lord is doing through Katy, you can follow her blog: http://www.chainsarebroken.blogspot.com/.
Ashley & Casey Roberts - Zambia, Africa - I LOVE this couple's passion for the orphans in Africa. Ashley also works full time for Family Legacy Missions and I admire her heart so much. What a sweet friend who I am truly blessed to know! They also have a blog you can check out: http://www.walkingbyfaithnotbysight.blogspot.com/.
Andrew Bradshaw - Nicaragua - It has been a blessing to see God move in this man's life! He is following God to serve at an orphanage in Nicaragua on his first mission trip as well this summer. If you feel led to support Andrew in his first mission trip, you can do so here: http://ebcgiv.convio.net/goto/andrewevans.

How's that for furthering the gospel around the world?!?! God is at work! Even if you can't physically go, please be a part of supporting missions through prayer, finances and encouraging those who are going.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)