ReJoyed began because I needed hope. I had a difficult situation going on in my life that seemed hopeless and I felt myself sinking into depression and despair. I asked a few close friends to pray for me… and that is when everything changed. I had made a cross from reclaimed copper wire and wanted to somehow put the word HOPE on it. My dear husband ran out and bought me a set of metal stamps and the rest is history. I am quite sure I have stamped out the word H O P E one letter at a time hundreds if not thousands of times in the past 7 years.
The heartbeat of ReJoyed is hope. I take beat up, discarded and broken things and repurpose them into something else. I hope you find my art beautiful, useful and/or inspiring. I use reclaimed metal, leather, wood, glass, beads and more. Nothing is ever too far gone or without hope.
About the same time ReJoyed was getting up and running a friend in Tampa asked me to help start a ministry that reached out with hope and love to women working in the adult entertainment industry in our city. We started IAmFreedomGirl and began going into 5 strip clubs in our area. Known as “the church ladies”, we went faithfully on the 2nd Friday of every month to minister in the love of Christ. So many of the women we came to know over the years have become dear friends. Some have even helped with ReJoyed in the “inspiration and production” department.
After a few years of IAmFreedomGirl ministry I realized that many if not most of the women working in the sex industry have endured severe childhood abuse and trauma. I began to see the link between ReJoyed and IAmFreedomGirl. ReJoyed repurposes things while IAmFreedomGirl restores lives. This is why a portion of every sale is given to IAmFreedomGirl or other similar organizations. It is my hope that ReJoyed will provide transitional income for women that are trying to get out of the industry as well.
ReJoyed is sold online and in some very special shops around the country. I am so thankful for those that help me tell the story of ReJoyed and in turn give hope to people that need hope or support ministries that give hope.
My family and studio have recently relocated to the Midwest. After 20 some years in Tampa, we made the decision to get back “home” and are currently living in the beautiful town of Amery, Wisconsin. The IAmFreedomGirl team tells me I am working remote.
Restore to me the Joy of you salvation Psalm 51:12
May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE in believing that by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT you may ABOUND in HOPE! Romans 15:13 (emphasis mine)