Behold Look What the Lord Has Done. Those words hung over the door of Paula’s apartment for the very first Priceless Christmas Party. Just 10 or so days before that she and I (Kirsten) sat in her living room and discussed having a party for women that might not otherwise have a Christmas. After sharing the idea with Joyce Kelly and gathering a small army of volunteers we had quite the party… or shall I say God threw quite a party.
The sign was there to remind everyone that God was throwing a party. A for women that are very precious to Him. That evening each and every one of us felt like we were part of something really special. Thirty-five priceless women and 15 or so “church ladies” came together to celebrate Christmas.
Paula was the very first woman that reached out to the IAmFreedomGirl team over 8 years ago. She has since become a dear friend. At one point in her life, Paula was a pastor who ran an inner-city mission in Detroit. Through a series of events she landed in a strip club in Florida. That is where our paths crossed…only God! In so many ways, Paula has ministered to me more than I have ministered to her but it has been beautiful to watch God at work in Paula’s life as he reminds her how loved and precious she is to our Heavenly Father. When we met, I felt like God was telling me that He was doing a “Strong but Gentle” work in her life. It has been beautiful to have a front row seat as I watched God do what only he can do. He is restoring her joy and moving her back into her pastoral calling. It is an honor and joy to be her friend. If you want to know more about Paula you can visit her author page at Paula-Joseph.com Many, many women come together to make this party happen, but she is the heart behind this party because she has “been there”.
The next year there was close to 50 priceless women at the 2nd annual Priceless Christmas Party and last year even more! It is a personal and extravagant event that the women now look forward to every year. Our goal is to let each woman know that they are seen and loved by our Heavenly Father. By the end of the evening we all feel priceless! This party has become a tradition for many of our long time friends from the ministry and new friends too! It is our prayer that the concept of this party be replicated across the country and that it outlasts all of us.
Here are some things that happen every year at the party:
-A personal Christmas Gift given to each woman. These gifts are sponsored by people from all over the country that want to “adopt a Priceless Woman”. In the past we have matched up sponsors with Priceless women. It was beautiful to watch people from all over the country shop and send gifts to women that just needed to know they were loved.
-A “Priceless Boutique” where the guests can shop for free! All the clothing and accessories are donated. The boutique is a highlight. All donations are carefully sorted new and gently used items that are beautifully displayed. Every woman goes home with a new wardrobe
-A wonderful dinner and dessert bar.
Every year there are a few surprises. This year we are working on a very special gift to be given at the party. Without giving away too many details, the gift will include a small book that proclaims the identity of who we are as women that belong to God.
What a better time than Christmas to tell each other how valuable and precious we are to our Heavenly Father. I believe the line from “Oh Holy Night” says it well…
“Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth”
I will never forget the day we sat in Paula’s apartment and tossed around the idea of throwing a Christmas party for women that might otherwise not have a Christmas. It’s been beautiful to watch the multitudes of women (and a few valiant men) that come together to make it happen. There have been tears of joy, personalized Bibles, individual gifts, crazy cool stories of provision from all over the country. God truly loves each one of us! If you would like to know how you can help, or would like to donate, please visit the IamFreecomGirl.com website and ask for more information about The Priceless Christmas Party.
This year a percentage of the sale of every ReJoyed Christmas ornaments will go to help fund our “Special Project” and cover expenses for my dear friend Paula as she writes her (actually God’s) heart out to let these women know just how loved they are. Pray for her. God is doing a strong but gentle work in her and through her. I can’t wait to tell you more about the project! Here is a link to the ReJoyed “JOY” ornament.
Thanks for all the love and support for ReJoyed over the years. Your purchases have truly ReJoyed lives in so many ways.
