Being a woman is tough. It’s easy for us to feel like we aren’t measuring up, weighing our worth by how many “likes” we have on social media. Or how many activities are kids are involved in. Or how Pinterest-worthy our wardrobe or dinner plans are. But just imagine adding to the noise and challenges of daily life a debilitating illness that leaves you exhausted, isolated or in pain on a regular basis. I can only guess at how easy it must be to feel alone and be tempted to compare yourself even more than usual. Not to mention the challenges of staying positive and resisting discouragement.
Enter Bundles of Hope. A non-profit started by brave teenager, Hailey Sampsel, Bundles of Hope is a project that sends care packages to those living with life-altering chronic illnesses. Hailey herself suffers from POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), and chronic daily migraines. Needless to say, I was both moved and amazed to see her beautiful response to her own hardships and how she wanted nothing more than to brighten the day of others suffering from chronic illnesses.
Variations of this "Enjoy the Journey" embroidery hoop art are also available in my shop.
A big part of why I create art is to share encouragement and inspire others. My heart is to use my embroidery hoop art to make life more beautiful for people, offering something lovely and refreshing, like a cup of cold water on a hot day. I feel humbled and incredibly blessed to think about the gift of health that I’ve been given. Even though I don’t understand what it must be like for individuals with chronic illnesses, suffering on a daily basis, when I learned about Hailey and Bundles of Hope, I knew I wanted to use my creative gifts to bless these people somehow.
I reached out to Hailey to see how I could get involved and was delighted by her invitation to donate some of my new inspirational quote embroidery hoops. Bundles of Hope runs entirely off of donations - both monetary and physical items - and there are lots of opportunities to give.
Pictured here are just a few of the embroidered wall art pieces that I’m sending off to Hailey this week, and I hope that each hoop will find its way into the hands of the perfect recipient. I’m praying each and every piece of art speaks a much-needed kind and encouraging word and lifts someone’s spirits when they need it most.
These inspirational quote embroidery hoops are available in my shop.
As I mentioned previously, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved too! Visit the Bundles of Hope website to donate via their Go Fund Me site, or you can send some much needed items to Hailey for the care packages. If you have a handmade business of your own, this could also be an opportunity to use your talents to be a blessing to someone. Reach out to Hailey via email or direct message her on Instagram to find out more. Lastly, if you know someone who could benefit from receiving a care package, submit their name for consideration on the Bundles of Hope website.