The Story of Our New Shop
Anyone who knows me knows that I trust the good Lord for everything! And I also pray about everything. God has taken me on this fabulous journey to open the "new" Strawberry Shop.
During the winter of 2009, my husband and I were on Queen Street in York on a Saturday evening. My husband went into Starbucks for some hot coffee and I stayed in the car. I noticed a sign that said "For Lease" and just then it was quiet. God gently spoke to me, "You need to look into relocating your shop to this area." I actually turned around to see if anyone was in the car with me.
At the time I had three grandchildren (as of August 2010, I have six grandchildren!). My out-of-town daughters and their families could really use the shop space in my home as a place to stay when they come to visit us.
I shared my sense of God's voice with my husband and decided that, if God was talking, I needed to listen! I hired a realtor who has been a friend and relative for 30 years. We checked out many, many properties, but nothing worked out. I told my employees to pray about the situation. After many weeks and lots of properties that did not work out, I decided to continue to pray and just wait.
Weeks and months went past. I decided that if I was going to relocate, it had to occur by September for the busy fall/Christmas season. It just didn't work out. I continued to pray, and through the winter months I thought maybe God just wants me to keep the shop at the original location, which was ok with me. I knew that no matter what happens, God is in control and I trust him 100%! He can see what lies ahead for us and also what is best for us.
In the late winter of 2010, we were coming home from church and, again, my husband stopped in another Starbucks on Queen Street. Once more, I was sitting in the car alone and I noticed another lease sign. I thought I'm calling the realtor and going to check out this property. The next evening I went to see the space and it was too small. I knew if it was going to happen, it would be perfect timing and from God because His timing is always perfect.
The following evening we stopped to see another property, but it required too much maintenance. However, on the way back to our residence, I saw a sign at Queensgate Towne Center. I decided to call my realtor and check it out. My husband had another commitment and could not come along to see it with me. I told him (after seeing more properties then I can to mention) that it probably wouldn't work anyway. But before I went, I specifically prayed for a sign from God.
I met my realtor (who is now my landlord) and immediately before I even walked in the door, I looked up and the number on the property was "2089." My house number now is "1189" and I felt God say, "this is it!" I looked around and knew this was it. In fact, it was absolutely perfect for my shop needs. I didn't know the exact cost I was looking at, but when my landlord gave me the figures, it was do-able! I told my realtor and landlord on the spot, "THIS IS IT!" It was exactly what I'd been looking for and I was ready to get the paperwork started.
When you check out the address, it was my sign from God.
My home address: 1189 Strawberry Lane
My shop address: 2089 Springwood Road
I would have to have my van re-lettered and it all lined up! God plans everything perfectly!
My three daughters, three son-in-laws, and six grandchildren are now looking forward to having more room to play and stay overnight at Grandpa & Grandma's!
During the winter of 2009, my husband and I were on Queen Street in York on a Saturday evening. My husband went into Starbucks for some hot coffee and I stayed in the car. I noticed a sign that said "For Lease" and just then it was quiet. God gently spoke to me, "You need to look into relocating your shop to this area." I actually turned around to see if anyone was in the car with me.
At the time I had three grandchildren (as of August 2010, I have six grandchildren!). My out-of-town daughters and their families could really use the shop space in my home as a place to stay when they come to visit us.
I shared my sense of God's voice with my husband and decided that, if God was talking, I needed to listen! I hired a realtor who has been a friend and relative for 30 years. We checked out many, many properties, but nothing worked out. I told my employees to pray about the situation. After many weeks and lots of properties that did not work out, I decided to continue to pray and just wait.
Weeks and months went past. I decided that if I was going to relocate, it had to occur by September for the busy fall/Christmas season. It just didn't work out. I continued to pray, and through the winter months I thought maybe God just wants me to keep the shop at the original location, which was ok with me. I knew that no matter what happens, God is in control and I trust him 100%! He can see what lies ahead for us and also what is best for us.
In the late winter of 2010, we were coming home from church and, again, my husband stopped in another Starbucks on Queen Street. Once more, I was sitting in the car alone and I noticed another lease sign. I thought I'm calling the realtor and going to check out this property. The next evening I went to see the space and it was too small. I knew if it was going to happen, it would be perfect timing and from God because His timing is always perfect.
The following evening we stopped to see another property, but it required too much maintenance. However, on the way back to our residence, I saw a sign at Queensgate Towne Center. I decided to call my realtor and check it out. My husband had another commitment and could not come along to see it with me. I told him (after seeing more properties then I can to mention) that it probably wouldn't work anyway. But before I went, I specifically prayed for a sign from God.
I met my realtor (who is now my landlord) and immediately before I even walked in the door, I looked up and the number on the property was "2089." My house number now is "1189" and I felt God say, "this is it!" I looked around and knew this was it. In fact, it was absolutely perfect for my shop needs. I didn't know the exact cost I was looking at, but when my landlord gave me the figures, it was do-able! I told my realtor and landlord on the spot, "THIS IS IT!" It was exactly what I'd been looking for and I was ready to get the paperwork started.
When you check out the address, it was my sign from God.
My home address: 1189 Strawberry Lane
My shop address: 2089 Springwood Road
I would have to have my van re-lettered and it all lined up! God plans everything perfectly!
My three daughters, three son-in-laws, and six grandchildren are now looking forward to having more room to play and stay overnight at Grandpa & Grandma's!
Throughout this entire journey I prayed about everything. I needed help and wisdom in each and every decision. God provided everything!!
My first main decision was to decide on a floor plan. Typically I go to bed at 10 PM and wake up at 6 AM and seldom do I ever wake up or remember dreaming through the night. But on this particular night, God gave me the vision of the layout. I woke up the next morning and made a diagram of the entire plan. Now, when I'm in the shop, customers have asked me, "Is this how you envisioned the shop?" I say, "Yes, this is exactly what I saw in the dream." God's design is always perfect and better than mine!
We sell lots of jewelry in the shop and I needed a way to display it. Here again, it was a matter of praying and God revealed to me the jewelry boards with velcro! Thank you Lord!
I prayed about everything concerning the inside design of the shop and, night after night, God would wake me in a dream and I would make diagrams in the morning.
In the beginning of April 2010, I decided that we had to get things in writing and comply with township permits in order to move forward. We kept needing more and more things for code. I knew the amount of money I had saved for this shop, and I asked my prayer partners to keep praying! All throughout the journey, my prayer partners were so encouraging and positive. When the pricing for the shop was revealed, it was under the amount of money I had saved! I was so grateful. Thank you Lord! I even had a lovely customer who not only prayed for me and encouraged me, but told me they would support me financially if needed! Wow! They had so much faith in me that it brought me to tears. And it made me realize that yes, I am supposed to do this new shop!
I've always used the Bible verse Romans 12:11-12 in my business. It says, "Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful." I wanted to use this somewhere in my new shop. Once again, I prayed and, in a dream, God revealed to me to place it on my new 15 foot flower cooler right inside the door. My graphic designer, who is also a Christian, said, "You know, you're going to have problems with this. You will have trials, but God will win out and prevail." She was right. There were about six different problems that came out of this decision, but God prevailed. I continually said, "God's Word will stay on there." Other Christians recognize the verse, and customers who don't know the Lord still enjoy reading it. It's a great testimony!
When it came to moving into the new shop, I called my family, friends, and customers. I was so grateful for the outpouring of so many for helping me so wonderfully!
In the meantime, I knew my youngest daughter, Suzanne, was due with her first baby on August 5. We started moving things into the new shop at the end of July. I continued to pray that everything would be perfectly timed by God. And it was! On the first Monday in August, we worked at the shop until 10 PM, came home, showered, and went right to bed. At 1:00 AM, we got a call from our son-in-law, Michael, letting us know that Suzanne was in the hospital and 6 centimeters dilated. I called her friend Laura and said, "Are you ready to go to New Jersey?" Within 30 minutes, Laura and I were on our way (with our Starbucks coffee!). Two and a half hours later, we arrived at the hospital and were there to love, support, and pray for Suzanne and Michael. At 7:00 AM we got to hold precious little Lydia Ann!
I could continue to write a book about all the ways that God provided for me during our transition to the new shop. Please always remember that God cares, He hears our prayers, everything is in His timing (not ours), and it is always perfect!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this story of God's goodness!!
Sincerely,
Judy
My first main decision was to decide on a floor plan. Typically I go to bed at 10 PM and wake up at 6 AM and seldom do I ever wake up or remember dreaming through the night. But on this particular night, God gave me the vision of the layout. I woke up the next morning and made a diagram of the entire plan. Now, when I'm in the shop, customers have asked me, "Is this how you envisioned the shop?" I say, "Yes, this is exactly what I saw in the dream." God's design is always perfect and better than mine!
We sell lots of jewelry in the shop and I needed a way to display it. Here again, it was a matter of praying and God revealed to me the jewelry boards with velcro! Thank you Lord!
I prayed about everything concerning the inside design of the shop and, night after night, God would wake me in a dream and I would make diagrams in the morning.
In the beginning of April 2010, I decided that we had to get things in writing and comply with township permits in order to move forward. We kept needing more and more things for code. I knew the amount of money I had saved for this shop, and I asked my prayer partners to keep praying! All throughout the journey, my prayer partners were so encouraging and positive. When the pricing for the shop was revealed, it was under the amount of money I had saved! I was so grateful. Thank you Lord! I even had a lovely customer who not only prayed for me and encouraged me, but told me they would support me financially if needed! Wow! They had so much faith in me that it brought me to tears. And it made me realize that yes, I am supposed to do this new shop!
I've always used the Bible verse Romans 12:11-12 in my business. It says, "Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful." I wanted to use this somewhere in my new shop. Once again, I prayed and, in a dream, God revealed to me to place it on my new 15 foot flower cooler right inside the door. My graphic designer, who is also a Christian, said, "You know, you're going to have problems with this. You will have trials, but God will win out and prevail." She was right. There were about six different problems that came out of this decision, but God prevailed. I continually said, "God's Word will stay on there." Other Christians recognize the verse, and customers who don't know the Lord still enjoy reading it. It's a great testimony!
When it came to moving into the new shop, I called my family, friends, and customers. I was so grateful for the outpouring of so many for helping me so wonderfully!
In the meantime, I knew my youngest daughter, Suzanne, was due with her first baby on August 5. We started moving things into the new shop at the end of July. I continued to pray that everything would be perfectly timed by God. And it was! On the first Monday in August, we worked at the shop until 10 PM, came home, showered, and went right to bed. At 1:00 AM, we got a call from our son-in-law, Michael, letting us know that Suzanne was in the hospital and 6 centimeters dilated. I called her friend Laura and said, "Are you ready to go to New Jersey?" Within 30 minutes, Laura and I were on our way (with our Starbucks coffee!). Two and a half hours later, we arrived at the hospital and were there to love, support, and pray for Suzanne and Michael. At 7:00 AM we got to hold precious little Lydia Ann!
I could continue to write a book about all the ways that God provided for me during our transition to the new shop. Please always remember that God cares, He hears our prayers, everything is in His timing (not ours), and it is always perfect!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this story of God's goodness!!
Sincerely,
Judy