2020 — What a Year!
Oh what a year!
One of my favorite memes from the year, was "Really?! I stayed up until midnight + said 'Happy New Year" for this?!?" 🤣 Still makes me laugh thinking back to this time last year — we had no idea what was coming...BUT...God did!!
That's what we're celebrating! Looking back over 2020 — the good, the bad, and the ugly. God knew it all, was in the middle of all of it, and was not surprised for one second. In fact, Romans 8:28 tells us, "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." 2020 might not have been the year we all hoped + dreamed it would be, but God used it for our good + His glory.
Here are some of our 2020 highlights...
This exact time last year, we moved into this new shop! We relocated from 5E Kansas, down the street to 14W Kansas. God knew we needed this cute little shop. He knew that more people would find us being on the ground level + sitting conveniently between Classy Chocolate + Ginger Sue's. While it's not so great for our waist lines 😉, it has been good for more people to have access to products to encourage them in their relationship with God.
When everything started shutting down in March, we weren't sure how it would all effect Etch. We held this business loosely, knowing God was in control + we trusted Him with it. God reminded us to depend on Him — to Redefine Strong by relying on His strength instead of our own. We saw God working, providing for our needs through our online platform + the launch of our Redefining Strong Collection. You needed this truth too! We pivoted our business a bit and started creating care packages for you to send to friends (or even yourself)! These have now become a focus for us because you all love them so much! They give you an intentional way to encourage your friends + family.
Be strong In the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10
Be strong In the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10
This summer we radiated the hope of Jesus, in all our places + to all our people. As the year continued with so much hard + uncertainty, we encouraged each other to spread the hope that we have in Jesus! The things of this world are temporary, but God can be trusted with everything. Our shop reopened in Downtown Liberty and again, we weren't sure if people would feel comfortable to shop in person. But you did! You all came in to say hi, grab some encouragement + gifts to give to friends.
But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
1 Peter 3:15
As the school year was approaching, the uncertainty of what that would look like was heavy. The reminder to rise + pray all day became our mantra. The Lord hears us — in our pain, in our praise, and in the mundane. He cares about all of it and we felt that so dearly knowing we could ask Him to help us. We trusted Him with the uncertainty and words can't begin to express how He literally provided for each one of our needs. Month after month He kept our doors open!
I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2
Don't worry about anything, but In everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2
Don't worry about anything, but In everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Toward the end of the year, we were reminded that nothing about 2020 is easy or quick to go away. Same with our faith + our relationship with God. It's not a sprint, but a marathon — one that takes hard work, dedication, and discipline. It requires us to fight + not give up when things get hard or less comfortable. We cheered each other on to stay in the fight.
The yearly Christmas shopping events that we normally attend were all canceled this year, so once again, we pivoted. We started hosting private shopping events In our shop and they were a huge success! Many of you either hosted or attended one + we had so much fun having you in our shop. These will definitely be something we do throughout 2021.
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve our souls. Hebrews 10:39
The yearly Christmas shopping events that we normally attend were all canceled this year, so once again, we pivoted. We started hosting private shopping events In our shop and they were a huge success! Many of you either hosted or attended one + we had so much fun having you in our shop. These will definitely be something we do throughout 2021.
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve our souls. Hebrews 10:39
And we finished this year by repeating over and over the joy of the Lord! Even when Christmas celebrations were canceled, sickness took over, and our hearts were heavy with grief because of missing our friends + family. God is the true source of our joy both in 2020, into the new year, and forever.
God has been so faithful + so good this year. It's easy to look at the bad and focus on that. But, we're choosing to see the good + to focus on the ways God provided + took care of us. We're so thankful for 2020 in some ways because when everything was stripped away, we had our best EtchLife year yet. That can only be God!
Thank you friends for loving us and supporting us so well this year. You have loved on us in so many ways and you have truly joined in on the mission with us to give God away. He is the most important thing after all, and all glory goes to him.
We hope and pray you’ll continue on this journey with us in 2021. We have new things coming in January that we think you’ll love and are just so grateful you would consider us when shopping.
With love,
Carrie + Kelsey
God has been so faithful + so good this year. It's easy to look at the bad and focus on that. But, we're choosing to see the good + to focus on the ways God provided + took care of us. We're so thankful for 2020 in some ways because when everything was stripped away, we had our best EtchLife year yet. That can only be God!
Thank you friends for loving us and supporting us so well this year. You have loved on us in so many ways and you have truly joined in on the mission with us to give God away. He is the most important thing after all, and all glory goes to him.
We hope and pray you’ll continue on this journey with us in 2021. We have new things coming in January that we think you’ll love and are just so grateful you would consider us when shopping.
With love,
Carrie + Kelsey
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