I was given a cross from Elizabeth and I hung it in my office. When ever I was having a bad day I would look at that cross and remember what Jesus did for me by giving his life and paying my debt for the sins I had done and he gave me the free gift of salvation, all I had to do was ask him for it the best way I knew how. I cherish that cross to this day.
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I have two of these crosses. I keep one in my office and one by my little girls bed. The one at work helps remind me that even though times are slow at my shop right now, there are so many people out there that are so much worse off then me. I thank God for all the blessings he has poured out on me and my family. These Crosses help remind me that God is in control and he has a plan, I just have to take a step back, relax and remember that he has always taken care of all my needs (not all my wants). This helps my keep values in check.
My Aunt sent me a cross from Answered Prayers Cross Inc. as she knows the owner real well. She sent it to me when I was under going one of the biggest scares of my life. They thought I might have breast cancer. Once my Aunt heard I was under going surgery she sent me the cross and I was so touched but did not know the power of the cross until it made it's rounds. I took the cross with me to surgery and to my surprise the doctor allowed me to take it into surgery with me. Of course in a plastic bag but that is amazing they let me....and a few weeks later the news came that I was free of cancer. Amen moment for sure. As I healed I continued to turn to that cross for comfort and praise that I had a healthy report. Not soon after that my neighbor had a massive stroke. They only gave him days to live. I packaged that cross right up and gave it to his wife. She placed it by his side at University Hospital in Cleveland Ohio and there it stayed while he lay in a comma for 2 months....they prepared us all that he was not going to come out of this. I am happy to report it is now one year almost to the date that he is alive and well. Not 100% but the doctors said it could have been the other way...not with us at all so we take what we can get from his recovery. Then the day came I had to tell them my older brother has a rare form of cancer and will be undergoing major reconstruction surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. He did so on November 23, 2009 with that cross in hand. He was in surgery for over 10 hours. The doctors told us he would be in the hospital for over a week and not in good shape. This was Monday and on Wednesday we were sitting there talking to him like nothing. He came home on that Friday and so far so good. He has another appointment this week to see if the cancer has spread. So I would say that little ole cross has brought my family and friends much needed prayer and faith that I am not sure we would have with out it. The work they do at Answered Prayers is truly amazing to me. I am getting a bunch of the crosses and having them on hand to give to those in need and in today's world we know a lot of folks needed all they can get. I can not say enough about this nonprofit company....
I have given these beautiful works of art to friends when they were in need of hope, encouragement and faith. When I traveled to a refugee camp and school for orphans in Uganda I handed out Answered Prayers crosses to those in in despair. Both in the United States and in Uganda the recipients were comforted and very grateful to receive a symbol of hope. Soon I will be traveling to Haiti to provide relief to earthquake victims, Answered Prayers crosses and plaques will be in my bags along with medical supplies. Beth Cole, St. Pete Beach, FLorida