choose joy pendant
My heart is so full right now that my eyes are overflowing tears… There’s a bittersweet mixture of grief and joy in there, but if I’ve learned anything the past few years, it’s that both often reside together.
And no one modeled that for me better than my friend Sara. Despite illness, pain, and so much loss, she made the continual decision to choose joy. I’m not talking about a plastic facade of happiness. Sara had the kind of genuine joy that comes from the simple but oftentimes hard decision to trust that God remains in control even when everything is spiraling out of control.
In her life and also in her death, Sara taught me lifetimes’ worth about trusting Jesus, loving well, and choosing joy. I know she did the same for so many around the world. Being homebound only extended Sara’s reach, and thousands of people have continued to embrace and live out her mantra: Choose joy.
I’ve been working with the incredible artisans at Tag…You’re It Jewelry to create a custom pendant in Sara’s own handwriting. And I just got to see the finished product. What they came up with is beautiful and inspiring and completely Sara…
The pendant is formed from scratch out of precious metal clay; then stamped and fired in either bronze or silver. Its shape is organic and imperfect, and because they are handmade, each one is slightly different. Sara would love that subtle reminder of the beauty in our imperfections.
I’m so happy with the way these came out—such a beautiful token of Sara’s incredible life, legacy, and heart. And of course a constant reminder to choose joy.
Tag…You’re It is offering a 30% discount to Sara’s global community. Use the following coupon codes:
For 30% off the silver pendant: GITZENGIRLSILVER
For 30% off the bronze pendant: GITZENGIRLBRONZE
Visit Tag…You’re It‘s online store to place your order.
This one’s for you, Fritz…
OH!!!!
I’m so excited to get mine, I can’t wait! Thanks, Alece, again, for doing this. Love you.
@AleceRonzino says:
love you, amie!
@hopefulleigh says:
Alece!! This makes me so happy to see. I’m so glad your dream of a commemorative necklace came to fruition- and beautifully so.
@AleceRonzino says:
i got mine in the mail today… and it is simply beautiful. i love it.
In tears. How well you love her…
@AleceRonzino says:
oh friend…
@CandySteele says:
Thank you, sweet Alece, for not giving up on this dream. I can’t wait for mine to arrive! Sara is SO happy right now….
@AleceRonzino says:
“Sara is SO happy right now…” Thank you for that.
@allison0105 says:
I love this so much!
@fromtracie says:
Beautiful.
@standup8tweets says:
So pretty!
@KatieAxelson says:
This is so neat! What a great way to hold on to a legacy.
Alece,
Although I didn’t know Sara, I’ve been following her legacy through your writing and have been so inspired. I just ordered my silver neclace. I can’t wait for it to arrive! I think of you often.
Andrea Garcia
@AleceRonzino says:
mine arrived today, and i absolutely love it… so beautiful.
oh I am so resonating with you as you grieve, as you recall your friend choosing joy …
I lost my friend Kristen in October and that was the theme of her life. Even as she was dying, she was living a legacy as she began to reach out to other families with a terminally ill parent …
http://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2012/10/31-days-of-awesome-relationships-day-27.html
these women are truly our heros, aren’t they …
@AleceRonzino says:
they absolutely are…
thank you for sharing about your friend kristen… what a beautiful legacy…
@cttRachel says:
It is beautiful! Thanks for working on this! I hope I will be able to get one someday.
Is there an expiration date on the coupon codes?
@AleceRonzino says:
as far as i know, she hasn’t set an expiration date… hope you’re able to get one. mine arrived today and it is simply beautiful.
Love! Love! Love! You are an amazing lady Miss Alece! Thank you for sharing this…forever grateful :)
@AleceRonzino says:
oh i am so glad you love it, nicole!
My word for 2013 is Joy. Sara has been in my heart so much lately so I’m thrilled to order this beautiful necklace to remind me every day to ‘choose joy’ Thanks so much
@AleceRonzino says:
so glad to hear that, jennifer!
@iloveblogs44 says:
I love it…and my order is in. Yesterday, when I was logged into facebook, Sara showed up on my “chat” list (I had it off)…and then to see this today…just perfect. I haven’t blogged in weeks and haven’t quite settled on my One Word 365 (or written my wrap-up post for 2012), but I’m thinking about it!
Tomorrow is Court for my foster daughter that I’ve had since September. If you could pray for all of us, I would appreciate it. It will be an emotional day no matter what happens. She keeps me super busy and away from blogging and twitter, but she is a ton of fun too and I will definitely miss her whenever she leaves.
You are often on my mind and in my thoughts and prayers too.
@AleceRonzino says:
how did court day go?
@iloveblogs44 says:
It ended up being a “check” hearing which we didn’t know. The next evidentiary hearing is March 8, so she will be with me until then. We got a new caseworker last week. I really liked her when I met her and I hope she can help with some of the issues we have been having. Of course, she hasn’t responded to my texts the past couple of days in regards to changes in visitation schedule that really affect me. I’ve been struggling the past few days with feeling like my life is being controlled by other people and my feelings/needs are not at all taken into account. I know it will get better and I’m blessed to have a lot of support, but it has still been tough. Thanks for thinking about me! My Choose Joy pendant is in the mail and I can’t wait to wear it! Sara was very supportive of me and my call to being a foster parent. My first foster daughter would ask to “see Sara” and we would watch a video that Candy had posted of Riley that had Sara in it too.
I think of you often. Hope you are doing well. {hugs}
Amanda
@AleceRonzino says:
glad to hear you like your new caseworker… you are doing an amazing thing being a foster mom. cheering you on!
@allheartandhome says:
Oh my goodness…amazing. thank you for doing this…going now to have a look~
xo
Robin
@AleceRonzino says:
i got mine in the mail today, robin. it’s simply beautiful…
Sara, thanks for sharing. I just bought mine. I followed her blog for three years before her passing and found both of your blogs around the same time. Her words and life still encourages me. I look forward to receiving it and wearing it in her memory as I learn to follow her example to “Choose joy”. Blessings.
@AleceRonzino says:
so glad you got one, shannon! mine arrived today, and it is beautiful…
@crystalrenaud says:
ohmyheart, i love these. i hope to afford one soon.
I just love it. How beautiful. She inspired so many. I think of her often. Thank you for doing this…. so amazing.
Maybe I could request one for Valentine’s Day from my family/husband? :)
Love it
@AleceRonzino says:
i think that sounds like a good plan!!
Alece,
This is beautiful!
I ordered mine today and am thrilled to get it!!
I also had to share with everyone I know :)
You Are Amazing!
Love ya ~
@AleceRonzino says:
yay! i’m so glad you ordered one, B!
Just ordered one. Happy Valentines Day to me dammit. I’m choosing joy today!
@AleceRonzino says:
So glad you ordered one!
@Jones sabo eight percent because pointing to investing in sw says:
Fantastic site. A lot of helpful info here. I’m sending it to several buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks in your sweat!