True Stories

Share your story on this True Stories Page!

Email lia@madetoglorify.com and share with others how God and your chosen MTG jewelry verses have strengthened your journey of faith, hope and love. Bless you, and thank you for being the body of Christ.
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True Story #17

A sweetly grateful daughter, daughter-in-law, wife and mother shares her joy, and celebrates the value and strength of the God she sees in moms she loves:

Dear Lia,
I received my order today and I don’t think I can wait another week to give these Mother’s Day gifts. Both necklaces are gorgeous.

I ordered the Wholehearted Necklace for my mother. She is an amazingly strong woman who has nursed my father through his cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery and then almost 30 years later she had her own cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. I chose the verse Isaiah 40:31 so she is always reminded that the Lord’s love will give her strength to soar.

My husband chose the Whisper Necklace for his mother. My mother-in-law lives with us and our 2 boys. We are forever grateful for the love and support she gives our family daily. We chose the verse Ephesians 1:16 so she will always know that we thank the Lord every day for her. Thank you for using your talents to serve the Lord. MTG has become my one-stop-shop for memorable and meaningful gifts.
Thanks,
Tanya

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True Story #16

An amazing mom celebrates the Great Healer, choosing MTG’s Treasure Necklace to commemorate the anniversary of her daughter’s glorious recovery:

Dear Lia,
Thank you so much for the beautiful jewelry you make. I love both of the necklaces and the bracelet that you have made for me!

A year ago this Feb. my daughter had a massive brain bleed and major brain surgery. The doctors weren’t sure she would survive. Our God had the final say and He gave her back to us! I’ve been trying to think of something special to get her, to encourage her and to remind her how special she is. I was driving home, rubbing one of the necklaces you made for me and it was like a light bulb moment ~ I knew that’s what I wanted to give her on the anniversary of this event.

I have ordered the Treasure Necklace with the date of her brain bleed and her favorite scripture Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. I can’t wait to surprise her with it. Your jewelry is so beautiful and people often ask me about it. I love it when God gives me an opportunity to share His love. Now Emma will have that same chance.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Love,
Amy

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True Story #15

A spirited missionary shines her light…that God still performs miracles in our everyday lives!:

Dear Lia,
I must share a very special story with you…the necklace my friend purchased for me has been worn continuously through our first term as missionaries in South Asia – first in Pakistan and now in India. I am so grateful for this most unique piece of jewelry and the message that it speaks to me each time I put it on…“strength” from Phil. 4:13. Never could I be here without His Strength!! It is why I (we) thrive and don’t just survive in this most pagan land and all that encompasses!

Dave and I were back in the States this past summer on our Stateside break and were preparing to drive to our son and daughter-in-law’s home in Colorado. I realized in the process of packing that I had lost the necklace. Earlier in the day I had been shopping & trying on tops. I thought that perhaps it had come unclasped and fallen off. Nevertheless, I searched everywhere thinking it might be in the house. I shared my sadness with Dave before going to bed. The next morning during my quiet time, I again asked the Lord for the necklace to be found. I went back into our bedroom after this to get ready to leave. My traveling bag was sitting on the floor beside our bedroom chair. I had put it there, packed and ready to go the previous night. I reached down to get it and there, quite clearly visible and lying alongside the bag was the necklace. I called Dave into the room before I touched it. God put it there, Lia! We both realized this! He is so very, very present in every moment of our lives – praise and thanks for such a God as ours!

I want to encourage you to be bold and confident in following the path He has placed before you. It’s His strong right arm that holds you and keeps you from stumbling!!

In the greatness of His love,
Mary
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True Story #14

A faithful wife and sister in Christ finds daily strength in the truth of Proverbs 3:5:

Lia,
Thank you so much for creating the Go Boldly Necklace with my chosen scripture. It is beautiful and is my favorite necklace of all time! I chose Proverbs 3:5 “trust in the Lord with all thine heart” to carry me through some big changes in 2013. We have all been through so much in these difficult financial times, and in the fall of 2012 we learned that my husband’s job will be changing in a way that will mean many more hours worked for less pay. While we are sincerely thankful that he has a job, I am human and it was scary at first. But the Lord spoke to me through His Word and I decided I wanted to wear the verse daily to remind myself to trust Him. I have already been able to share the meaning of the verse with someone who asked me about my necklace and I pray that such a situation will arise again. I am so thankful to you, Lia, for using your talents to create this piece for me.
–Michele
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True Story #13

A courageous mother, wife and believer celebrates being living proof of Psalm 91:11…Praise God for his heavenly protection!:

Lia-
Well, God has shown up BIG in my life yet again! Tuesday night our home was fired upon: 9 shots with a 44-caliber pistol! My husband heard the shots first and told me to hit the deck…I just couldn’t understand…no way was anyone shooting at our home! It wasn’t until after I had crawled up the steps to check on our son, that I saw bullet holes and realized we had been targeted. (Well not us…but a former resident of the house). Six of the bullets lodged in our house. Seeing where they are…God had His angels directing those shots!

I am blown away by the fact that we never felt “real fear”…shocked and dazed but not fear. The way the events have unfolded, and this man has been arrested, is truly an example of how God works in our lives!

Taking my son to school yesterday morning, we discussed how horrible it is that people can shoot in schools or theaters, or anywhere. But knowing that God gave us life, and He alone knows when and how we will die, and how He protected us through that night…we live and laugh and love!

We will not let fear stop us from living the life God has for us and spreading His light and Love!
Love,
Stacie

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you… (Psalm 91:11 NIV)
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True Story #12

From a faithful sister in Christ across the globe who lives to give her heart to special needs children, and who after finding MTG online, is now looking into creating hand-stamped Christian jewelry with her God-given talents:

I moved to Dubai six years ago, with the aim of dating my best friend. He shortly became my husband and it is a joy to be on this journey with him, in Dubai.

As I work with special needs children I daily see relationships full of grace and love; relationships that focus on what might appear to others to be “simple” goals and achievements, but to these unique children and their families they can be treasured milestones. I observe parents that give time and time again to their children, fighting with love to supply their children’s needs yet also get that “just right” balance of tenatively stepping back to let the child learn and grow in independence. I see children who are aware and respond differently to the “little things” that another child might not notice; and who can be knocked either off balance or propelled onto a new level of success because of this “simple” factor.

The children remind me of the childlike faith that God tell us to have in Him, trusting Him to provide our daily needs. The parents remind me of a God who has fought for us and provides for us, by His grace and through his love for us.

For me, Ephesians 2:15 (NLT) summarizes the very essence of what moving to Dubai has meant to me: He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.

Dubai is a melting pot of nationalities with the majority of residents being expatriats. Living and working alongside such a mixture of people is a blessing and a joy everyday as my own ethnocentrism is broken down time and time again, and the ability to embrace and appreciate different cultures increases.

God has made us with such exciting variety!!

My church has such a mixture of nationalities that we are reminded consistently how, through Jesus, we are “one new man”, a family living together for Him – worshipping on a Friday morning is a real glimpse of heaven!

I thank God for the blessing of life in Dubai and look forward to all He will continue to teach me through it.

God bless xx
Lorna
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True Story #11

A powerfully inspiring customer and devoted mom and wife shares how God grasped her by the hand and heart and lifted her out of a near-death experience into her deepest ongoing walk with Him:

Dear Lia,
Did I ever tell you about my head-on collision when I was 18? The first hosptial didn’t find that I was bleeding internally. They put 198 stitches in my face and sent me home. Two days later…emergency surgery…my spine had severed my pancreas. I lost my spleen and 40 percent of my pancreas. My stomach was crushed, digestive system crushed, blood clots on the left side of my brain. I spent 30 days in the hospital and couldn’t work or go back to school for a year.

It was then my journey truly began.

I told everyone: well…God isn’t ready for me yet. I must have some purpose! Or, He just isn’t ready for me to pull a chair up to His Throne and hound Him with all the questions I have.

Ever since I was 18, I started talking to God like I talked to my parents — hands on hips…marching up to his throne. Sitting in his lap. By his grace, I began, and continue, forming my relationship with Christ and the Holy Spirit..over many, many many years to come!

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
Stacie

(dear Stacie: I love you so much, too…you are an angel on earth!)
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True Story #10

A faithful wife, mother, daughter and friend embraces the sweet strength of a favorite Psalm through life’s milestones:

Dear Lia,
I am so thankful to have found you and your beautiful jewelry. I thought I would let you know why I chose Psalm 91. When I was married twenty years ago, we used Psalm 91 as our Response during our ceremony:

And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand.

In 2005 when my mother died, again we chose this Psalm to be present in her Mass. Last year, when my husband’s father died, he had chosen this Psalm as well, because it was one of his favorites. It is such a comfort to me now to be able to have this close to my heart and feel that I can always find refuge under His wings.
Love You,
Susan
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True Story #9

An amazing woman, founder of the Sweet Monday ministry (sweetmonday.org) enjoys her specially-made MTG necklace that reflects the heart of her mission, carried on the wings of her father’s love:

I love wearing my beautiful Celebration BSSYP necklace by Made to Glorify. The BSSYP washer charm reminds me of the sweet saying my father always said to me, “BSSYP” (Be Sweet, Say Your Prayers). The necklace has brought many compliments and has initiated questions about its meaning. These conversations open the door for me to share my faith and live the Sweet Monday mission of “reaching out to women one sweet invitation at a time for Christ.” I have always loved pink and wearing this stunning necklace of pearls and crystals is a reflection of the majesty and glory of our Lord and Savior. The BSSYP logo for “Be Sweet, Say Your Prayers” started out on the license plate of my very first car. BSSYP now appears on stationery and jewelry and the closing of all my daughter’s texts home from college. I hope you will enjoy reading below how “BSSYP” started.
His,
Kim ☺

Please read Kim Newlen’s own sweet story here:

BSSYP – Be Sweet, Say Your Prayers
When I was a freshman in college, a thrilling “first letter from home” was sitting in my campus mailbox awaiting my enthusiastic response. It was obvious that Mama had addressed it, but Daddy had scribbled BSSYP in the upper left-hand corner of the envelope. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out its meaning. Out of curiosity and probably homesickness, I immediately called home. I remember part of our conversation as if it were yesterday:

“Daddy, what is BSSYP?”

“Sugar, it is what I’ve told you all your life. Be Sweet and Say Your Prayers.”

For many years, Daddy never missed leaving his mark on each letter or package that my Mama carefully and lovingly addressed. BSSYP survived graduation from college, graduate school, marriage, and now our first baby! My unique tribute to Mama and Daddy is a perpetual Virginia license tag with BSSYP on it. The look on my parents’ faces when I drove home for the first time donning my “tribute tags” was priceless. God only knows how many people have inquired about its meaning over the years.

I’ve never tired of sharing this tribute about my special parents, Bo and Maxine Bowman. I taught school almost ten years and an old license plate always adorned my classroom. The students inquired about it without fail and were given a little extra credit when they sought out its meaning and told me the next day. They loved it. Imagine my joy in giving my parents an autographed copy of Dennis Rainey’s book, The Tribute, (Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1994) in which a letter from me, about them, was published!

This BSSYP tradition has already been passed on to our daughter as a tribute from her special, special grandparents, my Mama and Daddy, and now to you…BSSYP!
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True Story #8

An inspiring mom encourages her teenage daughters to embrace the God-given gift of pure and unconditional love:

Lia,
I would like to share the reason that I ordered the rings for Christmas for my girls. My teenage daughters just completed a study on purity and I wanted a way to commemorate this study for them. I ordered them each a ring that says “I AM LOVED” with their initials on it so that they can be reminded daily that they are loved unconditionally by their heavenly father and their mom and dad. So for me it was for personal reasons that I ordered the rings but your jewelry is truly Made to Glorify. Their friends have asked questions about their rings and given them the opportunity to share! I also wanted to thank you for such personal service. You truly go above and beyond with attention to detail and customer service. I will continue to brag about you to my friends and family!
Take care,
Amy
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True Story #7

Is God your strength in times of trial? Read what a sweet believer, preparing for a Tri-City marathon, shared with MTG about how she perseveres in Him:

Hi Lia,
Well I’m about to tell you a story. This past week has been a journey in and of itself.
A week ago on Sunday morning I realized that my worst-case scenario for my race had happened. I was sick and it wasn’t just a simple cold, this was the “I can’t get out of bed let alone function sick”. So, Monday morning comes and after I drop my girls off at school I was driving to Target to pick up a few things. I was listening to K-love Christian Radio when I hear the Lord whisper to my heart, “Leslie – if you don’t get YOUR race, will you still praise me?” I sat there for a moment and pondered that question and felt enormous peace and joy when I knew in my heart the answer was YES –YES-YES! Even if I have to walk, I will praise YOU with every single step I take Lord. Later that day I was feeling even more horrible so I decided to go to a walk-in clinic to see if they could do anything to help me. Enter the Doctor. Happens to be a long distance runner. Happens to be a faithful follower of Christ and a prayer warrior for his church. I discovered this when I mentioned that I would praise the Lord even if I have to walk my race because it is Christ that gives me this ability. The doctor smiled huge, and told me about his faith. He then told me that he believes in medicine but believes even more in the power of prayer and asked if we could pray for guidance as He tries to determine the best course of treatment for me. It was powerful! Beautiful!
My checkout sheet/special instructions included the following: Musinex, Fluids, Rest AND Psalm 59:16!

But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.

So with that said, my spirits are high despite my body being exhausted. I did one 3-mile run this week and that was a chore. Tomorrow will be an interesting journey. I’m looking forward to taking each step with my Savior though and praising him for 26.2 miles anyhow I can; running, jogging, walking, or crawling. I’m giving my friend her necklace tonight after we pick up our race packets. I’ll be sure to send a pic of us as well. Your jewelry is a blessing, a source of inspiration and a great reminder to run with perseverance!!! So grateful to have found you online.
In Him,
Leslie

Within days of receiving this sweet email, MTG was blessed with her complete “race story.” In it, she shares how each leg of the race brought unique challenges and how her best friend and family stayed by her side throughout the mission. It’s a powerful story and can be read on her facebook page. Enjoy her inspirational closing, here:

…We finished in 4:04. I crossed the finish line and all of the pain that I had been feeling finally turned into tears. Cari and I raised our hands in unison to give praise and honor and glory to Christ. I hugged her, thanked her for getting me to the finish line and then sat down. As I sat crying, because of the pain in my body, the girls came up to me so I quickly fought back my tears as my daugher, in a fearful concern, took my sunglasses off. I rubbed my face, held the tears in and smiled at her. I had nothing left in me. I couldn’t stand any more. My knee was killing me. My back was shot. I was exhausted, freezing and very much out of it. And that was my race. A race where ‘my goal’ wasn’t achieved but a race I am not disappointed in. A race that went far beyond running and into new territory of endurance/perserverance/relying on the Lord. I will admit that for one small moment during this entire 26.2 miles of gut wrenching pain I got irritated and wanted to stamp my feet in protest for what was becoming of ‘my race’. As quickly as that thought entered it exited. I wouldn’t give it a resting place in my heart because my heart is firmly planted at the feet of my Savior.
For me, I discovered through each mile that this race had nothing to do with ‘the finish’. It was the journey. It was about trusting what the Lord was doing, knowing that He was with me, knowing that He suffered alongside of me, feeling the Angels carry me when I saw my family and friends supporting me. It was about enduring. Trusting. Believing. Being content with the journey. And I was. This race looked nothing like I had anticipated it looking like. From start to finish it was full of adversity of every imaginable kind BUT with My God that gave me the strength I got to the finish line.

Praise God! And thank you, Leslie! I noticed you’re wearing your MTG necklaces! We’re grateful to you for making Him real, and telling others how His strength supplies everything we need for everything we hope to become!
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True Story #6

We’re blessed to support an international ministry who gifts new believers with our Child of God necklaces, thanks to your online orders:

I wanted to take a minute and tell you what an awesome experience we had in Honduras with the boys, I wish you could have been there to see their faces. Our VBS lesson was given that day and it was the day that we presented the plan of salvation we had so many boys respond and then right on the heels of that I shared with them about being a “Child of God” and what that meant. These boys have been called everything but we wanted them to know that no matter what people said, God says that they belong to Him. So I called each boy up by name to the front and called them “Hijo de Dios” and you should have seem some of their faces. It was like seeing God’s healing pouring down over them like oil and them receiving the blessing of God over them. It was a powerful moment ladies and they were so proud. He had given them a new name! Hallelujah! It makes me want to cry and shout all at the same time it did then and does even now. So on behalf of the boys THANK YOU for your labor of love and for helping them seal their decisions for Christ with the beautiful necklaces and something they can hold on to forever. Thank you for responding to the call of God!
Following Him,
Bev

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True Story #5

A mother’s love inspires daughters who are wonderful mothers:

I want to thank you for the beautiful necklaces you make and made for me! What a blessing!! I absolutely love mine, couldn’t be more perfect, scripture, colors, etc. Thank you, too, for such inspirational words to my daughter!! She’s an amazing, mom, wife and friend!! Keep her and her family in your prayers…and thank you so much for serving the Lord in this way.
Blessings,
Gayle

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True Story #4

A sermon spoke to the heart and soul of a believer who wanted to remind herself and tell the world:

My bracelet came in the mail today, and I love it! A few weeks ago my pastor preached on 2 Corinthians 6:16. Even though I’d read this scripture many times, God used that sermon to work on me in a big way. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and what a beautiful and awesome responsibility and gift, that as a Christian I am a temple of the Living God. I decided that I needed a bracelet with the word “temple” on it as a reminder. I googled “scripture bracelets” and looked at many different sites. I found yours and loved it. I could feel your love for what you do and for the Lord.
Thank you so much!
Heather

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True Story #3

A faithful mom trusts daily that God has a plan for her:

What a wonderful blessing your jewelry is!! I love wearing my necklace. I have Ephesians 2:10 on mine because that is a scripture that is very special to me. Just to know that God had plans for me before I even knew them myself! Every time I wear the necklace I am reminded of my walk with God and I want to follow Him no matter where He leads me. I love it when people ask me about it. It’s a great way to let people know that we can trust God and when we follow His lead and do all that we can He’ll take care of the rest.
Love,
Amy

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True Story #2

Parenting requires faith, strength and friends:

So far, I have purchased the Fearless Believer and 23rd Psalm necklaces for myself. Not only are my necklaces beautiful, but they help give me strength when things get tough. As a mom, dealing with three kids can be spiritually challenging at times, and having a physical reminder to “Fear Not” and draw strength from God is very comforting. I also bought a custom necklace for a friend who was going through a tough time. It gives her a meaningful symbol of our friendship and God’s love to wear every day.
Laura

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True Story #1

Leaning on faith is life-giving when losing a loved one:

The beautiful and inspirational jewelry from Made to Glorify has meant so much to me. The necklace Legacy (2 Cor. 5:7, Walk by Faith not by Sight) has touched my heart in so many ways and saw me though many hard days during my husband’s illness and death.
Wishing you the best!
Sandra