Contact: Susan Zahn, WDC Media PR, 877-862-3600, szoffice@wdcmedia.com, faithwireservice@aol.com
MEDIA ADVISORY, Dec. 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- The inspiration for the Gracewear Collection came to Wendy Strong Lupas 25,000 feet above sea level. Three years later, gracewearcollection.com -- sterling silver jewelry designed to protect those who wear it from life's slings and arrows -- officially launched on December 7th, 2009.
Based on the scripture, Ephesians 6: 10-18 -- which encourages the faithful to spiritually dress themselves with God's armor for the battles they face each day -- Gracewear Collection Christian lifestyle brand shield of faith jewelry line was created to cloak the wearer in the shield of God's protection.
The founders of gracewearcollection.com believe that they have created more than just stunning jewelry, or a special Christmas gift.
"There's something eternal about a beautiful pendant or bracelet, designed with enough sophistication to make a bold statement about one's faith and God's amazing gift of salvation," says Mary Strong Blackburn, co-founder of Gracewear Collection. "The intricately-designed shield is such a powerful symbol of God's everlasting protection, mercy, and grace."
The Gracewear story began as Wendy Strong Lupas -- Blackburn's sister and co-founder of gracewearcollection.com -- set off for what she hoped would be a relaxing and reconnecting time in the Caribbean with her husband, who'd recently recovered from a rare lung disease. Instead, the vacation became a life-altering journey.
"It began with a book that caught my eye at the airport bookstore," says Lupas. "After reading Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose, I realized that although I was a woman of faith, my life was actually devoid of balance, passion, peace...and even purpose!"
Lupas couldn't stop thinking about what to her was a shocking self-realization. Later that week, she experienced what she calls a spirit-filled moment; according to Lupas, the voice of God told her that she must let go of the past, and forgive...and that with this forgiveness, she would find freedom and peace (Mathew 6: 14-15).
"I literally fell to my knees and gave thanks to God for giving me this wonderful husband and life that I was not embracing," says Lupas. "I asked God's forgiveness for blaming my husband for so much that I needed to take responsibility for."
The grueling treatment for her husband's condition had taken nearly two years. And through this dark time, Lupas's usual joyful and positive nature began to evaporate; her husband's spirit was being drained out of him by the medication, and anger and bitterness had crept into what was once a happy and ideal life.
After hearing the voice of God, Lupas was ready to embrace life again, and find her real purpose. She contacted her sister, and the two set out to launch Gracewear Collection.
"Our vision is to share with other women about God's grace, and how to receive abundant freedom by forgiving others and receiving peace in their daily lives," says Lupas.
Ten percent of the purchase price of gracewearcollection.com jewelry is tithed to providing programs and provisions for God's children in crisis. Gracewear Collection partners with ministries such as www.mercyministries.com, www.lifechallengewnc.com, and www.tdarschool.org to generate funding and programs to help rebuild young lives with a foundation in Christ.
Each piece of Gracewear Collection jewelry comes beautifully wrapped with a keepsake copy of Ephesians 6:13-18. This moving scripture, the sisters say, reminds us to armor ourselves with God's word in order to protect everything we value and hold close to our hearts.
"Every woman has their own Gracewear story...and I pray that our collection can help women know that their past does not define their future," says Lupas.
For more information, visit www.gracewearcollection.com.
