“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rest upon me. ___2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

My name is Pam Powers, and I would like to share with you a brief story of what the Lord is doing in my life.....

My family (husband Dwight, children Brent and Celia) and I were hit head-on in a horrific automobile wreck in 1987. All four of us were badly injured and our lives were changed forever in that split second. I suffered a severe concussion with memory loss and extensive nerve damage from the head trauma and back injuries (I had just removed my seat belt to hand Brent his boom box so he could record Celia playing in her first piano duet recital at JCJC, and I went through the windshield upon impact). Dwight and I have required numerous surgeries and medical procedures during the past twenty three years due to the wreck; and Brent and Celia had their lives traumatically disrupted because of their major injuries. The highway patrolman who investigated the wreck assured us that the man who swerved into our lane and hit us was ok (in fact, he wasn’t hurt at all), and said he didn’t know how we had survived that wreck after seeing what was left of our car. We were all plagued with anxiety, headaches, recurring nightmares, and a mind-numbing fear of being in a car. Then, just a few days after we were released from the hospital, Dwight’s daddy died. We spent most of our time together after that, and grew very close and involved in each other’s lives…we were so apprehensive about what could happen to us next as a family.

I have suffered agonizing, unrelenting chronic pain since the wreck, sometimes even being partially paralyzed and confined to my bed for months, due to scar tissue from back surgery being wrapped around my spinal cord. My whole family and all my friends have prayed for me and helped me in so many ways; but the constant pain and the inability to be useful eventually took its toll on my mind and body. I sank into a deep depression and nothing mattered to me. I knew God loved me, but I just felt so alone with the pain.

The devil frequently encouraged me to end my life, but the Lord always reminded me of my family who dearly loved me and needed me to get well. I didn’t think I could share these thoughts with anyone—I was afraid the doctors would convince my family that I had lost my mind and that I should be ‘locked up’ for my own protection. So, I suffered in silence, existing on pain medicine and muscle relaxants…until one day God made me realize that I had become addicted to all those drugs, and that I needed to be drug-free in order to comprehend what He wanted me to do with my life.

I immediately quit taking all the medications, trusting God to take care of me. I have been praying for almost seven years for God to show me something I could do to help Dwight with our bills, but nothing happened. I watched the Christian network telecasts daily as I lay in bed, and they quickly became my lifeline to the “outside world”. I began to take a close, hard look at myself. I learned that my feeble attempts to tithe and my hardened heart toward the man who had caused such chaos in our lives, was keeping me from receiving the untold blessings that God wanted me to have; and I repented of my many sins. Dwight and I started faithfully tithing with the first check that is written from his paycheck— God deserves and expects our first fruits: our best. It hasn’t been easy, especially since Dwight decided to go into business for himself and quit his corporate job of almost 32 years, but I know now that this is what God requires of us.

I have never had an interest in jewelry, mainly because it was expensive, and I couldn’t manage the clasp to put it on and take it off.  But, God had a plan for my life: my brother and his family were visiting from out of town around Easter of ‘07, and my sister-in-law invited me to make a beaded stretch bracelet with some of her beads (she later realized that the Lord had told her to bring her beads as a part of His plan for my life, because she hadn’t made a bracelet in about two years). My normal reply would have been something like “I wish I could, but you know my hands don’t work too well.”…...instead, I heard a voice say, “I can do that”, and I realized that the words had come from my mouth! I sat down and made three bracelets, just like that! God gave my hands the ability to make something pretty; and I really, really liked making them! It was a miracle! My parents enthusiastically suggested that I make more bracelets and sell them.

My talented brother and my family and friends began to encourage me by buying me beads and supplies; by helping me design and create my logo, business cards, signs, and jewelry stands; by helping me find the perfect Bible verse to convey my message (  “…and in Thine Hand is Power and Might…” __1 Chronicles 29:12 KJV ); by creating internet photo shows of my jewelry; by registering my new business email address; by building me a website......the list goes on and on! I want my 'business' to be a testimony to God—to show that I have placed my life “In His Hands”. I have made over 1490 bracelets, 395 necklaces, and 285 pairs of earrings since April, 2007; and I give all the Glory and Praise to our Lord and Savior!

I still have many medical problems, including migraine vertigo; and I still have to spend quite a few hours of each day in the bed. But, Praise God, I am able to get up and make several pieces of jewelry every day….thanking God with each bead that I use! The migraines keep me from reading my Bible, but I savor the quiet time I spend with my Heavenly Father in prayer as I make my jewelry…. I get dressed, comb my hair, give my nails a mini manicure, and put on my rings and a bracelet to match what I’m wearing….I feel a little like I have a “real” job! I sit down at my table and I ask God to guide me as I pick out the beads that He wants me to use. I lovingly offer up prayers to our Heavenly Father for the recipient of each piece of jewelry as I make it. I carefully place a butterfly (sometimes, God guides me to use more) within the jewelry design to signify new life in Jesus; and, as each piece of jewelry is finished, I tie three knots to represent the Holy Trinity. Then, I place a drop of clear nail polish on the knot to strengthen it, just as God strengthens us when we yield our will to Him and His plan for our lives. The word “Power” in the name “Pam’s Power Beads” proclaims the awesome Power and Might of our Lord.

My stretch jewelry is ideal for people with limited use of their hands and fingers; for children; and for people who don’t have a lot of time to worry with clasps— the jewelry easily slips on and off with no effort. I know from personal experience how pain and disabilities can keep a person from feeling attractive, but seeing the beads sparkle in the light makes you want to get up and get dressed again! I prayed for God to let me do something that would bring Honor and Glory to Him….something that would encourage others who live with constant pain and hopelessness…something that my children would be proud to know that their mother was involved in…. something that I could do to help Dwight pay our bills…..and something that I could get enjoyment from, while feeling useful once again. I am still praying for healing—believing and trusting that God will answer that prayer, too…..in His time, and for His Glory.

I appreciate you taking the time to read a little of my story....God's still working on me; and as my business progresses, I pray that HE will always be the main focus. I pray for God’s blessings in your life; and I humbly ask you to pray for me while I try to be obedient to His will for my life as I place it                                                                 “IN HIS HANDS”.

Thank you, Pam