A Christ-Centered Christmas Service Project for Grand Blanc, Michigan

Dear Friends,

As Christmas draws near, I want to say thank you. QA Bags is still a new startup and small family business. Your support means everything to us. Every order, every kind message, every review, share, and prayer has helped our little business grow. You are a part of our story and we are so grateful.

Christmas reminds us of Jesus Christ, the center of this season. He taught us to love, to serve, to share, and to give. My hope for you is a holiday filled with love, peace, and joy, and a deeper feeling of His light in your home.

A prompting to serve

A few days after the tragedy in Grand Blanc, Michigan, a close friend reached out to me. She shared that she had felt a strong prompting that I should send some of my bags to the ward members there. She felt impressed because the bags we make at QA Bags are gospel centered and could serve as small reminders of Christ during a very painful time. 

I took that prompting to heart and began to pray and think about what this project should look like.

As I worked through the idea, another clear feeling came to me: wait.
I felt I should not send the bags immediately. 

In the days and weeks following a tragedy, there is often an outpouring of support. People are overwhelmed with logistics, emotions, and urgent needs. I felt that by the time Christmas approached, much of the world would have moved on from what happened, but the families in that ward in Michigan would still be carrying grief. That would be the time they might need extra love the most.

So I waited. And quietly, the project began to grow.

Many hearts came together

Over the next couple of months, I was blessed to meet and work with several remarkable women who felt a desire to be part of this effort. Each one brought something meaningful, and together, the packages came together more beautifully than I could have planned on my own.

- Tiffany Wheeler (@tiffanywheelerbooks), author of the children's book NEPHITE CHRISTMAS, a story about faith, courage and love, generously donated 77 copies.

- Paige Payne (@paigepayne_creations), an artist who created a painting of Christ in response to the tragedy, also became part of the project. Her artwork conveys that peace and hope comes from knowing that the Savior is watching over us.

- Julie Thompson (@julie.and.jesus), an LDS influencer, felt inspired to help as well. She purchased Paige's artwork and made 59 copies, one for each youth in the ward, so they could receive a reminder of Christ's love during this season.

Each contribution felt intentional. Each piece belonged.

Each package was carefully prepared with love and prayer.

Packing 77 gifts for children and 59 gifts for youth

For the children, the gift package included:

• A Nephite Christmas storybook
• An All-In Pouch with Plan of Salvation Diagram containing a pencil and notepad
• An Everyday Scripture and Little Church Tote Bag (Book of Mormon print)

For the youth, the gift package included:

• A The Hope of All the World print, reminding them that our Savior is aware of them personally
• An Iron Rod Messenger Bag

Words that humbled my heart

When I shared the project with the Grand Blanc ward's bishop, his response deeply humbled me. He expressed heartfelt gratitude and shared that this offering would mean so much to their ward. He said this would help their children and youth feel truly loved and remembered during Christmas.

His words reminded me that even small offerings, when guided by love and faith, can carry great meaning.

How QA Bags products can share Christ's light

The other day, I shipped four boxes to Michigan. They are expected to arrive on December 17, just in time for Christmas.

This project has never been about recognition. It has been about listening, waiting, and trusting that the Lord knows when and how to send comfort.

Thank you to everyone who supported QA Bags, encouraged me, and made this project possible. You may not have known it at the time, but your support helped carry Christ's love to families who needed it.

This is what Christmas means to me: remembering Christ, serving quietly, and trusting that He can multiply even our smallest efforts. 

Thank you for being a part of our QA Bags family.

Love • Share • Rejoice • Every Day