Swaddling Clothes' New Space!

I honestly didn't think it would take this long to get into a bigger space.  When we started Swaddling Clothes in April 2013 we had already started the process to buy the building we are in now.  It took awhile, but it was worth it!

This was how we set up before...

We set up in the only space we had, our sanctuary.  That meant that once a month the members of River of Life would take down all the chairs, set up tables, and lug all the tubs of clothes out of storage.  Then after a few hours they would put everything back so we could have services in there the next day.  It was a labor of love.  A labor of love that went on for a year.

Then we moved into our new church building!

 The Swaddling Clothes room started out like this.

Then I managed to convince these three guys to take down the hooks and shelves.  This was a big job!

Then Glenn, the handsome fellow in the middle, helped me paint, and hung all of my clothing racks and shelves.  After Glenn put the clothing rods up several ladies from church came in and started hanging up and sorting clothes. 

Now it looks a little something like this...

I am very excited about the future.  Our first "shopping" weekend in the new building was a huge success.  

If your church in interested in starting a Swaddling Clothes project please let me know.  The goal is to package up what we've done to make it easier for other churches to start.  I already know of another Lutheran church in Iowa that is in the beginning stages.  

Be sure to like Swaddling Clothes on Facebook!

Our New Church Building

Things have been super busy around here.  I haven't posted much because I haven't been able to sit in one place for more than 5 minutes in the past 3 weeks.  On April 9th our church closed on its new church building!  So, if I'm not at work, you are sure to find me there.

Every room needs some tender loving care.  I have spent most of my time in this lovely room that is no longer green.  This is my Swaddling Clothes room.  Which no longer looks like this.  I've had tons of help from some wonderful people in the congregation and the room looks fantastic!  So you'll just have to check back later for more current pictures.

In the meantime, bear with me.  I just need to make it through Saturday, which is our first Swaddling Clothes event in the new space, and then I might start relaxing.

Swaddling Clothes

Sometime last year, Hans came up with the idea to have a "store" of sorts at our church filled with baby stuff.  When he presented this idea to the congregation, he called it the "mom stuff store".  That was its name for several months until he came up with "Swaddling Clothes."  Which I find very fitting.  At this point, my wonderful husband handed me the reigns and said, "make it something".  I set this project to the side while I was busy with other parts of life.  Then this article came out in our District's newsletter.  This was no longer a back burner project.  With the help of some wonderful people at church, we will be open the first Saturday of every month starting in April.  Someday we hope to get into a bigger space that will allow our "store" to be open more often.

Here is our pamphlet.  Cover art by my talented mom.

If you know someone in our area who needs the help, please let them know.  If you want to donate clothes, diapers or money to go towards clothes and diapers, please let me know.