In 2018 God placed an idea in my mind and dream in my heart. He often uses life’s challenges to grow us, so it came as no surprise that this idea blossomed after a season of deep sadness. I had lost both of my parents in just over a year. With those losses came grief, transition, and the daunting task of sorting through mountains of memories as my siblings and I closed up my parents’ home. Letting go was hard. And although I understand God’s intent when He tells us not to hold too tightly to belongings, I found it wasn’t really about the things as much as it was the memories they awakened in us. The same way a scent or a song can take you back to a moment in time, Dad’s favorite chair reminded us of cheering for our favorite teams on Sunday afternoons. Mom’s lovely Talavera pottery reminded us of her gift for artistry and the years she and Dad lived abroad. The dining room table, passed down from Grandma and Grandpa, reminded us of family gatherings that connected us. Memories we didn’t want to forget. Yet as my siblings and I tackled each closet, packed each drawer, boxed each item, and considered where each belonging would ultimately go, I kept thinking, “There has to be a better way.” ​That’s when God laid out a plan for helping people who would like to share their belongings with families in need. A plan to serve the spiritual and practical needs of those who give and those who receive. A plan that allows those who give to feel confident their quality furnishings and home goods would be cared for and given a new beginning with a family with confirmed needs. A plan that allows those who receive to be given hope, respect, and the elements to not just equip a house but to create a home. That’s how hearts+homes’ vision of “furnishing fresh starts” began. And then in March 2020 the world stopped. With a global pandemic and nationwide shutdown, I thought this ministry would be indefinitely on hold. But one June day in 2020, a single text from Princeton Alliance Church set everything in motion. The church offered to “incubate” hearts+homes with the intent of launching it as an independent non-profit. They generously offered a location, storage, upcycling space, guidance, support, resourcing, and accountability. I was stunned. Humbled. Grateful. Within weeks, we soft-launched this new volunteer-driven ministry. We put health and safety measures in place. We started improving the initial model using real-life client interactions as our training ground. Church family members volunteered their time and skills. Partnerships were forged with local advocacy groups. Families felt the love, care, and hope that only Jesus can provide. As we outgrew our space not once, not twice, but five times, we boldly prayed for a location of our own to explore God’s next steps for the ministry. That location is now 30 N. Main Street in Cranbury, New Jersey. ​With the church's blessing, we took brave steps toward independence. In early fall of 2023 we celebrated the achievements of meeting key organizational health milestones related to finance, operations and leadership, and our official designation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Looking back, it all seems a little crazy, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Launching, sustaining, and growing a highly relational nonprofit in the midst of a global pandemic was a big order. But we serve a big God. Trust Him with your dreams... especially the big ones. Stay tuned for what He has planned next. Kristen Bowen Executive Director hearts+homes