We've Overcome

I just ran across this old blog and it made me smile.  I specifically posted this so when Sole Hope is where we are now it would be so much more gratifying and glorifying to God.  I had SO many people when I was in this stage of Sole Hope make it sound like we were going to be defeated.  They saw how hard it was to not be a shoe designer and design a shoe.  I knew we'd have a shoe-I KNEW it.  And I believe our shoes will keep getting better over the years.  But for now I read this old blog post and just smile...because we have OVERCOME.

"Let me be real with you people…making shoes out of tires by hand is hard work!  Designing a pattern that works takes more brain power than you’d think, and there are a million little details in shoe making that you don’t even begin to consider until you make a pair of shoes.

I was hoping that yesterday when my sewing buddy, Beth, came over that we would be able to make our last mock-up of a Sole Hope shoe and that I would be able to wear it for the next month solid to “test” it out.  After 11.5 hours of working on ONE shoe yesterday I went to bed feeling very defeated!  This last shoe some how turned out worse than the rest, and it was the 4th shoe I’ve made.  I knew there would be challenges we would run into during this project-but I still struggle to not feel discouraged.

I know we will get there.  I know the pattern and the products will all come together and we will have one amazing shoe design when this is over, but that time has not arrived.  I am reminded of my hard work for “nothing” every time I move my hands today.  My thumb has been numb for over 24 hours (do you think that’s bad?) and clicks every time I move it, I have a humongous blister on my finger and two slices in another finger.  I have to say, I am thinking we might move away from the tire idea and onto micro cellular rubber or something similar.  Something that does not require such dangerous measures to make a sole.

Why am I writing about this uneventful day I had yesterday?  Well, I just want to keep everyone up to speed on the process.  Let you see the REAL side to shoe making and also tell you about yesterday so you can rejoice in magnificence of how this comes together once our shoe design is completed and ready to take across the sea.

The day is coming, I have faith and am pushing myself to persevere even when I want to quit.  This is all for something greater than myself and I am so thankful I can carry this burden."

-Asher Collie