Cheryl Kennamer of Woodville, Alabama provides hope to people in need through her handmade ribbon Crosses.  She made her first group of crosses for friends and then began giving them to people who had lost a loved one or were just going through a rough time.  She states that she is not really sure how many have been made and given away.  The Crosses are made in three sizes: a large one for men, which can be hung from the rear view mirror of a vehicle, a medium one for women and a small one for babies. 

Cheryl gave a friend from church a small ribbon Cross when her second son was born.  The baby was diagnosed with a hole in his heart that required surgery.  Cheryl went to Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital to be with the mother on the day of the surgery.  Cheryl was touched when she noticed that the mother had been holding the small ribbon Cross in her hand throughout the operation.  This same cross was then tied to the baby’s bed while he was in the recovery room. 

Since then, she and a group of people have taken Crosses to the Children’s hospital to give to those who really need the hope of the Cross.  Cheryl stated, “We seem to be led to those who really need it.”  Today, Cheryl continues to make and give away her Crosses of HOPE to friends and other people in need.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13 (RSV). 

“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.  More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5 (RSV). 

“For thou, O Lord, art my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.  Upon thee I have leaned from my birth; thou art he who took me from my mother’s womb.  My praise is continually of thee.” Psalms 71:5-6 (RSV).