A Collector 's Story
For some people, Precious Moments collecting is a fun hobby. For others, Precious Moments has allowed them to meet new people, explore new places, and express the emotions they feel in their hearts. Then there are those people whose lives have been intricately intertwined with the very spirit of Precious Moments. Long time Precious Moments employee, Karen Jones, is one of those people. She shares what Precious Moments means to her.
I began collecting Precious Moments more than 30 years ago when one of my best friends gave me two of the Original 21 figurines, E1372B and E1372G – the Jesus Loves Me boy and girl figurines – for my birthday. From that day on I loved Precious Moments and those figurines continue to be very special pieces to me. Another favorite was given to me from my parents, 12009 Love Covers All . One of my earliest Precious Moments memories dates back to the mid-1980s. I had joined a local Collectors’ Club at a Springfield, MO area store, and they were going to have an event with a special guest. It was going to be Mr. Butcher! I knew that I wanted to meet him and when I did, it solidified my love of Precious Moments. A few years later, my sisters told me that they had heard that Mr. Butcher and Precious Moments were going to be building the Chapel in Carthage, MO. They suggested I apply for a job when the time came. Along with my application, I wrote a letter about how much I loved Precious Moments and what it meant to me. I was so excited when I received the call to come out for an interview. I already had a job at the time, and the only time I could make it was on a Saturday. Mrs. Terri Heckmaster (who now serves as President of the Foundation) was so gracious and agreed to interview me
on a Saturday. It turned out to be quite the memorable interview! Terri was going to interview me at one of the houses on the Chapel grounds due to construction taking place to complete the Chapel and Visitor Center. When I arrived for my interview, Terri and I set off the security alarms! I remember thinking, “Oh, this is a great thing to happen at my interview!” After a few weeks I was excited to receive a call to come in for a second interview. While the first interview was low-key with just Terri and myself, when I arrived for the second interview there seemed to be hundreds of people lining the stairs of the Visitor Center waiting to be interviewed. When my turn came, I was taken to an office and introduced to several Butcher family members as "the lady who wrote the letter". Thankfully, they seemed very impressed with me and my letter. The rest is history! I was offered a job and I started working for the Precious Moments Chapel Gift Shoppe on June 9, 1989 and I am still here today, many positions later. Most of the significant moments in my adult life have included Precious Moments. From meeting my husband (he was a security guard) to our two wonderful sons, my coworkers have shared in these many memories and blessings. Precious Moments truly has been a second family for me.
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