About Us
Hi! Welcome to Praus Gifts! We are so glad that you are here and we pray you find God's perfect word for you!
MY STORY: My grandfather and my father were both ministers and artists, so I grew up with art and God's Word as part of my life. So no surprise, I majored in Art at a Christian college. Do you know how few art jobs there are out there and how little they pay? I felt God's leading to work with computers which I found that I loved just as much, there were more jobs and the pay was much better. Much, much better. God is so smart!
Now that I’m retired from technology, I’m back to creating art. I love putting out truth and beauty in a world that desperately needs both.
MY PRODIGAL YEARS: It wasn't always straightforward. You’d think that with a father and grandfather who were pastors, I would just continue the Christian legacy. But you know how preachers kids can be. I did accept Christ when I was 11 years old. I thought should I follow Jesus, the good guy, or Satan, the bad guy. No question! Follow Jesus the good guy!! But in my twenties, things didn't seem so straightforward, and I decided that, just like there are many ways to get to San Francisco, there were many ways to get to God and Jesus was just one way among many.
MY HUSBAND THINKS HE'S RIGHT: My husband and all my Christian friends were so annoying, constantly saying, "Jesus is the only way." That's why He said "I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life." Frustrated, I decided to challenge God: "OK God, if Jesus really is the only way, prove it!" Be careful what you ask for.
MY HUSBAND IS RIGHT: Suddenly, God began revealing Bible verses to me—the verses Billy Graham quoted. Verses like, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Then came the verse that convinced me: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
God answered my challenge, and I couldn’t ignore the truth any longer.
I FELT THE POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS: That was convincing, but what truly transformed me was when I prayed for someone who had been sick for many years. A friend told me that as Christians we can command illness to leave in Jesus’ Name. I hadn't heard that in before. We didn't discuss that in the church I grew up in. Honestly, I wasn’t sure it would work, but I thought, “Why not? It can’t hurt.” Oh me of little faith.
What happened next shocked me—I felt a surge of divine power flow through me, and the person was healed. That moment changed me forever. You can’t deny what you have experienced firsthand.
The irony is not lost on me that now my favorite sweatshirt has the verse 'I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life.' Heavenly Blue - Jesus is the Way Sweatshirt Hoodie
After that life changing incident, I asked God "I didn't know about the power in the Name of Jesus to heal us, What else do I need to know about that I didn't know about?" He has been very faithful to show me more and more. These are available in an e-book " on Amazon.
MY FAMILY: I have a wonderful, wise, and handsome husband, Jeff (the one who kept telling me that Jesus is the only way). He is my greatest gift next to Jesus (God told me this one time when I was angry with him). Jeff works as the Director of Development for a homeless ministry called Monthly Miracles. They are doing all kinds of good in the world. We live in Northern California, enjoying life near Silicon Valley, with congested traffic, high home costs, and lots of interesting companies near by.
We weren't able to have children, but we have an adorable, slightly mischievous dog, Baker. He likes to steal things so he has to drop them and then get a treat for obeying the drop command. He has good hair and gives lots of love! Here he is with Jeff's socks in his mouth waiting for me to say "Drop!" and give him a treat. Did we train him or did he train us?
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you find products that draw you closer to God and His truth.
Much love in Jesus who (now I know for sure) really is the only way,
Voni
Our Values and Beliefs:
- God is love (1 John 4:8)
- God's Word is truth and it will change us (John 17:17)
- God's Word heals us and delivers us from destructions (Psalm 107:20)
- Jesus is God and when you come to Him, you've come to God. (Colossians 1:15, John 14:6)
- God has a wonderful plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11)
Organizations we support and recommend are:
Voice of the Martyrs - https://www.persecution.com/ - An organization that serves persecuted Christians in the world’s most difficult and dangerous places.
Samaritan's Purse - https://www.samaritanspurse.org - An international disaster relief organization that provides aid to hurting people affected by war, poverty, & disasters.
Monthly Miracles - https://www.monthlymiracles.org/ - Serves those that are homeless or facing homelessness in the Northern California area, by sharing the love and grace of Jesus Christ in words and actions. My husband volunteers with this ministry.
Compassion International - https://www.compassion.com/- A child sponsorship organization that gives hope to children in poverty.
It is in blessing others that we are blessed.