Saturday, May 27, 2017

If only you could see the faces...

This is what you look like when you see God.  For people who say "What God?" I've never seen him.  Have you?"

We can without a doubt say "Yes we have!"


Friday morning we were blessed to host the Hopewell Special Needs Prom.  Dozens of young prom goers arrived to have their picture taken, grab some refreshments (thanks McDonalds for the generous gift of hundreds of McNuggets!) and dance the morning away in true style.

For us, this event symbolized the culmination of a season full of God sightings, tearful stories, and witnesses to the generosity and compassion of God's people.


So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27

I wish we could show you their faces.  In the smiles, the laughter, and the pure joy, you see God.  Not a God who demands from us but a God who gives to us unending love and joy.

Love demonstrated in simple things.  Joy that comes from truly feeling special.












Thank you to all the volunteers who made this Prom season so special!  Thank you to all the organizations who helped make it all possible.  Thank you God for revealing yourself to us.




Flowers always make a girl cry right?
Amen.

- Aileen and Tammy



Monday, May 22, 2017

I am glad God never takes a break. Otherwise I would be a mess!

Friday morning my mom, Mr. Kay, and I went to pick up just a few prom dresses from Lincoln Ministries for next year.  When we got back to church with our van literally crammed with dresses, there was a lady and two daughters waiting for us.

Huffing and puffing with our allergies working over time, we ran up and down the stairs unloading the dresses and helping our newest customers find their princess dresses.   Then the mom said “what a blessing this place is” and it stopped me in my tracks.

I know I have heard that before but what makes today different?  You see we are all dealing with times in life that leaves us tired and out of breath.  But God breathes life into us.

"Let all that you do be done in love" 1 Corinthians 16:14


As I talked to the lady I found she has 16 kids!  Well, not literally.  Her kids are grown but she has taken these kids on as her project - to do things for them as she can.  Talk about exhausting!

- Aileen



Saturday, May 13, 2017

What does a Cashier and a Teacher Have in Common?

Last year one of the teachers for the special needs kids at Mallard Creek came in to the Prom Closet to help her students find dresses for their prom.  She said she was getting married soon but didn’t have a dress.  Ms. Cindy talked her into looking and she found one! 

Fast forward one year later and when I called Mallard Creek the same teacher said “I have a great story to tell you but you are going to have to wait until I get there!”  I am not very patient so the suspense was killing me.  When she came in last Friday she told me that God had put a wonderful man in her life and her wedding dress from the Closet made her feel so special on her wedding day!

A couple of weeks ago, Ms. Kay beamed as she told me the story of when she bought Bibles at the Dollar Store.  While she was checking out, the cashier asked her why she was buying so many Bibles.   Ms. Kay told her about the Prom Closet and sure enough, that cashier came in with her daughter to pick out a prom dress.  She even brought in some to donate, too.
“A lady at the store buying Bibles told me about the Prom Closet,” she said.  “What a great ministry you guys are doing!”

Now at first you wouldn’t think that a cashier and a special needs teacher would have much in common.   One was helping students and one was helping her daughter.  One was getting married and one was experiencing the joy of watching her daughter proudly go to prom.

What they both had in common was that they experienced beauty that only God can give.  God knows and provides for our needs.  God makes us feel beautiful, special, and needed in so many ways. 

She is more precious than Rubies.  Proverbs 31:10

Their hugs, thanks, and stories warmed our hearts too and reminded us that God is at work every day.

Blessings!
-Aileen