Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you're all having a great day so far. I wanted to share something a little different with you all today - something I rarely ever post about here on Le Magnifique. My sister-in-law contacted me earlier this week asking me if I would be interested part-taking in this new campaign they're doing, Repurpose the Dress, for their non-profit organization, Tower of Refuge. I offered to provide a platform for them to reach out to Le Magnifique's readers. You can read all about Repurpose the Dress below from the heart of my sister-in-law. Have a great day!
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21
From the heart of Damaris S.:
"Three years ago this week, God showed His grace on me and gave me a great gift: my husband. I remember the feelings I had in those moments before I walked down the aisle: feelings of excitement, nervousness, and overwhelming joy. I was wearing my Casablanca 1900 wedding dress with sparkly flats and a simple veil encrusted with Swarovski crystals. My hair was curled to perfection, my make up was simple and classy... I felt beautiful! Every time I glance over my wedding dress in my closet, I think back on that day. I reminisce on the same feelings I felt moments before I stepped down to pledge my faithfulness and love to my best friend. If only I could relive that moment. If only I could put my dress back on, go back to our ceremony site, and feel that initial excitement & joy once again. I often tease my husband, Razvan, about renewing our vows. It started with a 25 year vow renewal and has gradually moved to 20, 10, even 5 years! I asked myself why is it so important to me? I can only think that I'm trying to relive that season. I think of Solomon's wise words: to everything there is a season (Ecclesiastes 3). My wedding season is over, but my marriage is an on-going season of beauty. I may not be able to wear my wedding dress to reenact my wedding, but I have a different joy of waking up beside my husband each day and embracing the miracles and grace that God shows our family each day.
Then God spoke. The pastor in Haiti communicated to our team that there were young couples in his community who are giving their lives to Christ. All glory to God! These couples are living together (some with their children), but are not married. They want to get married, but one thing delaying the process is that they struggle to find wedding attire. Tower of Refuge is now holding a campaign to have couples donate their wedding dresses and suits/tuxedos. The pastor will keep them at the church and loan them out to couples who need to get married in the church, but do not have resources to get wedding attire.
What a great opportunity! My dress that otherwise would be sitting in my closet, collecting dust & being eaten by moths, can do exactly what I hoped for! It can bring back that feeling of excitement and joy to countless women in the poor city of Jacmel, Haiti. What a beautiful thing! I've already received feedback from others about my intent to give my dress. "It's a special memory, it can be used for my daughter in the future, etc." But we all know that styles change in this country where women can choose from thousands of dresses each year. What a greater use will it be if it brings joy to numerous women in need, all for the glory of God.
I invite you to join me and take advantage of this amazing privilege to give up your wedding dress to God, so He can use it to bring joy to needy women who have tasted of his goodness."
Then God spoke. The pastor in Haiti communicated to our team that there were young couples in his community who are giving their lives to Christ. All glory to God! These couples are living together (some with their children), but are not married. They want to get married, but one thing delaying the process is that they struggle to find wedding attire. Tower of Refuge is now holding a campaign to have couples donate their wedding dresses and suits/tuxedos. The pastor will keep them at the church and loan them out to couples who need to get married in the church, but do not have resources to get wedding attire.
What a great opportunity! My dress that otherwise would be sitting in my closet, collecting dust & being eaten by moths, can do exactly what I hoped for! It can bring back that feeling of excitement and joy to countless women in the poor city of Jacmel, Haiti. What a beautiful thing! I've already received feedback from others about my intent to give my dress. "It's a special memory, it can be used for my daughter in the future, etc." But we all know that styles change in this country where women can choose from thousands of dresses each year. What a greater use will it be if it brings joy to numerous women in need, all for the glory of God.
I invite you to join me and take advantage of this amazing privilege to give up your wedding dress to God, so He can use it to bring joy to needy women who have tasted of his goodness."
For more information on "Repurpose The Dress," contact info@thetowerofrefuge.org.
*This is not a sponsored post. I am sharing this because it's a cause I believe in and want to raise awareness to in hopes that there are past brides out there who are wanting to help these brides-to-be in Haiti. I have wanted to go on a mission trip, especially to Haiti, due to the fact that members from my church are very involved out there. Unfortunately, due to personal events that happened, I wasn't able to go during the times they went. However, it is something I will do in the future, God-willing. I hope this inspires a past bride out there. Tower of Refuge is based in Southern California.*
