Monday, August 26, 2013

The Beauty of a Generous Heart

If you have ever watched a child for more than a few minutes than you know that giving is not something that comes naturally for most. Granted it is easier for some than others and there are those children who don't have a hard time sharing but for most of us it is difficult to give away something even if it is something we don't need or use. I speak, of course, out of experience. 

I have been blessed over the last few months with the cheerful gifts of beautiful generosity. Nothing false or pretentious, not seeking it's own gain, not looking for anything in return. Just pure and honest generosity.

It is no wonder that the bible say's "God loves a cheerful giver".  I have been in the position of seeing people give in order to make others lives better, and of being the catalyst to bring it about. The Joy it brings me is indescribable. It is like I am getting a glimpse of what God feels when we reach out to one another to show His love, and that we care.
The dresses pictured below have all been Generous Gifts of Beautiful Hearts. Thank you so much.



I also want to mention that Time is an incredible gift. So many have stepped up to help by giving their time and talent. All of my models are amazing woman who have given Generous Gifts from Beautiful Hearts. Even the camera I have been using to do photo shoots has been freely lent to me (from a woman who, might I add, has a beautiful little girl to take pictures of! I don't know if  I would be as generous as she!)
I have also been blessed to receive a business mentor at no charge to help me make this a success!
God has supplied for all of my needs for this business and blessed my heart through the love and generosity of others. I cannot wait to be able to make a difference in another woman's life by helping her get a wedding dress! I cannot wait to share so much more with the wonderful ministries and charities that touch so many lives. You and your Generous Gifts from your Beautiful Hearts Have made all this possible.
God Loves A Cheerful Giver!! (and so do I!)

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Welcome to the ReDress blog!!

Welcome to the ReDress Blog!

As a first post I want to share all about ReDress. Why and how we started, and what we hope the future holds. As most of you know, I started ReDress to reach out to others, help brides afford a beautiful gown, and give financial support to missions and charities that make a difference in peoples lives. But I would like to be a little more specific. To let you in on just why I started this business, what I've been doing and who our proceeds are going to. So here goes...

I was Married 8 years ago this September (Wow, that's in two weeks!). When my husband and I began  planning our wedding we realized that they were incredibly more expensive than we were able to afford. Many people were very generous in helping make our wedding so beautiful.
Had it not been for the amazing help of my wonderful mother I never would have had the beautiful gown I was able to wear that day. Not every one has a mother who is able to help them but every bride should have the perfect dress.

It took me 7 1/2 years after our wedding to get my dressed cleaned and preserved (that is also more expensive than you might think!).
When I went into the dry cleaners to bring them my gown the woman behind the counter told me that many women bring in their gowns to be cleaned but never come back to get them. She told me that there were dresses that had never been claimed stacked in the back of the shop just sitting there. It seemed like such a waste, especially knowing that there are women (like I was) who can't afford dresses.
On my way out of the cleaners I kept thinking about how those dresses could be used by brides, or even be sold to help people in need. At this point in my conversation with myself, God interrupted and asked me "Why don't you do something about it?"
Me? I'm not an entrepreneur! 
Well I guess I am now, lol! When God asks you to do something He always makes a way. Here I am, 6 months later, with a small stock of wedding dresses, veils, a flower-girl dress and lot's of support and encouragement. As a company, we also have a small group of organizations that we support, and have even been honored to make our first donation! I will be writing more about the groups we support in a later post.

As to the future of  ReDress, I am hoping to see it flourish and grow beyond my living room walls, supply many brides with a gown that they love and to reach out into the world with hope, healing.