Saturday, July 12, 2008

Clothes Closet and Car Care

I am getting so much rest...I am loving it! I also have some things going on that I'm excited to share with you. First of all, I will be back to full time blogging (full time for me might mean once a week, or twice or more, not sure yet!) at the first of August! I've decided that it is something that's good for me, to have a place to report on fashion and a place to give an update on the stuff God is doing in my life. I am a big journal-er....(is that a word?) but it's also fun to have a place on my computer to remind me of things, too. I still haven't figured out how to post pics yet but that is going to be something I'm going to find out about. Even if I have to send them to my friend Lisa B. at Simply His to do it for me.....she said she would. (Love her!)

I'm also having a new blog designed! I'm so excited and can't wait for you to see it....actually, I can't wait to see it either! I stumbled across this fabulous blogsite one night and checked out who did it and found this really hip, cute chick that looks like she can do something amazing with mine. So she's working on it now! I think it will inspire me to write more stuff, too!

Okay, now for something really neat. I think God is calling us to a new church...oh dear, if anyone from my church reads this I'm really in trouble. But there are a few reasons this might be happening and we're just watching what God does as He's directing us. So last week, He directed us to a church near our home...actually, it's where my son goes to school, which is quite convenient also! As I was looking for the service times on their website, I saw a notice for "Clothes Closet and Car Care". What? A Clothes Closet? Yippee....I was so excited! I have always wanted to have a clothing ministry at my church but wasn't able to due to some logistics. So when I saw this I got super excited. Turns out today was the day for it. Here's what is was.....first of all, it was started by the Single Parents Sunday School Class. The theme of their class is James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." Therefore, they do just this. Every 6 weeks, this sunday school class provides free oil changes and car checkups to single moms and widows of all ages. The men from the class and other volunteer mechanics check cars and maintain them in the church parking lot while the women and children are directed (while their cars are being worked on, free of charge) to a room inside the church where they can shop for clothes for themselves and their kids....again, all free of charge. It was a blessing to behold. I was like a kid in a candy store helping these women choose clothes for themselves....yes, a personal shopper at work....oh my! I searched the racks for the correct sizes, picked out clothes, put outfits together and was happy, happy, happy! We had women praising the Lord for the things they found! Behind me, I heard Scott, the class leader, writing up the information for a new client (Anitra) and presenting the gospel to her. Oh my Oh my, yes indeed he was....it was music to my ears....and to hers. I'll tell you why in a minute.
I was able to sit on the floor with an 82 year old woman (she was not on the floor!) and show her the slacks I'd found for her, 3 pair to be exact, and hear about her life. She'd been coming to that church for 55 years...and here were these guys taking care of her car! What a ministry. Three hours later, after all the clothes were put back in boxes and taken back to storage (they do this every single time they provide this service because there is no permanent room for the things) I was headed to my car and passed the new client on her way out. I waved at her and her 3 children and she stopped the car, rolled down the window and said, "I'll see you next week...I'm going to come back to this church. You see, I came for an oil change, but I got so much more." So did I, Anitra, So did I.

16 comments:

Erin said...

WOW! What a fabulous ministry!

I am looking forward to your new blog design and info!

Thanks for sharing!

Family O'Foxes said...

What a wonderufl ministry! The Lord really has his hand on that ministry.
I'm glad I checked your blog and found this post. You are always such a blessing and have helped me out of my "black" wardrobe (even though I have to wear it today...because it is clean. LOL).

~Amy

Valarie said...

YAY!!! I'll be praying for the Lord's direction as you follow Him to the right church - but you know what I'll be hoping for!! Maybe your next ministry efforts can be with our vocal teams!! ;-)

So blessed to be a part of such an amazing church that really does care for it's people. Faults, of course, but all in all a great church!
Love ya girl.
Val

Judah said...

what an amazing ministry and way to met people where they are!! How exciting!!

Alyce said...

Welcome back Shari, missed ya! The ministry sounds great...like you will really enjoy that!
I've figured out how to post pics, if you want me to help you out.
Blessings~
Alyce

Amy Carroll said...

Shari,
I was tickled pink to hear that you like my room and that I'll look beautiful in it every day. My husband likes that, too!

It was inspiring to read your story about your church visit. What a ministry! Hands on, real life, transforming work--just like Jesus!!

Hugs to you,
Amy

Dana Arcuri said...

God's timing was PERFECT timing to orchestrate your getting involved with the "Clothes Closet and Car Care" ministry! What a fabulous way for God to use your wonderful talents and skills in the fashion industry!

Blessings From Pittsburgh,
Dana

Anonymous said...

What a great thing! And what a blessing to those women to have the EXACT right person helping them "shop!"

I look forward to your new blog design. Your content is great, and I can't wait to see a design as chic as you are! :-)

Along those lines, here is something you can embrace or fling: Traditional paragraph breaks don't work well for me as I read blogs. Maybe it's just me, but when I see a long block of print I think, "Wow! I can't read all that!" Short attention span? Perhaps. But it's hard for me to follow visually (especially with the five "distractions" running around the house).

You are delightful, so I have made the effort! ;-) But I'd like coming here even better (and probably stay longer) if you put in more "returns."

:-) Helen Martin

Kelly said...

That was the most beautiful story! I loved it. Mission work at its best.

I too am changing churches and wrote about it Monday. I'm being obedient to God, but am not quite as excited about it as you are. But I am excited that God is leading and I am following!

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

Well, not that I'm biased or anything =) (I go this church too) but I think God is calling you too!! =) SOOO awesome!! I will be praying for God to direct you in all his sweet ways!

Stephanie D. said...

Hi Shari, I was on Nicki's blog and read your comment. I am a member of HGBC too. So WELCOME, how exciting. I hope to be seeing you around, or at least in the blog world.

MiMi said...

Shari,
Enjoyed being in your class at HGBC a few weeks ago SO much! I also attend church there and I am so excited to hear that you will be joining our family! Welcome!

I hope to see you there soon!
Emilie

Anonymous said...

Shari,
Every now and then, I read your blog, you are such an inspiration to so many woman, and young ladies out there. I thank you so much for listening to our God and where he has you today. You are such an amazing lady! God really has us in places where he will use our gifts and talents that he gives us! Keep the faith, girlfriend, you know I will miss seeing you and your smiling face!
Your friend,
Liz Reiner

Crystal Laine said...

What a wonderful ministry and one you are gifted for--sometimes that is the call, so you could be right. We have to do what God calls us to do, not what is comfortable, right? Sometimes moving on is uncomfortable.

I talked with you today and was pleased with what you had to say. I'm getting ready to move into another area so you helped me to prepare for that, unawares! I was amazed at the time you took for me. Thank you!

I'll let you know how it turns out. Can't wait to see your new blog.

Anonymous said...

Shari ~
I just found your blog (it is 7/30) and wondered if you would share the name of the wonderful church you found. I live in Charlotte, NC, and have no idea if you live here or somewhere far away.
I am delighted to find you & am looking forward to your "new" blog.
Blessings for this wondrous gift-from-God day ~
PS ~ I'm not sure how to reach you in a non-published forum. I don't blog and don't know if I should leave my email address on this space. I am internet illiterate.

Family O'Foxes said...

Wow, I love the new look! :)
~Amy