To Jordan.

If I were in Dothan tonight Id be making a list of things that have to be completed tomorrow for serving at the Resuce Mission. About 8 months ago, 4 friends sat in an apartment with a dream to start an outreach program for the church. Through a lot of trial and error we found a place to serve, a place to plug in-- The Dothan Rescue Mission. We served there one Thursday night and had a ton of volunteers, they all seemed to love it. So we put ourselves on the calendar for the 4th Thursday of every month. With this commitment, a lot goes on. You need volunteers, food, music and a speaker. When a church serves at the Rescue Mission they also do chapel. Which is a time when someone speaks and then we stay behind to pray for anyone who needs it. I remember the first time I had to ask someone to speak, its funny to see how people respond, I remember when I was asked to speak the first time-- I nearly threw up from the nerves, but I pushed through and Jesus completely spoke through me. I remember asking my friend Karl to speak and sitting on the front row smiling ear to ear while he stepped a tiny bit more into his calling. With this job I have been told no, I have been told yes and then people back out, I've had people serve alongside of me who don't believe in the same Jesus I do, but they know how to love and that's why they are there.

I remember exactly where we were when the ball started rolling on the "big night" -- Pizza Hut, with 4 of my friends. We'd just got done serving and we sat around the table and talked about doing something different- we decided to do a formal. This was an idea I just knew wouldn't happen, it would be too much, but I dreamed about it with them of course. Little did I know that the next week I would have a notebook making list of every single little thing that needed to be done. Throughout the month I tried planning food, music and exactly what this would look like. Jordan and I worked together to pull some strings and the college was doing their hair and make up  for free, the thrift store was letting them pick out an outfit for free, nurseries donated flowers and I had teams of people willing and wanting to help. 

The day arrived and my notebook stayed in my hand the entire time. I woke up nervous, I always do on big days (here's to my wedding day where I walk down the aisle holding a bright yellow notepad) I got dressed and headed to the church to meet the drivers- these people would help transport the people to get their hair done at the college. 

The details of this day could go on forever, I will try and give you an idea and let the video speak for itself. 

The day was everything it could have been and more. People who lived in the homeless shelter looked at themselves completely dressed up and cried. Some men walked up to me after and said "it just feels nice to look this nice." Instead of the residents having to line up and get their own plate, we served them like they were at a real formal. There were black curtains hanging from the walls and string lights to make it look like a new place. We had a jazz band play while they ate. Before the food was served  I walked out to the front and let them know what the night was about. It was about letting them know that they are worth it. That the way they see themselves right now is how Jesus seems them daily. How pretty they feel right now is how Jesus views them. I told them to pretend they were on vacation, eating at a nice restaurant. I asked them to try and get to know someone they didn't know yet. We didn't have a speaker because I wanted them to know that Jesus loved them and I wanted them to feel good about themselves. 

As the night ended I got pictures of their joy, the ladies giggling and all of the residents coming together for a picture of their special night. I told them bye and that I would miss them, but I told them that I didn't want to see them their when I got home. I wanted to know they had moved on from the homeless shelter. I miss them. 

Tomorrow night my best friend, Jordan will get to speak to them. Tomorrow is not just a normal day for her its also her Aunt Nenow's birthday and for those of you who know Jordan's story you know that her aunt meant the world to her. She passed away form cancer a couple months back. Tomorrow, Jordan gets to tell them her story, which will impact their lives. She will be able to connect to them in a way I never could. I want to be there so bad, I want to be sitting on the front row grinning like I did when Karl preached the first time.  I won't be there in person but I am there in spirit, grinning ear to ear in the front row sitting with the table of girls. I know that tomorrow will go so smooth, I know that it will be perfect because Jesus has it.

Here is a small video from the night of the formal. There is a longer one coming soon thank you Brandon for videoing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rg_6vnjlv0&feature=youtu.be

&& to my best friend. I miss you and I am so thankful for you. You will do great tomorrow night. I know you will. I love you so much.  Speak from your heart, tell your story. Jesus will do the rest, promise.