Friday, November 14, 2008

100 dresses

3 Ne. 24: 10

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.


We had our "100 dresses" enrichment night. It was a big success! If you haven't read this book, it is worth a family home evening to read and discuss. It is not very long and has a few sketch like illustrations.
It was a very moving night as one older sister stood and was brave enough to tell of her history as a battered wife from her first marriage. I was moved as she described her ordeal and realized how this simple act of gathering dresses had meaning.
Many of the women who leave to go to this shelter do so with nothing but the clothes on their back, and sometimes their children's back. The extra clothing they receive is essential so that no one has to return to the dangerous environment.

Our ward was hoping to gather 100 dresses for the local battered woman shelter. Many sisters went out into their neighborhoods and sent flyers to their neighbors, both member and non members. By the end of the evening we counted over 250 dresses.

The representative from the shelter was a bit embarrassed to explain that she could not take them all as they simply did not have space for them all. No matter, instantly everyone was brain storming on who might need them or where to deliver the extras.
what a great evening!
Sister Sarah

1 comment:

jessica said...

How fantastic. We just did a cloth gathering activity on Tuesday for a shelter as well. There must really be a need. I'd admire those women for being so brave. It takes guts to leave.