A few weeks ago Ray began to read an ad in the classified section of the Herald Journal. It went like this... Store Equipment - 10 clothing racks, 4 cloth covered mannequins... $360.
First let me say that anytime Ray speaks up about anything that I thought he was oblivious to, I listen very intently. It so happened (God is sovereign) our board meeting was that very night. I took the paper to the meeting and presented it asking for permission to visit the store and make the purchase if the equipment was in good condition. Not being one that shops a lot in downtown Spartanburg, I wasn't familiar with many of the stores.
As it turned out, it was Events on Main, a bridal and specialty shop that was closing after 10 years. As I walked into the store, I was almost moved to tears that God would provide such a humble start to Wellspring Treasures (resale store). The racks were in great condition and very sturdy. Several of them will be used in the back of the store as donations come in, many others will be used in the front for special displays. Instead of four mannequins, we ended up with seven. One was sitting on the front of Ray's boat when I came home from Maryland!
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I did have to put a shirt on her!
When I went back after my initial visit, I took a packet of Wellspring Living SC information and gave to my new friend Betty. I was hoping that this might lead to a donation. But that was not the case. As each new item was added, we went from $360 to closer to $500. I was a little disappointed that they didn't want to donate any of the equipment.
They did however donate a few dresses, a couple of boxes of shoes, a few veils and several pairs of gloves. Did I say several? Oh, what I meant to say was there are two rooms in my house that you can barely get into! We didn't count as we brought them in. I picked up one load Monday afternoon. Sarah picked up two on Tuesday and Chase picked up the last one!
The best estimate I can come up with is ...
80-100 cocktail, mother of the bride/groom/party dresses
100 wedding dress (give or take a few)
80'ish pairs of shoes
one fax machine
two ironing boards
a box of gloves
I heard there were veils, but I cannot see them in the sea of satin, pearls and lace!
Other than the fax machine and two ironing boards, everything is brand spanking new!
So, imagine that... I was sad because I didn't get almost $500 worth of store equipment as a donation. Thank You Lord, You had a better plan. Most of the shoes sale for $90, one of the dresses had a "suggested retail price" of $2600.
I cannot wait to see the actual value of the donation.
Above and beyond, immeasurably more than what I was asking for!It is, in fact, an Ephesians 3:20 blessing.
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And before I forget, as I walked in and out of the store, there was a beautiful black dress that I could not keep my eyes off of. I knew it was on sale and wondered who I might know that could wear it. As it turns out... me! It is what I'll be wearing to Sarah's wedding. I took Sarah back with me one day to get her opinion, after all... it is not your typical mother-of-the-bride dress.
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As I was trying it on, Penni, the owner of Events on Main walked by. She commented on how that was one of her favorites in the store. As we talked and she realized I was the one buying the store equipment, she stopped what she was doing and began telling me that her husband is a doctor and she had recently seen the Spartanburg Regional Foundation's site and saw where Wellspring was granted funding. She had googled and was going to call Atlanta until Betty and Vickie told her that we were right here.
She gave dresses to us as well as a couple of other agencies in Spartanburg.
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So... to Penni, Betty and Vickie, thank you for all the ways you have helped and blessed us as off we go into the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace and provision!
