Secrets to Thriving By Elaine Mahaffey

Posted on December 11, 2015 by

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Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ Matthew 1:23

Immanuel…God with us. This four syllable biblical word describing the baby Jesus is a staple for Christmas carols, sermons, and cards. I have probably heard the word Immanuel numerous times every Christmas season of my life, yet until recently I have probably not understood it’s depth of meaning.
​Somehow grasping for hope causes us to search for meaning…the meaning of life, the meaning of death. In the midst of Stage IV metastatic carcinoma, what does “God with me” mean? As a Christ-follower, faith assures me that He is WITH me, in the good times and the bad times, in sickness and in health, in celebration and in defeat. But exactly what does WITH mean? Perhaps the WITH of God explains the peace I have felt in the midst of cancer treatment. Or does the WITH of God answer the unexplainable joy, or the unwavering hope that God is in control of my life? His WITH for me means His very nature permeates my thoughts and reactions when I am scared of hearing scan results, or when the pain of the tumor in my leg reminds me that I am living with cancer. The “with” of God enables me to not only survive this time of my life, but even to thrive during this time.
​God often reminds me that He is Immanuel to me. He is with me and is in control of everything. Ten years ago, I received a Christmas cactus as a gift. I parked it in our master bathroom where I would remember to water it (even cacti need some water!). The cactus sits all year looking rather nondescript. In fact, it’s rather ugly. But every year in late November or early December, beautiful amazing red flowers appear.

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I remember four years ago when I was going through my first breast cancer. I glanced at the beautiful cactus one day and made the comment to Bob, “How does that plant know it is December!” Immediately the Lord reminded me that He is Sovereign over everything. He tells the Christmas cactus that it’s time to bloom! So why would I have to worry about ANYTHING.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?…But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
​​​​​​Matthew 6:25-34
I can thrive in the cancer battle because He is Sovereign Immanuel. The “with” of God knows and orchestrates every day of my life.
​I also thrive because of encouragement of family, friends, and even those people I hardly know. Encouragement is powerful and fuels strength to fight. It comes in many forms…through cards, promises of prayers being offered, surprise gifts of blouses that will fit my arm plagued with lymphedema, or even through my grandchildren. Every now and then God surprises me with unexpected encouragement. I smile as I think of a recent gift:
My morning began as usual. On Tuesday mornings Tucker arrives around 8:30 and then we head out to Ladies Bible Study around 9:15. This morning was like any other…nothing out of the ordinary. Until I changed his diaper. As I leaned over him to complete the task, Tucker looked up at me, and in his innocent, charming toddler voice, said, “Grammy, you look like a princess!”
You can imagine how shocked I was to hear those words. In these cancer-laden, chemo-driven days, I often don’t feel like a princess. I limp. I have one arm almost twice the size of the other. I have gained weight due to steroid infusions and increased appetite. My “princess” days seem to be over. One of my fears in my reoccurrence of cancer has been that my grandchildren may not remember their Grammy as vibrant and full of life, but chemo-destroyed, old, sickly. I try as hard as possible to seem as normal as possible in the abnormal.
Tucker made my day that day. I realize that the comment was probably spurred on by the “princess-type” sleeves of my new blouse, but I can always fantasize that he really saw his grandmother with the blind eyes of love and not the clouded eyes of the world.
​​“…but let us encourage one another…” 1 Thessalonians 4:18
That we would all live this way.
​​Encouragement feeds thriving.
To more than survive in life’s most difficult challenges, I believe we must experience the “with of God,” being thankful for any encouragement He sends our way. People encourage me, but the Word of God, His Son Who made His dwelling among us, and the Holy Spirit encourage me even more. I could not live in peace, joy, and hope without this assurance. I love the theme for our upcoming women’s renewal event. I hope I am living testimony to the truth of God’s Word:
God has made known to us the secret to THRIVING… “That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, the hope of glory.”​​Colossians 1:27
I want to thrive in the midst of cancer…not just survive…that He may be glorified!

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Elaine Mahaffey

A previous and most excellent post by Elaine about her diagnosis of bone cancer: When What’s New is Hard 

Click here to find out more about THRIVE:Gathering 2016 where Elaine has been a featured speaker.

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What’s New? Part 3 -When “What’s New” is hard.

Posted on April 16, 2015 by

 Look! I am about to do a new thing! Now it sprouts! Do you not perceive it?

Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19 (LEB) image

What do you do when the new in life is the hard. It’s not an exciting new adventure or giddy butterflies in your stomach moment. It’s gut wrenching, head spinning and faith clinging, clinging, clinging. How do you respond to this “new thing”  in your life situation that feels like it is stealing from your life?

Where is the new creation?  Where are the new compassions?  Why this new thing?

imageMeet my friend, Elaine Mahaffey, and hear her story. Allow her perspective to open your eyes to new ways God loves, heals and creates the new in the midst of the hard.  Many of you have heard Elaine speak at our Out of our Mind women’s events the past 2 January’s. What none of us knew this past January was that a little over 24 hours before Elaine spoke to us about being devoted to the apostles’ teaching, she heard from the doctors that her cancer had returned; this time in her bones. 

 

 

 

When What’s New Is Hard

“The “new” is flooded with His presence, infused with His instruction, and enveloped by His grace.”image

But I’ve been here before! I know what it’s like to hear the “C” word from my doctor. MRIs, CT scans, surgery, radiation…been there, done that. I remember the infusion center, the shock of post-surgery realization, the pain of severe burns from radiation, the celebration of treatment completed. Yes, I know what cancer is like. And now I know what it’s like to have cancer return.

​As I have cried and prayed my way through this recent diagnosis of metastasis, I have asked God what I am to learn from this. With my first cancer experience, I blogged on a Caring Bridge site, but I have struggled to begin a second blog attempt. God’s Word has not changed. Everything I wrote in my first blog is still true today, so what “new” thing am I to learn? What is God teaching me now? I must confess, this new is definitely hard.

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​Patience. Perhaps God wants me to slow down, yet I am happiest when I am busy. My “type A” personality has always driven me to thrive on tasks accomplished. Even in the midst of this diagnosis, my mind runs with goals to achieve, closets to clean, books to write. Yet now I wait hours in doctor’s offices and infusion centers for appointments. My time is now subject to the schedules of others…no more “master” of my days. Perhaps I do need to slow down, but God please give me patience!

​Humility. Countless friends and acquaintances have sent cards, visited, provided meals, prayed over me and with me, and have been very supportive. I am not used to this. It is perhaps one of the hardest parts of this whole process. Everyone means well and for the most part these interactions are good, but sometimes things are said that I must process with filters. Recently, a good friend asked me, “Elaine, how are you doing? I can’t imagine. What does it feel like to know you are dying?” I know she meant well…I would just rather focus right now on the living. God is God. He knew my date of birth and my date of death before I was even conceived. My life is in His hands, and I rest in that. Peace is knowing that I don’t have to concern myself with my coming and going. He does all things well.

​Trusting God does not mean you cannot cry. Believe me, I have cried with this recent news. I am very human and my emotions are very real. My husband has always been the one who cries more than me, yet together we have “cried a river” (probably an Amazon!) these past few months. I have cried as I shared this news with my associates at work, with dear friends, with people at our church, and even at times with total strangers! I will go along my day thinking I am handling everything well, and then for some odd reason, something will open the floodgates again. I love life, my husband, our children and their spouses, our nine grandchildren, blue sky days, mountains and beaches, and so much more. Yesterday I was reminding myself, “Better to have loved much than to have never loved at all.” I love these people God has placed in my path! And I cry when I am reminded that I am diseased. But – I trust God with everything…my life, my husband, our children and their spouses, our nine grandchildren, the blue sky days, and even the mountains and beaches. He is Sovereign. He is our Provider, our Sustainer, our Rock in times of trial. He is everything to me and I trust Him even in the tears.image

 

​Deny yourself…take up your cross…follow me. Our church has focused this Lenten season on this verse Matthew penned years ago through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

​Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, and take up their cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

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​As we have worked through this Scripture corporately, I have worked through this privately. What does it mean to deny myself? I must understand that as a Christ follower, every part of me belongs to Christ. My time…my pride…the good days and the difficult ones…the cancer-free days and the cancer-laden days…my life.

​And what does “take up your cross” mean for me? Is my cross cancer? I don’t believe it is. In his book, Experiencing the Cross, Henry Blackaby writes that “Taking up your cross means giving up your rights.” Interesting. I think I understand Blackaby’s perspective a little better in the midst of a cancer diagnosis. Taking up my cross means that I surrender my “right” to orchestrate my life as I desire, but God has every right to take me on the mountaintop or lead me through the valleys. I must surrender to His plan for me, and I choose to do so with the tenacity of embracing the truth of His Word with honesty, transparent with questions, successes and failures. The “new” is flooded with His presence, infused with His instruction, and enveloped by His grace.

​The result: I will follow Him. Even when the new is hard.

Blessings,

Elaine Mahaffey

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What’s New Part 2

Posted on March 14, 2015 by

 

You make beautiful things~ You make beautiful out of dust~You make beautiful out of us

You are making me new

Beautiful Things Gungor

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LOGOS and LEGOS  That’s how we started the new year in my house.  We opened The Word (logos) and each child shared a verse.  How beautiful is the sound of scripture from the mouths of preschooler through teen.  Then, we played- with Legos.

imageLook! I am about to do a new thing! Now it sprouts! Do you not perceive it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.    Isaiah 43:19 (LEB)

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23

“Behold, I make all things new!”  Also he said,  “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  Revelation 21:5

Therefore, if anyone is in Chirst he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come!   2 Corinthians 5:17

imageLogos- After they each read the verses we asked each child to share the “new” in their verse.  They replied with: creation, all things, compassion.  As we discussed what these new things mean for us in our lives, we asked them to share something they wanted God to do in and through each of them this year. It’s a beautiful thing…. The thoughts toward God from the young- innocent, pure and unscathed by the world. Full of hope and expectation. Mom and dad shared, too, and we ended with each of us praying for the person on our right and their request for the “new” 2015. We prayed as a family that we would be open to whatever new he had planned for us.

imageNow for the Legos-  To put more of God’s word to work in our lives we pulled out the Legos.  The big container held the lost, mixed up and separated blocks which once were held in their own neatly contained box with clear creating directions, put together and then nicely displayed on their shelves.  Right away everyone began digging into the now deconstructed and broken builds box and excitingly decided on what we wanted to create; something new that had not existed previously in our history of Lego creations. We worked as a team, each building a part of a bigger plan. The house, the playground, the furniture, the vehicles, the people. When we were finished, we sat back and looked at our designs. Each one joyfully explaining the uniqueness of their creation. This gave me a chance to ask this question- “Is it more fun to build the Lego set that comes with the step by step directions or is it more fun to take them apart, start from scratch, and use those pieces to create something different; something new?” There was pause. Then after a moments thought, that night’s unanimous answer was: it’s more fun to start from scratch and create something new- a new design, a new creation.

That’s like us and the way God works in our lives. Sometimes he lays out and let’s us know the plan for us to follow- his word gives us much direction. Other times he says come take up your cross and follow me; I’ll make you into a creation you won’t believe.  I’ll create something you may not have thought of on your own. And there are times that requires the tearing apart of the old- old has gone so that the new can come.  He breaks us down or allows the things of the world to break us down and take us apart so he can do the brand new. The breaking down is rarely fun, but the process of rebuilding and recreating can be exhilarating.  Piece by piece, this new creation is being formed as God directs, and, bit by bit, the anticipation of the new builds inside you until finally- construction complete.  Sit back- bask in what God has done!  Yes, he could have showed you the end result picture before it all started and given you exact piece by piece instructions, but where would the thrill and anticipation have been in that?

Ok, so maybe you like the guide book directions with each step numbered… but try some new thinking… Think about opening yourself to let what’s old go if needed and be available to whatever the new he has for you even if it’s painful at first.  Let him surprise you piece by piece until completion and then sit back and see the beautiful new he’s done in you.

Worship: Beautiful Things  Gungor

Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new                       

new creation

new compassions

new plans

Being confident of this, that he who began a good (new) work in you will be faithful to complete it. Phillipians 1:6

Blessings,

Kalyn

Coming soon-Watch for-Part 3 “When the New is Hard” written by Elaine Mahaffey

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What’s New? Part 1

Posted on March 5, 2015 by

Look! I am about to do a new thing! Now it sprouts! Do you not perceive it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.    Isaiah 43:19 (LEB)

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New things!

new opportunity, new job, new friend, new town, new faith, new peace, new love, new adventure, new mission

The Israelites needed a new thing in their current situation, alright! When Isaiah speaks these words of hope they are in a desperate season in their history.  They are captives, who had lost all they thought they would keep forever and were longing for the blessings God had promised.  And God was offering them a fresh start.  Promising them a new thing. How about you? Are you open to a new journey with God?  A fresh start?

new
1. not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time.

2. 
already existing but seen, experienced, or acquired recently or now for the first time.

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New mercies every morning

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.    Lamentations 3:22-23

Whew…. Can you perceive those new mercies waiting for you to unwrap each day?

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New creation

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come!   2 Corinthians 5:17

Are you or do you want to be a “new creation”? Do you want to be far different from what you were before?  Would you like some qualities in your life that were previously non-existent?

God’s word tell us 3 gems about the “new” in these verse:

1.  Your God does new things

2.  God gives us new compassion for each day

3.  God makes us into a new creation when we invite him into our lives.

Good bye old- hello new!!!

He who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  Revelation 21:5

Listen to the words from the one who sits on the throne. Saying… I bring all things into a new and better condition.  Even when the new is unknown and difficult.  Sometimes we get so stuck in our current condition that we fail to realize that it’s not the “better condition” that God has planned for us. Sometimes we are so content with our life that we can’t imagine being in a new and better place.  But, look around…  each day the King of all Kings invites us to feast upon his new compassions. Not yesterday’s leftovers.  The invitation is there…. “because of his great love for us” that NEVER ends.  (Lamentations 3:22)

These beautiful verses from the Holy Bible show us new things God will do in this new year. It is the beginning of March and the newness spring brings is just around the corner. Soon, we will look out our windows and see fresh life budding all around us.  If God’s word is true, which it is, then we can be sure that new things are in store for us this year.  Can you see them? Do you perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19)

Feel like you are wondering in the wilderness? Or are you excited about a new adventure?  God tells us that he makes a way.  He’s the God of new things.  Your God makes things exist that did not exist before.  Your God creates things that have not yet been discovered.  Your God takes a human and makes a completely new creation.  Something has to die so that you can acquire a beauty you had never know before. Pride dies for humility, hate dies for love, cruelty dies for mercy, agitation dies for patience, fighting dies for peace, sorrow dies for joy, fear dies for courage and on and on his power goes.

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The old has gone…

New has come…

Humility     Love     Mercy    Patience     Peace     Joy     Courage    Hope    Freedom

Open your eyes- see, notice Him

See the new he wants to do in and through you this year.

image     He who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5

His words are “trustworthy and true”.  So, get into his word and discover all the new he has for you.

Seeking and finding,

Kalyn

The new- Part 2 coming soon.

Reflect:

Try the S.O.A.P. method with the scripture listed in the reading.

S for Scripture
Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. Highlight, underline or place a mark in the margin of your bible next to the scriptures that stand out. When you are done, reread the verses you marked, look for one that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal.

O for Observation
What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own words in your journal.

A for Application
Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.

P for Prayer
This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Then, write it down.

Women’s ministry fellowship idea:

Invite the ladies in your fellowship to a New Things party.

Ideas:

Ask them to bring something new to them that they treasure and be ready to share with the group about the item.

Ask them to wear something new (within the last year) earrings, shirt, socks, shoes, lipgloss.  See if the group can guess what’s new on you.

Make a new recipe to share with the group and bring copies of the recipe for others to keep.

Learn a new word and its definition the week before the gathering, then share it with the group.

Learn a new bible verse and write it on index cards to let those who the verse ministered to take the card home.

Share the scriptures listed above and ask the ladies to tell what they heard to be new in each verse.

new

n(y)o͞o/
adjective
1. not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time.

2. 
already existing but seen, experienced, or acquired recently or now for the first time.

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MVNU WOMEN’S CONFERENCE- Laura Story

Posted on February 17, 2015 by

Women’s Auxiliary Spring Conference    March 13-14, 2015

Register Here: http://www.mvnu.edu/cgi-bin/forms/womensaux.php

imageSpeaker: Laura Story

Laura Story will share stories from her first trade book scheduled to release fall 2015. When God Doesn’t Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn; Truths You Can’t Live Without will include Laura’s journey from life expectations through shattered dreams and on to the incredible truths that she uncovered in her study of God’s Word. She will offer information from a friend who understands, important biblical insights, and hope that God has not forgotten.

 

 

Schedule:

Friday, March 13
4 p.m. Registration Begins
7 p.m. Evening Session
Saturday, March 14
8 a.m. Registration Begins
9 a.m. Morning Session

The MVNU Women’s Auxiliary exists to accomplish the following: Provide scholarships for MVNU students

 

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LAVISHLY LOVED

Posted on February 11, 2015 by

To write the love of God above, would drain the ocean dry.   Frederick M. Lehman 1917image

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 

 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!   –  1 John 3:1

lavish ~bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities ~cover something thickly or liberally

Lavish- a Pastor once told me that being lavished with God’s love is like pouring syrup over your pancakes.  Do you lavish your pancakes with syrup the same way my family does? We’re definitely not ones to go light on the syrup!  That brown, gooey, sugary substance gets lavished over those hotcakes and quickly soaks right in mixing with the butter and melting in our mouths.imageWhen was the last time you felt lavished with love?  It could be as soon as today.

It’s the week the world focuses on love… Valentine week. Red hearts, hugs and kisses. It’s time for thinking about love. This week pause in your normal routine and for a few moments just consider God’s great love for you.  Quiet yourself for a few moments and hear him whisper… I love you.

Read one of his 66 love letters to you and hear his words of loving commitment and loving grace. The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. – Zephaniah 3:17  He loves you as if sin never happened.  He loves you without condition and beyond compare. He loves you perfectly.

As the Hebrew pastor wrote~ consider Jesus Hebrews 3:1… think about your Savior, “turn your eyes upon Jesus, this love of your life- look full in his wonderful face”  “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” Hel­en H. Lem­mel 1922

imageConsider Jesus

❤ think about his  love

❤ think about his goodness

❤ think about his grace

Reflect on these scriptures about love. Contemplate them.

Read them.  Write them.  Pray them.

Journal what you hear God saying to you as you read these verses.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  – 1 John 3:1

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  – Romans 8:39

But whoever loves God is known by God.  – 1 Corinthians 8:3.

For though we have never yet seen God, when we love each other God lives in us, and his love within us grows ever stronger.  – 1 John 4:12.

Whoever does not love  does not know God, because God is love.  – 1 John 4:8

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  – Ephesians 2:4

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever.  –  Psalm 136:1

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. –  Zephaniah 3:17

       To write the love of God above, would drain the ocean dry. Frederick M. Lehman 1917

How will I respond to God’s lavish love towards me?image

Receive it. Cherish it. Spread it.

Loved,

Kalyn

Spread it: Invite some ladies over for brunch.  Mix up some pancakes and as they are lavishing thier pancakes with syrup you are lavishing them with God’s love.  Then, send them all home with 1 John 1:3 written on a card.

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Cinderella’s Closet- Service Opportunity

Posted on February 9, 2015 by

cinderellas_closet_chatham

You are invited to serve hundreds of deserving young ladies at the Cinderella’s Closet Event.

Event details:  Set up: Thursday, April 9th

Decorating of the foyer and reception area, sort and organize dresses, set up dressing rooms and place signage. This is always a huge area of need.

Actual Event:  Friday, April 10th (5:30-10:00) & Saturday, April 11th. (9:00-1:00). 

 

We need hostess’, fairy godmothers, shoes/jewelry “shoppers”, alterations help (A HUGE NEED), and check in help.

Location: Center Point Christian Church 5962 Hamilton Mason Road, Liberty Township, Ohio 45011

Southwest Ohio Ladies:     Please contact Kalyn at kalynv73@gmail.com if you would like to sign up to volunteer.

 

imageimageimageCinderella’s Closet provides formal wear to girls who could not otherwise afford to attend their prom. Through donations of new and gently used formal dresses and accessories, we are able to “Turn Dresses Into Dreams” for juniors and seniors referred to our organization by their school, community organization or social care agency. Even more than a dress, Cinderella’s Closet provides an unforgettable, amazing experience. From the moment our princesses dance through our doors they are greeted with an environment of grace, love and respect. It is our mission that they leave knowing they are cherished.

Visit http://www.cinderellasclosetnky.org to find out more.

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