From one princess to another princess!

A graduation dress from one princess to another!

I have the privilege of having six beautiful granddaughters. Each one is a precious princess. Over the years, I attended several graduations ceremonies. Graduation is a special event that confirms the dedication from the part of one individual to demonstrate their desire to further their education to reach specifics goals and desires for their life. Because I have been a missionary in Mexico for so many years, my grandkids have heard many of my experiences with the children in Tijuana. I often mentioned that because of the poverty, many young girls never graduate from high school. I also talked about that young Mexican girls have a special celebration when they turn 15 years old. This celebration is called a “quinceañera”. Even, the poorest of the poor, families find a way to make that day a very special. My princess Chanelle heard this story and it touched her heart. One day when we were visiting her family, she came of her room with her graduation dress on a hanger and said: “Grandma, could one of the girls in Tijuana use this dress?”  Immediately I answered yes! “Then, here grandma, take it with you when you return to Mexico”.  Her face radiated with compassion and the satisfaction that another young girl could use her graduation dress. Chanelle had no idea that Wendy, one of our young girls, was going to be 15 years old just a few months later. Her family had no money to pay for the expenses of celebrating her “quinceañera”. I took the dress with me to Tijuana. One day, I invited Wendy and her mom to my apartment and shared with them how the Lord had used my granddaughter Chanelle to provide a dress for her special day. They were both very excited, but as I brought out the dress for them to see, tears flowed down their faces. The color and the size were perfect. They asked me to keep the dress in my closet because the dust in their shack would quickly ruin this pretty dress. Now, Carlos & Liz, Wendy’s parents would be able to give their daughter a “quinceañera” celebration. Tender Loving Care Children Ministries, founded by Roger and I in 1992, bought her some “cinderella” looking shoes, earrings and a made to order cake. Other people in her local church helped with decorations. One of our workers fixed her hair and make-up. I was sitting in the church when her dad accompanied her down the middle aisle. Carlos was beaming with pride and Wendy looked like a beautiful princess. When people asked where she had bought her dress, she replied, I did not buy it, it was a gift from a young girl in Canada. On that day I was so proud of Wendy, so proud of Chanelle and so grateful for the Lord for providing a very special need using my sweet granddaughter to provide this beautiful dress for one of my young, beautiful but poor young girl. It proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that each one of us can be a blessing when we set out mind to be a blessing. 

     Meaning of compassion:“ Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.” 

This BLOG is dedicated to my granddaughter Chanelle.