We moved into our house about 2 years ago. The backyard has a single huge sycamore tree and a large field. In the spring it is beautiful…and to me has always been ideal for a brunch with girlfriends. I pictured lanterns hanging from the tree and puffy white clouds in the sky. Between family and working the brunch never seemed to happen – until this year (except flooding rains moved it inside). You see there are 2 things (other than family & friends & being outdoors) that get me feeling like the most me – the most like who God designed me specifically to be. The first may sound silly to you, but for me it is making things with my hands. I know Lowe’s better than most men – to get my hands messy and create something makes me feel alive. The second is social activism…to be a voice for those that have none or to bring about change in a way that I can. I told Chris I came across a word a while back that resonated with me – CRAFTIVISM. What could be better than combining my love for making things with social activism. Oh yea!
A couple of months ago I came across the organization Little Dresses for Africa and that woman’s brunch I was wanting to have couldn’t wait any longer. It was my joy and honor to have some of my dear friends over for a girly brunch and then we got crafty making dresses out of pillowcases. Some of the girls that came are “DIY-ers”, other are more “why make it when you can buy it” – I think they all had a great time. When I invited the girls I didn’t tell them what we were doing other than “honoring a special group of moms” and to bring 2 pillowcases. The moms we honored can no longer hold their daughters or provide them clothes. Most died from AIDS or other illnesses and their children were left as orphans. We honored those precious moms by putting our hands to work and creating beautiful dresses for their little girls. We may not have changed the world, but for those little girls when they pull those dresses over their tiny heads – their worlds will change.
I was intentional to make sure my boys were home at the beginning and end of our girl time. I don’t know about you, but for me it is easy for me to get caught up in looking around at what other women are doing and try to replicate that instead of being purposeful to discover the unique paths laid out for me. Comparison is a killer. I want my boys to see their mom embracing the unique way God made her and using it to make a difference instead of looking around at what others are doing and comparing myself. I want them to see it in me because I want them to celebrate the unique way God made them…and I want them to do the things that make them feel most alive while impacting the world around them.
If you want more information on Little Dresses for Africa, visit their website. One of the reasons I share this post is I know there are many of you blog readers that will now read this and will go on to host a dress making party with your friends….if you do, let me know!
The logo below is in honor of the girls that attended and joked with me that they were attending a “Sweat Shop” at my home vs. the “SnapShop” (just to clarify)
I attempted to take individual pictures and detail shots of all the dresses, but the wind won the battle…so here are a few and one of nearly all of them…
I think the girls came up with some really cute dresses!
by AshleyAnn
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