The Macs

Friday, April 15, 2011

more beautiful locks & dream big

I had four sweet flower girls in my wedding. 
Two sets of sisters. 
They were sweet as can be and looked adorable.
The two blonde headed girls are dear friends of the family. 
And the other two girls are my sweet cousins from California.

Now all of a sudden...almost nine years later...these girls have grown up. 
I still picture them all as my sweet little flower girls 
even though I'm pretty sure they are all taller than me now!

A few weeks ago I got an e-mail from my cousin Simone. 
She is the littlest one on the far right. 
She has been following my blog ever since Cora got sick 
and was inspired by my post about Locks of Love.

Simone told me that she has always liked her hair long and rarely cuts it.
But she decided that she wanted to do something to make a difference in honor of my Cora.
I can't tell you how that made my mama's heart feel...
knowing my little girl continues to make a difference in the lives of others.
I love that.

Here are Simone's before and after photos.
Twelve inches later...doesn't she look beautiful?
I love it Simone!!

The same week that I got Simone's e-mail,
I got a text from my friend Amanda asking if I would come with her to get her hair cut.
Last year, Amanda started thinking about growing out her hair in honor of Cora.
A few months later her 6 year old niece, Sydney, was diagnosed with Leukemia.
Within a month, sweet Sydney lost all of her beautiful hair.
That is when Amanda decided she had to donate her hair too.

Here are Amanda's before and after photos.
10 inches later...and she looks so beautiful with her new haircut too!

It was such an honor to be able to be a part of Amanda's hair cutting day.
What a blessing it is to have friends and family with such big hearts.

Not only are my friends and family pretty great, 
but there are some pretty great readers of The Macs out there too!
A few of my readers have even donated their hair in honor of Cora.

Maegen wrote this to me...
Last fall I was planning on cutting my hair but once I read your post about you and your sister cutting your hair for Locks of Love I wanted to do the same thing. My hair wasn't quite there then so I ended up waiting till just a few weeks ago. I was ready to get my hair cut and didn't care how short it was as long as I had enough to donate. My hair is like yours was but only a little shorter. I love my new hair cut but most of all I loved donating my hair. When my hair dresser was cutting my hair I got tears in my eyes thinking of your sweet Cora. Even though I don't know your family personally I would always think of her when I mentioned I would be donating my hair...

Kathryn wrote this about her daughter...
Today is the day my little girl (okay nine year old--maybe not so little) gets her hair cut for Locks of Love!! She is excited to get a fresh start and hopefully give that gift to another little girl! I am not sure what to expect as far as length after the cut but she says she is getting it cut like yours! Thank you so much for sharing your life and encouraging an already inspired little girl to do great things.

And Amanda sent me this link to her blog
to tell me that she too would be growing her hair out for Locks of Love.

I told you I have some great readers!

* * * * * * * * *

Speaking of giving...
Have you met Sergey?

If you haven't you need to head over to Danielle's blog.
She and her family are dreaming BIG.

They are trusting in our BIG God to bring this sweet little boy home to his forever family.


We have the opportunity to dream big along with Danielle and her family.
They are adopting Sergey through Reece's Rainbow
and are fundraising to cover the costs of adoption.
We can help bring little Sergey home to his mama.
If you give just $10, you are entered to win one of MANY prizes.
I am talking prizes like an iPad2 and Silouette Machine and so much more.
You need to go check it out now!

* * * * * * * * *

Don't forget that the DaySpring giveaway ends tonight.
Go to this post and leave a comment for a chance to win!


Have a great weekend!

12 Comments:

Blogger Carmen said...

That must be so encouraging to know of so many women donating their hair as they remember Cora! And, wow, is that Tony in your wedding photo!?! He looks so young boyish. :) Can't believe it's been nine years!

April 15, 2011 at 7:55 PM  
Blogger Bethany said...

That is amazing how many people have given their hair. It's such a little and yet very big thing to give. I did a few years ago in honor of my aunt. I keep thinking I'll do it again someday.
BTW, your cousin's hair looks beautiful.

April 15, 2011 at 8:01 PM  
Blogger Danielle said...

Jess, this is all so surreal. I have been a long time follower of your blog, I started when Cora was in the hospital and have been following ever since. I have prayed for you and your family for a long time and still do. You have been a blessing and an encouragement to me throughout the years and now yet again you are blessing me more than you will ever know. Thank you for posting about Sergey and our fundraiser. This means so much to me, God bless you and your family!

In Him
Danielle

April 15, 2011 at 9:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You know that Sarah is shaving her head on May 12 in a fund raising campaign for Hope Lodge in KC.

Cleta

April 15, 2011 at 9:39 PM  
Blogger Stef said...

I loved this post. Such love.
Loved the notes you shared from others who are honoring Cora.

April 15, 2011 at 10:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ahhhh that was my sweet Keagan that got her haircut in memory of Cora! She just turned 10 in January and is letting it grow to cut it again! She got a thank you note from locks of love and carries it in her back pack everyday! I am so glad that she has a heart for others.
Kathryn

April 15, 2011 at 10:22 PM  
Anonymous Karina said...

I LOVE your wedding pictures!!! Feel free to make a post about your wedding day some time so I can admire more! Very beautiful, and you all look so relaxed and happy - that is an unusual pose, with the bride sitting in the grass looking completely at ease.

I love the hair donation, what a beautiful idea.

April 16, 2011 at 8:10 AM  
Blogger Lindsay said...

I have also been following your blog ever since Cora was in the hospital. You have been such an inspiration to me with your faithfullness through the journey God has given you. Also, thank you for sharing your locks of love posts. I have been growing my hair out for quite some time, and to be honest, never even thought about locks of love. Since reading your post, I feel like this is exactly what God would want me to do with my tangled mess :) Thank you again for sharing-I love reading your blog!

April 16, 2011 at 9:08 AM  
Blogger Elizabeth @ mygladheart.blogspot.com said...

Jess, I've been following your blog now for a couple of years. You are such an inspiration. You looked so beautiful on your wedding day!

April 16, 2011 at 10:39 PM  
Blogger Miss G said...

Thank you for this post. My mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer and this post makes me feel encouraged. Thank you to everyone donating to Locks of Love. Wow.

Also, your wedding pictures are just beautiful! How fun to see them. How neat to have four such special and beautiful flower girls! Kelly

April 17, 2011 at 7:35 AM  
Blogger Mary Ann said...

You just seem so sweet. I've loved peeping into your life and reading about your precious babies. I have awarded you a Versatile Blogger Award. Just go by Love This Bloggin, pick up your award, and follow directions and have fun. Have a wonderful week!

April 17, 2011 at 6:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Two of my three daughters have donated their hair to Locks of Love before and my 9 year old is very, very close to having enough to donate for her 2nd time... I will definitely be thinking of Cora when the time comes!

April 18, 2011 at 12:07 AM  

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