Leilani waltzed dramatically into Taylor’s Closet. She was beautiful! Her golden curls bounced around her shoulders. Her eyes were soft yet there was something deeper going on behind her calculated smile. Her longing to be loved and accepted was evident within minutes of meeting her. She clung to the three other girls as if they were best friends, although they had only known each other for a few days. She needed to know what they thought. Did they like the things she tried on? Did she look pretty? She shamelessly pranced in front of the mirror, carefully checking every angle, waiting for encouragement and praise. She had never been told the Truth and was believing so many lies.

As she began to tell me about her life, I understood where her insecurity came from. Her parents put her up for adoption at 2yrs old. She had recently run away from her adopted Mom’s home because she was “sick of being controlled”. And she was now reaching out to an uncle in another state, hoping that he
would want her; although other family members had rejected her in the past. She didn’t say much about her father, but the little she did reveal came in angry tones and a disenchanted countenance.

She proudly stated that her birth mother was a successful businesswoman, although we both knew that true success would have been raising her two daughters. She had a sister as well; they had been separated years before. At 16 she was utterly hopeless, loathed high school and was ready to drop out. She recounted tales of teachers responding to her current situation, some in pity others in judgment. When we asked her if we could pray for anything, she simply said, “that I would have a better life.”

What an honest response. What a sincere request. I prayed asking God to give her the desire of her heart, to reveal His Son to her and to give her hope again and the love that she sought after. His love is all she needs and I trust she felt it that day.

These bundles are helping us to reach our goal of transforming the lives of over 32,000 girls in South Florida who are “at Risk”.

We are working on a project to provide clothing for a group of girls from an orphanage in Columbia. There are 29 girls and we are sending each of them 3 outfits. Right now the clothing is being selected and bundled.

God has a lot to say about caring for kids.
We’d LOVE for you to pray with us and for us.
And if you know anyone who needs prayer – particularly if they are a kid in need – please let us know.

Send us your prayer request.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
Once again thank you for all of your hard work, with your help we are bringing hope to girls in need.

Several weeks ago we were given a number of different items from Anthropologie! I am also working on a six week curriculum for the cooking classes for our girls! This will include: basic cooking skills, healthy living tips, and a small portion dedicated to exercise.

Last week we officially began construction of the new store! It’s really amazing how different it looks now that all the first floor windows have been closed in (we needed more walls to hang the thousands of free clothes  that have been donated).

My son Justin and Ryan Alexander are heroes.  They came to my rescue last week and scrapped up the 50 year old tile off the floor.  It was quite a job!

I’m so pleased to give you yet another praise report.  God is truly so faithful to Taylor’s Closet, even when
I am not as trusting as I should be. I had to repent again for doubting that this building is in His Hands.  Last week our checking account was getting a little low. I was getting a little nervous because of the many expenses to keep this project moving. I felt like the Lord was telling me to slow down.  So, I asked everyone involved in the  project to take a few steps back and slow down. Literally what transpired over the next few days was unbelievable.

Three major items that we needed got donated and a large grant we had been waiting for, came in. Once again I was reminded not to lean on my own understanding but to trust in Him for everything.

Move-in date:
August 2009 or whenever God thinks is a good time!

- Linda

I saw your story on Geraldo at Large. I cried and it touched me deeply. I wish there was something like that available when I was growing up … I am grateful for the little we had though. God does provide as long as we believe in him and trust in Him!!!
Genesis