Hope Women’s Resource Clinic Annual Gala at the Holiday Inn

Hey Yall!

Im sitting here trying to think of the right words to start off this post, and the only thing that seems fitting is to tell you how much I ADORE the Hope Clinic and hopefully after you read this you will see just how close to my heart I now hold my new friends.

Several months ago the women’s Bible study at  my church decided to pick a ministry that we could volunteer one night for just a couple of hours, and the Hope Center came up in discussion and from there a relationship that I will cherish forever was born.

Since my husband and I are not originally from the southeast Texas area I had no idea what the Hope Center was, I had only seen their sign off the highway that says “Free Pregnancy Test”, but never thought anything of it.

From that first time I drove into their parking lot, I cant really explain the feeling that came over me except that I know God was already working on my heart. Tina Andre was the one who met us 15 or so women with open arms. We opened our time at the center with prayer and then she began to educate us on ALL the amazing work they do.

The Hope Center is a crisis pregnancy center where young girls, some who have NO where else to go, can receive counseling, education, free ultrasounds, and even baby items after their child is born, which are based on a point system they earn from attending classes. They even counsel young women who are thinking about abortion, and also offer those who may have found the Hope Center too late with post-abortion counseling.  The most important thing that the Hope Center offers these young girls is HOPE, that they have options, and prayerfully their “option” of abortion becomes obsolete after their first experience with the Hope Center.

Due to my insane schedule with my business, school, teaching dance, being a wife, and all the other projects I continue to say “yes” to I knew I couldn’t commit to a permanent weekly volunteer schedule because I knew in my heart it wouldn’t be just “another” project, it would be one of the most important tasks I would undertake and honestly I was a little overwhelmed with whether or not I could handle that much pressure! However, when Tina mentioned their fundraisers consisting of a walk and a gala, I knew that would be the perfect fit for me to volunteer with.

Shortly after the walk at Legacy Christian School, we began discussing the theme for the gala and came up with a classic black and white. Since the event would be a fundraiser we had to be cautious about the cost per centerpiece and we would be looking at around 40 tables. Once we came up with a concept and centerpiece design we “pitched” the design to the gala chairs. This year the chairs were Dr. and Mrs. Larson, and Dr. and Mrs. Diaz both out of Beaumont. Mrs. Larson and Mrs. Diaz were both part of the committee for the gala and were hands on with the planning process. I was able to get to know Mrs. Larson more so and I simply do not know if I have ever met a more genuinely sweet person. She never stops smiling!

SO here we are, the night of the Hope Women’s Resource Clinic Annual Gala has finally arrived!

 This was just a small section of the room! There were almost 40 tables we decorated! The day before there were several volunteers that came to help us and accomplished all of this in about 3 hours give or take with lunch time added in there!

 

Now to our guest speaker!

The guest speaker was Patrick Henry Hughes and his father Patrick John Hughes.

 You may have heard Patrick Henry’s story on ESPN, Oprah, the Today Show to name a few.Patrick Henry was born with no eyes, and his limbs were unable to extend past 90 degrees. His father spoke about how when he was born his own dreams of his son being a star on the football field and earning an ESPN highlight shattered. However, before Patrick Henry was even one he was playing the piano and they knew he had a gift.

After starting school at the University of Louisville,  Patrick Henry was approached by a professor to join the marching band because his immense musical talent had become recognized. Patrick Henry and Patrick John began to adapt to how they could participate in the band and Patrick John tirelessly pushed Patrick Henry all over the field keeping up with formation, and Patrick John’s dream of his son being a star on the football field quickly became a reality, complete with a 6 minute highlight on ESPN.

Please, please click the link below to view that highlight!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qTiYA1WiY8

Patrick and his father talked about  even though things don’t always turn out the way WE want them to, God has a plan for each of us. Patrick Henry and Patrick John have inspired millions of people to get serious about their dreams!

Patrick Henry sang and played several songs for us and I was just bawling like a baby yall! You can not NOT be inspired by being in his presense.

For me personally and business wise, the ONLY thing that holds me back is FEAR. Fear of rejection, fear that I can not do something, fear that others will think Im crazy for even thinking I can do something…All of it is based on fear. I learned from Patrick Henry that we all have obstacles of our own, some more physical, others more emotional, BUT we are all capable of full-filling our destiny that God has planned for us. He equips us FULLY on what we need to be able to accomplish EVERYTHING we put our minds to!

So I ask, what are your obstacles? Hopefully nothing after reading about Patrick Henry.

 So get moving yall! Your dreams are only as far away as you let them be!