An Angel for Angie

Our first featured 31 Dresses princess is a sweet little girl,
Angie Castillo Martinez, who is four years old.

Angie was found in a trash bag lying in a ditch on July 27th of 2006, with her umbilical cord still attached to her.

Angie’s angel, Eucevia, saw the bag after hearing dogs barking and coming to investigate what was upsetting them. When Eucevia heard the cries of a baby, she called for her daughter, Michaela, to call the police. Angie was rushed to emergency and placed in foster care after she was release while her story was being investigated.

Eucevia’s heart had already been captured by this sweet little princess who she found left all alone. What Angie’s angel later found out was that this little princess was also the sweet babe of her cousin whohad decided she didn’t want Angie. Angie’s birth mother even denied the birth of her daughter to her family and refused help to regain custody of her little girl.

While Angie was still in foster care she was often visited by Eucevia and her family, who were later awarded full custody of Angie. They have embraced her as one of their own and she is loved by all of her family.

Unfortunately, they are dealing with hardships of their own; Angie’s dad, Elais, is diabetic and they have five other children still in school. When diabetes takes its toll and Elais is too sick to work, he is unable to provide for his family.

After reading about Angie and her family, my heart was so blessed by their unconditional love and support of each other and the joy and happiness that they share as a family.

The Lord truly has His hand of protection upon our little Angie. To hear of her laughter and joy and the happiness she brings others, I am reminded of some of my favorite scriptures...

Nehemiah 8:10 The joy of the Lord is my strength.

When we are weak and alone, He is there to lead, guide and strengthen us and those surrounding us.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

I pray she is reminded once again how much Jesus loves her and that His loving arms will protect her and her family through all situations and circumstances that may arise. What an amazing testimony she already has!

Thank you Jessica and sweet little Nellie Grace for sponsoring Angie through your 31 Dresses purchase. God is mindful to provide always! Thank you for being a willing vessel in His kingdom!

If you know of a little girl who might benefit from 31 Dresses, please visit my page to learn how to nominate them here.

So near and dear

I feel so blessed. What more can I say? I serve a real God who is always on time and mindful of our every need. So thoughtful of us that He provides the desires of our hearts too!

For a few years I have tried different ways to give back through Ruby Loop. To share His blessings that have abundantly fallen in my lap, with others. I thought about little girls in orphanages who have no mommies and daddies. I was inspired by an organization called "Little Dresses for Africa." I prayed and diligently asked the Lord what I should do with this desire. This is His work and I wanted His hand to guide it, form the thoughts into what He could work with.

As I thought of my own families situation. My husband not having worked for the last several years, being let go from the auto industry and going back to school so that he can find a career in a stable, if there is such a thing, job environment. My girls have never suffered for lack of anything. They talk about us being poor and I shake my head. We are not rolling in money, but we are far from even understanding what it is to be poor. I try to explain to them that we are blessed and we have fallen on hard times, but it is for a season and even still, we are NEVER found wanting. The Lord has us right where He needs us.

I thought of our economy, not just here in Michigan, but everywhere. There are many families who are in situations that are far worse off than ours. Yes there are little girls in Africa, little orphan "Annie's" need to be reminded too that Jesus loves them, but there are so many little girls out there, everywhere, who might feel alone and afraid. They might be battling an illness that might threaten to take their life. A little girl who has lost a mommy or a daddy, their house or a best friend. A little girl who simply doesn't know yet, Jesus loves her and she is a princess of the most high King! That tugs on my heart. I knew that through the amazing world of facebook and my Ruby Loop page, that I couldn't reach everyone, but I can let the Lord bring them to me!

I am so thankful to those of you who have sent in nominations for 31 Dresses, so far we have fulfilled every one of them! Please continue to send me nominations of little girls through the CONTACT US tab on my Ruby Loop page.

Thank you to everyone who has made a $75 purchase which allows me to gift one of our nominations a dress. It brings me such joy when you go out of your way to add on something to hit that $75 mark so you can help another little girl. Those of you who have purchase dresses outright for sponsorship, or donated your gift certificates. Donations of fabric and friends who have offered to help me make dresses for these girls. Amazed!!! I am so thankful that you all have embraced this ministry and are so eager to help bless and reach out to something that is so near and dear to my heart!