So..... I finally got my dress! Just a "quick" story to tie in how Heavenly Father cares about you and that he wants to see you happy and succeed in literally everything in life.. even Prom. Prayer works guys. Do it. He wants to know how to help you.
So as soon as Tyler said yes to my invitation to Prom, I realized that I needed a dress super fast because Prom was in 3 weeks. (Now about two.) I had this really beautiful, light pink, princess ball gown set in my mind. The problem was that I had seen it in a higher-quality second hand store about a month ago. That meant that there was a very high chance that it wasn't there anymore.
Friday night I barely slept. I was online looking at the dress on the store's sight plotting how to get it into my hands as soon as possible.It fit so well when I had tried it on in the store. It was meant for me. I needed it. NEEEEEDed. Technically I didn't have the money to pay all $180 plus tax to buy it. But, I had glorious coupons... and savings.
Okay so back track: A while ago the idea just came to me that I needed to start saving up my money. I had no idea what for: maybe a mission, or college, or travel, or just life. But, the idea didn't seem to have any downsides because I really don't need to spend every penny I earn within the month or week... or sometimes day... that I earn it. So, I saved up.
Tender Mercy of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ #1: Inspiration to start saving money.
Because my parents paid for my expensive ticket and pictures and stuff, I assumed and was expected to buy my own dress. Everybody knows that if you want to be the belle of the ball, your dress is going to be really... really... really expensive. To me, expensive is one article of clothing that's over $25. So, obviously I was already freaking out trying to figure out how to pay my dress. If I had not saved money, there is no way I would've been able to have the dress of my dreams.
At this point, the dress of my dreams was the light pink one in the store. I needed it. All of Friday night (well until about past 2 a.m.) I was up making this plan where I would get up early to sell my clothes to the second-hand store, pull out my savings and transfer it to my checking account, compile coupons, and barely have enough to afford the dress. It was crazy, but my brain was so set on it so it was going to happen.
This is how Saturday went: I woke up early, ended up being too busy in the morning to go to the store early and kept praying in my heart that the dress would still be there and that I would be able to get it. As I was praying in my heart, the words came to me: if it be thy will. It seemed a little bit odd to me that that sort of serious concept would apply to this kind of situation. But, it really did. Because, when my best friend and I got to the store, the dress was gone... and I didn't bring the clothes I needed to sell with me anyway because I thought the store only took them early in the morning. I was so sad... not to mention I was freaking out because most other Prom dresses are well over $200.
Erika (my best friend) and I were informed that the store actually did take and pay for clothes during the day. Luckily, her family happened to be coming up to the mall (right next to the store we were at) in a little bit.
Tender Mercy of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ #2: Erika's family was able to bring my old clothes to the store so I could sell them for the much-needed money for a Prom dress. I haven't had the chance to be back there since Saturday, so the fact that I was able to sell that that day was divine intervention.
I got $20 for the clothes that I sold (which weren't actually that many so it was really good). Then I began to pray very often across the next few days that I would be able to find a dress that was or could be made modest. I knew that Heavenly Father would take care of even the little things I wanted as long as my desires were righteous and according to his will.
The rest of the weekend and all much of Monday night was spent online all over the place, frantically searching for a drop-dead gorgeous, affordable dress that could get to me within two weeks. I e-mailed and chatted with probably about a dozen business representatives back-and-forth trying to get a good deal. The problem was I knew that the quality of the dresses I was looking at wouldn't be as good as the pictures and I was risking the chance that the companies were unreliable and the dress wouldn't fit or get to me on time. It was time-consuming and stressful.
Monday night I pretty much came to the conclusion that I had to order a dress that day or I wouldn't have a good-enough one. I had a hand-me-down prom dress that fit and was pretty, but I wanted a different style and I wanted to pick it. I wanted it to be perfect.
Tender Mercy of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ #3: I kept on missing opportunities to transfer my savings to my checking account: so, I could not order online.
I had about two dresses that I was pretty set on. Then, my Dad went online and started looking up local formal-wear stores that I could buy a dress in. Of Course! I have no idea why I didn't think of that before. All of Monday I was only searching in thrift stores and outlet stores and what not.
Tender Mercy of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ #4: I clicked on the link for bridal shop that had a store pretty close to where I live and I saw a dress that I loved even more than the first one I wanted.
Erika and I went into the shop on Tuesday afternoon. That was a beautiful place. We had so much fun looking at beautiful dresses and trying them on.
Tender Mercy of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ #5: The dress I wanted was right in the front of the store.
I fit the x-small best (of course that made me feel really amazing haha.)
Tender Mercy of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ #6: The dress was the exact shade of pink that I wanted and the style was exactly the princess ball gown I dreamed of. The tulle skirt has the curly hems that I love and the layers. Mhmm. Perfectness.
Tender Mercy of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ #7: The dress was on sale for 1/2 off. It was only $129.99 and $141 with tax.
I was able to afford the dress and buy it right away because I had deposited and transferred all of my money into my checking account earlier that day. I walked out of that store so excited. I had slid my debit card, put in my pin number and signed the receipt as fast as I could so I wouldn't have any second thoughts. Erika and I screamed in excitement as I called Tyler on the way home.
I still have to make my dress a little bit more modest by adding sleeves, but the dress it perfect. It's just what I wanted and it makes me feel so excited and good about myself when I put it on (especially since it's an extra small ;P). I feel like the princess that I am.
But, I still know with a surety that even if I didn't have the dress, I'm still a princess. I'm a princess and an heir to my Heavenly Father's kingdom and he is taking care of my everyday with seemingly small tender mercies that add up and testify of him with a strength in my heart that I could never deny. Be strong. Be aware of the little tender mercies in everyday life and ponder how they affect the big picture. You'll be surprised at how blessed you are. I love you all and so do Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They know you. Turn to them and live.
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