So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.
and He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.”
Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me.
Ezekiel 2:1-2
After the busyness that the Holidays brought, I had some much needed time with family. Over the Christmas Holiday I was able to spend time with family members I only get to see during the Holidays or unfortunately not until a funeral service. I mean it had been ages since I was able to see and spend time with Tyler and we had a blessed time. If only I knew that during the Christmas holiday God would plant a seed that would launch “next steps” for Dolly’s House.
Sunday, December 29, 2024 was the day the physical foundation for preparation of Dolly’s House was laid. Over the next 6 days, work days were long and tiresome but God’s vision never left my sight.
God spoke to me and said, “this is the way you honor your mother and bring glory to me.” Stepping out on faith, Rico and I established Spry’s Durty Kitchen and Dolly’s House in May 2023. It’s been embedded in my DNA to feed people and clothe them out of love. So when it was time to set up the women’s support group room (thanks to Kelly for offering the space) I knew I had to do something that would really welcome the community.
God placed it on my heart to set it up as a store where folks could “shop” for quality items free of charge.
With having only a few garment racks, a clothing rack donated to me by Mr. Richard, a few mannequins I knew that to achieve the vision God gave me, and a clothing rack D’Etta donated I would have to do more. So a beautiful lady by the name of Kaila graciously donated retail grade mannequins and clothing racks that was at the heart of how I was able to set the Boutique up.
I had previously told Kaila I didn’t want it to look like the average clothes closet but I wanted to set it up like a Boutique that you would actually pay to shop in. I’ll have to share how one of my mannequins “growing legs” from the clothing giveaway held in August 2024 led to this huge, generous donation from Kaila. God truly blessed Dolly’s House through this beautiful young lady and I will never forget her kindness and support.
Over the next 6 days, i definitely got my steps in to say the least! I met some beautiful folks like Mrs Alma from Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church, Ms Jessica, Mr. Perry Bradley, Mrs. Treasha Ellington from Crescent Hill Baptist Church, and the list goes on. So many wonderful folks came out to donate to this worthy cause. It was an honor to see so many people from different backgrounds come together for the love of community to help provide clothing and other essential items.
I had some very special moments with folks like Stacey Atkinson, Mrs Rita and Kelly, Jasmine and Jayla, Nygel, Terri, Rico and my boys that I will never, ever forget. The list of people who prayed, showed their support, gave of their time, provided a love offering, or simply shared the posts and flyers I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each of you! Without YOU, Dolly’s House would not be possible.
Finally Sunday, January 5, 2025 came and it was the morning to host Dolly’s House second clothing giveaway and see that the annual chili and soup cook off was set up to run smoothly, I had yet another task on my hand. Although God told me to do it, I was hesitant and came up with every excuse in the book until finally I ran out of excuses and because of God’s perfect plan all the resources, space and time I needed was provided.
God placed it on my heart to feature some of my mom’s clothing in Dolly’s House. I mean to have it named after her, it seemed only fitting right?! Well that meant I would have to enter her room and go through her closet. It had been over 2 years since I’d done this and I could only remember the last time having a panic attack because though it had been 3 years since she passed it never got easier walking into the house, up the stairs, and into her room where I found her after she had already transitioned. It was a pill I didn’t want to have to swallow, but I heard God say, “Whitnee’ it is time.”
So like my daddy would say, I put on my big girl panties and walked up the stairs. Regis had opened the door so it made the entrance less traumatic. Regis and I talked for a bit and then he left me alone with mom’s clothing. I’ll admit it felt wrong going through her stuff but like Bess said, it’s no need to let the stuff just sit there, give it to someone in need. And so I did!
Y’all won’t believe how God worked it out. I was able to “eyeball” the correct amount of shoes and clothes to fit in the space I set aside for her. And y’all want to know the best part?! The outfit that my mom wore to Jason and Toya’s wedding which happens to be my ALL TIME favorite picture I have of her was in the closet. We said our see you laters, and then we were off to the church.
My mom’s clothing items were the last piece of the puzzle.
As I carefully placed her clothes on the rack, I could still smell her scent on some of the clothing. Fighting back tears as long as I could, God allowed me to have a sweet release. In that moment time stood still. It was just me and the precious memory of my mama in the room, nothing else mattered, nothing!
Set up was complete and over the next hour or so I would walk back and fourth from the fellowship hall where the chili cook-off was being held to the women’s support group where Dolly’s House was set up.
I met so many wonderful, beautiful boys and girls, women and men. Their smiling faces let me know the countless hours of sorting clothes, hanging clothes, arranging shoes, setting up racks, moving this, pushing that, etc. was all worth it.
After greeting so many wonderful people and collecting the shoes to meet the raffle winners, I looked back turned the light off and mumbled, “I wish this all wasn’t in vain.” Though I was happy many members of the community were able to experience the set up, I was saddened to think that the labor of love would soon be put back in a box until the next giveaway. God heard the prayer of my sweet sister and second mama and my earnest plea, and He answered through Sandi Prestino.
Back story: I had invited several of my church members to include Mrs. Prestino into the space that Dolly’s House temporarily occupied because I wanted them to see what God placed on my heart to do. I didn’t know Mrs. Prestino was under the weather at the time, but she graciously came. While in the space we were able to talk and she was able to bear witness to the blessing this clothing ministry was to those in need. She left smiling and I was happy!
All week I had been dreading the reality of having to take down the racks and everything until Sunday, January 12, 2025 (one week after the clothing giveaway). I received the BEST NEWS POSSIBLE about Dolly’s House. Dolly’s House was granted permission to permanently reside in the women’s support group space where Kelly so humbly offered to move her space for the women’s support group/children’s church upstairs with no questions asked.
Y’all don’t know how much this was an answer to prayer. Y’all don’t know how pure joy radiated through every ounce of my body.
I learned so much through this experience. If God gives us a vision or a task He wants us to fulfill, He will give us the ability, resources, and power to fulfill it. God will never call us to do something without enabling us to see it through to the end.
The Bible tells us that God makes possible what He commands.
If God said it (If God said it)
I believe it (I believe it)
For I know (For I know)
He’ll make it alright (He’ll make it alright) by Chicago Mass Choir
the song goes on to say…..
Whatever you need
He’ll make it alright
He’ll give you power…
Thank you Lord for making it alright. Thank you Lord for allowing me to enjoy the fruits of my labor. Thank you Lord for allowing me to serve You in this way. Thank you Lord for allowing me to honor my momma in this way. Thank you Lord for allowing me to love people in this way. Thank you Lord for allowing me to fuel my passion of feeding and clothing people at a price they can afford. Thank you Lord for the gift of serving. Thank you Lord for speaking to me Jesus. Thank you Lord, thank you Lord!
The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Jesus tells us we all have work to do in the Church. I’m so humbled that ECBC saw fit in lowly in me to allow me to be a small part of the hands and feet of Jesus at ECBC.
The Bible tells us in Galatians 6:6, Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Then goes on to say in verses 9-10, And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Lastly, Galatians 5:13-16. For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, to my Pastor Steven Bouknight, Sandi Prestino and Church Council, Kelly Strum, Rita Dickerson, to my family, to my friends and to my Eau Claire Baptist Church family I thank you. Thank you for loving my mommy, the late Willia “Dolly” Davis, and thank you for embracing my desire to continue her legacy of giving and serving God by way of Dolly’s House Clothing Ministry. Thank you to each person who believed, prayed, supported, helped, encouraged, and inspired this beautiful new ministry. Thank you ECBC for the space to serve and connect with God’s children. To my Lord and savior Jesus Christ, thank you Lord for allowing me to experience living out a vision you gave me. Lord I pray that in 2025, I walk more closely to You, seeking You at all times and in all ways, I pray I will continually give you praise through whatever I face or whatever obstacles come my way, Lord I pray that folks beyond the 29203 area will know, love, support and benefit from not only Dolly’s House Clothing Ministry located on the 1st Floor of ECBC (4427 North Main Street) but also from Spry’s Durty Kitchen through catering events, hosting weekly or bi-weekly menus, and (speaking it into existence/planting the seed in Faith) pull up and take out food at a brick and mortar will provide good quality, delicious home cooked hearty, soulful, and sometimes healthy food made with love at an affordable price in the 29203 zip code. In the voice of Glo’Rilla, “let her cook!”