Every once in a while, there comes a good story that is worth telling.  A story where the lives of people come together, sometimes in difficult circumstances and individuals ask themselves, “Why am I going through this?”  People sometimes try to make sense of tough circumstances and endure them as part of life. Others gain strength through difficult times as they place their faith in God.  The latter somehow are left with a sense of peace, knowing that everything will work itself out in God’s time.  We all desire for miracles to sweep us out of our current situation, or some kind of relief valve to reduce our stress.   But most of us can recount times in our past where hardship turned into blessing.  This is a short story providing us with a little hope, that God does hear our prayers, he does see our hardship, and yes, he does want us to participate in his work of blessing others. ….

          Franky and Alyssa had been planning their wedding since they first got together” and the couple constantly had to push the date back because they just didn’t have the financial means to plan a wedding.  They had decided to get married at the courthouse, hoping they could have a traditional wedding ceremony and reception at a later date.  But like most young couples, their desires were put on the backburner in order to take care of the business of family.  Now being 23 and having 2 kids, one of them being a preemie, had been extremely challenging, especially since the babies were only 1 year apart. Amaya (2 yrs old) & Ezequiel (1 yr old preemie) are what you would call miracle babies, especially since Alyssa was bound to face any pregnancy as a major challenge, due to her petite size.

The bride shared with us her story. “We found out we were expecting Ezequiel when Amaya was just 6 months old.  I had a good first trimester but once I hit the 20 week mark in my pregnancy everything went downhill. On my husband Franky’s birthday I was having heavy contractions and was assigned to bed-rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. At 33 weeks while I was just sitting down my water broke. Franky rushed me to the hospital. Because it was so early in the pregnancy, the doctors didn’t want to deliver the baby until at least 34 weeks. But Ezequiel was born at 33 weeks via C-section.

Every hospital visit from our 20^th through 33^rd week, Franky and I would talk about our dream wedding. I would tell him how I wanted to be able to dance with my dad. I love to dance and want it to be full of dancing. I wanted my parents to be able to relax and not worry about anything. We would talk about how we just wanted everyone to have fun. And I would tell him that I wanted a dessert bar (not an alcohol bar) full of strawberry frosted and glazed donuts from dunkin donuts, chocolate chip cookies, candy and just things we love to have along with a strawberry milk fountain rather than a punch fountain.

But upon Ezequiel’s 3^rd week in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), we decided to hold off on any wedding plans. But we wouldn’t stop talking about all the romance we wanted in the room with lots of candles and flowers. Ezequiel has taught me to keep faith in God and that God is taking care of everything. Ezequiel is now a 21 pound, one year old, having been through so many milestones.  Like other preemies, Ezequiel gets weekly therapy to help him catch up.   And I never imagined such a blessing was just around the corner, so much sooner than I had ever imagined.  I’m very thankful to God that my dream wedding will be taking place December 2^nd, 2011; all because I met Rosie with 27 Miracles. Everything has been a true blessing and I am so excited.”

27 Miracles has worked with various charity events, either hosting or contributing their resources to that same effect in the past, especially during the busy holiday seasons.  We have had the opportunity to participate in events that raise funds with well-known charities: Brides Against Breast Cancer; Toys for Tots; Boys and Girls Club and Wish Upon a Wedding.  But we never imagined something of this nature to occur and the manner in which it occurred.

Rosie has established relationships with people all over the wedding industry as the years have gone by and some of those relationships have been very beneficial to the overall mission and purpose of 27 Miracles.  One of our caterers, Joel Rodriguez from Bjoely Catering had contacted us prior to the start of the holiday and was wanting to donate his services to a deserving bride, who was deserving of catering for 75-100 people, centerpieces, linen, bouquets/floral for bride and bridal party.  Joel’s philosophy of business has centered on generosity and service to all his clients.  Joel has given his service  away to those in need on a regular basis, as a way of giving back to the community, and to be a blessing, as he has always credited God with his business’s success and vitality.  So the time came for him to give away his service to a special couple that would be getting married in December or January, worthy of the donation.

Rosie had been contacted by Alyssa earlier in the year; she had postponed her wedding several times due to financial needs pressing her, from medical and other living costs, mostly associated with taking care of her family.  So when Rosie had been contacted by Joel, who was seeking to bless a couple with his catering services, Rosie was excited, as she had established a special relationship with this bride who also had a premature baby at home.   Rosie said to him “I do happen to know a couple, they are a young couple, they have a daughter and most recent had a preemie baby boy who was in the NICU like Kaleb my own son.  For awhile,   she tried to plan her wedding with us, but was not able to come up with the funds to do it.” Joel was happy to help out this couple, as a Christmas blessing.

Rosie immediately contacted the bride, “I offered the bride this special package and said now she should have sufficient finances to cover the rest of the vendors, including my services. Alyssa spoke with Francisco (the groom), and even with two jobs, the couple still was not able to make it work financially.  Due to the medical bills that they have, Francisco became stressed with finances, and was taken to the ER with heart palpitations or something… (He is too young to experience this, Rosie thought!”)  Rosie didn’t want the bride to lose this opportunity to get the majority of her wedding covered and knew if she didn’t take advantage, she could lose this one time chance, so Rosie decided it was best to give away her service also. “I felt  in my heart that this couple was the most deserving of this Christmas blessing and we wanted  to make this happen for them, I knew that we were all hurting and in need of financial payment .  But as I prayed, I felt in my heart that I was to donate my service to this bride.  However, I said to myself that I need the income, how can I?”  What came to my mind was that the caterer donating his service is donating not only time, but actual product that he has to purchase, as well as hiring additional staff to help him do the event.  I thought to myself, “All I have is the knowledge and the service to help put this together.”

But that was just the beginning.  In order to have a fully functioning wedding from start to finish, we were still short in other services.  I thought, what about photo, video and dj and cake?  When I prayed, I thought of just the right team of vendors that would make this happen for this couple.  As I contacted the main vendors for photo, video, dj and cake, they without many questions replied yes we will help.  Just as was laid in Rosie’s heart.  We asked a few other vendors, if they could donate their services to this couple, some were not able, and that was ok, because people have to stay in business.  But the ones that originally came to my mind were generous and willing to be a part of this Christmas blessing.

One of the things that God laid in Rosie’s heart was that it is easy to make a donation when the blessings of riches and business are with us, but when we are struggling it is not that easy and that is the true sacrifice. Rosie understood that to mean that it is not about Rosie or anyone else, but about blessing someone with the talents that we have.  The Bible says, it is more blessed to give, than to receive and that is true.  We know the rewards may not be financial, but the joy to have this couple walk down the aisle and fulfill their lifelong dream will be the reward in itself for now.

Today we have a team of earthly angels helping to make this day the best that it can be for Alyssa and Francisco.  In Hebrews 13:2, it states “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”  This team of vendors have given away a Christmas Blessing for Alyssa and Francisco, despite some of the opposition that some went through in the last two weeks dealing with personal and family illness,  accidents, hospital stays and broken promises, but they all said regardless of our circumstance, we will be there.  God has a plan and we are here fulfilling it for His glory.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The bride and groom had no idea what 27 Miracles had in store for them on their wedding day.  Some of the additional blessings included at Alyssa and Francisco’s wedding were the following: The beautiful Heaven Events Center, professional uplighting, Chivari Chairs, fuchsia aisle runner, crystal trees, a wishing tree, butterfly decorated cake, strawberry cake pops, limo ride to the honeymoon destination, a two night stay at a luxury hotel in downtown Disney, tickets for two days to Disney park of choice, harpist, vocalists and so much more that made for a complete wedding experience. The bride and groom were surprised every step of the way throughout the ceremony and reception, never aware of what surprise awaited them around the corner.  27 Miracles is very thankful to have had the privilege of working with several vendors, who each generously contributed their time, finances and services.

The vendors involved are outlined here:

27 Miracles Staff, Rosie Moore, Tyneshia Perine, Marcus Moore, donated coordination, wedding gown preservation, children’s meals, vendor meals, additional centerpieces www.27miraclesbyrosie.com

Cornelia/Keepsake Floral donated floral preservation of bride’s bouquet/ http://www.keepsakefloral.com

Lena Graham/Lean G/Hair and Make up Bride http://lenagraham.com/

Candi Ekstrom/ All About Your Wedding Day/Hair and Make up Bridesmaids and Mothers http://www.allaboutyourweddingday.com/default.asp

Susan Esposito/Casa di Bella/Bride’s Gown, veil and tiara http://www.casadibellacelebration.com/

Kim/Kim’s Tailor and Alterations/Donated the wedding gown alterations to the bride

Angela Nuran Shoes/Donated by Angela Nuran http://www.angelanuran.com/

Jon Zimmerman/Absolutely Fitting/Donated Groomsman, Groom, Father Tuxedos http://absolutelyfitting.com/

Joel Rodriguez/Bjoely Catering donated catering, linen, floral for 50 people http://www.bjoely.com/

Priscilla Lucas/Party Flavors donated the wedding cake www.orlandocustomcakes.com

Ronnie/Ronnie’s Candy Kitchen/Donated Strawberry Cake Pops www.rwchocolatefountains.com

Diane Jensen/The Wedding Party/Donated her service, wedding arch, cake and sweetheart table décor, wedding chocolate favors http://www.theweddingparty.us/

Suzanne Nichols/Suzanne Nichols Design/Donated Crystal Trees and Wishing Tree http://www.suzannenichols.com/

Rev Marcus Moore/27 Miracles/Officiating services www.27miraclesbyrosie.com

Christopher Gaitan/Vocalist donated his time to sing

Brittney Morris/Vocalist donated her time to sing

Christine MacPhail/Harpist donated her time to play www.orlanodharpist.com

Andres Roque and Assistant Kri /Miami Pro DJ/DJ services donated for ceremony and reception http://www.miamiprodjs.com/

Louise Alimahomed/Royal Plaza Hotel/donated an executive suite for 2 night stay in downtown Disney http://www.royalplaza.com/

Erika Solis/Ramada Gateway Hotel/donated Disney Tickets www.ramadagateway.com

Lori Cole/Donated Disney Tickets

Keith Brady/Donated Disney Tickets

Rose Robinson/The Invitation Lounge/Donated Wedding Invitations  www.theinvitationlounge.com

Marisol Ferrera/Nannuk Media and Invitations donated menus, place cards, Table numbers and wedding programs ww.invitationsbynannuk.com

Darrin Shifrel/Orlando Wedding and Party Rentals/donated the chivari chairs and tables http://www.orlandoweddingandpartyrentals.com/

Christal Feldman/Orlando Wedding Group/donated the fuchsia aisle runner http://www.orlandoweddinggroup.com/

Bruce and Kelsey Johnson/KBJ Photography/donated photography of the wedding http://kbjphotography.com/index2.php

Jose/Nannuk Media /Photography 2nd Shooter http://www.nannukmedia.com/Nannuk_Media_Group_Website/Services.html

Bruce Reynolds/ Treasured Moments Videography donated video of the wedding http://tmvphdfilms.com/index.html

Mary Angelini/Key Moments Videography/donated video of the wedding http://www.keymomentsonline.com/

Janina Martinez/Heaven Event Center/donated their space for this wedding http://www.heaven8240.com

Tagas Productions/donated uplighting for the wedding http://www.orlandodjvideo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=29&tab=three

Alice Klinger/Destination MCO donated a stretch limo to take the couple to their honeymoon destination http://www.destinationmco.com/

Marcia Van de Kieft/Loving Arms Nanny Service/donated 6 nannies to care for the children at the wedding http://www.ourlovingarms.com/

As we enter the Christmas season this year, remember to give this Christmas Away……..These vendors did, on a day like today there was no competition in business. Wedding planners from two different companies helped 27 Miracles with various things on the day of the wedding, videographers and hair and makeup artists also worked side by side. Rosie from 27 Miracles is very proud to work with Orlando’s top notch vendors that have donated their time and products to help Alyssa and Francisco fulfill their wedding dreams.  And although planning a wedding in two weeks and at times receiving rejection and criticism from many for donating services, Rosie of 27 Miracles would donate again if it is truly a need of love.

Merry Christmas to all….and do not forget to thank God for all your blessings as you never know when you can be in a tough place and God’s earthly angels will come and help you.

Merry Christmas and Peace be with you…