Beautiful Lengths

If you looked through my pics documenting our time over Christmas, you might have noticed a change in my hair. Like a 9 inch change. :)

I've had 2 things I'd always wanted to "cross off" my bucket list for a really long time now. These 2 things have probably been on my bucket list the longest.

 One was to run in the Music City Half Marathon, which I did in 2010.

The other was to donate my hair to an organization that creates wigs for women through the American Cancer Society. 

On Friday, December 28, 2012, I got to cross that one off :)

I donated 9 inches (and cut off around 11!) through the organization Beautiful Lengths. (Another popular charity is Locks of Love, but they require a minimum of 10 inches.)

I was pretty nervous before I left for Andrea to cut my hair, but once I got there, I was just really, really excited! I've had long hair since like… 9th grade, so it was a drastic change for me but I've grown to love it.

I love it even more because I know that the drastic change for me will be a drastic change to someone who is fighting for their life. A drastic change that will bring them joy and hope. That's what makes me love it the most :)

A couple days ago, I finally got around to sending it off...

I included my name and address, in hopes that I will get a letter saying its been received :) (on the site it says if you include that with your ponytail, you should receive a letter… we shall see!)

I also included an encouraging word with my ponytail. I know it might not get to the actual patient because the ponytails are received, then turned into wigs, then given to patients (it takes at least 6 ponytails to make 1 wig!!), but I thought it was worth a shot! And even if it doesn't make it to the cancer patient, hopefully it will bring encouragement to whoever receives the envelope--even if its the person making the wig!

And couldn't we all use this encouraging word:

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he's done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."  Phil. 4:6-7

Now… on to the other 75 things on my bucket list…  :) Yolo.