Slavery Still Exhists.

A couple years ago a few friends of mine and I embarked on a big epic adventure. We packed our bags and flew across the ocean to Thailand. Little did I know that my life was about to be changed in some big ways.

 I came home from that trip with a lot more then I ever had when I first got  left, but what made the biggest impact on me was the staggering number of women and children that are being trafficked. 
 My heart was gripped as I heard horrific stories of these women being sold and being forced to do/experience horrific things. 

 I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that many men from all over the country travel overseas to take advantage of these women. I still cant wrap my mind around that thought, I cant imagine being treated like a thing, instead of a real person.
 I came home and after some research realized this wasn't just a problem in Thailand.  It was happening in my country, my state and even my own town. 

A21 

Fast forward a few years and I've asked God many times what can I do? How can I use my voice?

  Recently I"ve had the opportunity to be a part of bringing an experiential walk-through exhibit looking into the reality of human trafficking.

 This exhibit will journey you through the stories, lives and situations of millions of people -- people who do not have complete freedom, whose lives have been taken captive and whose stories need to be heard.
You can check out more details for the Journey to Freedom Exhibit here or here.

The reality of slavery is not only physical, but spiritual as well. The God we serve has a heart for justice, and he wants to see each person experience freedom. Freedom from physical bondage and abuse, as well, spiritual freedom from lies, fear, sin and so much more! 

How will you use your voice? 

Beauty.

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I crave beauty in my everyday life.

 I crave clean lines and white space's in my life. 

I crave to create beauty around me, to inspire other women towards beauty.

 I crave less drama and more beauty and inspiration in relationships in life.

 I read this post The Ache for Beauty and my heart said a thousand amen's. The writer put my thoughts into words so much better then I ever could, but I feel like I hear this cry so much from women around me. We all want to beautiful, we want to be noticed, to be a part of something bigger then just our little lives, to leave this world having made a difference. 

True Beauty comes from within, a reflection of the gentle and quiet spirit that God so values. 
1 Peter 3:3-4

This year I am purposing to stop believing the lies and to go after true beauty. 


//For more beautiful inspiration check out this online magazine! //

Habits

¹hab·it

noun\ˈha-bət\

: a usual way of behaving : something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way. 

I made a few goals for this year, but I decided to really focus on developing some good habits. I feel like good habits will empower me towards excellence and I want more of that in my life this year. I was reading today that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. This challenged me as I thought about all the bad habits I've formed without any thought.

I also was reading that the goal of creating habits is to create long-lasting behavioral changes that move you towards big goals. I know I have some big goals this year and I need healthy habits in place to accomplish those goals.

So habits for this year..

drink more water. I fail at this one so much. 
spending daily time in the word. 
getting up earlier. I like sleep. 
taking vitamins daily. 

What are some habits you want to form this year? I would love to hear your thoughts!