Facelift

I am attempting some blog facelifting, so my blog will most likely be changing a lot over the next couple of weeks. Keep checking back for more lifting of the face :-)

What to watch

As promised, here is a list of films that I recommend for anyone wanting to learn a little more about modern day slavery:

Invisible Children

This film actually holds a pretty special place in my heart.  I first saw it in October of 2005 and it was the first time that my eyes were fully opened to the issue of modern day slavery.  God used this film and other circumstances in my life to awaken purpose and send me in new directions.  To learn more about Invisible Children and to be updated on what they currently have going on, you can visit their website here.

Born Into Brothels

"Born Into Brothels" won the 2005 Academy Award for best documentary.  It is about a photographer who meets a group of children living in a brothel and teaches them how to take pictures.  Seeing the world through the lens of the camera placed in the hands of these children is beautiful.  One huge way that this film spoke to me is in using creative methods to reach the impoverished.  As a creative person, I long to be able to use the art of making things to impact the world.  For more information about the film and the children whose lives it documents visit the website "Kids with Cameras" by clicking here.

Taken

"Taken" is a movie that was released on the big screen in 2009.  It is about a retired CIA agent whose teenage daughter gets kidnapped and put in the European sex trafficking ring.  As you watch this film and see the efforts that one father goes to in order to rescue his daughter, look for the glimpse of God's heart and imagine the efforts that He goes to in order to rescue his children.  It kinda helps that the lead character is also the voice of Aslan from Chronicles of Narnia.  I guess that Liam Neeson plays a ferocious lion in many different ways :-)

Slumdog Millionaire

If you have not seen this movie, just go rent it.  I adore this film.  I love the story line.  I love the way it is filmed.  I even love the way they did the subtitling.  The kids in this movie make me want to file paperwork for adoption right now :-)  The soundtrack is also amazing (Latika's theme is one of my all time favorite songs - so magical).  Basically this movie is stunning.  There are many good reasons why it was up for so many Academy Awards.  To watch it also gives sight into the way that kids are used for profit in India.  "Slumdog Millionaire" - watch it.

Call + Response

Call + Response is a documentary film that gives a good overview with facts concerning human trafficking.  I got to see this movie with Lauren and Karisse while I was in LA.  They also have a heart to raise awareness about these issues.  I miss those gals.  For more information on the Call + Response initiative, go to their website here.

Trade

The movie "Trade" is about a girl in Mexico who is kidnapped and then brought to become a part of the sex trafficking ring in the United States.  Though this film is not a documentary, I believe that we must realize that this is happening in our own country.  Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean that it isn't happening.  This stuff is real and it is in your own backyard.

Svetlana's Journey

"Svetlana's Journey" is a film that was made by writer and director Michael Cory after his eyes were opened to the issue of sex trafficking while he was acting on location in Bulgaria.  I got to meet Michael a couple of times while I was in LA and he screened this film for the DTS (Discipleship Training School) a few times.  Visit this site for more information on the film as well others short films and public service announcements that the director has made.

Amazing Grace

Ahhh, I can't even watch this movie trailer without crying.  After all of those heavy movie recommendations, I leave you with one more filled with hope and inspiration.  William Wilberforce truly is a man of great inspiration.  His story shows us how one voice can make a huge difference.  Every time I watch "Amazing Grace", I am reminded of what I want my life to count for : the freeing of the captives.

What to Read

As I mentioned in my last post, I wanted to gather together some resources to suggest for anyone who might be interested in learning more about modern day slavery. The following are some books that I have read. I actually started to say "enjoyed reading", but let's face it: they are not the most enjoyable books to read. This is heavy stuff we are talking about. In fact, usually when I read a book on modern day slavery, I have to chase with some light fictional reading (something that you could probably find in the youth section of the bookstore). But as hard as these books can be, I think it is really good to keep ourselves aware of the stories of others. After all, they can't just lay their current circumstances aside and go on to a "light fictional read". This is their life.

Ok, so I have to admit that the last time I started this book I got distracted and put it down for awhile. Then I let someone else borrow it and now I am picking it back up again. Anyone care to join me in this read? More information here.

I read this book years ago when I was on a mission trip to Uganda. Being in Africa really brought this story to life even more for me. It's about a child soldier in Sierra Leone. You can find out more about the book and the amazing boy who lived the story here.

Gary Haugan is the president and CEO of International Justice Mission (an organization here in DC that I would love to work for). This was the first overview that I read of modern day slavery. You can find more information and purchase the book at the International Justice Mission website here.

This book gives stories of different individuals who have been caught in the trap of modern day slavery. Each is a story that ends with the redemptive freedom only Jesus can offer. This story also includes questions to help the reader think even deeper into what they are reading (I like that part). More information can be found here.

This story gives a little glimpse of what slavery looks like in our own backyard. It is the story of a girl in California who turns to drugs and prostitution as a means of survival and how she turns her life around. More information about the author and the book here.

This is another book that I have not actually read, but it has been waiting for me on my Amazon wish list for awhile. Harmony Dust is a girl who was once an exotic dancer and who now has a ministry called Treasures, which reaches out to exotic dancers on the west coast. This is the story of how her life was transformed. More information here.

There is a short little list of books that have really touched my heart and challenged me. Feel free to post a comment with any book that you think may need to be added to the list. I love recommendations :-)

Change of heart, change of blog

I had intended to get onto my blog today and finish some posts that I had been working on, but with the burning in my heart the posts that I had previously promised to write will just have to wait.

What burns within is the fact that today is Human Trafficking Awareness day. As I did my part of finding something to post on my Facebook to raise awareness, I found this video:

...and I began to cry. I shed tears over so many things. I cried for those who are bound by slavery, my heart broke for the hurting, and the harsh reality struck me of how quickly I had forgotten them. Anyone who knows me very well at all, knows that my heart is for the hurting and I am passionate about social justice. I have to be honest and say that sometimes I forget. And it strikes me "How in the world could I forget about my passions and desires? Gosh, I get so distracted by 'stuff' and my heart gets to the point where it needs a big jolt." This video was my jolt. For me, it is definitely not coincidence that this realization and awakening (to a desire I had allowed to fizzle) comes at this season in my life. I know that God is once again stoking the fire and (once again) I don't know what it will lead to. One thing that I do know is that right now I can share it (hence the blogpost). I have already been encouraged to see others share the video on Facebook, which is really what it is all about: spreading the word and raising awareness.

On a blogging standpoint: I want to take a pause in the things that I had previously planned on blogging and concentrate on this issue highlighted by "Human Trafficking Awareness Day." So instead of the blogs I promised to write in this post, keep an eye out for "What to Watch", "What to Read", and "Where to Shop". I want to find resources to help you raise your own awareness, learn, and spread the word. If you have any resources you think need to be included, please feel free to leave them in the comments section. Have a wonderful day and be thinking about how you can be a voice for the voiceless. I believe we can see modern day slavery come to an end, but it's going to take an army: Who wants to enlist?

What's to come

I have been wanting for quite some time to become a more regular blogger. After an absolutely amazing Christmas break, I finally feel like I have so so much to share. It is actually a little bit overwhelming even. So here begins yet another quest at becoming a real deal blogger. However I can't fit it all into one, so here is a little snippet of what's to come.

Wrap it up:

I absolutely love wrapping presents and after a friend of mine mentioned my presents at her blog here, I decided that I wanted to do a step by step. So I enlisted my sister to take lots and lots of pictures while I was wrapping Christmas presents at home in Memphis.

Roll with it:

I spent lots of time in the kitchen over the holidays and one of my favorite things was making bread from scratch for the very first time. I used my great grandmother's recipe for yeast rolls dating all the way back to the 1940's. They actually turned out really good and I had so much fun making them.

A trip into Red Velvet heaven:

I was so excited to take a road trip with my sister to Springfield, MO, which by the way has officially become one of my favorite towns to visit. Flea markets and thrifting galore!!! We did not even make it to all the flea markets (after extending our trip to MO one more day just to hit more stores). I was so excited to visit the Red Velvet store. I follow the blog of Elsie Flanagan at A Beautiful Mess here. Going to her store and meeting her was just too cool.

So there, it is. It is my goal to get these things blogged in the next week, as well as hopefully posting about a really cool yarn creation that I am working on. So much more to come. I am excited!!

Goodbye for now. I hope to be back very very soon.

Momma said...

So, a few months ago my Mom

(this woman)

told me about a site called Tumblr. She told me about how wonderful it is because it could link to Facebook and a bunch of other things that I was not listening to well enough to remember (I love you mom). I told her that I did not need another thing to keep up with and I can link my blog to Facebook just fine (thank you very much).

Then I read this post from my friend Jessica about Tumblr.

All of a sudden it sounded like a good idea to me. I started myself a little Tumblr site to keep up with all the good ideas that I find all over the place. Check it out here.

Today I was browsing through Tumblr and realized that (once again) my mom might be right. Tumblr really is a cool site and it seems to have more capabilities than blogger.com does (sorry). So all that to say, I might be moving (my blog, not myself - although that would be nice too). We'll see. No definite decision and I will be sure to let all of you know if I do make the move - all 3 of you.

My how time flies

A month? Really? A month? I can't believe that it has been over a month since I have blogged. Oh, I bet that everyone that reads my blog has been on the edge of their seat the whole time - all three of them :-)

Well, I figured that since so much time has passed that I should put something out there. Unfortunately I don't really know what to write about. Actually, that's probably a lie (sorry). I have tons that I could write about. I just don't know where to begin and find it all still a little bit overwhelming so I choose not to think. And please don't take that to mean that something is wrong (because it's not - smiley faces).

So there is my most recent update...life changing - I know. I will leave you with this one thought and a cute pick to go along with it: I have recently had a very odd obsession with realizing how cute sock monkeys are and how much I need one (ok, ok, WANT one). Hoping Santa will make a little delivery to my stocking this Christmas (hint hint to the mamacita)

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