Friday, June 29, 2012

The Stoning of Soraya M.

My cousin recommended that I watch The Stoning of Soraya M. a few months ago, but I didn't have a chance until tonight.  Not an easy movie to sit through or watch (originally a book), but an incredible glimpse into the practice of stoning women, which still happens around the world.  Soraya's story, like so many other women's, is an important one that needs to be told and told and told. . .until it's no one's story any longer.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The Sound of Your Voice ~ Third Day

I ran away from your love
But you waited for me
Yes you waited for me
And then I heard your song
Singing over me
Singing over me

Now that I hear you Lord
I want to know you more
I want to know you more

Sing your song to me
Oh there’s no greater thing
Than to listen to the sound of your voice
When I hear your song
I want to sing along
And listen to the sound of your voice
The sound of your voice

Lord I am calling your name
And I’m waiting for you
Yes I’m waiting for you
So won’t you show me your way
And I will follow you
Yes I will follow you

Now that I hear you Lord
I want to know you more
I want to know you more

Sing your song to me
Oh there’s no greater thing
Than to listen to the sound of your voice
When I hear your song
I want to sing along
And listen to the sound of your voice

Singing over me
Bringing peace and mercy
With a song that never ends
Singing over me
Marvelous and holy
Lord I want to hear your song again

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

World Vision: HELP WANTED

Please go to World Vision's new campaign website called HELP WANTED at:


Add your name to help end child slavery now - 85,000  pledges are needed by March 2013 and you will find my name at #1278.  Once you've done that, it's time for you to spread the word!


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

ChristianWeek

Check out the June edition of ChristianWeek at:


There are a number of great articles regarding human trafficking and how we as Christians should respond.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Karyawati

Meet one of Jolica's artisans from Indonesia - Karyawati:


Saturday, June 16, 2012

Jolica's 2012 Collection

Check out some of Jolica's new pieces and some of our old favorites:


Friday, June 15, 2012

Disturb us, Lord

A prayer by 16th century English explorer Sir Francis Drake:

"Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess, we have lost our thirst for the waters of life; having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity; and in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly to venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery; where losing the sight of land, we shall find the stars. We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes; and to push in the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.

AMEN"

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Police Warn Parents

Please check out the following Winnipeg Free Press article on human trafficking in Canada - the traffickers are not who you would expect:

www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/police-warn-parents-about-shocking-teen-pimp-case-158840425.html

Monday, June 11, 2012

Esther

Even though I was not able to attend the Jolica conference this weekend in Vancouver, I've been diligently (obsessively?!?) checking out the new product online (you're going to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!) and trying to be in touch with the girls in Vancouver to get more information.  And even though I'm not in Vancouver, I'm SO excited for the new catalogue being released July 1, which also means we have a new foundation project (5% of all retail sales go toward the Jolica foundation).  Check it out (warning - you may need some kleenex):


Sunday, June 10, 2012

Thriving

Since completing my second teaching term of the school year in April, it's been a busy few weeks.  Out of the 7 weeks since that term, I've had 5 solid weeks of substitute teaching (plus a few days in those 2 other weeks) - something I have not experienced while subbing before and for which I am incredibly grateful!  I also moved (from one basement suite to another in the same community) about a month ago and continue to sort through my boxes of stuff.

The new basement where I'm living has my own entrance (shared entrance before) and an oven (hotplate before) - definitely advantages!  On the other hand, now I only have a shower (shower and bathtub before) and I have 2 small windows to view the outside world (the old basement was only 1/2 way into the ground, so the windows I did have were much larger).

When I move (which has happened a lot in my life), I try to make the place feel like home as quickly as I can.  I like to have a few plants around and my plants were not doing that well at the old place.  Even though I only have 2 small windows now, they have a nice space where I decided to put my plants so that they might enjoy the little sunlight I get.  It's amazing how they have flourished in this last month, given the sunlight they are soaking in - instead of just surviving, they are thriving.

And in many ways, that's what I feel about where I am in life right now.  I had a talk with God a few months ago as I was walking home from church one Sunday.  I told Him that I would try to establish some roots (some shallow, others deeper) in my community even without a year term of teaching (or a permanent job - what in the world does that feel like anyway?!?).  As I stepped out in faith, trusting that He would provide, He has proven faithful.  I have had great opportunities for housing - though more importantly, I've met really great people to rent from.  And the same can be said about so many other aspects of my life:  work, yoga, counseling, church. . .that are all important, but even more important are the people that I'm meeting and the relationships that I'm building.  Blooming where I am planted. . .thriving instead of just surviving.
ESSE QUAM VIDERI - to be, rather than to appear
"Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God."
~Robert W. Pierce