She Loves - Series Day 1: Everyday Encouragement

You guys.

It's been over a month since I last published an entry on here. That doesn't sound like much, but I was the girl committed to myself in an effort to visit my e-journal daily, if for no other purpose than for revisiting it later on if I was curious as to what I was doing a year ago on whatever day. Yeah, that's a silly reason, I know, but if I told you it had never helped me out in a moment of memory lapse, well, that'd be a lie. So I've struggled with the big old first world problem of lack of blog time, over really the last year or so. It's more to me than just a blog, really, it's the idea of journaling in general that I've back-burnered all together. Over the past week though, I went out and purchased a composition notebook, and forced myself to sit in complete silence until something..anything.. came out of the pen.

And I realized that my busy schedule wasn't the only issue. I could literally only think of meatless, surface things to say. Don't get me wrong, that's not always a bad thing, but there exists a span of years: 28plus, to be exact - of my life in which I was an avid, consistent journaler, both on paper and then in an e-format as well. I favor at times blogging, because both my mind and my typing fingers partner together at about triple the speed of my writing fingers.

That's my backwards way of apologizing to an audience that I guarantee doesn't really care about the fact that I haven't been keeping up with my daily blogs. Let's face it, it's really not this big of a deal.. *wry laugh. #firstworldproblems #ijustusedahashtagoutsideofinstagram....#again.

Whatever. So UPDATES, huh? What the heck have I been doing?
Well, as I scrolled back through the handful of entries I made between June and mid-September, I think for the most part, life has been a blur, but of the same things on repeat: Sydni's soccer games and practices, work day in and day out, volleyball, road trips, family and friends as much as life allows these days.

OH, and yeah.. that little detail that we GOT MARRIED!

mr. & mrs. stokes | est 08 Oct 2016

And gosh.. what a day that was! (When I get more pictures back, I'll for sure make a retro entry, because it was awesome and then some!) Here I am a day shy of 2 weeks after, feeling both like the wedding day was yesterday and yet a lifetime ago. The collection of married people we know all said that the day flies right by, and unfortunately I've been there once before to know that much can be true, but honestly, while our day did come and go in a flash, we made sure to live in every moment, and for that, it was the exact amount of time we needed.

Afterwards, we came home, back to real life, our house, our adult responsibilities, our dogs, our jobs and our life together now as a husband and wife. It is so similar to "before," and yet so different, which, if I'm honest, kinda baffles me, since our 'regular' life didn't really change. And yet... here I am, feeling more in love with this guy than I did yesterday, and a multitude of other sappy cliched amorous feelings toward my husband. Must be a newly-wed thing ;). 

Then last week-ish, I stumbled across a list of Bible verses geared towards women, compiled [careful not to say written.. haha] by a Marisa Donnelly, on ThoughtCatalog.com, a website I'd literally never heard of before. She'd tracked down 27 verses that had spoken to her - after reading it, it's actually 26, but one of them was listed twice in two different translations. It hit me that in the past, any seasons of writer's block I experienced were more easily dissuaded when I turned back to Scripture and opened my heart and mind to whatever application was tied to my life - in all its mess & beauty. 

So I've arrived now at the reason I finally opened the blog today. I have a renewed sense of reason and purpose to be on here, and I'm excited for it. I wanted to go down Marisa's list of verses, one at a time, one-a-day, and remind myself why I needed that verse, that day. We'll see if that holds true; while I read through the entire list once, I don't have it memorized, so each day will be something of a surprise, I guess? 

And five novels later [sorry], here we go: 

Psalm 46:5 - God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. (NIV)

Sidenote:  For those of you who've never cracked open a Bible before, I implore you to maybe find a Christian - a real-life, imperfect, broken, compassionate, every day Christian - and just... get to know them. Sure, some of the Bible is daunting, and at first glance might look like a manuscript of rules and regulations, but I can assure you, there is so. much. more to it. And If I happen to be that really screwed up, sin-ridden but undeservedly-loved Christian you need to talk to, you let me know.. and I'll let you know just how normal you probably are ;)! Adversely, for those of you who have this postered all over your house on everything from wall decals to coffee mugs, well, it's a good one.

Not the first time I've seen this verse, and it's admittedly not one of my "go-to's," either. It does however, apply in more than one way. See, at first glance, this is one of those lines that I see all over the place, usually in the context of an encouragement card or confidence boost for someone facing a difficult time. It carries that kind of absolute hope & strength of God's steadfast support for when we are tripping over ourselves and other people on our way to not drowning in hard times. It's [ok, most of these are, if I remember.. ] a feel-good verse for sure, and I'll admit I've leaned on it once or twice over the years. 

BUT, as I re-read it today to start this mini-series of my own, I realized that I personally will draw more depth from this if I remember that it applies to me on my very.best.day.EVER... as well as the days I feel like melted plastic. Seriously though: The past week and a half have been ah-mazing - work has gone smoothly, our home life has felt renewed since the wedding, we've had good fortune with cars and house and pets and kid and health and aaaall the pieces have just fallen into and stayed securely in place. And I wake up feeling positive about the little piece of time I have in this world, to recall this verse - this promise that the Lord of all creation is also with me?! To be not reminded, but re-assured, really, that He loves me.. loves my husband, loves my family, my marriage, my well-being and my mission as a human to share His calibur love? That HE is the timeless source of love, life and real, unfiltered happiness.. and that same HE.. has chosen to be with ME, and ensure that I do not fall farther than He can reach? Y'll.... just... y'all... Nobody deserves that kind of love, but the fact that we have it is pa-lenty reason to at least make an effort at a good day. 

And the effects of that realization on the good days are what will sustain me on those particularly bad days, when the ship sinks and I'm blind in dark waters with a piece of the sail stuck to my face. I've been there, you've been there, we've all been ugly crying over life & loss at some point. To fully download this verse in that moment, in the storm, really is impressive if I think about it... usually if I'm inconsolable, I'm.. well, inconsolable. You could read me every song in the book and my human sarcasm might take over, will it away as I might try. BUT, give me this guy on a day when I'm clear-headed, and it'll add to the emergency reserve I'll need when the rain comes. 

I don't know if today's a good day, or a bad day for you, or if you've got a well-balanced mix of them like I do. I don't know if you're here reading this because you're in a dry spell of bad luck, nasty people and pressure to fix things out of your control, or if you're sailing through reading this because you were curious. Or, if anyone's reading this at all. I said earlier that really, these are for tomorrow me to come back and read, when the time is right and I need reminded that a little thread of lucidity did exist that one time on a Friday. But wherever you are, and whatever season you're in, I'm pretty sure we could all use a little encouragement, to fill the tank. 

Happy WEEKEND, blogbots. 

xo | cms <<< and that's new, too.. yiee!

Barking Kids & Tied-Up Friendlies

I'll tell ya what.. this girl.... haha..
Kids are awesome. Seriously. Funny, weird, messy... and awesome. Mine is no exception.  Today was a pretty good day, all things considered, and hanging out with my mini first thing after work is like the icing on a cake. Seriously. She's hilarious. And although I find it inconveniencing at times whenever we're anywhere and we have to stop for a 1-minute ride atop Sandy the Meijer horse, I have to stop and remind myself that these little moments won't last forever, and the world is big enough for me to relax and allow her to have them. 

sandy the meijer horse! 

In other news, the USWNT ladies took on Japan tonight, and although I'm not sure how I stayed awake through the entire game, I did it, despite the dismay of ending with a tied 3-3 match. Ladies, we're cheering you on from Cincinnati, and you blogbots will be seeing plenty of weigh in here on their Road to Rio as we get going. Oh, and sidenote: SUPERIOR PLAY, EQUAL PAY. 'Nuff said ♥.

An uneventful Thursday, really, I know.. but hey, it was what it was and tomorrow is Friday and YAY. :) 

See you then! 

xo | cmd

#SRP2015 Day 3: Evangelize The Mountains!

ENGLISH: BLACK FONT (Or Gray).  SPANISH: RED FONT

INGLÉS: FUENTE NEGRO (O Gris).  ESPAÑOL: FUENTE ROJO

*******

our house  || nuestra casa

When Marissa and I went to bed in our cozy little tent last night, I was afraid that my body would refuse movement when it awoke this morning. I trusted that God would provide me with at least the strength I needed to function today, but when I crawled out of the tent in the early morning air this morning, I realized that He gave me more than I asked. My calves were stiff, but nothing was sore. There were no bruises. No headache. Nothing. I felt wonderful. AMEN.

Cuando Marissa y yo fuimos a la cama en nuestra pequeña y acogedora tienda anoche, tenía miedo de que mi cuerpo se negaría movimiento cuando se despertó esta mañana. Yo confiaba en que Dios me proporcionaría al menos con la fuerza que necesitaba para funcionar hoy, pero cuando me arrastré fuera de la tienda en el aire de la mañana esta mañana, me di cuenta de que Él me dio más de lo que pedí. Mis pantorrillas estaban rígidos, pero nada era dolor. No hubo moretones. No dolor de cabeza. Ni Nada. Me sentía maravilloso. AMEN.

bathroom  ||  el baño

the "neighborhood"  ||   el barrio

morning at the river  ||  mañana en el río

father and son  ||  un padre y su hijo

preparing my heart and mind for the day
preparar mi corazón y mente para el día

Our first course of action: Filter water. Our water filters were small, but effective. They did their job and we stayed hydrated without issue for the week. It was our first team exercise that didn't include airports and vehicles. We stood on the bank of the river with David, talking of the day's action plan, talking, filtering and praying. 

Nuestro primer curso de acción: filtro de agua. Nuestros filtros de agua eran pequeñas, pero eficaz. Hicieron su trabajo y nos alojamos hidratado sin problema para la semana. Fue nuestro primer ejercicio de equipo que no incluía aeropuertos y vehículos. Nos pusimos de pie en la orilla del río con David, hablando de plan de acción del día, hablando, filtrando y orando.

filtering water with the team  ||  filtrando el agua con el equipo

Talsy and a couple of the village women became a pulse in our camp that we did not openly acknowledge nearly as much as we should have. We came when she called us for breakfast, and handed her our plates. She fed us first, every single time on this trip, before herself. She was a calm, respected presence there for us, and it became evident to me today, day one in Suiche. This is not her first time here. 

[Oh, and just in case any of you readers out there are wondering: NO, we did NOT lose weight from constant movement on this trip. In fact, the food we ate was more than sustaining, and when it was all said and done, I'm certain we gained weight as a result. Hahah.]

Talsy y un par de las mujeres del pueblo se convirtió en un pulso en nuestro campo que no nos reconocemos abiertamente casi tanto como deberíamos tener. Llegamos cuando nos llamó para el desayuno, y le entregamos nuestros platos. Ella nos dio de comer primero,  cada  vez sola en este viaje, antes de ella misma. Ella era una calma, presencia respetado ahí para nosotros, y se hizo evidente para mí hoy, primer día en Suiche. Esta no es su primera vez aquí.

[Ah, y por si acaso alguno de ustedes los lectores por ahí se está preguntando: no, no lo hicimos bajar de peso de movimiento constante en este viaje. De hecho, la comida que comimos era más que sostener, y cuando todo estaba dicho y hecho, estoy seguro de que  ganamos  peso como resultado. Jajaja.] 

the kitchen  ||  la cocina

♥♥♥♥♥

After breakfast, we prayed. We prayed for the villagers living higher into the mountains, that their ears, hearts and minds would be open and receiving to us as we went out to visit them with the message of truth and hope. We prayed for our teams, that we would have the words to say and the confidence to say them. We split up into two teams: 1) Aaron, Marissa, Mateo, Juselino & Alexi, and 2) Chris, Quinn, David, Bernabe, Pastor Simon and me. We headed off on a short trip to a nearby set of homes, where we shared our testimonies and the Gospel, through the visual aid of Evangecubes and Ngabere translations by Pastor Simon & Bernabe. Beyond the calm eyes that watched us as we shared, and beyond the message itself, I couldn't help but feel a deep, real sense of beauty for how the Ngobe people live. I wanted to stay with them longer, to learn their individual stories. To truly get to know them. 

Después del desayuno, oramos. Oramos por los aldeanos que viven más arriba en las montañas, que sus oídos, corazones y mentes estarían abiertos y recibir para nosotros ya que fuimos a visitarlos con el mensaje de la verdad y la esperanza. Hemos orado por nuestros equipos, que íbamos a tener las palabras para decir y la confianza para decir ellos. Nos dividimos en dos equipos: 1) Aaron, Marissa, Mateo, Juselino y Alexi, y 2) Chris Quinn, David, Bernabe, el Pastor Simon y yo. Nos dirigimos en un viaje corto a un conjunto cerca de los hogares, donde compartimos nuestros testimonios y el Evangelio, a través de la ayuda visual de evangecubos y Ngäbere traducciones por el Pastor Simon & Bernabe. Más allá de los tranquilos ojos que nos miraban mientras compartíamos, y más allá del mensaje en sí, no pude evitar sentir un profundo y  verdadero  sentido de la belleza de cómo vive el pueblo Ngobe. Yo quería quedarme con ellos más tiempo, para conocer sus historias individuales. Para llegar verdaderamente a conocerlos.

bridges  ||  puentes

visiting the homes in the mountains
visitando las casas en las montañas

visiting  ||  visitando

more bridges  ||  más puentes

chris and quinn with boys from the village
chris y quinn con chicos de la aldea

village houses  || casas de pueblo

Three homes later, my team made the return trip to camp, where Talsy and the cooks were awaiting us. The other team was there as well; we shared our experiences from the morning over lunch, and prayed together for the people to whom we had just spoken.

Tres casas más tarde, mi equipo hizo el viaje de regreso al campamento, donde Talsy y los cocineros nos estaban esperando. El otro equipo también estaba allí; compartimos nuestras experiencias de la mañana durante el almuerzo, y oramos juntos por las personas a las que apenas habíamos hablado. 

lunch!  ||  el almuerzo

Yes, there was free time. Today, it was filled with men gathered on the open field adjacent to our building, where the soccer ball became the center of attention. We watched them play for what seemed like hours, with no other concerns in the world. I didn't realize it until later in the evening that I had not thought much of anything from home since landing in Panama. Our mission here is clear, and focus is necessary. The stresses of life back home meant nothing here, and in watching the players on the field... the children running around the building.. my team working together... We are truly HERE, in this moment and it is beautiful. 

Sí, hubo tiempo libre . Hoy en día, que estaba lleno de hombres reunidos en el campo abierto al lado de nuestro edificio, donde la pelota de fútbol se convirtió en el centro de atención. Vimos ellos juegan por lo que parecieron horas, sin otras preocupaciones en el mundo. No me di cuenta hasta más tarde en la noche que yo no había pensado mucho en nada de casa desde el aterrizaje en Panamá. Nuestra misión aquí es claro, y es necesario el enfoque. Las tensiones de la vida de vuelta a casa no significaban nada aquí, y en la observación de los jugadores en el campo ... los niños corriendo por el edificio .. mi equipo trabajando juntos ... Estamos realmente aquí, en este momento y es hermoso.

blending with the community ||  la mezcla con la comunidad

soccer  || fútbol

she is beautiful ||  ella es hermosa

shy girls :) ||  chicas tímidas :) 

We had our first small groups today. The men and women separated into two different classes; our class consisted of 7 attendees and us: Marissa, Rita, Zobeida, myself and also Bernabe, to translate. We shared the story of the sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50), an iconic Bible story that demonstrates real, honest, pure and humble love. A woman wanting nothing more than hope, forgiveness and love, and a perfect, sinless Christ who provides for her. 

Tuvimos hoy nuestros primeros grupos pequeños. Los hombres y las mujeres separadas en dos clases diferentes; nuestra clase constaba de 7 asistentes y nosotros: Marissa, Rita, Zobeida, yo y también Bernabe, traducir. Compartimos la historia de la mujer pecadora (Lucas 7: 36-50), una historia de la Biblia icónico que demuestra el amor verdadero, honesto, puro y humilde. Una mujer que quiere nada más que esperanza, el perdón y el amor, y un perfecto, sin pecado Cristo que ofrece para ella. 

visiting the children in school  ||  visita a los niños en la escuela

little friends  ||  niñitas

in the classroom ||  en el aula

small group  ||  grupo pequeño

After small group, it was dinner. Time was spent meeting some of the children. I crept off briefly to write what I could about how my heart was responding to the work accomplished today. I want so desperately for this team to impact this mountain in ways driven not by us, but by God alone. If even one small seed is planted in just one heart while we are here, then we have not made this trip in vain. 

David and the team set up the projector screen and worship film for the evening service. A large group of people gathered together in the school to hear praise music. Chris led the service with a message, and afterwards, the Jesus film played in Ngabere. 

Después de pequeño grupo, que era la cena. Se dedicó tiempo conocer a algunos de los niños. Me arrastré fuera brevemente para escribir lo que pude acerca de cómo mi corazón estaba respondiendo a la labor llevada a cabo en la actualidad. Quiero tan desesperadamente para este equipo de impactar esta montaña de formas que no impulsados ​​por nosotros, sino por Dios. Si tan sólo una pequeña semilla se planta en un solo corazón mientras estamos aquí, entonces no hemos hecho este viaje en vano. 

David y el equipo configurado la pantalla del proyector y la película de culto para el servicio de la tarde. Un gran grupo de personas se reunieron en la escuela para escuchar música de alabanza. Chris dirigió el servicio con un mensaje, y después, la película Jesús jugó en Ngäbere. 

our "church"  ||  nuestra iglesia

I am renewed already, and it feels as though we haven't even started yet. I am in love with this place. 

Estoy ya renovado, y se siente como si nos aún no han comenzado todavía. Estoy enamorada de este lugar.

Day 3: GO, Tell It On The Mountains! 

Check. 

He is here, and He is moving.

Día 3:
Ve, ¡di encendido las montañas! 

Hecho. 

Él está aquí, y Él se está moviendo

xo | cmd

♥ | cmd

50 Shades of Grey: NO. Absolutely... NO.

AND I WILL HAVE NO PART [EITHER]

My disclaimer to all of this is this: I so rarely participate in tirades on social media, especially Facebook. I'm not an electronically-confrontational person, but I had to chime in today, at the prompting of a conversation I had with a co-worker, related to this ridiculous movie that's coming out this weekend.

Friends, I just can't. And I won't. And I would encourage you not to, either. I know that's not going to sway anyone out of seeing it, and for those of you who I love very much, yet have conflicting opinions, know that I don't respect you as a person any less for yours, as I would hope is the same with you for mine.

Here are several sources who've visualized the exact reasons I have for refusing to support this movie:

1. THIS:  

every. single. one. of those things.
[courtesy: national center for sexual eploitation]

 2. These FIVE Things: 

[courtesy: fightthenewdrug.org]

^ IN case you either cannot see, or have questions about those 5 things & what my vantage point says:
1. The concept that money & power gives right to do whatever you want: 
That's insane enough a thought without any further explanation. It's particularly frightening to me because I have already met people who not only embrace, but actually identify solely to the amount of money in their bank accounts and their position in society. They feel entitled based on that alone, and that.. is scary.

2. Sex should be contained to a concept of physical gratification only; no feelings or romance allowed.

Welp, that's disgusting. That sets a great stage for teaching ourselves and our younger generation how to fully love and develop a relationship. Let's go ahead and teach them how not to stay married.. or faithful.. or uphold any sort of system of sanctity for their significant other.

3. Girls [& guys, too, honestly] - If you're treated like crap, just hang in there; they'll change.
Have you ever heard of Stockholm Syndrome? ENOUGH with this, 'they're two consenting adults' crap - Just because two people agree to rob a bank together, does that mean it's RIGHT? Or HEALTHY behavior? How about we instill in our minds and our young peoples' minds that healthy relationships are developed from RESPECT first, and that the love that comes from RESPECT is something you cannot replicate or rival. AND, that respect for YOURSELF is not something to set aside.. for ANYONE. If someone wants to be with you, they should be equal TO you. Not above you, or beneath you, or threatening you. Equals WITH you.

4. The idea that guys can do [in this case sexually] anything they want to women, and that women will love it. [And outside of this book, vice versa].
You're kidding, right? Again.. with this 'consenting adults thing' - stop. Just.. stop. If you have to be psychologically sway, manipulate and coerce someone into doing something - sexual or not - you do not love them. You are swaying, manipulating and coercing them. Ladies, don't think I'm just talking to men here - I've seen men at the hands of tyrannical women, too. What kind of example are we setting?!

5. Write something that glamorizes sexual exploitation and domestic violence, and it'll sell. 
Of course it will, sadly. We are a society that feeds off of drama, suspense and all things dark and mysterious. We think we're such brooding, deeply-theoretical people whose partaking in this crap doesn't affect anyone. Well, I don't know about you, but I cannot imagine telling my daughter that she should abide by the clean side of a double standard that I've set through my own examples.

3. This Summary Statement:

I usually try to stay neutral on controversial platforms like this.. well, at least to the blogging eyes.. because I like to keep things light-hearted, thoughtful and positive. But I just.. I can't stand by and believe that the people I know who've firsthand managed to survive sexual abuse, domestic violence, psychologically and/or emotionally controlling relationships - that they fought their way back from the doorsteps of hell just to find this piece of garbage waiting to be devoured by millions of people.

I've seen the irreversible damage that domestic violence and sexual abuse creates in a person. I've seen friends struggle to believe in the value of their very own existence because of the way their minds have warped within toxic relationships. I have seen how that affects their trust. Their confidence. Their ability to love themselves. To love others. Their emotional stability. Their social skills. Their grades. Their work. Their sleep. Their eating habits. Everything.

It is NOT a glamorous. It is not an achievement to succumb to this type of relationship.

I am... terrified to think what our next generations will take away from this. I commit myself to work arduously with my own daughter to instill in her that this type of relationship is purely unhealthy, undeserved and should not be tolerated. I am fearful for the children of my peers now, who will be peers to her then... that their parents or peers will have accepted this set of standards [or lack thereof, really], and that my daughter [or my future son, who knows] will fall prey somehow to this... garbage.

I can only do my part, and ask that each of you consider how this affects all of us. Call me antiquated; call me a prude - that's fine. I just can't... conform to something like this.

With love & respect to each of you ♥

xo | cmd

#EndItMovement : End Human Slavery.

The world in which we live is a beautiful, enjoyable place if you look at it through the eyes of someone who's in a place they can enjoy. For others, life is an ugly, unforgiving monster with a battery of unending pain, hardships, failures and even torture.

I am fortunate enough to find myself among those who can look at [my] life and realize that while it hasn't been perfect, it is by far more than I deserve. I have what every person needs: a family, friends, a stable home life, a job, a car, etc., etc. The list goes on and on of the things and people that and whom have blessed me in a million different ways.

But beyond being a person, born abroad but raised and still living in the United States, I am a human.

And I have what every human needs:

LOVE.
FREEDOM.
EMOTIONAL SECURITY.
DIGNITY.
DISTINCTION.
LOVE. REAL LOVE.

Between the core fundamental components we need to survive - food, water, bodily nutrients - and the list of things we are wired as social creatures to desire - companions, a purpose, possessions - well, that's where I believe these things are found.

And I have all of those.
And a lot of people DON'T.

Today is February 27, 2014.
Today is the day we SHINE A LIGHT ON SLAVERY.



www.enditmovement.com

Yes, human slavery. As in, the buying, selling, owning, trading and abusing of human beings. In other words, human trafficking. It makes me ill to even think about the strife suffered by various people groups over the course of history at the hands of others who were so disillusioned that they actively treated other humans as even less than goods on a barter system. YEARS later, we as a general population [at least here in the United States] are ingraining equality as a building block to societal progression.

 

We are BLIND.

For the most part, when the term human trafficking is heard, minds automatically divert to some off-trodden third world country, where basic amenities are scarce and the quality of life in general is sub-par to what we would ever accept here. Or perhaps, we've seen movies like Taken, which shed light that human trafficking operations can be [AND ARE.] buried right beneath the nose of even the most economically-sound hubs. Opportunistic criminals are lurking in places we may not have ever imagined.

 

Like, for instance... here. We call it a homefront, because this is where we live. The U.S.A. Ohio, Alabama, California, New York.. the other 46. You know, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Land of the free, home of the brave? Yes, here. There are men, women and children here, in the shadows of every day American life, who are not living, but simply existing.

 

And that pisses me off.
It should piss you off, too.

 

Not sure that you believe human trafficking exists here in the U.S.? Google a survivor, like Clemmie Greenlee, and listen to her explain to you how she was abducted at age 12, raped by the men who took her, and then shuttled around to major cities with the expectation to sleep with anywhere between 20-40 men daily during major tourist events like the Superbowl. Federal law dictates that the prostitution of a minor is considered sex trafficking. Any parent of a child will tell you that they would lay down their own life if it meant erasing that permanent, irreversible physical and psychological damage to their son or daughter.

 

Slavery doesn't always mean sex trafficking, either. It could mean what I know I understood it to be when I was being taught about it in school: literally forcing another person to obey your commands, regardless of how frivolous or extreme they are. Read up Quita Puchalla's story and tell me that I shouldn't be counting my blessings every single night that as an adopted child myself, this never happened to me. Adopted children, especially those from other countries, sometimes become decidedly "bad calls" by their adoptive families and basically listed online as Free to a Good Home, right between the litter of unwanted puppies and a ferret. REALLY?! These children are traded in underground "markets," if you will, then forced to do things that NO. HUMAN. EVER., let alone a CHILD should have to do. One girl was forced to dig her own grave. She wasn't even 15.

 

This is not right.

This is not okay.

THIS IS NOT LIFE. 

 

So yes, today I pledged the skin on my hands - a SMALL, unutilized surface of my body to be covered with a large red X. It's not much, I know, but it is a statement that I will make today, along with thousands of other people around the world [hopefully] that human slavery MUST end. I wanted to convey this message on two hands, put together to signify the full symbol; no one of us could conquer much on our own, but together we can create movements. And wings. I have always believed birds, owls, even bats.. really anything that can and does fly - they have a liberated vantage point on this world that we could only hope to have. They are nearly without limits if they are allowed to reach their potential, and I know that we as humans should have the same right to find ours. It starts with something as simple as just.. loving someone else.

You are the people who are shaping a better world.
One of the secrets of inner peace is the practice of compassion.
- Dalai Lama 

My heart broke today reading some of the stories from survivors of human trafficking, slavery and torture. It is 2014, which in most minds signifies another year of achieving things we never thought possible. I would hope & feverishly pray that in 2014, the efforts to disband and destroy trafficking operations is a mighty one.

I believe in the power of unity, and in the strength of love over evil.
I believe that every human being not only needs, but deserves:

LOVE.

FREEDOM.

EMOTIONAL SECURITY.

DIGNITY.

DISTINCTION.

LOVE. REAL LOVE.

 

The men, women and children existing in the dark world of human trafficking don't have any of those things. The self-worth they are told they have is the opposite of what they really are. The "love" they know is nothing more than the loyalty forced by fear, not by real love. They are not free. They have no emotional security. Dignity is a word they do not know. Distinction of the reality versus what they've been conditioned to believe is probably more terrifying to weigh than the torture that comes with disobedience or failure.

 

As a parent, I of course have hesitations and concerns with raising children in this - in our - world. I can't keep my children in a bubble. I can't hold them back. And I won't. But, I will show them what love - real, purposed love means. I will teach them that while they may make mistakes, they are not mistakes. They have a purpose. I will not hide the realities of this world and the corruption that comes along with it, but I will shade them as best I can from trading their childlike innocence for hard-fought life lessons before the time is right. I pray that I can show them the beautiful things in this world, and guide them through the ugly parts in ways that teach them to exercise due caution, but above that compassion, love and selflessness.

 

And I pray that these children.. these men.. these women who are at the hands of tyrants.. can find peace. I pray for healing. For justice. For reunion with family, or separation if need be. I pray for the organizations around the world and here locally that tirelessly crusade against modern day human slavery, and for the individual advocates who rescue and council victims from that monster every day.  

We are not called to go where it is easy,
and love already exists.
We are called to go where we are sent,
and bring love with us.
- Anon.
 

Stand up & speak out, friends. It's the least we can do.

xo | cmd