Do something, or stop talking.

The Anti-Trafficking Movement. What is it, exactly?

Isn't it about awareness? Something about a red X? Some problem third world countries face? Buy a t-shirt, save a girls life in some small tribe in Africa? Didn't Passion do a thing on slavery, or something...?

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. 

If you Google searched "Anti Trafficking Organizations" I'm sure you'd find Polaris Project, International Justice Mission, End Slavery Now, THE End it Movement, etc etc... there are literally thousands of organizations that claim to fight to end modern day slavery. Some truly do great work, but a good amount of the ones I've looked into are about funding their own organization, not the rescue of young girls. They want to be advertised, rather than desiring to be effective. They want to be seen, rather than have their work create ripples that echo into every corner of our nation and world. 

So, why haven't you REALLY heard about it? Why don't you know the facts? 

Because, we, the young, ambitious and self-important college-aged young adults are part of the problem, rather than part of the solution. Let me repeat that, we are part of the problem. 

We don't really want to get our hands dirty with the anti-trafficking movement, we just want a t-shirt. 

We don't want to sell out completely for the cause of justice and freedom, we want to draw red X's on our hands. 

We don't want to let God take over our lives as we seek justice in His name, we want a cool facebook picture with our anti-trafficking student organizations. 

We don't want to work for freedom, but we'll want the credit when all is said and done. 

We are a part of the problem because we are AWARE, but not really educated. 

We are sort of informed, but sort of inactive. 

WE KNOW that slavery exists in its ugliest of forms, but we sit back waiting for someone else to step in because we've let society convince us that we don't really need to DO anything.
We are a CHURCH full of believers, who know the love and compassion of our Savior, but we don't see past our own pews. We don't go too far outside our own sanctuaries. We don't love like He loves. We don't eat with prostitutes, we wouldn't be caught dead in a bar or the "wrong" part of town. We are more concerned with how we look than WHO we represent. We sit in our Sunday service and sing our hymns, we talk about Jesus as our faithful provider, and we pray for our lives to be easier or better. There is SO MUCH MORE than our little world that needs prayer. There are people living in emotional chains that need to hear the name of JESUS. It's likely they aren't going to come waltzing into our Churches, so it's about time we take our ministry elsewhere... To where our sisters in bondage are. To where our broken brothers who sell them are. To where we can remember that WE are ALL broken. We are ALL sinners. We are ALL unworthy. 

Satan loves it. He loves that we are young, capable, informed, silent, inactive, and complacent. He will tell us the most enticing lies and convince us to be quiet. To stay in our little comfort zone, because it just takes too much work to really get involved.

It's okay if we sit back and do nothing. 

Trafficking doesn't "really" happen "here". 

Slavery ended with the Emancipation Proclamation. 

There are enough organizations to take care of this, they don't need me to help. 

ALL lies. There are 27 million people in slavery today. NOW is the time to get on your knees and pray constantly for justice to be present on this earth. It's not about how sad or brokenhearted we are for these women, though there is value in having a heart that seeks to end oppression. It's not about you and I. It's about our sisters in captivity. It's about the broken girls being sold in our hometowns. It's about the broken men who satan has convinced that it's okay to sell them. The anti-trafficking movement is not about the people in it; it's about the people needing rescue. 

1. See how God wants you to be involved in this. Pray for the staff of these organizations, the girls being sold, the girls who have been rescued, and the pimps that sell them. Pray for God to use our generation to be the LAST generation to tolerate slavery within our borders. 

2. Do research and learn the facts of what's going on where YOU are. There is a HUGE difference between awareness and education. Awareness is just a fad that will come to an end; education implies time spent seeking the truth behind this social injustice. Become truly educated about the cause and all involved. 

3. GET plugged in. Find an organization in your area. Get your home Church informed. Donate to an organization that you KNOW will send the money to the rescue of girls locally.

Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17

Don't get caught up in the "trend" of the anti-trafficking cause. Do something, or stop talking. 

Jehovah Jireh

I've been wanting to write this blog since day one. This is the blog where I get to tell you that I am FULLY FUNDED!

GOD. IS. SO. FREAKIN'. AWESOME.

When I needed $500 to put a downpayment on the trip, He provided.
When I wasn't "on schedule" when I needed to be 50% funded, He taught me patience.
When I needed nearly $1800 in two weeks, He provided in a huge way.
When He promised to bring in the last of the $9,300, I sat in awe.

The entire time I went back and forth between assurance of His promises and worry that the amount was too big. NOTHING is too big for our God. Even when I worried; He was moving. While I was counting pennies, He was moving in the hearts of people who gave, generously. People who have given five bucks of their gas money, or 500 of their bonuses from work...every cent is received with a grateful heart.

When I put my faith in Him and Him alone, He showed me how incredible He truly is. I have seen His faithfulness and power and might and love in ways that I never thought I would.

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to those of you who have prayed me through this and spent time encouraging me. You have been a part of showing me God's faithfulness and teaching me patience in HUGE ways.

I AM SO EXCITED! If THIS is how much God moves in fundraising, I can't wait to see what He does in Africa. It's nothing me or my team can do that will bring healing, help, or joy to the people we are going to serve and learn from. It's GOD moving through us and being gracious enough to use us, even though we are all unworthy of the opportunity.

I leave in 34 days, LEGGO!

"Let us hold unswervingly to this hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful"
Hebrews 10:23

makeup, missions, and an apology.

Hey ladies (and guys, if any of you are reading this too)

I'd like to offer somewhat of an apology about my current fundraiser. I know I've been pushing the "Makeup for Missions" event pretty consistently, but I wanted to make sure that all of you knew a few things that are on my heart...

You don't need the makeup.
You don't need a ton of fancy beauty products.
I believe with my whole heart that you are called to more than makeup, hair, and your appearance.

After going over my packing list, and remembering the days when God told me to quit being so dang conceited (I did a makeup fast last year, I needed to check myself and get back into the Word), I realized that for a solid week, I've been pushing for girls to buy makeup. Wait....wait....what?

Given all of my words about being called to higher things than planning weddings on Pinterest, being more than just what you look like, and not finding your identity in the guy you're dating, etc, I feel almost embarrassed at how quickly I was willing to sell you on beauty products just to fund my trip to Africa. Please, please, please know that I am convinced you are a beautiful woman and if I haven't told you that personally, well...it's true. I'd hate to have any kind of attention regarding my trip to be wasted on vanity and beauty products, when it can (and should) be bringing glory to God and what He's done.

He's brought in nearly $7,000 of funding towards my trip. He's saved my life (literally) more than once. He's changed my heart, renewed my thinking, and called me to Africa to serve Him. He's done incredible things in the lives of so many people... the last thing on my mind when thinking about my trip is makeup. I pray the same is true for you. I'd MUCH rather the focus be Jehovah Jireh, my team's preparation, and His faithfulness to WRECK SHOP in all of our lives! Forget the lipstick, God is busy working miracles all over the WORLD.

If you feel like you should support me by using the MaryKay fundraiser, then go for it! But please know that my heart behind this was to use it as an opportunity to make my fundraising useful (so that people could give money, and get something tangible in return). I have NO desire to make the focus of my fundraising about what we look like on the outside. My hope and prayer is that God will show you time and time again, undoubtedly, that you are so incredibly beautiful. If you are having any doubts or insecurities about the way you look, take 'em to Jesus. I am for real, girls. Run to Him in your imperfection, let Him remind you that HE DIED on a Cross for your imperfect body. God sent His son to die for your heart, not your thighs or your cheekbones. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and you bet that He wants you to do SO MUCH MORE with your life than worry about your stomach or arms or the number on the scale. If you are needing some encouragement about this, make sure you seek out the prayer and counsel of other women. This is not the time or place to call your boyfriend, best guy friend, or other brother in Christ.

We all have times where we wish we could change things about our appearance. Let God remind you that He made you, specifically to be you, and to be loved just the way you are. (quick side note: if you are surrounded by people (or dating someone) who are (is) NOT convinced of that, you can come talk to me. We'll have a little chat about how fast you need to get out and/or get better friends).

You. Are. Priceless. And you don't need makeup or a perfect body to have value. You are loved, by God, and by me. So please feel free to not buy any makeup from my fundraiser. I'd rather you keep your money and confidence of God's beauty in you, than profit off of any insecurity or need for worldly affirmation.

$2,400. 16 days. To God be the glory.

"Other People"

Hey All,

Bear with me. Today, I'm admittedly frustrated. What started off with thinking about MYself and MY fundraising (as if there aren't more important things in the world to think about/to pray for), turned into a blog post about the Church. Funny how that seems to happen.

When praying for the Lord's faithfulness to be demonstrated and proven through my fundraising, which is something He's convicted me to pray for since day one, it dawned on me for the hundredth time. Of course it's supposed to be hard. Of course it's supposed to be frustrating. If it were easy, where would my faith grow? If it all came in from family and from big-wig donors, how would God's faithfulness be shown to non-believers and doubters? So, alright. I get it. Fundraising=difficult/challenging/God is building me up. I am fairly certain I have that one down...again.

But, why don't people give? Out of 900 "friends" on Facebook, easily less than 60 have given. Now, please, don't misunderstand me. I am incredibly thankful for all who have given, supported, and prayed. Some have prayed endlessly and are always asking how they can be in prayer for my team (THAT support freakin' rocks so please don't stop asking!) Some have given $5 of their last paychecks to support me (I'm forever humbled by those gifts), some have given their tithes to me in faith, and some have donated big chunks that I never saw coming. If I sit and look at the names, cards, letters, and dollar signs long enough, you bet I'll tear up in pure gratitude for people who have sacrificed to send me to Africa--not for the sake of me being great or awesome, but for the sake of the Gospel and its power to save lives; not because I can do anything miraculous, but because I believe that God will do miracles through our team if we yield to the Holy Spirit at every turn.

When I look at the issue of modern day slavery/poverty/prostitution (they are all interconnected), I'm faced with similar questions. Why don't people give? Why don't people serve? Why doesn't everyone DO something about it? How can they see the stories, read the news articles, see the faces of girls who have been put through pure hell, and go on living their lives as if it doesn't happen down the street? (Note; some people DO plenty. They start the enditmovement/IJM/Traffick911/Free The Captives/they volunteer/they pray daily/etc. There are people who devote their lives to this cause, and I respect them beyond belief!)

When it comes to just plain doing nothing, underlying is the same reason. We are entirely convinced that "this kind of work" is for "other people". Supporting missionaries is for "other people". BEING a missionary is for "other people". Working with girls who are sold into slavery is for "other people". Getting local law enforcement on board with teaching tactics of pimps to girls in the juvenile system is for "other people". Taking in that prostitute down the street is for "other people".

Let me tell you about these "other people". They don't exist. It's. Just. Us. There is no magically different group of people to take care of the least of these, it's up to you and I.

Everyone expects that "other people" will pick up the slack, bite the bullet, roll up their sleeves, and do what needs to be done. Because, let's face it, doing that work ourselves is just too inconvenient.

Or, maybe the opposite is true. Maybe the devil has used these "other people" to trick you into believing you're insignificant by comparison...into believing that ministry is for "other people". Good relationships centered on Christ are for "other people." Successful marriages are for "other people". College education is for "other people".

Those are powerful lies, alright. But Jesus Christ did not die for "other people". He died for you. He died for us all. We walk in victory when we walk with Christ. No, we don't stride around in arrogance and we don't walk without difficulty, but we DO walk, fully alive in the Spirit.

We're told many lies on a daily basis. Our hearts and minds are under attack, constantly. We're told we can't make a difference, won't be any good, still aren't good enough, will fail if we actually try, and so many others I'm sure you can think of. But the Word and Holy Spirit speak truth into these lies. Jesus calms our hearts and gives us peace. We know, that we know, that we know, that our God is more powerful.

His YES is stronger than satan's NO.

Oh, imagine how we'd live if we really believed all of the promises and truths of God's Word over the lies of the enemy. Imagine how different life would be. Now, go do it. Go walk in the confidence of His Word, and don't let the haters get you down. If there's a calling on your heart, go do it! If you wait around for these "other people", you'll be waiting forever.

Five-year Flashback.

Hey All,

It's been a crazy last few weeks, but we all made it through our respective finals and now it's time to enjoy some much-needed time off! Well, kind of. It turns out that getting ready to leave the country for 6 months is a little hard to do during finals/after a car wreck/hopped up on vicodin/while moving back home... who knew?

I am so surprised at how fast this year has flown by, it's already halfway through May! I leave in 53 days. FIFTY THREE! I am getting crazy excited (except for the ton of shots I'm getting soon, those I am not too thrilled about...) I am 68% funded, WHOOP. I have $6400 out of the $9300 I need, and that is ALL God. He has been faithful to provide and will continue to do so!

So as I was unpacking my things at home, I found a list of reasons why I should go to Africa that I wrote a while back...as in, five years ago. The list starts off with things that I'd be able to contribute to in a mission-work type setting ("I like working with kids" and "I don't mind being outdoors all the time"), then goes on to reasons why this would help in my career ("It shows I care about others"), then I started listing scriptures about sharing the Gospel. The entire list had a huge "X" through it, and at the bottom of the page, I wrote down one sentence.

"I want to go to Africa because it's what I'm called to do, none of the other reasons matter"

Apparently my 15 year-old self was rather insightful, but this was such an awesome reminder that this trip is truly something God has put on my heart for years. I can't believe that I actually get to go and live this dream. Sure, it's a little crazy, but hey... this is me we're talking about. I am beyond thankful for what God has done in my heart this last year and for all the many ways He's taught me, grown me, stretched me, tested me, humbled me, and shown me time and time again that none of it is about me; it's all about Him.

I've got 23 days to raise the last of my funding, 53 days until I leave, and 1 reason behind it all. I am thankful that the YES of God's promise is stronger than the NO of my circumstances. Please continue to pray that He will bring in the funding on His timing, and that He will be glorified through the whole process!

You can give $5, $10, or $15, and it will be a HUGE HELP! It adds up quickly when a lot of people give a small amount, so feel free to send any type of donation!

If you want to give, then do it! (go here: www.gofundme.com/bethelight)

If you'd rather go shopping (and it conveniently supports my trip), you can do that, TOO! Check out the Makeup for Missions Facebook Event!

God of the Car Crash.

So, looks like I got that miracle I'd been praying to see.

If you have ANY doubt that God has a plan for you, will protect you, or is all-powerful beyond our understanding...please let me tell you about my God and the times He's saved me. Tonight included.

He saved my life for the first time when I was born 3 months premature, weighed a little over a pound, and was deemed a failed pregnancy.

He saved me yet again when I wrecked my car Thursday night. While driving back to College Station, I was thinking about how much He loves us. How powerful His love is. How mighty He is. And how He has a plan for my life, even when I don't know what it is. Then I lost control of my car, hit a ditch, flipped three times, and hit a fence. Oh, and my airbags didn't deploy...

I got out of my car with a scratch on my pinky. That's right, a small scratch. You can see the pictures and judge for yourself, you can tell me that it was by chance or that I am a lucky gal. I'll tell you that I am blessed beyond measure, covered by God's hand of protection, and would not be here tonight if it weren't for His grace.

But even moreso than any of that, He saved my life when He died on the cross for me. He gave His life so that I can rest in His power and be healed in His name. Tonight, when my car flipped, the name of Jesus had the power to save me. It has the power to save you, too. He can save you wherever you are; in a ditch, in an addiction, in a broken relationship, in a failed marriage, in your heartache, in your failure, in your sin, in your struggle, in your car on the side of the road.

Jesus Christ has saved my life time and time again. If you have any doubts, let this be a sign to you that He is a mighty God who can perform miracles. I've been praying that I'd see Him work wonders in my life. Today, He answered me with a resounding reminder that He alone can rescue and save.

Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

He longs to save you right where you are. He wants to work miracles in your life. Let Him in, let Him love you, and let Him heal you. Never underestimate His power or plan for your life; both are great beyond anything we could ever imagine.

Pinterest: Why your "Wedding Board" is messing up your relationship...

...your relationship with Christ, that is.

I'm sorry, gents. This post may not relate to you very well. Just a warning to you ladies, I'm sure this post will offend quite a few of you. I've got one thing I want to say, then hopefully I can explain it in a way that will encourage you to change your thinking on the matter.

For goodness' sake, go delete your wedding board(s) on Pinterest. Do it now.

Unless you have a ring on your finger, or the promise of one in the near future, stop planning your future wedding.

I know--I know. You see the perfect dress, the cutest engagement pictures, and don't even get me started on those beautiful rings and ideas for your reception. You want to make sure that someday, when you get married, you'll have all of those ideas stored, organized, and color coded so you can access them the second your man proposes. It seems harmless, right?

I will try my best to be polite, but in a word...no.

The first problem with this is that you are, to some degree, exerting effort and mental capacity to planning a wedding that may or may not actually happen. You are spending time thinking about coordinating colors, seating charts, flower arrangements, and wedding dresses. Are these bad things? Absolutely not! But who are we kidding? You'll tell yourself that you're "not planning it with anyone specific in mind," even though you're in a committed relationship. Or if you're single, you'll tell yourself "I'm just waiting for 'the one' and when he decides to show up, fall in love with me, and propose, I'll be ready and save myself time by planning it all now. All I really need is a groom!". Or my favorite, "When God brings me the right man, I just want to make sure I can serve him as his future wife by planning ahead!"

Nice try, but I speak from personal experience. I promise your ideas are super cute, lots of fun, and that should you ever have a wedding of your own, you will be the most beautiful bride on that day and all eyes will be on you! The truth is, the problems don't arise because you like a trumpet versus a ballgown wedding dress, or because you prefer sunflowers to roses. The entire premise that you're going to get married at all is not a guarantee. The idea of waiting on the right man to come along is, in itself, flawed.

If you are a Christ-loving, Bible-reading woman of the Lord--please tell me what exactly you are waiting for that you don't already have. It breaks my heart to see Godly women pining after the idea of a future husband. Your Creator loves you so much, and any man in your life is (or should be) automatically competing for the number two place in your heart. Our Savior clinched first prize when He died for you on a cross and hand-fashioned your heart to reflect His love. If you decide that you're waiting on a husband to the extent that you're exploring wedding options on a daily or weekly basis, that's a strong indicator that something in your heart is longing for someone other than your Savior in a BIG way. It becomes far too easy to idolize the idea of marriage instead of loving the God who created the union to begin with.

Will you end up married someday? There's no guarantee. Maybe God is preparing you for a husband, but maybe not. Make no mistake; He is certainly preparing you for something great! It's just not set in stone that this "something great" will include a husband. If your idea of following after the Lord's plan for your life automatically includes a husband, I so strongly encourage you to spend some quiet time with the Lord searching your heart to find out why that desire is there. If God has placed it on your heart to be a wife and mother as a calling, Praise the Lord for His clarity! If you need to pray through it, then please do so. Honestly, we have to reconcile ourselves that we are called to serve our brothers in Christ in love and as women we are so uniquely able to do so. We are called to be Godly women who find full satisfaction in the Lord before He can ever prepare us to be a Godly wife and mother. If God's plan for you doesn't include a Mr. Right, does that make you bitter? Would you still follow after His plan with all your heart?

I know this seems like it's making a huge deal over nothing, but the constant thinking about weddings and far-off days of planning one of your own can set you up for such heartache. I don't wish any broken relationships on anyone, but without knowing it, we can so easily idolize marriage and make it the assumed future for our current relationships. Again, it's a personal conviction of mine and I would encourage you to spend time in prayer about it.

I will, however, challenge you. Delete your wedding boards on Pinterest and spend your time doing something else. Write notes of encouragement to your friends, read your Bible, do homework...anything but failing to guard your heart by trying to plan a wedding with a fill-in-the-blank spot for a groom. When your desire for a wedding becomes greater than the desire for a Christ-centered marriage, which is stronger than your desire for Christ Himself; you'll fill that blank in with anyone who's willing.

As your sister in Christ, I DO love you and want nothing but the best for you. Please know that I am not against Pinterest at all, and you bet I spend too much time on it! I love the beautiful gift of marriage and the commitment it embodies. I love dresses and flowers and pretty things that people do at weddings. My heart and prayer is that you will be fully content in God's love and desire nothing but to serve Him here and now, as a single or coupled up, strong woman of the Lord.

Waiting on a man? Ain't nobody got time for that.

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart; for it is the wellspring of LIFE.