It's not about me

"Human traffickers rob children of their innocence; they expose them to the worst of life before they have seen much of life"

These past couple months as I have been moving God has really convicted me of having my focus on myself.  This does not settle right with me, at all.  In my heart I want nothing more then to help those who feel unloved, worthless and exploited above all else.  Which leads me to this blog post.  While I realize as I have moved and prior I was so concerned with what was going on in my life I have lost sight of the things God has called me to time and time again. 

While children have been a major part of my life, my heart is so passionate about them.  I take a firm stand against abuse, bullying and children hunger.  With that being said, God called me to be majorly involved in something else; human trafficking.  He put on my heart that there will come a time when I will go to India and serve in a ministry geared toward free sex slaves and ministering to them while they are in recovery.  because of this over the years I have read countless book, seen countless movies, given time, and created awareness.  While that's all important I know God is now releasing me to do more.  I have no idea what this look like but I'll continue to pray, fast, and give.

My desire is for my focus to be on Him and not on me.  The things that break His heart, I want to break my heart.  I want to teach for him, live for him, and serve for Him.  I will do whatever is called to love those who feel unloved and to help those who cannot help themselves.  It's not about me at all, IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM.  While I don't have a door open to serve in India right now I know I will, and I cannot hesitate to obey when that time comes.  In the meantime I will serve in the community I'm placed in because while there are so many awful things going on around the world right here is Nashville people need just as much help and hope.  I have never seen as much homelessness as I do here.  Human Trafficking is now all over the U.S. and only increasing in numbers.  I need to have a mind-set of right now and eyes like Jesus.  He has places on my heart to be self-sacrificing for others sake, and I will do my best to obey that and take those blinders off of my eyes to the injustice that is right in front of me.

Facts about human trafficking: As shared in the book "Beyond the Soiled Curtain" by David and Beth Grant
(I encourage anyone to read this book)

-1 million children each year are exploited in the global commercial sex trade (that number is much too high!)

-50 percent of these victims are children (I weep thinking about this)

-2.3 million girls and women work as prostitutes and madams in India

-2,000 girls are rescued form sex-slavery each year in India (Praise God!! Hoping for an increase in that number in the coming years)

-$400 million in revenue is generated each year by Bombay's red-light district.

While these are just the statistics overseas there is plenty of this going on in the U.S. as well.  Project Rescue works as a ministry to serve those overseas but there are many organizations here fighting against this as well.

www.abolishtrafficking.org
www.EndSlaveyTN.org
www.polarisproject.org

As I have been praying God led me to this humbling and convicting verse.  IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!!

" Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." - Philippians 2:3-4

Hope you all are having an amazing week!!

As always here is song for you!

Blessing Darlings!

Settled

I finally feel SETTLED!! It didn't take as long as I thought it would take to feel totally settled.  While I love Nashville and all the wonderful people I have met the first month was still a challenge.  The challenge was related all the STRESS and ANXIETY.  God has had to really work this past month in my life in these areas.  From moving, finding a job, finding a church,and being in a new place I let anxiety really in and even affected my health in some ways.  All I can say is GOD IS GOOD all the time!  I just had to surrender to him and let him work out all the details of this new adventure he put me on.  All that being said....I feel settled!  Except my bedroom is not quite finished, still need to find some furniture pieces and figure out exactly how I want it to look. 

Ok onto the fun stuff....

This past week I had the opportunity to volunteer as a Merch Girl for the Hillsong United concert here in Nashville.  I LOVE BEING A MERCH GIRL!!  I know this is wierd but I would totally tour with a band and be their merchandise manager.  I love the people you get to meet and work alongside with and not to mention see a free concert!  I have already seen Hillsong on this tour back in April in Phoenix but it was still an awesome awesome concert.  They never disappoint (it's their hearts). 

Thanks Hannah for asking me to volunteer!!!!

Another fabulous event that happened this week was Hillary McBride's photoshoot.  Hillary is a good friend of mine and awesome woman of God who I met through my roommate Stephanie.  She is a talented musician with the voice of an angel.  I was honored to do her hair for the shoot (as well as a little nervous).

Just a sneak peak :)



This was just one of her 100000000 outfits she had for the shoot. She is a doll :). We also got to take some pictures with her.  It was a blast!

Sooooo another side note..I had final confirmation on the church I'm supposed to go to.  I'm so excited and will be starting volunteering at their youthh group this Wednesday.  I love their heart and passion to go out and serve people.  Their vision and heart for missions is awesome!  The pastors and people just have a heart like Jesus.  They truly lay down their lives for others sake.  It's not a self-serving church one bit.  It's sort of a mega church with multiple campuses all in the area but there is still an aweosme communtiy. 

Speaking of community I'm shocked at how quickly it all happened but I have already found a wonderful group of girlfriends!  God seriously blows my mind!  I feel so blessed by all the friendships I already have here.  Wonderful woman who radiates Gods love who I feel truly connected with.  On Thursdays we have an awesome bible study together.  We pray for each other and lift each other up.  Not to mention I have 3 amazing roommates!!!  Seriously they are the absolute best and we have such a beautiful time together!  Expect a blog dedication to them in the future ;)

Gosh so many things happening I can't even fit it all in!!

On to fitness and eating...

Well I have had some great runs this week and tried out my first gym and will be signing up for a membership.  It's just the Y and they have about 4 around this area so I can go to any of them but I think I already found my favorite one ;) in Brentwood just like 15 min away.

I don't have any new recipes I have tried this week that sound interesting,  Just lots of brown rice, salads, and smoothies.

One new GF (gluten free) product  found this week was!!

I know what your thinking "OMG!!" haha ok maybe just me!! gluten free rice krispies made with brown rice!

Food downfall:

Frozen yogurt from Sweet CeCe's...I could eat this everyday it's my weakness...but I only went once this week for girls night.  Proud of myself!

Favorite workout this week was my downtown Nashville run with Hillary.  She lives downtown and has this super fun 4 mile run she does.  Hlaf way through my ankles started to really kill me.  I have super high arched feet and so I need special running shoes but they are missing so I'm wearing my lame nike ones.  So I walked ran the last half. 

This morning I didn Jillian Michaels new video "Ripped in 30"..It's way harder then "30 day shred".  I was soaked in sweat by the end!

Off to make myself a green smoothie and pour myself a large pot cup of coffee!

Obsession this week

http://pinterest.com/

check it out!!

To leave y'all off with this video from Hillsong's new live CD "God is Able" 

Blessings Darlings!

NO DOGS ALLOWED!!

First off...I FOUND A CHURCH... (cheers, claps, whistles) It's called Crosspoint and it has multiple campuses around Nashville and I go to the Nashville campus.  After really praying, searching and seeking the Lord in this decision I feel He will be rooting me here.  I tried 5 churches and this was the first one I tried and I kept trying to find things wrong with it and but I kept saying "but I LOVE the churches heartbeat for outreach, diversity, and missions".  I kept saying "Oh but it's just too big, and worship is just too perfect".  The Lord has just challenged me to trust Him and get out of my comfort zone in this season.  I have already clicked with a group of girls from Cross Point which is so wonderful because I cherish my girl friendships. 

Speaking of this...On Sunday 4 of us girls from Cross Point went for a hike in the morning and brunch because we had decided to go to Cross Point's Sunday evening service. 

While we went on this hike surrounded by ponds, lakes, trees, turtles, and caribou deer there was also a lot of rules.  Like "No Dogs Allowed" on any of the side trails ( we had a dog with us) and a really weird one "No jogging/running on the trails"...What the!?!?!?!

We ended up breaking a few rules with the dog thing because we thought it was quite ridiculous and we got a little talking to by some of the other hikers, which later we just had to laugh and joke about.

We went to "Big Sky" cafe for brunch in downtown Nashville and it was just lovely.  I had a Southwest omelet and some iced coffee.  It was just such a lovely morning.

My Monday was a health and fitness day.
 I started it off with some spiritual food called my bible ;) and devotional time.  Then I decided to stay in bed longer and read "The Hunger Games"...FOR AN HOUR!!!!!  It's that good!

Then I jumped  crawled out of bed and had a banana and headed to my new gym in Green Hills. 

Monday Workout routine:

Treadmill: 30 minutes and 3 miles

5 min at 5.0
5 min at 6.0
5 min at 7.0
5 min at 8.0
10 min at 4.0 with 5% incline

and I did a circuit of biceps and triceps and 10 min of abs

My favorite ab move this week..

Side plank 1 min each side 3 times each :) it's a killer!

Does anyone get super red after they have an intense workout?! I do, and people at the gym kept asking me if I was alright.  I thought it was a normal thing but I guess not!

I then stopped of for some groceries at Trader Joes and snacked on these

YUMMY!!!! Snapea Crisps...try them before you knock them :)

I did get my oil changed and car cleaned and detailed then I went home and made this Green Greek Smoothie....and I made two of my roomies one too in my smoothie maker :) They thought it sounded disgusting so I wanted to prove them wrong...and I did ;)

 Recipe

1/4 cup 100% apple juice
1 cup frozen organic mixed berries
1 cup honey Greek yogurt
11/2 cups of spinach leaves


I got my Maid of Honer dress in today and it's getting me excited!!  My mom and I just made up the menu for Lauren's Bachlorette party and it will be just such a lovely morning with us girls and then we will be going to the spa.  I hope Lauren feels so loved!!! :)

Off to bed...I'm in love with this song write actually all their songs but I just love this one today

Blessings Darlings!

Hommus is Yummus

Today was my day off...YAY!! Sort of, I still ran a million errands.  I had to go make sure my TB test was negative and make copies of my teaching certificate and fingerprints for the Davidson county school district to start subbing.  For those of you who don't know I still don't have a teaching job and school starts Monday.  I realize in this city, it's who you know.  So with subbing I'm hoping to make connections and apparently Nashville is notorious for hiring new teachers the week off.  GREAT!! not really..

In this season I have learned patience and trust.  That's truly all I can do and the Lord is stretching me and challenging me more then ever in my life.  I feel like my life thus far has consisted of favor and blessing.  Most of my friends always say "Things just always work out for you".  Truly they do, looking back.  My whole life things have just been handed to me, my parents blessed my life, paid for 14 years of dance lessons and anything I wanted to do, paid for college, didn't really have to work for anything, got a teaching job right out of college.  It has really just all worked out. 

Then I move without knowing if I have a job and only knowing my roomies and my neighbors.  God was truly asking for trust and faith.  So that's what I'm trying my best at.  Now the doors are opening.  If I don't get a teaching job by next week I got offered an AMAZING nanny position full time for a year.  This position could require me to travel with the family (most are touring musicians).  WHAT A GREAT EXPERIENCE and the pay is excellent.  After talking to a teacher mentor she told me it's OK to take a year off to get to know the city and school districts and make more connections.  PLUS I'll be getting my masters degree next fall in Nashville....YAY SCHOOL!!

Or possibly London...more to come on that ;)

So while I'm in the waiting room of life, His love is still pouring out on me as he is increasing my faith!

Now onto food for today.

For breakfast I had a flax seed GF waffle and some raspberries..sorry no picture..but it was YUMMY.

Then I snacked on some dried berries all day from Trader Joes...and I might have finished the bag...whoops!!

I was not hungry by dinner but my friends/next door neighbors William and Hannah invited me over for dinner. 

I love them..God blessed me with some awesome neighbors...truly

The soup Hannah made had Gluten in it, which was totally fine because I was not hungry so I brought over some roasted red pepper hommus and organic carrots to snack on.

I only eat organic if it come from the ground, because that's what they said on "The Today Show" and they are always right. ;)

Then I went home walked two steps to my house ;) and did Jillian Michaels six week six pack. 

My Roomie Stephanie who hates running actually ran with me last night!!! My ankles hurt today so I thought I would rest them and do some intense abs and plyos instead.

Before bed I'm drinking some Chamomile tea to help me sleep (in a cute mug...PS I collect cute mugs...not the ugly ones you buy in a souvenir shop...like cute designer ones)...I have an early morning...goodnight y'all!!

Jimmy Eat World video for tonight...I was listening to them today and it brought back some great memories in high school...one of my favorite bands of all time hands down!!

Blessing Darlings!

Keepin' it classy

So if you don't already know I truly admire Kate Middleton's fashion sense and I feel she is bringing back the classy modest look which I happen to really love!  So I thought I would tribute a blog post to her and her fashion.

Style #1 Lace....OK well first have I ever mentioned how much I love lace...well I do...and so does Kate apparently..I love this lacey dress..great for work and work event parties.

Style #2 it's all here... there is so much goodness here..the beige coat the nude heels and that hat..classic...this girl also has fabulous hair and make-up.  Wouldn't you if you had your own personal style team??

Style # 3...just another day at the office in this darling dress

                                                            That necklace is to die for

Style #4...the pea coat...goal this year..find red pea coat...I want to cross that off of my to-do list ;)

Style #5..The casual weekend dress...I love florals and so does Kate ;)

Paired with so cute flats...you can't go wrong!

Last but not least...the wedding dress of the century...I just had to add it...It was truly amazing

The lace, the hair, the vail....that's hard to top...classic

While there are more outfits she has worn these are my favorite right now...Thanks for being a style icon Kate!!

And of course a video to send y'all off...

 Blessings Darlings!

Hair and Humidity

Well guess who decided to visit my cousin in Atlanta yet again...I did!  It's only 4 hours away so on Wednesday I just thought "It's my last week of freedom before school starts why not?" So I packed my suitcase and left for 3 days.  Call me crazy but I love driving by myself.  I can listen to any music I want and I can talk to God, I truly love it! 

Anyways while I was there I just got to relax with my cousin and watch this precious thing..

Sloane, isn't she a doll!?!? We got to walk her around these little boutiques and coffee houses.  And to continue my shoe obsession I pressured myself into buying another pair of TOMS...some say I have too many but these were so cute I couldn't pass them up!! Plus everytime I buy a pair I give one to a child so it's a win win I'd say!! ;)

Walking around Atlanta mid-morning during the summer is not exactly fabulous because it truly is HOTlanta...I thought it was bad in Tennessee but my goodness the humidty in Atlanta is pretty unbearible and not wonderful for this naturally wavy hair...speaking of hair, I'm not sure I have mastered it yet but I have figured out a way to sort of manage my hair when I don't feel like straightening it or blowing it out..You know those days you don't wash your hair.. ;) I have those frequently because I only wash my hair every couple days.  So for you naturally wavy girls who have a lot of hair dealing with humidity, this is for you!!

I wake up and shower (not washing my hair) and this is what it looks like.

Not cute...

Then I use some of this...

Dry shampoo aka best hair product known to womankind!!

As well as this

1 inch curling iron and I wrap strands around the curling iron...thickest to thinest

and it looks slightly better

Can you tell I feel better about tackeling the humidity\

These are on my wavy hair days,  instead of it being just dull waves and frizzy the least I can do is make the curls a little more lively.

I don't have any fun new GF (gluten-free) recipes to show you this week but I will be doing a lot of new cooking this week getting myslef ready for my best friends wedding and even some new workouts...stay tuned!!

Since I have fianlly found a church, in honer of that I decided to share a little Jesus Culture in this post since my church reminds me of them. :)



Also if you want to help a child get a new pair of shoes and you want some really cute shoes yourself here is the TOMS website as well :)

Toms.com

Blessings Darlings! :)