tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31005823060241145992024-03-06T00:41:16.074-08:00El-TownLiving simply so others may simply live.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.comBlogger297125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-13608628585423876122014-12-01T13:16:00.000-08:002014-12-01T13:16:12.919-08:0031 Dresses: Day One<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Do you remember the movie "27 Dresses"?<br /><br />It's a cute flick about a cute girl who was always a bridesmaid, yet never a bride. That is, however, until she met Mr. Perfect and fell in love with him over the course of a couple weeks (because that's a realistic timeframe for love), ending like all other chick flicks: the girl gets the guy that we've been swooning over since the opening credits. It's a feel-good, light-hearted movie that many women can identify with because of the bridesmaid dresses that fill our own guest-room-closets.<br /><br />We also identify with it because we want to be noticed and loved. We want to feel beautiful and we want others to recognize our dignity. We desire to be desired.<br /><br />In a perfect world, in a world without sin, each of these desires would be fulfilled. But the news and media don't lie -- we live in a world where women are oppressed, trampled on, taken advantage of. Where sex-crazy men and power-hungry people use their prestige and money and strength to squelch, dehumanize, and devalue women and girls. <a href="http://elizabethbricknell.blogspot.com/2007/05/brokenness.html">I've seen it with my own eyes in Bolivia</a> and even on the streets of Portland. <br /><br />And that is why I'm participating in <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraise?fcid=378706">Dressember</a>. I believe in everyday advocacy and I know our voices matter. You and I can help change the world that millions of abused women and girls wake up to every morning. Your voice matters, too, and all our voices are louder together. Let's yell, let's run, let's dress for the restoration of dignity for all women. </div>
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Dressember uses fashion to advocate for women who've been exploited for their femininity. As women take on the creative challenge of wearing a dress for the 31 days of December, they are advocating for the inherent dignity of all women.<br /> <br />Dressember exists to inspire and empower a global community of like-minded women who are locking arms to face one of the greatest injustices of our time.<br />The heart of Dressember is freedom-- that every woman has the right to live a vibrant and autonomous life.</blockquote>
I'm choosing to include my 4 month-old twin girls in Dressember, as well. Ada and Libby are my baby abolitionists...world-changers in the making. Currently, Ada May is napping in her crib, and baby Libby is wiggling on my lap while I type with one hand. As I got them dressed this morning, stretching their little arms through sleeves and wrestling tiny leggings over their giant diaper-clad bums, I told them why I was putting a dress on them when it's 20 degrees and frosty outside. They may not be able to choose their own outfits yet, but I want my girls to know that from the day they were born, they had purpose. Purpose to advocate, to empower, to motivate and inspire. A purpose to breath life and hope and speak love and joy into others. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi42XPgAx-G-PqDp4NNt8KHA_qImuBfSLV0V7n6QLs_x6ZI7UcAMesbmeijnXLFOilo5yR5M8HNmlMiY4ikbWg2NHBAe3uO-mEP0GLF3xTP5-p7k4T7-yqzGzHKhZp2664nFheMwITfmv/s1600/dressesday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi42XPgAx-G-PqDp4NNt8KHA_qImuBfSLV0V7n6QLs_x6ZI7UcAMesbmeijnXLFOilo5yR5M8HNmlMiY4ikbWg2NHBAe3uO-mEP0GLF3xTP5-p7k4T7-yqzGzHKhZp2664nFheMwITfmv/s1600/dressesday1.jpg" height="419" width="640" /></a><br />
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My heart is full of anticipation this month, as it was a year ago. <br /><br />A year ago, I longed to be pregnant and I begrudgingly identified myself, Elizabeth, with Elizabeth of the Bible, a woman who desperately wanted a child but was barren. Turns out, I was pregnant and didn't even know it yet. God had fulfilled His promise in me (twofold!) as He had done thousands of years ago with Jesus and John the Baptist.</div>
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I'm expectant again, this month. Not as a woman with child, but <b>as a mom full of dreams and hopes and prayers for her babies who need Jesus as much as the oppressor and the oppressed do. </b> Advent season is upon us, and I crave the freedom and justice and light that only the Savior of the world can bring. Jesus Christ, from his humble beginnings as a baby in a manger surrounded by donkey poo, came to proclaim freedom for the captives, bind up the brokenhearted, and comfort all<br />who mourn (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+61">Isaiah 61</a>).</div>
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Dressember is bigger than a dress. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/biggerthanadress?source=feed_text&story_id=720673024304"></a>It's about celebrating my freedom as a woman and claiming freedom for my baby girls' futures. It's about setting captives free and ending modern-day slavery. The heart of <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraise?fcid=378706">Dressember</a> is dignity for ALL women. (Whether you've been a bridesmaid, or not, whether you own a dress, or not.)</div>
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<li>Will you cheer us on this month?</li>
<li>Will you support our cause and donate to IJM on our behalf?</li>
<li>Will you think of us as you bundle up in your jeans and sweaters, and say a prayer for victims of oppression around the world?</li>
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<b>Ada, Libby and I are hoping to raise $4,500 to fund a rescue operation with <a href="https://ijm.org/">International Justice Mission</a>. </b></div>
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IJM is leading the fight for freedom by defending the oppressed and putting the oppressors (pimps, rapists, perpetrators) behind bars. They are rescuing thousands and protecting millions. They are the good guys who fight the bad guys in real life, and it's so much better than the movies.</div>
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Dressember begins today. Help us meet our goal and create real change. Every dollar counts, and the process is fast, easy, and secure. You can also partner with us by sharing my link on Facebook and Twitter. Or, send an e-mail to friends you think might be interested in contributing and include a <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraise?fcid=378706" target="_blank">link to my page</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraise?fcid=378706" target="_blank"><img alt=" Dress UP and Raise UP" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPLG-kQD3p0vCjz4A8IaQnQN10GPKO1j218eUy11vqUGhUH6Lj2_EX7UkMsLOTFpe8UojljDGVOh5CBE89m6b_CZm-71hgWDfzHdXGgJcLluMNGMOYUj39m6hCWh0FFOMR6DiIQ7RGIbE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-01+at+1.07.19+PM.png" height="344" width="640" /></a><div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
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<b>To donate, click here: <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraise?fcid=378706" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraise?fcid=378706</a></b></div>
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You can find me under the team name: "Dress UP and Raise UP" My team is comprised of my youth group girls and my baby girls. We are dressing up to raise up world-changers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-itVKcXCpgOcyTG0CKFkUHn7eAeCuRww0GDlakzu0T8grC_VBKYhuqIHe6Imxh2N6rnSFSPfiOHfp4eQLa2fHG9_Uv6HHDant2cVdKSVPjWrNtKfLafHdjkmO0Yn_DiKFjM_c8jsWQkCX/s1600/dresses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-itVKcXCpgOcyTG0CKFkUHn7eAeCuRww0GDlakzu0T8grC_VBKYhuqIHe6Imxh2N6rnSFSPfiOHfp4eQLa2fHG9_Uv6HHDant2cVdKSVPjWrNtKfLafHdjkmO0Yn_DiKFjM_c8jsWQkCX/s1600/dresses.jpg" height="182" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Follow us all month on Instagram by using the hashtag #DressemberBabies.</span></i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-31279381150187208182014-08-12T00:02:00.002-07:002014-08-12T00:06:58.630-07:00Baby World Changers: Noonday Collection << GIVEAWAY >><i><b><< Welcome to the next stop on the blog train! >></b></i><br />
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It's Monday, August 11th, 10:44pm.<br />
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I've been a mommy for exactly 12 days and 6 hours.</div>
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On Wednesday, July 30, my husband and I joined the ranks as parents as we welcomed Ada May (6 lbs, 14 oz) and Libby Joy (6 lbs) into this world. Two beautiful baby girls, who, despite keeping me awake for approximately 18-20 hours a day, have breathed new life and energy and purpose into my being. <b>I am a new woman with a greater capacity to love, to nurture, and to advocate than ever before, </b>even though I'm foggy-brained and exhausted.<b> </b>I have two little bodies completely dependent on me to provide them with their every need, which God designed for me to do.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJw45WCjuFhKaUxFXWo63bjgccRlEOnH7K8RmTV5LzDdzvsmXhUNH2ShI2Iq2l6P4FGJaweNX_dPhyphenhyphendgC1y1QgCyvmV-y5Bl6JqxatmoQgMrRUKcS5VjBGgshJ5yUWwXZdwVhyphenhyphenzY1niXt/s1600/1966268_10152186850466619_6353553742148129305_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJw45WCjuFhKaUxFXWo63bjgccRlEOnH7K8RmTV5LzDdzvsmXhUNH2ShI2Iq2l6P4FGJaweNX_dPhyphenhyphendgC1y1QgCyvmV-y5Bl6JqxatmoQgMrRUKcS5VjBGgshJ5yUWwXZdwVhyphenhyphenzY1niXt/s1600/1966268_10152186850466619_6353553742148129305_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Over the course of three years, God prepared us to be parents and, after many late night cry sessions where I reminded God about my desire to be a mother over and over again, He answered our prayers two-fold...TWINS! <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.blogspot.com/search/label/Infertility" target="_blank">Read more about our infertility journey here.</a> Obviously, a lot has happened (babies) since my last entry and I have some major catching up to do, but maybe my journey will encourage you or someone you know.</div>
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<b>So, how does <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> fit in with this?</b></div>
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Many people have asked if I will continue as a Noonday Ambassador now that I have my hands (and heart) extra full. The answer is an emphatic YES! I realize my time will look very different and I'm trying to figure out what that will look like for my family as I pick up trunk shows again and send my youth pastor-husband through Seminary. <b>It will take sacrifice</b>... of sleep, of evenings, of time with my girls and my husband. At the same time, I believe that pursuing my passion and fulfilling the mission of <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+61&version=NIV" target="_blank">Isaiah 61</a> will make me a better mom and a better wife. <b>When I am in my element, serving Jesus and doing what he commands, I am full of life.</b> It's one of those paradigms where <b>pouring out actually fills me up.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXiqIBAgOquIxM_7hUVDYFX6Ljbc__di-edfCxKBoPYpzpt7_jloQAnI9XlQXq8PrMtSnsdWfYiD9abqWgmUH2xR2MSpg7fUw0xyKgAsmzZgSBN2BvM6UfbK40trShG0a59Q56Hi-mIB-/s1600/IMG_5566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXiqIBAgOquIxM_7hUVDYFX6Ljbc__di-edfCxKBoPYpzpt7_jloQAnI9XlQXq8PrMtSnsdWfYiD9abqWgmUH2xR2MSpg7fUw0xyKgAsmzZgSBN2BvM6UfbK40trShG0a59Q56Hi-mIB-/s1600/IMG_5566.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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I have a globe prominently displayed in the girls' room. My hope is that they will gain an appreciation and love for the world before I did as a young adult. From early on, I want my girls to be hungry for world change. I want them to thirst after righteousness and generosity and mercy. <b>I want them to crave justice more than they crave the Frozen soundtrack. </b></div>
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(Speaking of Frozen... my <a href="http://www.ktobinvideo.com/" target="_blank">photographer friend Karina</a> set up this shot with my girls.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b_864IuIVR3Hp7ibYsx2Q9vMepSAXCNYimmplAU8JdVk94DtrK16WGYb50NUnGBMMV9PAHV9nibckLCbF6ichqJ_My0gGqspzDSft_aXR45oECfGT9sL79lZT-0l2RjK5kjWhQAnKVex/s1600/10505189_10152185342891619_5909975954125804840_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b_864IuIVR3Hp7ibYsx2Q9vMepSAXCNYimmplAU8JdVk94DtrK16WGYb50NUnGBMMV9PAHV9nibckLCbF6ichqJ_My0gGqspzDSft_aXR45oECfGT9sL79lZT-0l2RjK5kjWhQAnKVex/s1600/10505189_10152185342891619_5909975954125804840_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's late, and it's almost time for the babes to eat again. (I'm told this too, shall pass, and I will leave the house again and I will stop walking/sitting around half-naked all day, and I will resume jewelry wearing. Some day.)</div>
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So, I leave you with my prayer for my new chapter of life. It's actually <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/blog-1/why-i-am-taking-my-6-year-old-to-africa" target="_blank">part of a blog written by my friend Jessica, Noonday's founder, in which she wrote about taking her 6-year old to Africa</a>. Her words echo my heart, so I leave you with her wish for her daughter and I'm praying it over mine.</div>
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<i>When Amelie, my 6 year old, is 22, I want her to tell me that her life isn’t all about her. I want her to risk everything, to lay down her life, in order to co labor with Christ to make His love known among the poor, the oppressed, the disenfranchised. I am taking her with me to Africa so she can SEE the face of poverty; the face of strength and beauty. I want her to see that Africa is not just a land of moms and dads so poor that Americans have to send lots of money to “sponsor” their kids. It is a place where God’s image bearers dwell. Talented people, who with a market place for their goods, can create beautiful things and overcome insurmountable odds. She will meet the ladies behind the accessories that have filled our house and now office for 2 years and know why mommy is working so hard. She will see the 50 crib room that Jack [Jessica's adopted son] called home, and will meet many other kids without moms and dads. I want her heart to be ruined and wrecked for the God who ruined himself for her.</i></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">GIVEAWAY TIME!</span></b> <br />
(<a href="http://www.leemeandthegirls.blogspot.com/2014/08/women-are-women-are-women-noonday.html" target="_blank">Did you enter yesterday's giveaway</a>? My friend McCall is giving away a $50 gift card! Be sure to <a href="http://poulincrew.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">click here for another giveaway this afternoon</a>, courtesy of Shannon.)<br />
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YOU can be a world-changer, just by wearing a Noonday necklace and telling the <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday</a> story. I'm giving away the <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/necklaces/helena-necklace" target="_blank">Helena necklace</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7GTuzIrj5UQNuGUaffRI9v5SD3IByO_9iziAW7In3bRtDP7ruEaO9VR1YiofTW5QFfdnwIk_5V8ZU2-wnRlJGVDCaGG_FinF0Me0Q31iU_5YYUFJ_NYT8NVHc5pfnp6eQh0w7KEDftR_/s1600/93p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7GTuzIrj5UQNuGUaffRI9v5SD3IByO_9iziAW7In3bRtDP7ruEaO9VR1YiofTW5QFfdnwIk_5V8ZU2-wnRlJGVDCaGG_FinF0Me0Q31iU_5YYUFJ_NYT8NVHc5pfnp6eQh0w7KEDftR_/s1600/93p.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC5OMo7-7_EZ-0dKe1a77SNPMnq5ohes7rmyz3ZiOjpAXicPWENoUFY9thD01WSrFQYUCtRGZyWBgnIIrW78vwXbJL-2QkhoIPzqq9fWmrNRIulxMnQ6m8M4tZOO3DwT9kj60AteLdyQx/s1600/NE147CF-Helena-Necklace-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC5OMo7-7_EZ-0dKe1a77SNPMnq5ohes7rmyz3ZiOjpAXicPWENoUFY9thD01WSrFQYUCtRGZyWBgnIIrW78vwXbJL-2QkhoIPzqq9fWmrNRIulxMnQ6m8M4tZOO3DwT9kj60AteLdyQx/s1600/NE147CF-Helena-Necklace-l.jpg" height="320" width="263" /></a></div>
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<i>14k gold-plated</i></div>
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<i>made {with love} in India</i></div>
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<i>Read more about Noonday's work in India <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/impact/where/india" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">TO ENTER:</span></b><br />
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My fellow world-changers aka Noonday lovers, I want to know......<br />
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1) Are you a mother? If so, how are you/will you encourage your child to be world-changers? (I need some ideas!) What is your prayer/desire for your children?<br />
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-or-<br />
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2) Who has inspired YOU to change the world?<br />
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*to enter, follow the prompts from Rafflecopter below*<br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/894b78ab2/" id="rc-894b78ab2" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></u></span><br />
<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script></u></span><br />
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<i>Like what you see/what you've read? </i> <i>Want to join forces for greater global impact?</i><br />
Check out the brand new collection on my website: <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/">www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com</a><br />
Contact me about being an Ambassador or hosting a trunk show! <a href="mailto:bricknell.elizabeth@gmail.com">bricknell.elizabeth@gmail.com</a><br />
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-27578829439036410862014-02-28T13:07:00.000-08:002014-02-28T13:10:05.346-08:00Forever 21 vs. Noonday Collection {{GIVEAWAY}}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u>WARNING</u></b>:</div>
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This post might make you fired up.</div>
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This post might make you mad at me and mad at your favorite store.</div>
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This post might ruin your life.</div>
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Over the past year and a half, I've revolutionized my shopping by utilizing my <b>purchasing power</b> at second-hand stores, Insta-sales (Instagram shops that support various ministries and adoptions by selling lightly used clothing), and a number of online retailers that abide by fair trade principles. </div>
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Need ideas? <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/elizbricknell/" target="_blank">Check out my Pinterest board for fair trade ideas for women, men, children and the home.</a> </div>
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The other thing I've done is <u>AVOID</u> shopping at certain retailers because of their labor practices. Where I spend my money communicates my values to the marketplace. I cast a vote for worker's rights with every dollar I spend.</div>
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Here's where I might make you really mad. But it's ok. I've been known to ruin my friend's lives (in regards to their shopping habits) and I'm ok with it. After all, you know what they say: #sorrynotsorry</div>
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<i>*deep breath*</i></div>
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<u><b>Forever 21 is one of the worst places you can shop.</b></u></div>
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On a grading scale from A (the best) to F (the worst), they consistently received a "D" grade on:</div>
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<li>worker rights</li>
<li>traceability</li>
<li>monitoring</li>
<li>use of excessive overtime</li>
<li>they don't guarantee their workers a living wage, or even a local minimum wage (which is rarely enough to actually live on) </li>
<li>they have not taken steps toward responsible purchasing, even though <a href="https://www.forever21.com/Htmls/CustomerService/en-US/socialresponsibility.html?2/28/2014" target="_blank">they have a code against child labor and forced labor</a>.</li>
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I wish I was making this up, but I'm not.</div>
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The Huffington Post, in their sweatshop investigation, explores "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/26/forever-21-sweatshop-investigation_n_2025390.html" target="_blank">how the leggings you just bought [from Forever 21] may have more problems than just an excess of sequins</a>." </div>
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The US Department of Labor revealed evidence of significant labor violations:</div>
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"Since 2008, our investigators have identified dozens of manufacturers producing goods for Forever 21 under sweatshop-like conditions," said Ruben Rosalez, regional administrator for the division in the West. "When companies like Forever 21 refuse to comply with subpoenas, they demonstrate a clear disregard for the law, and the Labor Department will use all enforcement tools available to recover workers' wages and hold employers accountable." (<a href="http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20121989.htm#.UIrdYfmfG31" target="_blank">read more</a>)</blockquote>
If you need even more convincing, here are some additional articles:<br />
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<li> "<a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_05/b4213090559511.htm#p4" target="_blank">Forever 21's Fast (and Loose) Fashion Empire</a>" by <u>Business Week Magazine</u> from January 20, 2011 </li>
<li>"<a href="http://www.ecouterre.com/forever-21-abercrombie-fitch-fueling-modern-day-slavery-through-negligence/" target="_blank">Forever 21 Fueling Modern Day Slavery</a>" by <u>Ecouterre</u> from November 23, 2012</li>
<li>"<a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/29/billionaire-retail-forever21-korea-rich-09-wealth.html" target="_blank">Forever 21 Fortune</a>" by <u>Forbes Magazine</u> from April 29, 2009</li>
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One of the most unfortunate things about Forever 21 is that they print John 3:16 on the bottom of all their shopping bags without any regard to God's love for the world. Last time I checked, the "world" refers to ALL people, from every tribe, nation and tongue, from every economic status, with every job title. </div>
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The "world" means those living and working in desperate, horrific conditions like Forever 21's cotton growers, cotton pickers, fabric dyers and garment sewers... those exploited by the company's cheap and fast fashion.</div>
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Until they make drastic changes to how they source their products and treat their workers, I will not set foot in their store. (I recently had a nightmare where I was stuck inside of one. Yikes.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQxPqHxae8zvzxuSRA3eP7gBLDUElYKpMlIC2mgUVQCCfDvbEYvdLcb8WtFebri4OQeyqw5uKJEnaWlKaFIF5sLhML0jISG2QAwilYMWSISMs9QGG6n34OXTpUQCydJwpuhkJg1AI7gNJ/s1600/x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQxPqHxae8zvzxuSRA3eP7gBLDUElYKpMlIC2mgUVQCCfDvbEYvdLcb8WtFebri4OQeyqw5uKJEnaWlKaFIF5sLhML0jISG2QAwilYMWSISMs9QGG6n34OXTpUQCydJwpuhkJg1AI7gNJ/s1600/x.jpg" height="320" width="307" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://enditmovement.com/" target="_blank">Slavery still exists and YOU can make a stand to end it.</a></div>
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One of the biggest red flags about Forever 21 (and other retailers with similar labor practices) is how low their prices are. Think about it: if an accessory costs less than $4 (for example), someone in the supply chain isn't getting paid appropriately (or at all). Considering Forever 21 has a net income of $135 MILLION, one would hope they would invest a little more money into the humane treatment of their workers all over the world today.<br />
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Yes, Noonday Collection is more expensive than Forever 21. Things have to cost more to ensure dignity and sustainability among our artisans. <b>Consider the real expense when you find a bargain.</b></div>
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Everything at Noonday Collection is handmade. NO factories are involved in producing any of our products. All our workers are ensured a living wage. (Often times this is higher than minimum wage.) And everything is made with love by people working their way out of poverty. Entire communities and families are being transformed. <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/our-story-our-impact.html" target="_blank">Nearly 9,000 family members are impacted</a>.</div>
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Dominique at the <a href="http://www.letsbefairblog.com/my-blog/" target="_blank">Let's Be Fair blog</a> compares popular retailers like <a href="http://www.letsbefairblog.com/my-blog/2014/02/lets-trade-anthropologie-.html" target="_blank">Anthropology</a> and <a href="http://www.letsbefairblog.com/my-blog/2013/07/lets-trade-urban-outfitters.html" target="_blank">Urban Outfitters</a> with their fair trade counterparts. I love this concept so much that I did my own comparison with some of Forever 21's products.</div>
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<b>Because human lives are worth the price difference. Click the links below to see for yourself.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDREQUmUYYOZsJwVHsk4CVp4am2EGonPRIqbVC324d9v3Tl_9oyf_ntLV4KylSUtwXqOCPa9-jbzjZ8VlmYEgIdoCWiRkDeLtf5kAaOW5PsCYJKFT2GUvmUZwK9vwnV8NxfUGyBaj_Jmms/s1600/scarf+comparison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDREQUmUYYOZsJwVHsk4CVp4am2EGonPRIqbVC324d9v3Tl_9oyf_ntLV4KylSUtwXqOCPa9-jbzjZ8VlmYEgIdoCWiRkDeLtf5kAaOW5PsCYJKFT2GUvmUZwK9vwnV8NxfUGyBaj_Jmms/s1600/scarf+comparison.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Forever 21's <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=acc_scarf-gloves&ProductID=1000128328&VariantID=" target="_blank">Out at Sea</a> scarf vs. Noonday's <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/scarves/beachcomber-scarf" target="_blank">Beachcomber scarf</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAonAo9YO0sbvs8n_UM2-vmnrVDIrMeaowPPJ_mCpe-WJ3X1xoVs5ikSYq0874XsbQd4R7II0WVFJEQ7HBmiyBCsohFj_NzJnNBTRtGrOAHahL-7vrpSL0GhrjXZSue1TqoclVaSecJ1b/s1600/bib+necklaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAonAo9YO0sbvs8n_UM2-vmnrVDIrMeaowPPJ_mCpe-WJ3X1xoVs5ikSYq0874XsbQd4R7II0WVFJEQ7HBmiyBCsohFj_NzJnNBTRtGrOAHahL-7vrpSL0GhrjXZSue1TqoclVaSecJ1b/s1600/bib+necklaces.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Forever 21's <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=Promo-jewelry-trending-02geometric&ProductID=1000089596&VariantID=" target="_blank">Dimpled Curve Necklace</a> vs. Noonday's <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/necklaces/golden-leaves-bib" target="_blank">Golden Leaves Bib Necklace</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA-fFsYVPsgECsStm55yWLITkwfRL9pRWIWRZCVE-21o7axS5D1SbxvW-887_y_Im1CCxpsnE1Y3qzAlR0TSucv3oXR-tYvWBKJWODlvRb7xi8CEwaCnWNAAFg98oZXVHps14d2UbqYEP/s1600/fishtail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA-fFsYVPsgECsStm55yWLITkwfRL9pRWIWRZCVE-21o7axS5D1SbxvW-887_y_Im1CCxpsnE1Y3qzAlR0TSucv3oXR-tYvWBKJWODlvRb7xi8CEwaCnWNAAFg98oZXVHps14d2UbqYEP/s1600/fishtail.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Forever 21's <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=acc_jewelry&ProductID=1000126827&VariantID=" target="_blank">Sweet Twisted Bead Necklace</a> vs. <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/necklaces/fishtail-necklace" target="_blank">Noonday's Fishtail Necklace</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPM6PYEGDHj64N_lzX3XPelVm2zgF_0RC_zPIp76CNobruNYlmNBiqAOS0waN8mLzle0-iYvwO9H7luvMaff6bK85_xhQdlMx9CWXfWSxOiKPqI8Mj8gKDz4Yez6JYp-G9SveXCvQ2ejoj/s1600/lovely+loops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPM6PYEGDHj64N_lzX3XPelVm2zgF_0RC_zPIp76CNobruNYlmNBiqAOS0waN8mLzle0-iYvwO9H7luvMaff6bK85_xhQdlMx9CWXfWSxOiKPqI8Mj8gKDz4Yez6JYp-G9SveXCvQ2ejoj/s1600/lovely+loops.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Forever 21's <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=acc_jewelry&ProductID=1000129312&VariantID=" target="_blank">Classic Beaded Layered Necklace</a> vs. Noonday's <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/necklaces/lovely-loops-necklace" target="_blank">Lovely Loops Necklace</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aqM8QB6lhWHMQ_MUkDTCS-PY68DMATgzYlBkAEQz4oVa02_fTIqt7vUUNQqF_A0vEMKUZOOELkwx3mVZSCyBSYZnXVPOo0CBQc0fVT_vx5Sg7L4fqcPzqvZK4Sz4byldbPeAwnazDmTG/s1600/bracelets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aqM8QB6lhWHMQ_MUkDTCS-PY68DMATgzYlBkAEQz4oVa02_fTIqt7vUUNQqF_A0vEMKUZOOELkwx3mVZSCyBSYZnXVPOo0CBQc0fVT_vx5Sg7L4fqcPzqvZK4Sz4byldbPeAwnazDmTG/s1600/bracelets.jpg" height="160" width="640" /></a></div>
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Forever 21's <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=Promo-jewelry-trending-02geometric&ProductID=1000072892&VariantID=" target="_blank">Down to Earth bracelet set</a> vs. Noonday's <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/bracelets/safari-stack-bracelet-salmon" target="_blank">Safari Stack</a> and <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/bracelets/glimmer-bracelet" target="_blank">Glimmer Bracelet</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihC7-7ATN-a729xZjUoz37Xn97JKYJoxtPhIZr6rUmLq6WXncE-YLvMGN-4cUkgE6XF9qY6hjTOKl3EcPWjRfHGUPmrmIrivs5edfmHaPqaiuEjNlko64_JmbSRHUhOItp_2x0z6q0WWpJ/s1600/links+lookalike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihC7-7ATN-a729xZjUoz37Xn97JKYJoxtPhIZr6rUmLq6WXncE-YLvMGN-4cUkgE6XF9qY6hjTOKl3EcPWjRfHGUPmrmIrivs5edfmHaPqaiuEjNlko64_JmbSRHUhOItp_2x0z6q0WWpJ/s1600/links+lookalike.jpg" height="160" width="400" /></a></div>
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Forever 21's <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=acc_jewelry&ProductID=1000140225&VariantID=" target="_blank">Sweet Side Curb Bracelet</a> vs. Noonday's <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/bracelets/linked-lace-bracelet-sage" target="_blank">Linked Lace Bracelet</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPDSMWzUElxPo5Rr_JL5Nmf5RVt_SJwORHL5tiFFNq86BAU6oCdFZOw0e6QxOfTBT04p5W7ccTHoC6dGPP0NAE4N_8kbsrKt4vcmmQUGCGyIM6ae_PCY1awJUTZaVmHbNCRGcJYcx6UGd/s1600/geo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPDSMWzUElxPo5Rr_JL5Nmf5RVt_SJwORHL5tiFFNq86BAU6oCdFZOw0e6QxOfTBT04p5W7ccTHoC6dGPP0NAE4N_8kbsrKt4vcmmQUGCGyIM6ae_PCY1awJUTZaVmHbNCRGcJYcx6UGd/s1600/geo2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Forever 21's <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=Promo-jewelry-trending-02geometric&ProductID=1047391755&VariantID=" target="_blank">V-Shape Drop Earrings</a> vs. Noonday's <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/earrings/geo-drop-earrings" target="_blank">Geo Drop Earrings</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHSmSpXdz0qsGJVpDUHOsPlNxrqFg7Cc7yU5I4LGTzmBx-WFmlK4Nt_UXIVoHA4aKwB3gg_6h3gA-f8T3bdVpHk-W-JpTKxsnZPN_1TLpOJQ_qMWgxRBTNhElPGeVH5tMs4I51HlxeslO/s1600/renegade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHSmSpXdz0qsGJVpDUHOsPlNxrqFg7Cc7yU5I4LGTzmBx-WFmlK4Nt_UXIVoHA4aKwB3gg_6h3gA-f8T3bdVpHk-W-JpTKxsnZPN_1TLpOJQ_qMWgxRBTNhElPGeVH5tMs4I51HlxeslO/s1600/renegade.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Forever 21's <a href="http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=Promo-jewelry-trending-02geometric&ProductID=1058567265&VariantID=" target="_blank">Dangling Triangle Earrings</a> vs. Noonday's <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/earrings/renegade-earrings" target="_blank">Renegade Earrings</a></div>
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<i>Curious how your favorite retailer measures up? </i></div>
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Look them up on <a href="http://www.free2work.org/trends/apparel/" target="_blank">Not For Sale's "Free to Work" website</a>. Their article, <i>Apparel Industry Trends: From Farm to Factory,</i> "<b>ranks 300 apparel brands on their efforts to address child and forced labor in their supply chains. It provides a picture of the practices of industry leaders, and calls out brands that fuel modern slavery through their negligence</b>."</div>
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And now for today's GIVEAWAY... a $50 gift card for you to spend on the Noonday item of your choice!<br />
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Enter <a href="http://oureyesopened.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-i-found-my-fierce.html" target="_blank">yesterday's giveaway from Tesney</a>, a hero in the adoption world and the fiercest adoptive mama I know, and hop over to <a href="http://teamperdew.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mandy's inspiring post</a> and giveaway tomorrow!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/894b781/" id="rc-894b781" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-9314193020695154532013-11-19T12:27:00.000-08:002013-11-19T12:31:24.162-08:00The heart of Noonday: Adoption<div>
Adoption is expensive.</div>
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I have friends who are <i>constantly</i> fundraising to meet rigid deadlines. I can image it is a daunting endeavor and not for the weak at heart. The price tag along is enough to send some people running the opposite direction.</div>
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Adoption can cost anywhere from $10,000 - $30,000, and yes, domestic adoptions can be expensive, too. Some families opt to invest in the health of the uninsured mom, so they cover her medical fees. Then, there are agency fees and dossier fees and referral fees and country fees and fees for things I don't even understand.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCk7kngOTvS-TCJ-vjTWAKNBmbXxWVLceNcQHXjuMwxulm5sW1BQBvdInVuW67kBAIFFlatceF8wHPDAumt_-GCiohNNGtzYShfl9QcJV6J4XHAAsTZWnAT6F2EE1PAqOT1QCPKjFIcIPZ/s1600/adoption-fundraiser-jar-new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCk7kngOTvS-TCJ-vjTWAKNBmbXxWVLceNcQHXjuMwxulm5sW1BQBvdInVuW67kBAIFFlatceF8wHPDAumt_-GCiohNNGtzYShfl9QcJV6J4XHAAsTZWnAT6F2EE1PAqOT1QCPKjFIcIPZ/s200/adoption-fundraiser-jar-new.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Families spend their paychecks to provide homes for children who they aren't even biologically related to, all in the name of LOVE. </div>
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Adoption requires sacrifice. After all, aren't we, as believers, also adopted by way of a loving God who allowed his Son to die so we could live?</div>
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*****</div>
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Since November is National Adoption Month, I wanted to share how you can help Noonday Collection alleviate the financial burden for adoptive families. Jessica Honneger, Noonday's founder, <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/our-story.html" target="_blank">started Noonday as a means to bring her adopted son home from Rwanda</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjHVh6KklXUOngvcTAvN213Rkn_8GI3FlqkDVEXiZc50Fam_sRpkPa32iGEMp69pgfoiKgFM8X39ZdXm5N28ezqDYc3PrcA3Lz_hO-rFI3psFgT5Imu2R0-zgZ-zyH2WH7jtmbq6Kb47z/s400/adoption+ping.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not only do your friends get to shop for super cute accessories, a portion of EVERY purchase goes toward adoptive families who are making a special home for an abandoned or unplanned child! <br />
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[ shop at <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/">www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com</a> and select "Elizabeth Bricknell" as your Ambassador on the checkout page. By shopping through my site, you're even helping me raise money to visit our artisans next summer! ]</div>
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As a hostess of a Noonday trunk show, you can donate your hostess rewards to benefit a family in the midst of their fundraising process. Noonday will write a check for 10% of sales to help cover costs and the hostess gets the opportunity to shop at 50% off!</div>
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Do you know someone who is adopting who would benefit from some additional funds? I'd love to partner with you to bring their child home. All you have to do is open up your home and invite your friends to shop. I'll do the rest (or find your local Ambassador to do the rest)! There are nearly 400 ambassadors all over the country who would love to help. Email me and I'll connect you: bricknell.elizabeth@gmail.com</div>
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Are you an adoptive mama? You can host a trunk show, too! </div>
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Plus, I've partnered with my friend Heather and she's graciously giving away my favorite Noonday necklace & a beautiful t-shirt to celebrate YOU!</div>
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If you are an adoptive mom or know someone else who is, "like" Heather's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shoploveiswaiting" target="_blank">"Love is Waiting" Facebook Page</a> and comment on the image to win the <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/necklaces/la-jolla-necklace" target="_blank">La Jolla Necklace</a> (providing living wages for the poor in Ecuador) AND this <a href="http://loveiswaiting.storenvy.com/collections/12701-all-products/products/3573718-mauve-love-is-waiting" target="_blank">Love is Waiting</a> t-shirt! <b><i>(Retail value: $102)</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/shoploveiswaiting" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0WWAkPYR38IwQRicjpQ4kFjo3S7Ql71tJaLq29DZBG9rrldR0BcWKp8z7QsTMqPFBGuSihXUnp-GrUv0IqhPpcqccRSb_8fwRKAx0swta4q2e66KY7NspvK1icfGb4KMI-y-hLMyl-Vg/s400/love+is+waiting+giveaway+image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Heather's shop, <a href="http://loveiswaiting.storenvy.com/" target="_blank">Love is Waiting</a>, raises funds for adoptive families through t-shirt sales. Aren't her designs lovely?!</div>
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<a href="http://loveiswaiting.storenvy.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xwXAp4MoarBIKKlOmYF4OI9ACZ4ymhhjlwEQ2jtcDjOalW2YcZKPizmeTg-m_udERHpeSh3DrNrjeLxUkEsh3qH11CsUgcIb0sDexr5Isw77wqlUjGM-2EjOmrlPW6D7fXFkhAWc29uA/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-11-19+at+12.06.58+PM.png" title="Love is Waiting" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJAW-XznB7DqAuVVc7e-x96CuyHklpA51H1iJrEgl9n1fprV8-mr78__mq0QXfHWAcmwomgElb-D2K6-Zmi78HG0h6X95WsUY4GypJGAXUTkpJSnunBuzb3X2uW9TPj9mO2qepfWuJ4n9/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-19+at+12.07.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJAW-XznB7DqAuVVc7e-x96CuyHklpA51H1iJrEgl9n1fprV8-mr78__mq0QXfHWAcmwomgElb-D2K6-Zmi78HG0h6X95WsUY4GypJGAXUTkpJSnunBuzb3X2uW9TPj9mO2qepfWuJ4n9/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-11-19+at+12.07.15+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Heather & other adoptive parents: I greatly respect and admire you. You have much to teach me about taking care of people who are not "blood." Thank you for the example you set; may I have the courage to follow your lead in my own journey.<br />
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Now what are you waiting for?! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shoploveiswaiting" target="_blank">Go enter the GIVEAWAY!</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-83567187541594116352013-10-11T11:53:00.002-07:002013-10-11T11:53:13.848-07:00Our Journey: The Two Year MarkI remember the date clearly: October 1st, 2011.<br />
<br />
We'd been married for two years and took a belated Anniversary vacation to Sun River for a quiet weekend away. It was there that Paul told me he was ready to start a family. It was there that we sat in the hot tub and dreamed together about our future children, prayed for wisdom in parenting, prayed for their future spouse, and cried tears of joy together that we were both ready to be parents. <br />
<br />
We were ready to embark on the biggest adventure of our married lives.<br />
We were ready to share our lives/home/families with another.<br />
We were welcoming the challenge and the adventure.<br />
<br />
Naive as it sounds, we were not ready for the waiting which lied ahead.<br />
<br />
What I didn't fathom at the time or prepare myself for (who does?), was the time in which it would take for our dream to become a reality. The "pregnant pause," if you will.<br />
<br />
Two years of frustrating appointments and health complications.<br />
Various approaches to natural medicine. Acupuncture, chiropractic visits, a no-sugar diet.<br />
Herbal teas and supplements.<br />
Prenatal vitamins, ovulation predictor kits and an unreal amount of feminine products.<br />
Prescribed medication.<br />
Two painful, invasive procedures. Blood tests which have yet to show improvement.<br />
And lots & lots of waiting...all while teenagers within my community are having babies outside of marriage and I'm having none.<br />
<br />
Ironically and unintentionally, we found ourselves at Sun River during the exact same weekend as we had been two years prior. Two years ago, I would have fully expected we'd be with child by now -- if not in our arms, then at least in my belly.<br />
<br />
Instead, we were still uttering the same the same prayer that has occupied our lips, minds, and hearts for the past 730+ days. <br />
<br />
<b>730 DAYS.</b><br />
<br />
During that time, I have identified with the woman in the Bible who suffered from prolonged bleeding. I could picture myself reaching out to touch Jesus' cloak as he walked by, believing in His healing power. There have been moments where I genuinely, without a shadow of a doubt, believed the timing was now. And I've been wrong over and over again.<br />
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I have identified with the persistent widow who prayed until the judge changed his mind. I have found myself questioning why I still have to plead with God to give me the deepest desire of my heart when He already knows it all too well. <br />
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God is delaying the answer to my need which has caused me to consider how I receive God's silence. Do I trust God in the delay? Could I be right where he wants me to be, right now?<br />
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I've been reflecting on the story of Lazarus, thanks to some notes from summer camp.<br />
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Jesus knew Lazarus was sick, yet he stayed put for two days and let him die. My finite mind immediately thinks "Jesus could have saved him! Why did he put so many people through the misery and mourning of his death when He could've stopped it?" Of course, Jesus, in his infinite wisdom, knows best. It's the Sunday school answer and it's the truth. There is always purpose and God is always right on time. Even in my situation.<br />
<br />
I am well aware that I am not alone in my journey of infertility, which is why I'm sharing about it on my blog. It's a way for me to process and for others to identify.<br />
<br />
In case you haven't asked lately or haven't known how to bring it up, I hope this is helpful. We could get pregnant tomorrow and I'd still be glad I wrote today. I am growing increasingly more aware of the pain of delayed answers and know I can relate to some people better because of it, whether it's about wanting a baby or not.<br />
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I'm sad sometimes, and growing our family is on my mind every. single. day. But I'm ok. I really am.<br />
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I have the best husband of 4 years who believes FOR me when it's hard to believe for myself. <br />
I have an incredible community of prayer warriors who are pleading my cause. <br />
I have a business that has renewed my joy, purpose and calling and I am dressing up to go grocery shopping "just in case someone asks me about my jewelry so I can tell them about our artisans."<br />
I'm making silly music videos with my 9th grade small group girls and winning awards because of it.<br />
I am running 4 days a week with a friend.<br />
<br />
I'm learning and growing and becoming.<br />
And all the more ready to be a mom.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-7319235275302304612013-09-21T12:01:00.000-07:002013-09-28T12:36:13.262-07:00Hosting a trunk show + Noonday Collection {GIVEAWAY}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>UPDATE</b>:</i> <i>Thank you for stopping by the Noonday Collection blog train and for partnering with us along the way to bring hope and opportunity to the oppressed!<br />The giveaway is closed and a winner has randomly been chosen! Congratulations to <b><u>Ellen G.</u></b> for winning the Inca Steps Necklace in the color of her choice! For your chance to win something else, follow the links at the bottom of this post for giveaways that may still be open!</i><br /><br />*****<br />If I’m
not talking about it, I’m wearing it. And if I’m not wearing it…I’m probably
sleeping. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">And that is NO exaggeration!<br />
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That’s right: it’s <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday</a> -- the jewelry that has taken over my dresser, my
husband’s dresser, the bathroom counter, the window sill above the kitchen sink
and the guest room. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">It’s the
most jewelry I’ve ever worn...at one time. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNAH9hwJv1zdnyQVpROryKBoOcnF1fyCmo_Zcn_Ru2Woj2ZOrFuUAlkecQcMGozTBDrPi8Daklzs1QF0MN586br2rzlb-CqzTgFDmi3OGC33ul2kqCTDd9aj-amvq7NV5kHHNIPnfUvwP/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNAH9hwJv1zdnyQVpROryKBoOcnF1fyCmo_Zcn_Ru2Woj2ZOrFuUAlkecQcMGozTBDrPi8Daklzs1QF0MN586br2rzlb-CqzTgFDmi3OGC33ul2kqCTDd9aj-amvq7NV5kHHNIPnfUvwP/s320/photo+(5).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">(Instagram
users, search the hashtags: <b>#ambassadorarmparty</b> and <b>#ambassadorstyle</b> right
now!)<br />
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It’s also the <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/necklaces/funky-paper-bead-necklace-1" target="_blank">biggest, most beautiful jewelry</a> I’ve ever owned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">It's the
only jewelry strangers have ever stopped me about and I don't leave the house
without it for that very reason. Every compliment is an opportunity to
advocate!</span><br />
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*****</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/lookbook.html">Our brand NEW Fall/Winter product line was just released</a> with <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/scarves">beautiful hand-knit alpaca scarves from Peru</a> and <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/bracelets/delta-river-bangles">hand-carved water-buffalo horn bracelets and necklaces</a> from Vietnam.<br />
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Today’s stop on the blog train <b>{34 giveaways in 34 days}</b> focuses on the importance of <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/trunk-shows-the-experience.html" target="_blank">TRUNK SHOWS</a>.<br />
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<b>With the Christmas season quickly approaching, I am more determined than ever to provide gift-giving alternatives so we can be a resounding voice this year in the marketplace...all over the world.</b> One easy, practical way you can amplify your voice this shopping season is to partner with your local ambassador and host a trunk show! <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>What is a trunk show?<br />
</b>A trunk show is a gathering of women that helps create pathways out of
poverty for vulnerable and oppressed families around the world. The artisans we
represent handcraft distinct accessories out of repurposed materials like
bullets, paper and seeds. Your ambassador will bring awareness to issues of
poverty and injustice around the world by styling you and your friends with
accessories that provide longterm change of sustainable income + hope!<br />
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I have had INCREDIBLE response within my community about hosting trunk shows. You know who you are: <i>Thank you for trusting me and inviting me
into your home to share. Because of your hospitality, birth mommies are
keeping their children, girls are receiving scholarships and food is on the
table. You are changing the world.</i><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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I understand the hesitation of not wanting to host. Maybe you can
identify with some of these, and perhaps I can help change your mind?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">1) I don’t want to be a pushy salesperson.<br />
</span></b><span style="color: black;">I’m glad!
I don’t either. I always tell my guests there is NO pressure to purchase
anything. As you invite your guests, emphasize the <b>awareness</b> component
of Noonday and invite people regardless of their intention to buy anything.
Before I became an ambassador, I had never hosted a direct sales party, nor had
I been to very many. In fact, most of my hostesses never have either! It
doesn't take much to convince them that this isn't your average jewelry party.<br />
<br />
<b>2) My house isn’t big enough!<br />
</b>Having a small house doesn’t disqualify you from being a rockstar hostess.
If space is legitimately an issue and you have a larger guest list, consider
co-hosting with a friend and using her home instead. Or, look into hosting it
after hours at your favorite coffee shop.</span></span></div>
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<b>3) I’m afraid I won’t be able to get enough people to come to make it worth
your while.<br />
</b>Yes, we want to share Noonday with as many people as possible. However,
even a small turnout can start a domino effect of awareness! I am telling you
-- people I just met are changing their shopping habits because for the first
time, they are understanding the importance of fair trade. It only takes one
convinced guest to host a future trunk show and the results are
exponential! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Besides,
a small turnout does not equal small impact! Check out these figures from
actual trunk shows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 guests showed up, yet she still
qualified for $97 in free stuff after a few “no-shows” ordered. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An inspired, motivated hostess
collected over $800 in outside orders! She passionately shared her
enthusiasm for Noonday’s mission and her friends jumped at the opportunity
to help. Some of them were already thinking ahead to Christmas gifts, and
it was only June!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A woman, whom I had never met,
called me from her hospital room after her friend had dropped off a look
book. She did her Christmas shopping and placed a $600+ order! <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An adopting family’s support
system rallied behind her and hosted five adoption fundraisers over five
months, where Noonday was able to pay almost all the foster care expenses
for her son while he was still in the Democratic Republic of Congo! </span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One gal had never considered
adoption until she went to a trunk show. God stirred her heart, and over
the course of the next year, she had five adoption trunk shows raising
$1000 to bring her son home from overseas! </span><o:p></o:p></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Don’t you
see? Orphaned children and impoverished families are waiting for someone to use
their voice on their behalf. <b>Hosting a trunk show is one way you can
use your voice!</b> Do not listen to satan’s lies and disqualify yourself
from this life-changing experience. Vulnerable people around the world are
depending on us. On me. On you.<br />
</span>Your ambassador will coach you through the invitation process and help you
think about all the people you encounter on a regular basis. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Think outside the box: Your hair stylist
who is always wearing funky jewelry. (My hair stylist is my biggest fan!)
Your child’s teacher and parents from daycare or PTO or sports team. </span>Your favorite barista!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG-OHiXdPy-18RaKS7IQ2qaGGS_DN67KTtiuwmwSS-XZY-IMGU0W1YnzleF0PMiEzRXC0WjQEUpsOll0A75BBy-BIFehdQYGl5EheLN26aDZt3cBjlxcX0M0qBq7X39L4Ft4NEnbNPm-s/s1600/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG-OHiXdPy-18RaKS7IQ2qaGGS_DN67KTtiuwmwSS-XZY-IMGU0W1YnzleF0PMiEzRXC0WjQEUpsOll0A75BBy-BIFehdQYGl5EheLN26aDZt3cBjlxcX0M0qBq7X39L4Ft4NEnbNPm-s/s320/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">4) My friends can’t afford Noonday.</span></b><span style="color: black;"><br />Most often, shopping fair trade means spending a little bit more money. It will
probably mean buying less items less frequently and deciphering the difference
between “needs” and “wants.”<br />
<br />Personally, this is a no-brainer for me. <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-costly-bargain.html" target="_blank">A screaming deal most likely means the person who made it was not getting paid enough for their work.</a> I cringe
when I see sale racks with rock-bottom prices of $3.98 for shirt. There is NO
way that product can be made that cheaply unless an expense was eliminated
somewhere along the line. Think about it: the fabric, notions and labor
involved, not to mention overhead costs at the factory in which it was
produced, and the cost to have it shipped to your local store, set up on a
display by other employees and the operating expenses of the retail shop. Someone is not getting paid fairly. <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-costly-bargain.html" target="_blank">(Read my previous post titled: The Costly Bargain.)</a><br />
<br />Thankfully, <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> offers a wide range of products for the shopper on a budget (like
me)! </span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/earrings/water-drop-prism-earrings" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Water Drop Prism Earrings $38 </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/necklaces/minted-necklace" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Minted necklace $28 </span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/earrings/annies-feathered-earrings" target="_blank">Annie’s feathered earrings $32</a> </span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/necklaces/dewdrop-necklace" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dew drop necklace $42 </span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/bracelets/tagua-seed-bracelet-seagreen" target="_blank">Tagua seed bracelet $28</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/bracelets/exotic-wood-bangle" target="_blank">Exotic wood bangle $18</a> </span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/bracelets/la-noche-bracelet" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">La Noche bracelet $38 </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/scarves/picked-plum-scarf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Picked plum scarf $42 </span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/home-and-gift" target="_blank">Tea towels, journals or notecards $18 - $22</a> </span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/bags/market-tote-bag" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eye-catching Market tote $28 </span></a></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you or your friends fall in love with a <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/scarves/blanco-y-negro-infinity" target="_blank">budget-buster piece</a>, they can host the
next trunk show and buy it for half price, or get it for free!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkd66TD27TaxIbmuzylFWs8dC6iO0FemErejyITJCcRN4J-X5cv2Mn29fI1DNhUUNyAxG74GZcXIIxzBRLf-s-Qj_1XTZ-vpcZeCn-rrM0q-U0CdGja_IOOxXyS7SDTnyOo4ozKVvPABY/s1600/photo+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkd66TD27TaxIbmuzylFWs8dC6iO0FemErejyITJCcRN4J-X5cv2Mn29fI1DNhUUNyAxG74GZcXIIxzBRLf-s-Qj_1XTZ-vpcZeCn-rrM0q-U0CdGja_IOOxXyS7SDTnyOo4ozKVvPABY/s400/photo+%25287%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>5) I love the mission of Noonday, but the products “aren’t me.” </b>If you love the mission of Noonday, let that be why you host. You don’t have
to love accessories to be a voice for the voiceless. Accessories are simply a
platform to advocate, but it’s not why we do what we do. It’s ALL about the
artisans.<br />
<br /><b><i>If our artisans were knitting toilet seat covers to rise out of poverty, you
better believe I’d still be encouraging you to host a trunk show</i></b> – whether you
were in the market for a cover or not. (knitted toilet seat covers would be way
harder to sell, though.)<br />
<br />Chances are good that you have friends that love accessories or you have
birthday/Christmas shopping to do.<br />
<br /><br /><b>6) I don’t have any idea how to a host a trunk show and wouldn’t even know where
to begin </b>Your ambassador will help you! You will be well equipped with a hostess
document full of easy worksheets and tools to get your friends excited and your
creative juices flowing. We supply the invitations and look books to hand out, as well as create a
Facebook invitation or Evite. All you have to do is add friends to your guest
list or plug in their email addresses.<br />
<br />As for the actual event, we bring the displays and jewelry. All you need is a
tv and dvd player (if possible) and a table to let her work her magic and set
things up. Sips and snacks are up to you. You don’t even have to make that new recipe on
Pinterest. Seriously. Who doesn’t love chips and salsa, anyway?!<br />
<br /><br /><b>7) I’m too busy. </b>I get it. Family time is sacred and weekends and evenings are precious! You
don’t have to host right away; put something on the calendar for a couple
months from now so you can plan accordingly. Consider tying a trunk show in to
something you and your friends already do together instead of fitting in
something “extra.”<br />
<br />Do you already gather together once a week for morning play dates? Invite
your ambassador to your play group so she can set up her displays and tell
artisan stories.<br />
<br />Do you have a small group/Bible study/book club? “Donate” a night to poverty
awareness and let your ambassador do her thing!<br />
<br />Invite Noonday to your workplace during the lunch hour. Provide sandwiches
and invite your coworkers to eat in.<br />
<br />Bring some meaning to your special event and throw a combined party! A
“housewarming with a purpose” party. A “buy something for yourself for my
birthday” party. (The birthday girl will earn a % of sales in free stuff.)<br />
<br /><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>So, how about it? Will you host? Or find a friend to co-host with?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">I'm offering a special incentive to anyone (within reasonable driving distance) who partners with me by hosting by October 31st. *details below* If you don't live near southwest Washington, I'd be happy to connect you with an ambassador near you. Simply leave me a comment below!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I'm giving away one of my favorite statement necklaces today!</b> If you win this, I guarantee you will have the opportunity to share Noonday Collection with someone because they will ask you about your necklace. You get to choose the color: <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/necklaces/inca-steps-coral" target="_blank">coral</a> or <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/necklaces/inca-steps-teal" target="_blank">teal</a>! (It's made out of tagua seeds in Ecuador.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Retail value: $72</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9bwLAjcpdhLVhi1D_qC5kQuDMWVM9mMOs8XFxdqf4Xy_EO6-eGJ8sYwo4Vmge0b_L6iqIq-J2gH0USaZLuMtEYqreu5-uMqxsx_qMeWuz2pCbIGiBXAM0r_U8flY0Y8GIamHGQJgqzPm/s1600/coral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9bwLAjcpdhLVhi1D_qC5kQuDMWVM9mMOs8XFxdqf4Xy_EO6-eGJ8sYwo4Vmge0b_L6iqIq-J2gH0USaZLuMtEYqreu5-uMqxsx_qMeWuz2pCbIGiBXAM0r_U8flY0Y8GIamHGQJgqzPm/s200/coral.jpg" width="164" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLToGbMMKUvx4jhQHOkYtNkpLaCOq5F5QIXiImK8GCCBiJ-9oYp0eaqe0IdpW638kpSULjamw2ixrjOJvx5OELLC5BHeWEZeJDHRfEn51qKFS4jyOahy4T9mshAj6bgR5Y4iyFPNLj9et_/s1600/teal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLToGbMMKUvx4jhQHOkYtNkpLaCOq5F5QIXiImK8GCCBiJ-9oYp0eaqe0IdpW638kpSULjamw2ixrjOJvx5OELLC5BHeWEZeJDHRfEn51qKFS4jyOahy4T9mshAj6bgR5Y4iyFPNLj9et_/s200/teal.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.myvisionsofsugarplums.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Click here to find yesterday's giveaway for a $50 gift card from sweet Lindsay!</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.teamkeehn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tomorrow, the blog train stops with Heather</a>.</div>
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ENJOY!</div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/894b780/" id="rc-894b780" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-28994205035636705262013-08-29T07:30:00.000-07:002013-08-29T07:30:00.413-07:00Noonday Collection Fall/Winter LAUNCH + {giveaways}Ana is a 25 year old entrepreneur living in Guatemala working full time weaving scarves while earning her MBA.<br />
<br />
Bukenya, from Uganda, <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/BlogRetrieve.aspx?PostID=768268&A=SearchResult&SearchID=4905800&ObjectID=768268&ObjectType=55" target="_blank">recently got married</a> and is saving money to buy land to build a home for him and his new wife.<br />
<br />
Olivia is a hard-working mother who once was on the verge of abandoning her beloved daughter at an orphanage. Her life radically changed when she started rolling paper beads for African Style and now her daughter is at home where she belongs because her mom can finally afford to care for her.<br />
<br />
THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE! <br />
<br />
<b>Noonday Collection really is creating pathways out of poverty through dignified job creation for the world's most vulnerable and you and I get to be part of it!</b> Purchasing from Noonday Collection enables people to earn fair wages and empowers them to not only receive an education and go to college, but pull others out of poverty as well. <b>The vicious cycle of poverty is breaking with every accessory purchased.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Have you checked out the BRAND NEW <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/lookbook.html" target="_blank">Fall/Winter look book</a> yet? It launched yesterday and it's breath-taking. Every piece is painstakingly crafted with so much detail and love.</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/scarves" target="_blank">Scarf</a> season is around the corner and we've got you covered. What better way to cozy up on dreary days, than with alpaca and hand-woven cotton dip-dyed using natural, ancient techniques?<br />
<br />
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<tbody>
<tr><td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP6369-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td><td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP6394-z.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP6350-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP6418-z.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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Spruce up your wardrobe with a statement <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/necklaces" target="_blank">necklace</a>. You will certainly turn some heads and with every paid compliment, YOU get the opportunity to share how your purchase creates jobs for people living in poverty in Uganda, India, Ecuador, Ethiopia, etc.<br />
<br /></div>
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<tbody>
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<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP5934-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP5920-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/scatteredsteps1-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP5909-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
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From leather, <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/how-its-made.html" target="_blank">upcycpled artillery</a>, precious stones and cow horn, <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/earrings" target="_blank">earrings</a> are an easy way to add a pop to any outfit and strike up a conversation while you stand in line at Target, the post office, or at work.<br />
<br /></div>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP5814-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP5849-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP6717-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP6853-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> is known for its "arm parties." That's code for layering, stacking, mixing and matching <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/bracelets" target="_blank">bracelets</a>. The more, the merrier!<br />
<br /></div>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP5613-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP5655-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP6744-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
<td><img src="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/img/products/_CWP5628-l.jpg" height="160" width="131" /></td>
</tr>
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<div>
<br />
Zip on over to my <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and start making your wish list. (Christmas isn't too far away, you know!) If you're on a tight budget like me, your list is bigger than your bank account can handle. Do not be discouraged...<b>partner with me to host a trunk show by October 31 and be entered to win $100 off your order! </b>Leave me a comment below or send me an email to book yours: <a href="mailto:bricknell.elizabeth@gmail.com">bricknell.elizabeth@gmail.com</a><br />
<br />
Additionally, check out these <b>{generous giveaways}</b> sponsored by Noonday Ambassadors around the country for your chance to win a piece or two for free. Each day will point you to the next day's giveaway...for the next 34 days!<br />
<br />
Two giveaways are currently open, starting here with Krista's blog from yesterday, and linking to Alicia's blog today. <br />
<br />
August 28: Krista Box- <a href="http://www.thegirlwhosaidyes.blogspot.com/">www.thegirlwhosaidyes.blogspot.com</a> </div>
<div>
August 29: Alicia Hale- <a href="http://www.raisingalittlehale.blogspot.com/">www.raisingalittlehale.blogspot.com</a> </div>
<div>
August 30: Stephanie Nunes- <a href="http://www.nunespartyofthree.blogspot.com/">www.nunespartyofthree.blogspot.com</a> </div>
<div>
August 31: Natalie Perry- <a href="http://www.perrysplate.com/">www.perrysplate.com</a> </div>
<div>
Sept. 1: Laura Walton- <a href="http://www.runningwithpurpose.blogspot.com/">www.runningwithpurpose.blogspot.com</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Welcome aboard the Noonday Blog Train. Enjoy the ride that changes lives!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-9414829259600263082013-05-21T14:46:00.001-07:002014-02-26T10:39:42.947-08:00The Costly Bargain<div class="tr_bq">
The mound of clothes on my bed horrifies me. I really need to hang them up and do laundry instead of scooping them to the foot of the bed so I can climb under the covers at night. But that's beside the point. I'm horrified for reasons beyond my messy room. I just checked the tags of 20 or so articles:</div>
<br />
Made in China.<br />
Made in Pakistan.<br />
Made in Hong Kong.<br />
Made in India.<br />
Made in Vietnam.<br />
Made in Taiwan.<br />
Made in Guatemala.<br />
Made in Thailand.<br />
<br />
I'm afraid I've been ruined...again.<br />
<br />
First, it was <a href="http://elizabethbricknell.blogspot.com/2007/05/brokenness.html" target="_blank">my awakening to the billion dollar sex-slave industry where women (even men) and children are bought and sold for sex and money</a>. This has me alarmingly aware of my vocabulary, the movies I watch and the jokes I once tolerated about "pimps" and "sluts" and "prostitues." I have a heightened awareness for those lacking safe, viable economic options who are forced into prostitution simply to care for their children and feed their families. I weep over movies like "Taken," and "Pretty Woman." I have an affinity for <a href="http://www.saribari.com/" target="_blank">products made by women</a> who have escaped the industry. I began purchasing thoughtful gifts and advocating for these ladies every chance I could. I claimed the phrase "with greater knowledge comes greater responsibility" as my own by genuinely trying to use what I've seen to educate others.<br />
<br />
Much to my dismay, I was blind to a different type of slavery until this year. I've been bragging about bargains and relishing in my comfortable consumerism for far too long. And I'm embarrassed to admit I've justified so many of my purchases.<br />
<br />
I have found myself uttering the following:<br />
At least it was on sale.<br />
Others have more.<br />
We have a small house, so I can't have thaaaat much stuff.<br />
I have less than *insert more fortunate person's name here*<br />
<br />
So, when I started working with <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a>, I just <i>had</i> to change my shopping habits. Especially after reading article upon article about the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/08/bangladesh-final-embrace_n_3238492.html" target="_blank">factory collapse in Bangladesh</a>. The factory that produces cheap clothes for American consumers, catering to our "Is it on sale?" shopping mentality.<br />
<br />
Here I was, made so aware of people working in SAFE working conditions, creating AFFORDABLE things, that tell BEAUTIFUL stories of hope and redemption through Noonday Collection. In between placing orders from customers and advocating for families living in poverty, I was drowning in my own heap of corruption and consumerism evidenced by the pile on my bed. Not to mention, crying over images like these:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uSpfvwZYqYeE66F686bSoA3T9V1AuzFrKfJzaXnY5Wwrc3jKz_hcgmbKvi-EiGlpN_B21vkR4cwpZYnaXjcXv7aimTOyREImYf71f1RgnnBWZDDNZYsbDPJdG67lPZDzojjNGxj0R6DX/s1600/factory+collapse+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uSpfvwZYqYeE66F686bSoA3T9V1AuzFrKfJzaXnY5Wwrc3jKz_hcgmbKvi-EiGlpN_B21vkR4cwpZYnaXjcXv7aimTOyREImYf71f1RgnnBWZDDNZYsbDPJdG67lPZDzojjNGxj0R6DX/s320/factory+collapse+2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIQrzR-C3y2r4P0aa-9TwAl_RQ9OrdSI99awGU8ZMr_smRU3Gn5HAvqLlwkY-7Xdffw41bl6IPLV22EZ8_-63O1cxVjwawgAnvpgtAM4YwnQh_aXKy4h_YQXIv4-_WZWQTYWHzYO60drO/s1600/factory+collapse+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIQrzR-C3y2r4P0aa-9TwAl_RQ9OrdSI99awGU8ZMr_smRU3Gn5HAvqLlwkY-7Xdffw41bl6IPLV22EZ8_-63O1cxVjwawgAnvpgtAM4YwnQh_aXKy4h_YQXIv4-_WZWQTYWHzYO60drO/s320/factory+collapse+3.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> Here, family members cover their noses from the stench of death as they try to identify corpses recovered from the collapse.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdmmdvxMMCMvTJJrMRHfNCq5XryiUU3xZQxJCpd1bovfEq7_-QuT-jQC-X5_zsPyS7hW2GG_-X6sSFFROblttyKS61eDvZycvW2Ge_aCCx8zOPZB3dZ2RpynfFXWHvfm4JlbqZGIZerCg/s1600/factory+collapse+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdmmdvxMMCMvTJJrMRHfNCq5XryiUU3xZQxJCpd1bovfEq7_-QuT-jQC-X5_zsPyS7hW2GG_-X6sSFFROblttyKS61eDvZycvW2Ge_aCCx8zOPZB3dZ2RpynfFXWHvfm4JlbqZGIZerCg/s320/factory+collapse+4.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> This woman was recovered ALIVE after 17 days of being buried in the rubble.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7OYBS6Uoc0HSzh2AwOi6bAgxBwcQ5D_ITA054HfpqivzHibmEe1-Y1WrbKOcZ-G3y211nt5of_inxLQXJmvOk09QOQoXNMzcdMjgRekrt5u-58ixyEaY7dmmDBwHp_3qg5I8pXgaQZM1/s1600/factory+collapse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7OYBS6Uoc0HSzh2AwOi6bAgxBwcQ5D_ITA054HfpqivzHibmEe1-Y1WrbKOcZ-G3y211nt5of_inxLQXJmvOk09QOQoXNMzcdMjgRekrt5u-58ixyEaY7dmmDBwHp_3qg5I8pXgaQZM1/s320/factory+collapse.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfKfuVqw_eQ5nw8YWalVNMXsLxkxaoo97fQeL2mjdcDKq1SD2mgDx0aacUwvCEd9e7TIzTGTiIdl3tvmAf8GjZjnYHwPLQMkDdXxqmRflwDPfFewOjZpT-NJNzoT9oBvpe5afZ3gO-XB7/s1600/factory+collapse+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfKfuVqw_eQ5nw8YWalVNMXsLxkxaoo97fQeL2mjdcDKq1SD2mgDx0aacUwvCEd9e7TIzTGTiIdl3tvmAf8GjZjnYHwPLQMkDdXxqmRflwDPfFewOjZpT-NJNzoT9oBvpe5afZ3gO-XB7/s320/factory+collapse+5.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>This couple was found dead, embracing each other in the rubble after the factory collapsed.</i></div>
<br />
<br />
And to think THIS reality is behind most of the clothes on my bed, whether they were produced in Bangladesh or not. I am part of the problem and I am so not okay with that. <a href="http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-opinion/the-role-we-all-played-in-the-bangladesh-tragedy-20130428-2in4s.html" target="_blank">My spending and bargain-hunting habits have contributed to a corrupt society of "saving money" at the expense of 1000+ deaths.</a><br />
<br />
My shopping habits have been frozen. I'm petrified to purchase anything that was made from forced labor, yet I know I can't and won't be able to avoid it all. I'm second-guessing my new camera purchase (happy birthday to me)... and I'm almost sick when I think about the hands who made it and the working conditions in which it could have been produced.<br />
<br />
I don't know about you, but I can NOT keep buying what I've been buying without knowing it was ethically produced. The tension I'm facing is moving me to a place of action which is what I implore of ALL my friends and family members.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/current/global/americas-role-bangladesh-factory-fire" target="_blank">I read this article from Relevant Magazine</a> when I first learned of the collapse a month ago and it's haunted me ever since:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Evangelicals are excellent at organizing boycotts and protests, or, in the case of Chick-fil-A, massive showings of ideological and consumer power. But it seems that Christians are slow to speak clearly and loudly against atrocities like this one. Evangelicals once attempted to boycott Disney for offering health benefits to the same-sex partners of employees. But with Disney items found in the rubble at Tazreen (it is a small world, after all), will Christians speak up? Will they to leverage their considerable cultural and financial capital on behalf of those for whom families now grieve? Does the professed Christian faith of the Walton family cover the fact that their everyday low prices are tainted with the ashes of the poverty-stricken mothers and fathers who produce them? Does it simply sound too risky for evangelicals to insist upon laws and upon consumer habits that protect the life and the flourishing of the already-born, whether within our borders or across the globe? Have evangelical political commitments become so circumscribed that we cannot discern, much less name, the moral outrage of poor people dying so that rich people can become richer?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>If those Bangladeshis were all still in their mothers’ wombs they would have been deemed worthy of concern by evangelicals in this country. However, by being born they disqualified themselves from such consideration. </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><u>We must advocate for the lives and flourishing for all people at every stage of life, including those to whom we've outsourced our jobs. This isn't just being globally aware or even mindful. It's simply decent. Simply Christian.</u></b></blockquote>
Where are we, Christ followers, in these factories? Are we shopping the sales and feeding the demand for cheap labor and blue light specials? Or are we using our voices to speak up for the voiceless and demand a better way? There are 27 MILLION people working as slaves today. That's more slaves than at any other time in history. That number alone should make us abandon our old spending habits<br />
<br />
I commit to spending the year leading up to my 30th birthday (and beyond) on behalf of the oppressed.<br />
<br />
Spending less, giving more thoughtfully, advocating more passionately. <br />
<br />
We, as consumers, and ESPECIALLY as Christians, have a responsibility to use our purchasing power for good. Where we spend our money communicates our values in the marketplace. <b>If we continue to spend money on things that are produced by forced labor, we are devaluing our brothers and sisters and saying that our <u>saved pennies</u> are more important than their <u>spent lives</u>.</b><br />
<br />
It's not going to be easy, but most important things aren't a breeze and this is something I'm committed to wrestling with from here on out. I hereby commit to:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Buying less. I am struggling to draw a line between wants and needs. Our consumeristic society blurs these lines and I am going to fight it. I definitely do not need anything that was made by slaves. <a href="http://www.slaveryfootprint.org/" target="_blank">As it is, I have 50-some slaves working for me based on what is already in my humble abode. Gross. How many are working for you?</a></li>
<li>Purchasing second-hand clothing/shoes/etc. Used is better than new because, if only by a little bit, it keeps me from perpetuating the corrupt industry by demanding new things. <b>I vote every day with every dollar I spend, because how I spend my money communicates my values. </b></li>
<li>Refusing to buy new clothes unless they are fair-trade certified. This calls for drastic measures at Target... so I've already created a detour to avoid the Target clothing section because their stuff is so tempting...and so cheap. See the problem?</li>
<li>Publishing a list of fair trade resources to encourage others to purchase ethically produced items. (I already have suggestions for <a href="http://www.sevenly.org/" target="_blank">clothing</a>, <a href="http://www.warbyparker.com/" target="_blank">prescription glasses</a>, and <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">gifts</a>.)</li>
<li>Encouraging the church to evaluate our spending habits. I'm talking fair-trade chocolate at Halloween, ethically-produced summer camp t-shirts, etc. Imagine what this could communicate to our kids and our families and the WORLD.</li>
</ol>
<div>
What is it going to take for us to speak up? We cannot wait for another collapse, another fire, another... Are you with me?</div>
<blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isaiah 58: 6-12 </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to loose the chains of injustice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and untie the cords of the yoke,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to set the oppressed free</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and break every yoke?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when you see the naked, to clothe them,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and your healing will quickly appear;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then your righteousness will go before you,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then your light will rise in the darkness,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and your night will become like the noonday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11 The Lord will guide you always;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and will strengthen your frame.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You will be like a well-watered garden,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like a spring whose waters never fail.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and will raise up the age-old foundations;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.</div>
</blockquote>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-90946579476561593542013-04-17T10:51:00.000-07:002014-02-26T11:48:54.370-08:00I have never loved you more.<div>
"He cheated on me."</div>
<div>
I received this text on Valentine's day, just days away from our impending double date. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I doubted her at first. He's a God-fearing man, a dad, a church volunteer, a life-long Christian. He comes from a solid family and has an amazing, beautiful wife. How could he?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fast forward several months and the you-know-what was still hitting the fan. A story that would have been "bad enough" to begin with somehow kept getting worse. Pornography, prostitution, flirting, affair(s). Lying and cheating.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since then, I've learned even more stories of how satan is wreaking havoc on marriages. Some are friends, some are friends of friends. All are Jesus-fearing, heart-broken, devastated wives, reeling from the reality of sin. <br />
<br />
News of recent brokenness left me speechless. And then another. And another.<br />
The story is similar. A father, husband, leader...a Christian. <br />
<br />
I sat at the kitchen table, stunned at the news of another. Tears burning with anger and sadness and disbelief dripping hotly down my cheeks. I swallowed hard and stared forward, memorizing the colors of the vibrant painting hanging over our table.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Paul fidgeted. He'd known for a while about the shambles of this particular marriage, and just broke the news to me. Still, I sat. Frozen with emotion and questions. Wondering how this could happen to them. Paralyzed with fear and doubt.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I feared my own relationship with the man sitting beside me. The one who also loves God, serves in church, has a solid family, has integrity. The man who chose me. If these other men could keep such filth hidden, absolutely secretive, for so many years, could I, too, be blindsided by my own partner-for-life? If I've learned anything over the past year of other's heartache, it's that <b>no one is exempt from the devil's schemes and temptation</b>. No one. Not even my pastor husband or me, the pastor's wife.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Knowing full well that our marriage is not off limits from the evil one, I squeaked out a question ridden with sincerity and fear: "how do we keep this from happening to us?" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A handful of times over the five years we've known each other, my husband and I have confessed pieces of our past to each other. Little things and big things. All things, that when kept as skeletons in our closet, keep us from being perfectly unified in marriage. This was one of those times when a skeleton came out. Not a skeleton of cheating, but a skeleton nonetheless. Sin lost its power and significance as it was brought into the light. Shadows of guilt and shame disappeared as the power of Truth broke chains of bondage.<br />
<br />
Still, I sat. But this time there was more than a lump in my throat. I choked out sobs and coughs and hurts and choked on love and mercy and grace...and freedom from the power of sin that would no longer hold me or my husband prisoner.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We embraced, holding each other tight, as though we were squeezing satan out. His sorrow, humbleness and repentant heart gave way to a fierce love for my husband. Overcome with deep love and affection for the man who just bared his sole, an overwhelming peace and joy consumed me. I spoke confidently: "You want to know something? I have never loved you more than I do right now." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He looked at me and blinked. Insta-tears pooled in the corner of his baby blue eyes. "How is that possible?" he whispered.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's possible because I'm made in the image of the Divine and He speaks the same Truth to me. Over and over again. How many times have I wondered how my husband could love me? Filth has flowed from my mouth. Annoyance has coated my words and actions when something doesn't go the way I wanted it to. I "harumph" and give him "the look." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Not to mention the filth in my heart. The greed, selfishness, covetousness, doubt and comparison I harbor inside. I doubt God's goodness. I doubt His timing, His truth, His plans for me. I make time for a zillion other things and not for Him, the Lover of my Soul.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And when I'm full-to-the-brim with guilt and shame and complaints and pity parties and grumbling, I tune my ears to my Father's voice and hear: <b>"You want to know something? I have never loved you more than I do right now."</b><br />
<br />
***<br />
Will you join me in praying for our husbands? Pray for purity, honesty and protection from the evil one. Pray they would fight temptation and not give in to the devil's schemes. Pray that their eyes would be fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-7313937699432152592013-04-16T16:17:00.002-07:002014-02-26T11:55:31.552-08:00AliveI feel alive.<br />
<br />
My heart is being stirred and I'm being awakened in new ways.<br />
<br />
I'm in a season of growth. Studying "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan has me longing to be obsessed with Jesus and less obsessed with being comfortable. I want to consume less and give more. Instead of praying solely for protection, I want to pray for whatever will bring me closer to Jesus. Whew. That's a tough one to ask for and I'm hesitant to ask for it because of what it might look like. My first thoughts evoke tragedy and heartache.<br />
<br />
I'm also reading "Radical" by David Platt. Two chapters in and I'm hooked. <br />
<br />
My heart is being stirred in new ways and I feel at peace in my current community of friends. I laughed so hard after last week's Bible study and drove home (at 11pm) with such JOY in my heart. We tried on hand-me-downs and giggled. A lot. We got carried away and stayed too late; my husband was already fast asleep by the time I got home. The next morning, I bounced (literally) into the kitchen, excitedly recounting my tales of the night before and told Paul: "Last night was so much fun. I have friends here." <br />
<br />
My new business with <a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a> is thriving. I'm joining a movement of world-changers and trying to do my part with what I've been given. People (friends and strangers alike) are making informed purchases while advocating for the poor and it is humbling and invigorating, to say the least. Noonday has come to Renton, Longview, Newberg and Beaverton. And it's coming soon to Hillsboro and Grants Pass!<br />
<br />
I am even at peace with my health. While it's been a frustrating 60+ days of less-than pleasant issues, I am experiencing some relief. I'm hoping for answers following my surgery on Friday afternoon (a hysteroscope & DNC). At the risk of sharing too much information, descriptions can be found on Web MD, but are not for the faint at heart. I am struck by how trivial this procedure is in light of what is happening around me: friends fighting cancer (again), marriages failing, bombings in Boston, etc. God, do what you need to so we might draw closer to you.<br />
<br />
For me, feeling alive is doing my part to change the world: living intentionally, allowing God to shape my deepest desires, inspiring others to become world-changers. It is also sitting at a coffee shop on a sunny, spring afternoon with music in my ears and words at my fingertips.<br />
<br />
What makes you feel alive?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-61682688754927826882013-02-20T15:14:00.001-08:002014-02-26T10:40:25.817-08:00Noonday Collection<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;">I'm elated to announce my new endeavor as a...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Noonday Collection Ambassador!</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7Nl3h4JAGMBUFTuGjRbKn3PKZ6MkEeeBHhzD-s2Zddhf2oip3yYC5BNRZZ2GVMXDuioJ4oE5GVhTlm805s0Bc-Y0_c8DpE-pgK4oWyy7z_VdWeWGS9rdfOnsH-Egr44eGpLvkCAMTY4X/s320/Noonday_Logo.jpg" height="109" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="color: #222222;">"Noon-whaaa?"</span></i><span style="color: #222222;"> you
ask. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">What began as a fundraiser for the founder's adoption, Noonday Collection quickly grew into a social enterprise for women around the world. </span><span style="color: #222222;">Noonday is a company
that provides sustainable income to artisans in third-world countries by
employing the impoverished and underprivileged. Artisans make (all by hand)
the most beautiful necklaces, scarves, bags and home goods. Each item is
on-target with current fashion trends and colors. <i>(Our Spring Line has
lots of similarities to Anthropologie. No joke.)</i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The purchase
of these goods provides a platform to shed light on poverty and social justice
issues in developing countries.</b> Each artisan receives a fair,
live-able wage according to fair trade standards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Scarves are hand woven by women in Guatemala.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4M0pGqlU4ccCKqoN37y-Drb0HEWkx5CM5FlV5sXvMDbKAJOz48SuE5e-hJUC7rBNGE8c46pjR8BiZjy-20IX-YRLwZTlZRjA1dktOmCiOi2bBhsgbffqZW_lMowDEAU3DdXQjJ0iIBbv3/s1600/angelica+scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4M0pGqlU4ccCKqoN37y-Drb0HEWkx5CM5FlV5sXvMDbKAJOz48SuE5e-hJUC7rBNGE8c46pjR8BiZjy-20IX-YRLwZTlZRjA1dktOmCiOi2bBhsgbffqZW_lMowDEAU3DdXQjJ0iIBbv3/s200/angelica+scarf.jpg" height="200" width="144" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Paper scraps are turned into beautiful beaded necklaces in Uganda. Women are being sponsored to go through sewing school in Rwanda to earn a living. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6WoO8plwXMtCFNpGF_IIZV0SXCLaDv4lPnuPP_y7jrJuU2k8MbV3YauYbsX7QcgCU779GcumkwyTFEdA017G34EalZoT0vS6hlFjsswdlLk2_7OQfP3FwL8hmpYQPa5xnkQJZoGsduMV/s1600/uganda+with+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6WoO8plwXMtCFNpGF_IIZV0SXCLaDv4lPnuPP_y7jrJuU2k8MbV3YauYbsX7QcgCU779GcumkwyTFEdA017G34EalZoT0vS6hlFjsswdlLk2_7OQfP3FwL8hmpYQPa5xnkQJZoGsduMV/s320/uganda+with+love.jpg" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">Farmers in Northern Ethiopia supply local bead makers with artillery shells discovered on their lands following former war conflicts. Village artisans melt down these shells to create delicate beads. The beads are sent to a mountain tribe of women who live with HIV, who create incredible jewelry. </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;">Remnants of former weapons of conflict are now upcycled pieces of redemption, as women begin to be defined by their handicraft rather than their disease.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiE5u36Fvl7Wc4yybXyrVNZJz6armbgLLtCzmgQJtpktj3iN2XHceJhGDldszJ3MMPQ2M7q0MYVFcxaHyvBF3h70jbka22R8pqsV6wsgOwoXbkbwgvTwkeR-nf9kKDk_yDBOqYLKdAv0K/s1600/tangled+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiE5u36Fvl7Wc4yybXyrVNZJz6armbgLLtCzmgQJtpktj3iN2XHceJhGDldszJ3MMPQ2M7q0MYVFcxaHyvBF3h70jbka22R8pqsV6wsgOwoXbkbwgvTwkeR-nf9kKDk_yDBOqYLKdAv0K/s320/tangled+beads.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This clutch was crafted by young adults with special needs from underprivileged communities in New Delhi with recycled VHS tapes. The special artisans in India are provided vocational training as part of their overall development in order to inspire their creativity and help prepare them to become self-sufficient in the future.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OA896Nu0-NmyU2QBg8E9zbKXmKw3CcZ469oUDcGsqucFsFrNEhXqmQkA_kXkh3ioFdYeUVg9fOlvjKwel4zDBMJnyeQS5uhSbgsNP_qgqDx0HpHW9a7K_yfYbfqsY5Hk_DGTexpAoIla/s1600/rewind+clutch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OA896Nu0-NmyU2QBg8E9zbKXmKw3CcZ469oUDcGsqucFsFrNEhXqmQkA_kXkh3ioFdYeUVg9fOlvjKwel4zDBMJnyeQS5uhSbgsNP_qgqDx0HpHW9a7K_yfYbfqsY5Hk_DGTexpAoIla/s200/rewind+clutch.jpg" height="200" width="173" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As an ambassador, I get to advocate for these artisans by telling their stories and selling their goods. God has certainly orchestrated these details according to His perfect timing. I've been praying for an opportunity to be a voice for the voiceless in the next steps of my career, and this is it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll be sharing more within the next days/weeks/months to come... and maybe even a Noonday merchandise giveaway, too!</span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-74131474101227195932012-12-12T09:34:00.003-08:002014-02-26T10:41:09.693-08:00My slave-free ChristmasI'm convicted.<br />
Compelled.<br />
Challenged.<br />
Changed.<br />
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Today, 27 million men, women, and children live as someone else’s property. Slaves are making the items that I’m buying to celebrate the birth of my Lord and Savior. <strong style="border: 0px; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>Somehow I don’t think He’s blessed by the blood on His birthday presents.</b> - <a href="http://www.unexpected.org/2012/11/a-slave-free-christmas/" target="_blank">A Slave Free Christmas</a></strong></blockquote>
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It all started with my <a href="http://elizabethseybold.blogspot.com/2012/10/food-chocolate.html" target="_blank">blog post about chocolate</a>. <br />
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Actually, it goes back to <a href="http://elizabethseybold.blogspot.com/2007/05/brokenness.html" target="_blank">my first brothel visit</a> in El Alto, Bolivia in 2007. I met women and <i>very young girls</i> who were bought and sold for sex and money. That's when I really understood that slavery still existed.<br />
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I ate lunch with women and transvestites who prostituted. Some were physically forced or coerced, though many found themselves in poverty's grip and no way to feed their families without working the strip. <br />
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Needless to say, I've been ruined. I bawled in my car after watching the movie <i>Taken</i> for the first time. Sure, the movie had a happy ending, and the story was fictional, but there was so much truth on the screen that I wanted to vomit.<br />
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Comments and movies about "prostitutes" disgust me. I'm repulsed by pornography and sex addicts. It's rooted in greed, disrespect, selfishness, and the love of money, which the Bible warns as the root of all evil. Selfish acts at the expense of the world's most vulnerable. Those who cannot defend themselves. Those who cannot speak up.<br />
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Enter Jesus. The One who changed everything.<br />
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Christ, who first appeared as a lowly babe in a manger, came to proclaim good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, set captives free, break the chains of slavery, and trade beauty for ashes.<br />
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The One who redeems, purifies, sanctifies.<br />
The Giver of Hope, the Almighty Counselor, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace.<br />
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The Reason we celebrate Christmas, and the reason I'm striving to be a conscious consumer this holiday season and beyond.<br />
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If you are a pinterest junkie like me, follow my Slave-Free Gift board <a href="http://pinterest.com/elizabeth525/slave-free-gifts/" target="_blank">here</a>. I've compiled tons of beautiful products that benefit beautiful people across the globe.<br />
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Here are a few to wet your appetite:<br />
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<a href="http://www.storycompany.com/" target="_blank">Story Company</a></div>
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I can't reveal what I purchased, yet, because certain family members read my blog and will be receiving some of these beauties for Christmas. *act surprised - you know who you are* I will tell you, however, that I have been over-the-top impressed with their customer service, website, and their mission. Plus, if you sign up for email updates, you'll get a code for $10 off your first order. Bam!</div>
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<a href="http://unexpected.org/">Unexpected.org</a></div>
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This is where my slave-free Christmas gift-giving was born. I happened upon this site, read <a href="http://www.unexpected.org/2012/11/a-slave-free-christmas/" target="_blank">this post</a>, and then browsed through all <a href="http://www.unexpected.org/" target="_blank">these amazing products</a> and purchased a few. Inspired, yet?</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEN_mCIkxTjtyT1YScK_ulmsJWSBd6sYUTiKLzMM-BJPVrpk_tzq1TpVIHxbaDuJcFnrFSvHc6Q_wFa-kkmkImzSuknVJrPuj-dNPrLG0_lUYvtXFZCgkCpTkVfQ3ZASQwtAEhAyB-vzpo/s1600/light+gives+heat.png" /></div>
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<i><a href="http://lightgivesheat.org/" target="_blank">Light Gives Heat</a></i> empowers Africans through the encouragement of economic sustainability and creative endeavors. I am digging this necklace:<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-zPnN0lpAw_Rgn4zcE9swMU4niuWlcAQoz8byIAKy1BnCVuPpkO124JO1sg7UQ32dtULfCN0TEiDupuGSEJSCzjkG_tS5Et0Fagkg-kXggrxphOjF4n_sC6PLFOe5FBFFIRl2Is7Ytde/s200/necklace.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.lightgivesheat.org/collections/featured-products/products/asymmetrical-heat" target="_blank">http://www.lightgivesheat.org/collections/featured-products/products/asymmetrical-heat</a></div>
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<i>P.S. Free shipping on orders over $45.</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/" target="_blank">Noonday Collection</a>: "When you satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will shine like the noonday." Isaiah 58:10 I'm drooling over their <a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/necklaces" target="_blank">necklace collection</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSmBmnLcgjO3mNv6Whdc2MUwhrzEDB_8qcUUpdKTtWIW5cTVaRb-aN7g5YnFn-uEG9HJGheuUdImTdOZQfhJ7G6je0xUrw5WBxxusLwJ0-fbtQqpUZOoVxgCSX1QofsR0sw2F3mdXj_ob/s1600/saribari+logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSmBmnLcgjO3mNv6Whdc2MUwhrzEDB_8qcUUpdKTtWIW5cTVaRb-aN7g5YnFn-uEG9HJGheuUdImTdOZQfhJ7G6je0xUrw5WBxxusLwJ0-fbtQqpUZOoVxgCSX1QofsR0sw2F3mdXj_ob/s1600/saribari+logo.png" /></a></div>
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Sari Bari is near and dear to my heart because they are a ministry of Word Made Flesh. I've never been disappointed by any purchase from them - my favorite is the burlap tote which I literally bring everywhere: camping, grocery shopping, road trip, retreats, youth group. Each product is handmade by a woman who has left prostitution. She learns how to sew and can then provide for her family. Suti Sana, the Bolivian version, can be found <a href="http://sutisana.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. Suti Sana is an opportunity for holistic transformation for women attempting to leave prostitution.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJodpxGAFwyUtGKQQGN13Z5PKJgAH3QlLq9pzLhNoPm06XZZ99_cgAxhyHOWjmEefMzUBG8uZe1hPGCA-Swgv3sk-z68oNsyA_V3zttcx5fl_ogFY0lJw-og1oinBYy0NXs2arwlKYxZfO/s1600/31bits.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJodpxGAFwyUtGKQQGN13Z5PKJgAH3QlLq9pzLhNoPm06XZZ99_cgAxhyHOWjmEefMzUBG8uZe1hPGCA-Swgv3sk-z68oNsyA_V3zttcx5fl_ogFY0lJw-og1oinBYy0NXs2arwlKYxZfO/s1600/31bits.png" /></a></div>
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Handmade jewelry by Ugandan women. You won't be disappointed! (Google coupon codes for discounts.)</div>
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***</div>
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I don't think I have ever been this excited about gift-giving. I am in love with each product I've ordered - not only for it's unique, beautiful craftsmanship, but because it symbolizes new life for the one who made it.</div>
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Would you consider shopping slave-free this Christmas? Make it your new year's resolution. The products are too beautiful to pass up, and the people are too valuable to ignore.</div>
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There are TONS more worthwhile sites on my Pinterest board. (Gifts for men and kids, too.)</div>
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I'll end with a few of my favorite nuggets:</div>
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Live simply so others may simply live.</div>
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With greater knowledge comes greater responsibility.</div>
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Love your neighbor as yourself.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-24593060734848365422012-11-14T14:42:00.000-08:002014-02-26T11:50:29.371-08:00Clothes: Chapter 2<br />
I had been dreading this month ever since I started the clothes chapter of <u>7</u>. Wearing the same seven clothes for 30 days?! That sounded like a crazy person's idea. And I certainly didn't want to look like a crazy person, much less sound like one.<br />
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Even with the crazy talk, I knew I had to challenge myself to participate. I wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to stretch myself and live more simply. Besides, in the grand scheme of things, it's only 30 days. <br />
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I belabored over my 7 articles. I laid out some clothes on my bed and analyzed the different combinations. I finally decided on the following:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Navy skinny jeans</li>
<li>Boot cut jeans</li>
<li>Black short-sleeve t-shirt</li>
<li>Gray short-sleeve t-shirt</li>
<li>Coral long-sleeve shirt</li>
<li>Navy cardigan</li>
<li>Black REI jacket</li>
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I'm rotating between 2 pair of shoes: camel-colored boots and a new pair of Under Armor tennis shoes. (Undergarments are a freebie.) I'm sticking with the same pair of earrings and no necklaces. I am, however, donning as many international accessories as possible, committing to pray for the country it represents on the day I wear it. <br />
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I rummaged through my <very full="full"> scarf drawer and pulled out 17 that represent Cambodia, Thailand, Africa, Mexico, Nicaragua, Bolivia, India, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Not to mention jewelry from the Philippines, Chile and the Caribbean. I've acquired most of them from my own excursions, although I've received a few as gifts.</very><br />
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I anticipated month one and two being the most difficult, so I decided to "hurry up and get it over with," leaving only one free day in-between the two challenges. (Incidentally, this left my "free" day to dress up as a deer for Halloween and put a pumpkin on my head.)</div>
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The first 13 days have been a piece of cake. It's simpler to get dressed in the morning and I don't even bother to put my clothes away in between wearings, because there are so few. I spend less time pondering what to wear and what to pack for weekend getaways. Laundry loads, while more frequent, are smaller.</div>
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Yesterday, however, Paul and I both vocalized that this month is pretty boring. No, it's not as hard as I expected to re-wear outfits day after day. I don't enjoy putting together outfits, and I don't really love the articles I chose.</div>
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But, I'm praying for the world more. Praying for the women at Suti Sana and my friends in El Alto, Bolivia as I carry my handmade purse. I've prayed for missionaries in Mexico and an orphanage in Cambodia as I wear my scarves. I've even prayed for Vietnam veterans... for the first time ever. (My brother gave my a scarf for Christmas 2 years ago.)</div>
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Here's hoping I continue to learn to be others focused rather than self-focused. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-70118771752176495712012-10-30T12:06:00.001-07:002014-02-26T11:50:29.384-08:00Food: Final thoughtsWe did it!<div>
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7 foods for 30 days with minimal seasoning. Done, done, and done. (Well, after lunch, that is. We're breaking our food fast with dinner tonight. Salmon, asparagus, wild rice, and frozen yogurt with toppings for dessert.)</div>
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I just reviewed my goals for the month and here is where I measure up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyV4g4aoM9L1fAXOHtROeHgdAgcUANNdNtn9a_2rFJieFkoboF9SZumV3VxCrTI8rIRhYqWlHuwKTjHdmty8FYFqGLsk5l1HxBcUCQh7cdkxl78pZVWNpKdlGxoj_9S94pCd7mll4hNgNg/s1600/IMG_4035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyV4g4aoM9L1fAXOHtROeHgdAgcUANNdNtn9a_2rFJieFkoboF9SZumV3VxCrTI8rIRhYqWlHuwKTjHdmty8FYFqGLsk5l1HxBcUCQh7cdkxl78pZVWNpKdlGxoj_9S94pCd7mll4hNgNg/s320/IMG_4035.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><u style="color: #333333;">Waste not.</u><span style="color: #333333;"> Use up all perishable items in the fridge that will expire during this month. Eat garden produce so it doesn't go to waste. </span><span style="color: red;">Check out our empty fridge! </span><span style="color: red;">I dug up the rest of our red potatoes, onions and garlic. We finished off the tomatoes and added green onions to things I otherwise never would have, like salad dressing and chicken soup. We ate green beans until they were too stringy to enjoy anymore. I experimented with rosemary and basil. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><u>Throw away stuff we're never going to eat.</u> </span><span style="color: red;">I cleaned out the freezer and threw things out that were already bad and taking up space. I also took a bag of pantry items I wasn't going to use and put them on the sharing shelves at church. </span><span style="color: #333333;">Throw away unlabeled cans. </span><span style="color: red;">There are three cans left, and I'm going to open them and cook with them instead of throwing them out.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><u>Donate.</u> Share food with the hungry. </span><span style="color: red;">Other than the small donation we made to church, I have unsuccessfully shared food with anyone in need. Maybe I'll buy Safeway gift cards with the money we didn't use on eating out, and hand them out. Where we came in under budget this month, makes up for where we've gone over budget in the past.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><u>Research.</u> Educate myself about the food I eat and where it comes from. </span><span style="color: red;">We attended a two hour class, researched online, and watched food documentaries on Netflix. In response, I purchased organic greens and free-range, vegetarian-fed chicken and eggs, which is something I hope to continue.</span></li>
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I have a coffee date with my husband planned for tomorrow morning, and a salmon dinner on the agenda for this evening to celebrate.</div>
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Next up: 7 clothes for 30 days. Lord, help me to choose wisely!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-60265693092214777672012-10-27T22:35:00.000-07:002014-02-26T11:50:29.379-08:00Food: ChocolateI have learned so much about food the past 27 days.<br />
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I've watched some really well done documentaries on GMOs, Juicing, how our food is processed, etc. I even attended a two hour class on Ayurveda, a form of traditional medicine out of India that focuses on when and what we eat.<br />
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Each of these experiences have been alarming to some extent. I'm starting to change what I eat based on where it comes from and how it was produced. Even chocolate.<br />
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Granted, I'm not even eating chocolate this month. Can you imagine if I made room for it in my 7 foods, though? I would've eaten it. A lot of it.<br />
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Anyway, I just watched a 5-part series called "Chocolate: The Bitter Truth." This is especially relevant considering Halloween is just days away and chocolate sales are soaring. The top chocolate suppliers in the world (Nestle, Cadbury, Hershey's, to name a few) are guilty of using forced child labor to harvest cocoa beans and we, as chocolate connoisseurs, are guilty of supporting it.<br />
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The short story is this:<br />
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The African countries, Ivory Coast and Ghana, are the top two producers in the world of cocoa beans, respectively. The climate is ideal and the labor is cheap. Cocoa plantations use child labor to harvest their beans. This means kids as young as 8 years old work in the fields from 6am - 4pm. They are climbing trees barefooted and using 2 foot-long machetes to cut open the pods. Many children have been trafficked from poor villages and do not have the opportunity to attend school. Meanwhile, chocolate companies are netting 80 billion dollars.<br />
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Start <a href="http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/19/child-slavery-and-chocolate-all-too-easy-to-find/" target="_blank">here, with this article</a> published in January 2012 by CNN: The Freedom Project.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">UNICEF estimates that nearly a half-million children work on farms across Ivory Coast, which produces nearly 40% of the world’s supply of cocoa. The agency says hundreds of thousands of children, many of them trafficked across borders, are engaged in the worst forms of child labor.</span></blockquote>
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Read <a href="http://allthingshendrick.blogspot.com/2012/10/when-church-halloween-event-is-scarythe_5.html" target="_blank">this blog post</a> about why most church's "Fall Festivals" are scary, even without the scary costumes. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.962963104248047px;"><b>Can you imagine the impact on the chocolate industry if every American church and church goer said "No" to chocolate made by child slaves this Halloween?</b> In our community, there is a growing list of organizations, businesses, and churches hosting Halloween events or Fall Festivals. At each of these events candy will be handed out to guests. Eighty percent of the events planned in our community are organized by local churches. When it comes to Halloween, I think it's fair to say the church is one of the largest consumers of chocolate and will hand out more chocolate on Halloween than businesses or other organizations in America. </span></blockquote>
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Then, you've got to watch this documentary; it's split up into five short segments:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LD85fPzLUjo" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/75E54D4z3fI" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2L_rOjwfQgI" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V2cukoecMrA" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9UQJWGO65PM" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Lastly, go eat some chocolate. The GOOD stuff. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-67620193182429364782012-10-17T10:35:00.001-07:002014-02-26T11:50:29.383-08:00Food: GMOsOne of the goals for this month of 7 foods is to educate myself on what I'm putting inside my body.<br />
<br />
In January, I attended a workshop called "Justice & Junk Food" at the Justice Conference. Since then, I've started scouring ingredient labels and have become rather jaded towards the food industry. I am also much more aware of what I choose to put inside my body. I learned about the "Dirty Dozen" (which fruits and vegetables to buy organic because they contain the most pesticides), "chemical soup" (beware of any pre-packaged, shrink-wrapped, processed foods that contain more than 5 ingredients, and if they do, make sure you can pronounce all the ingredients), and genetically-modified foods known as GMOs.<br />
<br />
Yesterday I watched a fantastic documentary on YouTube called "Genetic Roullete: The Gamble of our Lives."<br />
<br />
GMOs are genetically modified organisms that have been created for animal and human consumption using molecular biology techniques. Plants have been modified so they will resist herbicides and produce more desirable attributes, such as drought-resistance and tolerance toward pests, disease, and cold weather.<br />
<br />
There is a growing concern, however, that GMOs may be inducing many serious health concerns including food allergies, cancer, infertility, heart disease, etc. It should also be noted that countries like Japan, Brazil and parts of Europe have already established rigid regulations on the distribution and labeling of GMO foods and the United States Food and Drug Administration is not following suit. Currently, there are no regulations in the US mandating that genetically modified foods be labeled. (I can check the ingredients list and often find "genetically modified corn starch" listed - crackers, tortillas, you name it! There is no indication anywhere on the package, although some companies are choosing labeling there items as non-GMO.)<br />
<br />
Genetically modified crops have been used in food (from cereal to fish to fruit to corn) in the United States since 1996. Ironically, this is also when the aforementioned health complications rose drastically.<br />
<br />
There is plenty of confusion regarding GMOs. Some people are for it, others are against it. While research may still be inconclusive, I feel uncomfortable putting things in my body that are not in their original form. Am I going to stop eating ice cream and drinking sweet coffee? Well, no. But in the tension I'm currently facing, I will advocate for better food labeling and strive to avoid genetically engineered products where I can. I can do my part by reading labels and making good choices most of the time.<br />
<br />
Please watch this documentary. It's an hour and 20 minutes long and worth every minute. Patients have been cured of food allergies and other ailments and diseases by eating a prescribed non-gmo diet. Even pets can tell the difference in taste between gmo & non-gmo foods. <br />
<br />
Perhaps eating clean really does make a difference.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wnlTYFKBg18" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Additional Resources:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.nongmoproject.org/" target="_blank">Non GMO Project</a> (there is even an iphone app to help you purchase food wisely)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/" target="_blank">Harvest of Fear (PBS Special)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.globalissues.org/issue/188/genetically-engineered-food" target="_blank">Genetically Engineered Food</a></li>
<li><a href="http://justlabelit.org/?key=57583210" target="_blank">Just Label It: We have a right to know</a> (sign a petition to tell the FDA we have a right to know what's in our food)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-3015182196414242542012-10-16T09:11:00.000-07:002014-02-26T11:50:29.373-08:00Food: The Halfway PointIt is finally October 16th, which means I'm on the homestretch of my "7" food experiment.<br />
<br />
While parts of this month have been difficult, eating 7 foods (plus fresh garden produce) is actually quite easy. The dishes I've prepared have been tasty and fresh, fresh, fresh. (See below for some of our favorites.) It's what I <i>can't</i> have that is the most challenging. Really challenging. I've had friends who have given up sugar/chocolate/sweets for lent but I never have. I don't eat much candy and I don't bake much, anyway. However, I am discovering how much I do enjoy it now that I can't have it. (Props to those who have gone 40 days without. I'm struggling with 30, and will not be repeating this challenge any time soon.)<br />
<br />
Don't even get me started on ice cream and sweet coffee sensations. Oh, I miss ice cream. And my weekly coffee treats. Last week, we had an out of town friend unexpectedly stop by to visit. He suggested going out for dinner or ice cream. Before I could even entertain the thought of justifying eating a "treat with a long-lost friend," I invited him over to our house instead. I knew we already had 2/3 of a gallon of Dryer's S'more ice cream on hand that was on the verge of getting freezer burn. I was "saving" it in the event of an insatiable craving knowing it would be wasteful to let it expire. I scooped it into 3 bowls and almost drooled. I savored every bite. And if you know me at all, you know that I'm a horrible ice cream share-er, so Mike, consider yourself pretty special. (I managed to leave one scoop at the bottom of the tub to save for later.)<br />
<br />
We "fudged" the rules a bit this week to accomodate guests. My employer invited me to her birthday party over a month ago, with the promise of excellent food (catered) and wine. She also arranged for an alternative babysitter for Maggie so I could have the evening free to attend. Paul gave me the green light to enjoy myself and I'm so glad he did; it was a delicious spread. I tried to play it cool when I got home, but Paul begged me to tell him what I ate. My response: Four crab cakes, steak and watercress roll-ups, bread with honey butter, fruit with marshmallow dip. Hey, he asked! (and now my stomach is growling.)<br />
<br />
We also attended our monthly "Sticky Faith Family Night" at church Sunday evening. Immediately following the event, Paul was teaching a high school bible study, leaving no time to prepare a meal. So, we decided to eat whatever they had, and it was pizza. Mildly warm, processed pizza. It didn't taste awful, but it certainly didn't taste fresh. Both of us were surprised at our response to the pizza. I thought I'd be giddy, but dare I say I was... disappointed? There was also a bowl of fruit and we helped ourselves to an apple, something I ordinarily wouldn't have chosen.<br />
<br />
The last "fudging" took place last night. We've made fast friends with a new couple in church who immediately started volunteering at youth group. We wanted to have them over for dinner and 1) didn't want to feed them boring chicken without sauce and no dessert, and 2) wait 3 more weeks to have them over when our food rules lifted. So, I made one of our favorite dishes: spaghetti pie. I did my best to use what I could with what I already had on hand (italian sausage in the freezer, the rest of the mozzarella cheese, and I even snuck some zucchini in from the garden). It was ah-mazing. And satisfying. And I don't think I've been that full after a meal since this month started 15 days ago. Oh, and I couldn't have them over for dinner without dessert, so I made apple pie. Don't worry - it's gone already.<br />
<br />
Yes, I suppose we could've found ways to enjoy our friends over a meal without compromising our 7 foods. However, it's been a goal of mine for a while to have people over more often, and this was the perfect opportunity to play hostess. No regrets here.<br />
<br />
On another note, we are eating more fruits and vegetables this month than ever before. And we like them! Paul even voluntarily ate a bowl of salad while he was waiting for me to bring home lunch the other day. I couldn't believe my eyes! I'm typically a "salad with crunchy stuff" eater, which means I add sunflower seeds, craisins, candied walnuts, feta cheese, etc. whenever I can. I'm actually enjoying my simple salad with chopped apples and homemade croutons + dressing.<br />
<br />
I visited a produce stand in town (Peyton's Produce) and learned it's a family's only source of income. I happily purchased a 25 pound box of apples and tried pluots for the first time (a cross between an apricot and a plum. Yum.) Not to mention, she has the yummiest, largest honeycrisp apples I have ever seen, and they were cheaper (and bigger) than the ones at the grocery store. I made tons of applesauce and omitted the sugar in a special batch for the rest of this month. I even liked the taste of it. A lot!<br />
<br />
All of this to say, we are managing with our 7 foods and we certainly aren't wasting away. 14 days remaining, but who's counting?<br />
<br />
*****<br />
Here are some of our favorite meals so far:<br />
<br />
Breaded chicken (egg wash, finely chopped fresh bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and chopped green onion, sautéed in olive oil)<br />
<br />
Chicken sandwich: toasted bread, grilled chicken breast, onion, tomato<br />
<br />
Toasted whole wheat french bread (olive oil and salt under the broiler) with avocado and tomato on top<br />
<br />
Homemade chicken soup using only fresh ingredients - herbs and veggies from the garden.<br />
<br />
Mixed greens salad with grilled chicken, chopped apple, cherry tomatoes, hard boiled egg, homemade salad dressing (olive oil, balsamic vinegar, handful of fresh basil and green onions, lemon juice, salt and pepper) and homemade croutons<br />
<br />
"Toad in a hole" - bread with a hole in the middle for a fried egg<br />
<br />
Applesauce - as variety of apples (gala, honeycrisp, braeburn, fuji, grannysmith), cinnamon and a splash of lemon juice.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-4379877677337516292012-10-08T09:47:00.001-07:002014-02-26T11:50:29.375-08:00Food: Day 8I've had chicken to eat for the last 8 lunches and 8 dinners. That's 16 times in the past week. <br />
Chicken tacos (twice).<br />
Chicken salad (with homemade lemon-basil vinaigrette).<br />
Chicken soup (too many times to count).<br />
Grilled chicken sandwich.<br />
<br />
The chicken is bland without a slice of homegrown tomato.<br />
Bread is dry without butter, but toasted with olive oil and salt - it's not so bad. It also makes good croutons.<br />
<br />
Not too mention I've had eggs every morning for breakfast so far. I'm not tired of it, yet...but I have never in my life purchased eggs so frequently.<br />
<br />
It feels like I'm hungry more often. This strikes me as strange, because I'm not a huge snacker and don't overly indulge on junk food on a daily basis. I don't think I have a high-sugar diet, but I wonder, if by not eating it, my body is responding differently? Whatever it is, I don't necessarily like it. I WANT A COOKIE and I can't have one.<br />
<br />
In the past 24 hours, I have already turned down cookies (twice), homemade brownies and a lemon-poppyseed scone. Not to mention I worked in our church cafe and resisted making myself an espresso drink.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping the spiritual part of this will kick in soon. I've made the first 8 days about me and what I'm missing, and I know that's not the point.<br />
<br />
May you, Lord, make me conscious of what I feast on - literally and figuratively speaking.<br />
May I be open to hearing your voice during this experimentAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-30539247754792254112012-10-08T09:30:00.001-07:002012-10-08T09:30:15.264-07:00Our Journey: Some Days are HardSome days, "trying to get pregnant" is hard...<br />
<br />
Like when Paul read on Facebook the other day that one of our youth group 'kids' got his 18-year old girlfriend pregnant, and they weren't even trying to have a kid.... but he's "excited to be a dad." Really?! <i>You're</i> pregnant, and it's not even in the context that God intended! My cheeks were instantly wet and I choked out the words "so this is when it starts getting hard" and Paul held me.<br />
<br />
Another hard day was my last doctor's appointment. I had an meeting with an infertility nurse in Vancouver. Paul and I drove nearly an hour for a rather unprofessional, impersonal, unorganized appointment. (She didn't have my paperwork in front of her, was using someone else's office, couldn't figure out how to take my blood pressure because her machine was unplugged, didn't turn the lights on in the office, and was texting her daughter during our appointment. Thanks, lady. I drove all the way here for you to ask me questions I've already told my doctor. Thanks, Burgerville, for the redemptive milkshakes on our way home.) More tests, more appointments.<br />
<br />
I've been warned of the difficult parts of trying to conceive. I've been advised to "not let bitterness show its ugly head" and that there can be tension when someone <i>else</i> announces her pregnancy. I experienced this first hand at Bible Study when a friend announced she was expecting her third child. (I swear, something is in the water there!)<br />
<br />
I wanted to celebrate and cry at the same time. I pasted on a grin, let out an "awwwe" and let my other friends do the cheering.<br />
<br />
And then I came home to a kitchen full of dirty dishes and stood at the sink until Paul came home. Eyes burning, hands scrubbing, words faltering, I choked out: "God, I <i>know</i> You are good. God, I know <i>Your</i> timing is perfect. Help me to trust You. Help me with my unbelief." Then I worried that I made my new mama-friend feel bad for sharing her good news.<br />
<br />
So I texted Paul:<br />
<br />
Me: "Just got home from Bible study. Guess who is having another baby? Of course I'm happy for her, but was hit with a wave of sadness, too..."<br />
<br />
Paul: "Do you need your Paulie?"<br />
<br />
Me: "Always do!"<br />
Me: "It's ok... going to think/pray/process for a bit while doing the dishes.<br />
<br />
Paul: "On my way."<br />
<br />
Five minutes later, Paul came home to my sorry state and wrapped me in his arms. Then he cupped my face with his hands and told me he loved me. Then, in his wisdom, he gently asked me if I should text my friend and make sure she knew I was happy for her.<br />
<br />
So I did.<br />
<br />
Me: "Wanted to let you know that I'm really happy for you! I hope you don't feel like you have to stifle your excitement around me - felt like I needed to tell you that."<br />
<br />
Her: "Thank you El! I really appreciate you, and your openness about your journey. I'm really sorry if I made you feel weird... wasn't my intention. You are a kind and thoughtful friend, thanks for sharing in our joy."<br />
<br />
Me: "You didn't at all. Just wanted you to know. :)"<br />
<br />
Thank you, God, for understanding friends and my best-friend-husband. I am surrounded by people who will support me and love me through my struggles, and for that I am grateful.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-46351828764472176112012-10-06T18:08:00.001-07:002014-02-26T11:50:29.377-08:00Food: The First Week<b>Day 2:</b><br />
<br />
This is going to be harder than I thought. I'm afraid that by limiting myself to eating certain things, I might not eat at all because it's much less convenient. Interesting that the true meaning of fasting is really abstaining from food. Hmm. I also spend a significant amount of time at Sarah's (my workplace) during meal hours, and it takes a lot of self control to not raid her fridge/pantry. I did help myself to organic applesauce because it didn't have any added sugar, but you better believe I dumped some cinnamon on it. Yum.<br />
<br />
I'm stretching my rules a bit. I made myself a smoothie using up vanilla yogurt (on the verge of expiring), some frozen fruit (peaches, blackberries, strawberries) and throwing in some spinach. It tasted delicious, and now I'm having a conscious check because my original "rules" involved using up only that which would perish before the month was over. We all know frozen fruit could last in the freezer for a long time. Oops. <br />
<br />
And the justification began:<br />
1) What else was I going to do with the yogurt? (As though it's despicable to eat it without any mix-ins.) <br />
2) I was just using up some spinach before it goes bad. (It's awful without dressing.)<br />
3) I was donating blood in a matter of hours and needed to eat something hearty. Hence, the smoothie and a couple scrambled eggs. After donating, I had a box of raisins and two crackers. I did, however, say no to the cookies and juice!<br />
<br />
For dinner, I was invited out to celebrate my friend Beth's birthday. (There is no way I was turning this down due to my craving for close-proximity girl friends.) We went out for Mexican food and I had a chicken salad. Taco shell, lettuce, tomato, chicken, cheese. No dressing. Tortilla chips and a bit of salsa. I <almost> followed the rules.</almost><br />
<br />
<b>Day 3:</b><br />
<br />
I adhered to the rules today. Eggs for breakfast, straight up no-sugar-added applesauce with cinnamon, and homemade chicken soup. (chicken broth, water, carrots (from the fridge), green beans (from the garden), zucchini (from the fridge), onion (from the fridge), potatoes (from the garden), corn (from the fridge), gnocci (from the cupboard - it expired but wasn't opened), rosemary (from the garden) and some pasta I've had forever. Ok, the pasta was not necessary. I can't seem to get it right!<br />
<br />
<b>Day 4:</b><br />
<br />
I realized I could still make my favorite scramble: eggs, potatoes, onion, rosemary, jalapeno (garden). Yay!<br />
<br />
<b>Day 5:</b><br />
<br />
Paul is home from Pasadena and is joining in on the "fun." We really wanted to catch up over a coffee date at Red Leaf, but resisted. And grumbled a bit. So we resorted to sitting on our own couch, and warmed our hands and puckered our lips with a mug of hot water + lemon juice + cinnamon. Jealous? We drank it and laughed at the simplicity of it all. Simplicity - isn't that one of the goals of this whole experiment?<br />
<br />
Me: *reviewing with Paul what we decided was ok to eat<br />
Paul: "So, if I'm at Andy's for Monday night football, and he provides a bucket of KFC, is that ok to eat?"<br />
Me: "Was it made with olive oil, salt and pepper?"<br />
Paul: "Umm..." *searching for an excuse* "No..."<br />
Me: "Sorry, babe."<br />
<br />
Breakfast continues to be easy, but definitely takes a little more time than pouring cereal in a bowl or eating string cheese on the go.<br />
<br />
When I told Paul I was going to make applesauce, he sweetly inquired: "don't you usually add sugar to that?" I frowned: "Yes, but sugar isn't on the list..." So, I threw some apples (including the skin for extra fiber), water, lemon juice and cinnamon into the pot. Boiled it until the apples were soft, and smooshed it. Nothing fancy about it. Paul took the first bite and I asked him "So, how is it?" His facetious reply: "the best applesauce I've ever tasted." I love this man for his sense of humor. (I was disappointed by the blandness and crunchy skins. I'm peeling the apples next time.)<br />
<br />
<b>Day 6: </b><br />
<br />
Craving all things pumpkin: pumpkin lattes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies, even pumpkin-related goodies I've never tried. I want them and I can't have them.<br />
<br />
Leftover scramble for breakfast, and chicken soup for lunch.<br />
<br />
Grocery shopping was a piece of cake because I could only purchase 7 things. We loaded up on fruit and avocados, organic, free-range chicken, grass-fed chicken eggs, two kinds of wheat bread (with careful consideration of the ingredients - more on this later), and mixed greens (the spinach alone wasn't cutting it so we got a mixture). (Our only non-7-sanctioned item was ultra soft kleenex for my ultra red nose. Stupid cold!)<br />
<br />
Dinner was delicious! We discovered some OLD corn tortillas in a cupboard - no visible expiration date and no visible signs of ick. Ordinarily, I would have tossed them in the garbage, but since we're focusing on limited ingredients for the next 24 days, I wasn't about to throw away a valuable commodity that might still be good. So we made our own tortilla chips (olive oil and salt), salsa (tomatoes, onions, green onions, jalapenos and salt), guacamole (lemon juice, avocados, salt and pepper) and presto: simple chicken tacos. There is hope for this month, after all!<br />
<br />
<b>Day 7:</b><br />
<br />
We followed the rules this morning until the memorial service at church. Janis Wood was an incredible pillar of faith within our church. She died, a suffering servant, and is now singing "Holy, Holy, Holy" to the Lamb of God. No more suffering, no more pain. Janis, we miss you, but wouldn't wish you back to this earth for a second. You are a new woman, and we celebrate your faithful legacy.<br />
<br />
Lunch was provided afterward and there was a ton of homemade Filipino food. We're talking delicious Filipino food. Plates of it. Paul was initially going to limit himself to a bread roll. I was secretly hoping he would just start digging in. We bounced in and out of line, elbowing each other while questioning each other: "what should we do?" We considered this a rare treat, and an opportunity to visit with our church family, so we ate what was provided. As we sat down at our table, Paul looked at me and said "it's for Janis." I giggled.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-21763483637933219312012-10-05T09:00:00.000-07:002012-10-06T17:24:54.983-07:00Our Journey: Research<div>
Moment of truth: I took birth control for 10 years. <br />
A teeny tiny pill that regulated my cycles since I was an anemic 17 year old spending her last summer at home before moving away for college. <i>Ten years!</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Pill was prescribed with such ease by my doctor that nobody had second thoughts, and it seemed to work. I tried periodically over the years to stop taking it to see if my body had regulated itself, but it never did. I was advised to keep taking it. So, I did.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now that I've stopped taking it, I'm rather leery about trying a new medication. Much like a bandaid, I suspect birth control offered a quick and easy solution to the visible issue on the surface. However, I'm not sure it did anything to assist with my underlying issues. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't want just another bandaid. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Enter "Google" and the wonderful world of blogging.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Paul and I are gathering research, taking notes, and making appointments with professionals before we make any decisions regarding treatment. And, most importantly, we are praying for wisdom and discernment as we navigate unfamiliar territory. There have been a few nights where we'll both be laying in bed, laptops in front of us, reading various articles and websites. I'll send him links through google chat and vice versa. I am thankful for a man who will "humor me" by acknowledging the importance of doing our homework, and who is by my side, reminding me of God's gentle promptings and the ways He's promised us children. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
His timing is perfect.</div>
<div>
His ways are perfect.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are some articles by women who have given PCOS a more natural approach:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/10/living-with-pcos-watching-our-hearts.html" target="_blank">Living with PCOS: Guarding Our Heart</a> (A beautifully written excerpt by a woman who addresses the emotional and spiritual toll that infertility can have. She reminds me that there is nothing that God does that is not good. She has written <a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/healthy-living/pcos/page/2" target="_blank">a number of posts</a> about PCOS, including a section of Q and A, treating it naturally, etc.)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/causes-of-infertility-pcos/" target="_blank">Naturally Knocked Up</a> (Love the title!)</li>
<li><a href="http://simplehomemade.net/living-with-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-and-treating-it-naturally/" target="_blank">Simple Homemade: Natural Creativity</a> (A site dedicated to living simply through crafting, composting, and the like.)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-45226665529368309532012-10-04T11:42:00.000-07:002012-10-04T11:42:29.387-07:00Our Journey: The Diagnosis<div>
*originally written June 2012 - waited until now to post*<br />
<br />
It's June, and we're 7 months into our "let's get pregnant" idea, and 0 months pregnant. I went in to the Women's Clinic for a routine exam, shared some of my concerns based on my experience that "something isn't right" with my body, and was promptly scheduled for an ultrasound the following day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That appointment, paired with some lab results affirmed the diagnoses I'd already given myself, so I wasn't the least bit surprised when my doctor left me a voicemail, explaining: "women who have your symptoms generally have PCOS."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
PCOS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My hormones are completely out of whack, I'm constantly plucking black hair from my chin (hello, moment of humility), I'm not ovulating, and I have multiple cysts on my ovaries. Not to mention, PCOS may lead to diabetes and heart disease in the future. For now, it probably means infertility, or at least could take a very long time to get pregnant.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are two different drugs I could take that could increase fertility.</div>
<div>
Wanting to be well informed of associated side effects, risks and benefits of the medications, I turned to what any curious person would.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Google.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-87318493886814230862012-10-02T09:59:00.004-07:002012-10-02T09:59:37.724-07:00Our Journey: We're Ready!It was the last weekend of September 2011, about two months after camp. The school year was underway and the Fall youth group retreats were rapidly approaching.<br />
<br />
We were generously given a weekend-stay at a house in Sunriver. There, we celebrated our 2 year anniversary and the end of a very draining summer.<br />
<br />
We rode bikes till our tushies were sore, enjoyed the hot tub, made fondue, explored Bend's art and musical festival, and put together a puzzle. <br />
<br />
That's when Paul gave me a very special card. In it, he told me he was ready to start a family.<br />
I wept upon reading his words and will always treasure that card, marking the "next step"for the Bricknell's. We embraced, and I probably said "really?" a few times before I really believed him.<br />
<br />
That night, we prayed for our child. Together. Out loud. Sitting in a hot tub.<br />
We prayed for health.<br />
We prayed for a smooth, uneventful delivery.<br />
We prayed he or she would place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ at a young age.<br />
We prayed that we would be ready and willing to accept and love our child, no matter how he or she came to us (through adoption or birth or whatever).<br />
We prayed for the future of our family.<br />
<br />
<br />
We looked at the stars in the dark of the night, enjoying the stillness, beauty, peace and thrill of that moment together.<br />
<br />
And that's when we realized God had spoken to us yet again, at the same time, but individually. <br />
<br />
The band "The Neverclaim" played at our city-wide See You At The Pole event on September 21 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Longview. We met several of our youth group students there and enjoyed a great night of music and prayers for our city and our schools.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
When the lead singer of Neverclaim introduced himself, both of our hearts jumped at the sound of his name. A gentle, unmistakeable stirring. This time, Paul told me first about his experience and I was the one who responded: "me too."<br />
<br />
It was definitely something new and special and mysterious.<br />
Perhaps the name "Jeremiah" holds special significance for our someday-child's life? <br />
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<i>Jeremiah: Yahweh exalts; God will raise up; God will set free</i><br />
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I like it.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-79853281607740716572012-10-01T23:30:00.001-07:002014-02-26T11:50:29.386-08:00Food: Day 1I woke up this morning ready to begin the food challenge and also a little unsure of how this was all going to go down. <br />
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I love breakfast, but since I have to be at work at 7:15, I usually don't eat right away. Today, while making Maggie's lunch, I ate a couple apple slices (convinced apples would be one of my seven foods) with a small spread of peanut butter (debating whether or not to make this one of my 7.) My stomach started growling after I dropped her off at kindergarten, so when I made a quick trip home, I ate a nectarine. (there are 3 of them at perfect ripeness on the counter)<br />
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I confidently said "no" to coffee this morning, even though I was making espresso drinks for some ladies at church for a couple hours. In the midst of steaming milk and pulling shots, I found myself salivating over a pumpkin spice latte. Yes, I could have had one for free, but coffee, as much as I enjoy it, was not going to use up one of my 7 foods. Plus, I like my coffee with delicious flavors pumped full of sugar. Which is precisely why it's time to do without.</div>
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For lunch, I had the remaining, very small portion of leftover pesto tortellini. It was so small I almost don't even want to call it lunch. It did the trick for the time being. Besides, I hadn't really decided what was going to be ok/not ok, and I definitely did not want to waste it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFnICuN6TDh9UdgnjxUINUgcqiO3Aq5GXx-OckP4gQvQ78ftTe8DCd7pOVkPFWrOfk3C8hHQSLm-uxiuW36A7uhE4mJqsnrE-x9kXbUZB6qhZ3TMzvIl8TCzVDHHB1FjYB7Zy3q_vOeg1/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFnICuN6TDh9UdgnjxUINUgcqiO3Aq5GXx-OckP4gQvQ78ftTe8DCd7pOVkPFWrOfk3C8hHQSLm-uxiuW36A7uhE4mJqsnrE-x9kXbUZB6qhZ3TMzvIl8TCzVDHHB1FjYB7Zy3q_vOeg1/s320/photo+(2).JPG" width="240" /></a>For dinner: grilled chicken breast with olive oil, salt and pepper, topped with a slice of mozzarella cheese (already had) and sliced tomatoes (from the garden). I had a bowl of spinach (already had) with oil and vinegar, salt and pepper for the dressing. It was too vinegary and not enjoyable at all. I also had a side of whole grain bread (no butter) with sliced avocado. In addition, I ate corn on the cob which was given to me at Bible study last week. I was pleased at how simple this meal was to prepare, but the salad needs some pizazz to keep me eating it. I typically load my salad up with some crunch - craisens, nuts, seeds, etc. so scaling back with the greens may be difficult to stomach.</div>
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I brought cookies over to Bible study tonight, and although their aroma tantalized me, I resisted. The ones that came home with me went straight into the freezer where I won't have to look at them or smell them for another 29 days.</div>
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Now that I have one day under my belt, I made a list of goals and limitations for this month:</div>
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<li><u>Waste not.</u> This means I'm giving myself permission to use up the perishable items I currently have in my fridge and pantry that will not be edible at the end of this 30 days. (Milk, mozzarella cheese, leftovers.) This also means I'm going to take advantage of the produce in my garden this month.</li>
<li><u>Throw away stuff we're never going to eat.</u> Go through the cupboards, fridge and freezer. Get rid of things that are taking up valuable storage space (like that ready-made lasagna I'm pretty sure was in the freezer before I married Paul three years ago). Donate boxed/canned items. Throw away unlabeled cans (one of our high school house sitters thought it would be funny to remove all the labels from our canned food. I'll admit: it <i>was</i> funny. But, I can't handle the mystery of anonymous canned foods.)</li>
<li><u>Donate.</u> I drive past hungry people holding cardboard signs almost every day. I want to make an effort to share food with them. I'd also like to explore our local food program called "FISH" and "The Community House". Since I didn't grow up around here, I don't know what options are available for the hungry.</li>
<li><u>Research.</u> I am becoming increasingly more aware of scary chemicals and toxins in the food we eat. I'm devoting this month to watching documentaries and reading articles regarding food and how it's prepared. Over the past 8 months, I've started reading ingredient labels and do my best to avoid genetically-modified (GMO) foods and "chemical soup" (ingredients I can't pronounce). I am having some health complications and want to reap the benefits of a no-sugar, all real-food diet.</li>
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After much deliberation, I finally settled on these 7 foods:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Chicken</li>
<li>Whole wheat/grain bread</li>
<li>Seasonal fruit (mainly apples)</li>
<li>Potatoes</li>
<li>Spinach (dare I say I'm already regretting this choice?)</li>
<li>Eggs </li>
<li>Avocado</li>
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These seven foods are very similar to what author Jen Hatmaker ate during her food challenge month. They are whole foods (not processed, true to their original form) and a good balance of nutrients and fats.</div>
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I also made an addendum based on goal number one above:</div>
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<li>Use up perishable items like bread, tortillas, veggies, milk, cheese, etc. But when they're gone, they're gone.</li>
<li>Take advantage of our garden produce and be creative in implementing them to my meals: basil, green beans, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, potatoes and green onions.</li>
<li>I'm going to try to limit my seasonings to salt, pepper, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice and cinnamon.</li>
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One down, 29 to go.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100582306024114599.post-67568539709366552382012-10-01T22:36:00.001-07:002014-02-26T11:50:29.381-08:00The 7 ChallengeWhen I happened upon the book "7: an experimental mutiny against excess" by Jen Hatmaker, I bought it. Immediately.<br />
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I started reading it as soon as UPS delivered it to my doorstep. Caught up in the moment, I talked Paul's ear off when he came home from work. I must have done a horrible job paraphrasing the book to him because he clearly wasn't sharing my enthusiasm. I think I threw him for a loop when I mentioned eating the same 7 foods for one month and wearing the same 7 clothes for one month, and so on.<br />
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< Insert blank stare. ><br />
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A few hours later, we were on the road to the coast for our Anniversary weekend. Paul was driving, which meant I had a captive audience. (Sneaky, I know." I read a few pages out loud to wet his appetite, and then stopped abruptly to gauge his response. <br />
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Paul: "Are you going to keep reading?"<br />
Me: "Do you want me to?"<br />
Paul: "Yeah. I think I like it."<br />
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Three chapters later, we mutually agreed to try the principles in the book and seek God through simplified living. <br />
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<i>The overview:</i><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
American life can be excessive, to say the least. That’s what Jen Hatmaker had to admit after taking in hurricane victims who commented on the extravagance of her family’s upper middle class home. She once considered herself unmotivated by the lure of prosperity, but upon being called “rich” by an undeniably poor child, evidence to the contrary mounted, and a social experiment turned spiritual was born. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="border: 0px none; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">7</i> is the true story of how Jen (along with her husband and her children to varying degrees) took seven months, identified seven areas of excess, and made seven simple choices to fight back against the modern-day diseases of greed, materialism, and overindulgence. </blockquote>
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<b>Food. Clothes. Spending. Media. Possessions. Waste. Stress.</b> </blockquote>
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They would spend thirty days on each topic, boiling it down to the number seven. Only eat seven foods, wear seven articles of clothing, and spend money in seven places. Eliminate use of seven media types, give away seven things each day for one month, adopt seven green habits, and observe “seven sacred pauses.” So, what’s the payoff from living a deeply reduced life? It’s the discovery of a greatly increased God—a call toward Christ-like simplicity and generosity that transcends social experiment to become a radically better existence</blockquote>
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In my experience, fasting is uncomfortable, difficult and inconvenient. According to Bill Bright, fasting means "exchanging the needs of the physical body for those of the spirit." And Jen Hatmaker, author of <i>7</i>, says fasting is "an intentional reduction, a deliberate abstinence to summon God's movement in my life. A fast creates margin for God to move." <br />
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I want that. All of it.<br />
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And so, I'm embracing the next 7 months with conviction, excitement, and anxiety. I'm SO ready to be spiritually challenged and to hear from the Lord in new ways.<br />
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Month 1: <b>Food</b>. Choose 7 "real" foods to eat every day for one month.<br />
Month 2: <b>Clothes</b>. Wear the same 7 articles of clothing for one month.<br />
Month 3: <b>Possessions</b>. Give away 7 possessions each day, every day for a month.<br />
Month 4: <b>Media</b>. Eliminate 7 types of media for one month.<br />
Month 5: <b>Waste</b>. Adopt 7 green habits.<br />
Month 6: <b>Spending</b>. Limit spending to 7 places for the month.<br />
Month 7: <b>Stress</b>. Observe 7 sacred pauses each day for the month.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15574516478493510006noreply@blogger.com0