See Jamie...

What I'm Doing Wednesday...

2009-10-21T07:57:00.000-07:00

Working on my Link Love

I am busy putting all of the finishing touches to this site and one of my favorite elements is absent at the moment. It's time to give all of my blogging buddies a little link love, and that's where you come in. Please comment to this post with you URL and site name so that I can add you to my blogroll. Thanks for your help!

Make it a great day and remember to en-JOY all of the little things!

What I'm Doing...Part 4

2009-10-19T06:06:00.000-07:00

Hope for the Darkness

He will help the oppressed, who have none to defend them…
• “73.7% of all girls trapped inside the brothel system must be rescued if they are to ever reach the outside world again.” –Kamala Sarup, Nepal correspondent with Lys Anzia, Women News Network

If the story were to end when we walked out of the district, I would be hopeless. I don’t want to see a need just to be better informed. I don’t want God to break my heart just for the sake of breaking it. I believe that there is a bigger purpose–that God allows us to see things not only for awareness, but because He invites us to be the solution.

God is moving in the red light district. He is rescuing, saving, healing and transforming. He will redeem the helpless. One way or another, His justice will cover them. He is already raising an army:
Former prostitutes.
Former madams.
Former pimps.
And you.

Vast darkness may seem overwhelming, but He is a very Big God. When His beloved shields the powerless, even nations quake with His glory.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. –Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)

To learn more about Red Light Rescue visit www.sowerofseeds.org/rescue.

Sign a pledge to help the forgotten daughters here: http://sowerofseeds.org/project.php?id=25&tab=16

What I'm Doing...Part 3

2009-10-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Born Into Darkness

Sexual slavery: a legacy none want to leave…

Ninety-five percent of children of prostituted women will become prostitutes themselves.
–Sheela Remedios, Project Child (via Robert I. Freedman, “India’s Shame: Sexual Slavery and Political Corruption are Leading to an AIDS Catastrophe,” The Nation, 8 April 1996

On our way to the next brothel, there was a prostitute lying on a cot under a tent with her pimp at a table next to her. She had white medicine covering the open wounds all over her face. We couldn’t get details, but apparently something happened the night before. She lay in the fetal position while her child crawled around next to her.

In another brothel, a woman sat next to me on the floor, wearing a beautiful blue-flowered sari. This woman had sent her daughter to a home for children because she didn’t want her to grow up as a prostitute. When we prayed for her, one of our team (a mother too) hugged her and began wailing as the woman cried. They grieved together for her deep loss, one mother to another.

Children are everywhere in the district. I learned from our guides that the mothers often hide them under the bed or drug them to keep them quiet and safe during “work”. If not given to a home, most of the children will end up sexually abused themselves or trafficked into another brothel. The mothers are forced to raise their children in depravity, or give them to a home. For most of the women, their children are the only ones who have ever truly loved them. It is a painful dilemma.

What I'm Doing...Part 2

2009-10-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

The Victims

Trapped in the darkness…

• In Asia’s largest red light district, three square kilometers are home to an estimated 40,000 women working its 24 lanes, earning at least $200 million a year in revenue for their traffickers. They service up to 25 clients a day and make around $1.50.

Although young, the women carried ancient heaviness. As we prayed, each face expressed something different. The girl to my left was dressed in the classic skirt and tank top that many of the young prostitutes wear. She was from east India, maybe Nagaland or Shilong and looked to be around twenty-two. She cried the entire time we were there, but when we prayed for her, she sobbed. Looking into her eyes I could see both desperation and hope.

I thought about some of the stories I heard before we came—a girl with a large scar on her forearm where a client had paid to cut the skin off with a razor. Another whose pimp sent man after man to rape her until she gave in to his demand of walking the street for him. Girls kept in secret cages, beaten, starved, abandoned. The poverty in India is horrendous. Most of these women were from the poorest, most desolate slums where their families could not imagine a worse fate for them than the one they were born into. And yet, here they were…

One woman really caught my attention. She was about nineteen and had a black scarf with brightly colored stripes pinned tightly along her hairline, covering her hair. As she gazed, her eyes, lined with thick black cagel (coal eyeliner), revealed years of abuse and neglect. There was openness about her, but also the oppression of a seductive spirit. I could feel the spiritual battle going on for her soul.

I thought of the woman with the Alabaster jar–how overcome she must have felt when Jesus looked at her with love. In the midst of this brothel, with its curtained “rooms” and hollow inhabitants, I have never before felt a more real, tangible presence of Jesus. Even in the dark-stained eyes of this forgotten daughter, He was with her, like a warm, bright light. It was like He was physically standing next to her saying “This is my daughter. The world has forgotten about her, but I haven’t forgotten. I’m right here with her, right here as everyday she is mistreated. I see it all and I don’t leave for one second.”

What I'm Doing Wednesday...

2009-10-14T11:55:00.000-07:00

Tears fall. My heart is breaking. I am wrecked. Two worlds collide in my soul and will never seperate. I can not turn my head. I can't do everything but, I must do SOMETHING!! He reminds me that His burden is light...with Him there is hope even when hope seems impossible.

Please join me in reading about one woman's journey into the brothels of India. For the next few days, I want to show you what's been on my heart relentlessly. My eyes have been opened to the reality of human trafficking and I am committed to doing my part to raise awareness. Please join me in this effort.

Into The Heart of Darkness
by Christie Weehunt, 23
India Office Liaison for Sower of Seeds International

In the summer of 2009, a group from SOS dressed in Indian attire and entered Asia’s largest red light district to pray for the prostitutes working inside. Guiding us were several Indian women who minister daily to these forgotten daughters. What we saw on the streets and in the brothels was dark and horrible, but deeper still were the seeds of Christ, shining like lamps of hope.

His eyes are on His precious ones, and He is hungry for their redemption.

The Darkness

A few facts…

• Human trafficking: The act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring, or receipt of persons by use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or giving of payments to a person in control of the victim. Victims are purposed for sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, or removal of organs.

• In India, there are over 3 million sex trafficking victims, 1.2 million of them are children. Girls between 10 and 12 fetch the highest price. They are thrown in cages for up to 3 years while they are repeatedly raped, beaten, and tortured until they lose all of their will. Then they are sent out on the streets as prostitutes, making money for their captors.

I was told we were dressing up in Indian outfits to minister in the darkest, dirtiest corner of Asia: the largest red light district. I had no idea what it would be like, but I knew I would never forget the day.

As we walked down the crowded, narrow lanes, we had to step carefully over the heaping piles of trash and sewage at our feet. Rats scurried everywhere. It was late morning and the district was slowly waking up after a night’s work. Women were playing with their children and doing each other’s hair. Street vendors were making breakfast and selling tea. Tables full of pimps were out playing cards and relaxing.

Walking into that first brothel was like walking into a slum house. There were probably twelve women my age crowded around our team as we entered. We squeezed into the front room–as many women as could fit. A curtain blocked the entrance to their “rooms.” Small children mingled all around. An occasional customer came by, but the madam turned them away at the door. Her girls had special visitors.

I was mesmerized by the place, the faces. I looked at each of the women present, captured by what I saw in their eyes. Some blankly stared outside, others cried. I wanted to know each woman’s story, where she was from, how she ended up here.

But for a little geography, it could have been me.

Manic Monday

2009-10-12T06:15:00.000-07:00

Have you ever waited until the last minute to cook dinner only to decide that it would be easier to just go out to eat?

Do you go to the grocery store without a list and just buy whatever looks good only to realize that you don't have what you really need once you get home?

Does cooking dinner for your family stress you out because of all of the time involved?

This time last year, my answer to all of those questions would have been a resounding YES!!! But, I've found a way to simplify shopping and cooking for my family that makes life in the kitchen SIMPLE! So, this Manic Monday post is my solution for saving time and money when it comes to cooking for your family...MEAL PLANNING!

The process for meal planning is painless and uncomplicated. I shop every Wednesday because that is the day for the BEST deals at my favorite grocery store here in the DFW Area(Sprouts). On Tuesday nights, I peruse the weekly deals at Sprouts to make sure that I include everything that is on sale in my meals for the week. Then, I plan a meal(hence the name meal planning heehee) for each night of the week. As I decide on the meal for each day, I make my grocery list accordingly.

The best way to save money doing this is to plan your meals using what is ON SALE!! For example, if lean ground beef is on sale for $1.79 when it's usually $2.79, I would be making spaghetti that week for sure! I also plan the kid's snacks and lunches by what is on sale as well. You can subscribe to the weekly specials at your favorite grocery store by visiting their websites.

Once you've planned your meals and added your family neccessities to the shopping list, it's time to head to the store. This is where it was a little tricky for me in the beginning. First, because I FORGOT the list on a couple of occasions. It's impossible to remember everything without a list. Second, because I didn't stick to the list. My goal with meal planning was to save money, but I couldn't very well do that if I was throwing in something off of the impulse shelves every other aisle. After a couple of months of getting my meal planning down to a science, we began to notice a BIG difference in our grocery spending. We went from spending an average of $125/week to $75/week which is a savings of about $200/month!! Now, I play a little game with myself to see how much money I can save for the week.

My favorite thing about meal planning is I don't have to stress out about what to cook for dinner every day because it's already been decided. I just make sure that all of my ingredients are thawed out and ready to go first thing in the morning.

I hope that meal planning will relieve some stress from your life and help you to save a little $$ in the process. Let me know your thoughts and if you have anything else that might make meal planning even more successful for me. Have a great day and en-JOY cooking for your family this week!

Fun Fact Friday...

2009-10-09T14:06:00.000-07:00

I have some amazingly talented friends!

Check out my running buddy Andi here. Andi has been one of my dearest friends for the past 4 years and her writing skills BLOW me away. Be sure to check out her story on the site if you are a runner!

My sweet sister-in-law Angie is a seamstress extraordinaaire! If you are looking for the perfect gift for the foodie in your life(hint hint...ME) check out her work at Apple Pie Aprons here.

For a beautiful, authentic look at life, visit my friend Andrea here. Her posts always inspire me and provoke my soul to dream bigger.

Are you as obsessed with personal stationary as I am?? Then it's time for you to check out the work of my friends Glenda and Rhoda at Happy Hearts!! It's time to start thinking about Christmas Cards so do a little shopping here today!

En-JOY your weekend. I'll be back for Manic Monday!

What I'm Doing Wednesday

2009-10-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

Dreaming...

Of cool breezes, crisp apples, baking bread, the smell of pumpkin pie, fun sweaters, wonderful candles, costumes, Sunday football with a pot of chili cooking in the kitchen, Thanksgiving, pumpkin patches, yummy soups, time with family, lazy days under a warm blanket, all things wonderful!

These are just a few of the reasons that I heart fall. Today we are home from vacation and our time away seems to have brought my favorite transition in seasons and has me daydreaming of all of the pleasures of autumn. Take some time to en-JOY the little things!

Manic Monday...(sorry it's late)

2009-10-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Fall is upon us and for me that means one great way to simplify my weeknight cooking...the Crockpot! If you feel rushed at night to throw a quick, tasty, and somewhat healthy meal together for your family, the crockpot may become your best friend this Fall, too. I love that I can throw a few ingredients into my appliance of choice in the morning and later that afternoon all of the ingredients have magically combined to create an inviting aroma and a meal that the whole family is sure to love.

For this Manic Monday, I want to share some of my favorite Crockpot Recipes. My hope is that you will be able to slow down and enjoy the luxuries of Fall(pumpkin candles, kids playing outside, the cool breeze) while your crockpot does the cooking for you!

Taco Soup

INGREDIENTS:
1 pound lean ground beef -- browned and drained
2 packages taco seasoning mix
1 16oz can diced tomatoes
1 16oz can black beans -- undrained
1 16oz can corn -- undrained
1 can black olives -- chopped or sliced
1 4 oz can diced chiles
1 medium onion -- chopped
1/2 bell pepper -- chopped

DIRECTIONS

Place everything in a large crockpot, add water, if necessary, to fill. Cook on Low for 5 or more hours until flavors are blended. Top each bowl with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese. Serve with sour cream, taco chips, avocadoes, and salsa on the side. Serves 6.

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
Courtesy of Food Network Kitchens

Ingredients
2 pounds ground chicken, coarsely ground preferred
3 tablespoons chili powder, plus 2 teaspoons
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can white beans, drained and rinsed
2 (28-ounce) cans diced fire roasted tomatoes
1 medium sweet potato (about 10 ounces), peeled and shredded
1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup instant tapioca (recommended: Minute tapioca)
1 to 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce with seeds, chopped
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch ground cloves
1/2 to 3/4 cup lager-style beer, optional
Toppings: Sour cream, shredded Cheddar or Jack cheese, chopped scallions, and chopped pickled jalapenos
Directions
Put the chicken in the slow cooker. Add 3 tablespoons of the chili powder and all the rest of the ingredients, except the beer. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours.

Just before serving, stir in the remaining 2 teaspoons of chili powder, the beer, if using, and season with more salt and pepper, to taste, if desired. Divide the chili among warm bowls. Serve with the topping of your choice.

Know-How: Stirring in chili powder right before serving brightens the flavor of the chili.

Fun Fact Friday...

2009-10-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

Everyone should eat SUPERFOODS!!

In the quest towards running my first marathon, I have started to put a legitimate effort into my nutrition. For those of you reading who may not know me personally, there's something that I need to fill you in on. You see, some people eat to live. But, this girl LIVES to eat!! I love food...everything about it. I see food in descriptive adjectives. Food is a passion that makes this life so sweet(and salty at times, too). However, I don't always make the BEST food choices. In an effort to properly fuel my body, I've started researching superfoods. They're not faster than a speeding bullet and they don't wear a bold cape or have a catchy theme song, but they do AMAZING things to keep you healthy!

This week's Fun Fact is the 7 Superfoods that should be in your diet for this Fall! Eating these autumn staples will help to keep you in tip-top shape. Check out this article by Merritt Watts featured in Self Magazine to read all about them. Then, it's off to your favorite supermarket(mine is Sprouts) to stock up on this cornicopia of color!

Have a great weekend and remember to en-JOY this life we've been so richly blessed with!

What I'm Doing Wednesday...

2009-09-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

RUNNING!!

At 5:15 every Tuesday and Thursday morning, my alarm pulls me away from my dreams. Most mornings, I wish for just 5 more minutes of slumber, but I quickly remember that someone is waiting for me. That someone is MY running partner(emphasis on my because for about 2 years prior to meeting Jen, I was the third wheel to all of my other running buddies). Our time together pounding the pavement is about so much more than just running...we are doing life together and our hearts are learning more about the endurance it takes to survive the ups and downs of life as we push ourselves physically. I love that Jen pushes me...to be faster, to go longer, to be the best that I can be.

In the quest to be the best runner that I can be, I have committed to a goal that has always seemed completely out of reach for a girl like me...26.2 miles. Just typing that number makes my legs quiver just a bit(ok, maybe a lot). But, if God allows and my body withstands the brutal training that lies ahead of me, I will be running the Cowtown Marathon in February.

For the next few months, on about 4 early mornings a week, you'll find me and my running shoes setting out on the journey towards the ever elusive 26.2! If you have tips for nutrition, training, or any other encouragement you might deem necessary for this novice marathoner, please divulge. I would love as much insight as you are willing to give.

Make it a great day and remember to en-JOY life!!

Welcome

2009-09-28T12:05:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new home on the blogosphere. I am beyond excited about my new site. This blog is dedicated to helping people find joy in the daily "to-do's" of this life. I will write about all of the things that give me life: running, cooking, my man, our kids, The Word, serving, friends, and more.

My new format will feature three posts a week...
- Manic Mondays will be focused on cutting out the chaos of life. I'll give my two cents on ways to save time, money, and sanity.

- What I'm Doing Wednesday will be all about my life as I see it. I may post on running, a cause I'm passionate about or just cute pics of the family.

-Fun Fact Friday will be random at best(disclaimer: these facts are only fact to me) and a fun way for me to share the things that I love. So please join me as you will "see me" doing this thing called life.

I want to give a little shout out to my friend Jenn Day who is the mastermind behind the vision for this blog. Thanks so much for the inspiration my friend!