Get the word out: Human trafficing needs to be stopped

On 22 December 2010, President Barack Obama and The White House proclaimed January 2011 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

"Although the United States has made great strides in preventing the occurrence of modern slavery, prosecuting traffickers and dismantling their criminal networks, and protecting victims and survivors, our work is not done. We stand with those throughout the world who are working every day to end modern slavery, bring traffickers to justice, and empower survivors to reclaim their rightful freedom. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. Together, we can combat this crime within our borders and join with our partners around the world to end this injustice."

- President Barack Obama

(http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/22/presidential-proclamation-national-slavery-and-human-trafficking-prevent)

Please take advantage of this opportunity to educate yourself and educate others on the problem of human trafficking and modern slavery. The fight against injustice is a long and tedious fight. But victory is possible! In short, education leads to awareness, awareness fights demand, and reduced demand reduces supply.

READ the Department of State's "Trafficking in Persons Report 2010" which included the USA in its findings for the first time.

DO ONLINE SEARCHES FOR ORGANIZATIONS like...

The International Justice Mission
Free the Slaves
Abolish Slavery (w/ Aaron Cohen)
The DNA Foundation
Love146
Amnesty International
Polaris Project
Not For Sale Campaign
Shared Hope International
Loose Change to Loosen Chains
The U.S. State Department, etc.

FIND OPPORTUNITIES to work, intern, and get involved.

READ BOOKS like "A Crime So Monstrous" by E. Benjamin Skinner, "Modern Slavery" by Kevin Bales, "Good News about Injustice" and "Just Courage" by Gary Haugen, "Slave Hunter" by Aaron Cohen, and others.

TELL OTHERS.

SPEAK UP. SEEK JUSTICE. Proverbs 31:8-9.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE TO SPREAD THE WORD! :)

BE THE CHANGE.

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P.S. - Charity is having a special challenge to spread the word about human slavery. Check her BLOG out to find out more!

To Make God Smile

There is just way too much to do in life! The problem is, I can't do it all and so I actually have to make a choice! Decisions. Options. Details. Preferences. Alternatives. Selections. Possibilities.

One life.

From my point of view, some of these choices (like jobs, collages, majors, cars, classes, when, and where) seem so pivotal. I feel like the whole future of my life depends on my decision.

Fortunately, God has a different view. He sees reality, the way things really are. The reality is, God has a plan for my life... even to the end. Because He's sovereign, God has my life under control. My choices won't be a surprise to Him.

I know this is true, but in the midst of life's craziness it's often hard to believe. Sometimes, I start believing the lie that I actually plan my life. Although I do have choices, and although my choices do effect my life, I'm not the one who directs it. I'm tired of worrying over the future, so I'm giving it over to the One who has it in His hands anyway. I will seek Him for every decision, and I will trust Him.

God delights in being trusted. Want to make God smile? Then trust Him. Trust Him with everything. Trust Him with your life. I can't see the road ahead and I still don't know what all of my decisions will be. But I'll leave the answer to God. After all, He's written all of history - I'm sure He can write my life.

A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Officially Official

What kind of blogger am I? I haven't posted since the beginning of the year! *tsk, tsk, tsk* If you can pretend that this post was posted two weeks ago, then I shall consider you the most wonderful blog followers ever! =)

So, I figured, as I am seventeen years of age, that it might be about time for me to go through the process of obtaining an automobilist's certificate of authorization to operate a potentially hazardous vehicle. In other words, I decided to get my driver's license.




This is what I looked like before I took the drivers test. I wasn't really nervous, just... uncertain.





After waiting for nearly two hours past the time I was given, this is almost what I looked like (but I didn't fall asleep).

Finally, my moment of destiny came.

A very rigid and intimidating-looking man introduced himself as my evaluator. At least he smiled. Still, he looked strict; but my hope rested upon the fact (other than my mad driving skills) that since it was the end of the day, he would be tired and pass me just to get done.

A nugget of advice: If you are about to take your driving test, pray that you don't get an instructor that mumbles, because it is quite hard to hear exactly what you're supposed to do.

I finished my drive without an major mishaps. When I stopped, my instructor informed me that, to pass my drive test, I had to score at least a 75. Then he told me that I scored a 1. As I could not perceive how that was possible, seeing that I did not crash, I assumed he was kidding. (My assumption was fortunately correct.)

End of story: I passed. 





This is what I looked like after I passes. It was a great day.



Hurry! iheart's giveaway ends Monday!

You could win Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris PLUS and $10 gift card to a store of your choice! All you've got to do is go and enter at iheart's blog.

But hurry, it ends on Monday, January 10. Click HERE to enter.

And while you're there, go ahead a follow their blog - it's so encouraging and inspiring. Becky, Jessica and Madison all have a heart for the Lord, and it's obvious from their blog. Go and check it out! =)

~Chloe

Teach me to number my days...

At some point in my life I guess I'll have to stop being so surprised at how fast the year goes by! (And from what I hear, the older you get, the faster it seems.) Oh. My. I was just getting used to writing "2010" on all of my school papers. So... is it just me, or does the new year mess up your dates too?  *grins*

I am convinced that life is like a freight train going downhill: it seems to start out slow in the beginning; but then it picks up speed as it goes along, getting faster and faster! Then all of a sudden, the ride is over.

Because the new year comes so quickly, it reminds me of how short life on this earth is. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes (according to James 4:14). I think that so often we get so caught up in life that we forget that it's going to end. And since we don't know for sure when our lives will end, we just take it for granted that we have plenty of time. But our time is short.

What if you knew that 2011 would be your last year to live - you only had 12 months left.... Would you live it differently than any other year? Some people might do the things they've always dreamed of doing, like sky diving, getting tickets to the Super Bowl, touring France, recording an album, or even [insert your own life dream here]. But if you believed what the Bible said, you'd probably strive to do things that are of eternal value. (Of course, it's just plain sense to plan for the future, but there's a lot to be gained by living like your days are numbered.)

New Year's is filled with expectations, resolutions, and goals - all of which are very helpful. But more important than New Year's resolutions is how you actually live. Here's some great ways you can make 2011 count for eternity:

• Begin praying that God will use this year to equip and prepare you for His purpose for your life.
• Find a local Christian ministry where you can volunteer and invest your time - even it's only once a month.
• READ. It challenges your worldview and "expands your horizons." Go to my FAVES page for some good ones to start with. =)
• If you've never studied in-depth a book of the Bible, this year would be a great year to do it! I studied Philippians this past semester and I'm still amazed at how much I've gained from it!
• - Find a way to specifically serve someone each month and record what you do and learn in a journal. Jesus came to earth to serve, so it should be important to us too!

Those are just a few. There are SO many other ways to make your year purposeful. What are some of your ideas? What are some of your goals this year?

 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)