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Wednesday, April 9, 2014

I want more of You

Current mood: Thoughtful/Impatient

Current song: I Can Feel You


I see you removing stuff from my life, and like I've said before I know it' s for my good, but I can't see it yet. Where are all the new friendships, since some of the old ones don't exist anymore? Will you replace them with better? With deeper friendships and relationships? With you

In order to see and recognize the light, it must be placed in the dark. Light only shines bright among the dark. His Glory shines bright everywhere, but works the best in the midst of darkness. I want to see you at work in my life, I want to feel it,  I want it to overwhelm me. 

 "The more of you I see, it leaves me wanting more" 

Jesus, be at work in my life and allow me to recognize it, so I desire more of you. 

Oh God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself, how I praise you! Psalm 63:1-3


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Monday, April 7, 2014

Take Me Serious: Human Trafficking

For once I just wish someone would take me serious. I feel like most people don't because of my age. I am 22 years old, and yeah I haven't lived a lot of my life, but I know a lot of things. Im tired of telling people about the things I'm passionate about or issues that I am aware on, and nobody believes me, because I'm just Ashley, and what do I know. I couldn't even count the times someone has disregarded what I had to say about human trafficking, or when I try to suggest a healthy alternative, I am currently being educated about it at school in my health class and at my work. OR how about when I talk about disability and access, and people also disregard that, because again I don't know what Im talking about, even though my entire major and focus at school is centered on disability.
 Are you kidding me?
 
I got into it with someone, because I was telling them I spotted something that made me really uncomfortable and I then suggested that this girl, who was sitting with an older man who inappropriately touched her and she was pulling away, looked terrified, could have been kidnapped. I was told: "That is a huge accusation", (yes, I understand that), "That doesn't happen here", (Yes it does, it happens all of the time), "Stop associating everything you see to human trafficking", (Im aware of the signs, so I can recognize it), "They wouldn't be out in public", (Of course they would, they are trying not to stand out.) "Stop talking about it all of the time, that doesn't happen here, your are making people feel uncomfortable" (are you kidding me, what if this was your child? Your friend's child? It happens everywhere, right under your nose).
If we can't recognize the signs and call it/report it carefully when you see it, we will never be able to make difference in the number of slaves in the world. I would rather be safe then sorry. I was in a position where of course I was UNABLE to approach the young girl and this older man, but that doesn't mean I refrain from doing anything. Even if it is not a case of trafficking, it could have been a kidnapping. It was clearly something suspicious and wrong, and it scared me. This young girl was so afraid of this man, and I just wanted to go over there and protect her. I called the Polaris Project which is a national hotline for human trafficking, if you guys ever suspect anything that isn't right, call this number!
  1-888-373-7888
Even if it isn't directly involved with trafficking they do their best to provide you with ways you can help, and people you can call in your area to get it checked out. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE save this number to your phone. Calling could save a life. It isn't worth it, to just ignore, and to not get involved. If not you, who is going to say something? They have no voice and it is up to us to help. 
 Please don't just sit back and ignore the fact that HUMAN TRAFFICKING is a HUGE industry and it happens all around the world, in the states, and in your town. According to the Polaris Project website there are an estimated 100,000 children in the sex trade in the UNITED STATES! This is not something to be ignored, and slavery is not something of the past. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and risk what you have?

If you want more info, contact me and I will do my best to provide you with other organizations you can look into, and information on human trafficking. Please spread the word, it still amazes me how many people are ignorant, unaware, and refuse to believe this goes on. 
Comment, share, and show some love!



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Thursday, April 3, 2014

If Everything was Taken Away


After being flooded with midterms, I am finally starting to feel a bit relieved. Spring break is right there, I can almost taste it! Haha! I have  a bunch of homework to do over break and I won't be going anywhere, so I should be good. I cannot believe it is already April, this semester is going so fast! 
I've recently just felt so overwhelmed, school, scheduling, dance, just got a job, and one of my best friends just left for Florida to go work with YWAM and I am so excited for her, but a little sad cause she was a big reason why I would visit home, and now she isn't there.

I really feel like God has me in this season of learning to entirely rely on him, thats what he wants all the time, but a lot of my friendships have been taken away from me, or just been put on hold for a while and it is actually starting to really get to me. I'm away at school and some of my best friends I don't really talk to anymore, for certain reasons. A couple weeks ago I just lost it. I broke down in tears to my roommate and it all just came out. I was upset I haven't talked to one of my best friends, and it feels like that friendship isn't even there anymore, I had another friendship just kind of evaporate, I don't even know what happened, and my other best friend just went to Florida. On top of that I had midterms, and I just couldn't take it. 

Why would God want me to lose some of my friendships, some of my best friends. They weren't bad friends, they were solid, encouraging, and incredible.

 What did I do? 
I was feeling lonely, and that sucked. This semester I made some new friends who share the same beliefs, and we actually started a bible study where we live and I got involved with this Christian Fellowship club on campus. God always has plans for his children. When he takes something away he has something better. Its been hard to trust that and cling to that, but I have to. It is what it is, it's all I need. It is enough. 


This got me thinking about Job; if God took everything away from me, my friends, my family, my health, would I still be okay? Its hard to think about. How would you guys feel if that was all taken away? Would you still be able to praise God in the midst of all of that and maintain hope and peace?
If you're human than I probably know what you're thinking..."uhhh thats a tough one and I'll get back to you on that."
God can take my friends, but my family? Uhhh.
God can take my stuff, but my health?  
What about your car? Your home?

Jesus needs to be the bottom of our joy, he needs to be our foundation, because everything does not make sense and will fall apart if he isn't our true source of happiness. Thats the way he designed us. 
Jesus wants all of us! No distractions he wants our hearts and souls. 
It's a hard concept to grasp, that I really have to be willing to give it all up even when it's the things I value most...But when Jesus is what I value most it should be no problem.

Jesus is the bottom of my joy, and when Jesus is the bottom of my joy, all that other stuff doesn't matter. 

"I find joy in everyday, not because life is good, but because God is"



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