The Beauty of Love

Love feels the  soul with happiness,

Brings everyone to togetherness;

It  fills the heart  with delight,

Sweeps darkness and brings  light;

Welcomes  kindness, and declares  peace,

Wipes envy and  replaced by grace.

If we can get together and say “No” to hate,

If we all would welcome love to our heart;

Denying the worst bringing the best,

We can make this world a better place.

No matter what they say and what  other do to us,

Let’s fight them with a sword of love.

Let's draw a picture let’s paint together,

Let's sing a song of love bring a smile to sadness;

Giving, caring, and not expecting,

Singing like a bird flying and walking;

Field with love ready to serve.

Yes we can fill the earth with beautiful hymns

No matter where you are in heaven or earth,

Make sure you love others show them kindness;

So they see only mercy never ever meanness,

Treasures of love that comes deep from the heart.

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

Image Credit: Irene Sheri

 

Falling Gracefully

I was walking alone and I stumbled on rock,

I fell gracefully  in the hands of god.

I relaxed my muscle and I rolled up my head,

I was bruised a little but it didn’t feel that bad.

His hands felt so soft and yet very strong,

Everything was ok there was nothing wrong.

I felt so safe and secure and continued to walk,

Protected by him around the clock.

From the outside it may look really bad,

But I wish you could all see, the peace I feel inside.

My faith was strong and my fall was all planned,

I was protected by the almighty God.

Don’t try desperately to avoid your fall,

Unless you want to have a painful run.

Plan your fall a head have faith in your heart,

He will wait for you so you can land on his hands.

"One often observes a fear of falling in people. Yet even the best of competitive figure skaters can fall. We also meet with falls in everyday life. One has to learn how to fall painlessly. What does a painless fall consist? It is a directed fall, which is to say after losing balance we direct the body so that it lands on the side where the least damage will be done. As we fall, we relax our muscles and roll up, protecting the head. A fall that follows in accordance with this principle is not dangerous. On the other hand trying desperately to avoid a fall often causes a painful spill at the last moment, when there is no chance to prepare for it."  (Z. Osi’nski,  W.. Satarosta, speed –and Figure-skating.

One way to prepare for a fall is getting to know God personally. If we already have a relationship with him it will become natural for us to fall gracefully, and it will keep us from panicking when things go wrong.  We will not be afraid because we know for sure the almighty god is there stretching his hand to catch as. Daily prayer and reading the scripture will make our fall as easy us a butterfly landing on a beautiful flower.

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."  James 1:12

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How I Love Thanksgiving

Oh how I love thanksgiving!

It is time to tell you how I have been feeling.

You know I am grateful every single day,

But it is different when I have the whole day;

To be thankful and to remember,

To  laugh, hugg and pray  together;

It has been so long since we have seen each other.

Thank you friends and family for being a part of my life,

I am so grateful to have you by my side;

In good, in bad in sadness and laughter,

We have shared the worst and we have shared the better;

May god bless you all forever and ever,

May he bless your dinner may he bless the hour;

May he fill your lives with sunshine and laughter.

 Let's eat….

Turkey, chicken, cornbread dressing ,

Pecan pie, homemade banana pudding;

Tossed green salad and cranberry sauce,

Mash potatoes next to broccoli and cheese;

Kernel corn- for those with a bad teeth,

Pumpkin pie and of course macaroni and cheese.

What a lovely tradition what a lovely holiday,

I wish we could do this every single day.

"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." Psalm 95: 1-6

Photo Credit: moneysavingmom, savvyhousekeeping, recongnitionheroes.com

 

Thank You

Loving you is so easy and full of contentment,

There is no fear or disappointment;

There is no heart break or judgment.

One thing you ask from me is to wait and be patient,

And to love you with my mind, my soul and my heart.

You are my breath and my only desire,

who's been always there through my problems;

You wiped my tears and you covered my flaws,

You sat beside me listen to my cries;

You offered to help me to carry my burden,

Just so I could be free you sent your only son.

I know I am loved through your mercy,

Not by what I do or how much I try;

not by what  I have done or how much I cry.

Through your undying love and through your amazing grace,

You have set me free from the earthly blame;

What more do I want lord what more can I ask,

except to say thank you, and to serve you all my life.

Thanks giving is just around the corner. Let this be a week of thanks giving.  Let’s be grateful each day for what God has done for us, and let’s pray for those who don’t have much and to those who have so much but don’t  really know what they have.

"God, the blessed and only ruler, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen" 1 Timothy 6:15-16

Photo Credit: Steve Mccury, randomhouseofprayer.com

Visible Love through Shopping: Part 6

Sex trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry. It is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. With over two million women and children sold into sexual slavery each year, it is a global crisis that must be stopped.

http://empowermentstore.org  is a company that sells products that supports survivors of modern day slavery. It is a part of the Somaly Mam foundation which is a nonprofit charity committed to ending modern day slavery in North America and around the world. The Foundation goal is to eradicate human trafficking, liberate its victims, and empower survivors so they can create and sustain lives of dignity. Somaly Mam supports survivor rescue, shelter, recovery, and empowerment programs globally, with a special focus on Southeast Asia, where the sex trafficking of women and children is a widespread practice.

Even though the company sells Jewelry, clothing and accessories; the focus of this post will be the three  books available in the website. If you are already looking to buy some books for the holidays, by shopping from this website you will be able to do two things at once. You can educate others or yourself about sexual slavery, while helping fund that allow somaly Mam foundation to support a great cause.

Half the Sky: Written by Pulitzer prize winner Nicholas D. Kisristof and Sheryl WuDunn. The book takes you through Africa and Asia to meet the extraordinary women struggling there, among them a Cambodian teenager sold into sex slavery and an Ethiopian woman who suffered devastating injuries in childbirth. It shows that how a little help can transform the lives of women and girls abroad. Through these stories, the authors help us see that, the key to economic progress lies in unleashing women’s potential. They make it clear how so many people have helped to do just that, and how we can each do our part. Throughout much of the world, the greatest unexploited economic resource is the female half of the population. Countries such as China have prospered precisely because they emancipated women and brought them into the formal economy. Unleashing that process globally is not only the right thing to do; it’s also the best strategy for fighting poverty.

The Road Of Lost Innocence: Written by Somaly Mam. A fascinating and beautiful memoir of tragedy and hope–by a woman named Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world.  The book takes you through a true story of a Cambodian women Born in a village deep in the Cambodian forest, Somaly Mam was sold into sexual slavery by her grandfather when she was twelve years old. For the next decade she was shuttled through the brothels that make up the sprawling sex trade of Southeast Asia. She suffered unspeakable acts of brutality and witnessed horrors that would haunt her for the rest of her life–until, in her early twenties, she managed to escape. Unable to forget the girls she left behind, Mam became a tenacious and brave leader in the fight against human trafficking, rescuing sex workers–some as young as five and six–offering them Shelter, rehabilitation, healing, and love and leading them In to  new life. The Road of Lost Innocence is a memoir that will leave you awestruck by the courage and strength of this extraordinary woman and will renew your faith in the power of an individual to bring about change.

Traffik: By a renowned photographer Jean Roy. If you would  like to help stop human beings from being bought and sold,  this book will give you all the  pictures  you'll need to get motivated:  its one thing to read about this stuff, but another to have that connection to the human face. Photographer Norman Jean Roy put his creative talents to good use in Cambodia in 2008, where he caught on camera the plight of exploited women and girls.   All the photos (like this girl who is on the book’s cover) are of real people; real victims with heart-wrenching stories.  So we can all Look into their eyes and remember their faces.

 

It may be hard for some of us to face this stories and to look at this pictures. It may even  be one of those things we would rather not think about, or pretend as if it doesn't exist,  but we have to remember the only way to advocate is to educate. Compare to the pain this people go through in real life, shading a few tears by living their stories through a book is the least we can do.  Any benefit?  Yes.  awarness plus  motivation  to become a better person and live an action field life.

"Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else." Galatians 6:4

The Perfect Sun Light

The perfect sunlight surrounding my heart,

Feeling warm and cozy in this rainy night.

I am sitting in dark but it feels full of light;

People are shivering, somehow I feel alright.

The trees have no leafs and flowers are dying,

The sky is cloudy and the wind is blowing;

But my view is so clear with a beautiful sky,

Green leaves every where it is hard to deny.

The perfect sunlight, keeping my heart so warm,

People are rushing, but I feel really calm.

They don’t want to get wet, they are running so fast,

I am not so worried the sun is in my heart.

The beauty around me it is so overwhelming,

My heart is rejoicing and the sun is shining;

My view is striking it is really stunning,

I am so grateful to have such blessing.

God’s love is so much like a beautiful sunny day. It’s neither too cold nor too warm; It is comfortable, peaceful and just the perfect temperature. No matter how bad the situation gets around us, no matter how cloudy, dark or rainy the day seems to be, his love is always there to cheer us up and give us a sense of peace.  As it is written on Isaiah 60:20 "Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.” If only we are able to recognize him and turn our face from darkness to light we will be filled with a beautiful, peaceful, sunny days for the rest of our lives… “In the same way let your light shine on others so they may see your good work and give glory to your father who is in heaven.” Mathew 5:16

Photo Credit: every pictureblogspot.com

A Thank You Note to Our Veterans

Taking a sacred moment to remember,

How you fought and sacrificed for our freedom.

You left your wives, children’s and mothers,

Your brothers and sisters and fathers;

 We want to say thank you brave soldiers. 

We honor you for your bravery,

Forgiving your life to serve this country;

Freedom, liberty and justice you brought,

It is what we have because you fought.

You achieved peace and democracy,

Served every day to protect our country;

Words are too little to encompass your history,

How you kept the American Dream faithfully.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice,

May God bless you with more strength;

You will always be our heroes,

And forever be in our hearts.

On this day, let’s take a minute to thank someone that served our country. let’s also say a silent prayer that the ones that are deployed would make it home safely, the ones that are wounded be healed, and their family would find strength. Remember, there are no unwounded soldiers during wartime, and there is always one that needs a small words of encouragement.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you. And be gracious to you. The lord keep his countenance upon you. And give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Visible Love through Shopping: Part 5

Chocolate has become one of the most popular gifts given during the holiday’s season. Over 3 million tons of cocoa beans are consumed around the world annually. The market value of the current annual cocoa crop is $5.1 billion. The retail chocolate industry in the United States is worth a little over $13 billion per year. Valentine's Day chocolates contribute more than $1 billion to that total. On average, Americans eat a little over 11 1/2 pounds of chocolate every year, and yes Chocolate is an $80 Billion a year industry.

The sad truth is the vast majority of chocolate products are made using child Slavery. This are children 8 to 15 years olds who are taken away or sold by their parents, so they could be slaves to the chocolate market with no pay, no schooling, and to sum it all up  no childhood. Most of these children have never tasted chocolate before, while we get to enjoy and eat the sweetness of their labor. The Ivory Coast produces nearly half of the world cocoa. There are about 600,000 cocoa farms in the Ivory coast, estimated 15,000 children forced to work as slaves in this farms. It is also estimated 90% of cocoa farm in the Ivory coast uses child labor.  Here are a few links of documentaries on youtube, so you can watch and see it yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNpwIzeyjKQ&feature=related

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lua2wB0qr6I&feature=youtu.be 

One way we can help these children is by not giving our money to companies who are involved in child labor. Next time your reach for a Hershey bar, M&M, kit Kat, or Nestle think about this children.  There are many chocolate companies who are slave free and taste as good as the big chocolate makers.  The link below should be very helpful when you are on your way to buy some chocolates for the holidays.  

http://vision.ucsd.edu/~kbranson/stopchocolateslavery/index.html

Another way you can be involved is by writing a letter to this companies,  telling them you will not be buying their products until they stop child slavery.  Also you can writie to legislators who let them get away with it. The link below will give you the necessary contact informations and sample letters you can use to write this companies.

 http://vision.ucsd.edu/~kbranson/stopchocolateslavery/takeaction.html

And yes; life is full of  boxes of chocolates, but now you have the power to decide which ones you are going to give and get.

"Who ever causes one of this little ones who belive in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a milestone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea" Mark 9:42

Image Credit:  Free2 work, hershey.com, m&m.com

Reaching for the Moon

Reaching for the moon coming back empty hand,

Tears rolling heartbreaking, maybe I am just dreaming;

When others look at me and ask me what happened,

I don’t know what to say, so I keep on smiling.

They keep asking….

"Did you reach the moon yet, isn’t it what you need?

Did you get closer, touched it and felt the heat?

How long has it been since you have been trying?

Don’t wait too long sweetheart time is flying. "

I thank them for their advice and I say I will try,

You are right my friends’ time really flies.

Though I know in my heart the sleepless nights,

The courage it took, my prayers and my thoughts;

How I wished and dreamed how much I tried,

How much I want to say, I got a hold of it.

Oh, sweet moon why are you far away?

You made the sky your field to play with my mind,

When I come near to you, you run away and hide;

When I give up and walk you shine your light,

Should I just let you go, or should I keep on waiting?

Do you need some time, or should I quit trying?

Maybe it is time to let you reach for me,

Come to me sweet moon before it is too late;

The sun has been waiting to take over your place,

But If you come on time we can all celebrate.

Do you sometimes feel like you are so far away from your dream? Does it feel like you are trying to reach for the moon? Whatever your dream may be, and no matter how far it may seem; don’t give up. Keep on trying and keep on praying and wait for God to do his work because god’s timing is a lot different than our timing.  The scripture tells us  "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the lord " Lamentation 3: 25-26  God always acts, but not according to our schedule, but his. Sometimes his plan may be a lot different than ours, so keep on listening for God’s guidance.  In the meantime don't forget to show your visible love to others who are also trying to achieve the simple things in life, such as food, water,  clothing, and  shelter. These things may look simple to us, but for those who are in need, it may feel as if they are trying to reach for the moon. when we bless others we will also be blessed and get one step closer to our dreams...

Photo credit: betterthansurviving.com, care2 blog,  livewalpaper.net, androidzoom.com

If you only knew

If you knew how much it hurts,

Not having a place to rest;

Being cold out on the dust,

I know you would lend your hands.

If you only knew how it feels to starve,

Not being able to feed my child;

to feel desperate and to feel so sad,

I know you would lend your hands.

 

If you knew how it feels to beg,

Not being able to stand on my legs;

To be looked down by others,

To make them feel so bothered;

I know you would lend your hands.

If you knew how it feels to doubt,

Without knowing what to do next;

When my wife dies on my hands,

And my child cries on my lap;

I know you would lend your hands.

If you knew how it feels to lack;

No one to hug no hands to hold,

To feel lonely out on the sand;

I know you would lend your hands.

 

Now you know how it feels,

To be me out on the fields,

Could you help me my brothers;

Would you help me, my sisters,

Thank you for feeling my pain;

May God bless you again and again.

"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for god love a cheerful giver. 2nd Corinthians 9:6-7

Photo Credit: thesimplehouse.com,steve Mccury, 123rf.com, Charles Maccau, reddit.com

Visible Love through Shopping: Part 4

Here are my weekly lists of companies who stands behind a cause...

Warby Parker: Did you know almost one billion people worldwide lack access to glasses. This means that 15% of the global population cannot effectively learn or work - a problem that Warby Parker is determined to address. Wary parker not only provides higher-quality, better-looking, vintage inspired prescription eyewear at a fraction of the price, but also ensure that for every pair of glasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need. The coolest thing about this company is that they send you up to 5 pairs of glasses to try on at home for 5 days free including a pre-paid return shipping label to send them back to them with no obligation to buy.  This program is available to anyone in the contiguous 48 states.

http://www.warbyparker.com

CHOOZE:  is a company that makes artistic and creative mismatched children’s shoes that comes in a recycled-cardboard art box and available in a variety of styles. CHOOZE invests its profits in anti poverty programs. This program provides training support education and loans to women, so they can start their own businesses and lift themselves out of extreme poverty.  In addition to helping women chooze cares for the environment by using only vegan materials and creating art box instead of shoe boxes made from recycled cardboards.

http://www.choozeshoes.com

Furnace Hills Coffee Company :  If you are a coffee lover like I am,  here is a company  who has intimate, long term working relationships with coffee farms and farmers in more than 15 countries around the world. They will get you coffee From the far away regions of Ethiopia, to the shade covered mountain slopes of Honduras, and  yes they pay over fair trade prices for their specialty beans. Furnace Hills also has a commitment to hire people that are developmentally disabled. Their goal is to hire more developmentally disabled people as their roasting company grows. This is why their phrase   “Special coffee roasted by special people” is true

http://furnacehillscoffee.com

Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right. Proverbs 20:11

See you next week for more....

The storm

During my trip across the Sea of Galilee,

A big storm came up and tried to sink me;

Tossed with waves in the midst of the sea,

I was trapped in fear at the base of the valley.

I didn't know what to do, so I asked him to help me;

I said “master do something I am about to sink.

Then he said to me….

Oh, you little faith why do you doubt?

In the midst of the storm be a good cheer;

It is I, who is beside you do not fear.

If you just put your eyes upon me,

I will pull your hand out of the sea.

I am not another trial or another problem,

I am not a ghost or difficulty but I am your savior.

Be thrilled about it and look at what happens;

In the final moment of your crisis.

If you look at me just for a moment,

I guarantee you, you will be in peace.

I don’t want to watch you drawn, or carry your fear,

But I want to see your breath and be a good cheer.  

Don’t go back to your own hopelessness,

When your are tossed around with waves;

Don’t turn back to your own resources,

Rejoice my child just rejoices.

I know the despondency of your situation,

But I promise I will be the absolute solution.

"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? “

Matthew 8:23-27

Photo Credit: Justforkidsmeagazine.com, harkphoto.com Wonorwood.com