my fellow classmates...

a few nights ago, i was taken back.

taken back to 2 years ago.

same place. same time.

girls in white, boys in black.

only it wasn't me this time.

it was my brother.

as i sat as a member of the audience, i had many strange emotions all at the same time. i sat thinking about where i was two years ago. what i was thinking about life. how i felt. and as those feelings came and passed i realized that the Lord has moved mountains in my life to get me where i am today. i cannot imagine being the same girl that walked across that same stage in her white cap and gown. and as my brother made his way across the stage, i sat there and teared up a bit. because i hope he doesn't stay the same either.

the graduation speeches were actually entertaining this year. but i was also depressed by them. as i sat there in a massive sea of people and the valedictorian and salutorian droned on about "changing the world" and "making a difference," i became pessimistic. i saw 310 students graduate in front of my eyes and i realized, realistically, that about half of them will be drunk at one point in their collegiate career (and probably many more times than that), more than half will change their major at least twice, and probably 1/4 will completely drop out. i am not bashing people for making mistakes, but how many times do we forget "making a difference" and opt for worldly pleasures? how many times do we forget about changing the world and go to school just to get a degree and make loads of money so we can be happy? i was saddened because i truly wanted to believe what the graduation speeches were saying and i wanted more than anything for those words to be a charge to the students sitting in the seats with their caps and gowns, to not sit idly by and watch the world waste away like so many have done in the past. i want to be that person at the end of their life that can say it was a life worth living. and i want that for all of those graduates as well.

can you remember your graduation day when you had your whole life in front of you and you felt like you could do anything?

what happened?

life? school? boyfriends/girlfriends? job? money? time?

lets all try to remember what fervor we used to have, to do something, to change our corner of the world.

i know i didn't take the charge right away, but i am now.

will you come along with me?

-katie-

Excuses...Excuses..

thanks for the satire Banksy...Keep your coins, I want change.
I told a girl I met out here that I am from Indiana and she told me that I must be experiencing culture shock. Then she quickly corrected herself and said that that doesn't happen unless you're in another country. I quickly corrected her and said that she was right the first time. I'm still in the same country, but the west coast is a completely different ball game than the quaint, corn-field covered mid-west. I'm not just talking about landscape. The San Gabriel's pretty much smack you in the face when you walk out the door, but so does diversity and homelessness.

There is most definitely homelessness in Indiana, but the suburbia of Southwest Allen is about as far removed from it as can be. And more than ever I have begun to resent my life of comfort. I come to California and as we are driving, my brother can name some of the homeless people and tell me a bit of their stories....What?! I don't even think I have ever seen a homeless person near my home, and if I have, I've sadly been too absorbed in myself to have noticed him or her.

But it really is not safe for girls to do anything for homeless people...right? Well that's the misconception I have been under for a long time. And I do not think I am the only person to use this as an excuse to do nothing. Now in some cases it probably isn't safe, but honestly, that can't become our excuse to abstain from doing things..because we will end up making that excuse all of the time.

The bystander effect is no longer a valid excuse. That person you think will do something for the homeless may expect you to do something. The truth is, God wants us ALL to do something. There are multiple places in the Bible that call us to action to do something for the homeless and destitute. "She opens her arm to the poor and extends her hands to the needs" (Proverbs 31:20) That's how Proverbs 31 describes a woman of noble character. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." (James 1:27)

Sounds like this is a pretty big issue that should matter to ALL Believers. I don't know what this will look like for you. My brother keeps energy bars in his car for people he meets at stop lights. If he has the chance he asks for their name...tries to give them some dignity rather than just chucking food in their direction. Or how about taking a person in need out to lunch...buying them groceries...talk to them and make them feel like a human.

This is as much of a challenge for you as it is for me. I have been awful at this but there is always time for change....Love to you all. Live intentionally. Brucie.

good questions anyone?

My sister recently asked an amazing question, a question I have been asked many times as I begin to tell the world about human trafficking and sweatshops. People often say things like, "yeah, but can we really ever get away from human trafficking? I mean, everything we buy probably comes from sweatshops!" I understand and hear your side, but if we question and come to that conclusion, we have let exploiters win! We have to start somewhere.

My sister asked, in relation to the blog about forever21 (if you haven't read it, check it out)... "what if we get something from forever21 as a gift, or another place that we know supports sweatshops. what do we do? you can't just say 'hey, that company supports human trafficking' because you will make them feel bad. but what do you do? do you keep it or sell it to a thrift store or what?"

This is a great question and is a hard one because it involves other people. Obviously, you can boycott certain stores because that is your choice. But there are people who will from time to time give you gifts (and we all love gifts right :) so how do you let them know how you feel and make them feel good for thinking of you, but also support your own beliefs?

Here are some things you can do if you are put in that situation:

First of all, tell the world and all of your friends your beliefs upfront as soon as you know what they are, then they will be less likely to buy you something that you have directly stated you do not support.

I still understand that someone's memory may slip though, so here are some pointers:

1. Sell the item back to the store (caution: this will NOT work for forever21, they have really strict return policies, where you can only return things for store credit, so at forever21 this would never work), but if the store gives you money back, try and spend that money on something that you know is fair trade. that way you will be giving yourself and the world a little present.

2. Try and tell your friend afterwards, in a setting where the gift is no longer in question, about what you have been learning about human trafficking. the point of learning about human trafficking is so you can tell people about it and get them on board. be bold, but do not make them feel like a terrible person. allow them to be informed. you could even send them to this blog if you aren't as comfortable with conflict.

3. SECOND HAND STORES ARE GREAT WAYS TO GET CUTE CLOTHES FOR CHEAP AND THESE PURCHASES DO NOT GO TOWARDS THE ORIGINAL COMPANIES WHO SOLD THE CLOTHES

Tips for how to shop smarter and sweat-free:
http://www.greenamericatoday.org/pubs/realgreen/articles/nosweatshops.cfm

Hear me out. i know some people are against second hand stores, and you have your reasons. i get that. but are you willing to go without "new" clothes for something greater?
i am not telling everyone they have to shop at goodwill. i know most people cannot build a wardrobe off of goodwill. some people can, who are really gifted, but most can't.
Check out Plato's Closet. they may be snobby by only taking certain clothes, but that is a huge benefit to you. Not only are you saving huge amounts of money by getting your clothing cheap, but you are not giving your money to the original stores either. i would be cautious on wearing some of the clothes with the name of the store blatantly visible on the chest, i mean, that is what we are trying to get away from right? but if you can't live without a certain brand, there is a way to buy it without walking directly into the store and signing your money away to sweatshops.

Haven't convinced you yet? Need any more reasons to shop thrift?
-buying clothes from thrift stores saves the environment from waste in landfills
(http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/719461/want_to_be_ecofriendly_visit_a_thrift.html)
-often thrift shops give percentages of their income to charities of their choice (check salvation army, goodwill...etc)
(http://ag.ca.gov/charities/publications/1998thriftreport.php)

Daily Commission:
All I am asking is to check out a thrift store in your area. Be smart, do not throw up your hands and decide this is a 'lost cause'

It isn't. and you. yes you. can help change the world.

-til next time- katie

Quelle est la definition de l'amour?

If human love does not carry a man beyond himself, it is not love. If love is always discreet, always wise, always sensible and calculating, never carried beyond itself, it is not love at all. It may be affection, it may be warmth of feeling, but it has not the true nature of love in it -Oswald Chambers (excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest)

how do you love?
do you calculate all the risks and then hesitantly close your eyes and leap? or do you love with reckless abandon, knowing that every day you wake up, you are showing the world the Lord's love for you?

think about it.
why?
because we have lost the definition of what it means to love.
we need to be reaquainted.

I AM SECOND

my dad has recently turned me on to the "i am second" project. see more stories at www.iamsecond.com

Flying Solo

**http://www.theprincessdress.com/sysImages/Wedding_Dress.jpg**

Fifth grade was a pretty crazy year in the love department for me. I had a "boyfriend". We shared beef jerky at snack time, avoided speaking to each other as much as possible, and I even sacrificed getting my family Christmas presents that year just so I could buy him some super sweet finger skateboards. We lasted a few good months until he decided my best friend suited him better. I was a wreck for about an hour until I got over it and was ready for the next boy in line to woo me....anytime he wanted to show up....
I have decided this boy must have gotten lost somewhere along the way because eight years later I'm still hanging out waiting for him.

I know many girls who pretend to be absolutely fine as a single person, but actually flip out on the inside waiting and wondering where Prince Charming is... and to be honest, I used to be that girl. As of now, I have realized that being single, while hard, is a divine opportunity.

When I left for college, my mom and countless other women told me to watch out because boys would be pursuing me like crazy. So I went to college expecting just that... and guess what the reality has been?

Warning to mothers and members of the female gender. DO NOT tell your daughter that boys will be lined up to date her when she gets to a certain age, it is a flat out lie. Girls already feel pressure to be in a relationship and find Mr. Right, we do not need you telling us that men will be flocking towards us when they may not be.

I am so thankful that I have grown up and matured. I have begun to figure things out for myself and begun to create my own ideas about relationships and life. I am not bitter towards my mom for telling me boys will be lined up waiting for me, but with girls being as insecure as they are, think about the repercussions of those statements if they turn out to be untrue!

Anyway, I gave up looking for boys. That sounds so ridiculous to say, but I think so many girls buy into the potential lie that if you are good enough and love Jesus enough, the man will come early in life and swoop you away to a life of love and bliss.

Do you want your future daughters to be searching for a husband their whole lives?
Do you want your 3 year-old daughter bawling her eyes out because she is in love with Justin Bieber? (haven't seen this yet? check it out on youtube)
I want my kids to be chasing after Christ more than girls these days chase after boys. Placing an emphasis on finding worth in the male gender will only lead to disaster. If you start out by placing an emphasis on finding worth in Christ and truly live your life that way, your kids will see your life and follow in your footsteps.
For awhile I prayed some pretty lame-o prayers about Mr. Right, but I finally discovered that those prayers are selfish. I found that I was demanding things from God but not living my life in total surrender to Him.
My sister dropped this line which is totally better than anything I could have made up:
"God is not done with my singleness yet."

Instead of running away from being single, see it as an opportunity to find out who God made you to be and what passions your heart yearns for. Think of how much God can use you while you are single....IF you are willing.

I get infuriated when girls in their 20s flip out because they are not married yet. Why the heck is there so much pressure to get married so young? For some people 20 is the time to tie the knot, but for others, marriage will happen later.

And ladies, lets be real, 30 is NOT old.

**At the rate we're going, this girl will be considered a spinster in no time**

Cheap...But at a Major Cost

This image is from http://who-god-is.com/. I love it and it's true. Not stealing...just appreciating.

So I am pulling a bit of a copy-cat with this post from my beloved and wise older sister, but I think she hit the nail so on the head that I am going to reiterate her words with my own little spin.

There is a certain store that probably every female has heard of...we either shop there ourselves or are bombarded by their obnoxious pink and yellow bags while walking through the mall. Most males have probably heard of it as well because they know to pack a book or head to the always popular electronics store if their wife/girlfriend has a desire to shop at it. This store is beyond attractive to teens and twenty-somethings. Why? Because clothes and jewelry are super cheap and there are styles that cater to just about every person in the female gender. You know what is especially great? This store has a Bible Verse on the bottom of their bags. Ohhhh mannn...all the more reason to support it...right?

Have you solved the riddle yet? And can you tell that the tone of this post is not so positive? The store is Forever 21 and their cheap, fashionable clothes are in your closest at a major cost. Yikes.

I am not even going to try to make myself sound all high and mighty and above this because I am guilty. I am a broke college student who likes to look cute and my closest is jam-packed full of F21 clothing. Since being turned on to the issue of human trafficking, I have been enlightened that several of the stores I shop at run some shady business, and I know that it is time to stop supporting them...peace out Wal-Mart Skinny Jeans and H&M.

Forever 21 is guilty of running sweat shops. Here in the United States and abroad. Girls, I know F21 is such an appealing place for those of us with tiny budgets, but is it okay to know the truth and still support them?

I am pretty darn disappointed that John 3:16 is on the bottom of every bag. Christ does not condone his children being treated like animals, so I do not think it is right for this company to use this verse on their bags while taking part in dehumanizing business. If the owners truly are evangelical Christians, they should rethink some things...Is making cheap clothing and making money like gangbusters more important than the rights of human beings...Don't think so.

My heart breaks that Believers of all people are caught up in this horrible disease of trafficking.

It's up to you to figure out what you personally are going to do about this, and I believe being informed is the first step. Now that you know, what are you going to do? It may look different for each person, but it is not okay to know and do nothing. Think yard sales, consignment boutiques, etc...Think prayer that these business owners will feel convicted enough to make a change.

Check out these links for some pretty gut-wrenching info and the documentary "Made in LA"

Trailer for "Made in LA"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr1ABz65hXI&feature=player_embedded

http://la.indymedia.org/news/2004/05/111521.php

it's all my fault dave bazan

I finished school this past week. I have been working custodial at my church to make money, because money is tight.
As I was listening to my ipod to drown out the fact that i was cleaning toilets, dave bazan came on with his song, "hard to be"

read the lyrics:











you've heard the story, you know how it goes
once upon a garden, we were lovers with no clothes
fresh from the soil, we were beautiful and true
in control of our emotions, til we ate the poison fruit

and now it is
hard to be a decent human being

wait just a minute, you expect me to believe
that all this misbehaving grew from one enchanted tree
and helpless to fight it we should all be satisfied
with this magical explanation for why the living die

childbirth is painful, toil to grow our food
ignorance made us hungry
information made us no good
every burden misunderstood

so i swung my tassel to the left side of my cap
knowing after graduation there would be no going back
and no congratulations from my faithful family
some of whom are already fasting to intercede for me
because its hard to be a decent human being

a little bit of background. dave bazan used to be a christian, now he is struggling with his faith because of hurt from the church and questions he cannot answer.

its my fault dave bazan.
its my fault that you don't believe.
i don't represent my God well enough
i don't love enough
i don't do enough....
but as much as i fail, it isn't about me.
its about JESUS.

its hard to be a decent human being.
decent? none of us can even pretend like we are decent. we are scum.

Jesus is King, we are His instruments.

Anyone who is ever been hurt by the church or by Christians. I am truly sorry, from the bottom of my heart.

But stop looking at me.

Look to Jesus. He will never let you down.

Katie