tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36287800260815171582024-03-05T19:57:06.345-08:00Strength to LoveJeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-43881600885809104472014-01-03T07:27:00.000-08:002014-01-05T07:27:29.647-08:00New Blog RedirectHey all , so here's the link to the <a href="http://strengthtolove.net/">new blog</a>!<br />
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A few changes.<br />
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1. I have changed up the topic of the blog a bit, from politics to more of a broad advocacy with a focus on mental health. It was heading there anyway toward the end, so you won't notice it to be too different. :)<br />
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2. My own domain name. (so exciting)<br />
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3. Regular posts. Below is the schedule. I'm a structured girl, so this helps me a lot, and helps you, as a reader know what to expect! Are you following me because you want to know more about Mental Health? Great! Check in on Mondays. Interested in hearing about my faith/life journey? Check in on Friday.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; color: #262626; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.75; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mental Health Mondays:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: calluna-1, calluna-2, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.75;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: calluna-1, calluna-2, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.75;">This is where I explore a mental health topic. I do my best to keep them related to seasonal events, or something new I have come across in my own work. (No groundbreaking scientific discoveries, just a student who has discovered something new for herself.) Simple. Relevant. Informative.</span><br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Encouraging Wednesdays:</strong> This is the day that I post a small graphic I have created or will re-post from another site to provide encouragement to both myself and you for the midweek! I don’t know about you, but Wednesdays are the most difficult for me to stay motivated and stick to my goals.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wild and Free Fridays</strong>: This is inspired by Naptime Diaries Wild and Free series. It is based on the idea, that where the Lord is, there is Freedom. So Fridays will usually be a story from my life as a social work student, wife, Jesus lover, or anything wild and free!</div>
Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-77608103984026460962013-12-23T11:18:00.000-08:002013-12-23T11:18:33.625-08:00This is what happens when you can't keep a secret.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, ok. So like most excited holiday gift givers, I could <u>not</u> wait to deliver all the new blog surprises at once!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'm opening one 'gift' on the blog right now...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(drumroll please...)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a photo of me working on elements for the NEW SITE. I can't reveal any other details, but it is going to to be kind of a big deal. LOTS of design changes are coming, and it is going to be SO pretty- I promise you will like it. Maybe even<u> love </u>it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also do you like my blanket cape? Omar snapped this photo without me knowing. But hey. This is how I keep warm in my chilly house in real life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, back to <strike>work </strike> having lots of fun!</span>Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-24430498503201762452013-12-18T09:36:00.000-08:002013-12-22T09:36:59.428-08:00Merry Christmas! (and planning for some changes)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sweet readers and friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will be taking some time off (well, truthfully, I will still be working on the blog, but there won't be any new posts to read!) as I dream, plan and prepare for some changes to Strength to Love. I am researching some things, praying for more things, and really searching my heart for what I want this space to be and bring in the next year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't worry, nothing too drastic will be happening, but there are some fun new things in the works for this space in 2014, and I can't wait to share them with you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check back Friday, January 3 to say hi and to keep in touch with the blog in 2014.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See you then!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Merry Merry Christmas y'all,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jes</span><br />
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<br />Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-70316190142391529132013-12-10T21:37:00.000-08:002013-12-23T11:24:17.108-08:00Why do we feel exhausted when good things happen to us?<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, the winter season is usually one of intense introspection, writing and general creativity. When I look back over old journals, the sections of winter months are always much longer, which is also how they feel to me: long. Waiting for spring. Waiting for something. I am hoping for the green and 'new', while putting up with the white and gray 'everyday' around me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But no bursts of creativity seem to be happening this year for me. I feel tired. Dry. Exhausted down to my bones. And a little bit confused as to the reason why. I was talking to my mom today, and she validated some of my concerns. "This was a big year for you," she said. It was really comforting to hear. Sometimes I forget. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This <i><u>was</u></i> a huge year for me. It was a huge year for Omar and I. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>December: </b>We were <u>married.</u> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>January:</b> We left the country for two weeks to visit Omar's family and to honeymoon in the Dominican Republic. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>February:</b> Omar became a citizen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>April:</b> I was accepted to <u>grad school </u>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>June:</b> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I left a gallery managerial job I </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">loved</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for three years to start a new adventure in adolescent research at a school of medicine.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>July:</b> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I received health insurance for the first time in six years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>August:</b> I <u>graduated</u> from undergrad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>December:</b> I completed my first semester of my MSW. And so many other things. All of the things listed above are <u>so</u> good. Many of them pivotal life moments and transitions, all of which happened in such a short period of time. And again, this is just the good list.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(wedding.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(citizenship.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(graduation.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(scholarship dinner for grad school with Omar and my mom.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This semester in a mental health class we talked about a concept called 'eustress'. It is technically stress, but it is the stress caused by good things happening (ex. How can I explain this run-down exhausted feeling that I have when essentially everything is <u>good</u> around me?). It sounds 'crazy', and I think many people don't talk about it because it might have a tendency to make a person sound ungrateful. But it is real. It affects our minds and bodies in various ways. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it makes sense.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stress is a mental and physical response to change, whether that change is happening now, or is anticipated in the future. There is positive and negative stress. Eustress, or positive stress, provides fulfillment in our lives. (And we all know what negative stress is like.) And here's where it gets interesting. <b>With either too much positive, or negative stress, our bodies can't tell the difference between to two. </b>It reacts in the same way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In both positive and negative stress, blood pressure and heart rate become elevated. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is released in small bursts. In the right amounts, cortisol actually improves immune functioning, and the ability to respond in dangerous situations (ex. volunteering can be a positive stressor that makes you feel good, and produces the right amount of cortisol). An overabundance of cortisol, which gets produced in highly stressful situations, can impair immune functioning, and create ineffective mental and emotional functioning (ex. being in a car wreck).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eustress can frequently occur in busy multitasking people who are succeeding, and enjoy their work, but are always wanting to do more (<i>to all my Type A's- this is us</i>).<b>Eventually, with too much of this stress, the body will begin to wear out.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Continuing stress, both positive or negative, affects our daily functioning. Your brain begins to forget things. I notice that I frequently forget where things are located, like my keys, or where I put my bank card when I am stressed. Stress causes us to make poor decisions. Our decision-making capabilities, literally cease to work.The brain just blocks these things. It doesn't see them as important. The brain and body can truly only endure so much stress, and they can burn out. But the good new is that the brain is AMAZING, and it heals itself, with time and treatment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are a million resources on stress management, so I won't talk about that here, and I am still learning for myself what works best for me. Which may not work for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So perhaps this winter season will be one of trying to learning what rest is, instead of reflecting on the busy-ness. <b>Perhaps it will be a season of existing as a creation of the Father, rather than trying to create so much on my own. A season of being changed rather than creating change. </b>To fill up and rest for the many journeys ahead. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I pray it to be so. Amen. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Information in this post retrieved from Ivey, A.E., Ivey, M.B., & Zalaquett, C.P. (2014, 2010). Intentional interviewing and counseling: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Facilitating client development in a multicultural society, (8 th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. </span></div>
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Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-65686536336034721542013-12-04T09:00:00.003-08:002013-12-10T20:21:58.347-08:00December Goals<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post is linking up with the <a href="http://www.thetinytwig.com/2013/12/02/december-goals/">Tiny Twig</a> as we share our December goals. If you are new here, welcome. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>December</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For December I am focused on many projects in my personal and professional life. But my December goal is <b>not a part of this long to-do list</b>. There are no boxes to check off. It is a <i>process</i> goal not a<i> project</i> goal, and that is important to remember as I gauge my progress. My December goal is <b>to be present.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was inspired by <a href="http://laracasey.com/2013/12/03/present-december/">Lara Casey's #Present December</a>. This is such a simple concept, but a big one, with a potential to have deep impact in my daily life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Here's why.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a project person, and I mostly work in large blocks of time on the things I have to do. For example, instead of breaking a research paper assignment into four or five small sessions I try to do it all in eight or nine or ten hours. If I am working on a batch of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/939designs">cards</a>, I want to work on them <u>all day,</u> on my day off, instead of an hour here and hour there. <i>I want the project to be finished once I start it. </i>I get really caught up in projects, and become incredibly focused. It's a little bit unrealistic, but, that is my current modus operandi.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here is why Present December is so important to me, and when it really hit home. Yesterday I broke ground on my <a href="http://www.artifactuprising.com/site/">wedding album</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(A big December project for me!)</span>. While I was beginning to work on it, hunched over my computer with a mug of coffee in hand, cautiously examining which of the hundreds of photos were going to make the cut, my husband walked in the door after a day of work and wanted to talk, asking me about my day, and telling me about his. And it was obvious that I was only half listening. I was cropping, selecting and finding the perfect photo placement on the pages. It was an 'Omar please be quiet, I'm trying to capture the joy of our wedding and marriage in this page placement!'....The irony. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THIS is what I want to work on. Being present and focused on the people I am with. Setting down my devices and vices more than normal and just BEING where I am. I've spent more time instagramming my pretty Christmas tree than actually sitting in my quiet living room just soaking in the joy of the season, and the way the warm lights add a soft comforting glow to everything around them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be checking in as the month goes on. I think this is one of those things that we never truly perfect, like being patient, showing more grace, and timing the oven and ingredients just so, in order to bake that delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe so the centers are soft and the edges are crisp. But we can do our best, and work toward it anyway, as we move forward on this long journey to attain grace instead of perfection. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo from my tree)</span></span></div>
Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-77766548653551507732013-12-02T20:55:00.001-08:002013-12-04T09:33:00.074-08:00Enduring the roadtrip<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Expect Problems and eat them for breakfast."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Alfred A. Montapert</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This. is. the. last. week. of. the. semester.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feelings? Excited, excited, tired, a little crazy, but mostly excited. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I was whiningly (is that a word?) explaining to my eternally optimistic husband how I have <b>four more days</b> to go, and how I <i>just want it to be over </i>(in my saddest please-take-pity-on-me voice) he said, "but you've come <u>so far,</u> and done so much and you <i>only</i> have four days to go. I paused, thought about it for a minute, realizing I wasn't going to receive any pity. So I bit my lip, shrugged my shoulders and replied "Well...yeah, I guess you're right. (*shuffles feet and walks away*)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It just feels so difficult sometimes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOX24AhkHmtk46qcl5iWq1_Drfrdcgfh1xWK3fExTFireqhIiHSMIvhjq_NpfJGMx7kxZ_MPpR0VloKkebP_TaLkqRv1HYSZAmFsVM1lbSs2NQMFjH8TouLtoca-5JSbdIB6xF4ZUIOHM/s1600/1002629_606871049929_877081461_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOX24AhkHmtk46qcl5iWq1_Drfrdcgfh1xWK3fExTFireqhIiHSMIvhjq_NpfJGMx7kxZ_MPpR0VloKkebP_TaLkqRv1HYSZAmFsVM1lbSs2NQMFjH8TouLtoca-5JSbdIB6xF4ZUIOHM/s400/1002629_606871049929_877081461_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Indiana Sunset (taken on the road to Nashville, IN)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Road trip analogy</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only way I can explain it, is that this semester has been like a LOOOONG roadtrip. You are privileged for the opportunity to <b>go</b> on a road trip, to have a car to travel in and so much hope for your destination. But after being in the car for so many hours, it starts to wear on you. While you can fall asleep, you don't quite have the comforts of home. The food you eat, probably isn't the most healthy because you are on the go. And you lose touch temporarily with your community because you are travelling down the road. After you've been in the car for hours and hours your feet get cramped, maybe you get a bit carsick and you just want to BE THERE. But you have to keep driving. The destination will come. And it will feel SO good to arrive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I have to keep the end in mind, process is important. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being present is also important. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So these next few days, I'm going to do my best to love my 'car mates' (classmates) a little bit more. I'm taking a few deep breaths for the endurance to finish strong, and trying to eek out a bit of joy, where I currently can't see any. End of semesters are always difficult no matter how prepared you are, but it is almost done, I know that it can be done, and I can make it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any other full time grad students out there? How are you hanging in there?</span>Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-12342231732675115212013-11-28T08:36:00.000-08:002013-11-28T08:36:05.639-08:00Black Friday Shop Sale<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Happy Thanksgiving! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realize that everyone is inundated with sales and commercialism on a day that is meant to be for family, but as a small business owner, I am thankful for customers and the joy of creativity! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To express my thanks, I am offering <b>30% off everything in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/939designs">shop</a></b>, starting tonight at midnight through midnight on Cyber Monday (12am November 29 through 11:59p December 2).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Use the code: BlackFriday for 30% off!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for your support all year round, now go enjoy the day with your family! :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBb01gUpeRojksdmF3GRvxkxdltt8WCFgdn-cZ01SAopEH61lUs3xR16rpyd02z2Ixhixni6lO6TqSgdiCeVdXfvTf4jDLG-7FoRhK-_2D5-xKUJCesMIjcMveaj5S7btNLybkJIB4oE4/s1600/instagram+black+friday+sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBb01gUpeRojksdmF3GRvxkxdltt8WCFgdn-cZ01SAopEH61lUs3xR16rpyd02z2Ixhixni6lO6TqSgdiCeVdXfvTf4jDLG-7FoRhK-_2D5-xKUJCesMIjcMveaj5S7btNLybkJIB4oE4/s320/instagram+black+friday+sale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little preview of some cards on the<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/939designs"> site</a>!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirob3aDtiGogIWPpFKwugNjcxiXO3PU5_-vKaBCv7oUW7mKPbcMbvY7VCI9mVR5aQKIJNIp989XXalR1gad2JAUVd9llBubc7hyOCVEVBzNw2D_X16z5OKConEsY4Bho6qxckiE-BFtFU/s1600/3so+loved+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirob3aDtiGogIWPpFKwugNjcxiXO3PU5_-vKaBCv7oUW7mKPbcMbvY7VCI9mVR5aQKIJNIp989XXalR1gad2JAUVd9llBubc7hyOCVEVBzNw2D_X16z5OKConEsY4Bho6qxckiE-BFtFU/s320/3so+loved+3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SF3qMZoKd9EelZnpEGoHvO-JWGOMrXg12WkG89FLNMGI_KtgHIy2NoreGNNKhSORZVLUik16GwWkdqMQy8oOh7ULAPh8sMso6hgNqgz4Xx1olmJD6d3duH16DHSR83X7zcesbxzWHWw/s1600/1+mason+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SF3qMZoKd9EelZnpEGoHvO-JWGOMrXg12WkG89FLNMGI_KtgHIy2NoreGNNKhSORZVLUik16GwWkdqMQy8oOh7ULAPh8sMso6hgNqgz4Xx1olmJD6d3duH16DHSR83X7zcesbxzWHWw/s320/1+mason+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/939designs">You can find the shop here</a></span></div>
Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-44457088444403219212013-11-26T16:10:00.003-08:002013-11-27T09:12:21.878-08:00The Lost Art of Letter Writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey all! I have been absent because I've been a liiiiiitle bit busy rushing around doing final school projects and making </span><strike style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so many</strike><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> cards for the shop. After writing and reading all day and all night for class, even wonderful pleasureful blog writing loses its luster. But most of that is over, so I'm back. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can I just say that is is CHRISTMAS CARD SEASON!?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is the <u>one</u> time a year the abandoned art of letter writing comes back to life! We can send tweets and texts and emails but no other form of communication compares to the delight of receiving a letter or card in the mail.Except maybe a singing telegram, but I've never received one, so I wouldn't know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Letter writing carries with it an intimacy that is not available in electronic formats. When we send a letter, we hold it. We write on it with our own unique handwriting, and physically send it. It is so special. It is tactile. It is a tangible thing. It contains a glimpse of our personality and warmth in our signature and handwritten message each time it is looked at. And many people save cards for years to come. <strike>(insert joke about hoarders here)</strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is my JOY to make Christmas cards. It is a joy to make </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">any</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> greeting cards, really, but </span><u style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">especially</u><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Christmas cards. I love knowing as each one is made, that as I glue and print and stamp and measure, that it is intentionally going to someone, who <strike>(hopefully)</strike> will hang it up, or will at least open it and feel the love from the person that sent it. I <u>love</u> that. I cherish that image, and it drives what I do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year I made simple rustic designs, as I feel my own heart was yearning for something quieter, simpler and familiar. The mason jar seems to symbolize that these days, and I think it helps the card to evoke that timeless homemade quality that we feel is in our hearts and reminds us of our roots.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the cards are up in the shop! I have freshly made Christmas cards in the shop that are almost as delightful as freshly made cookies, but if you already have yours for the season, consider giving (non-seasonal) cards as a gift, (or as a gift for yourself!) to send messages to those you love all year long!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can check out my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/939designs">shop here.</a></span></div>
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Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-76072886441766349942013-11-20T10:30:00.000-08:002013-12-04T10:36:47.216-08:00Advocacy Action: Immigration Reform<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As part of a class assignment for my social welfare policy class, I had the opportunity to plan an action based on a policy I wanted to advocate for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I worked with a group and we chose immigration reform, as we have been working on various projects all semester, surrounding this issue. We planned our action and last Wednesday we were able to see it come to life!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(My class group at our booth)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We planned an information table at the student center on campus during busy lunch hours. Our group was joined by members of IUYA (a local undocumented youth organization), which I have worked with before. <b>We had so much positive interaction with the students!</b> I was personally nervous of someone wanting to get into a heated debate, but thankfully, that never happened! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned so much from this experience, but mainly that it is much easier to talk to people about things that I care about, than what I originally thought it would be! People were interested and respectful and were full of questions. So many students stopped by and asked how they could get involved. It was really beautiful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(our group+the IUYA crew)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We passed out flyers, and one included the info graphic below. One of the biggest, most emotional arguments against immigration reform is that immigrants who are made citizens will steal U.S. jobs and tank the economy. This is simply not true and is based on fear, and a perceived scarcity of resources. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Y9OikC8YEKb2xCEXcp4-oMMy2XQCTJ11EjlOQTss3jIXGYgxgbJBaT_F8DDS3N9eEltBfqQ0trBd6CV9hLH-ARmEVwN2gPfq2b1jCH0hr16b8ykQMg3z7raSk6XKxQqiTArw3rKOkHg/s1600/info.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Y9OikC8YEKb2xCEXcp4-oMMy2XQCTJ11EjlOQTss3jIXGYgxgbJBaT_F8DDS3N9eEltBfqQ0trBd6CV9hLH-ARmEVwN2gPfq2b1jCH0hr16b8ykQMg3z7raSk6XKxQqiTArw3rKOkHg/s1600/info.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are so many good resources available, and if you are interested in learning more about immigration, email me, and I can send you some great sources! But if I am going to recommend anything, it is this thirty minute documentary titled "The Dream is now" and was created by the organization: <a href="http://unitedwedream.org/">United We Dream</a>. It is incredibly compelling because it tells the stories of the students. If you have thirty minutes, watch this. It is so powerful. </span><br />
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<br />Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-58723420050182109572013-11-17T15:41:00.001-08:002013-11-17T16:13:25.208-08:00Goal update<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This season has been moving so quickly for me. For which I'm thankful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">m also thankful for the opportunity to pursue my Master's degree. However, transitioning from three heavy semesters and a summer of undergrad straight to grad school left me breathless and unbalanced, weary, and worn thin. BUT I'm looking forward to a </span><u style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">month off</u><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> from school (a whole. entire. month.) in December to catch my breath! I'm hoping to use this time to rediscover the small joys around me. To thrive instead of survive. To craft. To cuddle. To cultivate. The thought of this </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">actually</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> happening in three weeks makes me giddy! Like, for real. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Goals update:</b> I have been doing well in waking up for morning devotions, and I have been <u>rocking</u> weekly meal planning, but so far getting up to work out... hasn't gone so well. Implementing a new habit among my current chaos has been tricky, but as school winds down and I check more papers and presentations and projects off of my to-do list, I'm finding a bit more energy and mental stamina to get going on this!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully each day is a chance to start anew, so armed with a really good plan <span style="font-size: x-small;">(that I spent five hours making yesterday)</span>, I'm all set for tomorrow, and I'm going to MY FIRST spin class! My bag is packed. and I am ready to go. 6am baby. Let's do this. I'm viewing this as a small step toward self-care and investing in myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't been a <i>total</i> fitness slacker though. The other day, I went for a nice long walk around my neighborhood and here were some photos I snapped to remind me what a joy it is to breathe in the fall air! (Which smelled like a campfire!- So wonderful!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little church with a big bell. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An old tile street sign.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Autumn in all her glory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope that as we all prepare for the upcoming holidays that we take time to <i>really</i> notice the seasons changing. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also hope that we learn to appreciate the small changes we make in our own lives to<u> be better to ourselves</u>, and those around us. To appreciate our strengths. To breathe deep and take in all of the good around us. </span>Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-81918848998670370892013-11-06T17:06:00.003-08:002013-11-06T18:32:14.985-08:00November Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZDpwzyWOj3rfEwQoP7DUXmlELb7zxWg68AWyggbr4wh9VTexDQrOF_inl_XK_vSn9COwHzgo58uIFZ6BwGY_aLk7wizFoOjPKBjrUv6aBY5_kwg-J1Gf1Vpnvx2ifxHcFdKHSJ2G2Ow/s1600/nov+goals+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZDpwzyWOj3rfEwQoP7DUXmlELb7zxWg68AWyggbr4wh9VTexDQrOF_inl_XK_vSn9COwHzgo58uIFZ6BwGY_aLk7wizFoOjPKBjrUv6aBY5_kwg-J1Gf1Vpnvx2ifxHcFdKHSJ2G2Ow/s400/nov+goals+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because earlier this month I said that I was going to start<a href="http://strengthtolove.blogspot.com/2013/11/self-care-isnt-selfish.html"> taking better care of myself,</a> what better way than to post my November Goals? Also because <a href="http://www.thetinytwig.com/2013/11/01/november-goals/">The Tiny Twig</a> is doing a link-up. And link-ups are rad. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One really popular (and effective!) method of goal setting is to use the SMART system. This is pretty widely used, and I am learning how to use this with clients in my counseling class. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what are SMART goals? Basically they are a set of criteria that helps you focus the goal in order to make it realistic to achieve. The criteria are: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based. If one of these five elements is missing in a goal, it can be difficult to actually make it happen. For example I tell myself ALL THE TIME that 'I'm going to learn new recipes' but if I don't parse out those goals with specifics and write the details in my calendar, it is unlikely it will happen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here is how this works:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span><span style="font-size: large;">pecific:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #bf9000; color: white; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">What exactly do you want to accomplish? (and why?)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (ex: I want to learn new recipes to explore my culinary creativity/ impress my husband/ expand my palette)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">M</span><span style="font-size: large;">easurable:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #bf9000; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">How can you measure that it is being accomplished? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (ex: I will learn one new recipe per week) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span><span style="font-size: large;">ttainable:</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #bf9000; color: #f3f3f3;">How will this goal be accomplished?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (ex: I will look up a new recipe on Sundays when I meal plan so I can add the ingredients to my shopping list)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">R</span><span style="font-size: large;">elevant:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #bf9000; color: #f3f3f3;"> Is this the right time for this goal? Is it worthwhile?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (This is more of a reflection question. For example, from experience I can tell you that trying to become fluent in Spanish while being in grad school full time with a part time job just ain't happening. It is worthwhile, but just isn't the right time. Also If you just added a new baby to your family, backpacking through Europe for the summer is a great goal, but it probably just isn't the right time. Probably.).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span><span style="font-size: large;">ime-based. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #bf9000; color: white; font-size: large;">When am I doing it & how long? Does it have a finish date?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (ex: Re-evaluate recipe strategy one month from now. (Write this in your calendar) The point of this is to assess if one recipe /week is too much or if you can totally rock the challenge and want to up the ante to two recipes/ week. For other goals such as quitting smoking or weight loss this part of the SMART goals might look like: smoke one less cigarette until down to one a day by November 30 or I will weigh in every Monday and will reach my goal weight by June 2014.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One more thing! There is certainly something to be said about taking on too many new things at once. It is great to keep a long list of things you want to accomplish somewhere but just tackling two or three at a time is best and the most realistic. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(This is assuming your Goal list and to-do list are not the same thing, but maybe they are, and that's cool too.)</span> <b>Habits are difficult to form as well as break</b>. It is just how the brain works. Here is a interesting article on changing <a href="http://charlesduhigg.com/how-habits-work/">habits</a>. It is based on a book I highly highly recommend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So Here are three I am working on this month:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VH6j__E-FQ0yNZEKDM45WHOEXoKRLI0mzqnA9lb3KwudriL4DQ4x_fcsC5O1G8c8OEsG91xe8mhabvc3hZ_6x4ZhgIkLxXD8gDms29ym6ml8KDF78cPJc7eUKW2qE9q8NFxs7oUcpHE/s1600/November+Goals5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VH6j__E-FQ0yNZEKDM45WHOEXoKRLI0mzqnA9lb3KwudriL4DQ4x_fcsC5O1G8c8OEsG91xe8mhabvc3hZ_6x4ZhgIkLxXD8gDms29ym6ml8KDF78cPJc7eUKW2qE9q8NFxs7oUcpHE/s640/November+Goals5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goal #2 and #3 are smaller parts of a larger goal I recently set based on losing weight and eating healthier. Baby steps. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have the specifics written down in my calendar </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(You'll note I don't list all my SMART steps here!)</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> but made this little graphic to post on my desktop so I see it every time I open my computer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would love to hear from you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What goals have you set this month? How are you reminding yourself about your goals? </span><br />
<br />Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-57200633182896232982013-11-05T12:46:00.000-08:002013-11-06T17:06:32.458-08:00An anxious wandering heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SeDOcdaJLMmpC4xs5__FBDOHslo33SLTRPaQSsaClm1lanTl_SlAtZdInmN1Kdt91GE7W7HlKa4ErhoB4snFA_pS3QAIHC1JHj2BkWVpdGTB-fpd60bLsbZ2ngipZpYiaQtYqy_Pjkk/s1600/Slide6035469_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SeDOcdaJLMmpC4xs5__FBDOHslo33SLTRPaQSsaClm1lanTl_SlAtZdInmN1Kdt91GE7W7HlKa4ErhoB4snFA_pS3QAIHC1JHj2BkWVpdGTB-fpd60bLsbZ2ngipZpYiaQtYqy_Pjkk/s400/Slide6035469_large.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(This print is featured <a href="http://www.naptimediariesshop.com/collections/hymns">here</a>. More about it at the bottom of the blog)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My heart is so good at wandering lately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have less than a month left of of my first semester of grad school. 15 credits of grad school. (so. many. projects. due.) The holidays are coming up. My husband graciously picked up a second job to aid our finances since all of my student-ing doesn't make any money. I work < part time. I volunteer. I have family stuff. And along with all the other moving parts that come with life and being human, I am stressed. To the max.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately, I have been noticing that I stop breathing in certain circumstances, or am taking extremely shallow breaths. As a future mental health professional, I obviously realize this is no bueno. Breath is life. Breathing is essential.Something has to change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm finding that lately my heart wanders and fills up with the things I have to <b>do</b>. Rather than filling up with who God<b> is</b>. I am <u>striving</u> rather than <u>trusting </u>that God made me. That he has a path set out for me and is there the whole way. Not just <b>beside</b> me, but <b>before</b> me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This tension and balance between <i>me </i>doing things and leaving things up to God completely baffles me. I honestly just don't get it. As a Type A, I want to do everything. Pefectly. Right Now. But that isn't working. It leaves me depleted, tired, anxious and twenty other negative adjectives. Probably more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here's to recognizing <b>gracefully</b> that change is needed. I don't know exactly what this looks like yet for me, however, for the past month (ok, ok, two or three months) my morning quiet time has been replaced by sleeping in. So I think that I can begin with trusting God with my mornings. I know that by spending time in prayer and in the word, and by focusing on him, and learning who He is, that I can learn to trust. I recognize that by doing this my life won't suddenly be perfect, but my focus will be on the one who is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When our circumstances can't be changed, our perspective can, and in turn our circumstances will look much different. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My prayer for myself <span style="font-size: x-small;">(and you!)</span> is: May the Lord bind our wandering hearts to His so they are directed, protected and free from the slavery and whims of this world. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfu8DYwr_dSEubNtKYxKFFFx_kEyCn2r6fRNETkO_XgetlqWeKF7p-q6jbSfx9vpZiwdAdnQVn2IC-nr9jdaceDZaOOZn7Z6_Alt7wm0PXcW6OA6wa5EjBlu-KhE1N5wHCwJ0P0u_NMI/s1600/Slide3151985_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfu8DYwr_dSEubNtKYxKFFFx_kEyCn2r6fRNETkO_XgetlqWeKF7p-q6jbSfx9vpZiwdAdnQVn2IC-nr9jdaceDZaOOZn7Z6_Alt7wm0PXcW6OA6wa5EjBlu-KhE1N5wHCwJ0P0u_NMI/s320/Slide3151985_large.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A favorite verse for me lately. Print can be found <a href="http://www.naptimediariesshop.com/collections/frontpage/products/exodus-14-14">here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(The print shown above can be found in Naptime Diaries shop <a href="http://www.naptimediariesshop.com/">here.</a> She does really wonderful work and makes me want to post scripture all over my house!) </i></span>Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-44541792359674321692013-11-03T17:25:00.000-08:002013-11-06T18:23:04.455-08:00Self-care isn't Selfish<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUf6C1BmvfQyTOVcmftBwhXEOaC_cR_nXC3RP6czklukQVE7pNxNqcxgSDQTpAXj5mHE9HidUXPbG8mXyI86VaIMrVDWBje33E0VtATzXRwtubRBnZMQBiDaMPeaCCcSTXX3EuSQ6Ns0/s1600/tumblr_m4e7i9d7U11rwd8tjo1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUf6C1BmvfQyTOVcmftBwhXEOaC_cR_nXC3RP6czklukQVE7pNxNqcxgSDQTpAXj5mHE9HidUXPbG8mXyI86VaIMrVDWBje33E0VtATzXRwtubRBnZMQBiDaMPeaCCcSTXX3EuSQ6Ns0/s400/tumblr_m4e7i9d7U11rwd8tjo1_400.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is going to sound bizarre but sometimes I forget that I
live in a body. A body that needs nutrients, balance, sleep, and true rest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get <b>so </b>busy
with studying, planning and doing things, I forget that I have a body I have to
take care of. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a tendency to completely live in my head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a grad student my life is <i>crazy</i>. Busy. Full. (I imagine many of you have similar situations even if they look a lot different.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>I</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">’m not working out. I’m not eating well. There is little
balance to my life. I’m currently coming home from seven hours of classes to
spend another four to five hours doing homework or I come home from six hours
of work and spend four to five hours watching netflix because I’m just too tired to do anything else. This happens five days a week. Weekends are spent catching up on a neglected house and catching up on neglected family and friends. And more homework. Push repeat for the next week. None of this is good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At work I hear about drug abuse, poverty, rape. In classes I
hear the same thing. Classcism, sexism, racism, hate crimes, abuse, etc. People do really horrible things. It is hard
stuff to hear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it can take its toll.
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a common idea that social worker burnout rate is
incredibly high. I think this is because we deeply examine social problems and see
all the work there is to do in the world, and then we go do it. And it is never-ending. This is not just for social workers, but people in other caring professions experience the same thing. In the moment dinner just doesn’t seem quite as important as calling representatives about a
discriminatory bill that shouldn’t be passed. Homework gets pushed off because
there is a girl struggling with a history of sexual abuse at the clinic. An assignment about immigration reform is due tomorrow and I get caught up in the immense work that needs done and I get three hours of sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m starting to realize that advocating for others or empowering
others and caring for others will do no good if my body breaks down. I<u> have</u> to start taking care of
my body, because it has to last. and no one else is going to do it for me. My brain and my heart (which do all of these 'good things') will only last as long
as my body does. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently heard a powerful analogy on this topic. When a
plane starts to experience turbulence, and the air masks drop down, what does
the flight attendant ask you to do? <b>Not </b>to put air masks on as many passengers as
you can before you pass out. <b>Not</b> to put the mask on your neighbor before yourself, but
to actually put the oxygen mask on yourself and <i>then</i> help the person seated next to you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNPODWkXG3746PhT23gZ3bg_NndkwF-N7bYJhHDDj6UDkXdwLUHzN4Z1Ukw0JMouFMQ1bzYn_qruE4QzBqxjdKBHCoIGXxoU9_i2hT2zfi7qZ7W6dMcG9qcRGKcLVKy-TFr_ZuUIPxng/s1600/xxx-flight-safety-1619-4_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNPODWkXG3746PhT23gZ3bg_NndkwF-N7bYJhHDDj6UDkXdwLUHzN4Z1Ukw0JMouFMQ1bzYn_qruE4QzBqxjdKBHCoIGXxoU9_i2hT2zfi7qZ7W6dMcG9qcRGKcLVKy-TFr_ZuUIPxng/s400/xxx-flight-safety-1619-4_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It isn’t selfish. It is necessary self-care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order to take care of others we HAVE TO practice
self-care. Otherwise we will truly be no good to anyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I think this looks differently for all of us. I can't compare myself the next woman who may appear to be superwoman. I can do the best that I can do. It starts today. And I have to find contentment in that.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I want to do the
right thing, but sometimes that looks like doing the right thing for me first.
And that is ok. </i></span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-84126318477190306922013-10-24T16:41:00.000-07:002013-10-24T16:53:17.886-07:00Advocacy isn't glamorous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFN-JsbBHnNGgkjdRU8aNhCn0o9i3LvowhXxcte_BHgwNTcZCdb9h6mi-5l7Nooc9NTs3jZFFJpQnK_KKoq8nYswh5-Ai5SyORU8POQEpmS3AKmc7RLt73bNKlKK9wa3T99RGdQtof9g/s1600/1380789_10151734459461699_543446851_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFN-JsbBHnNGgkjdRU8aNhCn0o9i3LvowhXxcte_BHgwNTcZCdb9h6mi-5l7Nooc9NTs3jZFFJpQnK_KKoq8nYswh5-Ai5SyORU8POQEpmS3AKmc7RLt73bNKlKK9wa3T99RGdQtof9g/s640/1380789_10151734459461699_543446851_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Friendly (and cold) activists. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today my husband and I went downtown with a few members of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/undocuhoosier">IUYA</a> to inform people passing by of instant action they could take (calling a specific Senator) to help the <a href="http://www.dreamactivist.org/media-advisory-sept-30-30-dreamers-to-cross-border-asking-obama-to-bringthemhome/">Dream 30</a> by keeping two of the <a href="http://unitedwedream.org/">dreamers</a> from being deported. (Deportation from the U.S. can mean a lot of danger back in Mexico. The students who would be deported have grown up in America (it is truly all they know) and because of all the media attention, would face severe violence by the carteles if they were to be deported.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Current immigration reform policies, <a href="http://unitedwedream.org/keeping-families-apart-infographic/">separate families</a> for a long time. Like a really long time. Decades or for life in some cases. So we were also there to support reform for family reunification. My friend Lupe was brought to the United States when she was six years old. She hasn't been able to see her grandmother in 14 years. Her father was unable to return to Mexico to attend his own father's funeral. My brother-in-law hasn't seen his wife in a year and a half. My husband's immediate family was in one room together<i> for the first time</i> in 10 years at our wedding last December. Current immigration processes are lengthy and expensive and divisive. I just can't even begin to imagine. But it is real.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8LLQPsEkcFCj4yb897VhK1BYI-DVC8dv5Q7kgrhcHbrucbW2SA88Qu56IvzsARF7LvoERbaLNkF19DrcFo1HG8oOR5-CMO8Jemgdwc72LZ7FtiEsCHDuCdMUGNkpkeks-sGg7nnPOAs/s1600/1374195_604091150869_1791760193_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8LLQPsEkcFCj4yb897VhK1BYI-DVC8dv5Q7kgrhcHbrucbW2SA88Qu56IvzsARF7LvoERbaLNkF19DrcFo1HG8oOR5-CMO8Jemgdwc72LZ7FtiEsCHDuCdMUGNkpkeks-sGg7nnPOAs/s640/1374195_604091150869_1791760193_n.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lupe bracing herself from the cold and Chris dialing Senator Menendez's phone number</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In driving to this event, I pictured 500 people rallying and yelling and singing on the monument. I imagined Bono showing up and offering to play for us. I pictured buttons and gung-ho legislators and drums. But it didn't look like that. I think that every day advocacy is much less glamorous. It was snowing. I was cold. (It the first REALLY cold day here in Indiana, so I'm sure a few passersby looked at the <a href="http://www.ice.gov/">ICE</a> sign and thought we were protesting the cold- which isn't a bad idea, really.) I didn't always know if I was saying the right thing. There were five of us. I was kind of scared to talk to people. I couldn't get in touch with the Senator and left a bunch of voicemails.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it was powerful. Energizing. People were responsive. People cared. It lit this fire in me that I can't explain. I truly believe that everyone is passionate about something. We can't choose everything (we shouldn't choose everything) But we can choose something and do small actions in concentrated ways to make a difference. If the Senator receives 300 calls today, what if the 6 calls that I made tipped him over the edge to stop the deportation? I had the power to change <i>someone's life</i> even though it is such a small thing for me to call. Those 6 calls totaled 4 minutes... maybe. Advocacy doesn't just have to look like picketing or rallying. It can be letter writing, educating, signing up voters, being kind, loving our neighbors and speaking truth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Small things add up. Small things matter. Small things make history.</span><br />
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Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-56475461576574969322013-10-23T20:46:00.005-07:002013-10-23T21:12:20.356-07:00Hunger awareness and eating on the cheap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uY8vKXUHRkg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Video explaining the IUPUI SNAP challenge</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is such a terrible title. I feel like I am ALWAYS hungry. But that's another blog post for another day. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Food Insecurity</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to the<a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/err-economic-research-report/err155.aspx#.UmiL7FCkqVM"> USDA</a> 14.5% of Americans were food insecure in 2012. Those are 14.5% of Americans that did not know where their next meal is coming from. That is almost 1 in 7 people. I know that when I'm hungry and I am out of the 'good food' (you know what I am talking about: easy to grab chips, string cheese, anything frozen...) I can generally go to the pantry and can prepare popcorn, or at the very least, heat up a package of noodles if the shelves are looking a bit empty. But many people don't even have this option. The pantry is bare. They have nothing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To show solidarity, and to gain a sense of understanding of what this looks like, I am participating in a SNAP challenge at my university this week, where we are being challenged to live on $1.50 per meal per day, or $31.50 for the entire week (per person), which is equivalent to what those who receive SNAP benefits (formally food stamps) live on. It is in preparation for Hunger and Homelessness awareness week, which takes place just before Thanksgiving. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought this would be fairly challenging, but this story takes an ironic twist, because in going through grocery receipts, I found out that my husband and I currently live on that amount weekly. (Not counting going out to eat, or coffee runs). My grocery receipt for this week totaled $61. 70 exactly, so I even came in under budget. (*fist pump*). I'm not sure what that says about the state of a graduate student's quality of life, but there you have it. We are preeettty thrifty by mostly shopping at Aldi's, and growing our own vegetables in the summer. But it was interesting to be cognizant of the fact that we live on the same level as those on government assistance.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLbMaoVhAQXAdLBg0VX8FaHzBs6FfcZgpn2pG4ZIcjGjNuv876SiGIqwztielUFjwDZXluL3C5vAL3av15izCL1Vy-7coFwf1wcomdD0dN5LqnJWp_p747KiwiypKZTRm5jS9s9_ZLTA/s1600/427219_581603775749_1084365210_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLbMaoVhAQXAdLBg0VX8FaHzBs6FfcZgpn2pG4ZIcjGjNuv876SiGIqwztielUFjwDZXluL3C5vAL3av15izCL1Vy-7coFwf1wcomdD0dN5LqnJWp_p747KiwiypKZTRm5jS9s9_ZLTA/s400/427219_581603775749_1084365210_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">An easy home-made breakfast quiche. I make two at a time and freeze one. This is breakfast for two weeks!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What America can learn from the Third World</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't always this thrifty (and it still comes and goes. I LOVE luxury. I hate doing dishes. I would eat out every meal if I could). My husband is from the Dominican Republic, which by our American standards is often termed the 'third world'. I have learned what I consider AMAZING food money saving tricks from my husband, which he grew up thinking were normal. (I think they are magic, and he just shrugs his shoulders).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So in honor of the SNAP challenge here are: </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">7 ways to eat on the super cheap</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) <b>Eat a lot of rice.</b> Like, a lot of rice. Rice is cheap, rice is filling, and when it is cooked with oil and salt rice can be SO so deliciously good. Straight up carbohydrate glory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) <b>Eat a lot of beans with your rice.</b> Black beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, red beans... and on. Bonus points if you buy them in a bag and soak them first. Canned beans are cheap, but dry beans are cheaper. They are also a good protein source.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) <b>Get creative and use what you have.</b> I couldn't begin to count how many times I look in the fridge and the pantry and complain about how we have nothing to eat. My husband will take a look, pause to think, and then make something delicious from ingredients I didn't even know could be put together. #Boom: a meal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4)<b> Make your own bread/ tortillas/ biscuits.</b> A 5 lb bag of flour costs $4-5 and makes about 8-10 loaves of bread. A store bought loaf will set you back $3-4 so this is such an easy way (If there is time) to save extra money. I currently don't even have time to sleep as a grad student, so you can bet I am not BettyCrocker-ing it up and currently making my own bread. No way, sister. However, my friend Stephanie from Central America wakes up early every morning to make biscuits or tortillas for her kids. She says it is just routine, and she doesn't even have to think about it. Amazing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) <b>Prepare your food.</b> This takes time, which many Americans do not have, or claim not to have. (Also guilty) But I have found that the less packaged and pre-made it is, generally the cheaper it is. (And healthier!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6)<b> Cook larger portions. </b>Use the time you do have to make multiple meals at once. If you are going to make rice, make A LOT of rice, and use it for several meals. If you are going to cook chili, cook a LOT of chili, and freeze it for next week. But no one wants to eat one meal 5 days in a row. Let's get real. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7)<b> Make sure to eat the leftovers. </b>I hate leftovers. I really truly do. I have this mental block that the food somehow gained a crazy awful deadly bacteria in the fridge and will poison me if I eat it. (*shame*) This is so wastefully American. I am truly working on this by thinking of how many more meals there are to be had and money to be saved if leftovers were eaten! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would love to hear feedback from you, how do you save money at the grocery store?</span>Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-6663520357247173312013-10-21T16:01:00.000-07:002013-10-23T11:15:47.632-07:00Maybe sometimes it is ok to disengage<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently I have been intentionally quiet on social media and the internet. Enjoying fall, and diving
deep into my Graduate classes. I read a lot. I write a lot. I’m learning a
whole heck of a lot. I don’t sleep a lot, but it is just for a season. It is
this tiny period of my life where explosive intellectual, spiritual, and social growths are happening. It is exciting and inspiring. However, growth
spurts are usually birthed in tandem with the need to rest before any further
growth can begin to take place. So I have
been resting and processing. Below is
some of what I have been wrestling with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my Policy class, once a week, we have ‘newsroom’- a time where
everyone in the class presents a current event and we enjoy a big group discussion
on the implications of the policies brought to the table. (Questions
asked: How does this affect our clients? How does it affect us? What does it all
mean?) Normally I LOVE this. It makes my heart race. I love debating and learning
and hashing out ideas. This is where I come <b>alive</b>. I want to hang on to every moment of that class, because I realize
it will be over before I know it. But last week I could not even bring myself to
find an article. I just could not even turn my computer on and look. I was dragging. my. feet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here’s where I am going to get honest with you: <i>being informed has been entirely undesirable
for me lately.</i> I just haven’t wanted to engage with politics and I <b>completely </b>want to tune out. Like, a
go-off-to-an-obscure-wooded-mountain-to-raise-sheep-and-weave-wool-tunics level
of disengagement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don’t know if it was caused by the government shut-down
drama, but for anyone that knows me, this is uncharacteristic behavior because
I am <u>always</u> watching, listening, researching, tweeting, re-tweeting what
is going in the world. And here’s the worst part, the raw part, the ironic and
humbling learning curve of this blog-fession: I am often incredibly (mostly internally) judgmental
toward people who are not tuned into the news.... Ugh. Grace please. While my own reasons may differ from yours I am beginning
to understand why people choose to tune out and turn it down. And that it is <i>ok.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBX6kMo8UiJLbGxO2OVgOwPLJ8pXi1ChiyoNUmbRNdNjrNDIfJB4QfSquqJgGDatoP5aQ4b90QXgaVIhbB30pxoXy6UdQ5GXAyOWObw1k2AR2a5zFuMGl3Vnxr3-sTi2Z02Yf8XJwDRQs/s1600/Grounded+in+Truth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBX6kMo8UiJLbGxO2OVgOwPLJ8pXi1ChiyoNUmbRNdNjrNDIfJB4QfSquqJgGDatoP5aQ4b90QXgaVIhbB30pxoXy6UdQ5GXAyOWObw1k2AR2a5zFuMGl3Vnxr3-sTi2Z02Yf8XJwDRQs/s640/Grounded+in+Truth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides gaining a new level of empathy and understanding for
others, I realized two things about my recent disenchantment:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1) </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I was beginning to feel like I had to have answers for all
the problems. That I needed to have solutions to </span><u style="text-indent: -0.25in;">all the things</u><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. And it was beginning to feel like the problems were too big to even be fixed. (Sensing my anxiety yet?) But above all, </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I was beginning to
place my trust in the government. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">(And in my own abilities to 'fix' things) While the
government can do much to help its constituents and while we as people living in a
democracy can do many things to affect change, <u>we can’t change everything.</u></span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Mother
Theresa, Martin Luther King Jr. and Ghandi didn’t even change the whole world. While they
changed some things and each of them made inspiring changes during their time
on earth; let's look at some quick facts: poverty still exists, racism still exists, violence still exists. While
as humans we are often truly amazing, we are as equally limited and flawed. I have come
to realize my trust must be placed in</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> something beyond finite human beings, and that it is to be placed in the Lord. (Like most things this is much easier said than done,
but I believe it is a</span><u style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> process</u><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> worth starting, continuing, or beginning again.) The
Lord is eternal and good and can be trusted with everything. Especially our hopes
and prayers for wisdom, action, and change.</span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2) </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I also came to see that it is ok to not always want
to know what is going on. The news was right there when I came back. It was as
urgent and pressing as ever, and didn’t stop when I stopped paying attention. The
world is turning and it changes so quickly.</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I am probably also reading more news
articles than passages from the Bible. While paying attention to what is going on is
an investment in my career, and helps me to be informed and make informed
decisions in the world, perhaps more of my time could be better invested
elsewhere? I need to strive for better balance.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was <span style="background-color: white;">Reinhold Niebuhr</span> who talked about preaching with
“a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in another.” May that be how I live my
life. Informed, but grounded in truth that matters. The news changes every day,
but the Lord stays the same. And that is a promise.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Heb 13:8)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-88937564677049617962013-10-10T12:34:00.002-07:002013-10-21T16:02:22.772-07:00What we can learn from Malala<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">After the madness on Capitol Hill the past few weeks, the words from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 28.5px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malala Yousafzai, a </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">16 year old girl from Pakistan might be enough to sustain your faith in humanity before you totally give up. She is up for the Nobel Peace prize. And for good reason. Check out her story </span><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/09/world/asia/malala-shooting-anniversary/index.html" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(If you haven't already seen it) below is a clip from her interview on the daily show.
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Her remarkable words:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">"I started thinking about that, and I used to think that the Talib would come, and he would just kill me. But then I said, 'If he comes, what would you do Malala?' then I would reply to myself, 'Malala, just take a shoe and hit him.' But then I said, 'If you hit a Talib with your shoe, then there would be no difference between you and the Talib<b>. You must not treat others with cruelty and that much harshly, you must fight others but through peace and through dialogue and through education.' </b>Then I said I will tell him how important education is and that 'I even want education for your children as well.' And I will tell him, 'That's what I want to tell you, now do what you want.'"</span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Wow. Amen, sister. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This video resonated so strongly with me for two reasons:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">1) It is a reminder that <u>as women we have influence</u>. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Young women have a voice. We have things to say and peace to spread. Also, she is sixteen years old. <i>SIXTEEN! </i>What an incredible voice for her generation. She didn't just want education and peace for her assailant, but also for his children. What an incredible example.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">2) Her words also instantly conjure up the words and actions of humanitarian giants like Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, and MLK Jr. Each of them not only believed in, but lived non-violence. Turning the other cheek. Treating others better than they wanted to be treated, Responding in situations in life-giving and breathtaking ways that shine light and inspire all of us to</span></span><b style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> be better to one another.</b><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> At the end of the interview John Stewart, visibly in awe, said to Malala, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"I don't know where you are from, but I am glad you are here." I believe that such love towards our enemies can only come from God, which is eternal, and not of this world.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">I've been thinking a lot lately on how I respond to others, especially on social media in the midst of deeply entrenched political sound-offs and blame. </span><a href="http://strengthtolove.blogspot.com/2013/10/day-4-what-happens-when-our-political.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">(See previous post)</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> Malala's words also apply here. <b>"You must fight others through peace and through dialogue and through education."</b> Peaceful words, </span><u style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">not</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> Hateful words. Dialogue, </span><u style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">not</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> M</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">onologue. Education, </span><u style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">not</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Lies.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus told us to love our enemies. To LOVE our enemies. <u>Not</u> just to tolerate them. <u>Not</u> just to ignore them. But to actually LOVE them. This includes our internet enemies ( Preachin' to myself here.) Love is not neutral, but it is active. So I have to ask myself, what does this look like in my life? How do I bring peace where I am? How do I love people whom I strongly disagree with?</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">May we learn to show peace in small ways so that someday we can earn the privilege to show peace in big ways. </span></span></span>Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-39610549530435966632013-10-06T12:07:00.006-07:002013-10-06T12:39:58.751-07:00Influence Conference Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last weekend I attended a <strike>blogging</strike> <strike>writing</strike> life conference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I wrote in a <a href="http://strengthtolove.blogspot.com/2013/09/influence-conference.html">previous post</a>, I found out about the conference <i>last </i>minute by stumbling upon the <a href="http://theinfluencenetwork.com/">Influence Network</a> while doing some late-night Twitter stalk-networking (If you have Twitter, I know that you know<i> exactly</i> what I mean).</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I had </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">barely begun my blog just days before, so I felt like a total impostor by buying a ticket, but</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I nervously, hesitantly, excitedly signed up and </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">went anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...Am I <b>thankful</b> I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went to meet other women, to learn about strategy, to learn how to blog, and while I <i>did</i> learn these things, the one thing I wasn't planning on happened.<i> </i><u>I encountered the Lord</u> in this personal and dynamic way. Like rekindling a bruised and tired relationship by being romanced and reminded why you are still together. <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(And by rekindled, I mean blowtorch to cold ashes, rekindled.) </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The words that the women spoke over us were compelling, encouraging and were rich in truth. Gospel truth. I was hesitant to write this post, because I am still processing- still digesting all that happened, and have yet put words to the place where so many feelings lie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(shoe-cutting party!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Thursday.</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides being warmly greeted upon entrance with a cute bag full of free stuff(!), the first night we cut shoes for children in Uganda with <a href="http://www.solehope.com/">Sole Hope</a>. It was simultaneously powerful and humbling to know that the fabric I was tracing, cutting, touching, would be placed on the feet of children whose lives could be forever changed by a pair of shoes. That <i>shoes </i>would give them hope from debilitating parasites that could keep them from going to school, from getting an education, from losing their legs. I left feeling burdened for the children there, but also less nervous about the next few days. Mostly because I knew that the women who were leading the conference had their hearts in the right place. And I could trust what was to come. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(essentials: coffee, pen, notebook, check!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were so many pages and pages of notes from those two days. So many ideas and truths I took with me. But below are some of the big ones for me.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Friday.</u></span><br />
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<li><a href="http://www.thetinytwig.com/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hayley Morgan </a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">reminded me to <b>be free in truth</b> by speaking out loud the lies that so many of us believe. <b>Truth:</b> <b>We as women have influence. We have worth. We are seen. We are not a bother or a liability when we speak out. Our opinions and voices as women are valuable, and we are loved.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://laracasey.com/">Lara Casey</a> told us how to make things happen. Visit her site. She is truly amazing. If you want/ need motivation or help with setting goals, check out her goal setting pages <a href="http://laracasey.com/2012/12/27/goal-setting-making-things-happen-in-2013-part-1/">here</a>. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.shaunaniequist.com/">Shauna Niequist</a> re-ignited my love and passion for writing. She also reminded me to seek community and to not isolate when it gets hard because THAT is when growth happens. THAT is when it gets beautiful. I am also currently halfway through her book 'Bittersweet' <span style="font-size: x-small;">(which was handed out at the conference for free!)</span>. It is so so good. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Business/ Blog cards from all the women I met on the 1st day)</span></div>
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<u style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Saturday.</u></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.naptimediaries.com/">Jessi Connolly</a> spoke about feminine influence and the work we do. That we are often timid about being women, but there is no fear in how we are created. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(1 John 4:18)</span>. That we are HIS workmanship, and and the pressure is lifted off of us in whatever we do (be at home to raise children, be in the workforce, do both... whatever.) The pressure is lifted off because whatever we do, it is HIS work.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Eph 2:10) </span>And may we find freedom in that. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.anniedowns.com/">Annie Downs</a> told us that words are powerful. That we speak life or death. To be kind online (not just on our blogs, but on facebook, twitter, online commenting, and in 'real life'...). To fight darkness with light. That what we say and how we say it truly matters. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(reflecting)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Midway through Saturday during a long break, I snuck off to a quiet empty conference room to write. As a natural introvert, all of my energy (plus some) had been used up by this time, and I just had to be still and exist and drink more coffee. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also went to the Sashes market that was filled with handmade items from many many talented women! My bank account may or may not have taken a significant hit by this...but I was supporting original handmade goods by women, so what was wrong with that, really? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(sashes market)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday evening ended in worship. I was really honestly too exhausted to participate. My mind was full of newly learned things, and my heart was raw from dealing with them. I just wanted to go home and sleep. But the experience of standing in a room full of women I had been with for two straight days, women whose stories I heard (both deep heartbreaks, and deep joy) </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and seeing them stand in a room worshiping the Lord through it all and despite it all- moved me beyond exhaustion to joy. I felt hope in my relationship with Jesus and also a quieter sense of hope and camaraderie within this new community I had found. Both of which I had stumbled upon unknowingly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As C.S. Lewis says, in S<i>urprised by Joy</i>, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I was still young and the whole world of beauty was opening before me, my own officious obstructions were... swept aside and, startled into self-forgetfulness, I again tasted Joy."</span></span></div>
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Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-37501983866299724322013-10-04T08:30:00.000-07:002013-10-05T17:45:30.657-07:00What happens when our political words divide?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgMDiWf4uOQ2gkdEkkOnbH4qggrMTOd-H3VPcezX8DCKjqqgBie3KdR3SrGI7OXE9DMBNSnFs4wCnm35IxwcGykBGgD5vU5MQ6ThsKSBGcGaqunwARG6yE4dFynIXPnTIY3_HLvtTSG4/s1600/words-blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgMDiWf4uOQ2gkdEkkOnbH4qggrMTOd-H3VPcezX8DCKjqqgBie3KdR3SrGI7OXE9DMBNSnFs4wCnm35IxwcGykBGgD5vU5MQ6ThsKSBGcGaqunwARG6yE4dFynIXPnTIY3_HLvtTSG4/s640/words-blue.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, so admittedly I <b>do
not</b> have the answer to that question, but after many internet and
‘real-life discussions’ and classroom sessions on the issues lately, I felt
compelled for my own sake to reflect on the question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today my heart hurts. My heart hurts for <s>the nation </s>people.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I (probably much like you) am reading about blame, about
threats, about legislative hostage situations. It isn’t pretty, and it honestly
just makes me tired. And sad. Tomorrow I will probably be fired up and ready to
go out and fight the good fight, but today my bones just feel so weary. Achy.
Sore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel weary because of what is being spoken. Because of the
tension I read and feel in the Facebook posts, the tweets, the accusations. Because
of the fear being spread and internalized. And the energy-</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">stealing superiority and ‘rightness’
that flows from me externally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a tendency to side with a particular political
member or one specific party. I also have a tendency to adamantly
oppose “the other” party simply based on buzzwords that have been stolen from
our vocabulary and have been morphed into signals for division. To divide us.
To separate us. To make us feel and think that we
have more differences than we what have in common. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Democrat, Republican, family values, liberal, conservative,
feminist, communist, Capitalist, Tea Partier, entitlement, welfare, one
percent, the working poor,</i> _____ (fill in the blank) there are many more. If
any one of these words is boldly placed in the title of an article: my interest
is instantly piqued, or I just brush it off and shut it down. It has gotten so
bad, that I find myself doing this with people. If they don’t agree: what they
say on the issue isn’t important, and I stop listening. But these opinions are coming from<b> people</b>. Who <b>matter.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Barack Obama is a human. John Boehner is a human. Harry Reid
is a human. That crazy liberal democrat
republican conservative radical anarchist on your facebook feed is also a
human. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What we say<b> to</b>
them, say <b>about</b> them and how we
engage <b>with</b> them matters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to constantly remind myself that how other people use their words does not define how I use
mine. We don’t fight darkness with
darkness. We fight darkness with light. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Words are powerful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The words we speak to others in person or online are so
important. They bring life or death. (Prov. 18:21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are always creating or destroying with our words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God could have formed creation in any way that he chose, but
God chose to SPEAK creation into being. He didn’t carve it out. He didn’t paint
it, or light it up in neon lights, he <b>spoke</b>
it, and it was. <b>God made everything with
words</b>. (Genesis chapter 1) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just want to reflect for myself on how I am using my words
to heal, to hope to uplift. Posting articles online for others to see, brings
awareness. And I think that is good. But
<b>how</b> am I posting them, <b>what </b>message am I sending?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to be more mindful. I want to be more truthful. I
want to speak life. I want my words to heal. Because it is so badly needed. I don’t want my opinion to be the best, but I
want the best for the person I am talking with. These are my brothers and
sisters. I want to listen. I want to love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes my identity gets wrapped up in ‘the issues’, in a
political side or a cause I feel strongly about, so when someone negates that
online, I get defensive. Because I feel
that a part of me is being threatened. Like a cat cornered with its claws out, I
fight back because they are stepping on what I think I am defined by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I am not defined by the issues. I am defined by Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While we were given hands and feet <b>to do</b>, we were also given a heart to <b>trust. </b>To trust that His plans are greater than ours, even when the
world around is broken, confusing, lost, and shutdown. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Christ is not. And our hope is found
there. Let us rest easy in that promise, and the hope that is to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be encouraged friends,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are so loved. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-29710542054659526832013-10-03T04:00:00.000-07:002013-10-05T18:02:03.643-07:00What is Congress?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzvZmsoSs3YDHokykvmdu_silBCNRY7_kzPxM3sIIsWNIg49tFeteCI00TnLQQH15UQ7DP35MLwCZplf7eDYOJEUmYTA9rMGYPlYD9EdYhhJZijx9l6Cw2lwV5HEfjz-c-6yADbL8JpM/s1600/Congress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzvZmsoSs3YDHokykvmdu_silBCNRY7_kzPxM3sIIsWNIg49tFeteCI00TnLQQH15UQ7DP35MLwCZplf7eDYOJEUmYTA9rMGYPlYD9EdYhhJZijx9l6Cw2lwV5HEfjz-c-6yADbL8JpM/s640/Congress2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congress has been getting a pretty bad rap lately. But WHAT is congress? WHO is congress?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These Monty Python-esque <span style="font-size: large;">1 minute clips</span> explain it much better than I could so feel free to browse the ones of interest and I will meet you back at the bottom of this post! The man that uploaded these has over 30 videos! For more of them click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B9439E65ED7E087">here. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why Congress Matters </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/fdgU08k-CTQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does Congress Do? </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zNzeJXbBbNs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Senate</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/P6LWHFVzjKY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The House of Representatives</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The difference between state local and national government</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-KdMAip3twM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Citizen Participation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One minute clips not your thing? If you want a more in-depth look at what Congress does click <a href="http://www.congresslink.org/print_basics_whatmembersdo.htm">here</a>.</span></div>
Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-55901446800701450962013-10-02T09:46:00.000-07:002013-10-05T18:11:45.660-07:00What is the Affordable Care Act?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UXxffYMdPxyhZsyXQ3RJ3b5_nfXJxXYMEwc4MPnuE3RDDwo20rrS_POWSAm83_NDhFZwA6UPhQZZPvk7ZXnh_pWl0E-517a8ZG4Q7M7AbkK7_hrCnwLhU7nS9YQTt8Osk2_KKcp1p7U/s1600/Affordable+Care+act.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UXxffYMdPxyhZsyXQ3RJ3b5_nfXJxXYMEwc4MPnuE3RDDwo20rrS_POWSAm83_NDhFZwA6UPhQZZPvk7ZXnh_pWl0E-517a8ZG4Q7M7AbkK7_hrCnwLhU7nS9YQTt8Osk2_KKcp1p7U/s640/Affordable+Care+act.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday was the first day of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open exchanges.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It certainly didn't receive as much attention as it should have because of the <strike>media apocalypse</strike> government shut down yesterday. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let's give it some attention, because it is kind of a big deal. Where do we begin?</span><br />
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I could go into a <a href="http://www.pbs.org/healthcarecrisis/history.htm">history of healthcare</a> in the U.S. and why it is important to have affordable healthcare for all. I could also tear the ACA apart and point out how <a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/projects/the-case-against-obamacare">incredibly flawed</a> it is. However, the Affordable Care Act is a beginning. It isn't close to perfect, but I believe it is a step in the right direction for policy, even though that step is very small<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (over broken glass. without shoes, moving-forward-an-inch small.)</span></span><br />
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This video makes it perfectly clear WHY it is important to know what it is. So let's start with that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At first glance, this clip appears to be making fun of uninformed Americans (it is a bit mean-spirited), however, it also shows how important 'naming a thing' is. It is clear that the interviewees in the video chose to be <u>for</u> or <u>against</u> the plan (the same plan) simply based on the its name being associated with or without Obama.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So (at least as we read through this post) let's move beyond blindly supporting the ACA just because Obama sponsored it. Let us also move beyond blindly resisting it just because</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obama sponsored it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(*brushes dust off hands*) Moving on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So what IS it?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Affordable Care Act was a bill that Congress passed and Obama signed into law in 2010. Even though many Republican opponents tried to kill the law, it was <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/06/28/155901105/live-blog-the-health-care-ruling">declared Constitutional</a> in 2012. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The main idea of the ACA is to make sure that all Americans have health insurance</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (just like car insurance is compulsory in almost all states). Because <a href="http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2013/September/17/census-numbers-uninsured-numbers-remain-nearly-unchanged.aspx">48 million Americans</a> are uninsured and it is causing some killer consequences to both the economy, and the quality of people's lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There will be <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/essential-health-benefits/">"minimum essential benefits"</a> that every plan must cover and insurance companies can't exclude pre-existing conditions, or kick patients out when for example they get a <strike>deadly</strike>, <strike>life changing</strike> <strike>debilitating</strike> expensive disease like cancer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>What it isn't</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It isn't communism. It isn't even close. Individual insurance companies are probably going to be making A LOT of money from this. Which is capitalism. There are fewer companies with a larger share in the market, which is also a common result of capitalism. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I currently have health insurance. Do I have to do anything?</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably not, but I would encourage you to check out the website and see what is available.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You might find that your current insurance plan isn't available the next time you try to enroll because it doesn't meet the new standards set by the ACA. While that's kind of a bummer because health insurance is incredibly confusing to understand in the first place, and a new plan takes some time to figure out, it is also good news because you'll probably be getting better health insurance, but... you may have to pay more. So basically, just go check out the health insurance exchange. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is the health insurance exchange?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the term for the online health insurance shop that the government has set up. The site allows you to comparison shop for plans</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How do I get health insurance? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace/individual/#state=indiana">website</a> is actually incredibly user friendly, allowing the patron to fill in details to see what they might qualify for based on their current circumstances (age, dependents, current health insurance, etc.) I encourage you to try it out, and see! Click a few buttons, and boom. information. It is much more accessible than the 906 page act which can be found <a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/111/hr3590/text">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What happens of I just refuse to participate?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, since mandatory insurance was signed into law, if you don't have insurance, you will be breaking the law. This is the much debated <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/expert-responses-to-commonly-asked-questions-about-the-individual-mandate/2013/09/30/b46ac5e2-2538-11e3-b75d-5b7f66349852_story.html">"individual mandate"</a>. But wait, it gets even less fun. If you don't have insurance, you will be fined a penalty that starts out at $95, or 1% of your income, whichever is higher. Details on the penalty can be found at the IRS website,<a href="http://www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision"> here.</a> </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what now?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can sign up for it<a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/"> here</a>, and check out all of the details on the official site!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coverage begins as early as January 1, 2014 and Open enrollment closes March 31. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a federal hotline which can be reached at (800) 318-2596 if you have questions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is going to be messy. It is going to be confusing. As any new thing is. It is not a perfect policy. As no policy is. However, I believe this is a step toward taking care of the "least of these". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://sojo.net/magazine/2012/09/healthy-step-right-direction">Here</a> is a Sojourner's article from a faith-based perspective on why the Act is a healthy step in the right direction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-39917312326066454602013-10-01T07:00:00.000-07:002013-10-07T09:38:44.421-07:00Day 1: Why is the government shut down? <div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is day one of the government shut down. As I went to write this post, I had to do <s>some</s> a lot
of research and the more I uncovered, the less I understood. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But this pretty much sums it up:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thousands of articles about the shutdown are being written today, including
opinion pieces and political analyses, but all the explanations I found made me want to lie down and take a nap.They also failed to break down this hot mess into basic concepts. So that's what I'm doing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(*cracks knuckles*) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let’s begin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>The simple answer:</b> First, it isn't a complete shutdown, 'just' a partial one.<b> </b>Some<b> </b>government agencies will still <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/government-shutdown-senate-sends-obama-military-pay-bill-97582.html">be functioning.</a> However, since </span>Congress can not come to an agreement about the <a href="http://budget.house.gov/budgetprocess/stages.htm">budget</a>, (ex. the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnibus_spending_bill">spending bill</a> did not get passed) the government is simply not being funded. (*end scene*)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The government's fiscal year
runs from October 1 to September 30, and each year they HAVE TO pass a spending
bill before October 1. (The spending bill basically dictates where all of the government $ is going to go.) However, time ran out last night, for both sides to come to an agreement. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">You might be thinking to
yourself, “Why <i>can’t</i> they pass a bill so that the
government can function?” and "Shouldn't they HAVE to pass a budget?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">To that I answer, "Ah, yes. Exactly."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;">I imagine our current Congress functioning
like a toxic marriage between two people trying to run a household. They
live in the same house for the sake of the kids, and have different parenting
strategies, and goals for the future but can’t stop fighting, and frankly no
one is happy about it. Thus, mass chaos occurs on important decision making. Nothing really gets accomplished.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;">It needs some serious marriage counseling.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>But <i>Why</i> is the shutdown happening, you ask?</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, ok. Without getting all partisan, among other things, the big disagreement rests on the fact that House Republicans <u>insist</u> that the
new spending bill include provisions to de-fund the Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare), or they won’t let it
pass. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c; line-height: 19.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To
get a bit more specific, </span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/brad-plumer/2011/07/28/gIQAPrqSfI_page.html" rel="author external" style="border: 0px; color: #0c4790; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Visit Brad Plumer’s website">Brad Plumer</a> from the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/30/absolutely-everything-you-need-to-know-about-how-the-government-shutdown-will-work/">Washington Post </a> adds,</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; line-height: 19.5pt;">"Each
year, the House and Senate are supposed to agree on 12 appropriations bills to
fund the federal agencies and set spending priorities. Congress has become </span><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/post/congress-is-addicted-to-stop-gap-budgets/2011/09/30/gIQAXa1dAL_blog.html" style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 19.5pt; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #2c2c2c; padding: 0in;">really bad at passing these
bills</span></a><span style="color: #2c2c2c; line-height: 19.5pt;">, so in recent years they've resorted to stopgap budgets to
keep the government funded (known as "continuing resolutions"). The
last stopgap passed on March 28, 2013, and ends on Sept. 30.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; line-height: 19.5pt;">In
theory, Congress could pass another stopgap before Tuesday. But the
Democratic-controlled Senate and Republican-controlled House</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #2c2c2c; line-height: 19.5pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/18/everything-you-need-to-know-about-why-the-government-might-shut-down/?wprss=rss_economy&clsrd" style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 19.5pt; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #2c2c2c; padding: 0in;">are at odds</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #2c2c2c; line-height: 19.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #2c2c2c; line-height: 19.5pt;">over what that stopgap should look
like. The House passed a funding bill over the weekend that delayed Obamacare
for one year and repealed a tax on medical devices. The Senate rejected that
measure. They voted a few more times and still no agreement. So...</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #2c2c2c; line-height: 19.5pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/washington-braces-for-the-first-shutdown-of-the-national-government-in-17-years/2013/09/30/977ebca2-29bd-11e3-97a3-ff2758228523_story.html" style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 19.5pt; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #2c2c2c; padding: 0in;">we're getting a shutdown</span></a><span style="color: #2c2c2c; line-height: 19.5pt;">."</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">However, (and <i>this</i> is where it gets really good) even with a government
shutdown, the exchanges are still open. People are still signing up for healthcare. </span><span style="color: #222222;">The affordable care act (which is now the law) <i>isn’t even part of the deal that can be negotiated for the budget to pass. </i>It is simply a bargaining chip. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">So this whole thing is really nonsensical and a large<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/09/30/2706091/cost-of-shutdown/"> waste of money</a>? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Yes, yes it is. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think you understand now.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Practical stuff:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So How does this affect people?</b> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/30/reasons-government-shutdown-terrible_n_4019301.html">Here</a> is a list of things that are shut down. And <a href="http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2013/09/politics/government-shutdown-impact/">Here</a> is a detailed 'by the numbers chart' for the full scope. But really, it most affects the poor and vulnerable. Certain programs are being cut and families will not be able to put food on the table. A compelling letter to Washington officials written by faith leaders can be found <a href="http://sojo.net/press/faith-leaders-denounce-brinkmanship-budget-debt-ceiling-deadlines-loom">here</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So what can we do about it?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's a really great question. Please ask your member of Congress to work to end the shut down <a href="https://secure3.convio.net/sojo/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=733">here</a>. </span></span><br />
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Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-14854021362994229242013-09-30T19:00:00.000-07:002013-10-05T18:11:17.962-07:00Answers to Questions about American Politics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In honor of the great <s>American circus</s> government
shutdown, I will now begin an educational series on my blog by answering questions about American politics. As more posts are created in this series, they will be linked to the bottom of this post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don’t know
what the heck a caucus is, what the Affordable Care Act means, why we have an electoral college and feel too afraid
to ask? Have you thought you could escape a boring government textbook by looking up a term in wikipedia, only to <u>still not</u> get it, and possibly fall into
an "i-don’t-understand-most-of-these-words-coma" 30 seconds in? Well friend, me too: you’ve come to
the right place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I have a deep conviction that for our country to be a <u>true</u>
democracy <span style="font-size: x-small;">(where all the citizens participate equally)</span>, that <u>all the citizens</u> should
understand how it works</b>. If we don’t understand, how do we take part?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These will be quick informative blurbs answering legit
questions about our very complicated democratic system. I think that it shouldn’t
be this complicated. So let’s simplify.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will now take your questions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Email: </span><a href="mailto:strengthtoloveblog@gmail.com" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">strengthtoloveblog@gmail.com</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
to ask your question! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(<a href="http://strengthtolove.blogspot.com/2013/10/day-1-why-is-government-shut-down.html">1</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://strengthtolove.blogspot.com/2013/10/day-2-what-is-affordable-care-act.html">(2)</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://strengthtolove.blogspot.com/2013/10/day-3-what-is-congress.html">(3)</a></span></div>
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Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-32922418470897947762013-09-25T20:23:00.004-07:002013-10-01T09:59:49.460-07:00Allan Boesak and the fight for justice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKmZLWh5zmW8XuKfneF6qq_oalUjyFFFfjz8gHtiAwCL4V9rbWYbxyHIDqx_7B4X6AENrqE2XiOmfWHewuJytjD5Q68PeclHdQEfuO8AJ9eGwie7dl5IX6UvjvEqY4zIBr8T5S6w2arc/s1600/35547429001_2597696153001_INI-Allan-Boesak-profile-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKmZLWh5zmW8XuKfneF6qq_oalUjyFFFfjz8gHtiAwCL4V9rbWYbxyHIDqx_7B4X6AENrqE2XiOmfWHewuJytjD5Q68PeclHdQEfuO8AJ9eGwie7dl5IX6UvjvEqY4zIBr8T5S6w2arc/s400/35547429001_2597696153001_INI-Allan-Boesak-profile-02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yesterday I had the opportunity and HONOR to listen to Rev. Allan Boesak speak on campus. <span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Allan Boesak has been called the <u>Martin Luther King of South Africa.</u> He was a prominent figure in ending the South African apartheid, and is a good friend of the very famous Archbishop Desmond Tutu. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I was inspired and reminded to NOT GIVE UP easily in the fight for justice. We dream BIG DREAMS for good reasons. We have so much more power than we think we do, and courage and ability to do the things God has placed on our hearts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The talk was entitled, "Civility, Politics and Reconciliation: An impossible triangle?"As excited as I was about hearing this man speak, let's get real here: that title sounded about as interesting as watching local city county council meetings on the public access channel at 2am... in other words... <strike>not</strike> interesting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, this man breathes peace and forgiveness in and out. You could feel the electricity of the Holy Spirit in the room when he spoke. His courage and experience in radical forgiveness reverberated from the walls. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I took a bunch of scribbly notes in between tearing up between his stories. So I will transcribe a few things that stood out to me, and lessons we can take from his talk. His thoughts are in bold, my personal musings and application are underneath. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Genuine Civility begins with transparency and openness towards each other."</b> We often expect the government to be transparent, while we ourselves are completely opaque. What would happen if we opened up to those around us about our struggles? </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yesterday in one of my MSW classes, one of my fellow classmates opened up through tears that she felt that she may not be right for the program, that she felt like she might not be equipped to do social work. This action of admitting her fear was so brave. It was so real. I think most of the class was in awe of her rawness and honesty. She voiced an emotion that so many of had been feeling, but were too scared to say out loud. Her actions and words broke down so many barriers, and I think, will have incalculable benefits towards openness and community that we won't even be able to measure. This action did not isolate her, or scare off the community, it made her extremely like-able, relateable and human. The takeaway: <b>Let's be real.</b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Lord send me. </b>I remember being a fired-up teenager, and then young adult praying that God would send me overseas, so that 'I could change the world'. I had a brief experience with *almost* going to Thailand, complete with a purchased $3,000 ticket in hand- and through various circumstances, the answer became obvious (years later): "Not here. Not now." But that is another story for another time. I think that overseas missions has its place, but that is not possible, nor desirable for everyone. I've felt for a long time that I am to remain here. In this city. I don't know for how long, or exactly why, but I do know that my place is here. For now. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However I still pray "Lord, <u>what</u> do you want me to do with all that I am learning, with all of these injustices I am seeing that I now have the skills and knowledge to do something about? Where would you have me go?" Much to my chagrin, Rev. Boesak posed the question: <b>"Maybe God is sending you back into the struggle, towards the conflict." </b>These words gave me goosebumps. I am humbled and challenged. I tend to want the least amount of conflict. After I graduate, I want to work in a cushy therapist job pulling in $100/ hour. I want benefits. I want my future children to 'have it all' </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I think I am here for something else. I think I am built for something else. God is preparing me for something else. In choosing between what this world says is good, and choosing between what God says is better, I am reminded of this verse: <span style="color: #e06666;">Mark 8:36</span><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666;">For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? </span></span> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The takeaway: <b>It can be just as difficult to stay as it is to leave.</b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"Take the time you have on campus very seriously."</b> This message is particularly applicable to students, but it is also fitting for anyone who wants to apply gratitude and focus in their endeavors. Boesak encouraged us to not take our classes and studies for granted. He said that we <span style="font-size: x-small;">(social justice do-ers and seekers!)</span> will need <u>every bit of knowledge</u> that we can soak up while we are in school to help us in the struggle for social justice. That we have to understand how to the system works in order to work with it, and sometimes fight against it. To be present and <u>to dig in. </u></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Boesak spoke about the South African students willing to give up their lives and their futures (facing death and imprisonment) to end racial segregation. This reminds me of the call of Christ to count the cost of following him. The analogy is unmistakable. That we have to be willing to give up everything to be his disciples.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finally, He also spoke of Desmond Tutu's idea that <b>our spirituality must overflow into all areas of our lives</b>. That spirituality should overflow into our schoolwork, our housework, our careers. I am SO good at compartmentalizing my life away from spirituality, instead of allowing it to flow through. My prayer is that I drop the barriers and may Jesus flood all areas of my life. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will leave you with this:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“When we go before Him, God will ask, "Where are your wounds?" And we will say, "I have no wounds." And God will ask, "Was there nothing worth fighting for?”- Allan Boesak</span></h1>
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<br />Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628780026081517158.post-8363478154350707392013-09-22T18:26:00.000-07:002013-10-01T10:23:06.551-07:00Influence Conference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weekend I will be attending the <a href="http://www.theinfluenceconference.com/">influence conference</a> in my own backyard! I recently discovered <a href="http://theinfluencenetwork.com/">the influence network</a> and this group of women who want to use their online presence in the following way:</span></div>
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<b class="red" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #ef4b37; font-family: brandon-grotesque; font-size: 0.818181818em; letter-spacing: 4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">"THE INFLUENCE NETWORK</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; font-size: 22px; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"> is for creatively minded women, who are looking for an uplifting community where they can be encouraged and also resourced to make their online lives </span><b class="pink" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #ee4c88; font-family: brandon-grotesque; font-size: 0.818181818em; letter-spacing: 4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">MEAN SOMETHING."</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a <i>brand new</i> blogger, when I discovered this website, my heart beat a little faster. "What! these beautiful people exist? And they are having a <i>Conference</i>? NEXT weekend? In MY city!?" Is this too good to be true?" Well, it wasn't. I discovered an online discount code the <u>day after it expired</u>, but since I felt that God had put this opportunity right in my lap, I decided to write to the <a href="http://shereadstruth.com/">she reads truth</a> crew to see if they could extend the deadline and nervously waited to hear back. What could it hurt, really? The next morning I saw an email saying that <a href="http://www.thetinytwig.com/2013/09/10/the-influence-conference/">Hayley</a> and <a href="http://www.naptimediaries.com/2013/09/bringing-anticipating.html">Jessi</a> generously provided a discount and made it possible for me to go! My little heart is overflowing with thankfulness at this opportunity and I can't wait!</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Two things that I am bringing with me?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">1) Fresh eyes. I am a brand new blogger with nothing to lose and everything to learn!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Whatever business/blog cards I can put together in 4 days. Challenge accepted. </span></span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Two things that I am excited about?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">1) Learning about how to use my voice and passion for social justice through the lens of faith online! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">2) Meeting other women who have done this. Gaining from their wisdom. Making new friends. :)</span></div>
Jeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517489230498262591noreply@blogger.com4