Neighbors Abroad // Alcoholics in Asia

Hope for the Whole Family // Sachi watched her husband become more and more dependent on alcohol to get through each day. She and Javesh had small children to feed, but whatever money he made, he used on his addiction. The situation grew worse, and their food was beginning to run out. The only glimmer of hope in Sachi’s and Javesh’s lives was that their son Chakor was enrolled in a Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope center. They knew he was being cared for and given a nutritious meal every day. While Chakor received the opportunity to learn and grow, things were looking grim for the rest of the family. One day, during a regular visit to the family’s home, the staff members from the Bridge of Hope center realized how dire Chakor’s family situation truly was. After meeting with the family, they decided to offer Sachi a job as a cook at the center. She was overjoyed at the prospect. The new job meant income, and an income meant their family wouldn’t have to starve. Sachi was very happy to be able to meet all her children’s needs again. God Answered Their Prayers The Bridge of Hope staff continued visiting with and praying for the family, and slowly, Javesh’s life started to change. He stopped drinking alcohol, and he began to use his wages to provide for his family again. Through the prayers and friendship of the Bridge of Hope staff, Sachi and Javesh saw the love of Jesus and knew that He cared very much for them. The couple and their children embraced the hope that can only be found in Christ. Today the family attends the local fellowship together, and their home is full of God’s peace. Not only has their outward situation changed drastically, but their inner lives were transformed as well. See how your prayers can impact Bridge of Hope children and their families. Here's an article I found that outlines the troubles of alcohol abuse in India. // written by Cari Poweziak of Gospel for Asia

Find Joy >> right here

"Photography is an art of

observation.

It has little to do with

the things you see

and everything to do with

the way you

see them."

// elliot erwitt

Find Joy >> right here

"Once she stopped rushing 

through life, 

she was amazed 

how much more 

life she had time for."

photo-bombing cat!

The Way I Loved You //

As your sister and teacher I've given out some tough love.
You call them helpful beat-downs. We both know there's a time and place for correction, to address bad behavior, but when correction happens all the time you get a negative result rather than a positive one. I need to work on that. It's hard. Hard to know what battles to fight with you. Hard to put aside my gut reaction of frustration or disapproval long enough to choose careful words, timely and loving, if correcting, words. Hard not to address every issue, try to deal with every problem. Hard to not give up or zone out or just walk away.

The hardest thing of all is to compliment though. To encourage. To praise. Why is that? Pride? Selfishness? Both? Probably. It's hard to put aside my need to be proven right, hard to choose to not respond the way you think I will and possibly lose some authority with you. This is not fun to face, to recognize in myself. I really do want what's best for you. I want to shape you and influence you toward a life of humility, selflessness, joy, mercy and love. Often things I must correct in you are things I'm so prone to do myself -- like not responding with joyful obedience or complaining. I hope you have grace for me, hope I've demonstrated grace for you so you know how it looks. Our snuggles and smiles and hugs hours after confrontations and disputes suggest we know grace. 

Correction and discipline are important to life, but I want to rejoice in the good that you do -- not come to enjoy the satisfaction of justice upon getting you for your wrongs. I am incredibly aware of my short comings in this area. I want to do the right thing and in spite of that, I don't. Truly I am insufficient. I am entirely dependent upon the Sufficient One. When I respond with grace, with humility, with mercy, with love -- even tough love -- that's all Jesus. 

You are a good boy, a smart boy, a strong boy, a boy to respect and think highly of. I love you, flaws and mistakes and all. 

That's the way Jesus loves you. 

What I Wore

In the Midwest spring has been taking its time arriving. 

We still needed layers for quite awhile. There hadn't been a good opportunity to sport my racerback tanks from Sevenly until recently. 

Once again, this is a top that you can wear very casually, or take up a notch for errands or a coffee date. Also, the racerbacks are made of such silky-soft fabric and lay very gracefully, making them quite flattering. I love them!

sweater - maurices // top - sevenly // jeans - target // purse - target

Purchase with Intention // Mother's Day

We are celebrating our moms and all they do for us and all that they are in our lives. Consider the moms around the world who have so much less than we do, that love their children, want good things for their kids, want to give them a bright future, but they can't.
This Mother's Day lets help them out!

1. Justice Rescue Project // 2. Show Hope // 3. International Justice Mission // 

4. Bridge of Hope // 5. Gospel for Asia

Justice Rescue Project provides rescue from a corrupt orphanage for children without a mother to care for them.

Show Hope provides adoption grants for families that desire to adopt.

IJM rescues, rehabilitates and counsels women and children victims of sex-trafficking.

Bridge of Hope connects sponsors with children to provide basic essentials for their day-to-day lives and prepare them for a bright future.

GFA wants to reach women in Asia with the gospel and knows that the most effective way to do that is through women missionaries.

Get Published AND Provide Clean Water //

I was recently introduced to Cause Pub and, I have to tell you, I think it's the coolest idea I have ever heard. To compile short stories, around a common theme, together in a book, for a specific cause -- it's just cool! Throw in the fact that you could be published, paid for it and contribute to the cause in such a personal way, and it just gets even more awesome!

I submitted a story about my time in India, it was accepted, and it can be read here. Readers get to vote on whichever stories they like and it is exciting to see my story voted for! Such an honor to share my words about a very special time in India -- I'd be thrilled to have it included in the book and know that I am helping bring clean water to so many people through an organization I already love (Blood:Water Mission). If you've been reading my blog for awhile, the title of the story may sound familiar so you may think you've already read it, but you haven't! There is new material included. So if you get a chance to pop over for a read, I'd be so glad. Feel free to share it with your friends through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or link back to it on your own Blog. And, if you truly like it, don't forget to hit the orange "thumbs up" to vote for it!

What I Wore

In general I have worn my Sevenly shirts 

as casual wear, but they are very versatile. The cut of the tops is stylish and the print work really classy, so I couldn't see any reason not to dress them up for office wear.

Later, when I went out to the theater for a play I paired this outfit with some cheetah print ballet flats and a red scarf, as well as my charcoal coat.

sweater - target // top - sevenly // skirt - target // shoes - old navy