The Next Mile: January 2011

Saturday, January 22, 2011

I miss these kiddos

But I had fun seeing them for Christmas : )

Thursday, January 20, 2011

THE STANDARD

Did you know that 27 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking?
Or that human trafficking brought in $32 billion last year, making it larger than the drug industry?
Tragically only 1-2% of victims are rescued from human trafficking each year.

With statistics like these, it is easy to be overwhelmed. However, by each taking action, we can make a difference.

In response to this injustice, my group of friends has started a project called The Standard. We plan to host family-style dinners on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month for a low cost of $7. We will donate the proceeds, minus the cost of food, to a non-profit organization called The A21 Campaign.

For every $112 we raise, A21 can provide welcome packages to two young women whom they have rescued from the sex slave trade. The young women come into the shelter with literally nothing but the clothes on their back, but these packets provide them with hygiene products, pajamas and other necessities as they work through the healing process with A21's counselors.

Our goal is to host at least 20 people at each dinner, which will allow us to provide packages to four young women in need every month.

Tonight we hosted our kickoff dinner and had 18 people! It was definitely a success and a great time of community and fellowship. And did I mention Nancy's delicious cashew chicken? Too bad we didn't get a picture of that!

Follow us on Facebook and attend our dinners if you're ever in the area.
Donate directly to A21 by clicking here.
Contact me if you'd like to donate to The Standard or sponsor one of our dinners.

The Standard
"community dinners with a purpose"
2nd & 4th Thursdays

Isaiah 59:19 - "When the enemy comes in like a flood,
the Spirit of the LORD shall raise up a standard against him."

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Country Music & Being Lazy

Now that we're about 2 wks into 2011... Happy New Year!

"What are my New Year's resolutions?" you ask? Well, this year I just have one: BE LAZY.

I have decided that I invest waaaay too much energy and effort in things - with little marginal results. It comes with the territory of being a partial perfectionist. Last semester I stressed out about school and then found out that I got all A's and aced my Finance mid-term (which I thought I had failed).

Haha, we'll see how long this lasts before I start color coding my closet again (I wish I were kidding).

I'm also turning over a new leaf this year - Country Music. I used to make fun of the "hicks" who listened to country music. But I now have 2 country radio stations programmed in my car and find myself singing the Zac Brown Band, Tim McGraw & Rascal Flatts. And I must say, I like the song "Good Directions and Turnip Greens" ; )

Anyway, here are some pictures from the past few weeks that make me happy!

Our pretty tree - complete with the 1980's,
wooden Mississippi state Christmas ornament : )

Me & my awesome (and highly energetic) 2nd cousins.
Don't know if you can tell, but Ethan had chocolate ALL over himself.

bahaha - Nancy w/Angel Tree gifts

My Cohort went ice skating after finals and we were
transfixed by the Zamboni...

...and I love that someone took not 1, but 2 pictures of us.

So, funny story - This pic is of the American Airlines Center before
the Trans Siberian Orchestra show. I walked in and started to
legitimately freak out. I normally do fine with heights,
and it doesn't look like it from the pic, but these seats were
high up there. Nancy tried to distract me with funny stories from
work while I tried to look at my shoes and not get dizzy.

I was glad when the show started.