Tosha, Trafficking, and Time to Do SOMETHING

In January of 2012 I started this blog for no particular reason.  As I recall, I really should have been grading papers or cleaning house, and because THAT was not any fun, I decided to venture out into the world of blogging.

Because I never committed to writing about any specific subject matter, I feel completely free to shift gears and to begin exploring a subject that has been brought to my attention over the last two years.  If you've read much of what I've posted in the past, you probably already know that I write with a decidedly Christian world view in mind.  That, my friends, will not change; but for those of you who may not read many of my posts simply because you don't share the same values and beliefs, I ask you to please stay with me for the next few posts.

What I want to write about is not just another "Christian Cause."  This subject should be of concern to all human beings, whether you are a Christian, Atheist, Agnostic, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, I-Don't-Care-ian, or WHATEVER you want to consider yourself.

If you have a heart that is not completely made of stone, if you care about the children in your life, or if justice, compassion, and freedom are not entirely foreign concepts in your thinking, then PLEASE, stay with me.

Maybe you already know about everything I plan to share and discuss.  If so, great.  Now do something about it.  That's what I'm trying to do here.  This is my feeble plea to whoever lands here to open your heart, open your hands, open your mouth and DO SOMETHING.

It is PAST time to DO SOMETHING about the problems of slavery and sex trafficking in OUR COUNTRY and in OUR WORLD.

Here's my plan:  I'm going to dedicate my next few blog posts to defining and discussing the issues of slavery and trafficking both at home and abroad, and then I will share some of the information, resources, and videos that I have become familiar with over the last few years.  

Why am I doing this, and why does it matter?

I'm doing this because recent statistics reveal that at least 100,000 children in the U.S. are exploited into prostitution every year. *

I'm doing this because, world wide, more that 27 million people live in some form of slavery, whether it is forced labor or in the sex industry.**

I'm doing this because the average age of a child exploited through prostitution is 13.*

I'm doing this because human trafficking in the U.S.A. alone is a 9.8 BILLION dollar industry.*

I'm doing this because I have a daughter.  I have a son.  I have nieces and nephews.  I have neighbors.  I have an audience--even if it's small--and maybe SOMETHING I'm able to share on this blog will help SOMEONE recognize, prevent, or STOP trafficking in their own home, neighborhood, state, country, and world.  This may very well be just a small cry for freedom and a weak call for action, but it's a start.  It's SOMETHING.

I love this quote I recently read on the #Enditmovement website:

Yes, we know nothing will happen just because you're aware of modern-day slavery, but we believe nothing will EVER happen until you are.AWARENESS MUST LEAD TO ACTION.

My friend Tosha is partly responsible for this post and the posts to follow.  The other day we had a conversation that somehow turned to this topic of trafficking, and sweet Tosha's eyes grew alarmed, and with a sense of urgency in her voice, she said, "What can we do?  How can we find out more about this so we can do something?"  

I sent her a text link to a broadcast that I'll share on here later, and then my brain went into overdrive as I began thinking of all the great websites, speakers, videos, and resources that I've seen....and rather than blow up her phone with links and suggestions, I decided to share it here.

I don't know much, but I will share what I know.  Will you feel free to do the same?  Who knows, but maybe something we share will be the key that unlocks the chains of slavery for SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE.  

I love that quote...."Awareness must lead to action..."

NOW WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

* statistics and information from the Shared Hope International website, www.sharedhope.org

**statistic found at www.enditmovement.com

True vs. Truth: They're Not Necessarily the Same

Hello again.  My brain nearly burst today from an overload of information, insight, and introspection.  Guess what that means?  Ten points for anyone who guessed "write a lengthy blog that will likely wander down a few rabbit trails." :)

[Here's your chance to escape.  Go on.  It's ok.  I'll never know.]

Ok, so if you're still here, I've been pondering this quote I read in a Bible study workbook today, and I've been trying to make it applicable/practical for some issues I'm personally dealing with these days.  This is the Bible study I'm going through with some great girls right now, by the way:

 



As the cover says, the study is about confronting our modern-day idols.  The author, Kelly Minter, begins with defining modern-day idols as anything or any person in our life (aside from the only true God) that functions or operates as a god in our lives.  Minter includes this definition by Ken Sande: 

...in biblical terms, it is something other than God that we set our hearts on (Luke 12:29; 1 Cor. 10:19), that motivates us (Ps. 119:133; Eph. 5:5), or that we trust, fear, or serve (Isa. 42:17; Matt. 6:24; Luke 12:4-5).

So, the girls and I came up with a list of modern-day idols that are the same in spirit, if not in shape, as the golden calf and carved statues that appeared in the pages of scripture.  Social media, technology, phones, comfort, relationships, pride, family, reputation, image, celebrity, sex, and FOOD are just a few of the ones we tossed around.  See that one in all capital letters?  Yeah, well, that's one of mine. 

Ok.  Let's be real here.  [I'm going to be brutally honest about the obvious, and you are going to be nice and not make comments where I can hear you, ok?]  Some drug users and alcoholics can successfully hide their addictions for months, years, or maybe for life, but honestly, how many food addicts can hide their issues for very long before the evidence makes itself known to the world in the form of pounds and inches?  So if you know me or have seen pictures of me over the last ten years, then you could safely assume that I have food issues.  And when I allow myself to be truthful about it, I can safely (and sadly) admit that I have idolatry issues.

Ok, speaking of "truthful," I mentioned that this rambling discourse started with a quote I read in my workbook.  Here it is:

Satan will tell us what's true, but he never tells us the truth. 

Think about those words for a moment.... 
(That quote was from a man named Michael Wells, by the way.)

Minter writes that when the serpent (Satan) tempted Eve, he told her true things. 
1.  "You will not surely die."  (Neither she nor Adam immediately suffered from food poisoning or sudden death.)
2.  "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened."  (Yep.  The fig leaf garments they hastily fashioned are evidence of their new awareness of their nakedness.)
3. "And you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (After their disobedience, they hid from God because NOW they were aware that they'd done what was evil in His sight.)

Satan told them true things, but he didn't tell them the truth about the consequences of their disobedience.  He didn't tell them their perfect relationship with God would be wrecked, that they would suffer a spiritual death and an eventual physical death, that they would have a new knowledge and an awareness of evil that our minds and hearts were not intended to be burdened with, that they would lose their home in paradise, that generations of humans for thousands of years would suffer the consequences along with them.....

Yes, Satan told them true things, but he didn't tell the truth.  So maybe Eve didn't recognize an outright lie from Satan, but she sure fell for his deception, his shading and manipulation of the truth.

"What does that have to do with anything?" you may ask if you're still reading....

This is huge:  we can fall for his deception in areas where we are weakest or even wounded.  Minter gives some great examples of how the deception works its way into our thoughts:

If you're currently struggling with your finances, you might think....I don't have enough money to pay my bills this month; I'm going to lose everything.  It may be true that you don't have enough money to pay your bills, but the truth is that God will take care of your every need (see Matt. 6:25-30).

Or, here's another one... My boyfriend/husband has rejected me; I will never be loved.  It might be true that you have been rejected and abandoned by someone you loved, but it is not the truth that you will never be loved, for God will absolutely not forsake us or withdraw His love (see Deut. 31:6).

Can you see the difference between what is true and what is the truth?  Can anyone out there relate to similar deception?

Today, I started pondering the deceptions and lies that massage my mind to numbness so that I willingly accept Satan's bait and bow down again to my most daunting and provocative idol:  food.  I came up with my own version of true vs. the truth regarding my personal struggles.  Here's what I have so far.  (You're still being nice, right?  I wouldn't be intentionally rude about your issues....)

True:  Liquids keep me hydrated.  It's hot outside, and I need to avoid dehydration.
Truth:  My body would function better and I would not gain weight if I drank water instead of Dr. Pepper.

(I'm kind of pitiful, I know....)

True:  I need food to survive. If I don't eat, I won't have any energy, and I'll get a headache.
Truth:  I will survive longer if I make nutritious food choices and avoid defaulting to chocolate, cereal, honey buns, biscuits, donuts, etc.

True:  Just "one more" won't hurt or kill me...
Truth:  One more may not hurt immediately, but the pounds will continue to add up, my body will fall apart, and my heart will eventually stop.  Continuing in a lifestyle of over-eating is actually a slow form of suicide.

(That last one hurts....)

Ok, here's another that I don't consciously tell myself, but my actions reveal what I've believed to be true:

True:  It's my body, and I can decide what I do to it or with it.
Truth:  There are always consequences for the choices we make.  Some consequences can affect us physically and permanently, and some consequences can affect others as well.  I may bear the weight of my idolatry issues, but my husband, children, and loved ones could suffer pain as well if I become an invalid or die young.  (That right there is brutal honesty, folks.)  Also, I can't forget the truth that, as a Christian, my body DOES NOT belong to me.  Have you ever read 1 Cor. 6:19-20?  A born-again Christ follower's body is a temple of the Holy Spirit of God, and it was purchased at an extremely high price--the life of Jesus.  If I allow my addiction to food to rule my life, then I am interfering with the work of the Holy Spirit.  Is it fair to say that in some respects, the Holy Spirit in me can only go as far as this temple can take Him?  I think so. 

So now you know more about my issues whether you really wanted to or not.  But here's one reason I decided to share this particular "rant" in a public forum:  I don't for one second believe I'm the only one with issues.  Or more accurately, with idols.  I wanted to share these thoughts just in case one of you is struggling with something or someone that functions as a god in your own life.  What, other than God, do you have your heart set on?  What motivates you?  What inspires your trust, fear, or service? Jefferson Bethke, a gifted young poet, says this:  "Idols over promise and under deliver--EVERY TIME....If you don't crush your idols, your idols will crush you."  And here's my favorite:

The apple looks sweet, but then it turns sour.  How come every time we bite into an idol, we're the ones that get devoured?

 Maybe if you're weary and ready to finally get rid of your idols, then maybe you'll begin the process of dissecting the deceptive thoughts in your own mind so you can come to the truth about your own issues.  And you know what truth does, right? 

Yep.  It sets us free.  (John 8:32)

And you know Who the truth is, right?

Yep.  Truth is a Person.  His name is Jesus. (John 14:6)

When the idols are removed, what's left?  True freedom.  Freedom only found through the power of Christ.

Y'all, pray for me.  I'll gladly pray for you, too.

Here's What's Happening

(If you're just here for the donuts, scroll on down until you see pictures of dough....)

I know a few of my family members check in here from time to time to see what we're up to, so here's a quick family update followed by a brief stumble down memory lane, a look at one of our home school activities, and a how-to.

Family Update
Last year, Phil and one of his friends traveled with a local church to Juarez (a city in Mexico) to build houses for two families who had no reliable shelter. He had a great time and planned to take Drew back with him this year.  However, after our month-long adventure in Hungary last year, we didn't think we would be able to afford another mission endeavor anytime soon.  To make a long story somewhat shorter, Phil received a phone call about a month ago and was told that two places on the team were available because two other people had to drop out.  All expenses had already been covered, and all we had to do was provide spending money.  Praise the Lord!

So, my boys left for their trip on Saturday morning and will return on Friday.  I found this picture on one of their team member's Facebook walls:

I think Drew is the third kid from the left on the top of the hill.

They called me EARLY this morning to tell me they were crossing the border into Juarez and won't be back in touch until sometime Thursday.  At night, they will be sleeping in a local church in Juarez, and during the day, they will be building a house for a family who has been on a waiting list for over two years.  Phil said the home is just a basic shelter.  There is no kitchen or bathroom; from what I understand, the families in the area share a kitchen and bathroom that is centrally located. 

While my boys were beginning their travels on Saturday, my girl and I (and my daddy) attended our first shooting practice with our local 4H shooting sports group.  Aubrey's age group can shoot air rifles and air pistols; the older kids can shoot MANY kinds of guns, and they can also participate in archery. When Drew comes home, he'll begin practicing shooting with a .22 rifle.

I asked my daddy to go with us so he could translate for me.  When we went to our first informational meeting two weeks ago, I was overwhelmed by words like caliber and cartridge, and when I heard phrases like ".22 ammo prices are sky-rocketing because people are stock-piling ammo right now," well, I nearly came undone. 

Anywho, Daddy went with us, and his presence and his interpretations were a tremendous asset.  We had the best time, y'all.  The 4H instructors and volunteers COULD NOT have been any more wonderful or helpful.  If Saturday was any indication of what's in store, then we are VERY WELL PLEASED. 

Once an instructor figured out that Aubrey is left-eye dominant, he had her start shooting like a left-hander, and she began doing much better.  She has two weeks to practice before a "postal shoot" --whatever that is-- and then we'll see if she can go to the district competition in Charleston this May. 

A Stumble Down Memory Lane
As I was sorting through some old workbooks, I found a handwriting practice page of Drew's from 2007.  He wasn't happy about practicing his skills during the summer, thus the sad face doodle beside his name.

Home School Stuff and a How-To
LONG before we ever began home schooling, I discovered the Five In A Row series by Jane Claire Lambert.  If you're not familiar with FIAR, it's a literature-based unit study approach to teaching at home.  To me, it's just a whole lot of fun.  When the kids were really young, we read some of the FIAR books during the summer, and we'd pick out some of the more fun activities to do.  One in particular that I remember was re-enacting The Story of Ping.  We used a Beanie Baby duckling and ninety-nine wooden blocks to represent Ping and his numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins that lived on a boat that floated down the Yangtze River in China.  Ping and the other ducks would march off the boat each morning and later would march back on in the evenings when their master would call.  The last duck to board the boat each evening would receive a little spank on his tail feathers to remind all of the ducks not to lag behind.  One evening, poor little Ping realizes he will be last in line, and he has to choose between a spanking or spending a night alone on the river. 

Another one of our favorites was Lentil, by Robert McCloskey.  It's all about a boy named Lentil who lives in a town called Alto where everyone can sing except for Lentil.  No worries, though, because Lentil finds a way to make his own music and of course, he eventually uses his talent to save the day.

I'd love to live in a town like Alto back during a time when kids could safely roam the streets until dark, when everyone knew everyone else, and when heroes were welcomed home at train stations by cheering crowds and brass bands.

Whoa...I didn't mean to chase that rabbit (or duck) trail, but man, I really love the FIAR series!  Anywho, when we decided to home school this year, I bought a copy of Beyond Five in a Row by Becky Jane Lambert.  It is, as the title suggests, a step beyond the original FIAR books, and is full of great ideas to use with 8- to 12-year-olds. 

Homer Price is a book for older readers, while the stories in A Robert McCloskey Collection are for younger kids and for moms like me who just love the simple themes, detailed drawings, and the small-town, 1930s & 40s settings.

 

 

Right now, we're reading Homer Price, and I'm using Beyond FIAR for some extra activities.

Last week, we read the chapter about Homer and the out-of-control automatic donut making machine, and then we made our own donuts.  I mentioned our cooking plans to my mom, who told me that she had also made donuts--in 1977.  One time.  I was a bit nervous until I realized that our recipe is a "healthy" version that requires no frying in hot oil or lard.  (Maybe "healthier" would have been a better word to use, because seriously, when have you ever seen a "healthy" donut?  Goodness. Even the word "healthier" seems to be a stretch.)  I think my mom and I are alike in that we are not overly fond of cooking over pots of hot, splattering grease.... thus, her 36-year hiatus from donut-making.

So, one night last week, Aubrey and I stayed up WAY TOO LATE and made donuts.  (Drew was lying prostrate on the couch with a headache--until he smelled the finished product.)

Now, the two of you who have persevered to the end of this nonsense probably remember that 1. I'm not a professional cook, and 2.  I'm not a professional photographer.  So, exercise much grace and withhold your criticism of my skills as you peruse these hastily snapped pictures.

I hate, loathe, and despise touching raw dough.  And raw meat.  No worries.  No meat was used or touched in the making of these donuts.

From the resting of the dough...

...to the rising of the same...

The memory of the texture of the dough makes my skin crawl....I have issues.

At this point in the process, I was pretty hopeful.  Until...

...they came out of the oven looking a little overdone.  They actually were NOT overdone; I think the butter Aubrey brushed over the tops before baking caused them to be a little brown on top.  It reminded me of the time I covered myself in baby oil and tried to get a tan.... Overdone? Yes.  Crispy on the outside?  Most assuredly.  I'm talking about me now, not the donuts.  They donuts were fine.

Powdered sugar can make anything beautiful.



 

The verdict:  not bad.  Not bad at all.

 

But definitely, not real donuts.  Not real at all.  You can taste the absence of sizzling lard.

 

Still, they were quite tasty.  If you leave out the nutmeg and cinnamon, you'll have the BEST yeast rolls you've ever put in your mouth. 

 

How-To....

If you have a hankering for some homemade, baked donuts, follow the recipe below.  If you'd rather have some slap-yo-mama-some-kinda-good yeast rolls instead, leave out the nutmeg and cinnamon, and you probably wouldn't want to cover them in powdered sugar either. 

 

You're welcome.

 

:)

 

Homemade, Healthier (whatever) Donuts

2 (1/4 oz.) pkgs. dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1 1/2 cups warm milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

2 eggs

1/3 cup shortening

4 1/2 cups flour  (I used bread flour.  Don't know if it makes a difference.)

1/4 cup butter, melted

sugar to decorate

 

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water.  Add milk, sugar, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, eggs, shortening, and 2 cups flour (hold the rest of the flour in reserve).  Blend for 30 seconds with a mixer on low speed as you add the remaining flour.  Cover the bowl and allow the mixture to rise until doubled in volume (approx. 1 hour).  Turn dough onto a well-floured surface and roll with a rolling pin until your dough is 1/2" thick.  Using a well-floured doughnut cutter (or a large and small drinking glass), cut dough into doughnut shapes.  Place doughnuts on a well-greased baking sheet.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Brush the tops with melted butter and allow to rise until the volume of each doughnut has doubled once again (approx. 20 minutes).  Bake doughnuts for 8 to 10 minutes.  Brush once more with melted butter and sprinkle sugar on top.  (Makes 1 1/2 to 2 dozen doughnuts.)  I think we made 28, and of course, we baked the "holes."

 

*This recipe came from Beyond Five In A Row: Vol. 1, by Becky Jane Lambert, 2001, Five In A Row Publishing.