Do Small Things With Great Love

"Do Small Things With Great Love."
How wonderful does that sound? Doesn't that just inspire you, encourage you, and make you wish you were out somewhere this exact moment doing something so simple, but so love filled, it inspires others to do the same?

The current screen saver on my phone is an image with those words. It's there as a constant reminder to find ways to do small things with great love for those I encounter on a day to day, and moment to moment, basis.

I think sometimes we get caught up in what that "small thing" is that we are doing for someone. We think the act is too small, the gesture will go unnoticed, that it isn't 'good enough' of a blessing, that perhaps we are just doing it because we feel obligated because the screen saver on our phone is telling us to.

From experience, being on both ends of the transaction (the giver and the receiver), it really is the Love portion that counts. Let's focus on the giving, the actual act of "doing something small"...

The Bible tells us to be a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). I think this is common knowledge. As someone who enjoys giving things, especially unexpectedly, it's all about doing something that you know will make the recipient feel loved and special. I send flowers. That's my thing. I will randomly send a small bouquet of flowers to someone, I won't leave a note so they have no idea who they are from, and I have them delivered to the individual. Let's be real, ladies love receiving flowers! Sending flowers to my girl friends is a simple, meaningful, small act. It's a gesture done with great Love because it is meaningful, unexpected, and to top it off, I don't pick who I send flowers to! I can decide "I'm going to send flowers today" but I leave it up to guidance from the Holy Spirit as to who will be receiving them! How wonderful to be a cheerful giver!

Can everyone only go around sending flowers to people, out of the blue?
I'm sure they could but...
1) That's a lot of flowers
2) The excitement of a random bouquet will be lost
3) Trying to find ethical flower shops is hard and we want to be sure we are doing things right!

How about holding the door open for someone? Paying for a coffee for the individual behind you? Randomly purchasing a meal for someone? Shovelling a driveway? Smiling at someone down the street? All these simple actions are simple in the grand scheme of things. There is no need to worry about what act it is you are doing. As long as your intentions are great, to show Love and receive nothing in return, you can't go wrong!

Explore what you are good at doing. Experiment with simple acts like sending flowers, writing notes of encouragement, or performing other acts of service. Your "small thing with great love" has no limits. Allow your imagination and the skills and talents you have to inspire you to spread love everywhere you go!

One of my favourite books I have read about loving others and doing those "small things with great love" is the Joyce Meyers book, The Love Revolution. One of my favourite points she makes in the book is how we all have different strengths, gifts and talents-- and we should use those to show love and kindness to others. One thing I believe is that you shouldn't compare what you do to bless those around you with how others bless. We are all made differently-- with different strengths and talents. While one person may be great at something, you are great at something else.

I believe these differences should be celebrated, and will make a difference in those "small things" you do with "great love" for others.

Image found on Pinterest

Excitement of the New Year

Who needs resolutions when you set goals?

I'd say I know my husband pretty well. He is a very goal oriented individual. Example: one of his favourite books is titled GOALS! Capitalization and exclamation marks not even added by me-- which is something I normally do to add emphasis. When he makes goals, I often want to be involved in the process. I mean, I started reading the book GOALS! once before. I even made it... maybe... a quarter way through. I have set personal goals before but never concrete-well-thought-out-execution-plan, kind of goals. Just things I want to accomplish in a generalized time frame.

This year is different.
This year we have BIG GOALS! (Emphasis added by me to show how truly exciting it is.)

On New Years Day we ventured to the empty coffee shop to read and have some "shoulder to shoulder" time. This is not uncommon. It's actually something we do quite often when the coffee shop is closed for a holiday. The coffee shop is such a wonderful place to be. Big windows letting in incredible light, all the delicious tea I could drink, and comfy chairs that swallow you up while you get sucked into a good book. JP arrived before I did to do work. Upon my arrival, I started into my current read, Crazy Love by Francis Chan. An incredible book that I received from on my "Christmas List" that is challenging, encouraging, inspiring, and overall a book I was highly recommending even before I finished the first chapter. Before I knew it, JP had whipped out a page titled "S.M.A.R.T Goals for 2013". Goals. For 2013. That we are making together. My heart leaped for joy and I was SO EXCITED to be able to create some goals with the goal master himself, Jon Plett.

Upon assessing our upcoming year, we set goals in a variety of areas. We didn't only "write goals", we created our Purpose Statement for each area, wrote out our Envisioned Future, set Specific Commitments to help us reach our envisioned future and-- my favourite part-- found a supporting verse for each area.

Being able to keep ourselves God centered when creating goals is the most encouraging and amazing process. To consistently keep in mind what God has created us for when writing out our year gives me so much excitement. It lets you know that they aren't really "your" plans. They are His plans. His plans don't fail. His plans come to life. His plans are more amazing than you could ever imagine.

And that is how this year is shaping up to be.
Within in the next couple of weeks I will turn 25 years old and JP and I will celebrate our third marriage anniversary. This year we plan to move and pursue passions-- how helpful that we have goals to help us accomplish all that we would love to do.

While creating these Team Goals, I created my own personal goals with the same flow-- for consistency sake and because I absolutely love how in-depth the process was. To write out my envisioned future in my marriage, pursuit of a new career, my faith life, friendships, volunteering and humanitarian work, is so encouraging. God uses each and every one of us for things more amazing than we could ever think of. If you allow yourself to search out His reasoning behind why you were created, you will be able to envision a future you originally never thought possible. This time last year, I never would have envisioned my future including the things it currently does. Sure, some things stay the same-- you want to volunteer, have a solid faith life and marriage, pursue a career you are passionate about-- but to have specific commitments, scripture to support it... Wow. Awesome.

Welcome 2013. This is a year for big change, big dreams, big blessings, and big opportunities. My door is open to you, and I am warmly inviting you in.

The Beginning of Reflection

As I begin to write this I am sitting in the Calgary airport. I have made it through security with no issues (unlike the trip TO SFO) and am anxiously awaiting returning home and surprising my amazing husband with an arrival two days before he thinks I am supposed to come home.*

I'm sitting here being beyond excited to see JP and also excited that, while sitting at a Gate 19, with barely anyone else around, the delightful folks at Starbucks brought around samples of Caramel Brule Lattes and Brownies. I also see snow when I look out the giant airport windows to the right. We know that the cold, and the snow, aren't necessarily my favourite. But we also know that I enjoy snow when viewing it from a place indoors that is warm and cosy. And although the airport wouldn't really classify as "cosy" to me, the warmth of the Caramel Brule Latte is enough to make it feel like I really am coming home.

Five months and one day ago I was heading to San Francisco to volunteer alongside the Not For Sale staff as part of their Fellowship Program. I remember the day I left so well (If you don't, I posted a blog about it, check it out!)-- So well it feels just like yesterday. Not For Sale kind of swallows you up into this strange place in time. It feels like no time has passed at all, yet the proof is there when I turn my head to the right and see the ground covered in a sparkly while blanket composed of millions of snowflakes.  When Jackson was driving me to the airport this morning we discussed this abnormal feeling with time. Part of it definitely has to do with the weather-- in Half Moon Bay, the weather basically stays the same. It was warmer than normal in early November and has been raining the week before last making everything bright green and spring-like. The other part has to do with the Not For Sale bubble we have been living in. The bubble consists of the same people, day in, day out. The work topic may vary but the tasks are the same. The house conversations may vary but the lead back to Not For Sale often happens and the people are always the same. While this was a delightful constant that really is part of the experience, it is strange to be headed back.

Upon arriving home I'm sure to be asked the at least two of the same things:
1- How was your trip?
2- What are you going to do now?

Yes, the classic two questions. These are questions I have known people will ask but hadn't put much thought into the answer. These same questions coming from my peers at Not For Sale are easier to answer. They've seen me grow. I've been living out a passion with them. We've been connected by a common thread-- justice for those who can't help themselves. Coming home makes answering those same questions so much harder. They weren't there, they didn't live the experience, they aren't pursuing their passions the same way I have just done. It's bold to say but needs to be said-- They just won't get it.

I was discussing this "how was your trip/what will you do next?" question experience we are all guaranteed to experience upon arriving home with a housemate not too long ago. I made reference to my time spent with Live Different where we prepare the 30 second and 3 minute stories. The stories about your time condensed into small segments for you to use after assessing the amount the individual doing the questioning really wants to hear. It's funny to be condensing 5 months into 30 seconds but it is 100% necessary-- unfortunately or fortunately, depending who is asking.

To be thinking of these stories right now is interesting. A select few know I am arriving home in a mater of hours, most have no idea when I return. There is definitely something so wonderful about being "under the radar". I feel mysterious. I like that, right now, a very select awesome few know my whereabouts. It's nice to be able to reflect with no pressure of people asking those two questions.

What are my answers? What are my 30 second and 3 minute story?
My trip was great. I accomplished the goals I set and for that, I feel grateful and blessed. On top of accomplishing those goals, which wasn't a guarantee when they are large life and future questions, I feel truly blessed that I have been able to remove myself from the life I was living with friends, the most amazing husband a lady could ask for, a job, and all those generic standards we so easily judge our lives by, and serve others for five months. Going where needed, volunteering and doing work that helped not only the greater movement of ending human trafficking and modern day slavery, but helping the staff at Not For Sale. To know you have been able to live a life of helping others is possibly the most amazing blessing of all. Just knowing I had served others with my time, one of the most precious things we have, makes me smile from ear to ear.  There is something exciting, yet calming at the same time, about knowing that. A sense of peace. It's delightful.

What am I going to do now? Go home, surprise my husband, see my wonderful friends I have missed, keep in touch with the new ones & enjoy Christmas. I have some long term goals I am working on sorting out. Ideas that I am formulating into short term and long goals to attain that will pursue passions and living a life with love at the centre of it. I love serving others, helping people and baking, being crafty. Let's say, the ideas are running around my head and I am so very excited for the next chapter of life and new adventures to begin. And what makes it all even better is doing this all with JP by my side.

Note: As this is only my first blog doing some reflecting, I'm sure there will be a lot I stumble across to discuss in the future. I'm sure there will be many things I have to say, many discoveries waiting to be found, many insights wishing to be shared. I will do all of these things.

*Blog posted AFTER arriving home. No surprise ruined by social media. ;)

Personal Applause

Ever walk into a room with someone, and suddenly people start to applaud? It's a pretty fun feeling. What happens with a day later, you find out that applause was solely for the person you were with and not intended for you? You give yourself some personal applause and move on to the next adventure.

Global Forum just passed and was an enjoyable experience. When my peers ask me how my experience was, the word I use to describe it is "enjoyable". Not exciting, awesome, the best thing EVER!... but also not lame, stressful, challenging, or dramatic. It was enjoyable.

I know, such a big event, so many things going on, and enjoyable is all I give you? What is this? Well, the perception of "indifferent aelea" aside, I'd say it's the most accurate description that I can think of factoring in the lead up to, the event itself, and the current aftermath.

The lead up to Global Forum was no where near as stressful as people said it would be. Granted, I didn't play a large part in any of it. Other than coming up with ideas for booth engagement, getting items for those booths printed, and meeting about my task in the event which really required no really preparation, my role was pretty small.

At Global Forum I was titled the "Assistant Producer". While that sounds really fancy, it wasn't as intense as I feel people thought it would be. My job was ensuring those speaking at the event were in the "speakers lounge" 30 minutes before their session began, were being mic'd up 15 minutes before their session began, and ensuring they received their thank-you gift once they finished their session. Being in charge of the speakers lounge was actually quite fun. I set up the room how I wanted it, there were flowers out on the tables, snacks on every table set up the way I like-- I know, it sounds ridiculous that would be a highlight but it definitely was! It was fun meeting the speakers but I didn't really make too many conversations. Time in the lounge was meant for prep and I didn't feel like taking up people's time because I felt like chatting. There were also a total of 6 of us that had headsets to chat with which was really fun. You automatically feel special once you have a headset. ;)

Break Out Session #1 with MP Joy Smith

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview MP Joy Smith twice at the forum during the break-out sessions. The first session touched on her story, background and the bills she has been able to pass. The second focused more so on the issues of brothels being legalized in Ontario and how prostitution is legal in Canada. Mrs. Smith also touched on the adult film industry and a few other initiatives she is currently leading. Joy is such a marvellous woman-- she loves to chat, is passionate, full of expression when she speaks, and genuinely believes every person has a role to play when it comes to ending human trafficking.

Kru Nam and I after Global Forum

It was also absolutely wonderful to see JK and Kru Nam again. And by absolutely wonderful, I mean the highlight of Global Forum. As you may know from previous blog posts about my adventures in Thailand, Kru Nam is one of the most inspiring people I've ever met. Her compassion has no limits, her passion is rooted in seeing children being able to flourish into accomplished, dignified adults, and how she is able to pursue her own personal dreams while being such an abolitionist is nothing short of amazing. She is kind, hilarious, and is better at English than she leads on. Her talent at designing jewellery is just amazing and how she takes time to make things and pick out each piece specifically for each person just leaves me in awe. I helped her pick out jewellery for the various staff at Not For Sale at the after party, and was so blessed to have her pass along a gift to give to JP when I return home. She was asking me about "my husband" often amongst other things she wanted to learn about me and my life. I enjoyed chatting with JK and learning more about him. Our time in Thailand was more about him teaching us about Thailand so it was a nice turn of events to be able to ask him questions about himself.  Learning about why people are passionate about the cause is one of my favourite things to learn about people-- especially while here.


Overall the days of Global Forum went well. People were where they needed to be, no one was late for their session, and people were excited to receive their thank-you gift upon exiting the stage and being de-mic'd.  I wasn't stressed and it seemed like, while a necessary job, it was just an average, enjoyable experience. While some people found their job to be rewarding and exciting, and others found it be a less than ideal experience, I found myself somewhere in the middle.

Oh the middle. It's almost not worth a blog post-- but also it kind of is. I feel like enjoyable, average experiences are important to learning about yourself. Your preferences, what you like to do, what you don't like to do, and what you feel like you should be doing. I've learnt that when people tell you your job is important, if you don't feel it is, a little personal applause for a job well done feels better than a crowd of people applauding when you feel it wasn't appropriate-- only to find out it really wasn't for you anyways.

All in all, an enjoyable Global Forum experience will be truly felt complete once I am able to watch the video's of the sessions online. I didn't get to see any of them, and while I heard the crowd response, the messages the speakers had for the audience of abolitionists was missed.

Christmas at the Johnston House

The days after Global Forum have been nice. A couple days off is so wonderful. Yesterday I enjoyed spending time at the Johnston House-- a historic house with the halls completely decked out to be Christmas. It's their biggest fundraiser and everything they use to decorate is for sale! Amazing! Today was spent receiving a surprising email from Starbucks saying a gift card from years ago still has an amount left on it. It was hot out (wearing shorts on November 5th is so strange), and walking to the post office to receive a package containing tea and a skirt from my wonderful amazing husband. I also did grocery shopping and went for an adventure in World Market-- SO GOOD!



With a month left of the fellowship things are seeming less epic and more reflective. Reflecting on the time that has gone by and sorting through ideas of what to do next. In the moments where "what am I going to do next?" seem more nagging and less exciting and day-dream like, I remember that having it all figured out isn't necessary-- and a little personal applause for a job well done so far is needed to inspire the dreaming, and seek out what God has in store next.

Make A Stand

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

-Helen Keller

Today was a fun day.

It's been a good weekend...

but today was an especially fun day.

Many people have heard of Vivienne Harr and her lemonade stand, Make A Stand Lemonade. If you haven't, here is a quick introduction taken from her website (linked above):

To make that even more brief: She is an eight year old girl who, after hearing there are slaves in the world, decided to do something about it with what she had available to her; selling delicious, fair trade, organic lemonade to thirsty people in California. 

This is what Not For Sale likes to call "Open Source Activism". It is when you take your skills and talents and put it into use to further the movement to end modern day slavery in our time. It's that whole "bloom where you're planted", or "do what you can, with what you have, where you are" idea....and I love it.

Let's take a moment to think about this, shall we....

I am a person.  (And so are you...)

Not just any person, I am an awesome person. 

God has created me. 

He loves me (which is an absolutely mind-blowing, leave-me-speechless, I'm-in-awe idea). 

He wants me to do amazing things. 

He has given me a set of gifts and talents. 

These talents He wants me to use.

He has a plan that directly involves me using those skills and talents.

He wants me to be His hands and feet on this earth.

What does that entail?

So many things.

One thing that comes to my mind: 

“Learn to do good.

Seek Justice.

Help the oppressed.

Defend the cause of orphans.

Fight for the rights of widows”

 - Isaiah 1:17

We put that all together and we a perfect recipe for creating unstoppable world change. We can empower ourselves and each other to pull a Gandhi and "be the change we wish to see in the world. " And not only be the change, but to see a radical change in the entire world that puts an end to injustice.

Can you imagine a world with no injustice? People living freely, able to fully provide for themselves and their family with dignity in their work, giving to others in a beautiful sense of community, loving each other and recognizing differences as strengths. These are lives of joy, these are lives of hope. 

Make A Stand Lemonade and countless others are doing exactly what we should all be doing; doing what we can, with what we have, where we are. They are blooming where they are planted and the more they bloom, the more beautiful they, and the world around them, becomes. 

I encourage each and every person to take a moment and reflect on who you are. What skills do you possess? What talents, what gifts? What can you do with those to help make the world a better place, to be the part of Christ's body that you have been appointed to be? (1 Corinthians 12) It would be so wonderful for you to reflect on what you can do, and then make a stand, and do it. You might feel inadequate, you might feel like it won't make a difference but it will, it really will. In the words of Mother Teresa, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

- Mother Teresa

OH - PS- One of the main reasons of this blog post, the reason today was so fun, 

was that we got to meet Vivienne....

...she's a sweetheart.

Feeling Professional.

Sometimes in your day to day life, you end up doing things that make you feel very professional. These things make you feel grown up, like you're someone of importance, and that life is giving you opportunities to show people who you are and what you stand for....and that those people are going to listen and take you seriously.

I find that feeling professional is something I haven't felt too often. Or that during those times when I was feeling professional, there were people around that would stomp that out of me. As someone who started my career in Broadcasting at only 19 years old, it is often I wouldn't be taken seriously. Not only was I a young adult at that time, I was also a girl which posed its own problems. I was also in positions of status at times, heading departments, being in charge. When all those factors combined it created a lot of heart ache along the way and moments of triumph which were greatly relished.

Here we are today. Five years of radio under my belt, completely breaking free from the dream job I've had in the past, and volunteering for six months to pursue a new passion in hopes of finding my next attainable dream job.

It's amazing how, while still being at what might seem an apparent disadvantage to those I may have been associated with in the past, I've managed to be more accepted, have more skills recognized and been pushed more to give all I have in these past few weeks than ever before. I've felt more professional. I've felt more challenged.

Things that make one feel professional:
Doing work at the EBay/Pay Pal office.
Having breakfast meetings.
Being flown somewhere on a Friday, to host workshops on Saturday, then flying back to your current residence on Sunday.

PayPal Visitor.

I've been part of all those things over the past couple of weeks.

It was quite amazing to be going to the EBay/Pay Pal office to sell ethically made products to the staff and talk to them about making smart consumer choices. How often do people do that? Not very often. It's wonderful to be able to take skills I've been growing what seems like all my life, and be applying them in such a surreal manner.







I recall on the Thursday before being flown to Ohio for an Academy World Tour stop that I said out loud in the office, "I feel so professional. Breakfast meeting then flying to an event." A staff member agreed with me, especially about the breakfast meeting. There's no reason why a breakfast meeting should make you feel professional. A meeting at any other time of day is just the same. But a lunch meeting just doesn't have the same emphasis of importance as a breakfast meeting. Perhaps it's because we know that "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day", so the meetings we have during that time must also share that same importance. Perhaps it's because breakfast hosts some of the most envious foods. Aren't we all excited when we see a restaurant serves "All Day Breakfast"? Regardless of the reason behind it, a breakfast meeting made me feel important. Like I had something to offer and we were going to chat about it over granola with yogurt and fruit, and a chai tea latte.

While EBay, Pay Pal, and breakfast meetings all hold a level of professionalism I was pumped to experience, nothing holds that level as being flown somewhere to present workshops and then fly home the next day.

I was a last resort. Truth. No one else could go to the event, so I went.
Now, this could make someone feel a few different things...You could feel insignificant; *sigh* no one else could go so they are sending me. You could feel empowered; *excitement* no one else could go so they are sending me! You could feel nervous; *yikes* no one else could go so they are sending me.
I'd say I felt a healthy combination of the last two; healthy meaning slightly empowered but more so nervous. It was a wonderful experience to have people believe in you. People you have known for really, not a long time, feel you are 100% capable of presenting workshops you had a week or less to learn to a crowd of unknown size in Troy, Ohio.

After my breakfast meeting I received a ride to the airport from a fellow Fellow and flew on over to Ohio. I met wonderful people on my flights and arrived to meet the host of the event who was gracious, friendly and just as nice in person as he was in emails and on twitter. I spent the night at a hotel nicer than I ever expected and attempted to prepare myself for the next day...hosting three workshops and the main event. I'll be honest, my preparation included a whole lot of prayer.

SIDE NOTE on PRAYER: I don't get why people leave praying to the last resort. Prayer is a first step. What happens next is up to God who reveals to you your next steps. Whether you chose to act on His next steps or not is completely your thing.

The next day came sooner that it should have (a three hour time difference throws you off a little bit) and I was doing it, I was going to present. We all went to breakfast ("all" being the host, the performer, and myself) and enjoyed a restaurant that originated in Ohio. Next was on to the venue to set up the NFS merch I brought along, set up my laptop and get the presentations rolling! Like I said before, my preparation was a whole lot of prayer. Honestly, in my opinion, the best form of prayer in a time like that, where you are nervous and afraid to forget something of importance, is to pray that God uses you to get His message across. That He speaks through you. That you are a vessel for Him.


I am sure I missed points I had on my notes to get across. I'm sure things didn't go exactly the way my notes on the music stand in front of me guided. I am sure that the things I said that weren't part of my notes were extra things that God wanted me to say to that crowd. Things don't always go according to your plan. The best is when things go according to God's plan.

While setting up that day I met a wonderful lady the is the Love 146 rep for the Dayton, Ohio area. She is fun, spunky, full of life, loves vintage and tattoos and has a heart for ending modern day slavery in our time. Let's just say from the moment I saw her with her half sleeve and fun hair I knew we would chat and get along. I confided in her that I had never done public speaking before and there were moments I'd look at her while presenting and she would smile. She was my encourager at that event. After the first presentation she assured me I did well and those in attendance even asked me questions and complimented me. Praise the Lord! I knew from that moment on that the rest would be OK.

NomiS and I, boarding pass, attendees
with certificates and the
lovely Love 146 rep

The Faith Based Activism Workshop was probably my favourite. Telling personal stories is wonderful. It's easy to be passionate about the verses I was referencing because they are the same verses I have bookmarked in my Bible App. This was definitely the workshop where I can guarantee I spoke things that weren't on my notes, where I really let God guide me and I loved it. It was a wonderful feeling to have God lead and I follow.

The rest of the evening went well. We presented, we discussed, we went out after and enjoyed the company of new friends brought together by one purpose; to end human trafficking. While packing up the wonderful Love 146 rep gave me the Love 146 badge she had on display at her booth. It meant a lot to me to receive that. I feel her friendship will always mean a lot to me as she was someone that helped me through a whole new experience in my life. An experience I will look back on and be forever grateful that I was able to be a part of and actually exceed both my expectations and the expectations of the host of the event.

I feel professional here. It is something that I don't always feel while here, but it is wonderful to be in a space where I am both challenged and respected. Where you aren't trying to make people realize you are here for a reason (you are smart, educated, have a skill set) but where they know you are here for a reason, and those reasons are why they challenge you and expect great things from you.

It is such a different dynamic than what my last five years have been like. And while yes, there have been many rewarding  moments in the past five years in my career, where people have believed in me, I have believed in myself, and I've ended up becoming an asset and a loved and valued team member; it is definitely nice when the beginning isn't full of proving yourself, where those you are surrounded with unknowingly push you to be the best you can be. I know, come the last day of the Fellowship on December 14th, I will be more than I ever thought I could be thanks to those who continually encouraged my growth both at work, personally and spiritually.

Sunshine in Half Moon Bay

As I am typing this a few of us fellows are sitting in the living room, windows open, and are all busy on our laptops. While all doing various different things, one thing we all have in common is the fact that we are enjoying what is referred to as a "BSD". BSD, if you didn't know, stands for Blue Sky Day. It is something that doesn't happen very often here in Half Moon Bay and when it does, you need to take a few moments out of your day and enjoy it.

Enjoying the day and enjoying what we are doing here are two things that we do, however we don't do with enough intent and realization behind it...

The weeks are busy and I find myself doing so many things in one day that when it's time to submit my dashboard on a Sunday afternoon, I find myself surprised at all the things I did. The thought "I did all that this week?" often comes into my mind, thinking whatever the task was, I did it weeks ago. Things are fast paced and always changing and it's an environment I am adjusting to and beginning to love.

Laughter. As we all sit at our laptops, the random sheep in an unknown yard nearby yard starts to bleat. And not just a regular one, but a long, awkward sound.  We all look at each other and burst out laughing. Wonderful.
Back to being busy. When working with NFS, there's never a moment where you feel like you are done. I am all too familar with the "I've done all my work for the day and I still have a couple hours/all afternoon left to work!" feeling. This is simply incredible for me. My last job left me feeling quite bored and like I had so much left to offer at the end of the day. With the Fellowship, the end of the day comes and I am beat! I feel accomplished in the tasks I completed, excited about the work yet to be done, and satisfied knowing that there is always  more work to be done. We are ending modern-day slavery. Your work never ends at 5pm.





First bottles of REBBL

Over the past couple of weeks we've had a chance to do some amazing things! REBBL has been launching and we've been working at launch parties. The most recent being at the Causes head office in San Francisco. The view from their 21st floor space is the best view I've seen in San Francisco and the event left us all pumped about NFS, REBBL and Causes!  The Causes staff are friendly and into the work that NFS and REBBL are doing.






The View from the Causes Office



A Fashion Movement for Change

This past week us lady-fellows went up to San Francisco to a Sustainable Fashion show.  We got all dressed up and headed into the big city. It was a fun experience and I definitely feel at home in San Francisco. The sustainable fashion show featured {r}evolution Apparel who are the makers of the Versalette, and Sew Love Style showing their top and new Tulip Skirt. I felt so trendy being there and seeing a fashion show that is so forward thinking. A couple of the girls really got their networking on and told everyone they could about NFS and exchanged business cards. Myself and another girl just took it all in; the environment, the different people, the venue. We wanted to relish the experience. At the end of the fashion show part of the evening they had the Versalette present for people to try on. I jumped at the chance of trying it on since I want to get one when they are on sale. It was a blast and I will for sure remember it.



Posing with the Versalette

Moments like the fashion show, laughing at the house and enjoying the BSD make it easy to take moments to realize what you are doing, I mean REALLY doing, and appreciate it. It's easy to take a few steps back and enjoy the atmosphere.

My goal for  this week is to take moments in the middle of the day and while taking a sip of water, waiting for an email to load, or walking to or from work, is to take that brief moment, that moment that could be as easily fleeting as a quick ocean breeze while going for a jog, and acknowledge where I am, what I am doing, and really enjoy it.

When you think about it, we really are working to end modern-day slavery. We've been selected from over 30 applicants to come to Half Moon Bay and work with those who are already devoting their life to seeing justice prevail and, for me, to see Love overcome. We are small but are part of the bigger picture. The first part of my day, aside from checking my personal @nfs email account is checking the general email account. While at times, it can seem annoying to be the person that needs to respond to all these random emails, and when you're tired and it's been cloudy and cold for a week it can be exhaustive.  However, looking through those emails is one of the biggest sources of inspiration in my day. The emails from people that read along the lines of 'How can I get involved?', 'What can I do to help?", 'How can I join the movement to end slavery in our time?' get me SO pumped! People are encouraged by the work we do. People care.  People want to be involved. People are feeling called to be involved. If moments like that can't make me enjoy what I am doing  here, nothing will. That one of the many reasons I am so happy to be here.

The more people that know slavery exist today, the more people will a stand against it. The more people who gain knowledge of slavery in supply chains and how they are part of it due to their consumerism, the easier it will be for them to make smart choices. The more people out there making informed decisions, the more businesses and companies will change their ways.  The less demand, the less slavery. All of this results in more people like you and me working to change the cycle and lives of those at risk and provide them them with sustainable new future options!

Those moments sipping my water, waiting for an email to load, walking to or from work, those moments will be spent this week full of gratitude to be here, thankfulness for the opportunity, encouragement from the blessings in my life allowing me to be here, and enjoyment, soaking in every moment.