The World Needs a Revelation....

Yesterday was a pretty important day! I'm not usually much for "national" days,  I mean national ice cream day deserves some respect but...submarine day? Seriously? Or national corn chip day (Note to friends....I dislike corn chips immensely)?!?

You can check out a list of real and humorous national days...here!

But on a serious note....today is Anti-slavery day. Here are some numbers....

• 27 million....the number of people in modern day slavery across the world.

• 800,000....the number of people trafficked across international borders each year.

• 1 million....the number of children exploited by the global commercial sex trade, each year.

• 80%....transnational victims who are women and girls.

• 32 billion – Total yearly profits generated by the human trafficking industry.

• The majority of trafficking victims are between 18 and 24 years of age

• An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year.

• Between 14,000 and 17,500 people are trafficked into the US annually 

• In 1850, the cost of a slave (in today’s dollars) was $40,000. In modern slavery, the price of a slave sn $30.

Y'all...these stats are insane....ridiculous...unacceptable! 

Yesterday the A21 Campaign held it's Key2Free campaign in conjunction with Anti-slavery day. The key represents freedom and yesterday was a day to wear them and promote awareness and the injustice that is running rampant.

Remember the movie taken? Yep....that's not so far-fetched...human trafficking and slavery is a real deal. My passion this last year has been to support efforts to end human trafficking, specifically sex trafficking and slavery. No one deserves this type of treatment...where they are bought for sometimes $10 per client servicing up to 30 or more "clients" a day. As if that isn't sick enough...children, mainly girls but boys also, are sometimes as young as 4 & 5 years old. Outrageous! 

Here is a video on Human Trafficking, share it with anyone and everyone...the more people who know...the more people to help end this disgusting practice. 

Want to help? Here's how! I've compiled a list of legitimate programs and organizations below who help to not only put a stop to human and sex trafficking but to also provide after care for those who are rescued! They provide medical care, food, shelter and even job training to help these women and children to make their own way in the world. They deserve it...don't you think?

Love146
Abolition International
The A21 Campaign
Somaly Mam Foundation

I'm sure there are many more organizations out there but these are the ones which I support and know are legitimate. You can donate, purchase merchandise that promotes awareness, share videos and facts on EVERY facet of social media that you can...ANYTHING to get the word out about this injustice.

I hope this has brought awareness to your life. Here are the keys I wore yesterday in support of the ones who are waiting to be free.

~Amb

Relationship Revelations

So.....I had a revelation this morning on my way to work. As I am on my way to work wayy too early for any normal person (I'm usually at my desk by 7 am) I have a lot of time to think on the 30 min drive, because let's face it...no one else is up at that time....or at least not functioning fully.

Anywho....I digress, I was thinking about what I wanted to write about first (epic decision I must say!) and I started thinking about all of the amazing relationships I've formed since becoming a Christ-follower. 

Not saying that I didn't have what I thought were great friendships before, but they mainly consisted of people who were at the bars Thursday through Saturday and then at church Sunday evening, not what I would call roll models for a Christian life....and I was right along side enjoying that lifestyle. 

But now...God has placed some wonderful, AMAZING people in my life who speak words of wisdom, kindness and encourage me to look to Christ for my answers in life. And whereas majority of my friends from my past life were male, now I have learned how much female friendship is so important. I never before was able to relate to feminine conversation or anything else feminine for that matter.

When I found an amazing home church I was opened up to an amazing group of people who have influenced my life in such a positive way! Take this lady for example........we went to elementary, middle school and high school together and were great friends...but sadly during high school she transferred and we lost touch for almost 6 years! God blew my mind and brought us back together at church and we've been the best of friends since! She's my go-to gal in a pinch and the most wonderful mother of the cutest babies ever! Sad that we don't have any pictures together since high school!! This situation will be remedied ASAP! But for now this is my beautiful friend and her too cute daughter :)

I mentioned the other day that I run...well that's where this group of amazing and encouraging ladies comes in!! I have never had such amazing annoited women in my life who by their walk of faith has lead me closer to the Lord. They and their families are truley an inspiration and Travis and I, we look up to them immensely! The help me to be stronger God fearing woman and, whether they know it or not, they help to guide me in making decisions for my future. I love these ladies!

The next few Christ-centered ladies in my life are these three wonderful gals! Fellow teachers who share a love of the Lord and the stress of being a public school educator in today's crazy world. Look how sweet they are :) they mean the world to me and help keep me sane!

Sadly I know that there is a picture of us floating around somewhere...I just can't find it, ha!

So after being sappy and spilling the beans on some of my favorite people (these are definitely not ALL of them, that would be too much to put in!), the Revelation that comes from this is to surround yourself with people who lift you up and speak life into your life. Those who are negative and bring you down with words or thoughts are just not worth your time and can become like a plague infecting your life. I've seen how much my life has changed and how much of a new person I am in Christ and new friendships who support that decision are key.

God warns us in Proverbs 13:20 how important our friendships are when He says, "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harms." (NIV)

Revelations Begin.....

Welcome! Well...to old friends...welcome again! This is my second attempt at blogging as a couple of years ago I tried and failed miserably to keep up with it or to have a spark of creativity. Well because of a recent revelation (yes, that is the inspiration for the title :) ) I decided it was time to start again, especially since so much has happened and is happening in my life. I want to get it all down. My memory is not the best....as can be evidenced by the fact that I locked my keys in my truck not once, not twice, but THREE times in one month!

 I know what your thinking....this chick is CRAZY!

Well you would be too if you had my schedule! Ha! So anywho...I wanted to make sure I got the BIG things happening down and share with you some of the revelations that I experience along the way!

Before I go into big in depth blogs about my life...hopefully none which deter you from reading and hopefully you relate to and it can help you in your own life, I think it's time for an introduction!

Drum roll please!!!

Ok....it's not that serious.....My name is Amber and I'm a 25 year old high school agriculture teacher. I absolutely LOVE my subject matter and am thrilled to share it with high school students here in South Louisiana.

I run....yeap...I run...don't ask how fast....just know that I do and with some amazing ladies who keep me motivated and strong when I feel weak.

I am engaged to and am marrying the most amazing guy I ever could ask for! We may not agree all that comes up BUT we can agree to disagree!

Though I'm writing these revelations of life mainly for myself perhaps it will in turn help some of you who read it appreciate the things in your life a little more :)

And as a treat...here's the song that inspired my blog title!