Who I Am

This week in small group, we had our students cut up magazines and cover their journals with words, phrases and images of who God has made them to be. It's a real fun activity, and it allows students to put the positive things they like about themselves or see in themselves in front of them everyday! I decided to cover my class notebook as well, and wanted to share with you who I am...

I have been called to GO and make disciples of all nations and I have been made for going places. So many decisions in my life have led to where I am today, and I know its exactly where God has called me to be. Discipling, mentoring, leading, serving, educating and equipping the next generation as we bring the gospel to the nations, and maybe prevent human trafficking along the way, because my God is a God of justice. I see the world with a sense of wonder. Each new place holds a mystery, and the familiar places can feel like new again. Each new person I met, student I encounter, or coworker I serve alongside of, brings an element of God into my life. And that is wonderful. And finally, "flawless has many faces". I'm captivated by this verse in Song of Solomon: "You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you." It reminds me how my Savior sees me...beautiful and flawless. These are the images and words I've chosen to remind myself of daily this quarter. It sums up who I am and where I'm going. Who are you?

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Pampering with a Purpose

Tonight, me and some friends got pampered. Free facials...makeup consults...pita chips & hummus...mmmm. It was a good night. The best part was the fact that it was all benefiting a great cause...me! A friend of mine who sells Mary Kay help me put together a party to pamper some of the women in my life. And each of their purchases benefited my fund raising efforts. It was a win win. I also had some super generous friends donate some pampering services [haircuts, massages, etc...] for a raffle which brought in some extra cash as well. Every one had a good time and I got a little closer to my goal.


If you are interested in purchasing some Mary Kay products to help benefit my trip, visit Katie Valdez's Mary Kay page here. Thirty percent of your purchases will be directed to me from now until the end of the month!

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30 Days of Justice: Dove Campaign for Real Beauty

Beauty. It brings a different image to mind in each of us. Some may picture nature, or a child, a painting, or a woman. We all find beauty in different places and see it different ways. Some things are beautiful to one, that may not be to another. Because of our visual culture, the media has given us an image of what beauty in a person, or more specifically, a woman “should” look like. From the size her waist to the tint of her teeth, all women know what the acceptable ideal of beauty is.

Sadly, this ideal of what beauty “should” be, starts at an early age. Girls younger and younger are picking up on cues from their mothers, sisters, magazines, and TV shows. Take a look at some of these overwhelming stats:

*In a study of almost 500 schoolgirls, 81% of the 10 year olds reported they had dieted at least once.
*Dieting is more common than not dieting, with 95% of the female population having dieted at some time.
*The ten most popular magazines most commonly read by men and women were reviewed for ads & articles related to weight loss: the women’s magazines contained 10.5 times more articles related to dieting and weight loss than the men’s.
*69% of female television characters are thin, only 5% are overweight
*Average person sees between 400 and 600 ads PER DAY – that is 40 million to 50 million by the time s/he is 60 years old. One of every 11 commercials has a direct message about beauty.
*Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women. The average American woman is 5’4” and 140lbs. The average American model is 5’11” and weighs 117 lbs.

With facts and numbers like this, it's no wonder girls struggle with eating disorders, stay in abusive relationships, or just devalue themselves so much, they allow others to take advantage of them. And who can blame them, when this is what we face on a daily basis.


Watch this powerful video on the media's evolution of "beauty".

A few years ago, one consumer company decided to do something to change the tide. Dove, the creator of bath & beauty products, launched a new program called The Campaign for Real Beauty. This campaign specifically targets high school and middle school age girls, when their identity is so formidable. On their site, girls can find tools to help build their self-esteem...from online workshops, to articles & videos. Their desire and mission is to free ourselves and the next generation from beauty stereotypes. Whether you are a mom, a teacher, a guidance counselor, or youth leader, there are resources for you and the girls in your life through Dove. I greatly appreciate the work Dove is doing and am using their resources in my own job, empowering high school and middle students around Hillsborough County. I challenge you to do the same thing in your world. Never know what future leader we are shaping. Continue reading →

A Spa-Riffic Night!

I love to experience new things. Whether it's a new restaurant, a new band, a new city or a new country, I just love it. There's just a rush about trying something for the first time. Well, I had a new experience this week as well. I was invited by my friend Becca out to Sharmaine Salon & Day Spa on Clearwater Beach for a night of manicures, pedicures, and the brand new PitiCure, a beauty treatment for your armpits. Sounds crazy, right? Well, it's not! Dove beauty products along with Dr. Debra Luftman have put together this new procedure specifically for underarms that you could get done at a spa or right at home. Take a look at this video to see how it's done.



I was sold after the video, and my experience was even better. Relaxing and soothing, the PitiCure was a dream. Then we topped the night off with the manicures and pedicures, which is never a bad night in my book! And can't forget the swag bag! We left with coupons for the spa, a Dove spa wrap, a manicure kit, Dr. Debra Luftman;s book, and a stash of Dove deodorant. The staff at Sharmaine's was fantastic, and I can't wait to go back and enjoy sometime on the beach and in the spa. If you're out that way, be sure to check them, and book your own Dove PitiCure!

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