Dear MTV ..

A friend of mine just posted this video on her Facebook page -

Watch it. Watch the whole thing. Trust me. It's powerful.

Human trafficking breaks my heart, and this video is an incredible representation of how human trafficking is such a large part of our culture & society. I loved the video and I don't want to take away from the message it's sending out.

But ....

I'm a little peeved that MTV, of all networks, helped produce it.

MTV - with their reality shows that focus on materialism and frivolous spending and wild nights at the club and "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" mentality.

MTV - with their video clips where women are parading around in nothing but lingerie and lyrics calling women "bitches" and "hoes" ... yeah it's censored, but we all know what's being said behind the beep.

I'm not an MTV hater. Really, I'm not. But it just strikes me as a little hypocritical, that's all. You may say I'm a dreamer (but I'm not the only one) - but I'm a firm believer that to make a real difference in the world you need to target/challenge people's attitudes and beliefs and their mindsets. As long as people are OK with women being portrayed as sex objects that are to be "won" and are easily discarded, there will be a huge market for sexual slavery and forced prostitution.

The video is great & I loved it & everyone should see it and share it ... but I think MTV missed the mark on this one, big time. Dear MTV - if you really want to join the fight against human trafficking, stop playing music videos that portray women as objects. And while you're at it, stop producing reality shows that teach tweens and teens that having the latest "it" accessory and living a big, glamorous life is the way to go.

Thoughts?

xo

I ♥ My 'Hood

I am completely in love with this song + video clip ...

Laurell is a local Vancouver artist and she's incredibly talented. That music video was filmed in my neighborhood ... seriously, that beach is just minutes from my apartment! Whenever I see photos or videos of my 'hood I pinch myself because I still can't believe I get to live here. Give me sandy shores and blue skies over Times Square and the subway system any day! If you had told me 3 years ago that I would make that kind of a statement, I would've told you that you were off your rocker. But it's true. I am now a west coast beach bum through and through.

Mostly, though, I love this video because it pretty much represents exactly how I'm feeling these days. Giddy. Blissfully happy. Hopeful. Butterflies in my belly. Smitten. Blessed.

"I can't get you out of my head, I'm getting ready to fall over you, you're sticking like glue ... yeah, I want you all to myself." ♥

Kiss The Girl ♥

OK, I'm kind of the happiest person on the planet today. Why? Because I am a huge Colbie Caillat fan (I was her "friend" and fan on MySpace long before she got a record deal and had her songs being played on the radio) and while perusing YouTube, I stumbled across the video clip above. Here's a little known fact about me - my favorite Walt Disney song is Kiss The Girl from The Little Mermaid. I know there are far more romantic songs in the Disney repertoire to choose from, but Kiss The Girl still holds my heart ... it must be the Caribbean in me! Anywhoo, Colbie's rendition of this song is so brilliant and I love the video clip too. I've been playing it on repeat and it makes me smile so much!

So indulge me - What's your favorite Disney song? I'm also a huge fan of You'll Be In My Heart from Tarzan ... and Strangers Like Me from Tarzan and Son of Man from Tarzan... and pretty much all the Tarzan songs, which is funny because I actually really did not enjoy the Tarzan movie! lol

kisses + hugs

xox

Awesome.

My friend Amanda posted this video on her Facebook page a few days ago. It made me bawl like a baby, so I posted it on my Facebook page. My friend Sally saw it and it made her cry too, so she posted it on her Facebook page. And her friend Lara saw it ... and, well, you get the picture. Safe to say this video is definitely making the 'rounds.

I won't say much, because the video speaks for itself. All I will say is that there is something truly beautiful about a child throwing him/herself into his/her father's arms, and holding on for dear life. Notice how the kids don't let go ... such a beautiful testimony to the power of family:

God bless our troops and their families.

xox

You Are For Me

OK, so I LOVE Kari Jobe. She is, without a doubt, one of my favorite worship leaders, singers, songwriters and overall people! She just has a way of writing the most beautiful songs that reflect exactly what I am going through. I listen to her albums on repeat and they never fail to uplift me and inspire me and remind me of God's faithfulness and love. She has just released her very first music video and I am soooooooo proud. This is her song, You Are For Me ...

I love everything about this video, but I especially love the message in the lyrics: "I know that You are for me. I know that You will never forsake me in my weakness." So, so true. If God is for us .. if God is rooting for us and cheering us on no matter how many times we stumble and fail, then who can be against us ... right?! Right. Amen. :)

xox

I'm listening.

On my heart tonight ...

I have lots of new scrapbook layouts to share, as well as photos from my road trip to Quebec City, but tonight I'm just going to keep this post simple and to the point. So many people who are close to me are going through tough times these days ... some have said goodbye to loved ones, some have lost jobs, some are having health problems. I often feel that I don't have the right words to say to comfort them, or that I can't really relate to what they are going through. Tonight, I came across this version of Amazing Grace on Youtube and it's so raw and filled with emotion, I was really touched by it. It reminded me that, in times like these, we just need to cling to God's awesome grace. It's all we have.



What could be better ... knowing no matter what ... my life is covered by the life of the Son.

For Melody ♥

Yes, Mel ... this post is for you ... I heard this song & immediately thought of you. Don't ever give up hope, because our God is faithful and He will never forsake you.



sending hugs & prayers down to ya in North Carolina.
-xox-

What Would Yours Say?

The season of lent is quickly coming to an end ... tomorrow is Good Friday, the day churches from all denominations across the world pause and commemorate Jesus' death on the cross. I challenge you to take a few minutes today to ponder what Easter is actually all about. It's not about the chocolate bunnies, the pretty tulips, the Easter egg hunts. It's about this:




And this:



And this too:




Cardboard Testimonies from College Park Church on Vimeo.

Easter is about transformation, rebirth, renewal, restoration ... do you see where I'm going with this? What would your cardboard testimony say?