Sex, Money, and That Sick Feeling

Oh my gosh.

Oh.My.Gosh.

What the heck?!

Holy crap holy crap holy crap.

What the &$%@#*$&%^&

Oh my God, save these girls!!

Repeat for an hour and a half.

That's pretty much went through my head during the screening of

The Whistleblower.

This film is based on real events, also captured in a book of the same name.

Basically, to sum it up very quickly, a woman works for the UN in post-war Bosnia. During her work, she comes face-to-face with human trafficking, specifically the sex trade. Worse than that, many government workers and high-ranking officials are involved, not only as customers, but as suppliers. When she tries to end this horrible reality, she is faced with threats to her and the girls involved, and is forced to end her formal investigation. But she cannot simply forget the things she has learned.

She becomes the Whistleblower.

This film is gruesome, intense, and very real. Be warned: this is rated R for good reason. You will be nauseated. It's hard to process this film. It's obviously far different than reading a book about human trafficking (which I've done several times). Seeing this movie made it so much more realistic. I know what I saw was acting, but it was really good acting. And what was depicted really happened. And it's happening right now. All over the world. Even here in the US, here in Mass.

It's sickening. But that word isn't strong enough. I don't have words to fully convey what I'm thinking and feeling. Except to say I have to DO something. But I'm not sure what or how. But I have some ideas, and have to look into some things, and pray about it.

The film comes to select theaters this weekend. Please go see it. Its very intense. Very. But its important to be aware of what's happening in our world, especially if we want to end it.

While you're at it, check out Sex+Money (which I screened on Monday).

It was just as serious, but not as gritty. This one is about sex trafficking right here in the US. Its a documentary with interviews from former prositutes, pimps, clients, and leaders in the abolition movement.

Both films were very well done, on a very serious and important topic. Please check these films out and let me know if you'd like more resources...I've got a ton! Together we can end slavery in our lifetime.

"The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven"

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin and Alex Malarkey

Alex was just 6 years-old when he was in the car accident that would change his family forever. After a virtual death sentence from the doctors, Alex defied medical science and survived. No one knew what he would be like when he awoke from the coma...or if he ever would. When he emerged after 7 weeks in a coma, no one expected to hear the reports of heaven he returned with, or the amazing miracles God was working through the entire experience.

I'm going to start this review objectively, ignoring the subject matter and talking about the book itself. The majority of this book is written by Alex's father, Kevin, recounting the accident and life since. The book spans a few years time, although its not always specific with times and tends to jump around a bit. Kevin shares everything that happened during this time, from stories of faith being tested and marital problems, to conversations with Alex about the supernatural. He makes it clear that the family's faith is what pulled them through, while being honest about his doubts and struggles along the way. I would have liked to hear more from Alex in the book, but it was clear that he didn't want to be the center, and that he wasn't too sure about the whole book business. Overall, this book was pretty well-written, intriguing, and encouraging. Also included were some photos of the accident and Alex recovering.

Now, the personal! I was raised evangelical, so talk of miracles and spiritual warfare is nothing new to me, and is not hard for me to believe. I was also raised to filter what I hear through Scripture to be sure it is truth. That said, I believe Alex's story and find it very encouraging and uplifting to my own walk. Everything Alex says about God and Heaven lines up with the Bible. And he sounds a lot like several Biblical figures when he says there are things that he saw and learned that God will not allow him to speak about. Hearing about this little boy watching his own surgery with Jesus, speaking in his "Heaven language", talking about being attacked by Satan, and hearing his views on prayer, is amazing. It inspires me to take my walk more seriously, to realize that there is so much more to the spiritual realm than what we see and participate in. And how can you not believe a child really walks with God when he is constantly saying that it's not about him? I'll close my review with the quote that I found the most inspiring, especially since it comes from a little kid!

"Daddy, I'm always in prayer because part of my brain, through the Holy Spirit, is in constant communication with Heaven. My mouth is for talking to people." (page 183)

Highly Recommended 5/5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a review.

"Flourish"

I had a love/hate relationship with this book the entire time I was reading it! As a whole, I enjoyed the book and the core message of living your best life, despite the circumstances. I underlined and wrote down quite a few parts of the book, so I guess it was a worthy read! My criticism, however, is that some parts were very heavily academic. Even as someone with a bachelors degree in science, I had a hard time following along with some of the research.

The first few, and last few chapters I found to be the best, as they were easier to read. They contained more stories and practical applications, compared to the scientific studies of the middle chapters. Weber includes meditation exercises and journaling questions throughout the book, with a complete "Creating my Intentional Life Plan" guide at the end, should you choose to engage in that way.

Final thoughts, this was a generally good book, despite the heavy research sections.

Recommended 3/5 stars.

I received this book for free in exchange for a review as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

"Too Rich For A Bride"

After a harsh lesson on a woman's life in the business world, Ida Sinclair joins her sisters in the mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado. She soon gets a job with the incomparable Mollie O'Bryan and is enjoying the accomplishments and opportunities that come with it, not to mention the attention of two handsome, eligible bachelors. Will it be love, money, or danger that makes Ida see what is truly important in life?

This book is the second in a series by a new-to-me author, but it can stand on its own (I haven't read the first). It was a good story, although it did have some parts that seemed to drag on, and didn't have the depth of characters that I like to see. But the book was well written, with some twists to the story, and make me want to read more from this author. Overall, this was a good read. I did smile at the awkwardness and clumsiness between Ida and Tucker :)

Recommended 3.5/5 stars.

I recieved this book free in exchange for a review as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

Great Moments in Leadership

A few weeks ago, I had a good car-talk with two girls about boys and dating. While I'm no expert at relationships (seeing as I'm practically chronically single with no immediate prospects), I gave them my tips that I have learned from observing and listening to smarter people. I passed on one of my favorite tips: writing a "husband wish list". Listing, in writing, what you want from a future spouse. Not little things like eye color or style, but things like has a heart for God, is a good listener, likes kids, shows patience, has a sense of humor, and shows wisdom. I've had one since I was 14 and it helps keep silly crushes at bay. If someone isn't a good match on my core values, they're not dating material for me. Plain and simple, no matter how cute they are.

So I shared all this with my girls. Last night, one of them came up to me all excited and said "I made a list!!" Then the other girl came up to me later and said that she and a friend she told about it also made a list. Yay for good relationships!

Also last night, on the car ride to an event, somehow all of the girls were talking about their level of comfort in talking to me. When one said she didn't really open up much to anyone, two of the others enthusiastically said that they felt they could talk to me about anything. I love being someone that teens feel totally comfortable with, someone they know they can come to with anything and be accepted and loved and get good advice :)

Finally, this morning I gave two kids their very first Bibles. One is a newly-9-year-old girl who has been timidly coming to church for about three weeks. She is a new Christian who has been coming with one of the ladies in the church. She was nervous to go to Sunday School last week, but I talked her into it and asked her if she had a Bible, she didn't, so I presented her with one today. After service, she came up and asked me to sign the "presented to/from" page so she would always remember. The other kid, a 13-year-old boy, comes to Sunday School about once a month with friends. I've had a really cool waterproof Bible waiting for him for weeks and he finally came today. So I pulled him aside, and gave it to him with a Bible-in-a-year plan. He wasn't excited by appearance, but was looking at it and through it so much I had to remind him to go back to class. After church, I saw him showing it off to his friends and their mom.

Leadership is full of ups and downs, craziness and busyness, but these are the moments that make it all worth it and keep you going through the hectic planning stages. And I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world!

Foot Creeper Two

I just got a message on my SparkPeople that was so funny/disturbing that I had to share! It's reminiscent of *this post* .

See, SP is the site I'm using to lose weight, as I've mentioned. And, as I've also mentioned, I'm rewarding myself along the way. The first reward I'll earn is a pedicure.

So I was on SP this morning, trying to earn enough points to get my next virtual trophy (don't judge!), when I found a message board post about toe polish. It asked "what colors are you wearing for summer?" So, I commented (worth 3 points), about how I'm one pound away from a pedicure and might branch out from my usual bright pink.

A few minutes later, I got a private message from someone named Investor that read:

Us foot guys are rooting for ya!! We love new toe colors lol [really happy emoticon]

Awwwwwkwardddddd.....and he hasn't even seen my toes! Plus, to make it a little creepier, his profile is unfindable, and he has no profile picture. Creeper.

**edit** Now, 20 minutes later, he has a picture and a profile....and I just realized he STARTED the thread....ooops.

Weirdest. Teaching. Ever!

Our usual youth leaders are in Greece with their new baby bump,

so I'm teaching youth group tomorrow night!

I was driving the other day, pondering what I would teach on,

when Lady Gaga's song "Born This Way" came on the radio.

And since I have some issues with the song, I thought

"I should teach on this song!"

Then I laughed.

Then I stopped laughing, and thought about it.

Then I said, "This is crazy!

Lord, You're gonna have to give me a real lesson!"

And then...nothing.

Well, nothing else.

Instead, I got more and more insights into the song!

So, tomorrow night, I will be teaching....

on Lady Gaga.

And I guarantee, its not what you think.

(And to you nervous youth leaders,

Don't worry.

Its not sacrilege.

Just a little weird

But its a good Word

and it stays on topic from the past few weeks!)