Five on Friday: WAR Feature

Happy Friday, ladies!

I'll be linking up with April, Amanda, Karli, and Andrea for Friday 5 and Friday Favorites. Go visit their blogs and show these ladies some love today!

One thing I've really felt the Lord tug on my heart about for this blog is featuring organizations or shops He is using to really make a difference.

While Jon was stationed in North Carolina, we got involved in an organization called The Defender Foundation.  One night of reaching out to women (and men) who find themselves in human trafficking and/or prostitution situations and my mind still remembers the names and faces of these dear, sweet, lost people.  God's children, they are. Every single one of them.

Human trafficking is the fastest growing organized crime in the United States.  Organizations like Women At Risk, International are seeking to save at-risk women and children from this horrendous, illegal industry.  I found out about WAR when they partnered with Defender to do a jewelry sale at our church in NC.

All products are made by or sold in support of these precious women.  They have everything from jewelry, to home decor, and even things for children and men! Today I thought I would share 5 pieces that I absolutely adore.

Happy Shopping, Ladies! :)

Marriage: God's Faithfulness & My Selfishness

So, I'm not gonna lie y'all, the past few days have been tough.  It turns out that I'm still a selfish sinner.  Go figure, right?  It's funny how desperately I need to be reminded of this at times.  It's quite impressive when even in the midst of being so so tremendously blessed I still find a way to be discontented, to say, "What I have is not enough.".  Ugh, how it disgusts me to admit this. Even more disgusting is being confronted with how I still desire to put my interests and passions before Jon's.

I know we're only eight months into marriage with him being deployed over half of it, so we are by no means supposed to be experts.  However, I am convinced of this:  marriage means loving your spouse more than yourself, and loving them unconditionally...a beautiful picture of the Gospel.  Wow, how much more easily this is said than lived out in my everyday.  How much easier it is to focus on how others could change to benefit me, instead of me changing to become more selfless. I hope I'm not alone here.

As I push to plan my life the way I think it should  look, I fall into the trap of selfishness and control.  Praise Jesus I have a husband who sets a beautiful example for me of what it means to desire God's will for his life rather than his own.  I am so humbled by it.  One thing I feel so blessed by is God's faithfulness to reveal my selfishness to me.  Although the realization that I can be more selfish than I ever thought possible doesn't exactly feel good, the sense of God's nearness and faithfulness to mold me into His image for His glory sure does.  While confronting, it is so cool to navigate this journey with Jon as we identify his passions, my passions, and God's passions; surrendering our own and receiving a new heart for His.

Prayers for my sweet friend, Christy

I just wanted to drop in with a little prayer request for my sweet friend, Christy.

 She's flying out right about now for a missions trip to Peru.
I would love if you would join me in praying for her and the group going as God uses them to reach and to love on others...that He would reveal His truth more and more clearly to each of them, and aid them in being sensitive to the movements of the Spirit.

Christy was just briefly sharing details last night on the villages she will be visiting, and it sounds as though people there are so thirsty for the Word.

She is particularly nervous about her health as well as the health of the group because of the tremendous altitude at which they will be located.  Please pray that the Lord would keep them strong, equipping them to share His good news. :)

Thanks for joining, sisters.

Love!
Claire