A Better Way to Shop
Make sure you ENTER for the chance to win a GREAT gift!!! Seriously. You don’t want to miss it! Also, don’t forget…for the month of June 50 cents from the purchase of each ebook of Paint Chips goes to the Manasseh Project!!!
This month, we’ve been talking quite a bit about human trafficking. Today, I wanted to call your attention to a company that makes shopping fun…and impacts the world! Better Way Imports sells items made by women around the world. These women have either been rescued from sex slavery or have been rescued before the trafficking even occurred (prevention is key to ending slavery). These women have a job now that enable them to live in freedom, feed and educate their children, work fair hours in a safe environment. Often the women learn to read and write, do simple math, and receive rehabilitation services. On our end, this company works through direct sales in the home of a host. Like a Tupperware party…but with a really great purpose. It’s a great way to get together with friends and do something that matters. Well, and purchase really great items. (They’re always hiring, too, by the way). Okay. I wanted to show you a few of my new favorite BWI items. All pictures are from their Facebook page.
I want to encourage you to check out Better Way Imports! So…click HERE to see more of their gorgeous items, to learn about them as a Fair Trade Federation member, and how to get involved! Also, I’m giving away a $10 gift certificate for Better Way Imports items. (Gift certificate must be used through Kathi Hanson…I’ll hook the winner up with her at the end of the give-away).
Go to the Better Way Imports website…tell me in the comments which is your FAVORITE item. +2 points
Like the Better Way Imports Facebook Page. +2 points (let me know in the comment section, please)
Like my Facebook author page. +1 point
(If you already do like the Facebook pages, just let me know in the comments)
Share this post, tagging me, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. +1 point for each post.
Ready? Set! Go!
Writer’s Block
Hey Howdy, Friends!
Summer has arrived and I’ve only got 52 days until my second novel is due. So, in order to keep life a little less full, I’ve decided that I’ll blog here on Tuesdays and Thursdays until the end of the summer.
Sound good?
So, for today, I’m blogging over at the Breathe Christian Writers Conference blog. Click HERE to read about a day in the life of a blocked writer.
I hope you enjoy it!
See you tomorrow!
Confession
Today I’m the guest blogger over at Confessions of a Funeral Director. I wrote about the death of my friend, Trevor.
To be completely honest, I feel very vulnerable. The piece is non-fiction. I usually prefer the shield of fiction. Being able to hide myself within the writing. But this time, it’s all my very raw emotion.
If you’re the kind of person who hangs out with me on this blog, would you please stop over at Caleb’s blog today and check out my post? You can find it by clicking HERE. Then, go through his archives. Caleb is a sixth generation funeral director who is very good at making himself vulnerable about his profession. Start with his post yesterday by clicking HERE, where he writes about why he’s a funeral director.
If you’re new around here…welcome! Thank you for stopping by. I hope you’ll look through some of my posts.
I hope you all have a very nice day.
Check back Friday for a video blog. See you then!
Can’t Un-Know. Can’t Un-See
Don’t forget, for the whole month of June, 2013 50 cents from the sale of each Paint Chips ebook will be donated to The Manasseh Project! Read more HERE.
In Paint Chips, Paul learns about sex trafficking when he’s needed to help find a girl who has returned to “the life”. Once he learns about the problem, he can’t un-know it. Once he sees the girls on the track, he can’t un-see it.
He feels compelled to do something.
Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same. Often we learn about a problem or evil or abuse in this world. And we do nothing. We flip to another channel. Change the subject. Let our minds stray and wander to think that it’s not that bad.
It isn’t because we’re bad people. It’s because we feel paralyzed to do anything. The issue seems too large. Beyond our reach.
We despair.
But, on the other hand, learning and seeing what’s happening in the world can also make you spring into action…no matter how small the action may seem to you.
Maybe you decide to learn more about what Fair Trade means. And you use that information to purchase ethically sourced items. Or, you look into organizations like The Manasseh Project. And you ask them to come speak at your church or place of business. You find that you want to help prevent human trafficking, so you look up mentoring programs in your community and sign up to impact the life of a kid who needs a little support. You might even be good at writing letters to politicians, telling them that you want tougher laws against trafficking, and more money allotted to the rehabilitation of survivors.
There are real life ways that we can work on solving the problem of modern day slavery. But we all need to pitch in.
“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” ~Mother Teresa
Check in on Wednesday to learn more about how we can use our buying power to make a big difference!
June Fundraising For Manasseh Project
Spring boarding off my post from Wednesday, I thought we’d take a step together to fight human trafficking.
Yeah. We’re going to work as a team!
Here’s what we’re going to do.
For the whole month of June, 50 cents from the sale of each ebook version of Paint Chips will go to The Manasseh Project. So, from a $3.03/$3.99 sale, 50 cents goes to assisting a great organization that works to rehabilitate victims of sex trafficking in West Michigan.
I would really love to see Manasseh get LOTS from this. So, here are the ways we’re going to work together.
1. Link the Amazon ebook page on Facebook/Twitter/Google+ explaining the fundraiser (50 cents goes to Manasseh for each ebook sold). Here is that link. I’m asking people to post this throughout the month of June.
2. This is all about Manasseh…not about me. So, if people want to donate HUGE sums of money straight to the organization, I’m VERY cool with that. They can do so on the organization’s website. In fact, if you’re interested in posting that link, too, I’m cool with that.
3. If you’re a person of prayer, pray that God can use this fundraiser for His glory and to spread His kingdom. Again, I don’t want this fundraiser to be able me. I want it to be about the kids who will be impacted by this organization and what God can do in their lives. I’m not doing this to get a good name for myself…but to push all the glory upward to God. So, pray for that, too, please!
Thanks, everybody. If you know me, you know that I have a passion to see trafficking victims become survivors. And I’m all about supporting the amazing people who do that work.
I am so glad to have you on the team!
Before You Get Into A Fight…
Last night, I had the amazing pleasure of sharing with a book club. The discussion about PAINT CHIPS was great. They asked lots of questions about the writing process, mental illness, human trafficking.
The discussion really centered on sex trafficking in West Michigan.
Someone in the group asked me the best question of the night.
“What can I do to now?”
I thought I’d take the opportunity to share a few links of places to look for those action steps we can all take in order to fight trafficking. Please now that this is a huge issue, bigger than any one person. We all need to do our part to make a difference. Isn’t that the cool thing about being created as community oriented people?
First: Learn…check out the FAQs page of The Polaris Project. You can learn all kinds of information about what trafficking is, who it hurts, and how to identify it. Click HERE.
Second: Allies…check out the resources page from The Manasseh Project to learn who is already in the fight…and what their specific needs are. Click HERE.
Third: Join…if you live in Michigan, The Michigan Abolitionist Project has three groups across the state that are more than happy to get you plugged in to the fight. They will work with your giftedness and passions to get you to work. Click HERE. If there isn’t a group in your area and you’d like to start one, click HERE to contact someone about how to get that started.
Fourth: Money…$5 goes far when fighting human trafficking. $500 goes even further. If you’re able to give, do so. In any amount. Click HERE to contribute to The Manasseh Project. I personally vouch for and endorse The Manasseh Project. They are doing amazing things to rehabilitate victims of human trafficking in West Michigan.
The more you click through on these sites, the more you will learn about how YOU can get involved. Some of these actions seem small. When compared to people who storm the brothels and work one-on-one with survivors, they do seem insignificant. But that’s just not true. Every single action toward freedom is huge and special and wonderful.
(Next Week: How to fight trafficking with your shopping habits)
Tornadoes and God’s Love
I watched footage of one of the monster tornadoes that touched down in Oklahoma. It was from one of the storm chaser types. The guy offered commentary on the direction of the twister, how large he estimated it to be, explained the roaring sound.
Then the guy got scared.
His adrenaline had turned to fear. And he got in his special made car and drove away as fast as he could.
He drove to where the tornado had been. Everything was flattened. No movement anywhere. The calm after the storm.
The calm just before everyone realized what had happened. What they’d lost. Who they had lost.
The calm just before the Red Cross came. Before news reporters stood on corners to report on the devastation.
An eery, unearthly calm.
My thought, looking at torn to shred houses and uprooted trees?
Oh my goodness. Lord, don’t let some insensitive, Bible toting person say something awful. Please just shut their mouths.
Because, inevitably, someone says something terrible to blame the victims of tragedies. Citing the judgement of an angry God. Painting a picture of a God who delights in the sufferings of His people.
Even though Scripture clearly points to the delight that God has in His children. And, never mind that the prodigal son wasn’t pelted with daggers when he came home, but overtaken by his father’s embrace.
If I got a call today from one of my atheist or agnostic friends, asking why God let this happen…well…to be honest with you, I wouldn’t know what in the world to say. Because I don’t understand it. Does that make my faith weak? I don’t know. But at least I can admit that I wonder and doubt and question.
And I think God can handle that.
But I sure as anything wouldn’t say that God sent the tornado. Or that He wanted to make a point. Or that He needed more angels in heaven and that’s why He took those kids.
Because I don’t believe those words. And I think they do more harm than good.
I guess what I would say is that my heart is broken. Because that is true. And that I really, really, deep down inside believe that Jesus grieves with us in tragedy. Why wouldn’t He? He wept for His friends Mary and Martha when He saw their anguish over losing their brother.
And, get this, Jesus knew how that day would end. With the resurrection of Lazarus.
And, get this, Jesus knows how everything will end. Far better than we claim to know.
And, yet, He finds no delight in pain or suffering or loss.
I think that He longs for heaven. For us. More than we long for it. Because He lived here and knows heartbreak.
And because He has lived there, in heaven. And, in that place, He will wipe dry our tears and make right all that was made wrong.
He has gone to prepare a place for us. Because He loves us.
He does so. Dearly.
Everybody Loves Lola
First off, congratulations to Anne Ferris! She won the copy of “Ring of Secrets”! Anne, I’ll get that book to you ASAP! Well…and your birthday present, too.
Last week, I met up with a friend of mine. She told me that she’d read Paint Chips. The first thing she said…
“I just LOVED Lola.”
Seriously. I hear that all the time. Everybody loves Lola. I love Lola. She was a joy to write.
I’ve been thinking about what makes Lola so very lovable.
Yes. She’s fun. She’s passionate. Her faith is deep…she humbled me so much as I wrote. She is forgiving and self-sacrificing.
I think that she represents what we would like to become.
But, also, I think we love her because of what she’s overcome. And how far life has taken her. That she didn’t stay a victim. But grew into a survivor. And that she is in the business of raising up survivors. And that is a beautiful thing.
The cause of her life is to let God use her to set others free. And to help them live in that freedom.
The really great thing is that people like Lola, with the drive and passion to help others live in freedom, do exist.
Let me tell you about a few of them.
Andy Soper is the program director for The Manasseh Project, a rehab for teens trafficked in West Michigan. Learn about the newly opened home HERE.
You’ve heard me talk up Better Way Imports before…because I think they’re great. They work with anti-trafficking organizations around the globe to empower women to stay out of the “life”. How it works? BWI sells items made by the women who have been rescued. The women have a job that earns them a fair wage (BWI is a member of the Fair Trade Federation). Check them out.
These people live lives of sacrifice, compassion, and justice. They inspire me. Lola embodied a little bit of each of them.
And I’m proud to call them my friends.
Susie’s Book Club
Hi, all! I intended on making an “Ask Susie” video for you…but it’s late and I ran out of Dr. Pepper. So, you’ll just have to settle for a written bloggy blog today.
Yesterday, my good friend Heidi Beavers asked if I could provide a list of worthwhile books. See, she has three growing boys and works full time…she just does not have time to invest in books that are…ahem…just “eh”.
I thought she had a really great idea. So, I decided to put together a list of books that I have really enjoyed. Here goes! (HINT, HINT: read all the way to the bottom for a GIVE-AWAY!)
Great Books That I Love
Pocket Guide to the Bible by Jason Boyett (The Bible is FULL of interesting details…things that often need a little explaining. Boyett did a great job compiling this book. With a “Cast of Characters” list, a history of the writing/spreading of the Bible, and the like, this book is great for Sunday School classes, Youth Groups, People looking for a fun way to learn a little more about the Bible)
Talking To The Dead by Bonnie Grove (This novel will have you anxious to keep reading. Full of questions, raw emotion, and really excellent writing, you will not be disappointed that you picked this one up. Well worth the late nights reading)
Zora & Nicky by Claudia Mair Burney (Raw! RAW, I tell you. Claudia didn’t hold back anything when writing this novel. And she’s a Michigan girl…so she gets some extra love around this blog. If you think you understand race relations…even within the Church…well…you’d better think again). Claudia’s book Wounded: A Love Story is on my “to read” shelf.
Embrace Me, The Passion of Mary-Margaret, Resurrection in May…and more by Lisa Samson (Lisa’s good. She’s really good. She knows how to write a novel.)
The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions by Jeff Manion (Great for a small group, this non-fiction study is both encouraging and challenging)
Unconditional (A beautiful novel that was based on the movie…but it’s a really great read.)
Isn’t It Time for a Coffee Break?: Doing Life Together in an All-About-Me Kind of World by Amelia Rhodes (Great for a study, ladies’ group, etc. This book is fun, full of quick chapters, discussion questions, and space for notes.)
Goodness & Mercy by Patti Hill (Okay…so I just started reading it…but it is SO GOOD already. SO GOOD!!!!)
NOW IT’S your turn! Tell me a book or two that you would love to recommend! Each comment on this post will be entered to read a book on my to-read list. Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White. It’s the first in a series about spies in the late 1700’s!
Have a great weekend! Happy reading!
susiefinkbeiner.com 