tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18371926718731807912024-02-07T23:41:00.603-08:00Colours of the RainLife is like the rain; sometimes peaceful, sometimes stormy, but always full of colour. Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass.... it’s about learning to dance with Jesus in the rain.Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-84702059799183190942013-06-30T06:54:00.000-07:002013-06-30T06:54:02.398-07:00Ponderings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sometimes I just wish time around me could
just stop; that I could hit the pause button and everything froze, except me.
With no agenda or a set time I have to be somewhere in front of me, I could
just stop and breathe for a moment. I would then be able to take the time to
read that book that is screaming my name, use my new Canon EOS 1100D that is sulking
from lack of attention and attend to my writing and art that are weeping from
neglect. And of course, there is my blog that has been almost completely
abandoned. I am one of those people who, when they have a goal in mind, will
over-work to reach that it. In my last year of school for instance, my goal was
not only to pass my AS levels Cambridge exams, but also to do well in them. So
I worked and worked and eventually accomplished my goal. Now, in my gap year,
my aim was to work so I could not only go to Europe, but also have some
spending/travelling money left over. So I have been juggling three part-time
jobs and working nearly everyday to achieve my aim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes, I am, I confess, what has been termed a
workaholic. And workaholics never know when to slow down until they have what
they were working for. Yet now, after months of it, I do want to slow down but
my goal keeps me pushing forward. Not only am I flying to Europe at the end of
July for a six week holiday in Salzburg, Austria at friends, I am moving cities
around the same time. Thus I want time to just stop for a moment so I can
process all this, spent quality time with God, family and friends and catch up
on doing the things I love. A month is not enough time to do all I need and
want to do. I wish I could balance work and leisure a bit better. But my brain
keeps telling me that I need to keep making money because my trip is nearly
upon me; it is just around the corner, I cannot stop now. Yet my heart for once
won today and has taken the time now to just pause a moment, make myself a pot
of tea, reflect on life and write. What bliss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I have more news besides my workaholic condition
and the Europe trip. I think, to some extent, I know what God wants me to do
with my life: to help others and leave behind some good when I am gone. How? I
am now considering either becoming a phycologist or a high school English
teacher, though I am leaning more towards teaching. So, if all goes well, next
year should find me studying a BA, with Phycology, English and perhaps French
among my subjects, probably still pursuing my workaholic ways but, I hope, in a
more balanced way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-21458070148182895992013-06-10T02:54:00.000-07:002013-06-10T02:54:08.811-07:00Should I say Goodbye?I know. I know. This blog has been rather dead for awhile. I seldom post and seldom comment on your posts. Did I fall off the face of the earth? I will be honest with you; there are various reasons why I have not been much of a blogger these last few months and they include limited internet time, busyness and lack of inspiration. My life has been rather hectic. I have three part-time jobs and have been working and saving hard so I can go to Europe in August. I think I not only have writer's block, but inspiration and motivation block. When times are busy and difficult as they are now, I struggle to write and be creative. There are so many things that distract me. Sadly, lately, I have not even have much of an urge to write and do art (though I think and hope that is slowly changing). Planning for my Europe trip, stress over whether things will work out and whether I will have enough money (Europe-related), stress over when my family and I are moving cities and over what I am going to study and do with my life (Career-wise: I have to apply before the end of June) have also been taking up my time and my mind. I think I need to take a step back and breath in deep.<br />
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I wonder now if this blog is a waste of time. Maybe, since I do not even seem to have much time for blogging and not many bloggers out there read my posts any more, I should leave the blogging world. But then, I get this feeling inside that I am not ready to let go. I would, in a strange way, miss all of you, especially my favourite blogs/bloggers. And would miss writing my posts and reading about people from all over the world. Should I say goodbye? To answer my own question, I really don't want to. So just pretend I never mentioned it. I have decided that I will try to make more of an effort with my blogs. Whether this resolution will last a day, I do not know. But, hopefully, I will be "seeing" you all soon.<br />
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Yes that nut in the picture is me. ;)<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-34123985647540145282013-05-18T02:34:00.000-07:002013-05-18T02:34:42.599-07:00Snippets of South Africa<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">I
have realised that, apart from what I have written on my About Me page, my
followers and readers do not know much about me. Perhaps that is because I
don’t speak about myself that much. I just think of a topic and write about it.
Perhaps I have never thought my life interesting enough to share with you.
However, I thought I might add a personal touch to this blog by telling you
more about myself and the country (South Africa) that I live in. Let’s start
with South Africa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">South
Africa is like a wild botanical garden. It is perfectly civilised (contrary to
what you o’er the seas might think) yet fill of conflict. We live in normal
houses on normal streets and we have normal shops (though no Starbucks as of
yet, which is really a misfortune). Some people think that the only white
people here are missionaries which is ridiculously humorous. In some parts of
South Africa it can rain for months and in others it snows and gets freezing
cold. The only “wild” animals we see are in zoos, game parks and the like. It
might not be as advanced as America in technology, but we do have apple computers,
blackberries and every other form of technology you can think of. We even make
movies (though, I’ll admit, most of them are not worth watching).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Wildlife
and the scenery in South Africa vary from where you go. Where I currently live,
we don’t get enough rain, the land is relatively flat and it’s not that pretty.
Go somewhere else and you’ll find richly green-lands and huge mountains and the
blue sea. Some places are desert-like, others flood. That’s something I love
about South Africa; it has so much diversity; Diversity in weather, vegetation,
culture and language. Though English is over-all the main language (as in most
people can speak it, even if only a little), we have 11 official languages. And
I can only speak two: English (my home language) and Afrikaans (it’s similar to
Dutch, just much simpler).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">As I
said earlier, it’s also a country full of conflict. Politically unstable and
crime extremely high, you may think it’s dangerous to live here. Which in a way
is true, yet I generally feel perfectly safe. Of course, we cannot just walk
around and go anywhere we like, as many in America do. Public taxis are not the
safest and most people won’t just take a walk alone to town or at night (though
it depends on where you live). The education system is deficient in many
schools and the curriculum standard is low (thankfully, I did Cambridge AS
Levels like they do in England), though the Universities are quite good.
Striking is a big problem and poverty is all around, though perhaps not as much
as you think.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">So yes, this country has
many problems; I have not even touched upon that many. Yet there is also good
if you look for it. I am what we call proudly South African (though in terms of
blood, I am half Portuguese, a quarter Irish and the other quarter is a mixture
of British, French and who knows what else) and despite its setbacks, I do love
my country. Anyway I hope you found these snippets of South Africa interesting
and enlightening. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-17116803214069937092013-04-14T07:07:00.001-07:002013-04-14T07:14:15.525-07:00The Roads in the Wood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt;">“All we have to do is decide what to do with
the time that is given to us ….” (Gandalf
the Grey) Ah, if only that was as simple as it sounds. But how does one decide
what to do with one’s life? How do you know what your purpose is, or what you
love doing above all else? I have come to that difficult season in life where I
have to choose a career. Yet it is so difficult for me to decide what I want to
do for what could be the rest of my life. I want to do something that I love
doing, but also something that impacts and helps others. But I have not found
out what that <i>something</i> is yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt;">We all eventually reach this stage
in life. Some are fortunate enough to know exactly what they want to study and
what career they want to pursue. Then there are those of us who have to strive
and pray and pray, wondering and worrying about the future, hoping that there is
a reason why we are this earth. Questions like “What is my role on this
earth?”, “Why am I here?” and “What is it that God made me for?” stream through
our minds and when they remain unanswered for so long, one can begin to feel a
little lost and hopeless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt;">This post may seem just like
ramblings of what is pressing on my mind. Yet I know that I am not the only one
out there asking questions like mine. I want to encourage myself and you with
the simple fact that God knows your future and that He is in control. There is
a reason why He made you and He will reveal that reason in His own time. So as
we continue to worry and seek and feel utterly frustrated, let us try to be
patient: our time will come too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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P.S Please vote on my poll! If you have any other suggestions, feel free to comment on this post.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-36508517090942162422013-03-28T04:03:00.000-07:002013-03-28T04:03:32.856-07:00Rain Fall Down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">There is
something so soothing and beautiful about rain falling from a cloudy sky. As I
stare out my window, watching as the world before my eyes is being cleansed, I
feel peace settling upon me from the inside out. And I feel happiness, as if I
suddenly know that everything that is going wrong in my life will work out.
Perhaps it is the cool air or the sound of rain as the drops splash gently
against the window; Perhaps it is the knowledge that the tears of heaven are
making the flowers and trees happy; Or maybe it is even how those small droplets
can change scenery so drastically and beautifully that fills me with such
serenity on a rainy day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">The feel of rain on my bare skin gives me a child-like
thrill of abandon and freedom. </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">God’s
gift of water from the skies is not only for the plants, but it is also for me;
it is a reminder of His everlasting goodness. Somehow, rain goes with all
things creative. There’s nothing like writing, listening to classical music,
doing art or reading good literature whilst there is a soft drizzle outside. And
creativity is a core part of who am, so I love anything that inspires more of
it into my soul. Rain is like peace coming straight out of the clouds of
heaven, giving me a taste of God’s gloriousness. </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">I cherish each and every rare rainy day we
have here, knowing that I will have to wait another while for my next day of
soothing beauty. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-55374677474233315032013-03-10T08:27:00.001-07:002013-03-10T08:27:51.755-07:00Yet Still I Will Praise Him<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vjBtO0h_K0aRoiqYJitg5FuTgaQYzRtrSP1edhN83I5nD8VhnzeFqHqY3A95QnDRRLerNyT2c_cV3JbpaSmJXM_tAzk4bSPk9j7On8_InAmq6gQLATA8xSdZOJHhtDeTBspHDqB8XW80/s1600/SANY4068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vjBtO0h_K0aRoiqYJitg5FuTgaQYzRtrSP1edhN83I5nD8VhnzeFqHqY3A95QnDRRLerNyT2c_cV3JbpaSmJXM_tAzk4bSPk9j7On8_InAmq6gQLATA8xSdZOJHhtDeTBspHDqB8XW80/s320/SANY4068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Vijaya, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes life knocks us
down and the last thing we feel like doing is rejoicing. We feel disappointed
and drained, like we do not have the energy to carry on. In those moments when
everything is going wrong, if we are completely honest, we do not want to
praise God. When I am having a bad day or my life seems like one scary
rollercoaster ride, I struggle to praise God; I struggle to find the words that
describe what a wonderful God I serve. It is easy to worship God when you are
happy and everything is going well. Yet in those moments of tribulation we need
to worship Him the most, for He is still God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Vijaya, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Vijaya, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Desert Song by Hillsong
United has the lines: “All of my life/ In every season/ You are still God/ I
have a reason to sing/ I have a reason to worship.” No matter what we are going
through, He is still God; He is still worthy of our praise. Many things may
change, but He remains the same. The beautiful thing about worship is that it
takes our focus off ourselves and our hardships and onto the Creator of the Universe.
It also helps us realise that God is still in control; that He is bigger than
our problems and will bring us through them. Just because we are frustrated and
in pain does not mean that God is no longer deserving of our adoration. When we
win, we must praise Him and when we lose, still we must praise Him. Whatever
you are going through, whatever season of your life you are in, He is
Sovereign. Yet still should we praise Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-17134786554461078442013-03-04T02:06:00.000-08:002013-03-04T02:06:39.969-08:00Some ChangesHi Everyone,<br />
I am so sorry I haven't been posting regularly; I have been very busy with work. Since I finished school last year, I have taken a gap year this year and am currently working so I can buy my ticket to Europe. But I will attempt to post every Saturday like I used to and will try to read your blog posts as much as I can. Please don't think that I am neglecting you all!<br />
<br />
Anyway, so there are a few changes to my blog. First of all, I have a wonderful new header thanks to Britt at <a href="http://encouragementforeverydaystruggles.blogspot.com/">Encouragement for Daily Struggles</a>. Thanks so much Britt, I love it! :) Second, I have updated my About, Quotes and Bucket List pages if you would like to check them out. You also may have noticed that I have been tweeking my blog design here and there. What do you think of it at the moment? Any suggestions or advice on how to better it? I really dislike my blog design at my other blog <a href="http://scribblingsofadreamer1.blogspot.com/">Scribblings of a Dreamer</a>, but don't worry I will soon change it and am thinking of adding a header to it, though I'm not really sure how to make one. I also have a new profile picture; hope you like it. Let me know what you think about these small changes! :)<br />
<br />
~Jess LeighJess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-74340680771486028132013-02-02T02:07:00.001-08:002013-02-02T02:07:15.152-08:00Learning To Be Selfless<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YBmS-KH3Ly1ikk4MLsQEsvj3dJIQLMR60U5M3jlB90brvhPnLGny9hVVVXjQjpvM-h0AU512FRvjGWCggRLLymlbLi9OzyGZKVUsDZY8fkNJOhEuR-dkBAV_gyWM-9Yl4vOc2t7dDLXA/s1600/z+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YBmS-KH3Ly1ikk4MLsQEsvj3dJIQLMR60U5M3jlB90brvhPnLGny9hVVVXjQjpvM-h0AU512FRvjGWCggRLLymlbLi9OzyGZKVUsDZY8fkNJOhEuR-dkBAV_gyWM-9Yl4vOc2t7dDLXA/s320/z+(5).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Amienne; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If only I could remember that life is not about me, my wants and my
will. If only I could look past myself at all times and think more of others.
The human nature is so selfish. If we were to be completely honest we would
admit that we are all naturally self-centred. Every unkind thing we have said,
every time we have lost our tempers, got upset when things did not go our way; every
wrong and thoughtless thing we have ever done is an act of selfishness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Amienne; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Something I feel God is challenging me to do lately is to put Him and
others first; to realise that I was not placed on this earth to live for
myself. Oh, how I have failed this time and time again. Some days I set out
with this strongly in mind: “life is not about me, put God and other people
before yourself”, only for it to fade from my mind later on. As we get caught
up in the busyness and troubles of our lives, we forget why we are here; we
struggle to see past ourselves to those around us. So I challenge you, along
with myself, to notice those around you who may be in need, to think before you
say something that is actually insensitive, to not always let your day revolve
around your own agenda. I challenge you to forget yourself and remember others
and, in so doing, putting other people’s needs before your own. This is the
challenge of learning to be selfless.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Amienne; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-41374469680043851872013-01-27T22:44:00.000-08:002013-01-27T22:44:57.395-08:00Lights of Impact<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDY5pTI4GLEMPFX1vtbzPgGUpT6LzKNGYnFZ6NmQGSqaHUF_MIAa2PLYb3TTz-PePxlYaLay2GO4uPKoCDgFCMFmQGzXyKLMfCv7iZl532Kd0ckoGtZbL-Z4S2pwzQMPcrz079Fu5qcW6/s1600/SANY7670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDY5pTI4GLEMPFX1vtbzPgGUpT6LzKNGYnFZ6NmQGSqaHUF_MIAa2PLYb3TTz-PePxlYaLay2GO4uPKoCDgFCMFmQGzXyKLMfCv7iZl532Kd0ckoGtZbL-Z4S2pwzQMPcrz079Fu5qcW6/s320/SANY7670.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">This world is an evil, hateful, lost
place in dire need of goodness, love and hope. Our calling as believers in
Christ is to make a difference on the earth and to shine like stars in the
darkness. We were not meant to live ordinary, comfortable lives. Christians
have sat in their comfort zones for long enough. It is time for the Church to
arise and ignite a flame that could change those around us forever. There is
supposed to be a distinct difference between believers and non-believers, but
so many have been swept into the tide of this world. Life is too short to be
wasted on things that do not last; things that, in the greater scheme of
things, do not really matter. We were made to live a life completely sold out
to Jesus; a life spent following His Will and striving daily to bring Him
glory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I challenge you today to not follow the
crowd and try to “fit” in, but to make a difference while you can. God has
gifted each one of us with different abilities and callings; we need to use
them to impact those around us at school, University/College, work and in our
social lives. God needs to be infused in every part of our daily lives. We
cannot sit by while the world dies. I know that the problems of this world are
so large that they can be exceptionally overwhelming. But that does nott mean
that we do nothing to help others in need, to love those who we do not like, to
serve selflessly and to give hope to the desperate. I will admit I fail in
these things every day. But I am realising how important it is to live a godly
life of integrity- a life that lives wholly for God- even though it may set us
apart from the “in” crowd. Our time on earth was meant to be extraordinary.
Each of us has a choice how we will spend our years. You have only one life to
live, will you use it to love others or to work for your own gain? You may
think that you are too small to make a difference; just one tiny drop of rain.
But together, drops of rain can turn into a river. By yourself you may only be
a tiny pinprick of light in the stark darkness, but together we shine like a
city on a hill, visible for all those around us to see. </span><span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Pristina; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-18931198458382139112013-01-12T05:33:00.000-08:002013-01-12T05:33:54.307-08:0027 Million Voices<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqXT6x6u9k6Bf58EMEFx9X74WVH0uheeMFMwzQ0Z3vmtE6jRw_XAuhVtnXNC07sO12vzP_JnXPbmASjVIVmcZlvfdduZWxgclhLqVkSl8aCRuIKVC6v6FAGqD1qza1IIJScJBkp-Oy11R/s1600/A+Silent+Plea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqXT6x6u9k6Bf58EMEFx9X74WVH0uheeMFMwzQ0Z3vmtE6jRw_XAuhVtnXNC07sO12vzP_JnXPbmASjVIVmcZlvfdduZWxgclhLqVkSl8aCRuIKVC6v6FAGqD1qza1IIJScJBkp-Oy11R/s400/A+Silent+Plea.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Picture drawn by Jess Leigh</div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yesterday was National Human Trafficking Day.
So I thought I would post this poem I wrote during the week to create awareness
on modern-day slavery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bella Donna"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the 27 million people held in slavery all over the world<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Their
cries resound all over the earth;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cries
of suffering, cries of hopelessness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yet
few really hear them, nor are there many left to care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They
are like a vanishing wind;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Whispers
of their fate are heard, yet they are left unseen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They
are bound like broods of animals,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Living
a life they did not choose;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
life stolen by another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They
are forced to go where they do not want to go,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They
are forced to do what they wish not to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Their
time on earth is a living hell,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Imposed
and controlled by heartless ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There
is no escape, there is no freedom;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They
are chained to their unwanted fate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
their souls cry out in agony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Can
you hear them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Their
silent cries are echoing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Against
every corner of the earth,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pleading
to be set free<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
sinister fingers grip them mercilessly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some
heed the call and head into battle,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Striving
to save the captive ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Others
turn a deaf ear, a blind eye<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
their hearts turn to stone,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Vijaya","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
27 million voices continue to scream in silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-11314686555413619722012-12-22T09:50:00.000-08:002012-12-22T09:50:15.346-08:00Trekking through the Jungle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGpcFYhAKgNfCPnPloR66AplZSC4tk1DacINzuZtIpqOZO4iAVmWvEh8RsO6-ZKL6Xmb0ixkoPheP6HZEkNAFyjfvZJwtUkrEZO6qwMPCZtBdj2_m4tb5dZBaCoFT1Ta_jxtpts63DR0a/s1600/Trekking+Through+the+Jungle+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGpcFYhAKgNfCPnPloR66AplZSC4tk1DacINzuZtIpqOZO4iAVmWvEh8RsO6-ZKL6Xmb0ixkoPheP6HZEkNAFyjfvZJwtUkrEZO6qwMPCZtBdj2_m4tb5dZBaCoFT1Ta_jxtpts63DR0a/s400/Trekking+Through+the+Jungle+%25283%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Boopee; font-size: 17pt;">Okay, I will admit it before you get too excited: it wasn’t
a jungle. It was more like a steady flow of water and rocks that made up a
ravine surrounded by trees and thick foliage. So if you stretched your
imagination a bit, it could feel like a jungle. Except that the wildest animals
I saw were birds, spiders, endless webs, one buck and a single crab.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Boopee; font-size: 17.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Boopee; font-size: 17.0pt;">At first our walk just consisted of happy rock-hopping to
avoid stepping in the shallow water and getting our shoes soaked. The real
adventure began when it become impossible to hop from rock to rock and we had
to move onto land on one side of the ravine. That would have been a piece of
cake if the “land” wasn’t covered in thick bushes and thorny plants that we had
to force our way through. And there was an abundance of those deceptively
pretty flowers attached to thorny stems that inflict poison into your skin to
produce red and slightly swollen scratches if you dare to come into their
territory.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Boopee; font-size: 17pt;">Sometimes we were forced to go out into the open, away from
the water and bushes, and then had to put up with the humid sun. Then, when it
was again possible, we would curve back downwards to the ravine. Once we had to
climb up a small, but steep, wet rock-face since our way was once-again blocked
by resentful shrubbery. Later, after we had walked awhile, we climbed back
downwards, using a small, sapling of a tree for support. At one spot, we even
startled a deer, which, poor thing, disappeared out of sight instantaneously.
We crawled under fallen trees, along the bank while clinging onto whatever we
could and, believe me, I nearly slipped several times on this venture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Boopee; font-size: 17pt;">Finally, we had well-earned rest on a big, flat rock where
we chewed on dried mango strips and ate thick slices of banana bread smeared
with butter. We sat there for awhile, just listening to the beautiful sound of
flowing water and looking up at the sun shimmering on the leaves that made up
the sky above our heads. We then took the road instead of the “jungle” on the
walk back home, our arms and legs bearing proof of a battle with thorns,
branches and mud. There is something satisfying about those scratches and mud
patches though; they are the evidence that we braved and survived a trek
through the “jungle”………….</span><br />
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All pictures taken by Jess LeighJess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-30054164665312626082012-12-15T09:02:00.000-08:002012-12-15T09:02:08.282-08:00Quotes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmH-uZW32O4BOVIyOUi1iBR3znk8ofosg4j2Ws2LnNhuRNtSnKZ59uw_tLdpq8FT5seT-Mv3tQa-bOLDzrXOG1hxXMYCQwU4FObGKFjeL4UcY6TBdOvj4eRfANsjzgSuk31Zisux46RvSe/s1600/tumblr_mdy19hGNq91reqv68o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmH-uZW32O4BOVIyOUi1iBR3znk8ofosg4j2Ws2LnNhuRNtSnKZ59uw_tLdpq8FT5seT-Mv3tQa-bOLDzrXOG1hxXMYCQwU4FObGKFjeL4UcY6TBdOvj4eRfANsjzgSuk31Zisux46RvSe/s400/tumblr_mdy19hGNq91reqv68o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-20992301379410344352012-12-01T09:58:00.000-08:002012-12-01T09:58:23.027-08:00Small Joys<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkk3aXJ9QezD6MNWrMiatEGfoFuojgh9wE9UHmVTU-me6nKdzw5ngEkzic5QCRsTOOgj7wr23PdnBOiADbLU1VIPncGTkigp_XP1kP55YG01XabLqaCGuLS1vEF9r81rmyLZApEKOlsXgS/s1600/SANY7494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkk3aXJ9QezD6MNWrMiatEGfoFuojgh9wE9UHmVTU-me6nKdzw5ngEkzic5QCRsTOOgj7wr23PdnBOiADbLU1VIPncGTkigp_XP1kP55YG01XabLqaCGuLS1vEF9r81rmyLZApEKOlsXgS/s400/SANY7494.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Freestyle Script'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 90%;">There’s something so soothing
and beautiful about rain falling gently outside my bedroom window. Walking
outside in the cool night air with the full moon shining up above is bliss.
Just the beauty of the sun shimmering across long grass or through leaves in a
tree fills me with peace. There are so many small, wonderful joys in our
everyday life that we tend to overlook. I am one of those “old-fashioned”
people who love reading, poetry, art, nature and beautiful things completely
devoid of technology. In fact, I believe that technology, such as computers,
internet, cell phones, etc, are just distractions from the things in our lives
that really matter. Technology has provided a busy life so that you never have
to get bored. But maybe what it really has done is take away those important
moments of thoughtful meditation, of noticing everyday miracles and of hearing
God’s voice whisper through the simple things around us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZQyMPXpu7ZYAUPvdTgcVRx7YxOWcIbrTYnNLvkzqnpQRfhSihewKvWzyshIG3DDOuQsQV_5DxxwZzFDosAeOoM7GY9BkonpZnH3gP-aB3T0vBykm4rxq1kuvcpxPVwf0nQ3EKCij8qr7/s1600/SANY7524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZQyMPXpu7ZYAUPvdTgcVRx7YxOWcIbrTYnNLvkzqnpQRfhSihewKvWzyshIG3DDOuQsQV_5DxxwZzFDosAeOoM7GY9BkonpZnH3gP-aB3T0vBykm4rxq1kuvcpxPVwf0nQ3EKCij8qr7/s400/SANY7524.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Freestyle Script'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 90%;">Technology has its place and I
use it daily. But I can’t help but be annoyed when I see how teenagers are so
dependent on it that they can’t have a face-to-face conversation without
looking at their cell phones every few minutes. To me, it is so sad that we
have let some things of the past go. The love of art and literature and
learning and classical music are slipping away, being replaced with less
important things like the latest gadgets. I mean we even have digital books! What
ever happened to the joy of just holding a book in your hands and being able to
turn the pages with enjoyment? Perhaps I
just long for the times when creative things were appreciated, and people weren’t
always in a rush and cramming their days with activities. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS657kLWt6PULRW6h5Nb6eRFIG1ky0vQBTuz2DdfKlw3wUoMfqW1dSxlIIK7_EP7eNsEVT6ds-wtbUSJtMZ7M4NAry-JRNmhcksA5aTBdxR0n7Fm_UTSVv0dg7HtUhWBv7HurkrRE3PQMT/s1600/SANY7535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS657kLWt6PULRW6h5Nb6eRFIG1ky0vQBTuz2DdfKlw3wUoMfqW1dSxlIIK7_EP7eNsEVT6ds-wtbUSJtMZ7M4NAry-JRNmhcksA5aTBdxR0n7Fm_UTSVv0dg7HtUhWBv7HurkrRE3PQMT/s400/SANY7535.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Freestyle Script'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 90%;">We, especially teenagers, need
to learn to appreciate the small joys that surround us each day, the organic
and natural joys. Instead of always
chatting over your phones about nothing in front of people, learn to have real,
heart-felt conversations with those in front of you, for that is how you make real
friends. Instead of taking things for granted or pining away over the fact that
you don’t own the newest technology, look around you and notice the things God
gives you for free: gorgeous sunsets, colourful flowers, songs of crickets,
family, friends and the list can go on.
You may think these are just ramblings of a nostalgic girl who doesn’t
sound like she’s living in the 21 Century, but I think a healthy dose of simplistic
things would do the world some good. I
challenge you today to not overlook small, wonderful things, but to see their
beauty and to savour it.</span></div>
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Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-55966345589726722412012-11-17T08:13:00.000-08:002012-11-17T08:36:30.838-08:00Chiselling<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mIj6A0ZCPbVYIv0zxEsCqzBvW4FnkvvC6fTIXQevf_-TW1e7fc9gpChZEL9dZH_FcdLxNCY-1nUMHCx4HJHfCOhTyq1Uz_kagOzd8f2_rdc9ejUQWWQYA2lkGWucpezijJFy2t70q7Di/s1600/SANY4981+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mIj6A0ZCPbVYIv0zxEsCqzBvW4FnkvvC6fTIXQevf_-TW1e7fc9gpChZEL9dZH_FcdLxNCY-1nUMHCx4HJHfCOhTyq1Uz_kagOzd8f2_rdc9ejUQWWQYA2lkGWucpezijJFy2t70q7Di/s320/SANY4981+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Carpenter stared at the seemingly
useless block of wood and decided to make a wooden man. He took up His chisel
and began His work. He chiselled here and there, getting rid of what hindered
His goal. After being hard at work for hours and hours, the Carpenter stepped
back and stared at His masterpiece with pride. What had once been a useless
chunk of wood was now perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Character building takes time and lots of pain.
Sometimes we wonder why we have experience certain things that hurt. We ask the
question, “If God loves me, why do I have to suffer?” But I’ve learnt a very
valuable lesson: it is in the darkest hours of our lives that we grow and learn
the most, if we choose to continue to trust in God. Sometimes those times of
pain are just the times God is chiselling away what shouldn’t be there, forming
a masterpiece that will one day, in eternity, be perfect. He’s chipping away
pride, vanity, bad habits and other things that get in the way of our
effectiveness in the Kingdom of God. It’s because God loves us that our lives
are not all sunshine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God has been chiselling at my character a lot
these last two years. It hasn’t been easy; on the contrary, it’s been painful.
But I’ve matured and learnt a lot in the last two years. I still don’t understand
why I have had to go through a lot of the things I’ve gone through. But I do
know that God is equipping me for something that requires certain lessons.
Don’t misunderstand me; God doesn’t cause bad things to happen to us, but He
brings good out of the bad. He uses difficult situations to teach us and to
mold us into someone who looks more like Him. Our characters need to be tested
and chiselled before we can truly become mighty men and women of God. It’s a
difficult, painful process. But in the end, it will be worth it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-81080652776531027142012-11-10T08:16:00.001-08:002012-11-10T08:16:19.571-08:00Must Reads<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The following books are written by young people and I believe
that every teenager and student should read them; they could change your whole
way of thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do Hard Things- Alex and Brett Harris<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ktj71-Q2DeMSzHKcISjGTz7GEm-7CE9Rcwxw55cj6-1uKKqh5OeRJ0QtiagLQ3LsufuxHC9aOrUVq1ie-H74wU_F4L1c-vagfcM-HXDJz8mi8wOj0m_XPWf-UmifcxCTCWok-ehySJcB/s1600/1601421125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ktj71-Q2DeMSzHKcISjGTz7GEm-7CE9Rcwxw55cj6-1uKKqh5OeRJ0QtiagLQ3LsufuxHC9aOrUVq1ie-H74wU_F4L1c-vagfcM-HXDJz8mi8wOj0m_XPWf-UmifcxCTCWok-ehySJcB/s320/1601421125.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do Hard Things</span></i><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> was written by the Harris twins when
they were eighteen years-old. This book completely changed the way I thought
about teenagers and our abilities. The subtitle for this book is “A teenage
rebellion against low expectations”, or what they call a Rebelution. They
challenge teenagers to rise above expectations and to do things that can change
the world. Instead of settling for second-best, the twins challenge teens to
step out of their comfort zones and do hard things for the glory of God. I
believe that this inspirational book could change your life. To learn more
about the Rebelution go to: therebelution.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lose Your Cool- Zach Hunter<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtCkVMPZJQYqG8uYL2L71kuBzK48DLH3CfYtU96_X5k4r9L-cS2hcb4Dv2sXTOw4vcQGHUGHZLWuVRtDBrzrXIUnYcIcpS0dpqQLIF9Jiu2iyx213EfZmPkXGhaCdfd2-Jz-rHpoldMCH/s1600/lose+your+cool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtCkVMPZJQYqG8uYL2L71kuBzK48DLH3CfYtU96_X5k4r9L-cS2hcb4Dv2sXTOw4vcQGHUGHZLWuVRtDBrzrXIUnYcIcpS0dpqQLIF9Jiu2iyx213EfZmPkXGhaCdfd2-Jz-rHpoldMCH/s320/lose+your+cool.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lose Your Cool </span></i><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">was written by the modern-day
abolitionist Zach Hunter when he was 17 years-old. Filled with inspirational
stories about passionate people, <i>Lose Your Cool</i> challenges you to “Lose
your cool and discover a passion that changes you and the world.” Zach calls
teenagers to be passionate about what really matters and to allow that passion
to stir them into action to make a difference in their community and the world.
This book is extremely motivating for teenagers and I am looking forward to
Zach Hunter’s next book. If you want to learn more about Zach Hunter and his
fight to end modern-day slavery, you can visit his website at: zachhunter.me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I Kissed Dating Goodbye- Joshua Harris<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKEBLHAadMZipUye_tSoVBJHbTx2i76zCozlNiUsPY8-xEX0aUpEUW-1EPj3TQ6Btg_A5yQ1GOOUwtKvHmIcnH9oUvJSiCjA5Bkl7E6psHeptpRGf69Y6YviJgyTEWA2XCm5mIB3J2-Hm/s1600/277057_104769696287333_7646440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKEBLHAadMZipUye_tSoVBJHbTx2i76zCozlNiUsPY8-xEX0aUpEUW-1EPj3TQ6Btg_A5yQ1GOOUwtKvHmIcnH9oUvJSiCjA5Bkl7E6psHeptpRGf69Y6YviJgyTEWA2XCm5mIB3J2-Hm/s320/277057_104769696287333_7646440_n.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I Kissed Dating Goodbye</span></i><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> was written
by the Harris twins’ older brother when he was in his early twenties. Joshua
Harris writes about the emotional, physical and spiritual purity consequences
of casual dating. He challenges single people to use their time of singleness
to grow in God and become mature men and women, as well as to protect their
purity. He challenges teenagers to wait for the person who they’ll spend the
rest of their lives with. If you curious about why you shouldn’t date and what
the consequences of dating are, I really encourage you to read this book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Uncompromising- Hannah Farver<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUvg1KAAjzn08Om62LrwS33xu1YjVkm5Ior0KNXwTlzRDTTbbcm9SE6qn2RGFFddg5-0Dwl4bNcMKN8OochjdQfRkrnamr6od7tMlIuqXMYZGlB4rWIse98hNGIGQ4XeNWACtWRRZ5iVv/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUvg1KAAjzn08Om62LrwS33xu1YjVkm5Ior0KNXwTlzRDTTbbcm9SE6qn2RGFFddg5-0Dwl4bNcMKN8OochjdQfRkrnamr6od7tMlIuqXMYZGlB4rWIse98hNGIGQ4XeNWACtWRRZ5iVv/s1600/Image.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Uncompromising </span></i><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">was written for teenage girls
by college student Hannah Farver. This
challenging, encouraging and honest book speaks to teenage girls about many of
the issues they face entering into womanhood. Hannah Farver writes that we’re
meant to have a cause and many girls use vain substitutes (beauty, love, boys,
etc) to take the place of the real Cause (Jesus). You can visit Hannah Farver’s
blog at: hannahfarver.com.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-6277283478584599762012-10-27T11:08:00.000-07:002012-10-27T11:08:12.380-07:00The Passion of the Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrqJzjVx_L3i8H4aM2b7i_kcTo8RjtmlvPzXH9SvDJVYFEbTw3d8vPjaYNtUUzgwiFq6o4AECUhur-A3104_xskaRhXIKEDbk_SWkU0EURdb6ubp_UjhcdculOmtRt-FfhH90uJQfetny/s1600/Cross_in_space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrqJzjVx_L3i8H4aM2b7i_kcTo8RjtmlvPzXH9SvDJVYFEbTw3d8vPjaYNtUUzgwiFq6o4AECUhur-A3104_xskaRhXIKEDbk_SWkU0EURdb6ubp_UjhcdculOmtRt-FfhH90uJQfetny/s320/Cross_in_space.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "JasmineUPC","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">After watching <i>The Passion of the Christ </i>it
struck me. All our suffering is nothing compared to what we should have gone
through; it’s nothing compared to what Jesus suffered in our stead. He was
betrayed, mocked, beaten, scourged, spat on, hated by the crowd and even
deserted by his friends. And He bore the weight of the whole world’s sin on His
back. He even experienced complete separation from the Father, the separation we
should have undergone, when He cried in agony of spirit and body: “My God, my
God, why have you forsaken me?” Imagine experiencing so many kinds of suffering
all at once. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "JasmineUPC","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Of course, through the Bible we know about
what Jesus went through. But it’s so different when you see it with your own
eyes. In <i>The Passion of the Christ, </i>you see His pain, you see His body
so damaged it’s unrecognisable and you see what we deserved. That’s what my
heart was screaming out whilst watching the movie: <i>“Jesus, I should have
been the one to receive the punishment, not you!”</i> Yet, Jesus took it for
us. As He hung upon that cross, His body drenched in His own blood and nails in
His hands and feet, He showed us the very face of love. We all go through times
in our lives when we doubt God’s love or just don’t feel it and we ask Him to
show it to us again. Yet I realised how selfish that prayer actually can be.
Jesus showed us love when He died a terrible death for us, what other proof do
we need that Jesus loves us more than we can ever imagine? If you ever go
through suffering or times when God’s love feel oceans away- believe me I’ve
been there many times-look to the cross and remember the sacrifice our Saviour
paid for us. He knows what you’re going through and He loves you so much that
He gave everything for you.</span><u><span style="font-family: "JasmineUPC","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "JasmineUPC","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-30497182251420670822012-10-20T01:04:00.000-07:002012-10-20T01:04:16.435-07:00The Hope of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFm_BRhAhZ_CmFqJM-95sPyN28JGvZeKF3uBegyJiBtzzysqHEIOs6qSUffpIkFOIfE-M-weM00IaOrk4T5N4Zejf4zsiOB7RKEuwSanPJNFU9FClBS1K7xkDgwlQ7ExnJRXyzDiZaJbzX/s1600/The+Hope+of+Spring+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFm_BRhAhZ_CmFqJM-95sPyN28JGvZeKF3uBegyJiBtzzysqHEIOs6qSUffpIkFOIfE-M-weM00IaOrk4T5N4Zejf4zsiOB7RKEuwSanPJNFU9FClBS1K7xkDgwlQ7ExnJRXyzDiZaJbzX/s400/The+Hope+of+Spring+(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Minya Nouvelle'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s something about the changing seasons that causes me
to stop and reflect. It’s quite amazing how our surroundings can affect us. On
a beautiful, cool spring day, my heart fills with joy and peace.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYE_8IL1nsGQbFg823UMU17cV7GvJZb0D2sqRUdwpxV8vHh1H0YCVJpSvGEwB7wPqugfEAdd1bVOrE5HxIMoEcz7NgVLO-lRf8Ge_FFtJh4wGItT1Jq8VaOHOnRmAl0VjJ0hKht0DArZB/s1600/The+Hope+of+Spring.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYE_8IL1nsGQbFg823UMU17cV7GvJZb0D2sqRUdwpxV8vHh1H0YCVJpSvGEwB7wPqugfEAdd1bVOrE5HxIMoEcz7NgVLO-lRf8Ge_FFtJh4wGItT1Jq8VaOHOnRmAl0VjJ0hKht0DArZB/s400/The+Hope+of+Spring.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Minya Nouvelle"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Spring has finally come to South Africa. There’s something
about spring that renews my hope. What was once dead and brown suddenly
transforms into something beautiful. New things begin to grow; flowers appear,
the grass slowly turns green, leaves adorn the trees in glory once more and the
birds sing their melody yet again. And the sweet aroma in the air....I can’t
describe it; all I know is that it fills my heart with joy and contentment. But
I think if hope had a scent it would smell like spring. It’s on spring days
that I can feel God at work around me; making things new and mending what has
been broken. It’s the time we notice the amazing Gardener at work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Minya Nouvelle"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Spring gives me hope. It shows me that healing is always
possible, even after the most severe winter. Spring to me is joy and hope in
its physical form. It paints a picture of God planting flowers in our lives and
giving us new life; a picture of God bringing beauty out of the ashes. We must
never lose heart, for spring always returns, even when it feels like the cold
is unending. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wQJYMDXKbZQHabe3iDVrA3PS9diFKVdzqTmKuISClWiNdQZRWtrQEEa3AkyktDEYW7boFZMNSagXFcTI4KQd4JeH77XzEcmw8jLYihCnS1nHiOLmQ9rTjOAlEvJIYT86fBWiQOxNjSGK/s1600/The+Hope+of+Spring+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wQJYMDXKbZQHabe3iDVrA3PS9diFKVdzqTmKuISClWiNdQZRWtrQEEa3AkyktDEYW7boFZMNSagXFcTI4KQd4JeH77XzEcmw8jLYihCnS1nHiOLmQ9rTjOAlEvJIYT86fBWiQOxNjSGK/s400/The+Hope+of+Spring+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Minya Nouvelle"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-50615872871450995222012-09-29T06:51:00.000-07:002012-09-29T06:51:33.306-07:00Blogging BreakHey everyone, I'm so sorry I've been neglected your blogs and mine! My life has been very busy with studying for upcoming exams, but they'll be over in three weeks time. Just want to let you all know that I'll, unfortunately, have to take a "break" from blogging and focus on school. So sorry for not keeping up with you all, but I do really appreciate all the comments, awards and new followers. "See" you in three weeks time! :)Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-80849533691906207982012-09-22T06:29:00.001-07:002012-09-22T06:29:19.344-07:00Music VideosSo today, I'm going to do a different post for three reasons. One, I actually don't have time at the moment to write a blog post (I'm studying for exams),two, I have never posted a music video on my blog before, so it would be nice to do something new, and three I think the two music videos below are quite amazing and would like to share them. I don't know if any of you have watched them already, but, for those who haven't, I hope you enjoy them.<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/_JVRcIX2kVU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_JVRcIX2kVU&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_JVRcIX2kVU&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9ooILwkCVsg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-8746333169256640402012-09-15T07:06:00.001-07:002012-09-15T07:06:32.446-07:00Introducing BronteOn Wednesday evening, I got my little black, female kitten. After asking for months, I finally convinced my dad to let me have a kitten. I named her Bronte, after one of my favourite authors, Charlotte Bronte. Here are a few pictures of her (unfortunately I haven't got many good ones yet). She is about six weeks old and is quite a handful! She's playful, noisy, and is still learning that the litter is where she does her business, not under my cupboard, but she is so cute!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uYcoIwEM9XigMZnNJgcao4YCwvRb_npwoEzXZfMy7tx3ppbsInBiyXQfNaZPjAZdzCDPUpUoiU9OsZfqpR-k4dZqruZe-N8DjhLAFi-v1M3IxPlbe545gWlbqXHGS-rN2tJDkCO1n7u7/s1600/Introducing+Bronte+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uYcoIwEM9XigMZnNJgcao4YCwvRb_npwoEzXZfMy7tx3ppbsInBiyXQfNaZPjAZdzCDPUpUoiU9OsZfqpR-k4dZqruZe-N8DjhLAFi-v1M3IxPlbe545gWlbqXHGS-rN2tJDkCO1n7u7/s320/Introducing+Bronte+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmGD33Rmrkukj5lF6_cPwIu9tYeJWIRk8GBTH1BwAClYzF-GF0faZMGu62TBc8xYJcr9BKW-wdELU1SZL44VsWq2Sc3yj8QnoQVlJNstnJzAMGs_ym3UP_19odF1rzRLeIHvwVzi57Lpo/s1600/Introducing+Bronte+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmGD33Rmrkukj5lF6_cPwIu9tYeJWIRk8GBTH1BwAClYzF-GF0faZMGu62TBc8xYJcr9BKW-wdELU1SZL44VsWq2Sc3yj8QnoQVlJNstnJzAMGs_ym3UP_19odF1rzRLeIHvwVzi57Lpo/s320/Introducing+Bronte+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_WKAQ1Q5O6Gr4je7HVAKNWNKiHl9OiCZ51aKlN13sP2okgb0DBkpLtmnAyJXSb3-XSm41vDmSqU1EC8NE_hskpG2owVoxPWPhAwhSSH8_HmoJTqpeWx4gFqMMcq8VkCgRYxhovXrfc1A/s1600/SANY7268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_WKAQ1Q5O6Gr4je7HVAKNWNKiHl9OiCZ51aKlN13sP2okgb0DBkpLtmnAyJXSb3-XSm41vDmSqU1EC8NE_hskpG2owVoxPWPhAwhSSH8_HmoJTqpeWx4gFqMMcq8VkCgRYxhovXrfc1A/s400/SANY7268.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-84107806394724381272012-09-08T11:44:00.000-07:002012-09-08T11:44:42.505-07:00Fearing the Unknown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGHzRtVpRH0jmTnwAX_P90rCfheEnCnw3zRpNSa9MR4HFxlJE2zTeQg2WMwrSRhyq1F-UI0BtGDHr3x6dTzz3og_VaYwKYK67J43kqm1EHte05j5OLllrRSxXxnAZYMae9GA7bxvma90n/s1600/Fearing+the+Unknown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGHzRtVpRH0jmTnwAX_P90rCfheEnCnw3zRpNSa9MR4HFxlJE2zTeQg2WMwrSRhyq1F-UI0BtGDHr3x6dTzz3og_VaYwKYK67J43kqm1EHte05j5OLllrRSxXxnAZYMae9GA7bxvma90n/s320/Fearing+the+Unknown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fear can grip you in its icy claws until you feel like you want
run away and just disappear. Fear is one of the most crippling feelings. It can
stop you from doing things that perhaps need to be done for your own sake. Fear
is what keeps us in our comfort zones and prevents us from making a difference
in the lives of others. It is a feeling I know well. There are so many things
I’m terrified of, and they are not necessarily physical things. Often the
things we are scared of are those that cause us to step into the unknown. We
fear when we have to do something that doesn’t come naturally to us. But we’ll
never grow if we don’t learn to overcome our fears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The problem is that our fear only really evaporates when we do
that thing we are afraid of. I’m not talking about doing nonsensical things;
there are some things that we should be afraid of. The kind of fear I am
talking about is the fear that keeps us from walking with God into the more
that He has. And walking with God always involves taking giant and scary leaps
of faith. Sometimes we cower away and refuse to budge. But we’ll only be
robbing ourselves. I’m writing this for myself as much as for you. Fear is
often a huge thorn in my side. At this point in my life, I’m terrified of the
unknown future. I’m terrified of growing up. I know that soon I’ll have to make
the choice of stepping further out of my comfort zone than I have ever done
before. Stepping into the unknown requires inner courage that we can only get
from God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Taking that leap of faith may be daunting but what’s waiting on
the other side is perhaps better than we could ever imagine. And yes we may
fall, but Jesus is always there to catch us. What we have to realise is that
God is bigger than our fear and He’s bigger than the things we fear. There is
nothing on this earth that is too big for God to handle. We need to learn to
entrust our fears to God and believe that He is in control. Taking that step
into the unknown may feel like you’re flying over a dark chasm, but it in the
end it’ll be worth it..... and you would have learned how to soar like an
eagle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-25664195773056914632012-08-25T22:59:00.000-07:002012-08-25T22:59:44.683-07:00Perfect Patience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAUd1ojrut4df1vpg9mzJYmZOBUbp22owU8UKc_uREFt8ApwjaZRIAzx0ASnJK-ykxysr3DTWsZ1Hg1MSVXmSgHjvr2dEW5UJgJ15252gx-8LZo-FI1cjEi-ZJvkpfovxVnqsX-qFmMEs/s1600/Perfect+Patience.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAUd1ojrut4df1vpg9mzJYmZOBUbp22owU8UKc_uREFt8ApwjaZRIAzx0ASnJK-ykxysr3DTWsZ1Hg1MSVXmSgHjvr2dEW5UJgJ15252gx-8LZo-FI1cjEi-ZJvkpfovxVnqsX-qFmMEs/s320/Perfect+Patience.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 16.0pt;">Patience isn’t one of my virtues. In a world where fast
food, airmail and cars rule, most of us want things to happen now. Impatient
and hating to wait, we expect everything to go smoothly and quickly. This world
has turned into race course; if you want to be on top and successful, you can’t
stop and wait for anything; you have to keep speeding on towards the finish
line. And that is a dangerous lifestyle; it’s a lifestyle that doesn’t enjoy
the moment and doesn’t understand a God whose patience is perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 16pt;">If God was not patient, He would have thrown me out of
His Story years ago. Instead, He shows me His everlasting mercy by giving me
another chance. When I fail, He doesn’t yell at me to just get lost. He shows
me my mistake and promises to never leave nor forsake me. God is patient with
us every step of the way on this difficult road called life. He never gives up
on us, He never forgets us. Because of His amazing love and mercy, His patience
is unlimited. That doesn’t mean we take it for granted and keep on sinning. It
means we try even harder than ever to walk in His ways. God’s patience and love
give us the strength and perseverance to keep moving on. When we’ve failed yet
again, His patience is the promise that He still believes in us enough to be
ever-present in our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-76040428024166778742012-08-12T06:02:00.000-07:002012-08-12T06:02:54.138-07:00Facts on Modern Day Slavery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Modern-Day Slavery<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Slaves</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
are people who are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">forced</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">deceived</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> or </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">threatened with violence</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> to work </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">without pay </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">and they are not able to leave. They have </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">no rights </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">whatsoever and are held in </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">bondage</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">owned</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> or controlled by a “manager”,
treated as a </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">product, bought and sold </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">as property, have </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">limitations
of movement</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">, or are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">dehumanised</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Facts on Slavery</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There
are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">27 million slaves </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">in
the world today, and half of them are children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There
are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">more slaves today </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">than
in any other time in history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">An
estimated </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">600 000-800 000</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">men, women and children are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">trafficked across </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">international
borders each year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Slavery
</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">isn’t legal </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">anywhere,
but </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">happens everywhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Young
boys and girls in </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">every city on the earth </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">today are forced into sexual slavery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">1.2
children </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">are trafficked every year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">$90
</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">is the average </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">cost</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> of a human slave around the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There
are approximately </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">250 000 child soldiers </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">worldwide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Majority
of slaves </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">can be found in </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Asian and African </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Types of Slavery<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bounded
labour:</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">to </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">repay a loan</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">, they are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">forced</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> or deceived into </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">labour</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> and can’t get out of it, as
the loan is never compensated. This is the </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">most
common</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> form of slavery with about </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">20 million </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sexual
slaves:</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">are people who are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">sold</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">kidnapped
</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">or </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">forced</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> into </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">prostitution</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> against their will. Sexual slavery is usual hidden behind the
word “prostitution”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Trafficking:</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> the </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">transport </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">and/or </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">trade</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> of </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">human</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
beings: labour or sexual slavery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Early and
forced marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Child
labour:</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">many </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">children</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">sold</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> into </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">labour</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> by deception or force; they work in very </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">dangerous conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Forced
labour:</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">when
people who are under </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">threats</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">illegally recruited </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">and </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">forced</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
into work, often by governments. </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Child
soldiers </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">are examples of this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Traditional
or “chattel” slavery:</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">when humans are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">bought </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">and </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">sold</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> as
</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">products</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. They are
often kidnapped, inherited or given as presents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Slavery by
decent:</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">slaves’
children </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">forced</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> to work and live in slavery as they were </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">born</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> into it. Sometimes the children
have to keep working to </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“pay”</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> off their </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">parents’ “debts”.</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRKowCcISyrR-mF5xF2fHyv2T62Ie1SF1rnMD4xJ6I3tM1oksQKOWmVO-4g7DtGnsZl6Zxt5mbF5-KZZSQl4hlk6n30ubG3VP9VQK2Sr9P7p3lCG1erqj5hAFrs4ZYWwb9YunWbyDl3j2/s1600/Facts+on+Slavery+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRKowCcISyrR-mF5xF2fHyv2T62Ie1SF1rnMD4xJ6I3tM1oksQKOWmVO-4g7DtGnsZl6Zxt5mbF5-KZZSQl4hlk6n30ubG3VP9VQK2Sr9P7p3lCG1erqj5hAFrs4ZYWwb9YunWbyDl3j2/s320/Facts+on+Slavery+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Our Part<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We are have a </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">part</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> to play in freeing the slaves.
Every little action we take to end slavery makes a difference. Don’t be
overwhelmed by the problem, start being part of the solution. Here are some </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">practical ways:</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Pray.</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Pray for those in </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">captivity</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. Pray for their </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">owners</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. And pray that slavery will come </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">to
an end</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">, that more slaves will be </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">freed.</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Create
awareness.</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Tell
others </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">about slavery. Let others know what
most don’t see. </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Stir</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
people up to </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">do something</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Keep informed.</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Educate yourself </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">on slavery and how you can help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Donate.</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There are many </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">organisations</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> that are </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">dedicated</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> to freeing slaves. They </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">need our help </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">and also </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">give other ways </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">of helping. Some websites are
listed below.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Websites:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">freetheslaves.net </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">; </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">antislavery.org </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">; </span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">notforsale.org</span><span style="font-family: "Teen Light"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-38264029902130053112012-07-28T09:05:00.001-07:002012-07-28T09:06:29.262-07:00A Mile in Their Shoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5rZjjdt_hSRLjk1bNLnFdCmJsdcyV16yEouXiMPBEG_tSLkskYt2PG2ZrziHPy4oFV1hI7dPQvv6TuuoscLL93T6CcVWiIc_AQcDRjDQXtw8Hn6CLz1v8s3xjGGdYbzKPy5ZfHLuvX5h/s1600/funky-gumboots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5rZjjdt_hSRLjk1bNLnFdCmJsdcyV16yEouXiMPBEG_tSLkskYt2PG2ZrziHPy4oFV1hI7dPQvv6TuuoscLL93T6CcVWiIc_AQcDRjDQXtw8Hn6CLz1v8s3xjGGdYbzKPy5ZfHLuvX5h/s320/funky-gumboots.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">A choice could
change your life, or someone else’s. A choice could destroy your life, or save
someone else’s. Imagine, our very lives
and where they are heading are based on choices. Life is just choice; you could end it in a
second. And many teenagers do. Between the ages of 15 and 34, one of the three
leading causes of death is suicide. Teen suicide is a terrible, but I believe
preventable, death. How worthless and hopeless do you have to feel to choose to
end your own life? How alone and
desperate must you be to commit suicide? Suicide is just one choice, but so is
choosing to save a life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">If we just reached
out to those who don’t fit in, to those no one bothers to talk to, to those who
are alone and struggling, perhaps we could save someone’s life. It’s so easy to
judge and to look the other way. When we look at other people, we may think: “That
person’s just so weird..... that teen is just too wild... why should I even
want to be their friend?” But what if we chose to live out Christ’s love towards
people who are usually pushed aside because they aren’t cool enough or are just
different? Instead of condemning, what
if we followed in Jesus’ footsteps by being a friend to the unruly and wild
ones? A smile, a kind word, or just a gesture that shows that they’re not
invisible or too far gone to be saved goes a long way.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Sometimes we get
so caught up in our own lives and affairs that we forget about others. I’m
speaking to myself here. How many times have I judged someone by mere
appearance? How many times have I looked the other way because I thought
someone was too strange, wild or annoying to waste any time on them? Too many
times to count. But the truth is, every person on this earth is broken inside
and just covering it up in their different ways. Each person has a story, has
some kind of struggle they’re going through and just need help. Every person on
earth as a void inside them that only Jesus can fill. Everyone, including me
and you, needs to be healed by the Saviour. I’m so quick to condemn, but how
can I judge when I have no idea what someone else is going through, when I
haven’t walked a mile in their shoes? Instead of judging or ignoring others, we
should be showing the people around us the love of Jesus. We should be showing
them that there is Someone who loves them so much that He died for them. Our actions
should point others to Jesus. And who knows, the choice to be friendly and kind
to another could be the one that causes them to choose life over death. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837192671873180791.post-58425116990906641612012-07-21T00:30:00.000-07:002012-07-21T00:30:06.124-07:00Infinitely Great<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEg3dFhEGu8BCRwZsV4AeCmxKny0zjmDCHwtg1rpe0jZFvszz8CDLPBr4Ajtqk5ATLxqVgKjJNQYvuQkYieAkZYKCzFLosfVTrdj0e0OC5kDn1MuxC4tJmuvbLUUeXO0t_NXZsjqFV1A3/s1600/Infinitely+Great.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEg3dFhEGu8BCRwZsV4AeCmxKny0zjmDCHwtg1rpe0jZFvszz8CDLPBr4Ajtqk5ATLxqVgKjJNQYvuQkYieAkZYKCzFLosfVTrdj0e0OC5kDn1MuxC4tJmuvbLUUeXO0t_NXZsjqFV1A3/s320/Infinitely+Great.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lately, God has been revealing some things to me. One of those things is
that He is big. That might sound strange, as we know that God is big- or do we?
Do we only know it in our minds but not really in our hearts? What He has been
showing me is something of <i>how</i> big He is. He is bigger than my problems,
than my fears, than my doubts; bigger than anything I will ever go through. <i>He
is infinitely great</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes I forget this. In the midst of worries and trouble, I forget at
times how powerful and mighty my God is. When we overlook the solid and
unchanging fact that God has everything in control and that He has our lives in
His very hands, we begin to worry. As
human beings, we are prone to anxiety, yet it is actually a sign of not
trusting God. It is a sign that we do not understand that He can turn our bad
into good; it is sign that we do not really believe that He knows what He is
doing. It sounds harsh and burns my own ears, but it’s true. We need to realise
that trust means to stop worrying and doubting; it means to rely fully on God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Teen; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s a challenge, but it’s one that will make our lives so much easier.
The fact that Jesus is greater than every single thing in the entire universe
is a source of immense comfort. Just knowing that God has my future under
control puts my apprehension to rest. Fully relying on God will take a huge
burden off of our shoulders. As you surrender everything into His hands, know
that nothing is too difficult or too complicated for Him. Though we will let worry and doubt overcome
us at times, remember how powerful our Saviour is. Remember that He is
infinitely great.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/93/EC80BBC8462611E1A2A2B54AD1FF700C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jess Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02327632822727606770noreply@blogger.com4