Singing Cinderella themed movies (Chapter Three)

"A dream is a wish your heart makes" ~Cinderella

A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song: Katie doesn't want to lose the money her father left her. She's going to use that money to better her life and chase her dreams of becoming a singer. She does what her stepmother wants so that her stepmother will not use her money. Katie doesn't plan on falling in love, but she does and he helps her achieve her dreams. What makes this movie different than all the rest, to me, is the fact that Katie has a very young stepbrother who has never been shown love until Katie. He tries to make her life hard, but she loves him through all of that. This movie teaches us that no matter how bad our situation we can help someone else in need!

Another Cinderella Story: Mary wants to be a dancer like her mother. Her mother is dead and the lady her mother use to work for takes her in. Of course with this being Cinderella, Mary is mistreated by her stepmother and two stepsisters. Mary still goes after her dreams. Her stepmother tries to put a stop to Mary's dreams, but thanks to her best friend and her new love interest, she overcomes her hardships and gets to go after her dreams. This movie teaches us that God will bring someone to walk along side you through the hard times in the perfect time. (Selena Gomez is in this movie and she is a big supporter of Uheros who work to put a stop to human trafficking).

Elle: A Modern Day Cinderella Tale: Elle grew up with "Country Roots". She wants to be a singer/songwriter, but puts her dreams on hold because of guilt over the fact that her parents died in a car crash on the way to see her perform. She moves in with her adoptive uncle and works at his record label. Meeting a talented singer named Ty Parker helps her overcome her guilt and follow her dreams. This movie is different because it shows "Cinderella" with guilt and facing other problems in life than finding ways to follow her dreams.

Cinderella themed movies: Chapter Two

"Even miracles take a little time." ~Fairy Godmother

So here is chapter two of the See you soon Cinderella series. There are so many lessons to learn from the different adaptions of the Cinderella fairy tale. I really enjoy re-watching these movies and finding the treasures of the bigger picture in each one. I hope you enjoy it too.

Ella Enchanted: I love this movie because of the twist on the Cinderella tale. Ella doesn't go looking for a guy, once Cinderella doesn't ether. Ella doesn't want to get dressed up and go to a ball. Ella wants her freedom back. She sets out to find her Fairy Godmother so she can undo a gift she gave Ella. Ella has dreams she wants to achieve and she doesn't even like Prince Charles when she meets him! Charles just pushes his way in and stays with her. They grow to like each other and they each fight for the other. I feel this movie teaches a person about chasing their dreams and stumbling into love, the way God means for it to be!

A Cinderella Story: I can relate to this movie a lot. Samantha is focusing on her writing and getting into her dream college. Yes, she is talking to a guy on the internet, but she isn't "chasing" him. When she finds out that she is talking to Adam, the most popular guy at school, she tries to cut all ties with him. This is when his character really grows and becomes the prince every girl deserves. He finally makes the choice of who he is going to be and what is really important to him. I love the lesson that "class" and "status" doesn't matter and that you can do what you set your mind to. (Side note: Hilary Duff is a big supporter in helping put a stop to human trafficking).

After the Ball: Kate wants to be a fashion designer but no one will hire her. She goes home to stay with her godmother and work for her father and stepmother in the "family" fashion business. The problem is that Kate and her father have grown apart and he doesn't believe her when her stepsisters get her fired for leaking information. So Kate disguises herself and goes back into the company. She uncovers a secret about her stepmother and finally shows her dad what she can do. Plus she falls for the handsome shoe designer as a bonus. I like how this movie turned "Cinderella" into the princess, instead of there being a prince to rescue her, and showed the important relationship between father and daughter.

Ever After: I love this movie! Danielle is "Cinderella" and Henry is the Prince. Danielle is a different "Cinderella" because she is not the damsel in distress. She is smart and she tricks her master into freeing her just seconds before the prince shows up to rescue her. She also speaks her mind even though she knows she may be punished. She also looks out for other people that are in her house. For example, she goes to buy back a family servant instead of leaving her stepmother and sisters. The same lessons can be learned from this movie as in other movies. That being kind to the people that hurt you is what God wants. For example, Danielle tells her stepmother and stepsister she forgives them even when they do not ask for it and speaks up to save them. Another lesson that can be learned form this movie comes from one of the stepsisters. She shows Danielle kindness in privet but does not stand up for Danielle in front of her mother and sister. I think the lesson to be learned is to not judge people because of who they hang out with. I think the reason this stepsister did not stand up fr Danielle in public was because she feared her family. But in the end she was rewarded for her kindness when Danielle asked her to be her lady-in-waiting.
Sorry for the delay on this post. I was in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday and Friday. I needed my computer to finish doing the research for this post and didn't have my computer. So I had to finish the research on Saturday. That's why the post is coming to you on Sunday.

Freedom

     

I hope you all had a great 4th of July weekend! Mine was good. Mom and I watched a movie on Friday and I packed for a trip. Saturday I went to my best friend's house and we left for Greeneville, Tennessee. We went to a concert that had a couple of live bands who played country music. The fireworks were great and we just talked and had a good time. Sunday we went sight-seeing and went to Andrew Johnson's house and museum. We even visited his cemetery in the rain! We did a little shopping after that and drove around for awhile. Then we came home and went to church. After church we rented movies and watched Gone Girl while eating pizza and ice cream. It was a great 4th of July weekend!

I was very thankful, and more aware, for the firefighters and police who worked on July 4th just to make sure people were safe celebrating our freedom and the men and women who are fighting to keep us free. I'm also appreciative of the men and women who worked in restaurants on July 4th to make sure people had food.

Also, July kicks off Hope for Justice's 31 Days of Freedom campaign. If you go to the website you will see ways to help spread the word about Human Trafficking and other ways to help! Sevenly is another website that has a different charity each week. So be on the look out for the Human Trafficking charity or just any charity that you want to help. Some other resources for bringing awareness about Human Trafficking are The A21 Campaign and Polaris. We get to celebrate freedom everyday. Let's work together and make it possible for others to celebrate it too!

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

 

Today, January 11, 2015 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. 

Here are some facts about human trafficking in the United States of America: human trafficking in the USA

• Human trafficking generates $9.5 billion yearly in the United States. (United Nations)
• Approximately 300,000 children are at risk of being prostituted in the United States. (U.S. Department of Justice)
• The average age of entry into prostitution for a child victim in the United States is 13-14 years old. (U.S. Department of Justice)
• A pimp can make $150,000-$200,000 per child each year and the average pimp has 4 to 6 girls. (U.S. Justice Department, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
• The average victim may be forced to have sex up to 20-48 times a day. (Polaris Project)
• Fewer than 100 beds are available in the United States for underage victims. (Health and Human Services)
• Department Of Justice has identified the top twenty human trafficking jurisdictions in the country:” Houston
• El Paso
• Los Angeles
• Atlanta
• Chicago
• Charlotte
• Miami
• Las Vegas
• New York
• Long Island
• New Orleans
• Washington, D.C.
• Philadelphia
• Phoenix
• Richmond
• San Diego• San Francisco
• St Louis
• Seattle
• Tampa  (Department of Justice)
• A pimp can make $150,000-$200,000 per child each year and the average pimp has 4 to 6 girls. (U.S. Justice Department, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
• One in three teens on the street will be lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. (National Runaway Hotline)

Human Trafficking is everywhere! Here are the top ten countries where human trafficking is the worst:

1. Bangladesh
2. Brazil
3. Haiti
4. Pakistan
5. India
6. Sri Lanka
7. Nepal
8. Uganda
9. Ghana
10. China

top 10 countries
 Websites that show you how you can help:
Hope for Justice
The A 21 Campaign
The Hope Soap Project
Kari Jobe's A 21 Campaign bracelet
Together and with God we can put an end to human  trafficking!

Could you spot a victim?

 Psalm 107:28-30, "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven."
International Princess Project "Order cool punjammies (pj pants, capris or shorts) made by women freed from the red-light district."
Women At Risk International "Rescues women and children all over the world. They sell jewelry made by at-risk or rescued women."
Gospel For Asia "Reaching the slum kids and outcasts of society with hope, help and Jesus."
Polaris Project "Get posters and other materials here to raise awareness."
Unlikely Heroes
The A 21 Campaign
The Hope Soap Project 
 Hope for Justice
Exodus Cry
Twenty-seven million. That's how many people are enslaved in human trafficking around the world today! Human trafficking can take many forms. Forced labor, prostitution, and many other things. So, what can we do to help? There are links to websites that focus on putting an end to human trafficking. Here are some signs to look out for in a person who might be a victim of human trafficking:

• They suddenly drop out of activities they use to enjoy
• They miss school a lot or their grades suddenly drop
• They keep running away from home
• They show signs of drug addiction
• They have bruises, abrasions or other indications of physical abouse
• They have older, edgier relationships
• They suddenly have a lot of expensive stuff they normally couldn't afford.
• They have a new set of older, edgy friends who don't like authority and tend to avoid adults.

This is from Sisterhood Magazine "If you know someone who shows some of these signs, they may be a victim of abuse or trafficking. Ask them gently if they're in trouble and if they open up that they are, or especially if they respond in fear, call the human trafficking hotline. The hotline is available 24/7 and all calls are confidential. If you're not comfortable calling the hotline, tell an adult whom you trust and ask him or her to call with you. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911."
The Human Trafficking Hotline is 888-373-7888 or text HELP to BeFree (233733)
I wrote this because no one knows if or when they will be in a place where they will have to report human trafficking. I hope I have educated you, after all we have Twenty-seven million people counting on us to be their voice!

Voice for the Voiceless- Part 4

"It's estimated that there are more than 5,000 brothels disguised as massage parlors nationwide." - Polaris Project

"Sin causes a madness which makes sick souls dream that Fifty shades of... No Waythey are in sound health." - Charles Spurgeon

"50% of all Christian Men and 20% of all Christian women are addicted to pornography." -ChristiaNet Poll, 2006

I start off with these quotes from the 31 Days of Freedom Bible study because I want to talk about how our social media and our culture have fooled us into believing forms of Human Trafficking are okay. 

First, let's think about what clothes look like these days. As a young Christian woman I feel that every summer shorts are getting shorter and shorter and tops are getting lower and lower. There is also the whole legging issue. Now, I am a fan of leggings. They keep you warm when you wear a dress during the cold months. They also come in different patterns and colors that pants don't. However, leggings are NOT pants and when I see a girl who wears leggings as pants, I honestly think it just looks trashy. You can see underwear lines when you wear leggings and they leave nothing to the imagination. No wonder when we see a young girl on the street corner in a short, almost see through dress we just turn the other way! It's what we girls would put on or have seen our friends wear! Wake up people! We are making it harder to tell the difference between a girl in prostitution to a girl who is just out shopping!

Now for media. I have seen previews for a new TV show called Satisfaction. The preview shows that a man comes home one day to catch his wife cheating on him. He hunts the guy his wife was with down and learns that the wife has been paying, yes you read right PAYING, this man to sleep with her. So the husband, trying to save his marriage, starts selling himself for sex so it will keep their marriage interesting! Where do I even start on how wrong this show sounds and looks?! People are practically paying their TV bills to watch male prostitution! No wonder more brothels are popping up around the world and more people are disappearing into the life of prostitution!

Finally, let's talk about "50 Shades of Grey", the book and the movie. Now I have not read the book and I never will read the book. But, I did watch the movie trailer and right away a person can tell it is just going to be about sex and different things you can try. This has to do with Human Trafficking because in the documentary Whore's Glory that I watched the men would honestly admit the reason they would pay for a woman was because they would do and try anything they wanted. Sounds like what the book "50 Shades of Grey" is about to me.

"We can only end slavery by partnering together. It's too big of a problem for any one organization to handle alone." -Stacia Freeman, Abolition International

Meet Mr. Grey, NO WAY! Fifty shades of... No way

Vocie for the Vocieless- Part Three

 "a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak," ~ Ecclesiastes 3:7

Abolition International

The Hope Soap Project

The A21 Campaign

The links above are all organizations that are working to put a stop to Human Trafficking. I would like to share a story from the Abolition International Bible reading plan:

"One 8-year-old girl from California decided to use her lemonade stand to raise money to stop child slavery. She asked her customers to simply give whatever was in their heart. she raised over $100,000. Her small lemonade idea has since evolved into a corporation. Make a Stand Lemon-Aid sells fair-trade, organic lemonade at 137 stores. She is expected to gross $2 million this year alone, all for the sake of freedom. God can use small, simple things to do great and mighty things! Whatever your contribution, your gifts are invaluable to the body of Christ."

I know I needed to read that, because I was wondering if I was helping at all by writing about Human Trafficking. But, now I know God has given me what I need to do what He wants me to do for this cause!

Now, here are some stories from The A21 Campaign of rescues. Three weeks ago they wrote this on their Instagram page: "We are excited to announce a new survivor in Bulgaria! She is a young mother and was trafficked for sexual exploitation. One of the many interesting things about her case, is that she was recuited via Facebook. She is now in our care and FREE."

Two weeks ago they wrote: "BREAKING NEWS: We are thrilled to announce that we have just welcomed a new survivor into our Greece shelter who came to us through our national hotline! She was trafficked through a modeling agency for the past 10 years. We are so thankful that shi is in our care and finally FREE."

One week ago: "BREAKING NEWS: We've just welcomed a new survivor into our Greece shelter. Recruited by a boyfriend at the age of 12, she was repeatedly sold and abused. We're now happy to say that she is safe in our care. And to top it off, both traffickers pleaded guilty when arrested. Today is a good day at A21!"

Two days ago: "We're happy to announce a new survivor in Ukraine! Lured by a false job opportunity in Russia, this young university student was trafficked across boarders for exploitation. We're now helping her get back on her feet and build her education so that she can achieve her dreams for her future!"

One day ago: "BREAKING NEWS: We welcomed yet another young woman into our Greece shelter! After years of abuse and hurt, she is finally free. This makes four lives rescued and given hope in two weeks! Thanks to all our supporters who make our fight of freedom possible."

I share these stories to give hope to all of you. No matter what you are doing to help, letting people know, praying, donating money, whatever, it IS making a difference and we need to keep it up! Keep fighting the good fight and God bless all of you!

Voice for the Voiceless- Part 2

 

"The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern." ~Proverbs29:7

Last week I watched a documentary about prostitution called Whores' Glory. This documentary held nothing back as it explored the world of prostitution in three different countries. The first place had the girls put on buttons with numbers on them and sat around until someone bought their number. These people had no respect for the women and saw them as something to rent for the night, like booking a hotel room. These women were in this "business" because they wanted to be. The next place was a brothel and the girls looked as young as eleven or twelve! Some of these girls were bought by other women and brought into this "business". The last country showed "Hookers" waiting outside of rooms to pick up a man. Listening to how these so called men would talk about these women was too much for me and I could not finish the last fifteen minutes of the documentary!

Here is how the dictionary defines the word Prostitute: a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money; whore; harlot. a man who engages in sexual acts for money. a person who willingly uses his or her talent or ability in a base and unworthy way, usually for money.

And the word Prostitution: the act or practice of engaging in sexual intercourse for money. base or unworthy use, as of talent or ability.

Let's be honest and call this what it really is, HUMAN TRAFFICKING! Some pimps, owners, whatever you want to call them, goes as far as to BRAND their "workers". Here is a clip from the movie Branded. I have not seen this movie, but the video was enough to make me want to cry.   

Finally, here are some facts about Child Sex Tourism:

 

Please pray for human trafficking to come to an end. Look up organizations that help put a stop to it. Together this horrible thing can be stopped!

Voice for the Voiceless- part one

Wh at is Human Trafficking? The dictionary says: 

the illegal practice of procuring or trading in human for the purpose of prostitution, forced labor, or other forms of exploitation.

Some popular ways this is done is child labor, most children fall into this by not being wanted, so when they go mkssing nobody says anything. Human trafficking happens all over the world, even in the United States.

This month is when Abolition International is working this month for "31 Days of Freedom" for more information go to www.abolitioninternational.org 

I'm in Washington D.C. right now celebrating the Fourth of July and I am so blessed! My best friend and I have been making care bags for the homless people here in the hopes that this will help them and protect them. Please join in this movement and let's put an end to Human Trafficking!