tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63861721769698494832024-03-12T17:44:49.500-05:00Life UnscriptedElise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.comBlogger349125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-66637782254624563512020-01-15T11:48:00.001-06:002020-01-15T11:55:50.441-06:00Light in the DarknessDo you ever feel overwhelmed by all of the things outside of your control? Like the weight of them will crush you under anxiety, fear, and despair? You want to hold on, to be strong, but the injustice and the hurt is like a gaping wound that drains your life away?<br />
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Maybe this sounds severe, and admittedly it is hard to put these feelings into words. But at times the weight of that which is unknown and painful is so heavy, it can be hard to see anything else. Like the dizzying after-effects of a slap in the face, we can be blinded to all else, lost inside our clouded sense of reality.<br />
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I've been here before. It feels like teetering on the edge of a precipice with nothing to hold onto. You know you are going to be pushed in, but you don't know what's waiting at the bottom. You're afraid of falling, of what it will mean. You're afraid of what will happen when you land, of all the pieces that will break apart. You are afraid of all that you cannot control.<br />
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I think Satan likes it here. On this edge of uncertainty he can convince me of many things, that I have much to fear because only terrible things lie ahead. Because all I can see is the chasm, he has me right where he wants me: in a place where fear of "what if" keeps me blind to "what is." In this place he can fill my head with reminders of past pain, and the thought that what is coming could be worse, much worse.<br />
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It is easy to stay here, it really takes no effort. All I have to do is stay immersed in the fear, distracted by hypotheticals, and anxious that I cannot control the outcome. It is uncomfortable, but easy. With me distracted by fear, Satan can chip away at many other things, filling my head with anger, doubt, mistrust. Whether it's real or not doesn't matter, if it's in my head, it's real enough to me. It is enough to consume.<br />
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I was in such a state already this year, distracted, fearful, uncertain, when my heart was pricked by a bit of truth. Like a tiny beam of light it pierced through my clouded and foggy mind to whisper, "but what about the truth?" What about all the things I know to be true? What about the one thing I can control?<br />
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I am like Eve. I'm made of dust and bone, and I'm given a choice. I'm not someone's puppet, forced to operate on command and do only what I'm told. I can weigh my options, I can listen to what I'm told, and I can make a choice. I can control one thing: myself. And in that, I can choose what voice I will listen to, what I will believe, and what I will do.<br />
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I know how the story goes for Eve. She chose to listen to the voice of the enemy. That voice only brings death, destruction, and heartache. It led her astray, to a place of deception, fear, and pain. I've read her story many times, I live in the wake of it. But regardless, I still can choose what I will do now. Will I follow the footsteps that lead down to death, or will I choose the path of life?<br />
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That day when Truth spoke to me, I turned, drawn to its light. I stopped looking at all the things I feared, all the things outside of my control. I looked at the Light, yes, that is Jesus, so beautiful and perfect, and I said, "That is what I want to look like. Make me more like Him." That is what I chose, and will continue to choose.<br />
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I am not perfect, nor will I achieve perfection in this life, none of us will. But moment by moment, day after day, I am given a choice. I am given one thing to control. It is not the people around me--however often I think I would like to control them--it is myself. And in controlling myself, through those choices and behaviors, I am able to embody my convictions. I am able to give life to the things I wish I could change, to the beliefs I say I hold. I am able to be an image-bearer, reflecting the One who made me, embodying Him to the world.<br />
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This is no small task. It is not lost on me how utterly impossible it is; yes, at times I will fail. But it doesn't mean that I won't try. Because if I am not fighting every day to obey Christ, to honor Him, and model my life after Him, who am I replicating? Myself? If so, and I am sinful, at the root of it, I am replicating sin. And sin does not point to the Truth, it points to the enemy. Sin is his business, and I want no part in that.<br />
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I felt challenged to share this piece of my story because I want accountability. I want you to know more of my heart, I want to share the ways God is teaching me, and I want to be challenged to follow through on my choices. I want to live my calling at all times, not just when it is easy or convenient, but when it is difficult and scary. I want to be actively involved in my faith, not sidelined by fear or pain.<br />
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And I want you to join me. I want to open up dialogue, to ask questions, and to search for answers. I want to find encouragement from like-minded friends, and to encourage those who may be struggling. I want to fight alongside others, rather than do battle alone, or worse, against each other. We may not always agree or see eye-to-eye, but I believe that in the kingdom of God, what unites us is more powerful and more important than what is allowed to divide. Through unity we can build, rather than tear down. And that is what we should strive to do: build God's kingdom for His glory, not our own.<br />
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If you're struggling on the edge of fear this year, I invite you to turn to the Truth. Let Him guide you into the light and change your life forever.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it." - John 1:4-5</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment." - 2 Timothy 1:7</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. ... Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." - James 3:17-18; 4:7-8a</span></span></span>Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-902946759422348432019-07-28T18:39:00.000-05:002019-07-28T18:39:41.958-05:00Thoughts After Houston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #454545; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Setting
foot back in Texas was like coming home. It makes sense initially, the
place you lived the longest and grew up should feel like home. But I had
never lived in Houston, only Dallas and its surrounding cities, which
is why the feeling of belonging surprised me. Everything felt right,
familiar, even in a place I had never spent much time. It was strange
to feel that way, and I realized I haven’t felt at home, in the way I
felt then, since I left Texas. I haven’t felt at home for 18 years.</span><br />
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Feeling
like I belonged made me brave. </div>
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I used to be an extrovert. Then
at some point I turned into more of an introvert as a defense mechanism. It was during my
sophomore year of high school, when we moved to Michigan and I didn’t
fit in anywhere. I felt like an awkward outcast, so I kept my mouth
shut. I learned to be quiet so that I couldn’t reveal how little I knew, how truly clueless I was. Now I’d say I’m an introverted extrovert. I’m not always
good at striking up conversations or thinking of things to say. I love alone time. I
second-guess how my goofy yet dry sense of humor will be received. I
hate trying to make small talk. </div>
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But
the bravery I felt helped to diminish my fear of talking to strangers.
I found it easy to start conversations, to engage in playful banter, to
take conversations to a deeper level. I found it easy to share random
stories from my life, and I didn’t feel too guilty doing it. People made
me feel like they wanted to know about me. And I realized I didn't feel like that much as an adult. Maybe people
just assume there isn’t much to know about a 30-something pastor’s wife.
But the people we met in Texas made me feel interesting, and I was
interested in them too.</div>
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+ + + </div>
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Being
in Houston was a simple adventure. We weren’t doing anything glamorous,
just working on homes that were damaged by Hurricane Harvey when it hit in August 2017.
It’s funny how most of the country has forgotten about Harvey, but there
is still so much work to be done. We weren't even supposed to be there, we were planning to go to Haiti. But our change of plans was God's plan all along. He had work for us to do.</div>
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On the outside, most of the houses in Houston
look beautiful. But the inside is a different story. And isn’t that a
metaphor for the human condition—outside we look so put together, but no
one knows how broken we are on the inside, or how empty. So many people left and never came back, we were told.</div>
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We
talked about this, and looked for signs of Harvey’s aftermath as we
walked the neighborhood where we worked. Dead patches in the St.
Augustine grass and remnants of discarded debris told stories of what had been dumped
on front lawns. So many things had been ruined by the water. Videos and
photos of the devastation reminded us what had happened where we stood.</div>
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The
house where my team worked was owned by an older gentleman who our team fell
in love with. The first day he described how much water had
been standing in his home, and how it had been a year since anyone had worked on
his house. I fought back tears. It changes things when you stand in a
home and look at a person face-to-face. It gives a voice, a name, a
human spirit to the things you see on the news.</div>
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I
was so glad our team got to work in his house. We felt like a little
family, spending the days talking and laughing in between the work. It
didn’t feel like we really did much—we spent the whole time installing trim.
But it was one important step in the work that would continue after we
left. And eventually maybe his house will feel like home again.</div>
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We
also spent a lot of time praying—each morning before we started working
we “prayed in” the day. We also prayed at lunch, and at the end of the
day. For a little while each day after lunch we went on prayer walks through the
neighborhood. We didn’t see many people in the middle of the day and the
Texas heat, but we still prayed for them. We hoped that teams after us
would be able to interact more with the residents, to tell them
why we were there and what we were doing.</div>
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We did get to meet Mr. Stewart in another neighborhood 15 minutes away, where a team from our group was working. Mr. Stewart told us stories of growing up as an African American, and what people called him. He fed us mustard greens and corn bread. He had us write down our phone numbers so he could call and make sure we made it home alright. Mr. Stewart sits in his garage every day and waves at everyone who drives past. I couldn't help wishing I could spend a year sitting in his garage, hearing his stories.</div>
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On our last full day in Texas, a local church hosted a dinner for our group, and whoever from the community wanted to come. We all shared stories from the week, ate delicious food, and celebrated the ways we had seen God working throughout the week. We celebrated the simplest of things, like changed plans and safety navigating the complex Texas highways. It's amazing how good it feels to do something for someone else, how good it feels to watch people come alive again, how good it feels to come alive yourself.</div>
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Leaving Texas, I realized I could do that—I could help people come alive, I could help people feel important. And that it really doesn't take any extraordinarily special skills. Just the ability to look someone in the eye, to ask them a question, to listen to their answer. The ability to make someone feel seen and heard, it was an ability I had forgotten I possessed, but I didn't want to forget again. It is an ability that can open the door to so many other things.</div>
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There was once a girl who lived in Texas and loved it—the baking heat, the state pride, the trips to the rodeo, the people she knew, all of it. And she never dreamed of living anywhere else. But over time she moved to other places, places where she never ever thought she'd live. And truthfully, at first she hated it, and wanted to move back to Texas. But then she grew used to it, and eventually accepted it, and lived in six other places after leaving her home.</div>
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And then one day she found out, after all of the years and miles had passed, that she was going back. She was going back to Texas with a group of people she had met in those other places. People who reminded her of the goodness of God, even on the darkest of days. People who showed her the beauty to be found beyond the familiar. And she realized that it had all been a gift—the leaving, the heartache, the new friends in new cities—a gift that brought her to this moment. A gift that gave her purpose.</div>
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Life was never what she expected, but it had become beautiful indeed.</div>
Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-51086431239600532092019-05-11T20:22:00.000-05:002019-05-11T20:22:37.562-05:00In All Things, For His Glory<i>I have avoided writing specifically about this topic for what seems like forever. I've shared with some close friends, but didn't want to write publicly because I didn't want "everyone" to know, to speculate, to assume. But I started feeling like now was the time to share more.</i><br />
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<i>I think people get it into their heads that it's better to keep things silent than share. We'd rather project a carefully crafted image than reveal a weakness. But our strength lies in what is shared, rather than what is kept silent. We need to hear from each other; we need to know that we all deal with things, some of us, with the same things. We need community and communication over competition and quiet. We need to know we're not alone.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>So that's why I'm sharing this--it is something I wrote in my journal back in November 2018. But now I want to put it out there, for those walking a similar road. And those who aren't, but who might need to read this anyway and know what another road is like.</i><br />
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I feel like God has helped me reach a good place on the "we still don't have kids" journey. I know that sounds weird, but I don't know how else to phrase it. It has been a culmination of many things over the years, but it all seemed to come together one Sunday during a sermon. I don't remember what Sunday, or even the topic, but I just remember feeling like I could let it go, like I wanted to just release the whole thing. I wanted to let go of the sadness, the anger, the disappointment. I wanted to stop feeling sorry for myself, fully this time.<br />
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It's been a process, and I've had small moments of realization along the way. Like the time a friend announced that his wife was finally pregnant and I felt <i>sad</i>. As if that was some slight against me. And I realized I was missing out on experiencing the joy in life because I was allowing my sadness to consume me to the point I felt dead inside.<br />
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I decided I didn't want to waste any more time feeling sad. It didn't change over night. I still have moments where I feel sad. But I don't cling to the sadness any more. I don't wear it on my face, or call it up in the moments I see other people's baby announcements online. I don't live in it any more; I choose joy. <br />
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Another moment--or rather a collection of moments all combined--has been watching the drive to get pregnant consume people. Watching it become a relentless obsession for some, I knew I couldn't do it, I didn't want to become that. If I ran after something at all cost, I wanted it to be Jesus, not a baby. A baby brings joy, I have no doubt, but it cannot fulfill you. No person should have that place. And I knew I could become obsessed like that. I know I can fixate, I have every time I've wanted something. I can fixate until it consumes me. And though wanting to have a child isn't wrong, I knew the fixating would be. It could lead me down a road I did not want to travel, one where I could easily lose myself to an obsession with absolutely no guarantee of fulfillment.<br />
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A moment that happened more recently was a late period. I've had them before, and like some before, I took a pregnancy test which came back negative. Unlike other times, I had a split-second where I thought, directed at God, that it was cruel for Him to allow my period to be late. I knew it was wrong the moment I thought it, but I couldn't take it back.<br />
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God isn't cruel. Sin is cruel. Sin brings into our lives the pain, the problems. I didn't want to waste time thinking wrongly about God, like He was trying to torment me through this. He is the only hope and help I have at all times and in all things. He is bringing about good and His glory.<br />
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The truth is, I believe I will be a mom one day, but I think it will look different. It will be God-ordained, something that no one but He will bring to pass. I think it will be unique, something that can only be explained as an act of God so that He will get all the glory. I don't know when it will happen, but something else I've been learning is that God's story takes time. And it is His story, I am just a piece of it. But I <i>get</i> to be a part of it. I get to be in this story that He is writing, and I want Him to write my part as well.<br />
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I think that is something my college years and early 20s taught me. So many times I wanted to write my story, to decide the whos and whens and whats, because I thought my ideas were pretty great. I thought I could imagine the best story line for my life. There were also times I looked at my friends and thought that I would give anything to have their life and story.<br />
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I couldn't have been more wrong about any of that, but I didn't learn that until later down the road. It took time for me to learn and see that the story God was writing for me was FAR better than any I could construct. And looking back, really the only thing I wish I could do over is being better about trusting Him and waiting for His timing. Because every piece of my life--the big, amazing, important moments--have been God-ordained. They can only be explained as acts of God, things He has done.<br />
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All the things I've really wanted in life, the things I've longed for and craved, have come about in spectacular ways that only God can be given credit for. The first of these things was a sibling, and the story of Michael coming into our life is a straight-up miracle. We weren't even looking; God brought him to us.<br />
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The other one is my husband. I wanted to be married as long as I could remember, but my concept of marriage was so skewed, I really had no idea what I was wanting, or what marriage was truly like. And I don't think I ever would've imagined this marriage, it is so "other" than any concept I could have conceived, to the point that I can only credit God as the designer. Where I was so limited and simple in my concepts, He has brought depth, meaning, and complexity. Where I imagined the most human-centric dynamics and scenarios, He has given concepts and understanding beyond that, to a biblical, spiritual, and holy level.<br />
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No, on my own I <i>never</i> would have come up with an idea of a marriage like this. And through it, God has revealed to me a greater understanding of concepts in the Bible, of human dynamics, and why we were made for each other as male and female. And to be honest, I know I haven't even scratched the surface of godly, holy relationships. But what I have seen and come to understand demands that I praise, worship, and glorify God.<br />
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In all that I have learned, how could I not apply that to my desire to have children? How could I not allow that to shape my expectations, my wants, my plans? And if I am to do that well, I have to release it all to God, into His hands, into His care. He knows whose mother I need to be, and if, how and when it will happen. And that will be so much better than anything I could dream of on my own.<br />
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So because of that, I am releasing it all to Him. And I am releasing it because I want to be able to fully focus on where He has placed me and the ministry He has given me <i>now</i>. I don't want to waste time fixating, obsessing, planning, or feeling sorry for myself. I want to live fully alive in God's grace, for His glory.Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-73734149101467740142018-03-28T13:21:00.000-05:002018-03-28T13:21:12.023-05:00It's Not Mine, AnywayWhenever my body doesn't do what it's supposed to do, whenever something's wrong, it hurts in deeper places. My heart aches and among the things I say and do, I blame myself. As though I could somehow control the inner workings of an earthly vessel I can't begin to understand. As though it were my fault things aren't working right. And I hate myself.<br />
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I know I'm not the only one, living in a body that isn't "normal." I know others walk this road too. Others know the prying questions that underneath their semantics all ring the same, <i>What's wrong with you?</i> If we were honest, we'd all admit something's wrong. Just some things are easier to perceive than others.<br />
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I so easily forget, when I list what's wrong with me, that this shell in which I live, it isn't mine. It's just a rental, a temporary dwelling my soul calls home. And one day, I'll hear the One on the throne say, "<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+21%3A1-7&version=ESV" target="_blank">Behold, I am making all things new.</a>" And that will apply to me too. Lord, I can't wait to get that new body. I can't wait for Him to take all the former things and make them new.<br />
<br />
But for now, this is the shell for which I care. And though I may be disappointed in it, what do I gain through my anger and hatred? What will I change by cutting down the image in the mirror? What will I accomplish through my disdain other than more pain? And though this shell isn't mine forever, I know I need to care for her.<br />
<br />
I pray for strong arms, to carry others when they are weak. I pray for kind lips that know when to speak. I pray for open hands, to give and to receive. I pray for beautiful feet that bring good news and follow willingly after the Lord. I pray for clear eyes, to see not merely earthly vessels, but the souls they contain. I pray for open ears that know how to distinguish the voice of my Lord from the voices of the world.<br />
<br />
I pray that I know how to use this vessel for all that God has ordained. It's not mine, anyway.Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-79221837590174832202018-01-25T10:54:00.003-06:002018-01-25T11:00:26.941-06:00A Queen's Broken SongThese days are heavy, and I've felt the weight of stories that have been told. I am inspired by the brave who have spoken out out, and they have helped me to craft something new. It's a little bit of poetry, a little bit of spoken word. If you want to read along while you listen, the text is below.<br />
<br />
If you have been a victim, I want you to know, when you are ready, you can tell your story. It doesn't have to be today, or all at once, but I want you to know that there is a community that will listen and support you. You are not alone, you have a voice.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/388968480&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe> <br />
<br />
<i>A Queen's Broken Song</i> <br />
<br />
I wrote this for the girls,<br />
<div>
Even the ones I don’t know. </div>
<div>
Because I do know this:</div>
<div>
It’s really hard to grow </div>
<div>
And move past the pain</div>
<div>
And speak truth to yourself</div>
<div>
When all you feel is cheap</div>
<div>
Like something thrown on a shelf.<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"Be seen and not heard,</div>
<div>
You don't have a voice,"</div>
<div>
They've said all my life,</div>
<div>
Like I don't have a choice.</div>
<div>
As though I had no power,</div>
<div>
Or purpose or goal </div>
<div>
But in the quite moments</div>
<div>
I was readying my soul.<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
To say it loud, join in with me now,</div>
<div>
I’m a queen, I know I am.</div>
<div>
A queen that’s worth more</div>
<div>
Than just gem stones and glam.</div>
<div>
A queen that’s respected</div>
<div>
Who is given honor and love,</div>
<div>
Not just by society or man</div>
<div>
But God almighty above.<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
See He says I’m worth more</div>
<div>
More than diamonds or gold,</div>
<div>
Beautifully and wonderfully made,</div>
<div>
Whether I’m young or I’m old. </div>
<div>
I am a queen, called by name</div>
<div>
Given power and life</div>
<div>
Given talents and gifts</div>
<div>
Whether I’m single or a wife.<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
By this I’m defined,</div>
<div>
Not by words or by deeds,</div>
<div>
Or man's love and esteem</div>
<div>
But by a Savior who bleeds.</div>
<div>
Who calls me by name</div>
<div>
And makes me His daughter</div>
<div>
Because He paid my price</div>
<div>
Like a lamb to the slaughter.<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
And now I’m redeemed,</div>
<div>
Set free by the King</div>
<div>
A woman of worth</div>
<div>
With a song I must sing.</div>
<div>
And a life I must live,</div>
<div>
And a story I'll tell</div>
<div>
'Cause I've only got one</div>
<div>
And so I'll tell it well.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
How people have tried </div>
<div>
Oh so hard to use me.</div>
<div>
To take and to touch</div>
<div>
And to make me to be</div>
<div>
Something I know I'm not,</div>
<div>
Whether by word or by power.</div>
<div>
But something they forgot</div>
<div>
In that darkest of hour,</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Is that God walked with me,</div>
<div>
More than a mile,</div>
<div>
He's been there the whole time,</div>
<div>
And He's seen what is vile.</div>
<div>
He's felt my pain,</div>
<div>
And my torment, it's true</div>
<div>
That what was done to me</div>
<div>
Was done to Him too.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Together we hurt,</div>
<div>
Together we cried,</div>
<div>
Together we lived,</div>
<div>
Because One of us died.</div>
<div>
Together we rise,</div>
<div>
Together we stand,</div>
<div>
I know that I'm safe</div>
<div>
In the palm of His hand.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
And I know that He loves me,</div>
<div>
Which is why I can tell you,</div>
<div>
Because of His grace,</div>
<div>
That He loves you too.</div>
<div>
And He wants you to change,</div>
<div>
To become like His Son,</div>
<div>
To leave your old life,</div>
<div>
Because that battle is done.<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The cross is what stands,</div>
<div>
A reminder for sure,</div>
<div>
That what is blemished </div>
<div>
Can in fact be made pure. </div>
He calls prodigals home,<br />
Sets weary feet to dance,<br />
And not just the good, <br />
He gives each one a chance.<br />
<br />
And that's my story,<br />
A queen's broken song,<br />
Made whole by the One<br />
Who has loved her so long.<br />
Made pure by the grace<br />
He freely bestows<br />
And now I can say,<br />
I'm like a flower that grows.<br />
<br />
More and more beautiful<br />
Each day I become,<br />
Not by effort or work<br />
But because of the Son.<br />
Because of His truth,<br />
That transforms my heart<br />
Because of His kingdom,<br />
Of which I'm a part.<br />
<br />
I wrote this for the girls,<br />
And for the boys too,<br />
For the men and women,<br />
Because we all need You.<br />
You change our lives,<br />
You help us to grow,<br />
And You love us more<br />
Than we'll ever know. Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-19967468503112323402018-01-22T16:06:00.000-06:002018-01-22T16:06:54.347-06:00The Road to HereYou know when you have some things on your mind for a while, and somehow they keep showing up in everything? Like different aspects of life, and God, and relationships. And how sometimes these different things intersect and shift your way of thinking?<br />
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<br />
Once I hit my 30s, I started thinking about age a lot. I still don't feel like an adult most times, but I can definitely tell I'm not in my 20s any more. I'm different, I've changed. It's kind of scary because this is uncharted territory, and I just keep getting dragged in deeper and deeper.<br />
<br />
But something a friend had recently shared stood out to me. It was a quote that said, "Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many." And isn't that a bittersweet way of looking at something we often see as negative? One little quote adjusted the perspective that I've had the last few years, that aging is somehow a bad thing. But really it's a gift to live life, every bit that we are given.<br />
<br />
I've also been thinking about how I got here, to this point in life. A confusing, beautiful point that I tried for so long to get to, but gave up part way through. I love that God doesn't give up on us when we grow tired of waiting on His plan. I love that He doesn't stop writing our story just because we try to take over and craft a few chapters on our own. When we lose sight of the destination, He brings us back.<br />
<br />
I feel like all these thoughts have collided to remind me that the road to this point was long, and I am not who I once was, but it is a <i>good </i>thing. I'm not 18, but in the nearly 14 years since, I have experienced a journey that has grown and shaped me into the person I am today. I am far from perfect, but I am more secure in my identity in Christ than perhaps ever before. I would not trade that for all the youthfulness in the world. Aging is a gift, whether we choose to see it that way or not. <br />
<br />
I am thankful for the road, it has brought me to so many places and people. It has helped to shape me and make me who I am. I am thankful that the road reminds me that life is about progress, not perfection. And in the times when I want to settle down and remain, the road reminds me that the movement of time and trials bring me closer to the end.<br />
<br />
The end. It often sounds sad, like a great story has come to its lasting and final conclusion. But this end is really the beginning of a greater story, one that will make this one, this long road, seem but a distant memory.<br />
<br />
See, the other thing I've been thinking about lately is that heaven is the ultimate goal. Which sounds simple, but can be so hard to remember here, where goals are things we set and spend our lives working for. Like jobs or money or relationships or possessions or fame. But the ultimate goal isn't something we create from our hard work or investments. It's already there, waiting for us to simply choose it. By choosing Jesus, we choose to step into the ultimate goal of heaven, where there will be no more roads or trials or tears. Just a place to remain with God, forever.<br />
<br />
I look to heaven when things feel out of control, when the burdens and the road become too great to bear, when I feel tired and at a loss, when I want to give up. I remember that heaven is waiting, and it is better than all the good things I have ever experienced here. Heaven is the destination at the end of the road.<br />
<br />
When I get there, I probably won't even remember the road. It will probably be like the long trip to a beloved friend's house, and how when you arrive, you instantly forget all that it took to get there. Because you're finally together, and you can't think about anything but the joy you experience at seeing that friend's face. And you rejoice, for the destination was worth all that it took to get there. Yes, I think all I'll remember was that it was worth it to get there.Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-63166494368027955082018-01-05T10:30:00.000-06:002018-01-05T10:30:20.668-06:00All Truth Is...I think the more you get to know Jesus, the more you see Him. The more you can hear His whisper in the strangest of places, where man thought He had been left out, where it never entered into their minds that He could be.<br />
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<br />
I once had a communications teacher who said, "All truth is God's truth." I didn't get it at the time, not really. I thought it was a nice way of saying that as long as I was writing the truth, I could write about anything at all. I thought it gave me freedom to tell any story I wanted. And maybe that's still the case, but now it means something a bit more.<br />
<br />
"All truth is God's truth" means that in the truth He speaks, and we can find Him there. That at unexpected times, people talk about Him without even knowing it. That He is present in places we want to forget.<br />
<br />
I once had a co-worker who said people need more love. What I heard was "people need more Jesus," as if those were the words that had actually been spoken. The world is craving Jesus, they're calling for Him blindly, without even realizing it.<br />
<br />
I once watched a commercial about the golden rule and cried because all I could see was Jesus. Nothing about it was religious or overtly Christian, but I wept because each scene showed who I knew Jesus to be: attentive, caring, just, loving. It wasn't intended to display Him, and yet it did.<br />
<br />
Every time I see someone go out of their way to help another person, I see Jesus. Acts of service display His heart for the world. Giving a piece of what we have reflects in some small way the immeasurable gift He gave. <br />
<br />
All truth is God's truth, and in truth He will be found. May we never discredit the places and times where we see Him. In those moments He speaks, calling us to know His ways just a little bit more.Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-27761901551393927552018-01-03T08:51:00.000-06:002018-01-03T08:51:18.309-06:00My Name Reminds MeI used to be Elise Loyola. It was a name that got butchered most of the time. Elsie. Elisa. Leslie. Even Denise. And Loyola was hard for almost everyone to say, especially telemarketers. It was just a last name, like Jones or Brown, but it became a part of me. My name was tangled up in my identity.<br />
<br />
When I got married, I couldn't let Loyola go. I would always be Elise Loyola in some way. So I kept it as my middle name, and as part of my identity. Because when I hear Loyola, when I see it written down, it reminds me of who I am. It reminds me of us--the identifiers, the family members, what has come before. It reminds me of the pieces that make up my identity.<br />
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<br />
Loyola reminds me of my grandfather. A man who came to the United States from Cuba by boat when he was 18. It reminds me that there are many relatives and family members I will never know. It reminds me that he once told me I look like his mother. It reminds me that we were once immigrants without a home or a place to belong. It reminds me that their skin is swirled within mine.<br />
<br />
Loyola reminds me that while so many came here to pursue the American Dream, Grandpa pursued something greater. He had a Kingdom Dream, and traveled as an evangelist throughout Latin America, sharing Jesus with all who would listen. He spoke to great crowds, and in small tribal villages. It reminds me that a great sacrifice is worth the price. While the American Dream is temporary, the Kingdom Dream is eternal.<br />
<br />
Loyola reminds me of my grandmother, who faithfully cared for my grandpa
after multiple strokes left him disabled. She served him until his last
breath, showing what unconditional love looks like in real life, with
skin and bones. It reminds me of her joy, her smile, her dedication. <br />
<br />
Loyola reminds me of the footsteps of those who walked before and left a legacy for me to follow. Grandpa was the first minister of the gospel that I knew of, my father was the second. Loyola reminds me of him too. A man who also has a Kingdom Dream, who has pursued Jesus with his whole life, keeping no part from God. A man who has served in meekness and humility, and in that way exemplifies Christ to me. I am challenged by these great men. <br />
<br />
Loyola reminds me of my mother, a strong woman who has been faithful to the call of God, even when it hasn't been easy. Who has allowed God to grow and change her from the inside out. Who has faithfully walked beside my father and served alongside him. Who gave up her job to raise me and my brother. She is my example of how to live my life in constant pursuit of the Lord, surrendering many things for Him.<br />
<br />
Loyola reminds me of what I want to become. I want to have a Kingdom Dream, to keep no part of my life from God. I want to journey wherever He calls, to serve faithfully in meekness and humility. I want to be a strong woman who gives all she can to pursue Christ. I want to leave a legacy for those I hope will follow. Whatever they are called, whether or not they are my flesh and blood, I hope Loyola reminds them of an identity they share. And I hope it reminds them of who they want to become.Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-6462666319672438162018-01-02T11:17:00.000-06:002018-01-02T11:38:48.046-06:00Dressember 2017: The RecapMy fourth--and perhaps best--year of Dressember has come to a conclusion, which of course requires a recap post.<br />
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I say "perhaps best" not just because this is the most I've been able to raise in any one campaign (<a href="https://dressember.funraise.org/fundraiser/elisemance" target="_blank">currently $2,071.08</a>), or because over half of my supporters were first-time donors to my campaign. I say it not just because this year the <a href="https://dressember.funraise.org/team/world-changers/" target="_blank">World Changers team</a> was the biggest it has ever been or because together we raised a combined $8,616.87.<br />
<br />
I say "perhaps best" because sometimes in the fight, in the struggle, in the asking, I learn something about myself too. And sometimes I need that lesson more than I realize. Because sometimes scars aren't physical, and because sometimes when we're fighting for others, we find healing without even knowing it.<br />
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<br />
I say "perhaps best" because this year, I felt more empowered than I have in a long time. And I am reminded of what I <i>can </i>do.<br />
<br />
So many times I, and other women, are told what we cannot do. We are put in a box, told to be a certain way, denied the ability to use our gifting, kept sidelined when all we want is to soar. I didn't realize the pain I was carrying from this denial, or how it made me view myself, until Dressember 2017 was coming to a close.<br />
<br />
For the past several years (Maybe many? I honestly don't know.), I have felt like I could do more, give more, but I have felt anything but empowered. I have approached so many doors, only to have them slam closed in my face. I have questioned what I am doing countless times, or if I'm even good at really anything. And through it all I have felt my soul shriveling.<br />
<br />
Dressember was a much needed reminder, a drink of glorious truth, that reminded me that I can. I can flourish, I can succeed, I can be good at something. I can bring something to the table, I can be of use. It may be simple--putting on a piece of clothing and talking about slavery is something anyone can do. But regardless, it is something, it is a way to make a difference, and I will accept it with open arms.<br />
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<br />
From here I feel like the sky is the limit. I feel like I can keep flying, keep doing, keep fighting. And what I want most is to impart that empowerment to others. I want other women to know that they can. They can use their gifts, they can make a difference, they can have a voice, and they can change the world. And I would love to have you join me.<br />
<br />
Do you know a woman who is fighting for something? A woman who wants to do more? A woman in whom you see great strength, talent, or gifting? Speak that into her life. Even if all you can offer are words, use those words to build her up. Heaven knows she needs it.<br />
<br />
To everyone who has supported me this month, from the bottom of my heart, <i>thank you so much</i>. Through your support, you have empowered me more than you can know. And I needed it more than I ever have before. Through that empowerment and support, you have helped me raise more money to fight for the freedom, rights, and empowerment of others. For that, I thank you.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in giving to Dressember, my campaign page will remain open throughout January. If you feel led to donate, <a href="https://dressember.funraise.org/fundraiser/elisemance" target="_blank">you can do so here</a>.Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-41452596564185860882017-12-15T11:40:00.000-06:002018-01-05T11:43:38.755-06:00Dressember 2017: The Halfway PointDressember has been flying by this year! Since I haven't posted here during the actual challenge, I wanted to share some updates from the first half of the month. <br />
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The best thing about this year's challenge has been the team atmosphere. It has been so great to participate with others--adults and students--and to walk through this journey with each other. It is encouraging to share the highs and lows together, and to remember that regardless of how much money we raise, we are bringing awareness to new people in new places. And that is the ultimate goal of Dressember.<br />
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The <a href="https://dressember.funraise.org/team/world-changers" target="_blank">Dressember World Changers team</a> has grown exponentially. In its first year (2015) we had two members; last year we had four. This year our team has 21 members, all of whom are new to the team, except for me. As of publication, our team has raised over $3,600 from 73 different donations. If you are one of our donors, thank you so, so much for your contribution to Dressember!<br />
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On a personal level, this Dressember has felt both rewarding and challenging up to this point. I was able to speak to our youth group about Dressember, and loved seeing many of them sign up to participate. I started an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/letterfordressember/" target="_blank">artistic lettering challenge</a> on social media to bring awareness and another level of participation to the campaign. And I've been blessed to have both new and repeat donors supporting my fundraiser.<br />
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It's always challenging to wear dresses all month, but this year I think my primary focus has been on other aspects, so my wardrobe has almost felt like an afterthought. I increased my fundraising goal to $2,000, which is an amount I have never raised in an individual campaign. Last year we got incredibly close, at $1,741. So that's an increase of only $259 over last year's total. I know it's reachable, but there is always a part of me that questions whether I'll make it. As I am writing this post, I have raised $889 so far. I would love to reach the $1,000 mark today, only $111 away, and I am hoping you will help me.<br />
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The biggest thing I have learned through participating in Dressember is that anyone can make a difference. When I first started doing Dressember in 2014, I was excited but uncertain. I didn't know if anyone would believe in the cause like I did, or if anyone would want to give their hard-earned money to it. At the end of that first campaign, thanks to the generosity of friends and family, I reached my goal. I felt so empowered, like I could take on anything and conquer it.<br />
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When you give to Dressember, your donation goes far beyond empowering me. It goes toward justice, toward freedom, toward the fight for human rights and dignity. When you give to Dressember, you can know deep down in your soul that you have contributed to something that is bigger than all of us. And when people ask what you are doing to make the world a better place, you can point to Dressember and say, "This. This is what I have done."<br />
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It truly takes a community to make a change. You are my community, and today I am asking you to stand with me to make a global change. Will you give what you can to help the fight for justice? Will you lend what you have to a war that is being waged in our own back yards? Will you speak where others have fallen silent? Will you give to Dressember?<br />
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Thank you, my friends, for your continual love and support. It does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. You inspire me and so many others in the ways you continually show up and care. To borrow from Dr. Seuss, "To the world you may be one person, but to me, you mean the world."<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://dressember.funraise.org/fundraiser/elisemance" target="_blank">Donate to my Dressember Fundraiser</a></span></span></div>
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<br />Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-85391587551247898462017-11-30T08:17:00.000-06:002017-11-30T08:17:51.126-06:00Dressember 2017: My StoryWhen I first heard about <a href="http://eliseloyola.blogspot.com/p/dressember.html" target="_blank">Dressember</a>, I knew I had to be involved. Fighting to end slavery and promote human dignity in a simple, yet meaningful way was something I could support. It was something I could do in the midst of an issue that can feel insurmountable. After all, speaking out wasn't a new concept for me.<br />
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I hated high school for lots of reasons, one being the times I found myself trapped in situations I couldn't escape. I experienced severe anxiety and powerlessness under the hands and voices of a couple of classmates. Classmates who were bigger and stronger than me, who would make obscene comments about my body, touch me inappropriately, or tell me that they were going to rape me. You can't get away when you have to stay in school, when they're in the classroom sitting next to you, and when your teacher doesn't notice. Meanwhile your mind tries to make sense of it all, telling you it's somehow okay, somehow not as bad as it seems.<br />
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Those days were dark. I felt cheap, broken, and invisible to the rest of the world. When I finally worked up the courage to tell my parents, I could barely put to words what had happened. My mind still tried to make it okay, excusable, normal. We reported the physical incidents to authorities, went to court, went home, and that was pretty much it. It took time for me to understand and come to a place where I could declare to myself that it wasn't okay, and that I wouldn't stand for that kind of treatment again. But in my teenage mind, I felt anything but powerful.<br />
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However, after it was all over, I did feel a measure of pride. Pride in myself, that I was able to do something. That I <i>was </i>able to tell, and that people believed me. Pride that I could walk into that courtroom, hear the plea and verdict, and know that what happened really wasn't okay, excusable, normal. Pride at the knowledge that maybe another girl wouldn't experience what I had experienced if this behavior was stopped.<br />
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It's been a long time since high school. In some ways, I still carry the scars, and the memories will never leave. But today I feel not only a measure of pride, but also power. Power that enables me to rise above that experience and use it to fight for other girls. They're girls I'll probably never meet, never see their faces, or know their stories. But that's okay, because they could be any one of us. Evil preys on all people without regard for who they are, where they live, what they do, or how they dress. That's why those of us who can speak up, <i>must</i>. We have to raise a voice for those who have been silenced.<br />
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As we move into another Dressember, I am grateful for yet another opportunity to use my voice for good. An opportunity to share my story, and speak up for those whose dignity has been stolen. An opportunity to take my experience, and see it redeemed for good. An opportunity to encourage others to come with what they have--whether it's one dress in their closet or $1 in their wallet--and use it to change the world.<br />
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So yet again this year I'm asking you, dear reader, will you join me? Will you stand with me? Will you speak alongside me? Will you do what you can for girls like me? If there's one thing I know it's this: none of us can do it alone. But together, we can go farther than we ever dreamed possible, and do more than we ever thought probable.<br />
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It's almost Dressember 2017. Let's do this.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><i><a href="https://dressember.funraise.org/fundraiser/elisemance" target="_blank">Visit my Dressember fundraising page.</a></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span>Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-71257974486269435112017-11-21T14:23:00.000-06:002017-11-21T14:23:50.353-06:00Unexpected JesusWhere is the last place you'd expect to see Jesus?<br />
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In His day, Jesus was radical, unpredictable, unexpected. The long-expected King was not what the keepers of the law and teachers expected, at all. He was different, and they often failed to recognize Him. They had built up an expectation in their minds based on their years spent studying and upholding the Scriptures. They thought they knew Him.<br />
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But they were shocked by everything: where He came from, what He did, who He spent time with, how He died. To them, everything He did was wrong.<br />
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I wonder sometimes if we're foolish to think we'd be any different. We think we know the right answers, the hills to die upon, the lines in the sand. We think we know what Jesus would look like, where He would go, what He would do. But do we?<br />
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Where is the last place you'd expect to see Jesus? Sitting at the bar down the street? At the gay pride parade? In the back alley brothel? With refugees on the run? In the waiting room of the abortion clinic? At the women's march? Spending time in the Muslim community? At the college frat party?<br />
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Where is the last place you'd expect to see Jesus? Because, Christian, He is there. He is in that place, arms wide, calling any who would come. He is there whispering His name. He is there offering peace. <br />
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And I think He is calling us to do the same. Come down from those hills, cross that line. Open your arms wide. Whisper His name. Invite any who would come.<br />
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Where is the last place you'd expect to see Jesus? Maybe that is where He is calling you to go.<br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></span>Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-89197397670723405772017-11-05T18:24:00.000-06:002017-11-05T18:24:15.659-06:00Dressember Essentials + Outfit Ideas for Men and WomenOne of the most intimidating things about Dressember can be the issue of what to wear, especially if you're in a region with cold, snowy winters. Don't let this discourage you, it's not as hard as you might think. That's why I have assembled an updated list of my Dressember Essentials, plus some outfit ideas. And I haven't left out the men either! (Keep scrolling if you're looking for some Dressember Men ideas.)<br />
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Also, if you have to wear a school or work uniform that prevents you from wearing a dress or tie, just wear your Dressember-wear when you can. Any time you can choose your outfit, choose to wear a dress or tie. You don't have to wear it all day, just as long as you can. Personally, I make sure to get a photo in my dress to share on social media so my donors can see that I am keeping my commitment. I also make sure to wear a dress whenever I go out in public.<br />
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<a href="https://www.polyvore.com/dressember_essentials_2017/set?.embedder=12328298&.svc=copypaste&id=230531061" target="_blank"><img alt="Dressember Essentials 2017" border="0" height="501" src="https://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/J6HUF5gaY5v0Jy2E4boSA/cid/230531061/id/-Ai_i8nB5xG3qW_ZWc0rKw/size/c700x501.jpg" title="Dressember Essentials 2017" width="700" /></a></div>
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<b>1. Versatile dresses. </b>Start with checking your closet for the most comfortable and versatile dresses you own, even if they are more summery. I love mixing things up with a floral print sundress or a neutral-colored t-shirt dress. Remember that layering is key, so you can make light fabrics work.<br />
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If you want or need to add a new dress/dresses to your wardrobe, check what's available in the <a href="http://www.dressember.org/shop/" target="_blank">Dressember shop</a>. If you're shopping on a budget, check out your local thrift shop, or borrow a dress from a friend or family member.<br />
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<b>2. Tights and leggings.</b> Look for warmer options, like fleece-lined leggings and sweater tights. You can also layer up with ponte pants or even jeans. If it's really cold where you live, try layering tights under leggings.<br />
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<b>3. Sweaters and cardigans.</b> Really any type of outerwear is great and can be layered in multiples. Cardigans with pockets are handy if you have a pocket-less dress. And a pull-over sweater can completely change the look of your dress. <br />
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When choosing a cardigan or sweater, think about the
climate and what will pair well with most of your
wardrobe. If you're in a cold climate, go for a thicker, chunky-knit
sweater. If it isn't as cold, go for something lightweight. Choose
neutral colors if you have mostly bold or bright dresses. If you
have a lot of solid-color, neutral dresses, go for a bright color or bold print
to brighten things up.<br />
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<b>4. Layering pieces.</b> Layering pieces can add warmth, and they can also change the look of your dress. Add a fitted t-shirt underneath a tank dress, or wear a skirt over a shorter dress to make it look like a top. Don't forget scarves, mittens, wool socks, and knit hats for extra warmth.<br />
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<b>5. Boots.</b> Boots are cute and will help keep your feet warm and dry, especially if there's snow on the ground. Switch things up with different styles, from ankle booties to riding boots, and different colors.<br />
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<b>6. Accessories.</b> Top off and switch up your Dressember styles with fun accessories. Cinch your waist with a belt, add a pop of color with a bag, and work in some glitter or metallics with jewelry.<br />
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Want some specific outfit inspiration? <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/elmalo/dressember/" target="_blank">Check out my Dressember board on Pinterest</a>! I've pinned looks from casual, to cute, to dressy.<br />
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<a href="https://www.polyvore.com/dressember_men_styles/set?.embedder=12328298&.svc=copypaste&id=230577723" target="_blank"><img alt="Dressember Men Styles" border="0" height="548" src="https://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/1z1rZSkzopYqnpvB5DodAg/cid/230577723/id/LnpOtnnC5xGLROui2hAMMQ/size/c700x548.jpg" title="Dressember Men Styles" width="700" /></a></div>
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I didn't want to leave out the men, so here is some inspiration for the guys who plan to participate. Typically, men wear ties or bow ties for Dressember, but can also choose to wear something else throughout the month like suspenders or vests. The key is to choose one type of item to wear each day throughout December. This will give consistency and provide a talking point to share about the campaign.<br />
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Combine multiple elements including fun socks, cuff links, dress shoes, or hats to complete your look. If you want to look put together and stay warm, choose a peacoat in place of a suit jacket or casual coat, and don't forget to add a scarf. If you need some new items, check your local thrift shop, or see about borrowing things from a friend or relative.<br />
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I've got some more outfit ideas for the guys on my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/elmalo/dressember-men/" target="_blank">Dressember Men Pinterest board</a>. You can also check out the hashtag <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/dressembermen/" target="_blank">#DressemberMen</a> on Instagram to see what other guys have done.Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-59439892037726511242017-11-01T11:41:00.000-05:002017-12-11T12:04:24.791-06:00Dressember 2017: Art GiveawayI am excited to tell you about a new initiative I am doing for <a href="http://eliseloyola.blogspot.com/p/dressember.html" target="_blank">Dressember</a> 2017! It's called <a href="https://elmcreativedesigns.blogspot.com/2017/10/join-dressember-lettering-challenge.html" target="_blank">#LetterForDressember</a>, and it's an art challenge + art giveaway. If you want to participate in the challenge, creatively letter each day's prompt and share it on social media using the hashtag. I am also giving away my challenge artwork <span style="font-size: small;">to those who donate </span><span style="font-size: small;">to <a href="https://dressember.funraise.org/fundraiser/elisemance" target="_blank">my Dressember page</a>. Keep reading to find out how to receive a piece of my lettering art.</span><br />
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Here's how it works:<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #ebc71a;"> > </span> Anyone who donates $15 or more to <a href="https://dressember.funraise.org/fundraiser/elisemance" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">my Dressember campaign</a>
is eligible* to receive a piece of lettering art. Donors are eligible
to receive one piece of lettering art for each $15+ donation made to my
campaign. So if you snag one piece of art, but see another one you want later, you can always get two!<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebc71a;"> > </span> Each day I will post a new piece of art on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elm_creative/" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">my Instagram account</a>,
@elm_creative. The first person to comment "claimed" has 24 hours to
make their $15+ donation to my campaign. If someone has already
commented, comment "next" to be the next in line. If the first person
doesn't donate within 24 hours, the next person in line will be able to
claim the art, and so on. I'll reach out to you if you're next in line!<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebc71a;"> > </span> If you donate $15+ ahead of time, comment "claimed" first and you will be sent the lettering art as soon as possible.*<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebc71a;"> > </span> If no one claims a
piece of art within 24 hours, I will share the art on Facebook for
someone to claim there. The art will also still be available on
Instagram, so I will go by the time the first "claimed" comment is
posted.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebc71a;"> > </span> If art pieces remain as of January 1, I will attempt to distribute them to donors.*<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebc71a;"> > </span> All donations of
$30 or more are eligible for a piece of custom lettering art. If you
would like a custom piece, please contact me after making your donation
with the word/quote you would like lettered. Custom pieces must be 5x8"
or smaller.<br />
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* <i>I will need to receive each donor's address in order to send the lettering art.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you have a question, <a href="mailto:eliseloyola@gmail.com" target="_blank">please contact me</a>! I am so excited to combine my love for lettering with my passion for Dressember. And I can't wait to share what I create with you!</span>Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-20177504626262664782017-08-31T09:11:00.001-05:002017-08-31T09:11:55.785-05:00Exploring Creative WorshipEarlier this month I wrote <a href="https://eliseloyola.blogspot.com/2017/08/reclaiming-creativity-in-christianity.html" target="_blank">a post about reclaiming creativity</a> in Christianity. I have felt challenged to find ways to be more intentionally creative in how I worship, particularly in my personal time. I want to change how I view and behave in my time of Bible study and prayer as a response to the Creator. I want to reflect His creativity in an effort to glorify Him. So I have been asking, <i>what does it look like to merge creative expression with worship?</i><br />
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I see many ways that the church has worked to merge creativity and worship--music, spoken word, lights, design, acts of service, potluck dinners. But as with most elements of Christianity, I know that we can do more, internally and externally. What exactly that looks like, I am hoping to uncover in the coming months.<br />
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As a first step, I am making a creative worship journal. I will be filling it with artistic pieces that I hope will reflect the truth about God creatively. It will incorporate verses, hymn lyrics, prayers, and responses to God out of my personal time of study. I will be starting with a goal of adding to the journal throughout the month of September. After that, I want to evaluate what I have learned and experienced to see what I should change and explore in the future.<br />
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As a second step, to move outside of my personal time, I will also be sharing what I design on my creative <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elm_creative/" target="_blank">Instagram account</a>. My hope in doing this is to authentically and truthfully honor God in a public forum. I also want to bring worship to an area of my life that I tend to engage in selfishly. I often do creative projects for myself or to earn money. While I don't think that is inherently wrong, I want to challenge myself to intentionally worship God in whatever I am doing.<br />
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If this sounds interesting to you, I want to invite you to explore creative worship as well. You can create a journal, or find another way to worship God through an area you are gifted in. Creativity is never limited to just art, it encompasses every skill from gardening to tech, parenting to cooking. Anything that we as humans can make or do is inherently creative as it is a reflection of our Creator.<br />
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If you decide to join in, please let me know. I would love to discuss your thoughts and what you are learning throughout the process.Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-75932821606897992302017-08-18T10:13:00.000-05:002017-08-18T10:13:18.230-05:00Reclaiming Creativity in ChristianityI've been working through the latest <a href="https://www.ifequip.com/" target="_blank">IF:Equip</a> study, <i>Reflections of God: The Theology of Beauty</i>. There have been lots of moments where I've felt like it has totally given me a huge kick in the seat. But today as I was working through some different topics on the arts it struck me just how much the Christian faith should <i>not be boring</i>.<br />
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I think if we're honest, we would each admit that there was at least one thing about being a Christian or about going to church that seemed boring at one point in time. It might have been the repetition and routine nature of a Sunday morning service (stand up, sit down, stand up...), or the endless silence associated with a time of prayer and Bible reading, or the exhausting language of whatever version you were reading ("thee before thou except after thine"), or a pastor's sermon that was impossible to follow and felt like it would never end.<br />
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I've been there for all of those things, and while I've tried to find the value in the midst of the seemingly mundane, sometimes it can be really hard not to check out. It can be even more hard to not view God as equally boring. After all, isn't the Christian life and church supposed to be a reflection of God? For many people, their first experience might just be that dry, routine church service, and they might think that's all there is to having a relationship with God. They might think that's all He is, a boring, routine being who speaks in old English and sits in silence.<br />
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I have loved the <i>Reflections of God</i> study because it has challenged this stereotypical view of God and our response to Him. And to be honest, I don't think He enjoys the boring and monotonous experience any more than we do. Certainly He desires our attention and worship, but I don't think He wants it to come from a place of stale monotony and obligation. None of us would want to be "loved" in that way, so why would God?<br />
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The first thing we learn about God is that <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A1&version=HCSB" target="_blank">He created</a>. He is Creator. And He didn't create with just one color or sound or shape. He made tiny, minute animals alongside the vastness of the cosmos. He made humanity through a creative process of shaping dirt and bone to make male and female. He made an array of flavors and a tongue that could taste them. He made endless textures and the sense of touch to feel them. He spoke and with His voice He made the orchestra of sounds that fill our planet. And best of all, He made us in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A26-31&version=ESV" target="_blank"><i>His image</i></a>, so that we could create things too.<br />
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I look outside my window, and I see a world that is anything but boring, made by a Being who could never be boring. And yet, often times in the church and in our own lives, that is how we respond to Him. Perhaps we think that's what reverence is, a quiet, routine form of worship in which we endeavor to focus on Him alone. And there is nothing wrong with quiet or routine rhythms. But I think we do God, and worship, a disservice when we dumb it down, make it monotonous or boring, colorless or stale.<br />
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I think God wants to be worshiped in our creativity as well as our silence. He wants us to use our creative capacity to draw hearts to Him, to display His image, to worship passionately, both corporately and on our own. God wants all of us, and He wants us to tap into all that He has made us to be. We can sing and speak, move and dance, make art and music, design and illuminate, write hymns and stories, create delicious foods, grow flowers and plants, teach and train others, all for His glory.<br />
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Friends, let's change the stigma of Christianity as boring. Let's leave behind the colorless, lifeless, and the mundane for the colorful, creative, and beautiful. Let's tap into all that we can do and make to bring glory to the One who made us in His image and called us <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A26-31&version=ESV" target="_blank"><i>very good</i></a>. Let us become the catalyst for change in how the world sees and understands the Gospel, the church, and the Christian life.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #e06666;">"Creativity is not an end in itself. Creativity is a means to achieving something better, something more salutary, productive, or beautiful. It exists for improvement, not impression... The gift is given for a purpose: The chief end of man is to glorify God, not man.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #e06666;">"Work has a duel purpose: to continue the process of creation and to counter the consequences of sin. The way you think about God influences the way you think about yourself. Thus we will be Godlike in our work if we recognize it as an assignment from Him... Creative behavior begins in the brain of a thinking individual with a desire to cause constructive change." - Howard Hendricks</span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-59319660607081419492017-07-07T10:48:00.002-05:002017-07-07T10:48:47.588-05:00Finding GraceI can't lie--this season of life has been so hard. I've spent a lot of time, too much time, being angry. And now that the tides have begun to change, I find myself living in the aftermath. I thought I would feel relieved on this side of things, but I feel broken.<br />
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In this brokenness I see the wrongs that have been committed and I am forced to face them. And the more I look at the wrongs I feel have been done <i>to </i>me, I see the wrongs that have been done <i>by me</i>. I am forced to confront everything I believe about grace.<br />
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If you asked me what I believe about grace, I would tell you it's from Jesus, and it's for everyone. It doesn't matter what you've done, how far you've fallen, where you've gone wrong. Grace is offered freely. "Indeed we have all received grace after grace from His fullness, for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A16-17&version=HCSB">John 1:16-17</a>) Grace through faith in Jesus saves us (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A8-9&version=HCSB">Ephesians 2:8-9</a>), I believe that with all that I am.<br />
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I believe that it is grace that empowers us beyond ourselves. It allows us to be used by God, even in the midst of our mistakes and sinfulness. It redeems us and draws us out of every pit we dig for ourselves. Grace surpasses every wrong we could commit. And grace motivates us to live like what we truly are--redeemed, forgiven, free.<br />
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But even with this grace so free, I see the ways we all struggle to give it away, whether to ourselves or to others. Somewhere in the midst of the wrong and the pain, we feel we have a right, a responsibility, to hold onto the wrongs committed. It doesn't really matter who committed them, withholding grace from ourselves or others is always the same--it's debilitating, and it's not our job.<br />
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"For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Peter+3%3A18&version=HCSB">1Peter 3:18a</a>). Jesus has already paid for every wrong, He did that at the cross, giving us the ultimate gift of grace and buying our freedom. "Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free." (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A36&version=HCSB">John 8:36</a>) In this world starving for grace, it is a mistake to withhold the greatest gift we have been given, even to withhold it from ourselves.<br />
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I want grace in my life, every day. I haven't been perfect. I've made more mistakes than I can remember and I know on my own, I can't do anything good. But I also know that I can't be willing to offer myself grace and not offer it to others. I know that I believe grace and Jesus are available to all, and I can't stop sharing that.<br />
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This season of life has been hard, but it has also forged a new understanding of grace. I am thankful for it and pray that I will carry it with me always, giving grace freely as long as I live.Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-77838629903768164872017-06-07T16:36:00.000-05:002017-06-07T16:36:29.279-05:00Get Off the Fence: Why Students Need You NowI started volunteering in high school ministry because of the leaders I didn't have. As a high school student, I couldn't help but notice the lack of interest in the youth group, particularly from the older generation. I remember feeling like people were scared of us, and wishing that more people cared. As a senior, I started helping to plan and run events, and when our youth pastor left, it cemented the realization that students desperately need leaders to show up consistently.<br />
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Over the past decade, I've made it a goal not just to be a volunteer leader, but to encourage others to volunteer or continue volunteering. It's not without its challenges, but working in student ministry is always, always worth it. If you're on the fence about it, here are three key components to consider.<br />
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<b>Show students that they matter<br /></b><br />
One of the biggest things volunteer leaders can do every week is often the simplest: just show up. Setting aside time from your life and schedule, arriving consistently and on time, and being present communicates something. It shows students that they are important, valuable, and that they matter. It shows that you are willing to invest the precious resource of your time into their lives.<br />
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No, you won't always hear people saying thank you, but over time, you will build something meaningful with your students. You will build reliability, and will show that you care. You will provide stability, and show that you are available, whenever your students need you.<br />
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These students, the next generation, they're not going to become the church once they reach adulthood. They are the church now. Students need to know that they are important co-laborers in the work that God is doing, and they need to know that they have a place. Consistent leadership helps reinforce their importance and their value. <br />
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<b>Teach the truth<br /></b> <br />
Students learn from a multitude of channels--their school, their parents, their friends, social media, and countless external sources. These channels can reinforce and teach the truth, or they can spin a tangled web of lies that can be overwhelming and impossible to navigate alone. Without a foundation of biblical truth, how can we expect students to determine what is true and what is not?<br />
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As a volunteer leader, you have an enormous opportunity and responsibility to guide students to the truth. And unfortunately, you can't always rely on other channels. Sometimes youth group is the only place where students will hear the truth about God, humanity, and our desperate need for Jesus. And sometimes, you may be the only person speaking truth into their life. It may seem daunting, but when faced with the reality of life apart from God, the work is well worth it. <br />
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<b>Create a legacy<br /></b><br />
As members of the church, we walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before us. The decisions and actions of older generations will always affect those who follow. As leaders within the church today, now is our time to decide what we will leave behind.<br />
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Will our season of church leadership be celebrated or mourned? Will we be known for how we led with godliness and truth, or for how we kept silent? Will we be remembered for uplifting the youth of our congregations, or will we be responsible for the loss of an entire generation within the church? It's our decision to make, but each of us will leave behind a legacy.<br />
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As a volunteer leader and member of the church body, you are actively creating a legacy for your students and the generations that follow. This is your opportunity to contribute to the history of the church, to build up the body, and to set an example for the students you lead.<br />
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Consider this your invitation to get off the fence, care for students, teach biblical truth, and create a lasting legacy. Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-10481428931868205432017-06-05T11:33:00.000-05:002017-06-05T11:33:59.094-05:00I'll Always Thank God for IowaLife is changing once again, in beautiful, painful, unignorable ways. I've come to learn that is how God works--He works in unexpected ways, in ways I often don't like, to move me to places I need to be. I think He does this because He knows I won't move on my own. Not without the slamming of doors, not without me kicking and screaming. Not until I realize that this is the only way.<br />
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God has taken me many places; I call it the nomad life. I don't think it's a life I would've chosen on my own, but the more I live it, the more thankful I am for it. It has brought me to more places and people than I ever would've known possible. It catches me off-guard at times, when I realize how spectacular it is to be in a place I never knew existed, colliding with the lives of people who never knew I existed.<br />
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The beauty of the nomad life exists in its painfulness--it is a kind of death that brings a new life. Something must end for something new to begin. I must leave behind people and places I have come to love in order to discover what awaits. As my time in Iowa ends, I can't help but reflect on this piece of my journey.<br />
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I tried everything not to live in Iowa. My family moved there, to Clinton, while I was in college. My first experiences of the state were on short visits and holiday breaks. After college, I tried to stay in Chicago, but cost of living quickly closed that door. Less than a year later, I tried to escape to Colorado and an idealized relationship. A year and a half later, dead ends, poor choices, and job loss left me with one alternative: return to Iowa.<br />
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Iowa became the place I called home for the next six years. It was undoubtedly a struggle at times, trying to find my place in a culture I couldn't relate to. I hadn't grown up in the Midwest, or lived on a farm, or even lived in a small town. But I met so many amazing people who became like family, who welcomed me in, and made Iowa my home.<br />
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My first Iowa family will always be the people of Clinton, particularly those from my church. They supported me through unemployment, the death of both of my grandfathers, my work at the Clinton Herald and my side photography business, my marriage to Nick, and our move to Iowa City. They opened their homes and their lives to a pastor's kid from Texas and made me part of the family.<br />
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The youth group in Clinton also helped solidify my love for youth ministry by allowing me to be a small group leader and occasional teacher. I will never forget those first students I was privileged to work with and know. It was truly an amazing experience to watch them grow up through the program, and to now see them as successful adults.<br />
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My second Iowa family has been forged through the past (almost) four years, after Nick and I relocated to the Iowa City area. Once again, a group of wonderful people welcomed us, made us feel at home, and gave us a family. We grew close to peers in our church, and the awesome group of young people who made up the youth group. Later, I would get an even bigger family through my job as I got to know and work with some of the best co-workers I've had.<br />
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I never could have guessed the bonds that would be born out of this family, a family that walked with us through many highs and lows. We have mourned together as we have experienced loss in many forms, and rejoiced at triumphs and answered prayers. We have journeyed to other states and countries, and cried on each others' couches. We've shared countless laughs and cups of coffee. We've challenged each other to grow, and shown up in the darkest of hours.<br />
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I will always thank God for bringing me to Iowa and giving me the family I found here. I wouldn't be who I am today without each person who became a brother or sister, grandparent, or child. And though God may be leading me elsewhere, I will carry my Iowa family in my heart, wherever the road may lead.Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-65404201189936651952017-01-21T22:12:00.000-06:002017-01-21T22:12:09.609-06:00Today: A Message to the Church<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s no surprise that our world is broken, it has
been for a very long time. Injustice, racism, hatred, and violence, are
nothing new. Humanity has done a great job of hurting itself for
centuries. But in these more recent days, the blatant
hatred and discord has made this reality even more obvious. I have
witnessed more and more people coming forward to speak out against the
wrongs, to share their experiences. And while each testimony of
experienced racism, hatred, and violence sickens and pains
me, I am thankful for those who are willing to raise their voices
against the wrong. Oh how this world needs an antidote to itself!</div>
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The good news is that we have one, and it is more
than time for the Church to rise up and share it! It is time for us to
be more vocal than we have been in recent generations, to speak truth,
not softly in our pulpits and homes, but loudly
in the streets. Because the truth is, there will be other loud voices,
speaking hatred and discord, speaking evil to our world. But we must
ring out louder, with actions and words of truth and love.
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Church, now is not the time to be silent. Now is
not the time to let others do the work for us. Now is not the time to
appeal to the masses, to bow to popular culture and the whims of the
world. Now is the time for Christ to be proclaimed
in word and in deed to the watching world that is so desperate for the
undiluted Gospel. These are the days that we have been preparing for
every time we sat through a sermon, memorized a verse, or practiced our
Gospel methods. The time is now.</div>
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I implore you, if you claim to follow Jesus, if you
call yourself a Christian, do not remain silent. When you see
injustice, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1:27&version=HCSB">fight it</a>. When you witness hate, confront it with Him who
calls Himself <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A16-20&version=HCSB">Love</a>. When you hear lies, speak the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A6&version=HCSB">Truth</a>
with boldness. Dust off your Bible and read it with earnest. Get on
your knees and pray for your communities, this country, and the world.
There is only one Antidote for this world, and you know Him by name.</div>
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Church, do not turn on yourself, do not tear
yourself down. Do not look to condemn those among you who are “too
liberal” or “too conservative,” who voted “wrong.” The Church is the
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+21%3A1-5%2C+9-11&version=HCSB">bride</a> of Christ and He loves it dearly. Do not think you
can spread hatred of the Church and not anger God. In all times and all
ways, the Church must pursue unity. It is a <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12%3A12-27&version=HCSB">body</a>, one that cannot
function without all parts working together in harmony. We must fight
for <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A1-6&version=HCSB">unity</a>. </div>
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Church, you are the hands and feet of Jesus. You do
not exist to sit comfortably in your pew with your coffee and a side of
condescension. You do not exist to stay in a bubble with those whose
views align with yours. And above all, you
do not exist to live a safe and prosperous life. In this world, you
will have trials. But you are called to face the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16:33&version=HCSB">trials</a>, to make <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28:18-20&version=HCSB">disciples</a>, to stand apart, and to do the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A38&version=HCSB">will</a> of the Father. I cannot wait to see what God does through willing and available hearts. </div>
Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-29881095551988847252017-01-01T15:51:00.000-06:002017-01-01T15:51:05.073-06:00Dressember 2016: Week 4 RecapHappy New Year 2017, friends!<br />
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I love this time of year, a fresh start, full of potential and new beginnings. I feel like I come alive with the excitement of all that a new year represents. Anything can happen when the slate is wiped clean, just waiting to be written on.<br />
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Oh my hopes for this new year.<br />
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First though, I want to recap the ending of Dressember 2016. Thank you, thank you, <i>thank you</i> to everyone who donated, who shared my posts on social media, who liked my photos, who wore dresses with me, who encouraged me and supported this journey. And thank you to those who plan to still give as we move into the new year. (Dressember and <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244">my fundraising page</a> will be open to receive donations through then end of January.)<br />
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As of writing this post, we have raised over $1,300 and growing (I still have to make my final contribution)! This is the most I have raised at the end of a Dressember campaign to date. It's so awesome to watch my fundraising total slowly grow. Combined I have had the opportunity to raise over $3,500 for Dressember. All because of you!<br />
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I cannot say enough how grateful I am for the outpouring of financial support. And while the money is going to something bigger--to fight human trafficking and uphold the dignity of others--I feel personally uplifted in my efforts each time a donation is made. So thank you, from me and from those who will be aided by your donations.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day 22</span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Total raised before day 22: $813<br />
Grand total: $813<br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">23</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $813<br />
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Day 23 was also "Ugly Christmas Sweater" day at work! :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">24</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $813<br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">25</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $813</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">26</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPnO6kNOCeQ/WGlxeExykJI/AAAAAAAAEvE/F7liD__5_ho-a_MteGKHygvt4M8PKA5gACLcB/s1600/IMG_3918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPnO6kNOCeQ/WGlxeExykJI/AAAAAAAAEvE/F7liD__5_ho-a_MteGKHygvt4M8PKA5gACLcB/s400/IMG_3918.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Amount donated on day 26: $21 <br />
Grand total: $834<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">2<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">7</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $834<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">28</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $834<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">29</span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Amount donated on day 29: $294 <br />
Grand total: $1,128<br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">30</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $1,128<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">3<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">1</span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Amount donated on day 31: $185 <br />
Grand total at the end of Dressember: $1,313<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/give/f787244/#!/donation/checkout">Donate now!</a> | <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244">Visit my Dressember Page</a></span></span></div>
Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-16155201128991926602016-12-30T17:21:00.000-06:002016-12-30T17:21:38.604-06:00Dressember 2016: Week 3 Recap + Last Chance to Give & ReceiveThere's only one day of Dressember left! I can't believe how quickly the month has flown by. I am so grateful for all the support I have received--from the 22 donors who have given to Dressember so far, to the ladies who have worn dresses with me.<br />
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If you haven't given to Dressember yet, please consider including it in your year-end charitable giving. It's tax-deductible and a secure process. Also, everyone who donates $10 or more <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244">to my campaign</a> by January 1, 2017, will receive a surprise gift! <br />
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During week three we passed the half-way point of my fundraising goal! Even more importantly, information about Dressember continued to spread. I am so excited every time I get to tell someone new about the campaign and why I'm participating.<br />
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A few years ago I wrote <a href="http://eliseloyola.blogspot.com/2014/11/i-support-dressember-for-girls-like-me.html">this post</a> before my first Dressember campaign and it's still true today. I participate in Dressember to be a voice for other girls, girls who don't have a voice or the ability to fight for themselves. Girls who have been easily overlooked and forgotten by society. Dressember is an opportunity to remind everyone that these girls exist and need our help.<br />
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If you know someone who hasn't heard about Dressember, please share my blog or <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244">my fundraising page</a>. I would also love to talk with anyone who has questions. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: inherit;">15</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $742<br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">16</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $742<br />
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My co-worker Kayla joined me in wearing a dress again today! <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">17</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $742<br />
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Day 17 and 18 were sick days. I still wore a dress and took a photo, just didn't include my face. :) <br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">18</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></span></span></div>
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Grand total: $742</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">19</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></span></span></div>
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Grand total: $742</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">20 </span>/ Team Tuesday</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Amount donated on day 20: $21 <br />
Grand total: $763<br />
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Today was my last "Team Tuesday" at work, at least for this year. This has been one of the best parts of Dressember--getting to do it with other ladies!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">21</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Amount donated on day 21: $50<br />Grand total: $813<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/give/f787244/#!/donation/checkout">Donate now!</a> | <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244">Visit my Dressember Page</a></span></span></div>
Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-44103299792143528042016-12-20T20:24:00.001-06:002016-12-20T20:24:11.584-06:00Dressember 2016: Week 2 Recap + Survivor StoryI apologize that my week two recap is getting published at the end of week three. Needless to say with all of the holiday activities, it's been a little busy. But thanks to a cold, I'm parked on the couch with some free time to finally get this post published!<br />
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Before I get into my recap, I wanted to share a survivor story with all of you. These stories paint a picture of what your donation to Dressember can do. It's not just money being thrown around, it's money changing lives.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Elsa's Story<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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If you want to describe a survivor of sex trafficking in one word, use Elsa’s: <i>Strong</i>.<br />
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Just to imagine the nightmare Elsa* lived will require strength. Night after night, men paid Elsa’s boss to take her away to their hotel rooms. They could do anything they wanted to her there.<br />
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“I was treated as a slave who was required to follow orders whether I liked it or not,” Elsa says. Now in her early twenties, she speaks with a confidence that shows remarkable resilience.<br />
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“I had a happy childhood because of my adventures with my brothers and friends,” Elsa shares.<br />
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Everything changed for Elsa when she was 12 years old. Her father died suddenly. Elsa was told the sickness was a curse. Her mother left. Elsa and her brothers moved in with aging grandparents who couldn’t afford both food and school.
So Elsa, the big sister, shouldered the responsibility and decided to make a way for herself and her little brother.<br />
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Amazingly, she managed to keep them both in school. She worked as a housekeeper, a janitor, a receptionist, a shop assistant—anything she could find. After high school graduation, she saw an opportunity to work as a nanny in Europe. This would allow her to support her family in ways she’d only dreamed of, but she needed a lump sum to offset the initial visa costs.
This is when the traffickers made their move.<br />
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You see, someone had been looking for Elsa. Not her, specifically, but any girl like her.
Commercial sexual exploitation is a profitable industry—upwards of $99 billion a year—and like any successful business, there’s a reliable model.
In cities and slums around the world, pimps and traffickers recruit girls who are alone and afraid —teens who are desperate, shouldering a massive financial burden all on their own slender shoulders. The more frayed the support system the better. This is what vulnerable means.<br />
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A bar owner offered Elsa a job that promised good pay to jump start a new future. Maybe this was the chance she had been waiting for—the way she could ensure her little brother would finish school.
So Elsa took the job. She was given a “uniform,” then made to dance for the customers. The girls took turns, half-hour shifts at a time.<br />
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Elsa explains:
“I wanted to sleep and rest... Mamasan [the manager] would come to me and tell me to approach, entertain, and even hug customers to give me drinks and take me out. Usually customers would take me out to accompany them to another bar, watch other girls dance, and get drunk. Others take me straight to their hotel and make me do things.”<br />
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The pain at night gave way to shame in the morning.
Traffickers often don’t need padlocks and bars to enslave young women like Elsa. They are clever businessmen who use loans and sham interest to trap girls in a cycle of debt. They are sly con-artists who propagate lies and prey on cultural stigma that makes girls feel guilty and ashamed for sexual behavior, that is in fact sexual abuse. They are hardcore criminals who will turn to physical violence if that’s what it takes.<br />
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In Elsa’s case, the bar managers used a complex system of fines and false debt to keep her and the other girls trapped there. She had to pay for everything—the skimpy uniform, the meals provided by the bar, even water. When a customer paid to take Elsa out of the bar and exploit her, Elsa got about $17, and the bar got $28. What Elsa didn’t know at the time was that the bar was under investigation for employing minors and coercing young women into commercial sexual exploitation.<br />
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Nearly three years ago, police staged an operation to arrest the suspects and free the victims. <a href="http://www.ijm.org/">IJM</a> staff were onsite to support the authorities and ensure Elsa and the 15 others rescued that night got immediate and expert crisis care.
But this is not where the story ends.<br />
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Elsa resisted help. For so long she had lived on her own, managed the pain and shame on her own. She even ran away from the aftercare shelter at one point.
But the IJM team that rescued her from the bar wasn’t going away because freedom seemed hard. Elsa’s social worker refused to give up, tracking down phone numbers of family members and even traveling to Elsa’s hometown to look for her.<br />
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Finally, Elsa responded to a text message. She said she wanted to try again. Soon after Elsa moved back into the aftercare home, she said she wanted to join the trial. “I thought of testifying to fight for my rights and speak of the truth. It was not my fault that I got there in the first place.”<br />
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Deciding to testify was a huge decision. It meant facing the traffickers once again. And in the Philippines, where courts are back-logged, it meant working up that courage multiple times only to show up and have the hearing postponed.
When Elsa finally took the witness stand, she was brave, direct and strong. The trial against the bar owner and two managers is ongoing.<br />
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Later we asked what she would want to tell the traffickers who hurt her: “My message for the bar owner and manager is: do not abuse women’s weaknesses, their desperation to find a job because of extreme need. Do not step on women’s dignity because it hurts. We are all the same; we are human, not objects nor animals that can be manipulated.”<br />
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You should see Elsa today.
She is now in her second year of college studying business administration. Her dream is to open an ice cream shop—a business that would give her independence and a way to care for her family.
Elsa is moving forward. Don’t miss the message she shared in her own words…<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*A pseudonym. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: inherit;">Eight</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Total raised before day 8: $726<br />
Amount donated on day 8: $16<br />
Grand total: $742<br />
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My co-worker Kayla joined me in participating in Dressember today! <br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Nine</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzCiXMU-5Pc/WFnj9vjoOQI/AAAAAAAAEs4/QmNZtRdStwk--yuBDe3VotdqeFo5vbAnQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzCiXMU-5Pc/WFnj9vjoOQI/AAAAAAAAEs4/QmNZtRdStwk--yuBDe3VotdqeFo5vbAnQCLcB/s400/IMG_3405.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $742<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">10</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $742<br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">11</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $742</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">12</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $742</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">13 </span>/ Team Tuesday</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BIXj6LdNyRM/WFnlh1Z0GdI/AAAAAAAAEtM/BgQPv26waZEMpH5M-jyGhFdTgzM9g8FBgCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BIXj6LdNyRM/WFnlh1Z0GdI/AAAAAAAAEtM/BgQPv26waZEMpH5M-jyGhFdTgzM9g8FBgCLcB/s400/FullSizeRender%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $742<br />
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One day a week my co-workers are joining me for "Team Tuesday." Those who want to participate wear a dress for Dressember. I love having these ladies join me!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Day <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">14</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />
Grand total: $742<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/give/f787244/#!/donation/checkout">Donate now!</a> | <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244">Visit my Dressember Page</a></span></span></div>
Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-558713353664162102016-12-07T22:05:00.001-06:002016-12-07T22:05:53.215-06:00Dressember 2016: Week 1 Recap + Giveaway ExtensionDressember 2016 is off to an amazing start! As I'm typing this post, we are only $24 away from the half-way point of my $1,500 goal! To celebrate this successful first week, I have decided to extend my art giveaway.<br />
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<b>Donate $20 or more </b><b><b>to <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244">my Dressember campaign</a></b> by 11 p.m. CST on Sunday, December 11, 2016,</b> and I will send you a piece of my "famous" brush lettering artwork! This has been a beloved thank-you item <a href="http://eliseloyola.blogspot.com/2015/12/dressember-art-giveaway.html">in the past</a>
and once again I will be creating these original works of art for my
donors. Each quote is selected and hand-painted by me, so you will be
receiving an original piece, not a print. <i>(All I need is your address so I can send your thank-you art on its way!)</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Your donation <span style="font-family: inherit;">will go toward funding the work of <a href="http://www.ijm.org/">International Justice Mission</a> and <a href="http://www.a21.org/">A21</a>, two <span style="font-family: inherit;">organizations fighting to <span style="font-family: inherit;">end human trafficking and restore dignity to those <span style="font-family: inherit;">rescued from slavery. Also, all donations are tax-deductible within the United States.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end of each week of
Dressember, I'll be posting a recap which will include photos and
information from each day. If you don't want to wait for the recap, you
can get daily updates and photos <span style="font-family: inherit;">by following me on Instagram <a href="http://instagram.com/MrsEliseMance">@MrsEliseManc</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://instagram.com/MrsEliseMance">e</a>.</span></span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Day One</span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />Total raised before day 1: $335<br />Amount donated on day 1: $50<br />Grand total: $385<br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day Two</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YwGW8xFUgNk/WEjUa9ikPEI/AAAAAAAAEro/0Of7W-bL05gnFbM39OM-EVlZPZM8enlGACEw/s1600/IMG_3141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YwGW8xFUgNk/WEjUa9ikPEI/AAAAAAAAEro/0Of7W-bL05gnFbM39OM-EVlZPZM8enlGACEw/s400/IMG_3141.JPG" width="236" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />Amount donated on day 2: $84<br />Grand total: $469<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Day Three</span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />Amount donated on day 3: $100<br />Grand total: $569<br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day Four</span></span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />Grand total: $569</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Day Five</span></span><br /></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />Amount donated on day 5: $127<br />Grand total: $696</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Day Six / Team Tuesday</span></span><br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PIG0IcgXqGQ/WEjXw89aBqI/AAAAAAAAEsE/zPB_oaoiD3UuaoQX08r-IJxdBeznX8qzwCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PIG0IcgXqGQ/WEjXw89aBqI/AAAAAAAAEsE/zPB_oaoiD3UuaoQX08r-IJxdBeznX8qzwCLcB/s400/FullSizeRender%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />Grand total: $696<br /><br />One day a week my co-workers are joining me in wearing dresses for Dressember. We've dubbed these days "Team Tuesdays." It is so great having these ladies join me!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Day Seven</span></span><br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAekACq7D_k/WEjYM238mWI/AAAAAAAAEsI/5sXV34kPLZ4m-AztwwhKFSVab1ArhucbACLcB/s1600/IMG_3310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAekACq7D_k/WEjYM238mWI/AAAAAAAAEsI/5sXV34kPLZ4m-AztwwhKFSVab1ArhucbACLcB/s400/IMG_3310.JPG" width="258" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Fundraising Stats</span><br />Amount donated on day 7, at the time of publication: $30<br />Grand total: $726<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/give/f787244/#!/donation/checkout">Donate now!</a> | <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244">Visit my Dressember Page</a><br /></span></span></div>
Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386172176969849483.post-6376233205919502342016-11-28T19:01:00.002-06:002017-07-28T09:36:12.666-05:00Dressember 2016 Kick-Off + GiveawaysDressember 2016 kicks off in just two days! I can't believe it's almost here. As I look to this next month, I am excited for what's ahead, and I'm hopeful that many of you will help me make this Dressember a great one.<br />
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<a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244"><img alt="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244" border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DstI_B8YOZQ/WDzBL5nRW_I/AAAAAAAAEpM/pf7QmWeFUYojGs7-PzZjiuhHJ36uvQELwCEw/s400/FullSizeRender%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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Dressember happens because of generosity. Because people believe in a cause and give what they can to make it happen. As I'm typing this post, Dressember donors have already given a combined <b>$70,000</b> to the cause. That's 70k to fight human trafficking, to restore the lives of victims, and to prosecute those who make a living on exploiting the powerless.<br />
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I know during this time of year, money can be tight. But I also know that this season encourages us to be generous with what we have. It doesn't take a lot to make a difference. You don't have to give the largest amount of money to take a stand. Any amount you give goes toward the ongoing work of anti-slavery organizations <a href="http://www.ijm.org/">International Justice Mission</a> and <a href="http://www.a21.org/">A21</a>. No amount is too small to be a voice for those who have none.<br />
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I am asking for your help to kick off Dressember 2016 well. Help me get started on the right foot as we head into the month of December. And to say thank-you for your generosity, I have some special giveaways. <i>(All I need is your address so I can send your thank-you item on its way!)</i><br />
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<b>Donate $30 or more to <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244">my Dressember campaign</a> on Giving Tuesday (November 29, 2016)</b> and I will send you one of my mini splatter paint journals! I have eight of these cuties to give away, and they make a great little gift for the journaler or artist in your life.<br />
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<a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244"><img alt="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244" border="0" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Mm1c2yQVWM/WDzFwDSQrpI/AAAAAAAAEpY/U9FdUi8eF-MNzCT88tpufwCw9HXSf8VDwCLcB/s320/IMG_9877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Each one-of-a-kind, hand painted, 3.5 x 5.5" Moleskine journal is filled with 64 pages of blank paper with 16 perforated sheets at the back. Each features a flexible navy, black, or grey cardboard cover and back pocket for lose papers. The front with be adorned with a fun splatter paint design in a surprise color! The small size fits easily into a pocket, purse, or backpack and is easy to take on-the-go.<br />
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<b>Donate $20 or more </b><b><b>to <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244">my Dressember campaign</a></b> during the first week of Dressember (December 1-7, 2016)</b> and I will send you a piece of my "famous" brush lettering artwork! This has been a beloved thank-you item <a href="http://eliseloyola.blogspot.com/2015/12/dressember-art-giveaway.html">in the past</a> and once again I will be creating these original works of art for my donors. Each quote is selected and hand-painted by me, so you will be receiving an original piece, not a print.<br />
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<a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244"><img alt="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244" border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1zavEveRKM/WDzLEimrc4I/AAAAAAAAEpk/hzCOENBM3a4vVv9o2apIrE__GLpPBQVkQCLcB/s320/brush%2Blettering_small%2Bthings.jpg" width="256" /></a><a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244"><img alt="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244" border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--z0a0A5as88/WDzMAhue9xI/AAAAAAAAEps/-VocPHd5_1Iv50VftwgigIUAQJm66tAxQCLcB/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
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<b>Be one of the first 10 donors to give $10 or more to <a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244">my Dressember campaign</a></b> and you will receive a limited-edition thank-you card featuring one of the images from my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/dressembercollection/">#DressemberCollection</a> of photographs. These images are also available for purchase, with proceeds going to Dressember. Please <a href="http://eliseloyola.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_31.html">contact me</a> directly if you are interested.<br />
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<a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244"><img alt="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244" border="0" height="388" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R4X_gsyZqFc/WDzNAQPnRII/AAAAAAAAEp0/Kv9By8os4IQtKgNiYNZLJk5_S4l7YaArQCLcB/s640/IMG_2526.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244"><img alt="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraiser/787244" border="0" height="548" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-STtv1L-6BVs/WDzOxQ_AqCI/AAAAAAAAEqA/Xq7DdzhA9_QFjoTguWKRrgSKFYrtxD9yACLcB/s640/IMG_2804.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I will be sharing my Dressember Collection on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mrselisemance/">my Instagram account</a> throughout the campaign. My hope is that the images will cause viewers to reflect on the differences between young people who are free, and young people who are not free. All are deserving of the best life possible--full of dignity, vibrancy, and autonomy--and that is something worth fighting for.<br />
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Please consider what you can give to my Dressember campaign. Simply click the link below to donate. Thank you for your consideration and support. Let's do this!<br />
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<a href="https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/give/f787244/#!/donation/checkout"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Donate now</span></span></a></div>
Elise Loyola Mancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197083279588195058noreply@blogger.com0