For Freedom - A Covers EP

For Freedom by Jenny and Tyler drops on November 12, 2013 or 11/12/13 if that's easier to remember. It is a beautiful little album full of a variety of covers. And, something especially dear to my heart, all the proceeds will go to organizations fighting human trafficking.

One of the things I really love about this album is that they stayed faithful to the original works. Their talent shines through, but they didn't do away with the strong frame that had already been created. I don't believe any of the original artists would be offended by these covers. It comes across, to me, as a lovely gift, honoring the creativity of the originals.

I've been a little surprised at my favorite song. For a couple of days I simply could not make up my mind, but I've found myself returning to We Will Become Silhouettes. I haven't really put my finger on why. It just grabs me. I thought it would be I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For because I'm a huge U2 fan and Sara Groves does an excellent job with Jenny and Tyler and a gigantic virtual choir. And, JJ Heller nails Dreams. All the songs are exquisite.

Here's the list:
Tonight, Tonight (feat. Levi Weaver)
The Scientist
Dreams (feat. JJ Heller)
We Will Become Silhouettes (Remastered)
The Sound of Silence (Remastered)
What A Wonderful World
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (feat. Sara Groves)

I first met Jenny and Tyler a little over a year ago. I wasn't familiar with their music, hadn't seen them perform, but we had a short conversation and I was very impressed with their kindness and sincerity. Immediately, I checked out their music and then saw them in concert a month or so later. I found them to be delightful in recordings, on stage, and in person. And, their passion for the hurting touches me greatly.

So, when For Freedom comes out on 11/12/13, I encourage you to purchase it. You won't be disappointed.

Hard to imagine

Some things are just hard to imagine. Living in the middle of a red-light district is one of them. The fact that there is a designated red-light district is hard to imagine. But, it is a grim reality in a lot of the world.

It makes me happy that Missions in Action called it the slavery that it is. These women are trapped and their children become trapped. My heart broke for those kids, because I know the ones that don't get help soon will be sucked into the same nightmare their mothers are in.



As you can see in the video, Compassion is reaching out to these children. You can take part. Just follow the steps at the end of the video.

Change a life.

Sitting down and talking with Chap Stique

My interview with Chap Stique is here. No, I do not call him that in real life. I think that would be just way too weird.

For those of you that aren't Chappy fans - the nickname comes from the fact that he is "addicted" to lip balm. I don't call him Chappy either.

And, once again, he is married.

This post led to the one about him being married.

Why did I feel the need to type all of the above? I have no idea.

I was very excited to find out he is involved with Blood:Water Mission and Free The Slaves.

Don't know if anyone's has noticed, but slavery and poverty really push my buttons.

So, I thank my friend for helping get the word out about two very heartbreaking issues and some ways people are trying to tackle the problems.

I'm not crazy about shopping

I'm not really crazy about shopping, like at the mall. It's not something I consider fun. (Flea Markets and thrift stores, that's a whole 'nother story.) Haven't always felt this way. In the past I had no problem spending hours in a mall. I'm not really even sure when the change took place. Maybe it was around the time I starting realizing I didn't need all that much, nor did my kids. Maybe it was around the time I starting realizing where clothes were made. Maybe it was around the time I started realizing that much of the stuff I was admiring was being made by people forced to work in horrible, dangerous conditions. Not really sure. It's probably a combination of a lot of things.

My friend and I were talking the other day about her struggle to find a baby gift she knew came from an honorable company. She was going to start researching companies for her future purchases. Shaun Groves wrote a few years ago about searching for blue jeans that were fair trade and organic. That made me search. There are good companies out there who are honorable in their business practices. It costs more to buy from them sometimes, but I would rather spend more money, than wear or use something made by a slave or an abused person. Or, simply go without.

Anyone who knows me in real life can tell you I'm not a fashionista. Most of the time I really don't care. Now, I usually know how to dress appropriately for a situation or I call a friend and ask for help. A lot of times I like to be different in some little way, which gets an eyebrow raised now and then. I went through a boring time in my life where I played it safe and was constantly freaked out about what I was going to wear. Not so much anymore. Some years ago I decided to have some fun, which is where the not caring comes in.

I'm getting more and more into altering pieces of clothing to have more of a "me" style. I get a hoot out of repurposing pieces and upcycling stuff. It helps my creative side. I love to hand stitch things. It helps me with stress. And it works nicely with my dislike of shopping.

So, all that to say that I'm going on a little adventure where I'm going to try to not make any purchases without knowing if the supply chain is pure and I'm going to be getting less stressful by creating a lot of my own stuff. Don't how it will all turn out or how I will record it. Since only a couple of people read this, maybe they will throw some ideas my way.

My quirky little store

I would love to have a quirky little store. I think I really would. There's a few things that keep me from opening a quirky little store. I have no business skills or knowledge and I have no money with which to open a store. And, I really think those are valid reasons not to have one.

But, if I had one I would want it to have French flea market finds, because I love France and I love flea markets. Put the two together = extra special.

Also, I would want it to have lots of handmade, re-purposed items like the ones my cousins make. Gorgeous stuff! Quirky, chippy, usable, well-worn = LOVE IT!

And folk art. I'm crazy about folk art. Stick me some place full of folk art and I start drooling. Like Yard Dog or House of Blues.

I wouldn't want to have a store just to have a store. The drive behind my store would be to fight slavery and to support the organizations that have homes for the people rescued from the horrors of slavery. Those rescued need huge amounts of support to get on their feet and be safe from getting drug back into slavery. The brave souls providing this physical and emotional support need support.

The store's purpose would be to support organizations that have real, practical, smart programs to end extreme poverty and slavery. So it would be stocked with fair trade items like coffee, chocolate, clothing, jewelry, art, etc...

But, like I said, I don't have the skills or money to make my quirky little store a reality. So, what I can do is tell you about some of the organizations my quirky little store would support.

Love146
Faceless International
Polaris Project
International Justice Mission
Free The Slaves
Trade As One
Not For Sale
Abolish Slavery Coalition

Kay Warren said in a piece for start> that she used to be a nice person, but she didn't feel nice now that she knew of the horrors of AIDS sufferers. She became "seriously disturbed" by their pain. She couldn't be quiet. And I knew exactly what she was talking about.

That's how I feel about slavery. I come across as fanatical at times. I can't stop talking about it. It hangs on me. It hurts my heart. Sometimes people think I'm joking about my passion for fair trade coffee, chocolate, sugar and clothing. Nope, I'm not. I'm serious as a heart attack. I don't want to knowingly participate in the slave industry or abuse those in extreme poverty. When I ask where those t-shirts are manufactured and if they are legit, I'm dead serious.

So, if it seems I spend a lot of time talking about slavery or it seems like I'm staring at you extra hard when I'm discussing it with you, that's because I am.

Wow, that got serious.

I get twitchy about slavery

Some people know I get a little twitchy about modern-day slavery. I get twitchy when people talk about pre-Civil War slavery and try to justify it. Slavery, all around makes me twitchy. It makes me grit my teeth and squint my eyes and twitch.

I never really thought much about modern-day slavery until I saw it with my own eyes. It made me want to throw up. I will never get those images out of my head.

Sometimes I get overcome by urges to make something with my hands. Usually it happens when I'm stressed. There is something about pouring myself into creating that calms me. Most of the time whatever it is that is asking me to make it gets completely hand sewn. I like the folk artsy look of hand sewn items and I feel more connected with the item. And, some of the time, I've screwed up a knob here or there on the machine and can't use it.

What in the heck does that have to do with slavery? Well, I decided to put some of the quirky dolls on Etsy. Since I make them with mostly recycled, found objects all of the adoption fees go to Faceless International.

Faceless International aims to defend the plight of exploited people worldwide who have gone faceless and unknown for far too long. We exist to raise awareness about social issues happening throughout the global community. We provide first hand experience and education through trips around the world and solution-based opportunities through regional resources.

Each doll has a story that they tell me as I'm making them. Sometimes a picture or person inspires their beginning or helps it develop as we move along.

Each are very simple and unique. I'm pretty sure I couldn't make two alike if I wanted to.

Some are safe for young children. Some are not.

All are perfect for people with weird tastes and/or personalities. That is why I love them.

My shop is called lovemercy.

Faceless International - Be The Change

Faceless International is up for an Impact Award!

"If we get the most votes between now and April 1 – we will have enough money to build a much needed school in Southern India – and be able to send teams there to help the locals with the construction! This area of India is in a tough location – they were hit by the tsunami a few years ago, and it is an area where human trafficking is very prevalent." Lori Lenz (my friend and board member)

Those of you that have a Myspace account make your vote count now.

Myspace.com/impactawards

Slavery is not something I have ever been able to wrap my head around. I don't understand how anyone could ever think it was or is okay. Even as a child it freaked me out. Of course, as a child I only knew about the slavery of the past. It wasn't until I witnessed it with my own eyes that I realized the horror continued and was accepted as normal by many people. And my horror grows as I learn that many, many of the items we purchase here in the states are made in whole or part by slaves.

Faceless International has a great website full of detailed information and good links.

So, to quote from one of my favorite movies,

"Here, educate yourself."
Pleakley in Lilo and Stitch

What Does Your Grocery Store Look Like?

Does it look like this?

Compassion International Dominican Republic Festival Video 2 from Shaun Groves on Vimeo.

Can you watch this without your heart breaking? Will this video run through your head during your next trip to the grocery store or when you are reaching for a bag of sugar?

Sex Trade and Children

Have tissue ready as you click to read this post by Amy. It is not easy to read, but it needs to be read, passed on, and acted on by every person that reads it.

If you want to learn more about modern day slavery, check out these sites:
International Justice Mission
Not For Sale
Free The Slaves