2 for 1

A "Two Birds, One Stone" situation (horrible, don't go around killing birdies! Or I'll find you).

 I hope to shine some light towards this season of elections, and encourage you to make the wise choice of sticking to your gut and what you believe. 

    While we prepare to vote, the media seems to make it harder and harder time after time. Sometimes putting physical appearance, relational connections, stature and personal matters of each candidate as a priority, that honestly affect and blur our opinion whether we like it or not. I recommend that individually we look at their agendas, place our priorities as individual and as a country, and choose those who stand for what you believe. I don't believe in standing on a party alone, but rather looking at what the people around them (working for them) are doing. A lot of time it is not necessarily the candidate's words, but what his public relations committee would like him to say or appear to be. They want to please the people and say what you or majority of this country want to hear. Thus, if you know you disagree with the position each candidate takes on matters that are very important to you, make your case (explore, get informed, ask around you), but don't refuse to vote. I suggest you keep in mind the next generation coming behind you, and how they will be facing our decision today. Remember that we form our government, it is up to us to choose. (And not for them to tell us what to do.) 

So with that being said, what are some topics you should keep in mind? (And take a stance on!)

This is BOUND4LIFE (http://bound4life.com/), an organization that stands up for life (or against abortion). Life is a gift, not a curse. The future victims of this crime (killing innocent babies) could get a chance by the way you vote. Abortion has been a "touchy" subject since the day it became allowed. In my opinion, it is that way because of all the emotional chaos attached to the word. It is also rooted in selfishness and increasing in revenue every passing moment. I think that life is life, given by God and not allowed to be taken away by us. (In NO circumstance). Thus, abolishing abortion is not taking away a right or our choice. 
I encourage you to take up the responsibility to do what's right for the world. Do not be intimidated by the big words, the super-knowledgeable people or the constant oppressors that may stand against what you believe. For a long time, I really thought I was uninformed on subjects like this one to speak up. (And I still don't know a lot on it). I do know that I can't just know a little bit and still do nothing. And many, many organizations are not passive when it comes to letting everyone else know. 
Here are some links to movements/organizations standing up for millions of unborn babies:

http://backtolifemovement.com/

http://www.whyprolife.com/

http://www.operationrescue.org/

http://www.everylifeisbeautiful.com/

Do take consideration for the people that have been part of this or know women that have had an abortion, and choose to love them. A lot of times, in hopelessness and in desperate times, we long for someone to shine some light and bit of hope, and you could be it. There is help and options, but abortion is not one of them. 
  

I believe this is a battle for my generation and generations to come. Get informed! 

One more thing, I also recommend you watch the movies "180" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y2KsU_dhwI&feature=youtube_gdata_player)  and "October Baby" (http://octoberbabymovie.net/)  
(Do it!! :) Please!)

“Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:9)

The foundation of my values is Truth, and it is the base of my stance in this matter. 

Pray and stick to your gut as you vote, 
Estefania. 

Girl Talk?

I want to share with girls some of the encouraging websites I visit from time to time. They have been encouraging and have challenged me in my walk with God. These also have some good advice on topics I might not have been bold enough to ask about...

Captured. (http://www.iamcaptured.org/)

This is definitely a website with some great pointers on life for young women like me. Especially on areas that affect our every day life, such as relationships. They give multiple point of views, and just fantastic encouragement. I truly look up to the founder of it, Laura Allred. I could not have found a more inspiring, godly women directing to women and standing up for life. She is also the founder of Back To Life that has hit big all over the news this year. She's definitely a world changer I look up to.


Love&Respect Now. (http://loveandrespectnow.com/)

If you're looking for some spunk in your life, you need this. Although it reaches a wide spectrum of subjects, recently this has been my "relationships advice" go-to. I learned a lot on how to handle situations and it kind of broke many myths I had on relationships. It is easy to grasp and most importantly it is the truth. I have received answers to so many questions, and if you email them, they will respond to you! I just love how Joy (the funny girl in the videos!) is so honest, transparent, and has opened up this subject to our generation!


Crowned With Purpose. (http://crownedwithpurpose.com/)

I read this blog on and off, but it has been a great up lifter in the area of prayer for me. It really has been a helpful tool when it comes to making bold prayers and just increasingly standing in faith. I admire Dr. Iris Delgado as a writer, a mother, and a woman of God. I have heard her testimony, have seen her life pretty close and I have watched her as she shares the liberating love of God to many, many women. I definitely love her writing, her family and her very much.


Girlfriends in God. (http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/)

This is the website where I get my daily devotionals. I love the way they relate to women and our daily lives. God has definitely used these amazing women to speak to me through the devo's. When I need it the most, God has spoken. I recommend every lady I know to sign up for their daily devotionals. They are very encouraging, and they have also helped me meditate on God's word throughout the day.



Check them out! :)


Estefania

(Oh, I purposely used a picture of piano keys instead of keyboard keys! They're keys!)

Rough Week: It's the little things.

"In my attempt to sound sophisticated as I complain, I won't even try." (This is actually the first thing that 'pop'ed into my head as I tried to explain my rough week). Instead of talking about my very random, not-so-great week, I'm gonna tell you about some of the stuff I'm truly grateful for! 

One, my family (this is not a list, by the way. I don't know why I started with 'one'). During this week they have brought nothing but laughs into my life... (Really, really grateful for laughs. Especially when you think you really won't be able to laugh again or just can't laugh).

Definitely coffee. It is tasty. It wakes me up. It is just a delicious magic potion. Yes, I'm grateful for coffee. 

Good reads. Stuff that make you wonder and definitely take you places by just reading... (Mind-blowing stuff man!) Grateful for that!  

The World Wide Web. The infinite amount of information at your fingertips. CRAY-CRAY! (I don't ever use that phrase for crazy, but it seemed appropriate. I also don't think you'll ever hear me say it... but never say never, right?!) Anyhoooo, grateful for that! (And Facebook?!) 

Friends. Those that are happy to feed you (not literally feed you, but get food for you) once in awhile. Thanks! 

I want to give a special mention to sports. NFL, you're killing me (your amazing ref's have been the jokes of the week).  >.< Maybe that is not a nice thing to say... (even if everyone knows it). Grateful for sports! (Watching my brother play football is just a plus!)

Music. Music. Music. Best form of expression ever. I personally can't play or sing to save my own life, but trying to figure it out as I "touch" the piano is FUN. Definitely grateful for pianos. (I was probably lost in a piano room with no track of time three times this week, and I loved it!) Grateful for cheerful songs, inspiring lyrics, and their composers. 

(Oh man, and the Composer of composers. Seriously, the One who knows what my souls needs. That's where all my praise goes to!) 

I love birds. Grateful for them too!

**If you know me, you would know that I am truly grateful for these things and there is no sarcasm found  in it... (I figured some would think I was being sarcastic, considering the NFL comment). 



I'll leave you with this today (something I need to take in myself): 

Love life; what comes with it and what surrounds it. Smile; to yourself now (look how far you've come), to the past (the person you use to be; with no bitterness) and to the future (your dreams). Fly; soar through your imagination with anticipation of encountering greatness. Let it go; trust God. (Anything that keeps you down, preventing you to look further, to fly higher, let it go. God can handle it.) Hope. Hope for the best always. 


If you know who you are and what you want, things and circumstances can't change that. Only what you choose to change about you will. 


Love LOVE, 

Estefania <3

Please visit my campaign: http://mycharitywater.org/estefania-21  Thanks!

Charity: Water

I know I took a little break from posting about amazing organizations, causes, charities and such. So today, I'm going to tell you about the coolest thing. An opportunity to give like no other. And for this I'm giving up my birthday!!! (Super Stoked!!) 


        First, let me introduce you to Charity: Water. This organization radically does the impossible to take clean (drinkable) water to millions. There are about 8 million people that cannot access clean water on the earth today. Therefore, it is a major factor in the many deaths of infants and horrible diseases in adults all over Africa. 
       By providing clean water, many of these children will have the opportunity to attend school (instead of being sick or traveling to get water) and women can be involved in the community and usual home responsibilities (instead of walking long miles and putting themselves in danger of horrible assaults). 



        So, I'm giving up my birthday. No birthday celebration (actually, it is bigger than that!). I am asking YOU for an amazing favor. Instead of getting me a gift (if you were planning to or not;), I am asking that YOU would please donate $21 (since I am turning 21), or any amount you can, to this lovely organization!!! 
Here's where you can go and do so: 

Go to my campaign: http://mycharitywater.org/estefania-21

I really can't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday, so join me! 

B.T.W (by the way!!!): There's only ten day 'till my birfffday! 
Thank you!! 

Estefania <3 

PS. If you donate to this campaign and any other charity or organization I have mentioned, please email me that you've done so! THANKS!! 

Going in Circles

    

   Usually, I follow a rigid routine. I wake up, take siblings to school or work. Come home and get ready for work. Work. Pick up siblings. Gym or church. Dinner and back to sleep. Usually. 

This past week I had the privilege to attend a one of a kind conference. Circles Conference 2012. The conference took place at the Palace Theater, Grapevine, Tx (too lovely!!). And it was all put together by the amazing Creative Director, Ismael Burciaga. 

I was definitely blown away by the greatness of these minds I got to be surrounded by. (I was a little bit starstruck) Truth is, it was not just helpful, but beyond inspiring. Each and every one of the speakers had something just so key to the life of a creative. And each night was a battle with sleep as I digested such an amazing day. 

This is (from right to left) Kyle Steed (plus dot com), Cory Staudacher (http://withheartsablaze.com/), and Sean (http://seanwes.com/) and then me! 

And this is Ryan Rushing. (http://ryan-rushing.com/) !!! 

The amazing Ish! 

I had such a blast, especially meeting new people!

Estefania.