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!)

Ya Basta!

To continue the list of great organizations, campaigns, causes and charities, I must tell you about this one. It is not in "English", but it is for everyone. Before I introduce you to this organization let me just say: Props to a fully prayer-based, SPANISH-speaking, eye-opening organization. 

Photo obtained from www.yabastausa.org

      This organization is opening the eyes and making aware an entire Spanish-speaking culture of the world we live in now. YA BASTA!  is composed of world-changers, prayer warriors, mainly college students in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. They are taking the gospel view into our world today. They are opening the eyes of the church to subjects like Human Trafficking, Prostitution, Sexual Abuse, Pornography, Abortion, Homosexuality (that it is rarely discussed in Hispanic communities, but a real struggle and battle in our society today). This organization is not passive towards the battle against these, starting off with prayer. 

    Ignorance may be have been bliss for the past generations, but I have encountered the effects of it in mine. Many times I have heard that a culture cannot be changed, unless the culture decides to change itself. Meaning, it is the individual transformation that leads to an impacting change to an entire culture. So I believe that, although it is a greatly corrupted society we live in, there's individuals standing up for what it is morally right. Standing up for morals, godly morals, period. This organization has been a loud-speaker for these and impacting an entire culture. YA BASTA! has partnered with associations like Pozo de Vida, Traffick 911, and have been active in Pro-Life activities. They also have an innovative program that has freed people from the great battle of pornography (Pasos A La Libertad/ Steps to Freedom).
This organization is fully aware that these aren't just statistics or made up numbers. These are people found in hopelessness, blinded by or slaved to the philosophy of a selfish world, in need of freedom. And some of these people could be your sister, your brother, your father, your cousin, or you. 

If you are Hispanic, speak Spanish, or know someone that does, I'm asking that you share about this organization. They need your help! Although a lot of their informational workshops have been held in Mexico, you can help them spread knowledge through the entire Hispanic community here in the United States and many more countries. Visit their website. Stay up to date on Facebook. Or follow them on Twitter. Watch them and about them on YouTube.

I'm all for organizations that are passionate about much needed change, taking initiative, and standing on prayer. And even more so because it is reaching out to my very own. 

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: because you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children." Hosea 4:6. Another version says, "My people have been silent, because they had no knowledge..." Once you know it is up to you to take action. 

Estefania. 

Please Check out my campaign, http://mycharitywater.org/estefania-21 

Ps. They're actually having a Car Wash on September 29 to raise donations for Traffick911 
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=403893523009429&set=a.142849039113880.29902.100001663550062&type=1&theater

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.

A21

Keeping it short and simple (impossible):

This cause speaks volumes. It speaks FREEDOM. It represents millions of  hearts mending due to corruption, brokenness, injustice and evil of this world.

A21 (Abolishing injustice in the 21st Century) does more than stand in the gap for those being forced into human trafficking, they are getting their hands dirty. The rising number in human trafficking represents, it takes life, in the numerous victims. Some of these precious women are suffering every hour, "servicing" an ongoing clientele. In reality: raped, forced to have sex for money, addicted to drugs, deceived, mistreated, used, broken. Under a great INJUSTICE.

This campaign opened my eyes to a million captivating stories. Stories that belonged to girls like me. My age. With families. I grasped that their story was their reality. A hard, cruel, evil reality. Their reality was hopelessness, but through A21 their lives were transformed. A21 works with preventing human trafficking (due to so many factors in society, such as poverty, but still inexcusable). They also take in and help the victims overcome their fears, their past, their hopelessness, their brokenness, their slavery, and bringing them FREEDOM. They bring HOPE.


 If you are a women, understand that your value is great. Many try to undermined it. Many try to ignore it. Many try to make it disappear. But rather, it is mean to be admired and appreciated. Yet, we will never capture the reality of this suffering if not encountered and faced. Help fight. 
Please, take some of your time to read about the reality of our society today. Please, take sometime to get informed about such injustice. Take some time and tell your friends about it. Take sometime and check their apparel out. Here's 21 ways you can HELP! http://www.thea21campaign.org/21-ways-to-help.php

On October 18, 2012, (International Anti-Slavery Day), YOU can join them (and I!) in raising awareness of the facts by simply wearing a key. Get to their website and join me!!


Facing reality being aware of others' reality,

Estefania