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. 

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!! 

Invisible Children

Look up them up! www.invisiblechildren.com

Invisible Children. I remember sitting in my Geometry class when the teacher announced that we had a special day planned for us. (Field trip in high school?! What?! Not really.) The day included meeting in the conference room were we would watch a movie. (I attended a school were each class was an hour and a half long, so that was made possible often!) Of course, a lot of my classmates and I were not expecting what was about to display before our eyes.

They introduced the film with brief words because they knew the film spoke for itself. And it did.

This is the story of a group of guys who were searching for an adventure. When they got there, they were faced with the story of a young boy that represented just about a million more like himself. Children that hid every night. That slept in fear. Children that were not allowed to be children. No place to truly rest. Always on the run. They ran from the Lord’s Resistance Army or LRA. The LRA is an army formed in opposition of the government, led by Joseph Kony. The war against this group of people has been the longest war in the continent of Africa. Alone it has caused the death of millions of people, captured and forced children to kill, and have sold many girls into sex slavery.



Living out the reality of the children there, they could not keep quiet. They also had proof, and that made it possible for the rest of us to see the reality of the children in Uganda.

At the end of the film, my heart was broken and my face covered with tears. (The video posted is not the film, just an informative announcement from their website. But Y'all should go watch it!!)

After that moment, I joined student council. This group of students in my school made it possible to raise awareness for the years to follow. We were able to donate a lot of books for the schools they had built. And we were also able to see the schools we had sponsored for the children recuperating.


Now, this war isn't over. Joseph Kony is still committing crimes left and right and continues to feed off the fear of the children. They've made pretence of peace, but plan for genocide.
What you can do is make yourself aware of this. Recently, they made a big multimedia movement. And  I could see that until the day they saw it in their social network page, not a lot of people knew that this was going on.  I ask that you take time and get informed. And if it is in you to help, help financially. But spread the word. Watch the films. Buy the shirts. Post it on Facebook. Tweet about it. PRAY about it.

This is not only a cause or a movement of peace, but it is an organization (that is a group people like you and I) laying down their life for another group of people.


Get informed, don't just take my word for it.

Estefania

(The links will take you to their website, where you can find more information.)

Fashion Forward

 Around two weeks ago, I came across a lovely clothe line that definitely styled with a cause! A greater reason to look great! This is Sevenly.

  If I had the money, I probably would be spending it all here! (I know, who wouldn't?!) I recommend EVERYONE to check them out and ally with them as they help those in need of it. 

Following this post I will be posting some of my favorite causes, charities, and movements I have been a part of and/or some that I have been really close to my heart. Causes that I've followed and prayed for awhile now and causes that need your help financially. And if you can't, please be another voice to get the word out there. Many people just aren't aware of what's happening outside their four walls. With all the multimedia out there, we cannot be kept silent. Although not considered much, spreading information is a vital part of change by making others aware.  


Fight for a good cause, 

Estefania <3  

Countdown Beats Me

Quick and fast update.

You don't know this, (of course not, unless you're part of my family reading this (and I guess you're about to find out...)), but on all seriousness (or not so much) I have no MacBook Pro until I get a charger. Apple refused to take it in saying it was considered "physical damaged" (so cool) and was not covered. Umph! So, now I need to get a charger... Which they sell for $79 plus taxes. Boo.
This is actually not the first time it breaks! The charger really is super sensitive to anything. (In fact, it is the third time it stops working.)

Well, with that being said... I have tons to post and not enough time to get them typed. I am racing against the countdown. And well the countdown is beating me (haha, it'd be funny for that phrase to be literal).** I have 23 day until my birthday and I have only posted 3 entries. Wow. I need to post a little more often. You might see two posts in one day.

Also, I want to announce to all that I did have a couple of sick days in between, and as much as I tried, I couldn't get myself out of the bed. But I am healthy now! Thanks to prayers and an amazing nurse, my momma!

If you have any requests on what you would like to see as a post, let me know! I've sorted out topics, but could use some input from those who want to give it...

Awesomeness, racing against time, here I go,

Estefi :)

**I amuse myself easily...

(First picture from http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?tag=social-media)

(Second picture is a file from masterfile.com)

Post Numero Dos

I told y'all I would keep up! (Yes, I use y'all on a daily basis. Yes, I live in Texas.  Yes, I believe in myself.)



Recently, I started to work out again. It is a pain. First, you should  know my background on this "working out" thing. Although I look so  not athletic, in my opinion, I grew up in sports until high school. Actually, my dad is to blame for that. He use to be a professional baseball player in Mexico. (I like sharing that part...) At the age of, well since I could remember, I was placed in gymnastics. That was until I turned ten Then, at that age, I was placed in cheer leading for a few years. (Yes, I do believe cheer leading is a sport. We seriously practiced more than the players.) After that, I joined Athletics in middle school. From volleyball, to basketball, to track, and then soccer. The summer of that year, I began to enjoy  bike riding and pilates. So, I was never just sitting down on the couch watching TV. I even started doing yoga and cardio videos my freshman year. But it all stopped. My sophomore year became one of the busiest. (More like I lost track of time hanging out with friends. But..) I lost my routine, and began to focus on school, volunteering there and at church. Thus, it all faded away.... I began to take walks or runs (mostly walks) around the neighborhood once in a while, but not really. So now, here we are:

I'm sore. I am not a fan of running. And did I mention I'm sore. My legs can definitely feel it. So far, I've been trying to catch up with my cardio. A whole hour of it non-stop.  (You know: fast, slow, inclined, steppers.) That's not including all the stretching and warm up before and after. Ugh. And although it has been tough, I think it's a great change of routine in my schedule and great change for my health. Actually, I even believe spiritually it can be a breakthrough. While I was working out, every time I felt like stopping, (even those two times my phone fell, but coincidentally there was always someone there to pick up my phone), I was reminded of something someone once shared with me, and it kind of stucked with me ever since.

 "If I can't dominate in the physical, how can I dominate in the spiritual?"

Consider it. I did, and boy, it changed my perspective in a lot of things. (Not just in working out, by the way.)


Estefani.

Testing, Testing. Check One, Two. 21

Name: Luisa Estefania. (or Stephanie)
Age: 20 soon to be 21!!

Jesus Christ. family. dogs. bunnies. flowers. books. twitter.


For a while now I have been debating whether I should start a blog again... I like to write, but there was a day I decided to just do it for me and no one else. I also need to admit I became "busy"(or lazy, one of those) and could not keep up a blog. This time around I would like to start a blog of 21 posts until I turn 21. Hey, if I can start with 21 posts maybe I can manage an "official"(not sure I know the definition of an official blog). I'm just going to write what's on my mind,  and maybe a few tips that I've learned. You will also, most likely, but surely, read about the relationship I carry with Jesus Christ. Who I believe came to set you and I FREE.

I am counting this post. (Hey, I got to start somewhere!)

Oh, snaps!

COUNTDOWN WIDGET