Hope For The Hopeless

Music has always played a huge part in my life. It has helped me through things that were difficult for me. It has made me happy when I didn't think I could be. With one song I can go back in time and re-live a road trip with my sister, or dancing in my best friends garage when we were small kids. But most of all, it has been an inspiration to me.

A perfect example would be Hope for the Hopeless by A Fine Frenzy. I hear this song and it makes me think of all of the people all over the world. Those in Africa, or Haiti. The homeless that fill our streets here in America. They're hungry, in need of a home. Maybe they need clean water, or clothes. Blankets for the cold, harsh weather.

Ever since I was little, I have always had a passion to help the ones in need. When I was four my mom worked for the food pantry when we lived in Ohio. We would go out to the projects, poorest of the poor, and bring food to the people who lived there. My brother, who was three at the time, and I would walk with my parents. They would hand us the two bags of food that was on top of the rest and when they knocked we would hand those bags to the people and my parents gave them the rest.

When I was six, my mom had her own ministry in South Carolina. For three years we fed the homeless every Saturday because that was the only day no one came out to give them a good meal. My brother and I would help in the kitchen, making the eggs. My moms volunteers, and also good friends, helped make the rest of the food.

I am now sixteen. I've been feeding the homeless with my youth group through the coalition for the homeless for almost 5 years. I've only missed going four times to feed the homeless in the those 5 years. I have been in the service ministry my whole life. I go downtown every month and see how thankful they all are to get a good meal. They always have the biggest smiles, constantly thanking us as they go down the line. Some sing songs of praise. Others say "God bless you all!" when we hand them their food. I've had a couple start tearing up, and say things like "You have no idea how thankful I am for what you all do. Thank you, so much."

When I go downtown and see their smiles, I see that their hope is restored. It makes me happier then ever to know that I played a part in that. But, what makes me sad is hearing on the news that a homeless man died because a teen thought it would be fun to beat the crap out of him. Or to hear someone criticizing the homeless. Saying they're worthless or lazy.

My youth minister told us this, "We all have our own stories of how we got to where we are now, even the homeless."  No one knows how we got to where we are now, and no one knows how each and everyone of the homeless men, women, and children got to where they are either. Don't be so quick to judge them, or anyone for that matter.

Hope is out there for everyone. But sometimes, we need to be the ones to go out there and give them that hope.

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Homeless statistics

Hope For The Hopeless by A Fine Frenzy song (Youtube)

Hope For The Hopeless Lyrics

Coalition For the Homeless 

Teens attacking Homeless

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Something to think about..

Here's something to think about: Secondhand smoke.

Today while my nieces were playing outside, I noticed a group of young adults hanging out by the stairs. My nieces weren't too far from them, so when I saw that they decided to start smoking, it really bothered me. I don't really care if people want to smoke. It's their body and their life, they can do what they want. All I ask is that they be considerate of the people around them, definitely if there is kids around. I decided to write about secondhand smoke because I think this is an issue that not many people look at. Or if they do, they aren't looking that deep into it.

On the car ride home I heard my sister and her husband talking about something. I began listening and heard him say that while driving around he saw two girls in a car who decided to start smoking. He then saw that there were two car seats, and they weren't empty. I honestly don't know how anyone can do that. They have to know it's bad for them, and if they know that, then why don't they see it's bad for the people around them too??

I found a website about secondhand smoke. It's already bad enough that smokers are damaging their own bodies, that's their choice. But the fact that the people around them get damaged as well? That just sucks. They don't get to choose.

"It is estimated that only 15% of cigarette smoke gets inhaled by the smoker. The remaining 85% lingers in the air for everyone to breathe. If a person spends more than two hours in a room where someone is smoking, the nonsmoker inhales the equivalent of four cigarettes"

Pretty insane right? Today was the first time I looked deeply into secondhand smoke and my mouth dropped when I read that. I'm not trying to shoot anyone down for smoking. It's your choice to do that and I'm fine with it. I'm just hoping people will see this and hopefully it will be an eye opener to them.

I've heard that a lot of people actually don't know the true harm secondhand smoke can be. It makes me think...They say ignorance is bliss. But in reality? What you don't know can kill you.

I've linked the website I got the quote from below. Please do read it. It's an eye opener, smoker or not.

http://www1.umn.edu/perio/tobacco/secondhandsmoke.html

If you are interested, I have some other links you might want to look at:

Teen smoking:

http://www.smoking-facts.net/Teen-Smoking-Facts.html

Smoking:
http://www.nutri.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.facts_about_smoking

You are what you eat:: Dead

Hello my fellow bloggers! I'm sorry for the major delay in posting. I've been really busy since I got back from camping and haven't got the chance to write till now. I hope you all are still interested to hear what I have to say because today I have a LOT to say. Then again..when do I not? :]

Anyways, I was inspired by my mom to write this one. We were talking about food today and I was amazed at all the bad things there is in the stuff people say is "good" for you. Well they would be good for you if the manufacturers didn't put so many pesticides, dyes and other things that are horrible for us in our food. All I can say is no wonder the US is having so many problems with cancer and other forms of diseases.

My mom brought up food dye and what all is in them. Here is a list she showed me:

List of Dyes Commonly Used in Foods & Body Products, and their Effects

Red 3

History of causing thyroid tumors in animals.

D&C Red 33

Cancer in humans, genetic damage to animals.

Red 40

Carcinogenic and mutagenic in animals.

Asorubine, Carmoisine

Red color, coal tar derivative.

Possible allergic reactions in asthmatics. Used for confectionary products.

Banned in several countries, but not U.S.

Blue 1

Also known as Brilliant Blue and FCF. Suggestions of a small cancer risk.

Used in dairy products, sweets and drinks, this is banned in several countries … but not the U.S.

Blue 2

This color is also known as Indigotine, Indigo and Carmine. Study shows brain tumors in mice. May cause nausea, skin rashes, allergic reactions. Banned in Norway, but not the U.S.

Citrus Red 2

Used on some Florida oranges, studies show this additive causes cancer.

Green 3

Possibly carcinogenic.

Green S

Used in canned peas, mint jelly and cake mixes. Banned in Norway and Sweden, but not the U.S.

FD&C Yellow 5

Also known as Tartrazine. Cancer, allergen, breathing difficulties and asthma attacks.

Found in packaged soup, sweets, jams and cereals. Banned in several countries, but not U.S.

FD&C Yellow 6

Also known as Sunset Yellow, FCF, Orange Yellow S. Suspected of causing tumors in adrenal glands and kidneys. May cause allergies, hyperactivity, and chromosomal damage.

Banned in Norway but not the U.S.

So, lets put this into simpler terms. Basically what this is telling us is:
1. Food dyes are horrible for us.

2. Other countries see that it's bad and ban it so their people don't get sick from them.
3. Manufacturers of America sees it's bad and continues to put it in our food so they can make money. Does anyone else realize this is stupid? Or is it just me?

I see this and hear the stories of people who have been effected by the things in our food and all I can say is wow. They're now proving that a LOT of things we eat are causes of cancer. Cancer! The exact thing they're saying WE don't have a cure for! Of course, I'll bet they do have a cure, they just say they don't because doctors are making SO much money off of their cancer patients. If they had a cure a lot of the doctors wouldn't make as much money, and we can't have that now can we?

I'm definitely one to say I'm not proud to be an american. I don't agree with a lot of things our country does and now they're basically killing us off just so they can get more money? That's pitiful.

The big thing now is "going green". Everyone's doing it. We're recycling, being more energy efficient, using cloth instead of plastic, planting more trees etc. We're helping our planet come out of global warming. I think it's one of the smartest things we Americans have done in awhile.

Many people are now looking closer into their kid's futures and seeing that they're not setting the best place for them to live their lives and raise their own families. As one of these kids, I'm looking to help the future generations to be smarter and more aware of what works and what doesn't, and possibly help the parents who are raising our future leaders to be more aware too. My point in bringing up the "being green" situation is so I can ask this question. Why not fix how we eat too? We're already helping our planet to be healthy again, so lets help ourselves to be healthier too!

Something else that has caught my attention:

My mom watched this movie called Food, Inc., which exposes America's industrialized food system and its effects on our environment, health, economy and workers' rights. I couldn't watch it because of the horrible things they do to our animals. But my mom and sister have told me loads about it and it makes me sick to think of what I have been putting in my body. I highly recommend everyone reading this to watch Food, Inc. It'll open your eyes to things you never thought could be true.

So really, we've got crappy food. They've proven it but not enough people are standing up for our right to healthy foods that do not contain harmful ingredients. But, you can change it for yourself and your family. Take action and do what is right. As the saying goes, "You are what you eat". But if what you eat is filled with chemicals, poisons and genetically modified things, you're as good as the food. Dead.

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Websites and Other things to check out:

I know it can be costly to eat the healthier stuff, but there's a very simple solution to it and I have it for you! One of my older sisters does couponing. She teaches classes and has a blog too. If you're interested go to: http://www.savingobsession.blogspot.com

www.foodincmovie.com

Find out why it pays to spend a little more for milk.

Full article at: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk

/health/article622466.ece

Organic milk really is healthier:

www.treehugger.com

Grass-fed beef is available! You can find the resources available for your state from this link and learn why choosing grass-fed beef is better than grain-fed beef.
Find your state: www.eatwild.com

Eat Wild - The clearinghouse for information about pasture-based farming.

I'm working my ugly! ((last post until sun. or mon.))

"I'm working my ugly" is an expression I learned recently and I thought I would share it with you all :] (It is also something I learned from the amazing Tyra Banks!)

So, I was watching the Tyra show and she was talking about how so many people have gotten so caught up with their flaws and what they see as ugly. So she set up this mirror in New York with a camera on the other side and she wanted people to come up and "work their ugly". Basically looking in the mirror and pointing out to the camera what it is they thought was "ugly"..... and then working it!

I saw this as her getting people to see that the flaws they have ((or think they have)) aren't ugly..but instead, they are what makes them beautiful. And that God made us this way for a reason. Guys and girls of all ages came up to this mirror and said things like, "I'm hairy", "My nose is to big", "My ears are small" etc. And instead of them standing there wishing they could change it, they stood there and embraced it.

I know a lot of people, young and old, who wish they could change so much about their appearance. I'm guilty of doing it myself. But, i've realized the little things I think are oh so horrible, really aren't. God made us this way. If you love Him and what He has created on this earth, then why look at ourselves and pick out everything WE think that's wrong? In His eyes, each and every one of us is perfect the way we are. Why try and change it with surgery, botox, and anything else that would change our appearance?

So many people say to me they wished they had my eyes, or my hair, or my body-type because they think i'm so beautiful. I know a lot say it as a compliment, and I take it as that. But I also know that while they are saying that, they're looking down on themselves and that is what hurts me. These girls who tell me these things are so amazingly beautiful themselves. They just don't see it.

I've noticed that many people do that today because they look in magazines and see these girls and guys who are absolutely gorgeous, and think that's what they have to look like in order for people to notice them, or even something as simple as talking to them. When really, your personality is what matters. You don't have to look like what those people in the magazines do. They're beautiful, yes. But you know what? A lot of that is all Photoshop! They take away what the world would look at as "flaws". So all in all, they're being unrealistic.

Anyways, after seeing that show, I know I've become more confident in how I feel about how I look. I embrace those little things I don't like as much, and am now able to say, you know what? I'm beautiful the way I am. Inside and out. And I wouldn't change one thing about myself :]

Anyone reading, please remember this:
You're beautiful the way you are. Don't try and change it. t God made you that way for a reason. So do yourself and Him a favor. Look at yourself and believe your beautiful! Because in reality, no matter what shape, size, race, you're all beautiful. Just the way YOU are.

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If you have a facebook, type in - I'm working my "ugly"!♥ - in the search bar to become a fan of the page I made for the saying.

Feedback would be awesome :] I love hearing what people think. So you got something to say? Tell me!

Thank you all!

P.S. I'm camping this weekend with the family and wont be back until late Sunday. But don't worry! I'll be coming back ready to write and share with you guys my thoughts about things :]

Thank you again for reading!

Can you say...Sweet 16?! :]

That's right! I said it! It's my sweet 16 today :]

So my mom asked me a pretty good question today. Why I thought sixteen was the big birthday. Why not eighteen?

My response was that sixteen is the middle point. You're still a teenager, not quite an adult, and what makes it fun is you have a lot more freedom without too much responsibility. Such as working and having to pay bills...etc.

Sixteen, for me, is also the age you know yourself better then any other time in your life. You're more so the person you're going to be for the rest of your life then when you were younger. In other words, you're all grown up, without being too grown up! You have a good idea of what you want to do in life. You've set goals for yourself and plan on making each goal turn into a success.

All in all, I think it's just a blessing really to have been able to live 16 years on this earth. I've been able to do so much, and I've met so many amazing people in my lifetime. I can't wait for the journey that God has planned for me :]

You're "Fake"

Today, I was on a website called myyearbook. I typically don't get on much but decided today would be the day that I would try and figure out everything((I'm still fairly new to the site)). I also took some new pictures for my Facebook today and decided to put a couple up on myyearbook as well. Shortly after I got a message from someone. In the subject it said "Are you fake?"

Now, this 13 year old kid sent me a message asking whether or not I was fake on behalf of his sister. The kids sister thought that what I was wearing and how I looked in the pictures didn't match up to my "about me" section on my profile and because of that she said I was "fake".

Really, it bothers me when anyone just claims someones fake by how they look. In my opinion no one can be "fake". People do things, say things and wear things based on the person they are and what they like. That's not being fake, that's you being who you are. My question is why can't you just get to know the person before you decide "Wow, that person is so fake. She's trying to be this when she's really that."? Is it that hard to talk to and get to know someone?

Something that plays along with people calling others "fake" is stereotyping. People look at me all the time and say I must be goth, punk, scene etc. They say these things because I love wearing black, skinny jeans are my favorite thing to wear, and because of my hairstyle/hair color. Because of those 3 things people look at me and try to categorize me into whatever stereotype they think I fit best in that day.

Now, if I wear something colorful with shorts and put my hair in a ponytail, I am now being "fake". I'm not just saying this for the fun of it. I know this for a fact because someone at my church last year came up to me and said I was being fake because I wasn't wearing what I typically wear. It was really hot outside that day and I didn't feel like wearing my skinnys, converse and a t-shirt. Instead I wore a colorful tank top, shorts and flip flops. Crazy right?

Basically my question is, why judge a book by it's cover when you can read the book and find out it's a whole different story then what you were expecting? That you actually like the book and can see why the cover is the way it is?

I think a lot of people should to look into what they are saying when they judge others. What the guys sister said about me being "fake" might not have hurt me today, but it can really hurt a person and it has definitely hurt me in the past.