Prayers For Charleston

We are praying for the community of Charleston, SC and all the those affected by the deadly shooting that took place at the historic Emmanuel AME Church this week.

Prayers for our own communities.
Prayers for our country.
Prayers for wisdom.
Prayers for love.
Prayers for healing.
Prayers for unity.

Through the valley of the shadow of hatred, death and grief comes the powerful light of Love, Compassion and Hope.

May Love linger longer and louder than the hate and hurt.

"Shared tears are multiplied healing."
~ Ann Voskamp

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. ~ Psalm 34:18

Hugs and Love to you all!

Be Inspired,
Pinky Vern

‪#‎PrayForCharleston‬ ‪#‎LoveOneAnother‬ ‪#‎BeInspired‬

Jewel Of Inspiration

JEWEL OF INSPIRATION:  When Life Brings Storms Beyond Belief

As everyone knows and has been watching the unbelievable coverage from the recent flooding going on in my home state of Texas - I wanted to share with you updates and opportunities to join me, my family and ministry in praying and reaching out to and offering help, hope and healing to those affected by these crazy storms.

This past weekend Rick and I went to the beautiful town of Wimberley and were blown away by the sight of massive trees uprooted, tossed around like toys - stripped and snapped as if they were little match sticks. The belongings and memories of families sprinkled up and down the river like it was confetti.

UNBELIEVABLE

We saw a complete neighborhood street that was once lined with beautiful homes, yards, trees, gardens, and games - that were often used for gatherings, sharing hospitality, vacations, celebrations, making memories, times of laughter, love, relaxation and enjoyment with family and friends - now decorated with wreckage and responses of whoa.

UNBELIEVABLE

Late this afternoon I went by a couple of the other areas affected by the storms to drop off a few items and see what they needed. One of the places I went to was a donation and distribution place in Martindale, Texas.
Martindale is a small town of approximately 1400 folks that was also hit hard by the rains and overflowing river waters. I'm not exactly sure but possibly 200 or more families were evacuated and experienced extensive damage to their homes and belongings.
It was there I met Bea. A generous and courageous servant from San Marcos, Texas that has taken the people of Martindale, Texas under her wing! Bea is the founder of Rays of Hope in San Marcos and has a huge beautiful heart to help people in need. She is working hard organizing the collection and distribution of items needed in Martindale and checking on the people in that area. After unloading my delivery - Bea took me to go meet some of the families that are needing a little extra hope. These families had up to 7 feet of water in their home and are grateful for any help and items being donated. As we drove up to their homes I let out a deep breath and once again shook my head in disbelief. As we walked around I listened to the mom's update, the kids stories, and the families questions as they courageously smiled, listened and cried. I hugged, shared some joy and hope and prayed for them. Such a mix of emotions.

UNBELIEVABLE

What I have witnessed this week is Horrific - but what I have also witnessed is Help, Hope and Healing in such amazing ways. It has come generously from within the aching communities taking care of each other as the storm approached, through the storm and in it's remains. It is coming from families caring for one another...friends caring for friends...from strangers caring for strangers...from the young caring for the older...the older caring for the younger...from towns, states, and countries caring for people beyond their borders...many, many people caring without hesitation.

Long before the experts and experienced ones arrived - the faith and compassion of the people in these Texas towns set the heart and tone for this recovery and they will continue to inspire and impact their communities, our state and beyond - long after the media and multitudes are gone.

BELIEVABLE and BEAUTIFUL!!

Texas Proud!!

[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!
~ Psalm 27:13 Amplified Bible

I pray our eyes are set on Christ and our hearts confident He will carry us through the stormiest of days.
If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others - please comment below or send me a message and I would be honored to pray.

Be Inspired,
Pinky Vern

Jewel Of Inspiration: Be Inspired To Share Warm Love

Warm - Kind - Genuine LOVE.

We never know who may need it and how it will impact someones life.

I could tell you story after story of how my life was impacted by someones warm, kind, and genuine LOVE.  And even though I could also tell you stories of how my life was affected by people who shared the opposite.
It was LOVE - that warm, kind, and genuine LOVE that began to mend and heal the wounds of life and the hurt from ugly damaging words and actions of others.
It is LOVE that I choose to magnify more than the negative harm of the other.
It is the LOVE of God through good community that heals the bad.
So Grateful!!

Oh this Warm Love is amazing and it can be delivered in a variety of simple and thoughtful ways.

A Smile
A Hug
A Prayer
A Cup Of Coffee
Intentional Time Together
A Listening Ear
A Text
A Phone Call
A Card
Scripture
Flowers
A Meal
A Babysitter
A Helping Hand
A Blanket
A Special Cup
A Book
A Picture
A handmade item
And even a pair of socks.  :)

I have several handmade items, blankets, cups, pictures, pairs of socks that were gifts during difficult and celebratory times of my life.  They bring warmth and strength in the remembrance of the gift and the giver that LOVED on me.

Who could you share Warm - Kind - Genuine LOVE with this week?
I'm sure they won't forget it and it just might be a part of bringing healing to an area of their life.

When someone stops doing nothing and just starts doing something, anything -- this is what starts to change everything.
~ Ann Voskamp​, Author

Be creative with your care for others...we are all fragile...love helps.
~ Patsy Clairmont, Women of Faith Speaker

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.   Matthew 7:12

You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.    Romans 13:10 Message Bible

DAY 3 of 14 Days of LOVE Notes:
I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WARM FUZZY SOCKS!!

Be Inspired!

Warm Love Sweet Friends,
Pinky Vern


** Feel Free To Share The Post and Photo and Be Sure To Kindly Link Back To Inspired Looks. Thank You!
For everyone who likes or shares my posts over the next 14 days will be entered to win one of the LOVELY drawings that will take place throughout this month. The more you like and share - the more chances you have to win some awesome stuff! XO **

Jewel Of Inspiration: Advent 2 ~ PEACE

The Angels Sang - 
Glory To God In The Highest And Peace On Earth!

Whenever the pace makes us crazy - We need peace.
We need to make space for Christ.

How is it possible to attain peace?
Through faith and understanding and receiving of The Gift of Hope In Christ.

Hope isn't about living a life free of problems.
Hope is about living a life free from fear...about His Love that cast out all fear.
Hope in a world of problems is found in the solution of His presence.

Put Christ in the center of your life...in the center of all lists, shopping, baking, decorating, wrapping, travel, serving and loving.
Put Christ in the center of it all...in the center of Christmas.
He alone is our perfect peace.
Have you received His gift...the gift of His son?

He came to be our Peace Provider.
He came to bring reconciliation and free us from all condemnation, accusations, and damnation.

Peace.
Peace Maker.
Peace Provider.
Perfect...Perfect Peace.
.
~ Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift
View the video for more inspiration -
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2014/12/light-the-candles-advent-devotionals-the-second-sunday-peace-video-experience/#

My prayer for you this day -
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV

Peace On Earth - Mercy Mild. God and Sinner Reconciled.

Be Inspired To Live Peace and Give Peace On Earth,

Pinky Vern

Jewel Of Inspiration: Advent Week 1 ~ HOPE

ADVENT - Latin

Coming.
Waiting.

Waiting for the coming of Christ.
As we count down to the celebration of His birth we anticipate the coming.

The first candle of advent represents HOPE.

How can we have hope in the midst of this crazy world?

This.
This gives us HOPE.

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might, 
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness he sash around his waist.
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him,and his resting place will be glorious. In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people.
Isaiah 11:1-5, 10,11 NIV

A stump that appears dying and hopeless comes alive and changes everything.
Whatever your stump is - know this...

It is not about what isn't.
It is not as you see it.
It is not as it appears...broken, wounded, dying.
Believe that there is more...there is a shoot...there is a coming...there is HOPE.
~ Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift

Lets pray, believe and HOPE that things can change.
Bad Things
Ugly Things
Wrong Things
Awful Things
Hurtful Things
Sick Things
Horrible Things
Hard Things
Can change through the promise and Hope we have in Christ.

No matter how we are hurting - it's only when we lose hope that the real horror happens. ~ Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift
www.aholyexperience.com

May we live in the state of Advent and Wait and Hope for the coming of Christ...not just in December...but Always.

Be Inspired and Joy & Hope To Your World!
Pinky Vern

NOT GIVING UP!

Not Giving Up

I took a brave step the other day and entered a contest.

Sounds easy but it was hard.

Hard because...
I was a week behind the over 300 plus women who were jumping at this opportunity to travel to Rwanda in July.

I was - ahem - a little older than most of the girls.

I had other numerous excuses and fears of
"why me?" instead of "why not me?".


On this amazing trip will be a team of incredible advocates, story tellers, bloggers, artist's and others that represent Noonday Collections and International Justice Mission.  I want to join them on this
all expense paid trip that would combine my passion for Fashion and Freedom to create opportunity for the poor, hopeless and hurting. This is not a contest about raising money...but raising votes
 to bring awareness.

Currently I am on page 3 in rankings, and have large gap to get to

 page 1 and in the top 7.

Today they started posting how many votes we actually have.

I am in the 400's...the top 7 are in the 3000's!!  There are 2 days left of
this contest...Today And Tomorrow!

 I'm still not giving up!

It is not about the prize to me, but coming together bringing awareness and advocating for the causes of poverty and sex trafficking.

Whether I am on this trip or not - one of the main reasons
I signed up for this - is for
Freedom
and to reach as many people as possible with this
#StyleForJustice Campaign!

Freeing, Rescuing, Transforming and Supporting the lives affected by sex trafficking has become a cause I support through the sales of some of my own accessories (click here) and Noonday Collections.

I have met people who have been rescued from prostitution and sex trafficking and personally know what it means to be Free from a stronghold. 

 With Gratitude for all the Lord has healed me of and set me Free from - 

 I speak, testify write, volunteer and advocate for others to be free!

I Will Not Giving Up!

Did you realize the major link to this injustice is pornography?
Pornography trains the minds and creates a demand for filth and profit.

Did you know that when girls enter prostitution whether through
kidnapping or being lured that they are often trained through the
watching of pornographic videos to become a slave to sex.
Their strength and inhibitions are broken down and weakened.

WE CANNOT GIVE UP!


I appreciate your votes, support, cheers and kind words that have been offered during this contest.  The discussions have been a gift to share and bring greater awareness to the serious topic of modern day slavery.

Together we can advocate in offering hope and healing
Lets Do This...Together!

 http://www.noondaycollection.com/styleforjustice#view/23056/2115593

Grateful Thanks,
Pinky Vern

Jewel Of Inspiration

Jewel Of Inspiration:

A Prayer For Today And The Days To Come

Matthew 6:11 - Give us this day our daily bread.

Daily bread is needed in order to face and accomplish what is necessary for today or to be equipped for the days ahead. 
I am praying for it's provision of nourishment, wisdom, and strength in order to do what I am called to do - become what I am to become and to overcome what I need to overcome. 
Otherwise, I open myself up to become distracted and delayed by useless or counterfeit things and I want less of that and more Him!

Proverbs 30:8 - Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.

During my cancer journey I learned to not look at the calendar of days, weeks and months of doctor visits, tests and treatments and the increasing medical cost's that were ahead. Instead I had to learn to face each day and what it may bring - nourishing on His Word that was planted and growing in my life and the love, and prayers of those covering me (so grateful!!). All of that and more helped me to have any bit of strength to not worry (as much) about what might be ahead. It amazingly provided me (and my family) with increased wisdom, hope and strength to live & face one day at a time and reduce any fear that tired to enter in.

Do you need increased hope, wisdom, strength and nourishment for today? 
Prayers for you and praises for His provisions that come in a variety of ways! 

Thank you, Lord, for your provisions that are poured out to us both physically and spiritually. No matter the size or supply - may we be aware and may it teach us honesty, perseverance, gratefulness, and generous compassion to give You thanks and not keep it to ourselves. 

John 6:35 (ESV) - “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." 

"The best condition is that which neither implies poverty nor yet recedes far from it."
~ Matthew Henry 

“Never, in peace or war, commit your virtue or your happiness to the future. Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment ‘as to the Lord.’ It is only our daily bread that we are encouraged to ask for. The present is the only time in which any duty can be done or any grace received.” 
~ C.S. Lewis, from The Weight of Glory

Be Inspired To Seek God For Your Daily Bread And Give Thanks For His Provisions!

Pinky Vern