Just Be

Comfortable Valentine's Day Outfit

Nordic Off Shoulder Chunky Knit Sweater || Free People

not ethically sourced* 

Such a shame, when I learned this I stopped buying from Free People... and come on now... they are called "free people." SMH.

Custom Red Sweetheart Valentine's Day Dress || c/o eShaki

"wages paid by eShakti typically 50% to 100% over the Indian government's minimum stipulation"

meeting minimum standard for ethics, could do better

Wool Knee Socks || Marshalls

not ethically sourced*

School Girl Heels || Clarks

not ethically sourced*

Silver Bird Bangle | Relevee Jewelry benefiting Made By Survivors

This is one of my favorite jewelry companies (tied for first). All of their jewelry is created in India and sourced locally in India. Their pieces are all made by survivors of human trafficking as a way to not only help break the cycle of sex trafficking of women in India, but to break gender stereotypes by training women as goldsmiths! 

***

Open your heart, SOAP (scripture reading, observe, application, pray), seek the Holy Spirit, ask the Holy Spirit to pour in, discern... (a lot easier said than done.) I suppose that goes with nearly all things in this world. Today I delved into Romans 8 (below) as I was revisiting a verse from a recent church retreat. The portion below is very interesting. Instead of constantly asking for things from God, we are really called to just be. In contrary to my waffle loving, home sweet home singing, ants-on-a-log eating Americaness, where I feel like I am pressured to be always doing something to stay ahead and excel, God asks us to simply be in the Holy Spirit so He can take care of the rest. Something to SOAP on. 

"26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 

We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself

 intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who 

searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit

intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good

of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8: 26-28

That's what's currently up with me. In honor of relevancy, I decided to do today's look with my journal and my travel Bible (I only use this when I go on short trips because it is way lighter). For today's look (day 3 of the Valentine's Day outfit series) I went for a slouchy school girl look. Why? Because I wanted to wear a dress and socks but I wanted to look a bit more casual. For this look throw on a bold dress, some knee highs with kicks or heels, then a slouchy knit sweater. As for HMU, I did basic makeup and a hair bow (now that my hair is finally long enough). Accessories? Rings and delicate bangles. Vuwa la! Feel free to check out Day 1 and Day 2 too. :)

"Don't compare your chapter 1 to someone else's chapter 20. Your beginnings may be small, but they aren't meaningless. Keep your head up, knowing that God has something in store just for you."

@QuiteWomenCo

SOAP on,

Christine

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P.S. I apologize for my writing style today. I feel like it's kind of all over the place. :p