Who is Joseph Kony? Glad you asked...

Few things make me angrier than children being victimized.

I hope this is true for you too.

I am sure it would be, if you KNEW.

But first, I have a few questions for you.

Would you help rescue a child if it required you to give up your current lifestyle?

Let's back it down.

Would you help rescue a child if it cost you an evening out with your friends?

Let's back it down a bit more.

Would you help rescue a child if it took the cost of your morning coffee?

Well what if it were this easy...

WOULD YOU HELP RESCUE A CHILD IF IT WERE FREE, AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR COMPUTER????

I hope you said YES!
(see your step to action at the bottom.)

There is a nasty man named Joseph Kony who is loose in central Africa. You have probably never heard his name before. But you will. Oh yes, you will.

You might think he's running for president. I hope you do some quick investigating. You will see that he is not. Far from it. He's running, but FROM the president. That's right, Barack Obama sent 100 US troops to find and arrest this man last fall. Why didn't we hear about it?

Hmmmm.

(Let me make a parenthetical note here. I do not watch the news. I do not keep up. I am so incredibly swamped with my own life (sick face here) that I don't invest much energy at all into following the news. It's quite possible that people DID know of this and I just missed it. But if so, NO ONE I  KNOW HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT HIM!!!!!!!!!!!)

There are going to be YAHOOS who comment that a simple click to share something on Facebook is NOT going to rescue a child. Skip it. Don't give me flack. Use your energy toward something that MATTERS.

Back in 2006, I was in the process of leaving my American life to rescue children in India. God had other plans. He took our son Oskar at that very moment in time. I have every intention of moving to India someday and saving children. As you know if you've been reading my blog, in that time frame of being "redirected" we have adopted a child from Uganda.

What kept him-our Zebby-out of the clutches of Kony? I do not know. He is here now, he will not be abducted, forced to kill, rape, maim and trained to hate. But...what about the OTHERS???

I watched this video by Francis Chan earlier this week (thanks Shelly!) and it's been rolling around and around in my head. The question keeps coming back to me: Why is an "emergency" only an emergency if it happens to ME or MY CHILDREN? Are not ALL CHILDREN precious? Is not it time to give up my things, resources, to respond to such an emergency? Does it matter where they were born?

I have learned about Kony tonight. I cannot help thinking of the verse that says, "Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know--Someone not impressed with weak excuses." Proverbs 24:11-12 (The Message)


I know of people that only quote verses that they like, or that offer comfort to themselves. This one from Proverbs sure won't be on their list of favs! But like it or not, we are called to justice.


I am not pretending that a simple click will save the life of a child. I know it won't. But educating people about WHO Kony is will put into motion some actions that will STOP THE CRIMINAL and therefore save children.


What are you waiting for?


Watch this: (Yes, it's 30 minutes of your time life. I wouldn't ask you if I didn't think it was important. It's worth it. I promise.)

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

I hope that you will leave your comfortable life and go and meet these people face to face. I hope you would be willing to give up a night out with your friends to make your voice heard. I hope you would be willing to part with $4 from a morning's coffee indulgence to help stop a world class atrocity. But if at the very minimum all you do is share this video, then you've done SOMETHING.

(I cannot end this post without reminding you that I met, held hands with, shared a meal with children (then and maybe still HOMELESS ON THE STREETS) who were victimized by this very man. If you want a recap, go here to read the story from last August as we met Sunday and Simon. There faces, their stories and this evil man are burning in my heart tonight.)

You, the Multi-tasker: Shopping and Rescuing Orphans!

I have been humbled once again. This journey of adoption has blessed me so much already and I haven't even gotten our referral yet!

So, it goes like this, I have a friend from high school who was very much taken by our adoption process and was moved so much she sent her family to our blog. Her sister, sweet woman that she is, decided to not just read but to get involved! :) I like when people don't just read but DO SOMETHING! (Have you heard me say that before? haha) She has her own business marketing Uppercase Living products and has generously offered to donate 20% of her sales to our adoption fund!

"But what is this business, 'Uppercase Living'", I wondered. I tentatively clicked on the link that was sent and spent the next ten minutes in awe of the catalog. Truly I loved the things inside! Classy, creative, and full of options. I was sold. Let's do it.

So here I am today opening up a catalog party for anyone who would like to purchase these beautiful creations for their home. I have seen several companies that create vinyl clings for your home, but this company goes the extra mile. You can design plates, frames and signs and other things in their "off the wall" section. (Cute name, huh?) :) The "party" will be open until February 19th.

Here's the specs:

Amy Shaw invites you to be a part of an 

Uppercase Living Catalog Party

through February 19th

to help give orphans a home!

20% of all the sales of this Catalog Party will be donated directly to the Shaw family to help with adoption fund-raising!!!

Uppercase Living believes in the power of words and how they can transform your home.  We offer decorative vinyl expressions that can enhance any space in an instant with no messy stenciling!  We offer both pre-designed and custom vinyl expressions!  On my website you can view our online catalog and customize your own custom expression using our 50 fonts and over 40 color choices.  

http://kstewart.uppercaseliving.net/OnlineCatalog.m

2 ways to order:

For guests who live near Amy (your order will be shipped to her):

Email or call me (Karrie) with your item number, item description and color choice(s).  If you have created a custom expression, be sure to save it so I can access it

I will provide you with your total.  I accept checks or can send you a credit card invoice through paypal.

If you spend more than $50 in product, you qualify for free customer expressions!  Check out the customer choices of the February monthly gifts...http://kstewart.uppercaseliving.net/MonthlyGifts.m

For out of town guests:

Shop and create directly on my website...http://kstewart.uppercaseliving.net/OnlineCatalog.m

Add items to your cart and when checking out, choose to "associate" your order with Amy Shaw's party.

Amy will receive credit for your order and it will be shipped directly to you!

Please have orders to me or online by February 19th.  Contact me if you have ANY questions!

Check out my website to learn more about becoming an Uppercase Living hostess yourself or learn more about the business opportunity!!!

Karrie Stewart

Independent Uppercase Living Demonstrator

My Website: http://kstewart.uppercaseliving.net

614.557.8676

karriestewart@yahoo.com

***THIS JUST IN!!!***
New February deals for any shoppers who spend more than $50! Extra "expressions" will be available to you at no cost! Contact Karrie via email (above) if your order exceeds fifty dollars to receive your list of free things from which to choose!

From the first page of the Uppercase Living catalog. See that cool clock? Isn't that nifty?

And how cool is this? You can have your OWN PHOTOS become clingy thingees! (Probably not their wording)

This page gets my wheels turning for how we'll decorate the "boy's" room! WOW! We are going to have at least another son! :)

So that's probably enough to whet your appetite for some online shopping! Remember, when you shop you are multi-tasking: decorating, maybe getting ahead in your gift-giving AND helping us bring our children home from their orphanage! Go you! ;)

Superbowl Sex...what?!

The Superbowl is about as American as apple pie. Every year we gather together with our friends, sport our fav team's colors or even jerseys and root for their victory. And we love laughing at the fun, creative new commercials. But did you know that not everything is all fun and games that day?

Did you know that sex trafficking happens here in our very own country...and that the Superbowl is one of the biggest events where children are sold? Many of you did, some did not. It's pretty amazing the little bubble we can operate in. (I am in the process of emerging from mine.)

50 girls were rescued from the past two Superbowls. Far more remained enslaved. Some of these girls were young...as in the age of my own daughters. I cannot imagine the pain of their mothers and families. I cannot fathom what the girls themselves must experience. Many of them never come home. They are killed.

Read and share this article with your friends and networks on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks. The word needs to get OUT.

A man named Tom Davis is a leader among those fighting the sex trade. Here are his words regarding this year's Superbowl:

There is a dark side to the Superbowl this 2011 that nobody wants to talk about. The sex trafficking of children that occurs at the SuperBowl. It will happen in Dallas, Texas right under the nose of tens of thousands of Superbowl fans. This year, Jay Ratliff, the nose guard for the Dallas Cowboys is speaking out against sex trafficking during the Superbowl this 2011. Jay didn't even know this existed in his back yard, but now that he does he's doing something about it. He's the father of two little girls and this is not okay with him. Watch this video then check out the Traffick911 website to find out how to get involved against child trafficking in the Dallas area.  Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/redletters/2011/01/sex-trafficking-at-the-superbowl.html#ixzz1CiemdNpD

Watch this video of Jay Ratliff, a Dallas Cowboy, speaking up on behalf of these caught in the web of these evil men.
 

Please, don't forget to pray. Pray for the conviction of those involved and for the rescue and restoration of the children involved. Follow Tom Davis on Twitter and Facebook and learn how to get involved and make a difference.