Wedding Video

A New Site for our Wedding Video....

Hope it works for you!!

Wedding Video Link!!

Still have so many things to blog about and hoping to get motivated to start soon!  XO

Wedding Video!

Wedding Video!

We are finally in our new home in Beaufort, South Carolina!  I absolutely love it so far and cannot wait to decorate and make it "ours!"  I'm dying for our shipment to arrive from Malta although I think I still have another month and a half to go! :(

Until then... I'm going to work with the few random things I have in the house to start on my Pinterest finds!  I have so many recipes and projects on the agenda and I plan on blogging about them all!  I also found a really fun "Fall To-Do List" that you should all  link up and do as well!  I'll post that next week!  

Until next week... here is our wedding video from Thailand!

It's 30 minutes long and I know nobody has time to watch it all... so if you are interested in seeing any of it, these are my suggestions:

First 4 minutes are to the song "You are Simply the Best by Tina Turner" which I picked and love!  Its like a beginning to end preview... then starting at 4 minutes on is like the actual beginning to end of our day...  

The Ceremony is from minute 8 until the end of the first video and its pretty uneventful because you can't really hear the Pastor or maybe understand him.  :)  We wrote our own vows and I like that part which is 11:20 - 18:00.  Marshall wasn't too loud but you can definitely hear mine... brat!  

The second video...the first 3 minutes are the end of our ceremony.  He read the last part twice on accident... we were getting anxious!  The remaining 6 minutes on the second video are pretty cool though!  The only part that we definitely think is hilarious and don't really care for is when they put us in the trees..we felt like seniors in high school but we did it anyways... :)

Hope you enjoy sharing in our special day with us!!

Thrilling/Terrifying

Thrilling vs. Terrifying

Coming back to America!!!

It's actually happening.  In 3 days, we will be in an American Airlines plane touching down in the most amazing country in the world!!  I can't believe THAT day is finally near.  Since I have been going back and forth in my mind so much about transitioning back into American culture, I figured I would post a few things I have been pondering...

I am THRILLED to see my family.  First and foremost.  Above all... I am absolutely ecstatic to hug each and every person!

I am TERRIFIED that I will speak to people at a 2 year old level.  Since we have been away and living in countries where English is barely spoken, I almost always fall back on my improper English so they can understand.  Marshall says I even speak to him that way sometimes.  I guess when you only have one option and you have to break your sentences down from "Excuse me, could you tell me where the restroom is please" to "uh, toilet"... its a little scary!  (This happened just an hour ago too!)

I am THRILLED to eat and eat and eat... Favorite restaurants.  Buffalo Chicken.  Real pizza.  Fruits and Veggies not bleached first... You name it, America has it.  And I am ready for it.  All.  :)

I am TERRIFIED about being "that weird girl".  I feel like so much about me has changed... I have adapted quite a bit to European culture and I think my view is skewed on a lot of things.  I have been living sort of a gypsy no-mad life and so I'm probably pretty strange to people.  

I am THRILLED to have our reception with everyone we love!  Even though it has to be small, we are so grateful for everyone coming into town for it!  

I am TERRIFIED about getting back into the working life.  I have not had a real job in so many years and I just pray I will be able to find something in South Carolina!  I feel like the work field has probably advanced so much in technology and requirements and I hope I still remember a few things!

I am THRILLED to move into our new home and get our shipment of stuff from Malta.  It will be so amazing to finally have a place of our own, to paint and decorate and remodel however we want.  Because its ours.  Finally!!!!  

I am TERRIFIED about driving on the opposite side of the road.  Or right side?  I don't even know what's normal anymore.  

I am THRILLED to pay normal prices for things.  Enough with expensive Europe, and surprisingly more expensive Africa.  Target, get ready!!

I am TERRIFIED to adjust back into a social life where it is not just Marshall and me all the time.  We are so spoiled to have each other's attention 24/7 pretty much and I think it will be really weird when we have jobs, hobbies, kids, and everything else to fit into a schedule.

I am THRILLED to start some of the Pinterest projects and recipes I have pinned over the last year!  Since I couldn't really get most of the ingredients or project parts overseas, I am thrilled to walk up and down the isles at stores to find exactly what I need!

I am TERRIFIED to forget our simple way of living without much and with lesser quality items.  We have been so happy with virtually nothing and know we can survive with crap toilet paper and weird foods.  I just hope we stay grounded and don't go crazy spending money because it is available.  

I am THRILLED to start a family.  Since we FINALLY were able to get married, we would both love to bring sweet babies into the world next.  I just can't even wrap my mind around how awesome it would be to have little blessings to spend our days with!

I am TERRIFIED that this might be our last trips overseas.  A part of me doesn't want to let go yet because we have adored the experience and have grown so much in the process.  God willing, we can bring our kids back to maybe Africa someday.

I am THRILLED to have freedom and a sense of worth again.  I wouldn't trade in spending the last three years with Marshall for anything in the world, but it did get very challenging at times not really working or having so many restrictions on us.  Driving, where we could and couldn't go, short term friendships, missing family, social activities. So much of our life has been dictated and I'm glad people were looking out for our safety and such, but it will just be so nice to be able to find Bible studies to join, and drive wherever the heck I want to go.

I am TERRIFIED to have responsibilities and rules again.  America is definitely more strict on rules, laws, and being on time for everything.  I am nervous for this very extreme transition!

I am THRILLED to turn the radio on and listen to all the new songs!  I am so out of the loop and tired of listening to either Arabic music, African folk songs, or news in other languages.  It will be so refreshing to just drive to some good music!  

I am TERRIFIED to get into my storage unit thats above my grandma's barn and find that mice have devoured all my stuff.  It's my fault for leaving it all up there, but I honestly never thought I would be gone for so long!  Darn blonde I met in Burundi! ;)  

I am THRILLED that Marshall's brother Andrew made it out of Afghanistan safely and (fingers crossed!) he is able to make it to our reception!!!

I am TERRIFIED about moving to another new place to once again make new friends.  I feel like overseas it is a little easier because there are only a few of you and people just instantly open up to each other and stick together.  I think its a little different in the states because you have to kind of "earn" your way into already established groups or clicks.  Kind of annoying, but I pray God puts the right people into our life!

I am THRILLED to not have to convert currencies in my head anymore!  No more "what is this in dollars"!!!  $10 is going to be $10!  YES! :)

I am THRILLED for FOOOOOOOOOTBALL!  All games.  Pubs or BW's.  Home parties.  Whatever.  We finally get to watch FOOOOOTBALL!!!  WOO HOO!!

Happy Friday Everyone!  Enjoy your weekend!! XO

What I'm Loving Wednesday

What I'm Loving Wednesday...

(Thailand Edition!)

I can't believe our trip is almost over!  Until then... here are a few things I'm loving in this beautiful country!!

I'm Loving...  the new TV's on the fancy planes.  They have 3 views you can switch to that show behind the plane, in front of the plane, and underneath.  Pretty cool when you are landing!

I'm Loving... my new HUSBAND and all the fun nights we are having together!

I'm Loving...  All the interesting variety of food options in this country.  It brings the "American Thai" food to a whole new level!!

I'm Loving...  The floating market and just pulling up to stands and shopping!!  It's just such an awesome experience! 

I'm Loving... Our trip to the elephants and our ride through the jungle. 

I'm Loving...  All the fresh fruit in this country!  I can't get enough, especially for the price!

I'm Loving...  Our adventurous overnight train ride together.  It brought back so many great memories of a year long trip I was on with some dear friends.  I loved being able to share a similar experience with my man!

I'm Loving...  All the fresh seafood everywhere!  

I'm Loving... The consistently beautiful sunsets.  They just make me feel this amazing Godly embrace... I can't get enough! 

I'm Loving... All the fun cocktails and beach bars!  It definitely says vacation to me!!

I'm Loving... The dinner and view we had on our wedding night.  I'm such a lucky girl to be married to my best friend!!  He spoils me!

I'm Loving...  The sweet animal towels the hotel staff would make for us everyday.  Such a special touch!  I also LOVE my wedding bouquet.  They did an amazing job!

I'm Loving...  That we wrote our own vows for our ceremony.  Since the pastor was Thai and had a VERY strong accent, it was hard to understand him.  Reading our vows to each other was something I'll treasure forever. 

I'm Loving... Pool bars and more fun drinks.  A trend through many days as they were always buy one get one free.. good thing Marshall let me pick usually and was a good sport drinking out of funny fruits!

I'm Loving... This AutoBar we saw on the side of the road.  It had the coolest setup inside of a bar with a few small tables and bar stools around!

I'm Loving... Our welcome at our villa in Koh Samui!  I have no idea what the drink was, but it was great!!

I'm Loving... This amazing villa our friend Lance let us use for 10 days.  I never dreamed it would be as awesome as it is!!  This is the living room...

Kitchen...

Pool Area...

One of the two villas... this one holds the kitchen and living room, the other holds two separate bedrooms and bathrooms!

Beautiful bedrooms!!

I feel like this is only a piece of our trip so the rest will have to be in separate posts.  We are going to get up at 6am tomorrow and head to the Big Buddha statue to watch the locals bring their food and offerings and also to hear the monk's morning chanting!  Have a great Wednesday!! XO

The Dark Side of Thailand...

12 year old sex slaves?  Why?!!!!!

Being in Thailand is like heaven to me.  I love how sweet the people are, how beautiful the beaches are, the food and street vendors, massages and motor bike exploring days... But the one thing that rips my heart out is the sex trafficking of young girls and women.  Seeing this first hand in 2006 when I came to Thailand with the World Race group, my heart was literally broken.  I cried for days.  I could never erase the photo memory of the young girls we seen in little string bikinis with numbers pinned on them clinging to a pole like it was their long lost mom.  

Here is the thing.  Thailand's industry is tourism.  They cater to tourist's in every way imaginable.  You can get a $10 massage anywhere.  You can rent a motorbike for a day for $5.  Fresh cut fruit on the streets costs a few cents.  Clothes, shoes, jewelry, handbags... its all available for a fraction of the cost.  This is a huge attraction for many visitors to this land of paradise.  Although these are some of the things I adore about this country, this blog is about the one thing that breaks my heart.

The fruit is so fresh and so cheap!  For a bag of cut up watermelon and pineapple, I think I paid 25 cents! 

I think every other shop in Thailand is a massage parlor/spa.  The women stand on the street trying to get every person who walks by to come into their salon.  These girls must be working a long shift because they do not look too happy! 

My favorite nights are when we grab ice cream and go sit on the beach to watch the sunset... its so beautiful!

TONS and tons of jewelry... its my dream and Marshall's nightmare!  I did buy a pair of earrings from this guy.  He was making them right in front of him!  Pretty cool! :)

Prostitution.  Lots of it.  And even worse, sex trafficking.  My issue isn't exactly with the girls who choose to wear next to nothing and cater to old men for money.  It's gross and disgusting and I will never understand it, but at least they are making that decision on their own. 

We sat at an Irish Pub and had dinner across the street and watched this girl try to hook man after man as they walked by.  

Very very common.  Sorry about the horrible photography!  I'm nervous to lift my camera to take pictures of these things because it seems like people are always on the lookout and ready to yell at you!

Waiting...

 My very serious issue and heart aches are for the young girls who are not making that decision on their own... but forced into it.  This girl in the next two pictures has had a permanent place in my mind the last few days.  We had gone out for dinner and were walking around and saw her.  It was blatantly obvious that she was trafficked.  She looked about 12 or 13.  Definitely not Thai.  She was horribly drugged up and completely out of it.  And she was locked in this room above the bars which is a sign that they need to keep the girls more or less hidden.  The majority of the prostitution is in front of you on the streets.  But the young girls who were trafficked are kept inside for customers wanting services and privacy.  The more they keep it hidden, the better it is.  This girl was like just kind of swaying around and trying to move but her eyes were like in another world and I felt at that instant that someone had punched me so hard in my stomach.

I didn't know what to do.  I wanted to try and "buy" her for the night and bring her home, hydrate her,let her have some sleep, and try to help her escape.  Marshall reminded me that this business kills people that mess with them.  I do know that, but I couldn't help the tears in my eyes knowing this was someone's baby girl.  I wondered about her story and how she got where she is.  If it was a family vacation and she was kidnapped.  If she was offered a modeling position and shipped out of her country.  I still cannot get her out of my mind and have googled missing girls that may have been trafficked to just maybe find a match.  These pictures are really blurry because a guy was yelling at me that I was not allowed to take pictures of her.   He also stopped my video after like 10 seconds, but you can kind of get an idea of how horrible this dirty industry is.

Where she is standing is like a glass box above all the bars... I am sure it connects into the brothels inside.

This is another picture of a trafficked girl locked in the box on the pole... If you look up, she is in the blue dress.  This picture gives you a better idea of what the set up is like.  We watched this girl for a few minutes and she was so out of it she barely moved from that position but just kind of swayed a little.  

Whenever Marshall and I would take a taxi somewhere, they would try and take us to a backstreet apartment where their buddies tip them off.  At these places, they want to take you upstairs to the trafficked girls for services.  It's shocking and horrific.  We never told him to go there, but one time he didn't listen to us and went anyways thinking we would maybe change our mind.  That is how we know what dirty tricks they try and pull over on people.

You also have the women who are working the men and leave their sweet babies on the streets to beg and care for themselves.  This was so devastating.  I so badly wanted to bring them home with us and put on some cartoons and give them something to eat.  So awful... :( 

 There is such a difference in the many ladyboy clubs, and strippers you see enjoying their time, and the others who have no option but to do what the men and women order them to do.  These pictures are of strippers and prostitutes...

This bar is a ladyboy bar meaning all the "girls" in here were originally boys.  Weird weird weird... and there are a TON in Thailand!

This is pretty much what all the bars are like...

These three are all ladyboys too...

You come across so many people on the street, men and women, all ages... trying to offer you these "shows."  They include the women and they have them perform all sorts of what they call entertainment.  You can buy a ping pong show, bottle show, horn show, ribbon, candle, and the list goes on.  This picture shows all the people standing in the streets trying to coax the tourists into their bars and brothels for these performances. 

We were walking down the street and saw a bunch of people crowding around this table.  It was a little performance by the lady boys... Crazy.

This is what the bars are like.  I really am bad at taking pictures and videos in these areas because I'm so afraid of the people around me.  You literally have eyes on you at all times and I dont exactly think I want to mess with them.

There is an organization in Thailand that is pretty awesome.  Some of our world race teams have worked with them.  They are called Nightlight Bangkok and they have rescued some of the girls out of the trafficking industry.  They teach them life skills as many have only known how to do one thing for the past few years.  They hold Bible studies with them to renew their hope in God and to help bring some light back into their lives.  And they also teach them how to make jewelry.  There are many precious stones in Thailand and they use them to make jewelry and sell all around the world.  People can host jewelry parties like the pampered chef style and help them sell their items.  It's a great organization and I highly recommend anyone interested to take a look at their website for some beautiful items!!  

Even though we have left the crazy area of the bars and girls, I still cannot stop thinking about that sweet young girl.  It's such an awful feeling being helpless against such a dangerous enemy.  We are reporting that club to the American Embassy because we know they file reports and can put pressure on the country to take action... but with police patrolling the streets and being all over, they obviously do not care or are being paid off in services.  

All I can do is trust.  Trust that God will protect that girl and redeem her.  Trust that He will help the many others who are being beaten, drugged, and raped when they should be playing with barbies and reading bedtime stories with their parents.  

It is a cruel and devastating world.  It's even worse when you witness something so awful firsthand.  I will be posting many more posts about our trip and I promise they will be more positive than this one!  I just had to share what is really going on here.  Hug your loved ones tonight one extra time for all the sweet kids who cannot. 

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: THE FACTS • An estimated 2.5 million people are in forced labour (including sexual exploitation) at any given time

as a result of trafficking1 Of these:

o 1.4 million – 56% - are in Asia and the Pacific o

250,000 – 10% - are in Latin America and the Caribbean o

230,000 – 9.2% - are in the Middle East and Northern Africa 

o 130,000 – 5.2% - are in sub-Saharan countries o

270,000 – 10.8% - are in industrialized countries o

200,000 – 8% - are in countries in transition2

The Profits

• Estimated global annual profits made from the exploitation of all trafficked forced labour are US$ 31.6 billion14

The Victims

The majority of trafficking victims are between 18 and 24 years of age5 An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year6

95% of victims experienced physical or sexual violence during trafficking (based on data from selected European countries)7

43% of victims are used for forced commercial sexual exploitation, of whom 98 per cent are women and girls 

(These stats are from the UN.gift website)

These are some other facts about Sex Trafficking...

• • • •

A promise of a good job in another country A false marriage proposal turned into a bondage situation Being sold into the sex trade by parents, husbands, boyfriends Being kidnapped by traffickers

Sex traffickers frequently subject their victims to debt-bondage, an illegal practice in which the traffickers tell their victims that they owe money (often relating to the victims’ living expenses and transport into the country) and that they must pledge their personal services to repay the debt.

Sex traffickers use a variety of methods to “condition” their victims including starvation, confinement, beatings, physical abuse, rape, gang rape, threats of violence to the victims and the victims’ families, forced drug use and the threat of shaming their victims by revealing their activities to their family and their families’ friends.

Victims face numerous health risks. Physical risks include drug and alcohol addiction; physical injuries (broken bones, concussions, burns, vaginal/anal tearings); traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting in memory loss, dizziness, headaches, numbness; sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis, UTIs, pubic lice); sterility, miscarriages, menstrual problems; other diseases (e.g., TB, hepatitis, malaria, pneumonia); and forced or coerced abortions.

Psychological harms include mind/body separation/disassociated ego states, shame, grief, fear, distrust, hatred of men, self-hatred, suicide, and suicidal thoughts. Victims are at risk for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – acute anxiety, depression, insomnia, physical hyper- alertness, self-loathing that is long-lasting and resistant to change (complex-PTSD).

Victims may also suffer from traumatic bonding – a form of coercive control in which the perpetrator instills in the victim fear as well as gratitude for being allowed to live.