and these are a few of my favorite things: Dressember

I should be working on my research protocol paper and studying for therapeutics, which at this point, is the only thing keeping me from winter break, but I couldn't focus on multi-tasking because my mind kept on going back to this most recent online post, which I had stumbled across from my Urbana friend, Pinky's facebook page.  So I wanted to blog and share about a cause that I just recently decided to (about a few hours ago after bouts of walking around in circle in my living room, and laying on the couch to pray because my mind was roaming with serious anxiety) support for the month of December, called Dressember.  

In these past few weeks, I had been reflecting upon some of the conversations I've had with my pastor, Chris, and from Sunday's we had been about giving generously and sharing with the more needy.  I had been contemplating ways that I could put my faith into more action and not just simply agree on Sundays.  What led me to participate in this movement was when I had originally just seen this cause in passing on Pinky's participating page, and thought oh how cool, but the idea kept on coming back, and I just felt the challenge and conviction being put on my heart.  I was actually scarred to commit and the idea frightened me into anxiety.  This was strange, conflicting feeling for me though because anybody who is slightly acquainted with me can tell that these are a few of my favorite things after Christ: lights, glitter, sparkle, flowers, and dresses.  Then why was I so afraid to take part in a cause which was such a good fit for me?  Slowly, I realized how my human heart was plagued with all sorts of sinful matters which entangled so easily.  

The conflicts I had internally included trying to get out of it by rationalizing, thinking oh I have a lot to deal with already with finals and work, or giving excuses like oh I love wearing dresses, but I don’t have that much time on my hands to dress-up every day.  And then there was the what will people think of me, but by then, I knew that if I was resisting this much, God was definitely trying to challenge me to stand up for His cause, instead of passively giving up a chance to stretch my faith.  After a heart analysis, first diagnosis was- laziness to begin with, to be passive about such a cause which I knew that the Lord would want me to defend.  On a deeper, darker level, the selfishness of protecting my own interests, and the fear of man/fear of failure, conflicted with the conviction to take a step of faith and allow myself to see how the Lord would once again provide.  What’s funny was that I’ve always had a heart to work with and care for other women, and the conflict of my mind and heart slowly began to ease and be redeemed as I saw that this was God giving me an opportunity to do so, in a capacity which I loved.  Afterall, a few of my favorite things include dressing up, & since I have many dresses/skirts lined up in my closet, it made sense to conclude why not wear them for a cause- to celebrate femininity, free modern slavery, & put my faith into action.  

Dressember is a movement which embraces femininity, reclaims beauty, and restores women throughout the world who have been robbed of dignity and value.  By wearing a dress-a-day for the entire month of December, this personal-style challenge stands up for supporting and raising funds for International Justice Mission- IJM, a global organization which works to combat human/sex trafficking.

IJM's mission is to respond to the call to justice in Isaiah 1:17 to- "Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow."  Dressember enables the work of IJM through financial funds/support, in restoring the victims of oppression to the things that God intended them to have: their lives, their liberty, their dignity, the fruits of their labor.  

And so you may still be wondering why I am sharing this, but I just wanted to extend an invitation and encouragement to those whom may be interested in supporting or participating in this cause which celebrates beauty/femininity, reclaims values to women, and places fun in a worthwhile challenge.  I’ve pledged to raise $500 for IJM through Dressember, that would only be 50 people giving $10, so if any of you are interested in getting involved by dresssing up with me or financially supporting this cause, this is the link to my page-http://www.ijmfreedommaker.org/account/8190.

Every dollar will be given directly to IJM, and in addition to this, for every outfit, I have decided that I will be selling an article of clothing from my closet because I have been blessed with so much to have an abundance to bless others.  Any of these actions will help raise awareness and funds for IJM, as their mission celebrates the truth that there is beauty and power in femininity. 

See uploaded video below for more Dressember information-