Revelation 5:9

And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."

Happy New Year!

Is it really 2013 already?

Things I thought might have happened by this year in my ponderings circa 1994:

Flying cars.

I just gave birth to my second child with my husband Zac Hanson. 

Actually I think those were the two most common and insightful thoughts I had about the future at that time. 

It's been awhile since I have blogged. And I know I keep saying I am going to start back. But this time I REALLY am people. A resolution that won't be broken! I needed a bit of time off to kind of um, completely relocate and readjust to my latest locale. But all is good in the hood now, and I'm full of lists and ready to go.

Back by popular demand, I suppose I shall I reinstate 'What Laurel Has Been Up To,' and provide version 2.0:

1. Watching Talent Shows. Quick recap, but I moved from Canada to South Carolina last summer. My homegirl, Rebekah Makhuli aka best cousin alive happens to live here with her ghettofabulous hubs and two little munchkins, and we have been able to chill on the regular. We thrift, we cook, we discuss the possibilities related to working out, we play with her kids and we vote. This past fall we both fell head over heels for America's greatest girl group, FIFTH HARMONY. So much so that during the finale the two of us accounted for at least 250 votes.  I don't know what it is about the talent show that somehow can unravel the deepest of my emotions, but I think it has to do with parents choking up, American dreams fruitioning, and possibly the realization of and subsequent depression related to the fact that I have no vocal capabilities. Vicarious living. American Idol starts next week on January 16th TUNE IN!

2. Starting to Write My Memoir. A lot a lot a lot of people have asked me to record some of my stories into one place for all to enjoy, so I have begun the process. Even if no one actually wants to read this, I figure I might as well start writing given the possibility that I be one of those people that accidentally becomes a NY Times bestselling author.

3. Being a Blonde. Or being mistaken around town as Ke$ha, which has happened a surprising number of times since Halloween 2012... believe it or not!

4. Decorating. This one isn't that exciting, but must be included for me to consider my recap well-rounded. Rebekah has been helping me find some seriously fabulous steals and I have been slowly transforming the bachelor pad into a sparkly haven of girly delight!

5. Taking Ambien. This drug is hilarious. In September, I realized that possibly one of the reasons why I had turned into a total basket case was because I hadn't slept since July. I hopped over to the doctor, told him my woes, and left with a nice little prescription refillable until April. He was actually not kidding at all when he told me that it could possibly make me even crazier. He said not to take if it I were alone at home (I mean.... I think this was taking it a little far but surely he had to say that just in case I drove somewhere in my sleep and robbed a bank or even my neighbors of their mustard... yes that happened to someone!!), but forgot to mention somewhere in there TO NOT EVER USE ANY TECHNOLOGY OF ANY KIND after consumption. Conversations while on Ambien cannot be remembered. They also bring out the talent I apparently possess in the field of neologism. See below.

6. Eating Crap. The South = incredible food and impressive levels of grease and calories. BOJANGLESKRISPYKREMECHICKFILAQDOBAMOESBISCUITSFOODICECREAMMEXICANYUM.

7. The Sixth Sister. I have always wanted to apply to be a Big Sister through Big Brothers and Big Sisters and finally was able to! After an application, volunteer orientation, two interviews, three background checks, nine references and four months, I have a special little 7 year old girl that I get to hang out with. They did a great job matching us because she told them that she hates sweating and loves JB and painting her nails.

8. Trippin. (On Ambien and) in my Kia (but not at the same time). The last 5 months have brought trips to the coast, NC, TN, NY, SC, GA.... and it's been really fun reconnecting with my friends and family who have had to live without my visits for over 2 years.

9. SEM-ing. I got a job at a new agency in August and have been learning SO much about search engine marketing and the ins and outs of Google sponsored ads and optimizations and account management and online retail advertising and lots of other nerdy elements of my job.

10. Getting Comfy. On the couch at my therapist's. She is the best and helps me so much with all my issues related to the transition. I would recommend anyone to see a counselor just to be in charge of your life and emotions and thought processes to make sure that you're moving into adulthood and independence in the most healthy manner!! Seriously. Worth every penny. As my sister Heather told me, it's not a defeat. It's actually an awesome way to think through big issues with someone who is unbiased and professionally trained!

11. Prepping for the QUARTER CENTURY CRISES of 2013. 2013-1988=25. It's all going down this year. How has this happened?! I love it though, because birthdays and parties and especially birthday parties are the very best, and there are so many coming up!

12. Crushing on One-F-Jef. Quick recap. One-F-Jef Holm won the Bachelorette last summer, was engaged to Emily for a few months and is now back in the market. My friend Brittany and I crush on him pretty hardcore... The hair! The trend! The footwear and the skinny denim! His social consciousness! In the meantime, we exchange screenshots of his Instagram photos with captions that cannot be shared in this medium:

Peace and Blessings!!

“Do you know they’ve found landmines in broken women’s souls?

Black holes in the parts of their hearts that once sang symphonies of creation bright as the light on infinity’s halo?”

 — Blue Blanket by Andrea Gibson

West Village Weekend

Went up to visit a friend last weekend in NYC and it was so nice to get away! My friend was a great host and I enjoyed a classic New York experience - awesome shopping, great food, interesting people and lots to do. Welcome to fall!

no kidding

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

Andre Gide

borrowed from another blog

“These pages are to tell you,
my dear brother, my sister,
not to run away from people who are in pain
or who are broken,
but to walk towards them,
to touch them.
Then you will find rising up within you the well of love,
springing from resurrection.
In walking along this way,
I have had to meet my own darkness and brokenness
in the deeper knowledge that I am loved,
and so, though I have had to let go
of many dreams for our world
and many illusions about myself,
still I am growing in hope and trust
in the light that shines in each person:
believer or nonbeliever.
Yes, in that broken child,
a light is shining;
in that man in prison,
a heart is beating;
in that woman, victim of prostitution,
there is yearning for life;
in the rich and greedy person, seeking power,
there is a child of purity;
in that young man dying of AIDS,
there is the light of God;
in every person, no matter how broken, sinful,
hardened, dominating and cruel,
there is a spring of water waiting to flow forth.

If you walk with Jesus along this path,
He will lead you to the poor, the weak, the lonely and oppressed,
not with fear and despair,
not with feelings of guilt and helplessness,
not with anger or revolt,
not with theories or preconceived solutions,
but with a new and deeper
peace and love and hope."

Jean Vanier, The Broken Body

truth.

Break Every Chain

Can't get the girls in South Asia off my mind. I heard this song today and wanted to share. A great reminder that there is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain of injustice and suffering that is holding them in oppression. Do I live like I believe that?

Holiday Party #1

Got hardly any photos, but here are a couple snaps from SMG's Winter Wonderland Christmas Party last evening. Had a lovely time with my new work friends!

 

 

post-India

Wow. Two months without blogging. Something has definitely felt funny about this, but every time I have sat down to write I have not known what to say. How do I tie up a nine-month experience of incredible Kingdom work in a blog post? How do I adequately retell the stories of living so close to some of the poorest people in the world? How do I convey the urgency of the work in India to move the readers to respond accordingly?

So all that I have been able to come up with is simply that this is all going to be a process. Over the past two months I have slowly been adjusting back mentally to life in the West and a lifestyle that now seems so over-the-top and excessive. I keep reliving my experiences in India and praying for my girls over there. I am in close contact with other interns who finished their stints around the same time as me. I have been figuring out how best to continue the work from here - whether through personal advocacy, networking and fundraising and also just by telling people about the work.

Last year God entrusted me to be a part of work that is changing and restoring lives broken beyond what any of us can likely relate to.  In a small office in eastern India I watched a courageous team of about 30 professionals set out to trust God daily in the fight to rescue little girls from the most abusive and disgusting brothels that exist in the world. I lived 5 km from Sonagochi, the world's second largest red-light district, where 10,000 sex workers live and operate within the parameters of a 4 block stretch of brothels. I spent nights awake begging God to allow rescue operations to be successful and saw Him hear our cries to him and work out the minute details necessary to rescue the girls. I spent time in Indian villages and aftercare facilities and saw with my own eyes the hurt that comes with both poverty and a broken justice system. I was able to be a part of conferences of Christian leaders eager to break the cycle. All of this is to say that this experience will always be a part of me and is shaping who I am and who I want to be-- and unfortunately I still don't have all the answers. But I can confidently speak about what is happening in India and what we, the wealthy and privileged people of America, can do to help.

You wouldn't believe how many people, after hearing that I was from America, lit up and told me that it was their dream to come here one day. I have been thinking about what to do with my resources and how best to use them for the sake of this work.

I miss it more than I knew I would.

There has been an overwhelming 'yes' to the question I have asked about whether I should keep the blog going or not. So I plan to continue the updates - about opportunities to help, my new life as a Canadian girl, and whatever else I feel like sharing. Stay tuned because the adventure is not over!!

happy 21st anna banana

The five of us together for the first time in ages :) Happy Birthday sister!

and a glass of moscato

Sis came from Atlanta last night with a bottle of wine for me. The label: Middle Sister. The flavor: Sweet and Sassy! So perf.

homecoming

I am home. I can't believe it. The flights were extremely long and I had lots of layovers, but before I knew it I was walking out to the exit at RDU.... and what a warm welcome it was. I have the best friends in the world:

{Bridesmaid times three. All new rocks since I left!}

ready, set, go

Kolkata to Chennai to Brussels to New York City to Raleigh. Three continents in one day sounds pretty awesome!

My article hit the paper!

Keep reading for a write-up on this week's rescue operation -
Here's the link

Trafficked girls rescued from E Midnapore
TNN | Jun 24, 2011, 01.02am IST

KOLKATA: Ten girls who had fallen into a trap set by traffickers were rescued from a hotel in East Midnapore on Thursday. On the reception of specific intelligence, a team of officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit and the Special Operations Group of the state Criminal Investigations Department (CID) swooped down on Hotel Maa Kali under Mahishadal police station during the wee hours. Seven persons, suspected to be perpetrators, were arrested during the operation.

The young women, aged between 15 and 25 years, were illegally brought in from Bangladesh and different districts of West Bengal. The victims told police that the traffickers lured them with promises of jobs while few said they were sold by their own relatives. Once in the hotel, the girls were locked up in dirty and cramped rooms and forced to entertain clients.

"Hundreds of minor girls are trafficked from Bangladesh and different parts of West Bengal each year. The police are doing their part in rescuing and rehabilitating them. But what is needed most is for the media to facilitate a public forum on the issue between government agencies and non-government agencies alike," said Sarbari Bhattacharya, Officer in Charge of Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, CID.

Representatives of International Justice Mission (IJM) , a human rights organization, accompanied CID on the rescue operation.

"The excellence execution by the CID team and their precision led to the freedom of 10 girls," said IJM Field Office Director Biju Mathew.

The rescued girls have all been placed in an aftercare home. The minors will be produced before Child Welfare Committee while the girls from Bangladesh will be repatriated.

Psalm 145

I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever

Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.

On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

And on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.

They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

Ten more lives brought to freedom. Our God is faithful.

my heart is full now

Today was pretty much the best day of my life. I finally got to go to the village and meet the girls that we had been praying and preparing for, and I am sooo sad that I met them just a week before I go home! Rupali had told them that they would have a surprise visitor on Monday, and I did not know what I had coming. When I walked in the door, they all stood up and greeted me with roses and this huge flower garland fit for a queen. Total royal treatment! I started by sitting down with them and getting to know each of the vibrant girls. They told me their names, about their families and what their dreams are. None of them could restrain their smiles, and watching Rupali with them was one of the most touching things I have ever seen. They had definitely never met or seen a white person before and had lots of questions for me! The whole time I was wishing that everyone else who contributed and who read and cared for them could have been there too and met them. They were so beautiful. 

Each one of these girls comes with a story- and for most of them the story can't be told without tears. For  almost all of them, Rupali's center is the only place in the world where they can laugh and be free and play and learn. In fact, none of them had ever known the concept of playing until they found her. Almost all of them face unspeakable abuse in the home. Looking around, I saw the walls lined with colorful pictures that they had drawn. I looked through books with sewing samples they had made. I saw boards with math problems and English lessons on them. They are so eager to learn.

After meeting all the girls (which took awhile because there are sooo many!!), I was asked to surprise them with the sewing machines and talk to them about how I learned about them and what I want for them. I wasn't exactly prepared for this, but as I found myself sitting in a room with about 30 gorgeous smiling girls, somehow the Lord just gave the words to me. I told them that it is so important for them to know how valuable they are. I told them that getting an education is one of the most important things they can do, and as long as they are learning and practicing their skills, they will be able to stand on their own two feet. I told them that even when life is hard for them, they must never give up and must always have strength to stick to their school. Then, in my total girl power mode, I wanted to tell them how beautiful they all are. That they aren't cursed for being girls, but are actually very blessed because girls are God's special and precious gifts. That God loves them so, so much and will always be there for them to give them strength and to give them hope. That God brought me to them and gave me so much love for them. And that my friends back at home love them too and want them to enjoy the new sewing machines that we wanted to give them. They erupted into thank you's and giggles. They couldn't believe that people so far away from them could care about them enough to give them something so valuable. It was especially cool because the two machines they had at the center had recently broken and were no longer usable.

While I was talking to them, the Singer delivery guy was working to assemble the first of five brand new machines for them - a variety of machines to bring them all the way from beginner to expert tailors. He spent time with the older girls and sewing instructor to show them exactly how the machine worked. It was so cool to see it all set up.

Then the girls reeeeally wanted to show me their henna skills, one other trade they are practicing at the center. So obviously now I am decked out up and down both arms and legs. The girls were amazing and I wish it would never wear off! Oh and by the way, they want to meet all my friends, so you might want to start booking your flights out here :)

I pretty much can't put into words the feeling I have after meeting them all and spending the day there. The girls are so loving and so attentive and so hungry for affection and knowledge about the world. I want to give them everything. It is the kind of overflowing-heart feeling you get after you do something that is totally worthwhile and lasting and full of love. And because I am out of words, other than THANK YOU, here are some pictures (they love the digital camera!):