mourning our little spotted dog

saying good-bye

Six years ago she showed up at our house in the arms of an old friend.  Six years she's followed us on all sorts of adventures, including, but not limited to flood evacuation, boating, camping, moving to the city, cross-country road trips to an even bigger city.  We always knew that she would eventually bow out of more adventures, but we sure wish it hadn't been yesterday.  

She's always been Brian's dog.  A four-legged angel, I called her once.  We hugged her and kissed her and cried tears on her black, white and brown speckles as we said good-bye to her in the veterinary office.  I will not miss her bad breath, but I will miss her soft ears and the way she made us behave like silly kids instead of grown-ups for at least a few minutes every day.  

Perhaps, what I'll miss most is the special sort of smile she brought to my husband's face.  She was pretty worn out from illness when he held her yesterday, but she did manage to respond to Brian.  She licked his face which we haven't seen her do for a really long time.  I think it might have been right after he said, "You've been with us right when we needed you most."

Good-bye little adventure companion.  We will miss you around here.  

I'm only realizing now how often Duchess turns up in the stories I tell at this site.  Want to see for yourself?

• a four-legged angel: our first impressions
• a story of a dog, part 1:  the hair-raising first night in our new home upon which Duchess ran away
• a story of a dog, part 2: how we got her back
• Murphys take Austin: and Duchess gets a seat upgrade
• 7 Quick Takes: Duchess stays around long enough to launch Brian's preaching career

Brian and Duchess at Treman Park, Ithaca, 2009

new teaser for Trade In Hope Benefit Showcase

On Tuesday I shared with you the information about an upcoming benefit for an Austin-based film production to raise awareness and promote community solutions to fight the sex trafficking of domestic minors -- specifically in central Texas. John at Trade In Hope shared the Showcase Teaser with us today.  

Trade In Hope Showcase Teaser from Trade In Hope on Vimeo.

I'm looking forward to this event and to the short film screening.  If you live anywhere near Austin, click here to purchase tickets for the event ($10 pre-sale / $12 at the door).  If you don't live nearby but you're reading this and wondering what you can do to act against human trafficking, click here to read a list of five things you can do from wherever you are.  To read a more detailed list with helpful resource links, go to the Act page at the Trade In Hope website.

May God have mercy on us all and strengthen us in the name of Jesus to push back the darkness of evil through the power of His Spirit.

Amen.

Support Trade in Hope, Showcase is March 24!

I'm still on my Lenten blog fast, but wanted to stop by to help promote this important event for our friends at Trade In Hope.  

Trade In Hope is hosting a Benefit Showcase on Saturday, March 24th, from 7:00-10:00pm at the For the City Center.  Come early when the doors open to take part in a silent auction and an interactive art experience, and mix and mingle with other activists, artists, professionals and community members.  Then stay to watch an exclusive screening of a short film from Trade In Hope, with the original score performed live during the screening!  The night will also feature music from composer Casey McPherson from Alpha Rev, Sara Overall, and Ramy Antoun and the 1211 band.  Pre-Sale tickets are now available on the Trade In Hope website.  Proceeds from the night will support the Trade In Hope feature film.  So come stand in solidarity with us - together we are working to end human trafficking in our community through the completion of this documentary!

Trade In Hope Teaser from Trade In Hope on Vimeo.

Our family has been getting to know this project and the excellent human beings who're fueling it with energy, passion and humble conviction.  In fact, we've been trying to get our families' busy schedules to sync up for a dinner together because I want our family to better understand the reality of suffering in our city and the kind of people who take action for the helpless.

Dinner hasn't worked out yet, but here are three questions I asked our friend John (Director of Outreach and TIH).  I thought you all would enjoy reading the insightful answers he gave.


Tamara:  Why did you choose to connect with and give your energy to the Trade in Hope project? 

John Nehme

 John:  I can't think of many things that so completely reject and defame the image of God in another human being more than modern slavery and human trafficking. My choice to give my energy to TIH flows first from my belief that every human should be valued and treated with dignity.I first learned about this global pandemic when I watched a documentary in 2008. The film focused on human trafficking in Southeast Asia. I remember feeling disbelief, then feeling sick to my stomach, and finally feeling complete outrage. I walked out thinking, "I have to do something about this!" followed by "I have no idea what to do about this."  I don't want future audiences to suffer a similar, dis-empowering experience.

Trade In Hope focuses on trafficking in our own communities, and what we can do to stop it.  I believe the end result won't just be powerful - it will be empowering.

Third, the project Director, Michelle, is my older sister. I've always looked up to her!

Tamara:  What are some reasons you are excited about the progress of the project?

John:  We've entered the third and final year of production, and it's exciting to see the finish line in the distance.  Those three years gave us the chance to peel back the layers of this issue to see what's really going on.  Consequently, the film has become about so much more than just domestic sex trafficking -- it unpacks truths about personal identity, family and community. The process refined our team and ensured the production of a solid, time-tested final film.

Tamara:  What are some ways you find joy in the middle of working with such an intense subject matter?

John:  I once heard that "Sorrow enlarges the capacity of the heart for Joy."  Yes, working on the subject matter brings you face to face with despicable human abuses. But it also brings you face to face with the truth that hope can overcome fear, that good can push back evil, and that the broken can heal.  It's those stories -- the stories of trafficking survivors and those dedicating their lives to fighting it -- that bring me joy each day.  It's their stories the world needs to ehar, so we can all heal.

You say you don't live in Austin and can't attend the Showcase?  Here are other ways to act.

Five Ways You Can Act To Stop Sex Trafficking 

1.  Give:  Click here to contribute to the production of the documentary and be a part of the film.

2.  Advocate:  Promote the work of Trade In Hope through their social media locations:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Sign up here to receive the Trade In Hope newsletter

3.  Pray:  Connect with the Trade In Hope team about being a prayer advocate - info@tradeinhope.com
4.  Volunteer:  Connect with a local anti-trafficking agency.  They need your help!
5.  Consume wisely:  Examine supply chains when you make purchases; by slave-free or free-trade products.. 

     (visit  chainstorereaction.com for more information)