"Go West, young girl!"

 It's a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together. 

I have been given an amazing opportunity to work in a field that I am incredibly passionate about. I will be working for Cherished High Desert. They are a non-profit Faith-based organization for women recovering from lives of trafficking, prostitution, addiction, domestic violence & commercial sex industry exploitation.

This has been in the works for months and months. So many things had to fall into place and the planets had to line up just right, on both sides of the country, for this to work. God's hand is definitely in this and His will be done! I will be moving to the Lancaster/Palmdale area in Southern California in less than 72 hours!
I am incredibly excited and was so grateful to be able to share that excitement and joy with my church family today at Dublin Baptist Church. They have been with me since before I was even born actually, as my parents have been attending that church for many many years. I was raised in that church. I had the blessing to witness my grandfather, Elmon Thompson, when he was the interim Pastor there. The women at DBC have shown me what it looks like to be a Woman of Christ and have been my example growing up. Pastor Dennis asked me to come share a little bit about where I was going and would be doing and then asked the church to pray with me. And not just pray with me, but OVER me, as in, they laid their hands on me and said prayers. In 1 Timothy, the Scripture tells us, "Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you." (1 Timothy 4:14)

Yes, I am in the middle of there somewhere!

It was an amazing and beautifully moving gesture that I will never forget. People I have know my entire life placed their hands on me and asked God to bless me on my journey to California.

As I go out on this journey, I just want to thank each and every person that has helped me to this point. It is only through God's grace and mercy that I have made it to this point. I will be blogging about my travels here, so please subscribe to my blog, Strategically Placed and go with me on this new chapter in my life! Also, there will be an IndieGoGo campaign that we are launching to help with some of the financial issues that will be encountered along the way, and I appreciate any support that anyone is able to provide. 

Peace & Blessings,
Kristin

Vote: Thistle Farms & Thistle Stop Cafe "Best Of Nashville"

Vote for Thistle :

Cick here to Vote! -------> www.nashvillescene.com 

 The "Best of Nashville" by Nashville Scene is a pretty big deal here in NashVegas. There are categories that Thistle Farms, Thistle Stop Cafe & Thistle Thursdays (@ the cafe) could and should be Voted "Best Of!" It takes a second to set-up an account, log in, and then its really fast to just click a few boxes and type. It took me 10 minutes, whole process. Through the efforts of many, Rev Becca Stevens  & Co have changed hundreds of women's lives (mine included).  

(And that's not counting the minds and hearts of the thousands that have Volunteered, worked for, purchased products, held home parties, made donations or offered kind gestures and prayers to us, and are a part of our local & global community!)

(So No excuses:You do not have to be from Nashville to vote, btw! ;)

Help us get Thistle Farms, Becca, the Cafe, the live music on Thistle Thursdays @ the cafe recognized as "Best Of Nashville".

Through the belief that "Love is the most powerful force for social change in the world" ,

 a community has changed the way that the city of Nashville, (as well as Tennessee and other states), treat women trying to escape a vicious cycle of addiction, incarceration, prostitution & abuse.

 Becca tells us, "If you want to kill a village, rape the women. If you want to heal a village, heal the women.."

 Their efforts have healed, protected, and eventually employed many women that would otherwise ended up in jails, institutions, or possibly death. The more awareness there is for the efforts of Magdalene & Thistle Farms, the more women can be helped.

Posted below are the suggested categories from Carolyn Snell's blog post (thistlefarms.blogspot.com).
Being recognized, in any of these categories, as the "Best Of" in Nashville would be a wonderful way to thank and acknowledge all of those that work tirelessly to maintain and support our community. Please take a second and do this:
(So there are 230 questions, but you only have to answer 20.)


Section 1 of 7: Food and Drink
Best Coffeehouse: Thistle Stop Cafe
Best Menu: Thistle Stop Cafe
Best Patio: Thistle Stop Cafe
Best Place For A Business Lunch: Thistle Stop Cafe
Best Restaurant: Thistle Stop Cafe
Best Restaurant Ambiance: Thistle Stop Cafe
Best Service in a Restaurant: Thistle Stop Cafe

Section 2 of 7: Home, Goods and Services
Best Nonprofit: Thistle Farms
Best Place To Buy A Gift: Thistle Farms
Best Place For A Wedding Reception: Thistle Stop Cafe

Section 3 of 7: Music, Arts and Entertainment
Best Charity Event: Thistle Thursdays (at the Thistle Stop Cafe)
Best Concert Series: Thistle Thursdays (at the Thistle Stop Cafe)
Best Local You Would Like To See Make a Cameo On Nashville: The Thistle Stop Cafe!
Best Place To Hear Live Music: Thistle Thursdays (at the Thistle Stop Cafe)

Section 4 of 7: Media and Politics
Best Facebook Page: Thistle Farms
Best Local Twitter Account: Rev. Becca Stevens
Best Blog: Voices of Thistle Farms (thistlefarms.blogspot.com)

Section 5 of 7: Kids
Best Family-Friendly Restaurant: Thistle Stop Cafe

Section 6 of 7: People and Places
Best Community Role Model: Rev. Becca Stevens
Best Place To Take Out-of-Towners: Thistle Stop Cafe
Best Religious Leader: Rev. Becca Stevens

Why I Love Aberdeen Green, Waterproof Mascara & Volunteers

  As a part of a community that constantly shows their love, hope, support and compassion on a daily basis, I am used to hearing of amazing acts of kindness and unbelievable stories of redemption. It is not unusual for people to call, email, or show up at my job to volunteer their time, donate something, share their story or simply be a part of our morning meditation. We witness incredible displays of a deep affection towards the women and the cause all the time. It has been this way since Magdajnulene's beginnings. Those involved in the early stages had the passion that it took to make this a sustainable program. The volunteers and donors that came along the way shared that same fire and dedication, turning a small program into what is now a national movement. I have always been so incredibly grateful to those that were involved in creating, implementing, sustaining, and sharing a program that saved my life. I am so passionate about what we are doing, about what I am a part of, that it is very hard for me not to cry, a lot, all the time. As the Events Coordinator, I handle numerous emails and field phone calls 24/7. And typically have the tale-tale signs of being a "cryer" with my mascara starting to run down my face by the end of the phone call. Normally, the first 10 minutes of the call (or first few paragraphs of an email) consist of people explaining how much they love us, how being involved with Thistle Farms has "changed their life", why they want to donate money or asking how they can help. But wait a minute, aren't I the one who is supposed to be saying "Thank You?" I'm confused, because, it was through their support, their donations, their volunteer time, their love that this program has flourished. However, it often becomes a "Battle of Gratitude", sounding something like, "Thank You." "No, Thank You. " "No, no, Thank YOU." You get the idea...

   

So I don't know why I was surprised when I found myself in the same conversation, repeating how thankful we were, with those pesky tears threatening to ruin my  perfectly applied makeup for the evening, as I was asked to help host an event. (But I was prepared! I now use WATERPROOF mascara on a daily basis and could probably write it off on my taxes as a necessary tool as an Event Coordinator for a non-profit..) I was having a "gratitude battle" with some chicks I LOVE, Carly & Amanda of Aberdeen Green, (who are awesome because they have a 540 area code and are from Virginia... I'm just sayin'....) 

These amazingly talented, incredibly sweet and highly motivated women took it upon themselves to plan, promote, organize a benefit for Magdalene & Thistle Farms. Music City: Women 4 Women. a musical benefit to raise money for us! They got the venue, food, sound, stage, artists, bartenders and well, EVERYTHING donated or paid for. And all this in order for them to perform their music as a means of holding a fundraiser for us. The whole night was amazing. Jennifer, Rita, Penny, Dorris and I attended, and were completely blown away by the love and compassion displayed by everyone involved. The highlight of the night for me was being witness to another graduate, Dorris Walker, performing her original song "Magdalene", for the first time. Singing a song that she wrote, on a Nashville stage, accompanied by an incredibly talented artist, for the first time, was a huge event that I know she will never forget.
And Dorris rocked it! 

The talent in that room last week rivaled that of any 10 Nashville venues that night! Every single person and group that played, was simply amazing..

 Oh, and did I mention that they all WORK at The Bound'ry? It was like Coyote Ugly, without the Ugly. They went from waitstaff to noteworthy music artists in a few seconds flat. It was beautiful, graceful and humbling. When they weren't on stage, I watched them clear tables, refill drinks, empty trash and sweep. And they did it all with a guitar slung over their back, or wearing heals, or in sequined dresses.  I had the opportunity to speak with the owners of The Bound'ry for a little while. As I was thanking them,

they interrupted me. And there it was: "No, thank YOU!" They explained that they did not want their employees to look back in 10 years and still be working there, or wonder where all the time went. Instead, they wanted them to be a part of something bigger, to use their time there as a way to interact, participate, and impact their community. And doing this benefit for Thistle Farms & Magdalene was just one way they were choosing to do just that.

The owners donated the venue space, some incredible food, drinks, and their employees time. It was $12 admission and the place was packed pretty soon. In addition, they held a silent auction and donated all of that money as well. All in all, nearly $2,000 was raised! That money goes directly into the program to help get some of the 100+ women on our waiting list off the street. Women who have been victims of sex-trafficking, domestic violence, prostitution, sexual abuse and drug addiction come to Magdalene seeking a solution to a life that has gotten stuck in a cycle of misery, pain and hopelessness. Through the belief that love is the most powerful force for change in the world, our community is changing that cycle. By providing a 2 year, residential program, at no cost to the women, Magdalene provides a place for healing, compassion, and an unconditional love that, 7 years later, overwhelms me every day. 

 As a graduate, I feel I want to be more focused on loving, instead of being loved. But no matter how much I love, how grateful I am, how passionate I am or how excited I get, I always run across volunteers and supporters that are even more motivated and dedicated that I am.

 And that, my friends, is powerful. 

This is how mountains are moved. 

How minds are changed.

 How ignorance is cured.

 How legislation is written. 

How victims become survivors.

How people find Christ.

How lives are saved. 

On behalf of the women of Magdalene & Thistle Farms, I want to extend our gratitude to our newest Thistle Farmers:

  Aberdeen Green, Brittany Hadley Music, Courtney Drummey, Alexandera Saad, Becky Kinder , Morgan Myles, & Luisa Lopez,  Bound'ry Nashville, Horizon Wine and Spirits, Louisville Distilling Company, Party Providers Inc. & Rosalie Chilton.

It is only through the dedicated supporters and volunteers that this program is even possible. If you want to find out more about getting involved with Thistle Farms & Magdalene, go to the #LinkLove list at the top of the page & check us out! 

As I travel on this amazing journey that God has strategically sent me on, I cannot help but smile when I think of how He places people in my life. Carly & Amanda sing about a valley.. The Shenandoah Valley.. Well I grew up just a stone's throw away, in another valley, The New River Valley.. Working with these 2 reminds me of home, of the mountains and the cool air.. I can see the Blue Ridge Mountains & the lake I live on when they sing. And that's about the best thing in the world. I've tried my whole life to run from those mountains and that lake, mostly because of the things that happened during my drug use and addiction. Thank you Amanda & Carly for giving me back a beautiful picture of my home, and reminding me that no matter how far I run, Virginia will always be there. 


In Love & Gratitude,

Kristin

Friday Morning Inspiration

Just some randomness to get our morning off right!

Seek Christ...I promise that you will find Him if you go looking..

Never let anyone tell you that you are wasting time on your Pinterest Quote Board....

          ...tell them they are your daily affirmations..

If Lucy believes it, then it must be true..

(Wouldn't it be nice if all of the cartoons kids watched were like this? Even just some of them? And little girls wanted to grow up to influence social change & improve her community because Peanuts told her when she was growing up that SHE MADE the world better and that SHE WAS a positive force? I'm just saying...)

Stream of consciousness....

Girls: Never be offended when someone refers to you as an "Einstein." Smile, Say "Thank You" & then become a billionaire from your Internet Start-Up. Remember ladies, we were Geeks before Geeks were cool. 

(Anyways, computers will always do EXACTLY what us girls tell them to do... And you can speak to them in codes...They will never play games with you.. (unless of course you program them to..) They won't ask to borrow money; in fact, they will make it for you.. They will talk to you in any language you want, or will let you make up your own.. You know where they are at all times, courtesy of GPS.. They won't trade you in for a younger model.. (In fact, YOU can trade them in.. @ Best Buy.. for Store Credit.. ) They will look through pictures for hours with you & not complain..And if they won't cooperate, ctrl-alt-delete will shut them up. Every time. Plus, it is legal in every state to take a screwdriver to the sucker if it steps out of line! #truestory)

So the moral of this story is....

( and so grateful for the bad things...

makes the good things SO much BETTER!!)

Find other ways to look at things ---->

Or if you don't like something, 

then CHANGE it...

At any given time, there are no less than a million things that you can do to be a positive force..

    ...to make the world better...
  I'll even give you some to start with:

Yes.
You should be alarmed
 @:

-Big Tobacco's Propaganda

-Monsanto 

-GMO's

-Human & Sex Trafficking in your own community (It does, in fact, exist everywhere. Google it. Be informed.)

-Climate Change, especially Water pollution issues.

-Corporate & Consumer Greed, it's killing small businesses
-Bees. Yes, Bees. The decline in populations of honeybees specifically. They pollinate our food. No bees = no food. 

-McDonald's - unfair working conditions & wages to make food that is killing us.. how does that even make sense?

-PETA - Do some research, they are a barbaric & inhumane "non-profit" that makes money off of the very thing they say they stand for, killing & torture of animals...

You can pick one of my Social Protests, or make one up of your own! Just Act. Don't be a part of the majority.. Oftentimes, they are wrong...

Live your life doing something that you care about...

be the change... start a movement..any movement.. just start one!

Cute picture...Wonderful sentiment..Could be a bad idea in some zip codes....

Want to really fight "the man?"
Join CASAA.org & take on the largest, richest, & most powerful propaganda machine in American history. And save millions of lives in the process. It's a win:win. (P.S. If you still currently smoke cigarettes, I would love 5 minutes of your time to change your life. Seriously. 5 minutes. Just email/txt/comment/tweet/call me or even yell really loud..)

Start asking questions.. It doesn't matter what they are or who you ask.. Just get involved in something that makes a difference.

Remember to:

Love your sisters...

Even if they aren't your "sister." You can't pick your relatives but you can darn sure pick your family.

Seek Truth. Advocate for Justice. No Justice, No Peace.

Laugh @ everything.

Be a ripple.. Or butterfly wings.. Learn to Rock Boats..

Go Farm some Thistles.. Frequently.

And Graciously.

Be nice to strangers... 
Love people that don't like you.. 
Do something remarkable. Right NOW.
Spend less money on presents, and more time being present.. 
(Why yes, I did just come up with that on my own! Pretty clever, huh?)

Write random blogs @ 3 am just because you can..
Twitter..Tumbl..LinkIn..Pin stuff..Post pictures of everything beautiful you see.. StumbleUpon..DiggStuff.. 

Take as many selfies as your SD card will allow, 

(except, of course, if you are the leader of the free world and are attending the funeral of one of the most revered Activists & Freedom Fighters ever in the history of man, & it is being viewed by millions of people... I'm just saying.....)

 Smile because you can.. Smile because no matter what you are going through, there is someone going through something a million times worse, somewhere on this planet.. Smile because God gave woke you up this morning.. Smile because you have a warm bed, in a safe house, and maybe even a Christmas tree...

Some people are scared to smile.. Some people want to smile so bad on the inside but don't think they are

good enough... pretty enough... worthy enough.. 

Smile, because to God you ARE good enough.. you ARE pretty enough... you ARE worthy enough.. He has destined you for great things, Strategically Placed You to share His message. 

Even though I don't know where my map is leading me, or where I am going, I sure do know where I started... And that's the most important part of this whole journey so far..I've spent years trying to Find My Way Home, & I kind of feel like I'm finally in the vicinity....Or at least the right zip code.. :)

Have a good weekend!

Be good to each other.

You are an example to someone.

You are a shot of hope for someone.

Be a positive force like Lucy.

And don't forget, You ARE
 entirely responsible
for the energy that you bring into your space..

Love.

Sing me sweet and sleepy All the way back back home...

9:50pm 12/13........After working & travelling since 6:00am, I was desperately looking forward to climbing into my own bed. I was getting ready to crawl under my comforter &go to sleep last night but there was something that was bothering me. I couldn't pin point it as the past few days have been hectic. As I was just closing my eyes, I felt some papers crumpled under my pillow (still have no idea HOW they even got there) This was surreptitiously under my pillow. This is a very special moment digitally captured for, well, ever. I am grateful to my God for once again "strategically placing" this photo, as well as Meg herself, in my path.. Instead of going to sleep, I felt moved create this.......

I would like you to meet my Sister For Life, Meg. 

With her goofy smile, love of all things Grateful Dead & her loving personality, we became fast friends when we met in 2007. 

Meg Chrisman tragically passed away December 9th, 2013.

We are all so very sad & miss you Meg.

click here to hear 

                                      Meg & the Women talk about Home...

Meg & I both loved books written by Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison. We shared all 3 of her books back & forth and thought she had an incredible way of explaining what some of us go through when dealing with mental illnesses, specifically manic-depressive or bi-polar disorder:

“There is a particular kind of pain, elation, loneliness, and terror involved in this kind of madness. When you're high it's tremendous. The ideas and feelings are fast and frequent like shooting stars, and you follow them until you find better and brighter ones. Shyness goes, the right words and gestures are suddenly there, the power to captivate others a felt certainty. There are interests found in uninteresting people. Sensuality is pervasive and the desire to seduce and be seduced irresistible. Feelings of ease, intensity, power, well-being, financial omnipotence, and euphoria pervade one's marrow. But, somewhere, this changes. The fast ideas are far too fast, and there are far too many; overwhelming confusion replaces clarity. Memory goes. Humor and absorption on friends' faces are replaced by fear and concern. Everything previously moving with the grain is now against-- you are irritable, angry, frightened, uncontrollable, and enmeshed totally in the blackest caves of the mind. You never knew those caves were there. It will never end, for madness carves its own reality.”

Kathryn Redfield Jamison

Meg & I will always share some very special bonds. We related in an intellectual & mental way that I rarely experience. I watched & learned from her as she carefully held and soothed my godson when he was an infant. Meg had a very special relationship with him for the first few years of his life, and also with his little sister. She taught me how to be gentle and nurturing; how to be patient with fussy babies.. 

Meg "GOT" me. Period. We had many conversations that

I could never have with anyone else. Meg loved unconditionally

She did not judge. She was humble & sought Christ more and

more everyday.She shared the goodness of God with others & I

believe she tried very hard to do the right thing as best that she could.

Meg was a graduate of Magdalene. She was a special mother. She was a sister, a daughter, an aunt, and godmother. But most of all, Meg was love. She always would have a tight hug & peck on the cheek for those she saw along the way..

  However, my friend Meg struggled, as we all do, with her own demons. She had an unquiet mind... A mind touched by fire.. She fought them very hard, but I think that God wanted her to come on home so that she didn't have to fight her own thoughts, her own internal being, anymore.... I know in my heart the Meg is at peace now, her mind is quiet once again. My prayers are with her family, as well as everyone in our community. It is especially hard to lose another sister.

-Kristin

Fare you well my honey

Fare you well my only true one

All the birds that were singing

Have flown except you alone

Going to leave this broke-down palace

On my hands and my knees I will roll roll roll

Make myself a bed by the waterside

In my time, in my time, I will roll roll roll

In a bed, in a bed

By the waterside I will lay my head

Listen to the river sing sweet songs

To rock my soul

River gonna take me

Sing me sweet and sleepy

Sing me sweet and sleepy

All the way back back home

It's a far gone lullaby

Sung many years ago

Mama, Mama, many worlds I've come

Since I first left home

Going home, going home

By the waterside I will rest my bones

Listen to the river sing sweet songs

To rock my soul

Going to plant a weeping willow

On the banks green edge it will grow grow grow

Sing a lullaby beside the water

Lovers come and go, the river roll roll roll

Fare you well, fare you well

I love you more than words can tell

Listen to the river sing sweet songs

To rock my soul

Grateful Dead... Brokedown Palace

I wrote this & blogged it for myself & others that love her. I welcome anyone to add pictures, comments, stories, links... Meg was very special to many of us & I know that I will always remember my dear, sweet, gracious & humble friend & sister, Meg..

My starting point...

What is God doing around the world and around me?  Where is He at work?

What is the prominent need in the above answer?

What am I uniquely equipped and positioned to accomplish?  How might God use my position, talents, and experiences to accomplish HIS plan?

Am I serving God’s purposes or have I lost my way and serving my desires?  

#1

I have started several different blogs over the past couple of years. I have made beautiful templates with equally stunning html codes, forms, and fonts. I have researched and reviewed every "How To Start A Blog" article on the Internet. (Literally, *all* of them.) I have created some cute and clever Blog names, titles, descriptions & domain names. I have even read other blogs to see how I should do mine. I've written a dozen articles to post, all with accompanying pictures. However, that is as far as I have gotten. Something was always holding me back: not enough time, not the right title, didn't like the content, wanted a different domain name, or a myriad of other different reasons. I come across the most amazing, interesting, fascinating, surprising and beautiful things in my every day life and I'll think, "Wow, I would put this on my blog if I ever published one!" Well, as of today, no more! I am going to write, post, tag and create with wild abandon. I believe that the healing and the power of the process is in the journey, not in the destination. So welcome to my blog, aptly named because I 100% know and believe that God has strategically placed me where I am in life, for reasons that will be revealed at some point. And I welcome you! Thanks for stopping by. :)  Stay tuned for more wonderful musings, ideas, and downright cool content.