We Just Got Back From the Spa Show!

Yes it was fabulous, but more importantly, and I learned a lot! The IECSC show is one of the nation's largest spa trade shows. We were not prepared for the cash and carry demands, but on the sunny side, I met some wonderful people.

Good Fortune set up camp in one of the busiest isles across from M'lis and next to Trust Your Journey. I am very inspired by both company's natural philosophies! Please check them out for yourself, but here is my take on them.

Trust Your Journey was started by two women who've been through some trying times and know that it can be simple things that get us through our toughest moments. Beth (left) is a breast cancer survivor and Ruth (right) lost her husband to kidney disease. They survived to tell their stories, and to inspire women everywhere to honor their inner strength and celebrate their personal path through life.

TYJ sells AMAZING organic shirts (which I'm wearing right now), hats, and super cool jewelry. Did you ever wear the BFF heart necklaces when you were a kid? TYJ makes a way cooler (grown up version) with that concept. 

Their Share Bracelet (Give One, Keep One), is a set of two bracelets designed for sharing the journey with a friend, family member or anyone who needs a daily positive message of just knowing someone is there for them. It is my favorite $15 gift ever!

Next on my roster is M'lis. They are known for their holistic skin care products, programs, and education. Not only do they have amazing products, but their story is amazing as well. I met the founder Linda Nelson and her son Wallace at the show. Both of their lives have had sets backs with illnesses, and both have overcome. Linda, a Doctor of Naturopathy, was sick with fibromyalgia. She learned how to become symptom free through holistic methods, and now helps other sufferers. She developed a natural lifestyle change program and wrote a book that has helped hundreds of women overcome the debilitating effects of fibromyalgia.

Don't you just love a good story of triumph?  Sometimes we ask God to spare us pain, but suffering draws us apart from worldly cares and brings us closer to Him. I am thankful for my trials, because now I can bless others and share my journey!

Here are some more photos from my trip!

You might be surprized by what you can do with $10 a month

Can $10 buy freedom? Maybe if 10,000 people gave $10 every month it could.

I suppose one can't buy freedom, because we are free in Christ. But we can help free, rehabilitate and restore commercially sexually exploited girls by speaking out and financially supporting organizations such as Living Water for Girls. This Atlanta based non-profit combats sexual trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation through raising awareness, providing a safe therapeutic refuge, and an aftercare wraparound program. 

Did you know that modern-day slavery is still happening? The trauma of sexual trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation is BIG business, and it is going on right here in America. Young girls are being raped daily for profit in communities we call home. Why? Because there are adults who demand to have sex with our children. This physical, mental, emotional and spiritual trauma often leaves children broken and scarred for life.

I'm angry and sad, but grateful that God has given me a strong heart and a bold voice for the weak. I know He chose me for this because I constantly sense their pain and lift it up in prayer. I want to do all I can do and use Soap for Hope to empower girls. I'm not sure of His plan for my life or the girls enslaved, but I'm going to just keep walking in faith and take it one day at a time.

I just pledged $10 a month and hope you will do the same this very minute. Commit to a monthly pledge, then tell me (comment here, my Facebook, or email), and I'll send you a FREE $10 coupon to use at Good Fortune Soap. (That's like 2 lattes)!

Have you ever heard of the book Half the Sky? It has opened my eyes and my heart. Half the Sky lays out an agenda for the world's women and three major abuses: sex trafficking and forced prostitution; gender-based violence including honor killings and mass rape; maternal mortality, which needlessly claims one woman a minute.You've got to get this book, and become part of the solution.

2 Corinthians 3:17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.