Passion



So at the beginning of this year, right after New Years in fact, I went to Atlanta Georgia to attend a conference called Passion.
At this conference, Christians from all over the country came to be uplifted and encouraged by speakers like Francis Chan and bands such as Hillsong United.
This was my first time attending a conference this big; there were 45,000 people in attendance and they all ranged from 18-25 years old.
It was incredible.


The focus of the weekend was to bring awareness to human trafficking and slavery that is still going on today.

Did you know there are an estimated 27,000,000 men, women and children in slavery today?

Yes, twenty seven million.

That's more than any other time in history.
Ever.




We received a booklet the first day with some more statistics:
     - Two children are sold into slavery every 60 seconds.
     - 2,500 women and children are sold into sexual slavery every day.
     - Right now there are at least 200,000 slaves in the USA and 17,000 more will be trafficked into the U.S. next year.
     - Over 80% of human trafficking victims are women.
     - In 1850, a human slave cost roughly $40,000 in today's dollars. Now a person can be bought for as little as $30.
     - The total market value of human trafficking is estimated to be $32 billion- that's more than Google, Starbucks and Nike combined.


I attended a camp during high school where a representative of the A21 Campaign came and spoke to us. That time, several years ago at camp, was the first time I learned about human trafficking, and more specifically sex trafficking.
In fact, if you are a regular follower of my blog, you'll know that a percentage of my sales from my Etsy shop go to the A21 Campaign and their fight against injustice.
I already knew this was going on, however, I was shocked to hear that so many people were unaware that this sort of thing went on in the world today. How could people not know about something this big?

A problem that is 27,000,000 people big?

It is the third largest crime in the world today.
That includes the United States. Yea, things like this don't just happen in far off third world countries; they happen in your hometown too.
So why don't people know about it?
Then again it's not a very pretty subject to talk about.

The things that happen are so horrible you can't even imagine them. If you've ever seen the movie Taken you will get a small idea of what the sex trade industry is like, however, that does not even compare to the terrible, evil things that really happen in the sex trade.

It's a crime so incomprehensible that people tend to leave it unchallenged because it is such an unimaginable thing. And even if it does seem real, what difference could you possibly make, right?


Well let me tell you, that over the four days the conference was held, there was a goal that all 45,000 of us at the conference would raise $1,000,000 dollars for various causes fighting slavery.
They had giving stations around the conference where you could go and donate money, and then go and contribute to an art piece they were creating to inspire others to help fight against slavery.
And by the end of the four days we not only met the goal but exceeded it by raising 3.6 million dollars!
How awesome is that?
The money will go to organizations such as: The A21 Campaign, Atlanta Project, Tiny Hands, IJM, Hagar, Wellspring and others.
It felt awesome being a part of something that will make such an impact.
But as awesome as that felt, I'd donated money before and I didn't want to become someone that just throws money at the problem hoping it would get fixed.
I want to do something more than that.

Not that money isn't important, because it very much is. Our support helps these organizations a great deal in creating shelters for freed victims to come to and recover; and gives them resources to free those trapped in slavery and provide them with: a home, food, clothes and safety.
However this subject breaks my heart  too much to do only that. I want to give more of myself to this cause and help stand against it.

I've been researching different local non profits and I might start volunteering at one. We'll see where it goes and what God has for me.


The purpose of this post was not to accuse you of being ignorant or even to say that I'm a better person for wanting to do something about those 27,000,000.

It's to inform you.
Because there are so many people who don't know about this problem. I was one of them at one time.

It's to challenge you.
To step up and be a voice for those people. Those who have had their voices taken away.

It's to encourage you.
Because you can make a difference. Whether it's by donating money, volunteering at a local organization, or spreading the word and informing people about it.

Ignorance isn't an excuse.
Indifference is not an option.
It's time to rise up for freedom because slavery still exists.




If you would like to give to Passion you can do so here.
If you would like to see how the money we raised is making a difference you can read about it here.
You can also read CNN's coverage of the story here.




Outfit Post: Tights



Every single time I wear these tights someone asks me where I got them. 
And I always have to tell them, I can not for the life of me remember.


Shoes: Gift 
Necklace: Me
Purse: Vintage
Sweater: Urban Outfitters
Watch: Michael Kors
Rings: Vintage 
Shorts: Thrifted
Tank top: Target



*Update*
Thanks to a very kind reader who has the same tights, I can now confidently tell you that they are from Charlotte Russe!
Mystery solved.

Thanks Maria!


An Instagram Happy List


1. Having the boyfriend surprise me with flowers

2. Presents from friends

3. Starting new books

4. Eating at Panera

5. Relying on a Snuggy to keep you warm

6. Driving on foggy mornings

7. That my family's Christmas tree is still up

8. Pretty yarn

 9. Accidentally dressing like twins

10. Consuming too much candy and soda

11. Receiving postcards in the mail


12. Bagel dates

13. Playing with Scrabble tiles

14. Evenings spent reading


What are some things that make you happy?


Saturday


You should pop on over to Erica's blog today, where I'm featured in a sponsor spotlight.
(Didn't she do a nice job on adding text to my picture? I love it!)

Also don't forget to check out Katelyn's as well!

It's been so much fun doing these lately.
I've been meeting some very cool people lately as a result.

It's been a pretty relaxing Saturday so far. Just working on some blog things and such. 
It was nice to sleep in and not have to go anywhere today. 
I rarely get to do this so it's a nice change of pace.

How's your weekend been?


Friday I'm In Love

It's been quite a while since I've had a Friday favorites post!
So here is one for this week.

This Friday I'm in love with....


One of my all time favorite sets of wedding photos

The organized closet at the end of this post (oh how I wish)

This phone case

A cute outfit post

This dress and this one

A sweater pattern I want to knit

These cookie cutters

A new blog I love

These DIY night lights

London's recap of last month's RVAFB meet up

This piece of art

Chevron pillows

These shoes (If only I could justify spending the money....)

My Facebook page having a new name




Have a lovely Friday!



Playing Catch Up

Hello dear readers!
I've been rather absent here lately, however lots of exciting emails are occupying my inbox and there are several new things in the works!
Here's a little bit of what's been going on:


-I am featured in a sponsor spotlight today over on Katelyn's Blog Inner Vision.
Feel free to check it out!

-The Facebook page has had a name change! After the super annoying process of having to get everyone to unlike the page, (you can only change a Facbook page's name if you have under 100 likes) Leney Breeden Photography is now A Girl Named Leney!
I thought this would be better so that I can use the page as an all encompassing outlet to let people know, not just about my photography, but anything blogging or Etsy shop related. So feel free to go on over and give it a like! Or a re-like... if you were one of the nice people who helped me out in un-liking it temporarily.

-Also, in light of the new Facebook page name, I have created an album for everyone who has bought any of my creations to submit photo's of themselves wearing their purchases! So shoot me an email with any photos of yourself wearing anything made by A Girl Named Leney.

-I am working on a post about a conference I went to recently called Passion. It was amazing and I can't wait to share the experience with you.

-I have several photo related posts to do... Hopefully I will get around to those soon!

-Look for some fun interviews with a few fellow bloggers coming up in the next few weeks as well.



That's all I have time to update you on for now! I'll have some more interesting posts for you here soon, I promise.

And because text heavy posts are no fun without pictures to look at, here is a photo of a yarn bombed street sign I came across while down town the other day.....


Mini Outfit Post

So I haven't posted any outfit posts in awhile so I thought I'd share this one from yesterday!
Excuse my laziness in using my phone to take pictures and make a collage....
I've had this thrifted dress for a good year or two and I've never worn it because I always intended to hem it shorter. But I pulled it out to try on yesterday, and I think I actually like it the way it is.
However in putting together this outfit I realized my need for a black jacket of some sort.
Preferably a blazer.
Any idea where I can find a not-too-expensive one?

Outfit details

Dress: Thrifted
Necklace: Forever 21
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Belt: Vintage
Watch: Michael Kors
Bracelets: Vintage and thrifted


Oh, and have you noticed the new blog layout?
It's a work in progress but I think I like how it's shaping up.
What do you think?


A Warm Penguin

I wanted to share an adorable commission a friend of mine had me do for his Girlfriend.
Inspired by this cause he asked me to knit a sweater for this little guy.
I wanted to keep him.
Isn't he too cute?


I had to make up my own pattern with the yarn he chose but if you're interested in making a penguin sweater I found another pattern here.