Day 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 & 67!

I know there haven't been any pictures up BUT it was so hot that I didn't want to add anything to my dress so don't worry! You did not miss anything!!

Day 47!

Classes are done for the weekend! I spent all of my art class using a jigsaw, now I have sawdust coming up every time I cough. yummy.
But Spring Retreat is this weekend! I can NOT wait!!!!!

Day 46!

OCF tonight! X-time @ Steak n Shake! I am hating this hot weather but Sarah and I finally got a fan!!

Anissa- Blog #4

I feel like these past couple of weeks have just been sucking all of the life out of me. I find myself having to forgive people over and over again. It's easy to do once. But how do you continue to forgive someone when they keep hurting you?
I have been dealing with this question for almost a year and I still haven't found the answer. Everyone keeps telling me to pray and pray about it and God will answer me, but He hasn't... The truth is I hurt a lot more than I let on... My parents divorce hurts me so much.. Honestly, I would give up living the rest of my life if I could go back to 2 years ago when everything was fine for just one day. I miss having a family unity that makes me feel whole.. Now I'm just empty. People always tell me I am so emotional but I put up a brick wall when it comes to this.. I hardly ever open up about it. And when people tell me that they are there if I need to talk I never take them up on it. Talking about it makes it that much more real...
I guess the only thing I CAN do is to continue to pray. I'm not sure if it will ever get better but I have to try.  I'm not really sure if I can take anymore, but if there's any chance that I can get out of this mess I'm going to take it..

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

Day 45!

Slept in! And dropped my dreaded math class! GREAT day!!

Day 44!

Long day..  Free Spaghetti Dinner and Fuel!
Oh and playing at the park. : P

Day 43!

I hate Mondays. And I am sick. Blechhhh.

Day 40 & 41 & 42!

Working againnnnn... Gahhh. Don't worry. I always wear the same thing anyway so you didn't miss anything.

Day 39!

OCF tonight! Wearing purple to support the dress campaign!

Day 38!

Day 37!

Fuel tonight! It's a rainy gloomy day, but God is still good!

Day 33, 34, 35 & 36!

Don't worry about those other days.. I worked so I didn't really do anything.. But I promise I will post something other than a picture soon!!!

Mother Daughter :) Icecream=YUM!

Mother-Daughter was Sunday, got to celebrate how AMAZING my mom is with my sorority. For real though, I have the best mother in the world. I can only hope that one day I'll be able to follow in her footsteps and become as great a woman as she is. Whether or not I realized it, my mom set a great example for me during the past 18 years as I grew up under her roof. She truly has been my biggest role model, and continues to not only be an example of the woman I want to someday be, but she also is the rock in my life. I know if I'm ever lost or confused, she will have a listening ear and wisdom to share. My mom literally is the best listener I have ever met. Oh, and she has an incredible amount of patience, which, being a Morford, is ESSENTIAL when dealing with my over-dramatic tendencies. My mom has a busy life, yet she never hesitates to help me in any way she possibly can, even if it is at the most inopportune time. I think what I love most about my mom is that she has accomplished so much in her life, yet is one of the most soft-spoken, humble people you will ever meet. That in itself shows integrity and genuine heart. I have to say, my mom's love for the Lord and her devotion to my dad, my brothers, and myself leaves me in awe. We are a crazy, obnoxious, busy bunch of people, who seriously can get under anyone's skin, and will, but my mom never gets annoyed with us, plus she keeps us from driving each other up the wall. I think my entire family would agree that she is the center of our family, literally the anchor keeping us from drifting apart. She is an incredibly strong and caring woman, not to mention that she is absolutely beautiful. Like look at that picture, you physically cannot tell who the mother is versus who the daughter is. It's like a picture of sisters :) and it may as well be because my mom is my best friend. I love spending time with her. There are nights where I literally cancel my plans because getting dinner with my mom sounds way too good to pass up. There is no one I'd rather go shopping with, and she's always the first one I call when something terrible or something wonderful happens. I sometimes forget that she is significantly older than me... but I love that she is because she has such a different perspective of life and has already survived everything I'm going through. She is the ultimate mentor and I am so lucky that I get to learn from her. I can't imagine the girl I'd be today if I was raised by anyone else... I truly would not be as happy as I am today... there is no way. God blessed me tremendously. I know that no matter where life takes me as I continue to grow up, I will always have my mom just a speed dial button away and all the little quirks she's passed down to me that remind me that I am my mother's daughter.

Day 32!

OCF! Moving from childish to child-like faith. AMAZING. Promise to blog soon!!! Gotta get through midterms first...& the Royal Wedding! :D

Day 31!

Nothing really to do today... Blahhhh....

Day 29? Sure...

Since God controls all things, and since He does so for His glory and for our good, we can only accept our past, take courage in our present, and be hopeful about our future. No creature, including ourselves, may separate us from the love and care of God.

Day 27

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

Saturday.

Tomorrow is Easter! (Unfortunately I was so busy with my family I didn't have time to take a picture on Easter...)

Day 30!

It's a gross day. But Fuel tonight!

Days 26-29

So last week was crazy, I was in sweats a lot, but when I did get dressed to go out somewhere, I wore my dress :)

The next few posts will be the outfits I wore last week. I'm hoping to blog either tonight or tomorrow! Hope everyone had a lovely Easter!

Day 29!

And so week 5 begins.... Wooohoooo......

Day 28!

Easter!!!

Day 26 & 27!

Yesterday I stayed in my pajamas all day. So that's why there isn't a picture. : P

Day 25

plain dresses :)
I (sarah) cut my hair impulsively before OCF :D Yay for a change!

Day 24!

Hump Day! Movie Night... Too bad I [Anissa] almost passed out.. Oops..

Day 23!

Rain rain rain rain rain.. Story of my life..

Day 21 & 22!

So basically I wore the same thing on day 21 as I did on day 20 so you didn't miss much.
Bible study tonight. And studying Spanish so I do not fail another test... : /

Day 22!

Such a beautiful day! I even had my English class outside!

"Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?" Matthew 16:24-26 (The Message)

Day 21

Whoops for not posting in a very loooong time.... Spring quarter is so busy!

Day 20!

Woke up early to go out to breakfast with some family. Then came home and watched the new HARRY POTTER!! EEEEPPP!!! Also, work tonight. woooop..

Day 19!

I felt like being a bum today. Went home and worked.

Day 18!

OCF tonight! And it's finally flip-flop season. : ]

Day 16 & 17!

I'm not exactly sure exactly what day it is.. I should probably figure this out.

Day 14

But I'm not afraid to die

To see you, to meet you
To see you last.

~Sufjan Stevens 'In the Devil's Territory'

A very long week ahead of me, but it should be fun :) Sufjan Stevens is definitely my favorite artist for Spring Quarter, you should check him out, his music is great & the lyrics are even better. God Bless, I'm off to study for math... 

Day 11, 12, 13, 14....

So... I know I haven't taken a picture in a really long time, but I haven't really switched it up too much yet sooooo you aren't missing anything. : ]
Bible Study tonight!!!

Anissa- Blog #3 *SPOILER ALERT*

Yes, I know I haven't taken a picture in a long time. But I have basically been wearing the same thing everyday and I have been working so I can't wear my dress there. But I promise that there will be a picture up TODAY!

As Sarah stated, we are reading the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I am almost done with the book and no words can come to describe what it makes me feel. The woman in the book does not know God. But she begins to worship her husband like he is one. He saved her from a past she thought she would never be saved from. He saved her from being treated like a piece of property and began to treat her with the kindness she deserves. She falls in love with his kind heart and his adoration towards life. Coming from a brothel, she has never seen this kind of love. Obviously she gets scared a lot and she starts to run away from the beautiful life that he has promised her. She thinks doesn't deserve it so she leaves because she knows that he is better off. But he always finds her and brings her back home to the love that she left.

It sounds a lot like Christ, huh? We are all SO undeserving of the love He has given us, but He pours it out to us anyway. I know I was definitely scared of the life that I could have. I had done so much to Him but yet He still searches for me and brings me back home in His arms. When I begin to question I get scared and doubtful. I start to say things like "Why me? Why have you chosen to love me? I'm not perfect, God. I mess up a lot. And I've run away from you before. So why do you still love me?" I guess these are questions asked frequently by people who have just started their journey with Christ just like me. But there comes that time where you can't live in the shadows anymore. You have to take that first step but then God will hold your hand through the rest. You have to realize that you may make mistakes but you are still beautiful in God's eyes.

I relate a lot to Angel. Even though, I was never sold into a brothel at a young age, I was still scared of the life that God was going to give me. Now that I am out of the hurt that I once endured, I am always turning my back from the One who has taken me from it. Sometimes, it seems so easy to go back. Because not unknown to us. Looking forward is frightening. There comes a time when one realizes that going back is not an option anymore. Although, the past will always be with you it does not mean that you have to live by it. I've had to learn to throw away my pride and just give all of it up. And although, I never thought I'd be at where I am today, I am so  that God gave me the strength to put my pride aside and bring me to Him.

We all just need to realize, like Angel did, that God is here, He's real, and He's waiting on us to start loving Him without all of the 'what-ifs'. <3

Sarah ~ Blog #4 (Day 12)

(no picture of the dress today...however I attached this picture from my senior trip in the Dominican Republic...we saw the sunrise, it was amazing.)

‎"at her back was darkness still, but before her was light; pale yellow growing brilliant, gold-streaked with red & orange...she had never seen anything so beautiful" -Redeeming Love.


I love this quote, the imagery is so beautiful. Just imagine seeing your first sunrise ever. Experiencing the beauty of the sun rising up out of the darkness of the night and lighting up the entire world... The sun in all of its glory, filling sky, the brightness of it's rays, the warmth spreading onto the dewey earth... It's funny because as amazing  as all that sounds and as amazing as it is to experience, it pales in comparison to what it will be like to witness our God for the first time. I can't even imagine what it will be like when that day comes, when I get to see my God and be in His glorious presence for the first time. Not a million sunrises could come close to the beauty of my God. 


The symbolism for the girl in this story is so powerful... her past was complete darkness, she never experienced anything even resembling love, not even once. Then this man comes and literally carries her out of the darkness that filled her life and offers her a new life, a life full of love. He brings her to see her first sunrise, and as she stands with him she realizes her darkness is behind her, and for the first time she experiences the sun rising up and drenching her. Her past was behind her, and new life was ahead. Beautiful. It's what Christ has offered everyone of us. New life, and an end to the darkness. That's why I live my life for Him. He saved me from the darkness that had my life at a chokehold for so long. He gave me a reason to live.

Day 12

Still sick...and at home... Looking forward to Bible study! Hope I can make it!!!

PS Anissa needs to start posting again! I've taken over the page :p

Day 11

It's day 10! Still feeling rather sick, OCF was great, J-Bar did an amazing job! Wish I could make it to X-time & to the OWLS activation party, but it looks like it's going to be another night stuck in bed :(

Day 10

So I meant to take a picture with Anissa today, but as I wrote in my blog, my body isn't cooperating with me. Here's a picture from Activation Day with my friend Susie. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to get a picture with Anissa again! For now I'm going home and maybe to the E.R. in the morning... Prayers would be wonderful.

Sarah ~ Blog #3

Crash & Burn.

As if it isn't hard enough as it is to make it through a week of classes & other college commitments, I have to deal with my temperamental heart. Seriously I am so frustrated. I map out my time so carefully, and then, when I least expect it, my heart attacks me and I'm left trapped in a useless body till I recover. I didn't see it coming at all today... I got through all my classes, meetings, I even found time to eat for once and then I came back to my dorm and just crashed. I slept and slept and slept and still feel like sleeping. I can't move, I can hardly focus my eyes, I can't focus my thoughts, all I want to do is cry. But I can't let myself sink to that level. I hate telling people cause no one ever understands. No one thinks this is real. No one will understand so why even bother.
It's been such a test on my faith these past few years. Why would God make me so miserable so much of the time? Why when I'm so on fire for him and doing so well do I get hit with these surprise attacks? How can I be expected to keep up with all my responsibilities when I can't even get out of bed? POTS affects everything. There's not an aspect of living that it doesn't torment. Even worse, it kills my spirit.
I remember my mom telling me about Paul in the Bible and how he dealt with an unknown illness.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of weakness, infirmity. Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
It's amazing to me to think that Paul of all people suffered from such a tolling illness. With all the things he accomplished for God, to think that he had days like this one, days when his body wouldn't let him do what he so desired. Paul believed that God gave him the strength he did possess and that God's power could be seen through his weakness. I believe that God's power is displayed through my weakness as well. I cannot forget how much the Lord has blessed me already. So many POTS patients never leave their bed. They don't attend school or hold a job. Look at how the Lord has blessed me though. I am in school, I hold an on campus job, I'm active in a sorority, I'm a leader of OCF, plus I'm getting involved with the University in more ways than I thought possible. The fact that I get up every morning and am able to do any of these things is amazing.
The Lord has blessed me with so much, and without this 'thorn in my side' I may not remember to thank Him for the simple things He blesses me with everyday. Because of my POTS I have been forced into learning to lean on the Lord and not my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). I cannot go an hour of my day without praying for His strength. This illness has made me into the woman I am today, and I wouldn't change it. Even if I am frustrated, I know God is in control.

Thankful.

Day 9 & 10!

TOMS day without wearing shoes! And Fuel!
I know Sarah and I haven't taken a picture together in awhile but we promise we will tomorrow!!!!

Anissa- Blog #2

I don't even know where to start about describing this past week. I have not been focused at all on this dress campaign. I've been so caught up in other stresses about myself that I haven't had time to think about the importance of this dress campaign.

Tonight in bible study we focused on Matthew 9:9. It talks about how the pharisees questioned Jesus about helping the sinners and the poor. But Jesus says that He has not called the righteous but the sinners. This made me feel so convicted because of all of these past struggles that I have been dealing with. Actually I haven't been dealing with them at all. I thought I was strong enough to not rely on God, but the truth is I don't have strength at all without Jesus. I need to realize that no matter what I am never going to be righteous, but that doesn't give me an excuse to not try to be righteous. As humans we will always fall short of the glory of God, but we still need to try. I have not been glorifying Him. I've been selfish and I thought I could heal on my own. Life is never going to be perfect, but I need to work harder being the person God wants me to be so perhaps my next life will be perfect. 

The truth is, we all need to rely on God. Just like the girls in sex trafficking. They never have any hope besides God's light and really that is the only thing any of us need. All we need is God. All I need is God. And I need to start living like it.

Day 9

Busting out the rain boots. Like I mentioned in my blog post earlier, it's been raining all day.. My English professor said it looked like the world was coming to an end, but even with this dreary weather some how I stayed positive :D rain isn't all bad.
BARE FEET TOMORROW!

Sarah ~ Blog #2

Stressed.


Sometimes life gets so busy and I find myself stuck only focusing on all the stuff I need to accomplish. Everything else around me doesn't seem to matter, and I focus on me and me only. Today was one of those days... Yesterday I became an active of Sigma Alpha Tau, and up until this point, I put everything aside to be a pledge and to join my sorority. Now, I'm left with a million tasks to complete...just when I thought the chaos was going to be over... I just realized that I have yet to even have a conversation with my roommate, I've been in my own little stressed out world, honestly I've been completely self-centered all day.
It bothers me how easy it is for me to let that happen... Yes, class, registering for classes, switching my major, doing homework, and meetings are all important, but it's no excuse for ignoring the world around me. The way I see it, everything is going to get done if I want it to. Taking 5 minutes to talk to a friend out on campus isn't going to kill me. Grabbing a bite to eat with my roommate or a friend isn't going to set me that far back. Writing this blog and reflecting on my actions isn't going to ruin my night. As I walked back from class in the rain, I took out my ipod and just reflected. I realized how stressed I was and thought about what it was that made me feel so overwhelmed. The actual things I had to do were not hard, it was my mind set.
Instead of focusing on the task at hand, I was always looking forward to what I had to do next. So I stopped and decided I was going to go on a walk around campus and just allow myself to forget about my busy schedule. It was such a great feeling. I prayed and thanked God for the beautiful earth He created and I just admired the serenity of campus when it's raining. No one is out & about...ever. During my little break, I realized how much I had already accomplished, and felt so much better. I just need to stop sweating the little things and remember what's important: loving God & loving people. I know my God has a plan for me and my life. He's already began to unfold that plan for me, and He has effortlessly guided me to where I am now.
Stressing is not honoring God. If I fully trust Him, then I know that there is not one thing I can do wrong for Romans 8:28 says, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. God has shown this to me so many times just in this past year, and yet I still find myself trying to control everything. God is not going to let me fall, even if I stumble, I know He will be there to help me (Psalm 37:24). Nothing can get in the way of God's purpose for me except myself... so I should probably just stop trying to control everything and let Him take care of that. If I do I know I will be blessed with a wonderful life (Proverbs 5:3). I mean, if I look at where I was this time last year to this time this year, it's like black & white. Putting my faith in Christ saved me and got me to the wonderful place I am today. I truly am blessed, and no amount of work thrown at me is going to change that.

Blessed.

Day 6 & 7 & 8!

Home for the weekend working so I didn't really get to wear my dress out in public.
But hopefully this week I will have a better chance to share!

Day 5, 6, & 7

I made it through 'inspiration' week & am an Active member of Sigma Alpha Tau sorority. :)
I finally have time to blog on a regular basis & will hopefully start back up tonight!

Day 5!

It's Friday, Friday! And work starts back up!

Sarah ~ Blog #1

So I'm super excited about spring quarter! I'm getting dangerously close to the end of pledging (note the "Little Hooter" sweatshirt I wear over my dress) and just getting used to my new schedule. It's been a crazy first week of spring quarter, however, after watching winter quarter kick my butt, this quarter already looks like it's gonna be a drastic change, it's actually shaping out to be pretty amazing. Part of the reason I'm so excited is because our Women's ministry is kicking off! I've been looking so forward to this since I first talked to my discipler Whitney about it during winter quarter. Not only am I excited for the dress challenge and the impact all of us girl's participating can make, but I'm so excited for the potential growth I can have with God this quarter. Giving up my spring wardrobe after a long, bleak winter quarter was definitely not something I planned to do... I think my favorite form of self expression is through my clothes, so choosing to wear the same dress for 10 weeks seemed inhibiting at first. However, after some tough times during winter quarter, I really felt the need to draw close to God again, and so I made an impulse decision to go on Big Break, a Campus Crusade spring break trip. During my trip, God answered my call and drew closer to me than I've ever before experienced. Like James 4:8 promises, come near to God and He will come near to you. He filled every void in my life; I've never felt so fulfilled or just so simply happy :) I don't want or need any distractions in my life anymore. I have 10 weeks to spend with my God, learning more about Him and praising Him, and I know I don't have to worry about a single detail; He's got it all planned out for me, and I'm already seeing that plan slowly unfold. It's so encouraging to be surrounded by so many other beautiful Christian girls doing the same thing as me. I'm so excited to start up the Redeeming Love Bible study and to learn about the book of Hosea. <3 :D ~Sarah

Day Four!

OCF! & Gnomeo and Juliet :)

Anissa- Blog #1

Well, day 3 is over and people in my classes have definitely seen me in the same dress more than once. And yes, I have gotten some weird looks. I haven't really had a chance of telling people about why I am doing it which I am really hoping to change soon. By tomorrow, I have worn my dress to each class at least twice and I am anticipating questions being asked. I can not wait to tell people why and to raise awareness about the horrible things that happen to women in sex trafficking.
When I heard about doing this dress project I was really excited (besides the obvious reason) because I would have an outfit already picked out everyday and I could take all of my clothes home and not have to worry about moving them back at the end of the quarter. That stuff is definitely good, but this is the first time that I've sacrificed something for so long for something that would not benefit me at all. I am so blessed to be a part of this. When people see all of us girls wearing the same dress, of course they will think we are the ones who are giving to them, but I can already tell I will receive so much knowledge from this experience. I can not wait to see what I have learned by the end of 10 weeks.

Day Three!

Frat Walk T-shirt & Big Pimpin' Anissa..... yup.

It's day three & we are finally gonna post about what we hope to see happen during spring quarter :) It's been such a busy first week back!

Day One/Two

So we didn't have time to take pictures day one... so here's a combo day one/two... we wore the same thing anyways :p