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I am a recovering perfectionist/performer. 

 

These dresses each have a story of freedom that make up an aspect of my personal story.  The first one - “Unveiled” – was an assignment to paint a self-portrait after a season of being mentored by a counselor who works with a significant number of creatives and artists.  (The canvas was on my easel for around two years.  It was a long process.) Steve led me out of a lifetime of perfectionism and “shoulds.”    These dresses are my journey out of shame-based living.

 

But there’s another layer.

 

As I finished one particular dress, I heard an almost audible voice of God saying, “These dresses are about human trafficking.”  It was out of the blue! 

 

At that time, there was absolutely nothing on my radar in this area.  In fact, I avoided thinking about it.  I live in a “Mayberry” type community and kind of assumed all that stuff happened in cities and overseas.  I assumed that girls in the sex trade were rebels who made bad choices. 

 

I was wrong.

 

It’s everywhere, even in my sweet little community. 

 

I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.  I WANT YOU TO CELEBRATE HOPE with me!  There are some AMAZING people working tirelessly to give rescued victims the long-term recovery they need to get healed and become whole.  I have learned that it is one thing to get the girl out the cage.  It is a whole other thing to get the cage out of the girl.

 

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