Sound Of Freedom (Movie Review and Giveaway)

Hello, Elegant Ones

Every child deserves the right to be free!

Sound of Freedom

I am shouting from the rooftops with a clarion call for everyone to see the Sound of Freedom movie produced by Angel Studios (The Chosen, His Only Son). This captivating movie chronicles the incredible true story of Tim Ballard, a special agent for the Department of Homeland Security in the Internet Crime Against Children Taskforce, working to track down pedophiles. Until the one day when Ballard realizes children are being kidnapped and sold as sex slaves for these pedophilic acts. The film emotionally hit me hard, and it was profoundly moving that we need to find a way to help stop sex trafficking. Parents, aunts, uncles, and godparents, you have to bring your older children, friends, small groups, churches, and more to see this movie which premieres in theaters on July 4th. Whether you have children or not, everyone must see this movie.
Due to the nature of this film’s content, it contains some adult language and themes and is rated PG-13.

Please watch the Sound of Freedom trailer below:

Together, we can propel a movement to save millions of children worldwide. Child sex trafficking needs to be stopped.
You can find showtimes HERE. Angel Studios reports that many theaters and showtimes are selling out quickly, so new theaters are being added daily to accommodate the demand.

Angel Studios’ goal is to have at least two million moviegoers during the July 4th week, symbolic of the two million children trafficked yearly. Please know that if the ticket’s price keeps you from going to the theater, Angel Studios has set up an opportunity where you can claim a free ticket. If you would like to Pay It Forward, you can also purchase tickets for someone else. Click HERE to claim your free ticket or to purchase a ticket for someone else. Help spread the word about the phenomenal campaign with the hashtag #2MillionFor2Million

Angel Studios CEO Neal Harmon and Jim Caviezel, who portrays Ballard in the movie, recently hosted a Q&A session at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. You can watch the replay of that live stream below.

Giveaway Details
One Elegant winner will receive two (2) tickets to see the movie.

To enter the giveaway, please share how you will pay it forward to help save the children in the comment section.
Please add a second comment if you Pay It Forward and pay for someone else to receive no-cost tickets. You will get a second entry into the giveaway.

The giveaway runs until July 4th at 11:59 pm. The winner will be announced on July 5th.
Please Note: This giveaway is limited to United States residents only. Our team will contact the winner on July 5th, and they will have 24 hours to confirm their email address. We will then submit your email address will be given to our marketing company, who will contact you about receiving your tickets.

Disclaimer:
Many thanks to Angel Studios, who allowed our team to view the film, write this review and offer this giveaway. All opinions are 100% my own.

Happy Birthday to My Mother

Ciao, Beautiful People,

Today is my mother’s heavenly birthday. She is forever in my heart, and I thank the Lord for having her in my life. I know that my mother and my grandmother inspired my fashion and stylish creativity. My mother did not take many pictures. I do not have any photos taken with her; so I cherish the images I have attained. I am not sure why she didn’t like taking pictures, but we all have those quirks about us. I still have the French provincial couch that she is sitting on, the end table in the view, the lamp, and a few other treasures.

My mother in the 1960s in our home on 13th Street

My mother instilled My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, faith, strength, wisdom, compassion, and integrity in me. These values are goals that make me a lifelong learner striving to grow each and everyday.

Improve Your Appearance to Boost Your Self Confidence!

How we look hugely impacts how we feel — so if you want to boost your confidence then why not consider making some positive changes to your appearance? Here are a few great ways you can go about it!

Skin
Clear, glowing skin can do wonders for your self-confidence. Establishing a skincare routine that suits your skin type is crucial — cleansing, toning, and moisturizing daily can help maintain a healthy complexion. Don’t forget to exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. If you have any ongoing skin issues, visiting a dermatologist rather than burying your head in the sand will make you feel so much better- you don’t have to just deal with issues like acne and chronic dermatitis. Pamper yourself with face masks or natural remedies to revitalize your skin, and protect it from the sun with sunscreen daily to prevent damage. 

Hair
Your hair is your crowning glory, so make sure it shines! Experimenting with different hairstyles, cuts, and colors can boost your confidence — if you’ve been sporting the same style for decades, are you sure it still suits you? As you age and your face changes, the length and colors that look best on you might change too. Even a subtle shift can make a huge difference. A slight change in length or a few highlights around the face could be all you need. Nourishing your hair with regular conditioning treatments will make you feel fabulous too.

Teeth
A bright, confident smile is a true game-changer. If you’re self-conscious about your teeth, visit a cosmetic dentist as much can be done! If you’re reasonably happy with your smile, something as simple as at-home whitening treatments can take your teeth from good to great! Nice teeth allow you to smile widely and be happy without feeling self-conscious. 

Physique
Improving your physique isn’t about conforming to a specific body type or size. It’s about taking care of your body and feeling vital and energized. Regular exercise, such as jogging, swimming, or yoga, improves your physical fitness and boosts your mental well-being. Choose activities you enjoy and remember that consistency is critical, for example, it’s better to commit to something low impact you enjoy for years than start an intense routine that burns lots of calories and fat, but you can only commit to it for a few weeks before giving up.  

Clothing
Your wardrobe is a reflection of your unique style and personality. Experiment with different outfits, colors, and patterns to find what makes you feel amazing. If you research different body shapes and ascertain what shape you have it can make shopping for clothes so much easier. As you know at a glance what kinds of pieces are most likely to flatter and look good on you, and which pieces you’re better off giving a miss.

May 4, 2023: National Day Of Prayer

Hello, Elegant Ones!

Today (May 4th) is the National Day of Prayer. We take time on this day (and every day) to pray for our county and its people.

The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America, evidenced by the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775, setting aside a day of prayer. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer, and in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.

The National Day of Prayer Task Force President asks the Lord for a theme to unify and guide prayers each year. This year’s theme is a call to prayer for our nation.“Pray Fervently In Righteousness And Avail Much”

Americans are asked to gather together at 8 p.m. ET to watch, listen, or stream. The 2023 National Broadcast is available through various Christian media outlets and sites. This year, Rev. Sammy Rodriguez will co-host the Broadcast alongside NDP Task Force President Kathy Branzell. They will be joined in prayer by Dr. Tony Evans, Robert Morris, Lecrae, Nick Hall, and other Christian leaders who will guide our nation in this time of fervent prayer.

His Only Son (Giveaway Winner Announcement)

Hello, Elegant Ones

While at church yesterday, we celebrated Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week of our Christian Faith. Throughout the week, my hubby and I will meditate on and remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will share what it means to each of us to have a Savior who died for us and how that connects us to our loving Father.

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith and the basis of how the life we that live. However, it is essential to remember that when we study the Bible, we find countless people in the Old Testament who are the foundations of our faith. Analyzing their characteristics teaches us how to apply these principles to our lives.

We need to study Abraham and Sarah from the Old Testament to understand faith and what it means to trust God fully. The new movie, HIS ONLY SON, examines the life of Abraham and Sarah and how they waited for God to give them a son. However, God’s second test is at the heart of this movie. This test would determine Abraham’s love for his son and, ultimately, for God. Watch this trailer for the film.

The movie has deeply interpreted the story found in Genesis. It is important to read and study the scriptures to understand the story and put everything within context.

HIS ONLY SON is in a theatre near you. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.

Giveaway Winner Announcement

We recently hosted a giveaway in collaboration with the movie’s theatrical release. Congratulations to

** Susan S. **

Yeah! Susan will receive a $10 Amazon gift. We will be in contact with you on how you will receive your prize.
We have another giveaway going on now, so click HERE for your chance to win.

 

Supporting Your Teen In High School

Parents can do a lot to help their teens do well in school by keeping them informed and giving them some support and direction. Even though teens want to be on their own, parental help is essential to doing well in school.

Go to Parent-Teacher Conferences and Back-to-School Night
Teenagers do better in school when their parents help them study. You can learn a lot about your teen’s teachers and what they expect by attending the school’s open house or back-to-school night. School administrators may talk to parents and guardians of juniors and seniors about school-wide programs and rules, and options for after high school.

Attending parent-teacher conferences is another way to find out what’s going on. However, in high school, these conferences are usually only set up when parents need to help with problems like destructive behavior, not meeting grade-level expectations, or getting more out of advanced class work.

Have A Look At The School’s Website
When you talk to your teen about the school, knowing how the building and grounds are set up can help you connect with them. It’s helpful to know where the main office, school nurse, cafeteria, gym, athletic fields, auditorium, and special classes are.

On the school’s website, you can find information about:
– Contacting school staff about special events like dances and class trips
– Dates of tests, current grades, and unfinished work
– Information on how to sign up and when for sports, clubs, and other activities outside of school
– Help for students with life after high school
High school mental health activities
– Many teachers have their own websites with links to textbooks and other resources and information about homework, quizzes, and tests. There are often extra resources for parents and students on the district, school, or teacher websites.

Help With Homework
In high school, there is more homework, and grades are more critical for college plans. Students who want to attend college must also study for the SATs or ACTs. Many teens are learning how to balance school, jobs, and social lives during all these changes.

Make sure your teen has a place to study that is quiet, well-lit, and free of distractions. This is an important thing you can do to help. Distraction-free means you can’t use the phone, TV, or websites that aren’t related to your homework. Make sure to check on your teen every so often to make sure they haven’t gotten sidetracked.

Sit down with your teen regularly to discuss his or her schedule and ensure it’s fair. Also, help him or her stick to a homework and study schedule.

Tell your teen that it’s okay to ask for help when they need it. Most teachers are available before or after school to help students who need it, and they may also be able to suggest other resources.

Offer Your Help With Homework
Planning is crucial if you want to help your teen study while they are juggling homework from different subjects. Since grades matter in high school, it’s essential to plan for studying, especially if your teen is busy with activities outside of school.

When your teen has a lot to study, help them break it up into smaller tasks and stick to the schedule on the studying calendar so that they don’t have to study for multiple tests all at once. Remind your teen to take notes in class, organize them by subject, and go over them at home.

If your teen gets good grades, he or she might not need help studying. But if grades start to drop, it might be time to step in. Most parents still need to help their teens with organization and studying. Just because they’re in high school doesn’t mean they can do this independently.

You can help your teen study and remember things by asking simple questions, asking them to fill in the missing word, or taking practice tests. The more ways like writing, reading, speaking, and listening to the brain uses to process information, the more likely it is that the information will be remembered. Repetition of words, re-reading passages aloud, rewriting notes, visualizing information, or drawing it all help the brain remember things.

Get Involved
Helping out at your teen’s high school is a great way to show that you care about their education.

Keep in mind, though, that some teens like to see their parents at school or at school events, while others might feel embarrassed. Follow your teen’s lead to figure out how much interaction is best for both of you and if your volunteering should be done in the background. Make it clear that you’re not there to spy on people; you’re just trying to help the school community.

Parents and guardians can take an active role by:
– Serving as a grade-level chairperson, organizing or working at fundraisers and other special events like bake sales, car washes, and book fairs, or working at a concession stand at a sports game.
– Taking care of kids on school trips, dances, and proms
– Attending school board meetings
– Joining the school’s parent-teacher group working as a library assistant, mentoring or tutoring students reading a story to the class, giving a talk for career day, going to school concerts, plays, and sports games
– Check the school or school district website to see if any volunteer opportunities work with your schedule. Even if you only give a few hours during the school year, your teen will remember it.

Attendance Is Important
If a teen has a fever, feels sick, is throwing up, or has diarrhea, they should stay home from school. Aside from that, it’s vital that they get to school every day on time because having to catch up on classwork, projects, tests, and homework can be stressful and make it hard to learn.

Teens may not want to go to school for many reasons, such as being bullied, having hard homework, getting bad grades, having social problems, or having problems with classmates or teachers. Talk with your teen, and then maybe with a school administrator or counselor, to find out what’s making him or her nervous.

Students may also be late to school because they didn’t get enough sleep. Keeping your teen on a regular sleep schedule can help him, or she avoid being tired and late.

Be Open About Communicating About School
Parents and guardians can find it hard to keep in touch with their teens because they spend so much time away from home at school, in extracurricular activities, on the job, or with their friends. High school students spend most of their time discovering new interests and making new friends. However, their parents and guardians are their primary sources of love, guidance, and support.

Try to talk to your teen every day so he or she knows you care about what happens at school. When teens know that their parents care about how well they do in school, they will also work hard in school.

Because communication is a two-way street, how you talk and listen to your teen can affect how well he or she listens and responds. You must listen carefully, make eye contact, and not do other things simultaneously when you talk to someone. Don’t talk to your teen; talk with him or her. Make sure to ask questions that can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”

Aside from family meals, good times to talk are driving (though you don’t have to make eye contact), walking the dog, cooking, or waiting in line.

When teens know they can talk to their parents about anything, it can be easier for them to deal with high school problems.

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