The Dare Dreamer Movement by Julene Fleurmond

Here are some updates from my other inspiration sites:

One of my first blogs that I started back in 2007 was called GEM and was hosted on Blogger. It started with a poem I wrote called Little Brown Girl, inspired by girls I’ve witnessed in the inner-city who seem to be losing hope because they don’t know hope exists.

From seeing girls getting pregnant to dropping out of school, my heart breaks to see any child, whatever the background, fail to realize their purpose and worth. We see how women are objectified in the media and the way positive role models for African American girls are so few on TV. It’s up to us – mothers, sisters, aunts and mentors – to instill confidence in the next generation.

Overtime I started other blogs on my own domain and discontinued the GEM blog, but I recently was inspired to revisit it…

A few months back via the Internet I met an inspiring woman named Kara Norman who co-founded a wonderful organization for girls called GEMS and Jewels Empowerment Group with Adriane Simmons. Kara and I connected and she took the time to encourage me – she is truly a kind-hearted person who is being the change she dreams of seeing in the world.

Learning about the work the GEMS and Jewels Group does to motivate girls, from organizing etiquette classes to college preparation field trips, really made me begin thinking about how I could also mentor girls in my community. Remembering my own childhood and teen years as shy, unconfident girl, her group would have nurtured me so much to grow as it is doing for so many girls today. If every girl had dedicated mentors like Kara and Adriane I’m sure there would be more strong, confident women in the world.

The GEMS and Jewels recently had their Kick-Off Celebration for the year and below is a booklet I had the pleasure to create for them and a poem I’ve written dedicated to their vision and girls:

Dreams of Gems and Jewels

Your eyes glint
With passion for life,
Your dreams sparkle
So very bright.
You have purpose,
Worth, power and gifts
So walk and dream
With confidence…

You are one very special girl,
Who has the power to change the world.
You’re precious, unique, talented,
Intelligent too,
One day your dreams
Can come true!
This is why we celebrate you
Because you are truly
A Gem and Jewel!

More Information About the GEMS and Jewels Empowerment Group for Girls:

Website: http://www.gemsandjewelsgirl.com

Mission: The mission of the G.E.M.S. and Jewels program is to promote self-esteem, self-awareness, self worth and respect within the lives of young girls and teens. Through enrichment workshops/activities, cultural awareness, community service projects, mentorship, leadership/educational programs and social activities G.E.M.S. and Jewels will accomplish these goals and create confident young women who will make a difference in our world!

Above: Two girls from the village of Bahaya in Haiti, one of the poorest areas that we were in, and where my mother and sister were born.

In July I journeyed to Haiti for the first time and was able to visit and meet family there in various cities (Port Au Prince, Forte Liberte, Cap Haitien and some others). The trip was bittersweet with joyful moments laughing and talking with aunts, uncles and loads of cousins (many loads), but also being reminded of the shaking of the earth a few months before in the faces of those who survived, and how so many were lost on the ground we walked on.

Seeing the country for the first time in my life was an eye-opener for me. In cracking walls I thought of the standing structure I call home in the U.S. In the children asking for loose change I thought of change that is often disregarded in many purses and pockets. In the kindness of the people and resilience in their eyes I realized how grateful I am to be alive.

It is so humbling to know that we each could be a few circumstances away from living eachother’s reality… If my mother had not come from Haiti to the United States 30 years ago, I would be living in much dire conditions and might even be standing in the place of one of the children I met. If such a disaster took place in the United States, who knows the consequences? God alone.

Let’s remember the faces of Haiti in praying and helping with the recovery and rebuilding of lives and homes; we would yearn the same compassion if we were in their place. In the same way, let’s show compassion to people who are less fortunate throughout the world – from those suffering as a result of the flood in Pakistan, to those still recovering from tragedies closer to home.

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.'” Matthew 25:40

Visit A Home in Haiti for information on how you can help build schools and orphanages in Haiti. Currently they are doing their first construction project – “the largest home and school for severely disabled orphans with cerebral palsy, autism, and more in all of Haiti.” Watch the video below chronicling some of their recent work:



Click here and see below to view more photos from my trip.

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Note: I recently began a creative events inspiration blog and will be featuring inspiration for event decor, stationery, diy crafts and more. Click here to check out the blog.

I love doing event design, and have been doing various invitations for others and for my Dream Creations store lately. Here are a few designs that you can find in the store, which are some of my favorites:

Here are two bright animal print invitations, one of them which recently won a Zazzle Artist Award and is currently featured on Zazzle’s Sweet 16 Invitations page. I was inspired by bright nail art patterns I saw in a photo to create these designs. You can click on a design to purchase and customize.

Sweet 16 Invitation Bright Butterfly & Zebra Print by envibrance
Shop for more invitations on Zazzle.com

Recently I was asked to share part of my story of overcoming obstacles and hardships as a teen with a website for teen girls called Girls 4 God. The editor of the site, Annika, has an inspiring ministry and features the stories of various women to encourage girls to grow in Christ. I was glad to be able to contribute part of my experience:

He Touched Me & Made Me Whole

Despite of the pain God has renewed me and I want to share my journey with other girls so that they know there is hope beyond the hurt…

It is amazing how God has taken me from being moss under a rock to being planted as a blooming flower in His fertile ground. Our teen years can be really difficult at times when we’re going through changes, pressures and frustrations, and mine were no different. Despite of the pain God has renewed me and I want to share my journey with other girls so that they know there is hope beyond the hurt…

Growing up I as a child was extremely shy but entering my teen years my self-esteem plummeted. I became increasingly self-conscious and would not ever step out or let my voice be heard aloud except when needed. I disliked the way I looked, felt as if I didn’t really matter and would cower at the sight of people, only speaking freely to my closest family and friends.

Coupled with that I felt abandoned after my father left the family when I was a child. I was also struggling with an illness at the time that made it difficult to go to school regularly, and so in high school I missed many days because of trips to the doctor’s office. It was a dark and lonely road.

Everything seemed bleak and I was merely going through the motions, not embracing life to its fullest potential. At 15-years-old I became depressed and only half aware of being alive and I was hardly taking care of myself.

My body and spirit were shriveling into a tense, broken, guarded existence.

I only felt good about myself when I could please and have the approval of others through my abilities. My life revolved around serving and pleasing people but not only in a godly way; rather I felt that my only worth was in doing what people wanted me to, that they would be angry with me if I didn’t, and that there was nothing else about me left to offer. I had lost all joy I had as a child and even forgot the hobbies and pastimes I had enjoyed; nothing seemed worth it anymore.

I grew up going to church and still went with my mother, but the truth of God’s love didn’t quite become real to me until I was in college. After dealing with loneliness and isolation I began seeking after God like I never had before, asking Him to reveal Himself to me so I knew He was real.

In 2009 I had an experience when God showered me with His love in a real way. It began when I was very ill and had to be rushed to the hospital as a result of a complication. At the time I could remember being only half aware of what was going on around me. My chest was tight and I was scared that I might die there in the hospital. The fear didn’t last long because an intense feeling of peace and calm that I’d never felt before embraced me.

In those moments it seemed as if God was comforting me, telling me to let go and stop holding back.

In those moments it seemed as if God was comforting me, telling me to let go and stop holding back. The thought of, “Who told you that you were worthless? Who said you weren’t allowed live? Who said you can’t?” kept repeating in my mind. I felt as if He was telling me to stop trying to make sense of my circumstances, stop belittling myself and to trust Him with my heart. He controls every beat, created me wonderfully and He is always there with me – just let go. Obeying that command has been a day-by-day release, but I can feel Him enveloping me in His freedom more all the time. Not only has He taught me to let go of anxiety and trying to live in my own strength, I know that because Jesus is the antidote to my sinful nature I can have a deep, intimate relationship with God that is beyond anything on Earth.

Before I was afraid to speak, to share, and to live freely. Now I am speaking, sharing and living to show and tell others about the love that saved me. He’s given me visions of my destiny and my passion now is to wake others up from sleepwalking through life to realize that they too have significance in Christ. From speaking engagements to sharing my story with youth that I teach, God has been amazing in revealing my purpose and launching me into hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

My pain has become a conduit to reach others going though the same.

I know He loves me, and I know He loves you – will you let Him into your heart?

You don’t have to wait until a major event like an illness to happen to realize that you and your life are worth it in God’s eyes. Let Him takeover today – let loose your fears, hurts and troubles to Him. Jesus says:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29).

You will be amazed at how trusting in the Lord as your Savior and strength in life, and deciding to live your life by only His opinions of you will liberate your heart, mind and spirit.

He freed me from darkness and nurtures me to grow beautifully into His light; for that I am ever grateful.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord…
Jeremiah 29:11-14

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Inspiration

Update in 2012: When I first heard the song “All This Time” from one of my favorite singers Britt Nicole, her words resonated with my heart I related to her story. The song became an encouragement to me that God was there walking with me every step of my journey, be inspired:

All This Time lyrics

I remember the moment
I remember the pain
I was only a girl
But I grew up that day
Tears were falling
I know You saw me

Hiding there in my bedroom
So alone
I was doing my best
Trying to be strong
No one to turn to
That’s when I met You

Chorus
All this time
From the first tear cried
‘Til today’s sunrise
And every single moment between
You were there
You were always there
It was You and I
You’ve been walking with me all this time
You’ve been walking with me all this time

Ever since that day
It’s been clear to me
That no matter what comes
You will never leave
I know You’re for me
And You’re restoring

Every heartache and failure
Every broken dream
You’re the God who sees
The God who rescued me
This is my story
This is my story…

Chorus

I hear these people asking me
How do I know what I believe?
Well I’m not the same me
And that’s all the proof I need
I felt love, I felt Your grace
You stole my heart that day

All this time
From the first tear cry
Till today’s sunrise
And every single moment between
You were there
You were always there
It was You and I
You’ve been walking with me all this time

Ever since the first tear cry
It was You, You and I
You’ve been walking with me all this time