You Should Know Her: Jamie Swim

You Should Know Her: Jamie Swim

There are artists in the world that are recognizable as soon as you see their work. This same is true for Jamie Swim’s graphically whimsical Hawaiian inspired art. Even more charming than her art, if you could even imagine something more charming, is Jamie herself. Genuinely sincere in her bashfulness at the recent explosion of her art to the mainland and all through out the North Shore. Jamie expressed to me “It doesn’t feel real, I feel so blessed I get to do what I love and get paid for it!” Sitting at the Coffee shop, both of us with little girls in tow we dove into her life experiences that molded her life and her art to happily embrace the spirit of Aloha that she loves so much.

Jamie was born and raised in Arizona, however, Hawaii always called to her. She always would paint foliage and scenery that she imagined Hawaii might be like. She would look at photos and do her best to manifest the beauty she knew called out to her! Then one day she decided to do it. She decided to drop everything and make the move to O’ahu. No job or even place to live, Jamie reminisced, “I just knew if i was gonna do it, I just would have to do it!”. And that she did! She moved to O’ahu stayed with friends and worked at the Sea Life Park as a photographer. “Talk about random” she giggled. Most importantly Jamie expressed to me how much her art begun to flourish once she was here. She became overwhelmed with the beauty of Hawaii and wanted to paint everything in her sight. That was when she begun to establish the style we all so readily recognize now. Her waves became better, because she was able to experience them, the lighting, and the flowers all were a reality for her now, and the love she dreamed of for Hawaii was even better once she was living in the land of Aloha!

            Now, Jamie’s work is featured in local businesses, sold in department stores on the mainland and continues to be many peoples choices for gifts and statement pieces for their home. Jamie admitted that she loves doing custom art and manifesting peoples vision with her art! She also is dipping her toes, quite successfully, in marketing posters for companies and special events. She has the ultimate dream to design the major surfing competition’s posters and advertisements! She honors her husband for giving her the gusto to put her art out there, because if it wasn’t for him, she would portably never have gotten the courage to share her beautiful gift that blesses so many!

jamei1 jamie2

Jamie is still living on the North Shore and painting in the midst of raising two beautiful girls and being an awesome wife. I treasure women who are convinced that they can be present mothers in their children’s lives as well as still dream big. That is what inspires the next generation. That is what keeps mothers living each day with oomph in their step. Jamie Swim is a wonderful example of a Radiant woman and I look forward to watching more people get to know her art and Jamie herself!

 

To inquire about purchasing her work or about commissioning Jamie Swim you can check out her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jamieswim/?fref=ts or even call her directly at (808)-673-0743

 

To you sweet ones, Have Grit,

Kiersten Homalon

Mommy Knows: The Mom Word

Mommy Knows: The Mom Word

It is far too often that I hear the term “Mom” thrown around. Especially in the world of the work force I will catch people, sometimes even myself throwing this pinnacle of a word around like its, well….. not much. Going into the new year my goal for my own life, and for the life of the mothers in my social sphere, I want to regard that word with respect. By intentionally offering this honor to my fellow mothers and of course my own mother. I pray that this ACTION will seep into my own maternal heart with each outward jester I make. Mothers are born to serve. And that is a calling that comes with a heaviness and an unfathomable reward. I am proud to be a mother…. and I am blessed to be amongst a community of Women who are also MOTHERS! What a privilege to be in a community to help blossom and grow one another! Who is a mother in your social sphere that you can build up and regard her title with RESPECT in an OUTWARD action? Watch the domino effect this will make!

 

A Mother’s Crown

A mothers eyes…. And the wrinkles beside them….

Revealing her choice and privilege

She is the one that stays back and focuses on bath times and reading baby books,

Stays back to clean and cook and discipline….

Often unseen…. Often not heard..

The wrinkles around her eyes….are the testament of her story

They are the stories of her denying herself repeatedly throughout each and everyday…

The wrinkles are reminders of her sacrifice which she does with pleasure for the family she would gladly die for…

Her wrinkles are the sweet reward for being the back bone, for being her husbands help mate, for choosing her family over herself….time and time again.

The wrinkles are her crown for the hard work of her hands and the throne for her humility….

From countless smiles… From laughter that came strait from her soul…. A type of joy only a mother would know.

The wrinkles that meet her every time she looks in the mirror….

They are her privilege to showcase…. Each line precious and dear…

Each crevice the evidence of serving her family…. Each line a reminder…. That Love is choosing all others before herself…. The reason she was created…

The wrinkles around mothers eyes…. Reveal the joy in her servants heart…. They are her reward….Above all they are her crown.

®Kiersten Homalon 2016

Philippians 4:4-8  “ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

 

Have Grit Sweet Ones,

Kiersten Homalon

 

She Empowers: Tis the Season….To Fight Back

She Empowers: Tis the Season….To Fight Back

Sex Trafficking is a subject that many find, well, distant. Not the word you thought I was going to choose huh? What I think strikes me the most about sex trafficking is that it is not something that effects only third world countries. It is not something that just effects a certain ethnicity, religion, societal status or even age. It effects everyone, its right under our noses and its time that awareness is made. I started learning more about human trafficking after being inspired by Lisa Bevere’s book Lioness Arising. Her first hand accounts of meeting these girls and the destructive cycles that happen within the Trafficking world opened my eyes to something completely new, something I had never even thought about, and something that I never realized I would become so passionately driven to effect change in.

Human Trafficking is on the rise. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry, falling just below drug trafficking. A lot of these victims stem from run aways, something that blew me away. As a mother, to not know where your child is unimaginable, but to know how devastating the statistics are for the young girls that do run away is, heart breaking. According to the National Runaway Safeline 80% of ALL runaway and homeless girls have reportedly experienced some sort of sexual or physical abuse, and one of every three children on the streets are lured into commercial sexual exploitation ( Department of Health and Human Services.) I believe it is so important to educate adults on this matter. People often see things such as social media, porn, strip clubs, violent or sexual movies and video games as harmless, when in reality it is adding fuel to the fire of Sex trafficking. These industries feed this mindset, and I would even say feed this sickness that merges sex and violence, and it must be stopped. On top of that, bringing awareness and education into high schools, and possibly even middle schools if done appropriately will allow young women to protect themselves and their friends from the realities of the risk that is out on the streets and on social media.

This social injustice is something that we all can play a part in to stop. There are many organizations that are working to fight against sex trafficking! There are probably multiple in the state you live in alone! I personally work diligently with Ho’olanapua to stop sex trafficking here on the Hawaiian Islands! Some of the women I work with alone have been victims of Sex Trafficking. Each organization is constantly in search for advocates, volunteers, donations and more people spreading the awareness about this atrocity! Please research the various options you have to become apart of this fight! Dressember is a large organization that is also dear to my heart and works hand in hand with the International Justice Mission. The holidays are a great time to remember the “Reason for the Season” and so to sacrifice our time and efforts for others sake is the most magical part of the Spirit of CHRISTmas. Below I have included a link to a website that has a list of International Organizations fighting against Sex trafficking. I also have a link for Ho’olanapua. We appreciate generous gifts of donations and of course spreading the knowledge and awareness! Mahalo Nui Loa, and together lets make a “Brighter Future for our Children” (Ho’olanapua).

“Our Lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” Martin Luther King Jr.

Proverbs 31:8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.”

http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/united_states_of_america/international_orgs

www.hoolanapua.org

www.dressember.org

www.ijm.org

Have Grit Sweet Ones,

Kiersten

She Connects: Finding Gratitude during a Season of Stillness

She Connects: Finding Gratitude during a Season of Stillness

We all have seasons of planting seeds in our lives, and then a time of harvest. This cycle is constant. Even during the midst of our harvest, we are planting seed through our behaviors toward others and how we act during our seasons of blessings. It’s much easier to maintaining a heart of gratitude when all things are going well in our lives and great things are happening. However, how do we respond as we walk through the journey in the valley? Do we fight for control? Do we try our best to keep our composure?

When we encounter seasons in the valley—the best things we can do is simply be still and rest in God’s peace.  In Philippians 4: 6-7 reminds us this:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When you’re praying about all things (and truly believing those prayers are in good hands), it becomes hard for you to not give thanks in the midst of your trouble. By doing so, your life will change forever. Your peace of mind will not reside on things or people on this earth.

Strive for peace and gratitude through prayer not because of all things, but IN all things. Through the stillness of your soul, gratitude will abide.

She’s Poetic: Glorious Inexpressible Joy

She’s Poetic: Glorious Inexpressible Joy

Many Characteristics are claimed to your name

Your mightiness intimidating most, the enemy using lie to cover the truth and abstain from everything but lie

But how is it that I feel this Tenderness when some have no desire to get even remotely close

Fear of your wrath being stronger than the reality of your keen Heart

This hesitance a stumbling start to most

I wish they could feel that gentle nudge you give me to make steps of Bold

How can I reveal to them those moments that are too tender to even behold

Your presence consuming and your correction is sweet

Not like most fear, not little or even discreet

Warmth in your midst is the margin of this gain

Some fear you’re a giant who tramples with hate and distain

Truth, however is your eagerness for us to grow

You’re intertwined in our lives, Lovingly convincing us, that in this moment, you well know

The brush of your presence, your sweet words to remind

You guide me this way, because you are Gracious and Kind

So how is it that so many have lost sight

Of the gentle giant that many have left behind

You plead Joy with us Lord

And see Faith more precious than mere Gold

So now in the time of need, I see the depth of what you hope to behold

A people of Faith bonded together with glee

This may seem ridiculous or to many, even with out need

But if we open our eyes

Then its possible to see

That with Great Joy Comes an Triumphant Victory

Trampling death, circumstance,and the pits that inevitably come

God whispers to us that, with Joy, we OVERCOME

So this small word may be over looked

But its time now to revisit what God had intended when he started this Earth

Do you feel it now

The ground beneath us groaning

He’s looking for Warriors

The ones Joyfully following the call

An up rising, YES! and it starts with “Come one, Come all”

The Power is with in us

Bottled and captive for far too long

The only way to release it is to pry open these hammered crates

So let your Joy honor and reveal the power of Christ’s blood

Its time for the gates to open

And allow the flood

1 Peter:1-8 “So be truly glad.There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.”

®Kiersten Homalon 2015

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