IJM Benefit Concert

On Thursday, March 20, I hosted an IJM Benefit Concert at Natasha's Bistro in downtown Lexington.  I had contacted Nathan Angelo, one of my favorite artists, and convinced him to make a stop by Lexington to perform.  He allowed me to keep 100% of the proceeds.

The event was put together in about two weeks, and it was quite a whirlwind.  I depended a lot on my friends, who are hands-down the best group of girls in the world!  I am really lucky to have a solid group of girlfriends from college who literally love and support me in everything.  They are always willing to give their time, talent, and whatever else I ask for.  All of them posted all over social media for the few weeks leading up, one even dropped my name to the local news which resulted in a small segment highlighting the event on the evening news!  My friend Jesse helped with all the details and created a FB event to spread the word.  Others sold merchandise, some worked the photo booth with Cambodian themed props which will provide me with much needed support and encouragement while away, another manned the powerpoint so I didn't have to stress about technology that night.  And my super talented friend Blair took care of decorations, making sure that my information was displayed fabulously.  These girls were the first to arrive and the last to leave.  God is too good to bless me with each of them, and it's so bittersweet to step away from our lovely circle for a season.  But they give me the courage to follow my dreams and love that sustains me when I leave on adventures such as these.

Anywho.  The concert!

Man, it was so freaking fun.  It was incredible to see people from all walks of life there.  There were high school friends, sorority sisters, the girls from my high school small group at church, Judges I practice in front of and defense attorneys I argue against!  There were co-workers, bosses, long-time family friends, and family.  While sharing about IJM, I lost it for a few seconds as I looked out into the crowd and saw so many familiar faces there.  Never could I have imagined such an event that would bring everyone together; it was just incredible.

The music was fantastic.  The food was delicious.  And the bar was fully stocked.  We danced, laughed, took photos, hugged, and celebrated life, both the past and what the future holds.

At the end of the night, we raised almost $3,200!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean, tears, literally when I counted that night.  Fundraising has been so uncomfortable.  I hate asking for money; it's not my thing.  But as much as I'm saving from my own salary, it will not be enough for a whole year abroad so I'm fully dependent on the support of others.  It was such a successful night, but would not have been possible but for my community and the new friends I met that night.

So if you were there or you've given prayers or financial support, please accept my deepest gratitude.  Your money is going to bring light into some of the darkest places in this world.  It's literally going to save and protect lives.  Thank you for being faithful to God's leading and believing in me.  It means more than words could ever express.

Love each of you.

Here are some photos from the night.  Enjoy!

Decorations by Blair.

More decorations, so fun and beautiful.

The Ladies with Nathan Angelo and Steve Means

Phi Mu Rho Iota Ladies: Kelsey and Shelbie

Photo Booth Fun.  With my Dad and oldest brother, Kenny.

Rocking my sweet new Nathan Angelo t-shirt the next day.  He's amazing! Check him out on iTunes and Spotify.

FUNDRAISER THIS WEEK: On Wednesday, April 2 (11 am until 9 pm) at the Todds Road Buffalo Wild Wings location.  Come support IJM.  Tell your waiter you want to support IJM/Ashley Morgan, and I will get 10% of the proceeds!

Cambodia…A Place I'll Soon Call Home

Soooo……(!!!!!)

That's right.  You read that correctly.  On June 25, I will call Phnom Penh, Cambodia, my new home for at least a year! 

Micah 6:8 is powerful, profound, yet so simple and straightforward.  Pursue justice.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God.  Three commands, a handful of words, but a statement of faith that requires a life of total surrender to accomplish.  If you’ve met me, you have probably noticed the small, cursive writing on my left wrist, Micah 6:8.  It’s my motto, the verse in the Bible that pierced my heart, and seared its message into my soul.  My faith and my calling are so intertwined, coiled together like strands of DNA, that in order to love God, I have to love people.  I have to care about humanity; I have to care about what’s happening on the other side of the world.  It has always been my dream to work in the trenches combating human trafficking and other human rights abuses. 

So as previously stated, I will be MOVING (!!!) to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in June of 2014, to spend a year working for International Justice Mission (IJM) as a Legal Fellow.  I will be assisting the office as they plead the cases of those who have been bound into sexual slavery.  

IJM is a non-profit organization composed of attorneys, social workers, criminal investigators, and support staff.  The IJM staff in Cambodia work on the frontlines to bring rescue and relief to victims of sexual violence, including women and children, and to prosecute their perpetrators.  IJM carefully investigates situations of abuse and partners with local officials to free victims from their immediate situations of danger.  After the victims have been freed, IJM seeks to address the root of the problem by prosecuting the perpetrators in local court systems and empowering communities to make structural changes that can prevent such abuses in the future.  IJM also works with aftercare providers to help the newly freed victims adjust to a life that is very different from their past oppressive experiences. 

I'm very excited about this opportunity, but of course, am very sad to be leaving my friends and family as well as nervous to move to a unknown place full of unknown people, food, noises, sights, and sounds.  In the next few months, I am going to be terribly busy spending as much time with friends and family as is possible, hosting various fundraising events, and just preparing to close this chapter in my life.  I am excited for the challenge and ready to start truly pursuing my dream of living in another country working within the human rights sector of law.  

In the next few months, I'd love to have your support as I fundraise for IJM.  Here are some upcoming ways to support me financially. 

--**THIS WEEK**  Nathan Angelo Benefit Concert: Thursday, March 20 at Natasha's Bistro and Bar in downtown Lexington.  Tickets are $20.  All proceeds go towards my work with IJM.  Check out Nathan Angelo and Steve Means in the meantime, and join me for some great music, food, drinks, and a good cause! 

--Buffalo Wild Wings: Wednesday, April 2, at the Buffalo Wild Wings location on Todds Road in Lexington, KY.  Come have dinner and a portion of the proceeds will go to me. I will be passing out flyers at the event, so present that to your waiter or just let them know that you are there to support IJM, and I will receive the proceeds!

--Boot Camp: Saturday, April 19 from 10-11 am. My friend Marlene Nall, a certified personal trainer at Body Structure, has volunteered to teach a boot camp at Woodland Park (if it rains, the class will be held at Woodland Methodist Church).  The class fee is $10 per person, and all money raised will go towards my work in Cambodia.  

For my out-of-town-supporters/people who want to continue to support while I'm gone, you can donate online!  Click Here to donate to my cause.  You can choose to give a one time gift or a monthly gift, then choose my name from the drop down menu, then put in the amount that you feel inclined to give.  This will be possible for the entire duration of my Fellowship.  All money donated directly to IJM will assist me, but it is all tax-deductible.  Please let me know if you have any questions/problems/concerns! 


As the move date gets closer, I will be added to the blog.  This will also be the best place to keep up with me on my journey.  I'm so thankful to have so much love, support, and prayers as I prepare for this big transition.