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SIMPLE + TRUE

by Grace Theisen

Simple + True EP available now on iTunes and Spotify.

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When @oxana_meade SLAYS at making me feel beautiful. I have NO idea how to ever make my hair look this good and she just does it with such ease, grace and intentional conversation. Love you so much Oxana. I love the way you give your time and talents to not only help @lolancaster and I feel beautiful but how you sacrifice one work day a month to help survivors of trafficking feel beautiful. We need more people in the world like you. - HOLD UP. DONT STOP READING. I PROMISE THERE IS MORE TO THIS THAN JUST A SILLY SELFIE. - This month, @songsagainstslavery is working to raise $50,000 for @thistlefarms. We are already over $21,000 and would LOVE to get to $25,000 by the end of today. Every $150 goes to providing one woman with her VERY OWN bedding and clothing as she is coming off the streets from prostitution, addiction and sex trafficking. - GUYS. We ALL know we waste SO much time scrolling through social media... we all know we post pictures JUST like this one to get affirmation from the world to make ourselves feel better. So let’s turn that around. If every single person who likes this photo gave even just $5 it would make a HUGE impact. (LINK IN BIO.) - The irony of this “selfie” isn’t lost on me. You know why I posted it? Because IT GETS YOUR ATTENTION. Can we start turning our “likes” into impact? Can we start using the energy we spend comparing and scrolling on this silly thing called Instagram and instead use it to change the world?!?! TOGETHER, I BELIEVE WE CAN. - I know it’s easy to grow weary in doing good. I am just as guilty of “scrolling” past a post asking to raise money and not thinking twice about it. But I’ve been so convicted by that... because I KNOW how hard it is to fundraise for “good” so because of that... I decided from here on out-every single time I come across a post asking for money for a cause... I WILL stop and donate. Even if it’s just $5. Will you join me in helping to use social media for something other than our own glory?!? ❤️ #stepintotheirshoes
I am truly heart broken over what has happened in Las Vegas. I hesitated even posting this because it's a fine line between posting on social media and being insensitive to our nation and those who are grieving today. But I decided to post it because I realized that everyday, there is tragedy happening all around us. Trafficking, homelessness, murders, racism...and most of it never makes the it to the media. But if we let those things overshadow the good that is happening in our nation-we will all lose heart. - In spite of that, I just wanted to share some GOOD news. We launched #stepintotheirshoes with @songsagainstslavery to raise $50,000 for @ThistleFarms. This is day TWO of our campaign and we have over 100 walkers, 18 teams and have already raised over $15,000. I share this because I want you to know that there are people in this world working really hard to fight for justice and to do good. - If you still want to join us, click on my link in my bio to donate to my page or you can still sign up to be a fundraiser! We need YOUR help to reach this goal and y'all... we CAN be a part of the change for social justice.
Last night was a dream come true. I don't know if I have ever experienced so much beauty in one show... it was absolutely overwhelming in every good way possible. - I came out of the womb loving horses and it wasn't until I was ten that my dad finally let me start lessons. He didn't think I would stick with it but I never turned back. I rode horses for ten years and it was the thing I devoted most of my life to other than school. I lived and breathed all things horses, barns, shows, and lessons. Horses brought me so much LIFE. I would spend hours just BEING with them because they just have this gift of knowing and caring for you with unconditional love. I truly believe they are some of the most beautiful creatures on planet earth. - Enter college and the five years during and after filled with chronic back pain and surgeries when I was forced to step away from that life. A lot of doctors believe my back pain came from a lot of riding and falling off. Maybe they are true or maybe it's just genetics and living in a fallen world. No one will ever know. But last night showed me I would never trade in those years I spent with horses. Even if I knew it would lead to chronic back pain. Because that life taught me how to be disciplined, selfless, unassuming and caring. Horses taught me how to love and take care of something despite "not always wanting to" or "feeling like it." That true love isn't conditional. - Last night reminded me that life is full of pain and love. That is it. And sometimes love can be the very thing that causes the pain. And sometimes pain can be the very thing that brings us back to our first Love. In the (paraphrased) words of one of my heroes, @christablackgifford: "You can only love as much as you allow yourself to feel pain. Because both come from the same place-your heart." Cavalia reminded me that there is SO MUCH BEAUTY happening all around us and pain teaches us to not take for granted the things that we "love" because you never know when it might be stripped away. We are only promised TODAY. - Thank you to the sweetest friend who made last night possible. I have no words. It was truly unforgettable.
We do this thing in our friend group where whenever it's someone's birthday or a special occasion, we go around the table and speak out loud what we love about that person. - On Sunday at dinner when we were doing this for Lo, there wasn't one person who didn't have "joy" as part of their description of her. - And I couldn't agree more. When I think about this woman, I see her just as you are now in this picture-overflowing with laughter and joy. She has this gift of making life come to LIFE even in the mundane and hard moments. She is one of the most steady and dedicated people I have ever met and truly, we made it through-I made it through-this year because of her. - Lo-you know I could say a million and one things about why you are the bestest best friend/sister/other half/business partner.... but there wouldn't be enough space to write it all out. You truly have been one of the greatest gifts to my life and I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE GOD BLOW YOUR LIFE UP IN THIS NEXT SEASON. ;) - I love you forever and you make me love Jesus more everyday. You have taught me to be quick to forgive and let laughter be the greatest medicine. Happy 26 baby. I know this is going to be your BEST YEAR YET.... because.... #MARRIAGE. 🤗 - You got the best one, Wes. And it's an honor to hand over the "other half" role to you in a few months. :)
Full disclosure: I have been terrified to turn 26. Because 25 was by far the hardest year of my life and for the last five years, it has felt as if every year has just. gotten. harder. - Even as I write this out, I have tears streaming down my face thinking about everything that has happened this past year-from living in pain 24/7, multiple back injections, endless doctors appointments, nerve tests, spinal headaches, hard decisions, never ending meds and the all their "lovely" side effects, back surgery, hospital stays, and more doctors appointments. That doesnt even scratch the surface of anxiety, depression, sleepless nights, hard conversations and intense conflict all while trying to run a nonprofit and release an EP. - But alas. Here I am. Overwhelmed by the fact that IT. IS. FINISHED. And I don't mean anxiety, depression, doctors appointments or PAIN. I mean JESUS. When I focus on JESUS and the cross-I am so overcome with a peace that truly surpasses all understanding. I know. It LITERALLY doesn't make sense. My body is pretty much falling a part and yet, deep down in my soul, I KNOW there is a Presence that holds endless hope, light and LIFE for me despite outside circumstances. - Guys. The older I get the more I truly believe Jesus identified MORE with sorrow than with happiness. Sorrow leads to a DEEP rooted joy that happiness cannot. Because it is in sorrow and grief that we are forced to learn we cannot control our worlds. We cannot control our bodies, relationships, marriages, jobs... it all may come crumbling down. Sometimes all at once. But if I have learned ANYTHING this year-I can look back and see that the GOOD-that JESUS and the GIFTS that heaven plopped into my lap through this year FAR OUTWEIGH the pain and suffering. I have never felt closer to Jesus in my entire LIFE. Because I have never needed Him more. What a gift, right? We are not entitled to not suffer or be pain free. I am daily OFFERED the chance to find and choose joy through a Man who went through it ALL and DIED and rose again so that WE can have eternal life. - The best gift? If you donated to my @songsagainstslavery fundraising page for @thistlefarms. ❤️#stepintotheirshoes
THESE WOMEN. - Our heroes. Our sisters. The ones who have taught us no matter what life throws at you... you are stronger than you think. You are more resilient than you know. And love truly does heal. - Today, @lolancaster and I launched our first official campaign with @songsagainstslavery. It's called "Step Into Their Shoes." For the month of October, we will be walking 50,000 steps per week to raise $50,000 for @thistlefarms. "They walked in slavery... now WE can walk for their freedom." - We consistently get emails and questions from people asking HOW they can be a part of the fight against sex trafficking... and we FINALLY created something for anyone-anywhere-to do. You can walk as an individual or start a team! It takes ONE minute of your time to sign up. (Link in bio!) Each week, you will get a story of a survivor you are "walking with" and curated playlists to walk too. Awesome right?! - Y'ALL. Get those walking shoes ON. This is going to be a BLAST. - Did I mention we have ALREADY RAISED $10,000?!?!? INSANE RIGHT?!? Registration is open now-October 1st! Tag friends who would want to join! - #stepintotheirshoes #thistlefarms #enditmovement #songsagainstslavery
Despite me sleeping almost the entire weekend (THANKS PAIN) and having a mentally challenging weekend with recovery....we successfully pulled of "Mission MiMi" Surprise birthday weekend! I can't believe we made it four months with no one giving it away. - There is absolutely NO PLACE LIKE HOME or being with family. It truly is the best medicine. I love these humans with all of my being and could not have thought of any other way to spend Labor Day. Our entire weekend consisted of swimming, sleeping, eating, hot-tubbing, Chopped and then REPEAT. And it was glorious. And magical. And RESTFUL. - Woke up Tuesday morning so sad to not have the littles running around our house or Grandpa's pumpkin pancakes and bacon filling the air... but equally grateful to have the family that I have! ❤️ I truly wouldn't be able to do this journey called life without them. They truly get me through the struggle of daily pain and keep me going with their enormous amounts of sass, laughter and love.
My sweet sisters over at @brandedcollective just released their fall line and asked me to join them for the photoshoot last month. They have stunning pieces that are made by survivors of sex trafficking. (@endslaverytn) Go check them out! I wear my new necklace they just released (last picture) pretty much everyday. - My favorite part of the shoot? The deep conversations and heart to hearts I had with these women about what it's like to live life with pain, navigating hard relationships and trying to find Jesus in the midst. I made some amazing new friends and it was well worth wearing sweaters and winter clothes in the Nashville heat. ;) love you ladies so much!!!! Congrats on the new line!!! - Also @serendipity12south kind of obsessed with this red sweater. Didn't want to give it back! 😍
I have felt a torn heart lately over the news of Hurricane Harvey. It's horrific and I have been praying for everyone who has been affected and touched by it. No one should ever have to go through that. Ever. - There's also another part of me that keeps wondering: "WHY does it always take something so disastrous for people to start waking UP and using their social media for good?!? Why is the media, government and nation just NOW starting to move in helping the thousands that are stranded, homeless, and/or dead? Why are people just NOW starting to donate money, goods and services to nonprofits and pray for our nation?!?" - Maybe it's because I am so entrenched in the world of sex trafficking... but the reality is THIS IS PEOPLE'S EVERYDAY LIFE AND THEY NEVER ONCE GET MEDIA FOOTAGE OR COVERAGE OR HELP. Here me when I say-I am not trying to take away from the Harvey or the people it's impacted. That would be wrong. - What I AM saying is we need to stop being people and a nation that ONLY moves when the VERY worst case scenario happens. We need to START mobilizing our socials, money, and efforts daily to help those who are trafficked, homeless, houseless, and marginalized. Maybe Harvey has just finally forced us all out of our own worlds and selfishness of "it's all about me" on social media (to which I am not excluding myself) and that's why feels like such a stark contrast to our everyday reality. - Guys. Let's do better. Let's be better. Let's SHOWER this world in love, donations, help and kindness ALL the time... not just when disaster strikes. Let's not tire in doing good. Ever. Because the truth is... deep down inside of us we usually know what the right thing to do is. So let's just start doing that every single day.

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Finding beauty in pain, through creating art, in pursuit of redemption. 

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