Why I Gave Up Makeup For Lent

I approached this current Lent season not entirely sure if I was called to give up anything. Usually I use Lent to kick whatever "addictions" I might be struggling with (in the past, I've given up soda and Facebook). But this year, I didn't really feel like I had anything that needed to be given up, until I had an in-depth conversation with several friends back in February. We were going around in a circle, affirming each other and calling out areas that we thought each other could improve in (I have THE best friends ever). One of my friends asked me if I had ever surrendered my beauty to the Lord. To be quite honest, I didn't even know what that meant! So I took some time with God alone and asked Him what it meant to surrender my beauty. I wanted a tangible way to do this, because it seemed like such a vague concept! The only thing that He brought to mind was giving up makeup for Lent. This was a really hard decision to make because my skin has not been the best recently, and choosing to not wear makeup in public felt incredibly vulnerable. But I've been so supported by all my friends and they've been so faithful in texting me verses of truth and encouragement and by always telling me how beautiful I look. Among the many verses that I've received are a few of my favorites: 1 Peter 3:3-4, "Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty fo a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God", Psalm 34:5, "They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed", Song of Songs 4:7, "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you", and Romans 8:6, "For to set your mind on the flesh is death, but to set your mind on the Spirit is life and peace". There have definitely been days where I've looked in the mirror and wanted nothing more than to just cover it all up with makeup. But every time that urge comes, I get to turn to the Lord and ask Him what He thinks about me... and He never disappoints me! He's covered my vulnerability so many times, I can't help but trust Him! So this Lent has definitely been the most vulnerable season yet, but I've been learning to trust God more and more and lean on His faithfulness in a new way.

Here I am in all my natural glory!

He Knows Me

To be quite honest, I may or may not have just had a minor breakdown just now. I'm about to finish up my junior year of college, and this entire semester has basically consisted of the Lord taking all my plans and throwing them out the door. Actually, I don't know how accurate that description is. It's been more of Him giving me the strength to acknowledge what I actually want to do with my life... And if I'm honest, it's not what I was planning to do up until now. It's not necessarily that I'm throwing out my plans just yet. I'm just gaining the strength to acknowledge that God might have something different for me. I'm opening myself up to follow wherever He leads me. I came by this peace first by completely breaking down and crying on the floor of my room and asking Him over and over again what the heck He was doing. He led me first to Psalm 27:8-14, "When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'Your face, Lord, I will seek.' Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me. Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence. I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen Your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!'" He also led me to Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will greatly praise Him." Then, because God is just that good, a friend of mine posted this amazing song on my Facebook wall (God works in mysterious ways?) and through it, the Lord gave me so much peace that He does know me and love me and want my best (why, I don't know and will never fully grasp). Really, all I can say now is the Lord is the Lord and all I can do is trust in Him. My life is being re-written right now, and I'm just waiting on the Lord.

"I Believe In Fairy Tales And Serendipitous Encounters"

I love this girl partly because she writes adorable music and I'm a sucker for adorable music. But I mainly love her because she's classically trained as an opera singer, and boy does it show! What a voice! I appreciate hearing an actual singer and she is one of the best out there currently. Enjoy!

A Display To Start The Year Off Right!

I know I've blogged about the Aurora Borealis many, many times, but every time I see something new on these amazing lights, I can't help myself! Some day I will experience this natural wonder. God is so beautiful, and He makes such beautiful things!

Beauty is Sacrifice

The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn...

The Madness That Is My Life

I haven't blogged in over for a month, and I'm sorry. I blame technical difficulties (my computer decided to stop charging). So, with that being said, here's my life so far. I spent this Christmas back in New Mexico. This past winter break turned into the vacation I needed a vacation from. It was productive... and definitely not relaxing. I worked from 9 to 5 for 3 weeks. I really don't know how adults do it. We also packed up our house in New Mexico to get it ready to rent out. So between all of this and trying to spend time with my friends (several who had just gotten back from Europe), my life was CRAZINESS! I was actually excited to come back to school and relax, but unfortunately, this semester is going to be one of the crazier ones. I'm currently working two jobs and helping cover for a friend when she's unavailable to work hers, trying to raise enough money to make it down to New Zealand this summer, and trying to balance several tough classes. My main goal this semester is to embrace each moment (as cheesy as it sounds), and not wish this semester away. My main motivation is that next semester is my last first semester of college (seriously, WHERE DOES THE TIME GO!?) and I don't want to look back on a single moment of college and regret not fully living in the present. God is still God, He is still good, and He is still looking after me. For the present, that's all I need to know. The rest will work itself out.