Life update

Boy oh boy, have I CHANGED! Maybe, changed is the wrong word. Over the past year I have grown so, so much, it's unbelievable. Please understand that when you ask God to help you grow, oh...He'll grow you! If and when you request growth from your God you better believe He will put you through trial... but that is the ONLY way you can grow. Trials build faith, perseverance, and hope. Please understand that it is it worth it. All of the pain and discipline is worth it, because you will GROW! I urge you to read all of Romans and all of Hebrews, especially during tribulation. The word is a great comforter in all times and I encourage you to run to the bible in struggle, don't run away in distress and hopelessness. The word is living water. Please, do yourself the favor. Nourish your spirit. He sacrificed flesh and blood, all for you.

Croatia

Originally submitted at LUSH USA

Luxurious rose-scented shower lotion for the softest skin that ever was

Ro's Argan body conditioner

Strengthens my nails!

By Stacieliscious on 12/6/2014

 

5out of 5

When you survey your stash, you label this product: Guilty Pleasure

Pros: Smooths & Softens, Great Smell

Best Uses: Daily Use, Deep Conditioning

I absolutely love this product. I was a bit hesitant when the sales rep asked me in store to try it I'll admit, but I'm so glad he convinced me! When he said I wouldn't have to use lotion afterwards I internally scoffed but he was so right! Like he said, you massage it on as your last step in the shower, lightly rinse, and hop out. It seriously feels so good, all day. Also, my nails are very prone to flakiness and I've noticed that it doubles as a nail strengthener!!

(legalese)

Market capitalism and Democracy

"Market capitalism is the most efficient economic system the world has ever known. Democracy is the fairest political system the world has ever known, and the one most respectful of individual liberty. Together, markets and democracy will gradually transform the world into a community of prosperous, war-shunning nations, and individuals into liberal, civic-minded citizens and consumers. Ethnic hatred, religious zealotry, and other “backward” aspects of underdevelopment will be swept away."

Read more from Amy Chua's "A World on the Edge"
http://wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/winter-2014-four-decades-of-classic-essays/a-world-on-the-edge/

Are you not worth much more than they

This past year has been the biggest valley and hardest year of my life. Transitioning from undergrad into the real world and/or postgraduate education is both scary and exciting. There is beauty in the unknown and that is something that I have come to learn this year. Worrying is unnecessary and pointless. 

25"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?…
 Matthew 6: 25-27

Those are the words I repeat to myself constantly. This past year I hit the point at which I had no choice but not to worry for the sake of my own sanity. When your only choice is to have patience, trust and faith, I think you really learn their meaning. I thank God for the lessons this year has taught me. It's been rough but I needed it. I've grown so much and can definitely see the sunshine peaking from behind the hill, the faint rainbow in the rain, the end of the storm. 

(It's funny, because my whole life has been testament to these verses. But that's another story.)

Montenegro

They deserve better.

Please read

http://www.bbncommunity.com/child-hands-beggar-always-sleeping/

Proud To Be

This.

"Native Americans call themselves many things. The one thing they don't... ______."

final days of the undergrad experience

So I only have a week left of classes and then it's finals week (which will be easier than this current week!). It's crazy to think I'm almost done with the school that I so dearly loved all of my life. But now I'm ready to go. I've truly learned a lot about myself this year, and it's been hard. I'm guessing that's what's supposed to happen before one graduates... The countdown has begun for the end of the spring semester, the end of my job, my study abroad, and my 21ST BIRTHDAY! I know the blessings will continue to flow as I journey onward through my life. In August, I'll be in the possession of my bachelor of arts degree and whatever comes next will come next. It's insane that this undergrad journey is coming to an end. There's beauty in the unknown!

Worth.

Today I really struggled with be alone as an extrovert. I confess, I'm a people person! But just because people don't want to hang out doesn't mean that I don't have friends or that everyone hates me as I like to convince myself. Today just happened to be one of those days when I was not busy and wanted to see everyone while many were busy with prior engagements. I asked God to explain my struggle this afternoon. I think He's just really pointing out this flaw that I've been trying to deny. This whole past year I have really been struggling with seeing people that I want to be like or am inspired by, and confiding in them. While this may not seem harmful at first the underlying problem is that I am trying to be like other people instead of trying to be like Christ. I am putting my trust in others and trying to get my worth from them when I should be finding my identity and worth in Christ and Christ alone. Because of this struggle I take certain things that relate to being alone or being ignored personally. In the same way I try to treat each person with worth no matter how I'm feeling. Anyway, I feel really pathetic for blogging about this because I'm usually not one to complain about my feelings on social media but you know, it's a hair flip. I know I have friends and best friends at that, but this is just something I struggle with. Everyone has their struggles.

St. Valentine's

I had a fabulous Valentine's Day---- even though I'm one of those single ladies. I started the day off wearing my favorite color, pink of course, with twisted hair and taped some cute valentines to my residents' doors. I put out some adorable vanilla cupcakes for them as well and went downstairs to put valentines in the boxes of my fellow RA's. One of my sisters in Christ was downstairs and she shared the word about God's true love for us--- for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. She's so encouraging. I found a few valentines and a rose in my box. One of my brothers in Christ gave a rose to each woman on staff with a bible verse sticking out of the petals. It was super sweet. I then went to class and then work. It was a fab valentine's day indeed because Sprint sent me my pink iPhone 5c and I picked it up after.

 Afterwards I received a box of fabulous cupcakes from one of my extremely talented friends! They were so lovely.

 I just really enjoyed being with friends yesterday and the whole week before with all of the snow. Later that evening I went to a Valentine's Day church dinner with my friend where the guys served the girls and I had a wonderful fettuccine alfredo.

 

 

Even though I'm not taken I enjoyed my day filled with the color pink, free food, and friends. :)