{organic make-up… yes please!}

To no ones surprise, I have discovered yet another fantastic organic product that is made from natural ingredients and does not contain chemicals or harsh ingredients. I can barely contain my excitement as I write this because these products are just wonderful! Anyone who has met me knows I am an avid organic/healthy person who gets adjusted and loves maximized living and doing things God’s way. Most of us are on this “go green” kick right now but we often overlook our face washes, soaps, deodorants, and make-up. Why do these things matter and why should you spend the extra few dollars on organic and natural make up? EASY answer. Because your skin in the largest organ in your body! Most of you don’t know this but it is just as important to watch what you put on your body as it is to watch what you put inside your body. The skin absorbs EVERYTHING, toxins, chemicals, fragrances, and all things we are cautioned with in our chemistry classes. Be careful what you put on your face and body, they are all going into your entire body and creating environments where cancer cells and diseases thrive.

Check out my new GREAT, organic, and all natural mascara from a company called, TARTE. They come in the cutest containers and are safe, couture make-ups. They also supply the best eye lash curler known to man at a cost efficient $15! The mascara is amazing and will cost you $18, both available at Sephora. They consists of 5 natural ingredients that you can actually pronounce! All their products are made of a blend of the five most active, free-radical fighting super fruits, vitamins, minerals and natural fruit and plant extracts. Visit their website for more info or visit a Sephora store by you! Check Out TARTE here!

Want to learn more about God’s way of doing health? Go and explore this website to learn more about detoxing, safe cleaners, the healing diet, exercise and fitness from the BEST doctors, and chiropractic corrective care and what it can do for you!

 

{some things never change}

When I was young…and naive…I thought life got easier as you got older. Oh how wrong I was. Part of me misses those innocent days of mine but another part of me has learned to appreciate responsibility. If I only knew how life was as an adult when I was in high school I would have probably given my mom an easier time. I have a great mom, I am so blessed that she had so much patience with me and loved me enough to let me outgrow my flaws. I give her the credit for everything I am today and the driven person I have become. My sweet mom lost her mom when she was just 12 and her dad not too long after that. I wouldn’t have survived that. She spent her life caring for her siblings, husband, and then me and my sister. She never did worry about herself and still never does. I adore her and can only dream to be half the woman she is. My awesome mom is besides the point of this blog, she is just incredible and deserves to be mentioned.

Life for me hasn’t gotten easier but one thing and one thing alone has remained. Jesus. People fail you, hurt you, leave you, lie to you, deliberatly tear you down, decieve you, talk about you, forget you, envy you, bring you down, and put you last. Jesus is everything we are not. If we leave it up to people to satisfy us, make us happy,  fill our needs, and makes us feel secure we will be searching for something that does not exist forever. We will drain people and make others around us miserable. Trust me, I know from experience. Jesus is constant. He is our giver, our provider, our joy, and everything people cannot be for us. Turn away from this world and people for your fulfillment. I promise you, that fulfillment doesn’t exist in men, only in the Lord.

 

{the lake house}

I haven’t been this relaxed in what seems like years. I am so blessed and thankful to be on this amazing vacation, it is indescribable! There is nothing in the world like going 50 mph on a jet ski racing through miles of mountains and gorgeous trees. The beautiful houses that cover the coastline are just a bonus to cruising through endless mountains. The icing on the cake is the wonderful family I am with! It has been a blast to travel with them and a house full of girls is always entertaining… Mr. Saunders must be used to it by now! We left Boston a few days ago and took a gorgeous drive up to New Hampshire and are now enjoying Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. My new favorite thing is jet skiing! I was scared at first but after about 30 seconds I was at 54 mph! Ooops I can’t wait for the next week and a half of our vacation!

 

The TOP 25 Greatest Faces of Jillian Liesl’s Sweet 16

My sweet sweet Jillian Liesl turned 16 this week and we celebrated with several days of dinners, desserts, movies, friends, and ONE huge Sweet 16 Bippity Boppity Boo Ball. The theme was Cinderella and Jillian was the perfect princess! We all had a blast celebrating Jillian’s birth and I was extrememly blessed to have been able to capture the event from start to finish. There were some extraordinary pictures of Jillian looking more beautiful than ever but I thought we should start with what I like to call, “The Top 25 Greatest Faces of Jillian Liesl’s Sweet 16!” Here is a sneak peak of all the fun and dancing that caused the fire department to show up in the middle of it! Enjoy! Happy Birthday Bean, I love you dearly.

25. Let’s let Chase and Mike kick off this countdown!

24. This wrapped up Jillian’s night. She is the greatest dancer!

23. Chelsea and Kelsey had way TOO much fun!

22. One of Doug’s better moments in his life.

21. Kylie getting her groove on!

20. Spring spent most of the night doing things comparable to this….

19. Aaron was the only guy dancing to “Single Ladies.”

18. Kelsey has some pretty unique dance moves…

17. Melissa is an extremely inspirational dancer.

16. The Miller sisters were apparently born to dance.

15. My birthday girl having the time of her life!

14. The glasses helped Chase to become a better dancer.

13. One of many awkward faces. Thank you Lord for Chelsea Miller.

12. True love. Doesn’t get much cuter than this!

11. Nick and Chelsea were too much fun! Great sister and BIL.

10. A perfect moment. Addie and Chelsea were obviously on the same page.

9. If it isn’t clear yet, Chelsea Miller stole the show.

8. Let’s just knock out a few more “Chelsea Miller faces” while we’re on this little kick.

7. Need I say more? She doesn’t even need music.

6. She loves Mike, really.

5. Amanda breaking it down with Mica and Leah! Go girls!

4. Hey Melissa!

3. My sweet Jessi…this girl can dance!!!

2. Need I say more?

1. Two of my favorite girls. They brought SO much energy to the party!

Thank you to ALL the wonderful people who came out to celebrate Jillian. You all are amazing and made this the greatest birthday she could have asked for! Happy Birthday my little bean, you are my favorite.

 

my tell all.

After much debate, I have decided to blog about a few important changes that are going on in my little world. I was going to keep most of this private but after a few too many people heard a few too many silly rumors I decided a tell all would be the way to go… at least for those of you who care to read. Here it goes…

A few weeks ago I resigned from my position at Christ Fellowship. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve at that church with some amazing people. Without CF I would have never met Pastor Kevin and Mara who have changed my life forever and truly pointed me to Christ and showed me how to live out the Gospel. I met countless wonderful people and I am blessed that those relationships have only grown stronger since I left.

I am blown away at all the things God had planned for me and I am so humbled by His willingness and faithfulness to provide for me and give me such a wonderful life. I have never been so happy or content in all my life and God has blessed me more than I could have ever imagined. I am so excited to be back in school full time and focusing on finishing up at PBA and spending some much needed time with my family and friends.

Life is pure bliss right now. This very moment reminds me of God’s beauty and how much He has blessed my life. I can hear the laughter of Pastor Todd, Mrs. Julie and the Saunders on the back porch while a house full of us girls giggles together on the couch. I feel so loved by God and so close to Him, I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life and so many great people that pour into my life.

Leaving CF was extremely hard and getting used to not seeing the students regularly is something I won’t ever be ok with or get used to. It was definitely God’s calling for me to be there for the season I was but now He has called me to finish school and focus on spending time with my family and friends.

So, if you are wondering… I love Jesus and I love Christ Fellowship. I am going to PBA full time and I have 3 semesters left of classes before I am finally done with a degree I might actually use. I am going to The Ascent and it has been so wonderful to be back in church services! I’ve met some really great people and I am excited to go on a mission trip to Costa Rica this summer with The Ascent CityPlace campus!

That about sums up everything. I am ready and anticipating the great work that the Lord has promised to finish in my life and loving every minute of it! Thank you to everyone who has made my life as great as it is.

Ephesians 3:20-22.

 

my motions.

I know I’ve said this before but I am SUCH a lyrics person. I am constantly looking up lyrics for songs I like and well…. blogging about them. Right now I am constantly playing “The Motions” by Matthew West…and when I am not playing it, I am singing it. That part is unfortunate for those around me. Way FM can seriously overplay and overkill a song but for now I don’t mind hearing it every 4 songs. I’m obsessed with it and it puts into words how I am feeling. If you haven’t heard it please listen here.

After I left Christ Fellowship 2 weeks ago I have spent a ton more time reflecting on what God is doing in my life and what He has been trying to do during the times when I wasn’t listening very well. I heard this song and the part “I don’t wanna go one more day without Your all consuming passion inside of me” stuck in my head. I realized at that moment that nothing else truly mattered. It didn’t matter what I wanted or how I saw my life play out or who I thought I would be with. It never has and never will. I could have everything in the world the way I want it but it wouldn’t matter without an all consuming passion inside my heart for God. I felt for the first time in awhile like a new Christian. I was never far from Jesus but my heart was filled with passions for what I wanted, who I wanted, and lack of trust that God had a better plan and could take better care of me. Maybe I am being a little transparent here but hopefully someone else has gone through this too. I made a commitment today that I wouldn’t go another day without God’s all consuming passion inside of me. Nothing else even begins to matter if I don’t have this.

Where are you tonight? Are you on fire for the things of this world or a person who will never be able to fill that void? Give up. That is my only advice. Those things and those people will never be enough, they didn’t create you and they don’t know you like God does. He will fill every crevice of your heart if you let Him. Don’t give up who you are and who God wants you to be for anything or anyone else. The truth is we don’t deserve better but we DO get more than we deserve. Don’t settle for a guy that doesn’t make you his priority and expect him to fill your empty heart, walk away. Don’t settle for a group of friends that bring you down with them, you are a child of God and Jesus died so that you can have better than this. Get up, walk away and break. His power works best in your weakness.

This might hurt
It’s not safe
But I know that I’ve gotta make a change
I don’t care
If I break
At least I’ll be feeling something
‘Cause just ok
Is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions

No regrets
Not this time
I’m gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love
Make me whole
I think I’m finally feeling something

 

it’s up to YOU.

I have learned this from the very wise people that God has placed in my life and it has changed the way I live my life. I am still speaking to myself when I say this but… it’s up to YOU. Your life, your job, your family, your friends, your potential, your dreams, your goals, your choices… No one has control over you and no one can and should make choices for you. God has gifted us all uniquely and perfected us to be what and who HE wants us to be. We cannot and should not and will not allow anyone else or any circumstance to pull us away from what we were created to do and who we were created to be. I am made the way I am for a perfect reason, the same goes for all of us. If we are not confident with who God created us to be and are not doing what we are called to do than we are interfering with God’s will for our lives and for the lives of those He is impacting through us.

If you want to make a difference…. it is up to YOU. Don’t sit around a wait for someone else to do it or worry about failing or what other people will think. GET UP and DO IT. Be passionate, be on fire for something, and encourage others with the confidence you have in Christ. If you want to change the world, then start. Today. This entire world was changed by 12 people. YA! 12 people. I can fit that many people in my SUV. It takes nothing but the faith and courage and strength from God to take the next step. Be humble, be faithful, be ready. We serve a God who delights in the impossible. Let HIM do the impossible through you. It is up to YOU.

 

the gospel.

I am sure of one thing in life. Jesus. I honestly don’t understand how anyone goes through their day, let alone their life, without Jesus. I did it for some time and it was remotely unsuccessful, lonely, and somewhat worthless. I am happy that Jesus has filled the void that was in my heart and life and I am humbled to be chosen by the creator of the universe. woah. take that in for a minute. Becoming a Christian is simple, living a Christian lifestyle…not so much. I read my bible, I pray, I believe it, I understand it, I trust it, I desire it, I crave it, I grow in it, I devour it, I need it but…do I LIVE it?

My mind is stuck here. Nothing satisfies me more than Jesus. Nothing else can redeem me, rescue me, mold me, refine me, grow me, protect me, provide for me, guide me, or fulfill my every need, desire, and goal. How come I can’t take my faith and put it into action like Jesus did?

I see it all around me, Christians that don’t practice what they preach. They have the act down but that doesn’t go far with Jesus. He says HE KNOWS their hearts and will turn away from them because He does not know them. That scares me but it also reminds me of God’s grace for us. We mess up, we live messed up lives, and we lead messed up people even if we are more messed up than they are. Make sense? No. BUT God still loves us THE SAME. I think I should end here.

We will never get it right, but that is humbling, we will never deserve God’s love, but we have it readily available, we will never understand the price Jesus payed, but it is waiting there for us anyways. Where are you today? Do you live out the Gospel? Are you hiding behind your sin and masking who you are to everyone? It is okay to break, for when you are weak, God is strong and HE will work through you…but you have to let him.

 

5 down. Hallelujia.

I’m in love with this moment. Ben Harper music slowly playing, the Saunders are relaxing on the patio, and Jefferson is so extremely content with trying out his scuba gear in the pool. I love hearing all these different noises, conversations, and laughter all synced together in addition to Jillian’s beautiful singing voice coming from the other side of the house. Easter weekend is done, all the hard work has payed off, and we can just bask in the blessings that God has given us. At the end of the day and even at the end of such a sacred weekend, we are all just God’s children, doing His work, letting His power work through us, and sacrificing anything to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It is not by our power that over 25,000 people heard the Gospel over the past two days and it is so humbling to know that God used me to orchestrate His miraculous plans. I hope this weekend reminded you of the grace and love of God for you and encouraged you to take the next step along the path that God has designed for you.

 

Jesus.

I am devouring the book of Luke right now. I can’t get away from chapter 5 and I am in awe of how I ever read through these scriptures before and didn’t feel this slap in the face. God has a beautiful way of revealing things to us for specific reasons and at specific times. In Luke chapter 5 I read through a story I have heard a number of times…

¹⁸ Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, ¹⁹ but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. ²⁰ Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”

Wonderful, I thought to myself, been here….read this… wonderful. Well, God had another plan. I am in love with these verses, I just can’t seem to wrap my mind around how beautiful God’s word is. Here there are a group of guys, I’ll call friends, that are trying to get their sick friend help. They tried the easy route and nope, unsuccessful. Most of us wouldn’t have gotten even this far. But they aren’t done yet, they are determined and devoted to their friend. They go as far as CLIMBING ON A ROOF and lifting their friend over the crowd in order to reach Jesus. I need to pause right now because I swear my mind is about to explode….. I can’t tell you how many sick friends I have had, lost friends that are close around me, or family members that just need Jesus and I have gone barely as far as making a phone call or sending them a text message in attempts to get them to Jesus. How unbelievable is this example we see in Luke of friends that surely went the extra mile to bring their friend to Jesus. When I have had a sick friend it would be a MAJOR gesture of love and compassion to bring them a bowl of soup, let alone make attempt after attempt and drag them on a roof in order to bring them to the ultimate healer and provider. They never gave up, never thought of excuses, and never received anything in return. WOAH, how lost can we be at times even as Christians and walking closely with the Lord?

Praise God for his deliverance, redemption, grace, mercy, and love.