Bare Faced Beauty & Restless Youth

Hello again :) I've been so busy with getting the website up, I'd almost forgotten about my blog! Speaking of the website, I've posted on there a PDF of the essay I wrote that started this whole thing. I think I mentioned the essay in the post My Controversial Idea. My paper seemed too long for a blog post, so I put a link on the website under Resources. The link is here. I think it is the first essay I'm actually proud of...I put a lot of work into it because of my intense passion for the subject. 
It is so odd, though. My passion for this project has produced in me a desire to give lots of effort and time  for the cause of a redemption of what is considered beauty-- more so than in anything I've ever undertaken. I've noticed over the past few years that our younger generations are getting more and more restless, seemingly because most of them don't know what they want to do with their lives or what they're living for. Instead of being purposeful in what they do, they turn to destructive behaviors to find fulfillment. 
As Christians, we are always striving towards the goal, always developing a more tightly knit friendship and love with Jesus. The Occupy Movement and ever present adolescent violence are evidence of our restless youth. So many harmful things go into the minds of our dear youth. All I can do it press on and pray that He will somehow give them rest. Who knows? Maybe He will call me to be His hands and feet and administer the medicine of rest to the upcoming generation.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 Phillippians 3:14

 

New Website!

Hello to all you awesome people! 
Our website it up and running. Don't hesitate to become a member so you can keep up to date with the Bare Face Challenge. The Fresh Face February challenge will start soon, we've decided February 5th is the date. 
Here is the link to our website: barefacechallenge.webs.com
Explore a bit and then get ready for a great and scary month makeup free!

Challenge Name Ideas?

So, I'm just going to keep posting pictures to encourage myself to press on with getting this challenge started. I am praying about when to start it with the girls and I'm getting that we should start sometime in February. Still discerning the exact date. I'm trying to come up with names for it...I came up with Fresh Face February...Like it? Have any fun ideas? 

Ok, so I also have this really silly thing to share with ya'll. I have a crazy sense of humor, so bear with me. I was driving today, and I saw a Scentsy van passing a Waste Management truck. I laughed my head off. It's cheesy, but true! Anyways, I thought it was humorous! 

Can't wait to hear some ideas about names for our challenge! I am getting really excited about bonding with my girls by taking on the fear of going bare face and embracing the beauty that God has given us! Spread the word! Let's do this! Yay Jesus! Thanks for making us girls and making us BEA-U-TI-FUL!!!!!

Eyelashes (Unofficial Makeup Fast)

So...I'm not officially starting my makeup fast because I'm trying to get the guts to officially start. I think this fast is going to start soon. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of my life. Just kidding! I really felt like quoting Casablanca though :) I kind of wish this whole makeup thing wasn't being written on my blog, because up until this point, I've sounded pretty holy. Prepare to be blown away by my vanity the next couple of weeks. He he he. I didn't wear any makeup today, though I must admit (and this is really embarrassing to write), I don't know if I can give up my eyelash curler. It takes up about twenty seconds of my morning and makes me actually look like I have eyelashes. Here is my little sob story about my eyelashes. This is SO embarrassing to write! Pride goes before a fall, I guess. Must I continually humble myself like this? Yep.
When I was little and I couldn't sleep, I would do stupid things. I would bang my feet on the wall or hang upside down or pull my eyelashes out. I know...stupid. I was a stupid little kid who didn't know what I was doing. So now I lack what some might call thick and plentiful lashes. Another thing about them, it that they are a very light brown color, so they almost look blonde. I think the sun may have bleached them. As a girl with dark hair and brows, light colored eyelashes can make my life difficult. First world problems, I know. So that will be one of my challenges when I go bare face for a month. I took a picture of mwah, so that I had evidence of my natural state at this moment. I went to church, out to dinner, and even to Winco today, without the slightest bit of makeup. Yay!  

I didn't edit this photo, but the dim light hides my extreme blemishes and accentuates my better features :D As a wanna-be photographer I never thought I'd say this, but thank goodness for bad lighting!

My Controversial (and not very appreciated) Idea

Well, I've gotten myself into a pickle. Here I am, just supposed to be a normal kid, and I've gone and made my mind up about something that is controversial. So controversial in fact, that the idea not only pits man against woman, but female against female. 

I was minding my own business, trying to decide what my English essay was going to be about, when I got the bright idea about arguing what the definition of beauty is. I wrote almost the entire paper, when I realized that my argument had less to do with the definition of beauty,and more to do with the effect makeup has on women's self esteem. So I rewrote it. After I finish it, I will post it, but as of right now it is in the creation phase. I just wanted to share my crazy idea:

I think I'm going to stop wearing makeup for a period of time and see what happens. I am going to ask my girl friends to join me in a pursuit of confidence and true beauty. The past few weeks while I've been putting my makeup on, I've been contemplating if I am spending too much time fixing my outward appearance and not enough time in the arms of my Jesus. The few times I've stopped for just a few seconds to talk to Him, He has told me how much He misses me and wishes that I would stop and talk more often. For some reason, I just can't accept that He wants me. I insist on keeping Him at a distance...

Thank you Jesus, for never separating us from your Perfect Love. Lord, give me the  wisdom on how to heal from my hurt and brokenness, and the strength to become the person you created me to be by removing the mask I've been wearing for what feels like so very long.


Stay posted for more of my crazy idea. Now that I've blogged about it, there ain't no goin' back. Goodness this is going to take strength to do...

But-- before I swear off makeup and join a convent, here are some fun, not everyday, experiences I've had while wearing makeup and feeling great :D

 

 

 

 

 

Disco Dance Fall 2012

Prom May 2012

My 18th Birthday (Dani, Steph, Me)

 

Mister Rogers

My English teacher showed this to the class this week and is having us do a rhetorical analysis on it. I seriously almost started crying in class. Mr. Rogers was such a wonderful man and he had sincere concerns for the next generation. I love how he says that he doesn't need to create drama on screen by hitting someone over the head, but that he addresses real drama a child experiences. Another thing to recognize is the change of the attitude of the judge from the beginning to end. He goes from mocking Rogers to seriously respecting him. This video is almost seven minutes long, but each time it feels as though it as half the length. It is worth watching!

 

 

The NCFCA's impact on a judge

Yesterday and today I have been judging a NCFCA Region II Speech and Debate tournament. Let's just say these young people have impressed me so much with their communication skills! They can speak so profoundly that I find myself learning little things from just observing them. I'm going to be honest and just say that they really present themselves better than most adults and students I have come across in my experience with speech, debate, and theatre. 
What a wonderful honor to be able to give feedback on these kids' skills, who hold the future of America in their hands. I have come away with so much, and I was only there yesterday! I am trying to convince my little sister to get into this next year, but she isn't having much of it. I would like Jacob to do it too, but I'm going to start with Dani and work my way down. How I wish I would've had this experience when I was younger! 
The kids I met yesterday seemed like people I really would have clicked with when I was a child. The atmosphere is one of maturity and competitiveness, but most of all, one of tangible Christ-like love. One thing that really made me proud to be here, was that there were two boys who prayed with each other before they debated each other. I think one thing about the debate we usually see (mostly presidential etc.) are disrespectful, full of fallacy, and just plain nonsensical. The debate that I saw yesterday were powerful, logical, and kind.
 The NCFCA is teaching the next generation to think efficiently and equips them to defend the biblical and traditional truths of Jesus Christ. Great job NCFCA :) I was very impressed!!!!

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