Not Alone Series: What I Know Now

Linking up with Jen at Jumping in Puddles and Morgan at Follow and Believe for the Not Alone Series!

What would you tell your former self about being single if you had the chance? What have you learned that you wish you could tell your younger self?

To make things consistent, I'm just going to pick an age and address my younger self at that age. 19-year-old Bek, here's what I wish you knew:

I wish you knew that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and that not just any guy {as my dad would say, "we don't want someone just converting oxygen into carbon dioxide!"} is worth your time, effort, or thoughts. There will be guys who are cute, guys who are kind, guys who love Jesus, and guys who convert oxygen into carbon dioxide. You are worth more. Enjoy being friends with guys, but hold your horses and wait for God's best.

I wish you knew that you can be honest with your girl friends. You're all fighting similar battles, and it makes life so much easier knowing that you're all on the same side and rooting for each other. Get vulnerable, be honest, and encourage one another in your journeys. You're going to have to ignore both your comfort zone and the "judge a book by its cover" thing you've got going on in order to meet and make some quality friends, but they are worth it.

I wish you knew that while your body changes size, your character remains constant. Yes, take care of your body: go to Zumba classes and limit your ice cream intake. But also take care of your soul: spend time with friends who build you up, read books that teach you about others and about yourself, and don't take yourself too seriously. Be fun while you get things done, and remember that relationships with people are far more important than completing a to-do list.

I wish you knew that while Kentucky may not be the most obvious or even logical choice, it really is the perfect place for you, and you're going to make lifelong friends at school and at church. While it hurts to leave home for 2 infinitely long years, it hurts even more leaving Kentucky. And that's good, because it means you fully gave your heart to your new family, that you invested and sowed and built relationships, and you will see them again. Trust me. Many times, though it's never enough times.

I wish you knew that if a guy doesn't pursue you properly, he isn't worth it. And if he does pursue you the right way, it still may not work out, and that's not a poor reflection on either of you. Remember Pastor Trout's words: the right person in the right way at the right time. I'm still believing that God's story is going to be more amazing than whatever I can imagine.

Blog Every Day Feb: Day Six - Make-up Must-haves

Linking up with Bailey Jean at Anchored in Love Divine for the sixth day in the February challenge!

True confession: I am not a make-up connoisseur. It feels strange to describe my "must-haves" because there is only one item that I will never stop using and everything else is adjustable. I'm pretty sure that there are some products that I would either never guess how to use or am already using incorrectly. However, there are some things I do know how to use, and so I use them with confidence and ignore the things I don't understand {this describes much of my life's motto, beeteedubs}. Please brace yourself for the awkwardness ahead.

First things first: my friend LeAnna is a Mary Kay beast! What I really mean is that she's an independent consultant, but she earned her first car in under two years and she is fast approaching director-ship. You can find her Facebook page and tell her that her favorite Washingtonian-Kentuckian sent you! ;)

{If you really for-real do this, you should know that LeAnna gives me a little something-something as a "thanks for the shout-out." I'd tell you what it is, but I honestly don't remember...guess you should contact her to find out!}

My "beauty routine" begins in the evening, since that is when I usually shower. My skin falls in the "normal to dry" category, and so moisturizer is my favorite thing ever.

I use the TimeWise set, and most evenings I don't even use the cleanser - skip to the good stuff! I love that this moisturizer is light and fast-drying, but it still covers well and really does its job.

In the morning, the first thing I apply is eye primer. No matter what product I use or don't use, the eye primer makes everything look good and stay on better! Also, this little bottle lasted me over a year, so don't even get me started on what a wonderful investment it is. This is the product that I will always use, forever and ever, amen. 

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Beyond that, MK's Lash Love Mascara is the bomb. I don't wear it every day, but I love when I do wear it. For formal occasions, I'll put on a second coat and feel instantly glamorous. 

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These are really the only products to which I am loyal; the rest I'll use until they're gone, then find something else. Currently I rotate between two MAC eye shadows {plus one that I've forgotten the brand of}, and then I used a pencil eye liner from this colored set my mom bought me a few years ago. 

For foundation/concealer {oops, maybe should have done that a bit closer to the beginning}, I use yet another Mary Kay product: TimeWise Matte-Wear Liquid Foundation. I put a little bit under my eyes and a little wherever a blemish is screaming, and then I apply a dusting of CoverGirl's powder foundation {it's ancient...I'm not even sure it's a foundation....awkward!} to set it. 

That pretty much sums it up! This gal is loooooooowwwww-maintenance {read: what maintenance??}. You'll recognize me at Mary Kay parties because I'll be the one using the lip color wand to smooth my eye brows right after I paint my cheeks with eye shadow. Juuuuuust kidding sort of maybe not ok stop typing Bek. 

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Check out Bailey's link-up for make-up reviews that are actually helpful. Cheers. 

Poem: I Am Beautiful

I read a poem by Jen at Jumping In Puddles this morning and am going to give it a try. The template is from Laura at Catholic Cravings {I tweaked it just a bit, since she said we could}. Laura's poem and template were inspired by last week's Not Alone Series.

I Am Beautiful

I am beautiful.

I am beautiful because I am  made in the image of God, Who loves me

with a love from which I cannot be separated.

I am beautiful inside and out, for He didn't just make my soul but my body, too.

All of me, body and soul, is a reflection of Him.

I am beautiful because my smile is wide and contagious,

because my hands are small and scarred, short and curvy, 

and that reminds me that it is okay to accept those descriptors about myself

because I am scarred and short and curvy.

I am beautiful because I am "tongue-tied" and can still both roll and fold my tongue. 

I am beautiful when I organized our entire Dr. Seuss collection on the stairs, 

pretending to work in a library.

I am beautiful because the moles on my body remind me

of my mother and grandmother,

and I am proud to be connected with two amazing women.

I am beautiful because the roundness of my tummy reminds me that 

one day my female organs will carry a newly-created life.

I am beautiful like laughter between friends on the beach in the middle of summer.

I am beautiful when I smile.

I am beautiful when I take Communion 

and when I raise my hands in worship.

I am beautiful when I laugh and when I mourn,

when I pray for my sponsor child who is beautiful.

I am beautiful when I wear my black lacy dress and Samara's pearls.

I was beautiful even when I did not see it. Though I tried to vomit

and cried when I couldn't go through with it,

I was beautiful.

I am beautiful still.

I don't know whether my eyes are doves behind a veil,

or my hair is like a flock of doves descending from Gilead.

But in my own way, in my own Rebekah-way, I am beautiful.

Perhaps I am beautiful like a peacock's feather, 

or like a pink and orange sunset reflected on the Pacific.

I am definitely not beautiful because I am perfect.

I am not perfect, inwardly or outwardly.

I have flaws enough.

But I am beautiful.

For I am loved by God,

and love is in my heart,

and where there is love,

there is beauty.