Friday, February 24, 2012

Why I'm Quiet

Last fall, Oct. 2011, I experienced multiple strokes with brain-stem involvement. I have vision loss, doubled vision, hearing loss, a partially paralized hand, and I cannot walk, so I have trouble reading or typing. I am posting updates at http://infertilitymom.blogspot.com/search/label/stroke if you wish to read news. I will resume post to this blog when I am able. I also invite you to join me at  https://www.facebook.com/innerbeautygirlz .

Monday, October 10, 2011

I'm often asked when I'm going to write my next book. In reality I've been in the process of writing a book on the life of Paul as encouragement for living with chronic pain and illness for probably close to 5 years now. Since Hannah's Hope: Seeking God's Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage & Adoption Loss took me about 10 years to write, that may not be such exciting news because it tells you I still have a very long way to go!

What I hope is more exciting, what I would like to ask you to partner with me in prayer about as God continues to unfold His plan, is that two of my other blogs, both this one here on beauty and (now that I've gained more focus for what I want to do with this project) specifically Harvesting Hope from Heartache™, have becoming a launching pads for what I feel God is turning into my "next" book.

Yes, I'm continuing to work on the Given Me a Thorn too, but over the past year God has me focusing more on an exploration of the Fruit of the Spirit (a passage written by none other than Paul himself) through a series of articles I've been writing for Glory and Strength and my InnerBeautyGirlz blog. I've been working on a Bible study related to what He's teaching me and I've written much more than could be presented only in my articles, so I think God's growing a book out of all of this! :)

How does the Fruit of the Spirit tie in with Harvesting Hope from Heartache? I'm glad you asked. ;) It all has to do with sowing seeds, gathering fruit, and ultimately what Source my hope springs from. What better time to look to the Lord for help than in the midst of trials? I'm very excited to see how God is tying so many themes together in my life as He's teaching me through Galatians 5 this year! I pray that this book will be as much of a blessing to you as the journey has been to me.

It is my current goal to have enough of this study written and ready to present to publishers that I can begin the query process around the end of the year or in the very early part of 2012. Will you join me in specific prayer that God will give me His words to write and that this project will unfold according to His will and in His perfect timing?

If you would like to stay updated about my progress, I've just opened a new Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/HarvestingHope and would love to have you "like" me over there. :) If you don't do Facebook or would rather get updates via feeds, please follow my long-standing Harvesting Hope from Heartache blog directly. Feel free to pass these link along to your friends as well.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Lilla Rose FREE SHIPPING

If you are looking for a great gift idea for a woman with nearly shoulder-length or longer hair (anything long enough to put up in a pony or twist), Flexi-Clips by Lilla Rose are my go-to hair styling tip! They hold any texture of hair securely and they look great! With FREE SHIPPING on orders of $20 of more TODAY ONLY, it's not too soon to start holiday shopping (or snag a gift for yourself) at http://www.lillarose.biz/innerbeauty. Many of the non-hair jewelry items are also on a 40% discount and can apply to your free shipping total.



Watch free videos on the website for sizing information and fantastic styling tips. :)

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

How Do You Feel?

You may know from my other blogs that chronic illness has been a part of my life for my entire adult life, and part of my childhood too. Given my interest in both beauty and in pain and illness support, I wanted to share this article National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week with you:

“You Look So Good!” To Wear Make Up or Not?

It's a thought-provoking look at why we wear makeup and how it makes us feel about ourselves when we do. Yes, it is written to an audience of women living with chronic illness, but it makes me wonder about all of us, our motives, and the emotions tied to the beauty choices we make. What about you? Please share!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Reflecting

Can a mirror reflect more than your image? What about your thoughts? Here's a fascinating experiment one bride-to-be has taken on. She is going mirror-free fro an entire year, including the 6 months leading up to and INCLUDING her wedding day! Check out her journey at Mirror Mirror Off the Wall.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Beautiful Faith

I've been guest-blogging over at Glory and Strength this year, exploring the characteristics that set apart my life if I'm striving to live for God. This month I tackled "faithfulness" and wanted to share a sliver of the article here...

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

If faith is about pleasing God, that's one intimidating order. At least the first step isn't too hard, simply believing that He is! The next step is not merely to believe there is a God, but to follow up on that belief by actively seeking after Him. A good test to see if I am pursuing God with right motives is to consider if my life is regularly demonstrating the nine character traits listed in Galatians 5:22-23 often referred to as the fruit of the Spirit. These qualities such as love, joy, patience and kindness signal to the world that God matters in my life.

Where I trip is in trying to live out a good life for God on my own strength. Have you ever felt the more you try to do things right, the more you kept blowing it, sometimes in bigger and bigger ways? If I am striving to follow God, shouldn't making right choices come easier with time?

To read more, please join me this month in Growing in Glory! :)

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Saying Goodbye

I am excited to share that this is my final month as a consultant with Affordable Mineral Makeup™. I have enjoyed my time with this company over the past four years and it is not the "leaving" part that has me excited, for I love the products and will truly miss working with my customers-turned-friends. But I'm finding my focus too divided and have felt God's calling to let go of some things so that He can use me more fully in other areas. I am eager to see where God takes the next chapter of my life.

I want to concentrate more on writing and do plan to continue offering beauty tips and resources through this blog, as well as putting much more effort into my current book projects. It is my hope that stepping back from being a consultant will actually improve my blog content quality now that I can focus just on sharing my heart with no pressure to "sell" anything. I would love your input on beauty-related topics you would like to see addressed, so please leave your ideas and questions in my comments! :)

As a parting gift, here's one final, very limited-time, sale offer good through Aug. 10. Take 30% off your entire order AND receive two free 10g sifter jars AND three samples of your choice, with any purchase of $19.95 or more when you visit InnerBeautyGirls.com and use coupon code:
SummerFun811

Please include your selections for your five free gifts (a $49.48 value) in the "ADD COMMENTS" field near the bottom of the checkout page to be eligible for promotion items.

It has been a pleasure serving you as your mineral makeup consultant. I look forward to continue journeying with you in the pursuit of true beauty that glorifies God.