Believing that You ARE Beautiful

        The subject of beauty is one that is very close to my heart. I have never struggled with self-worth, self-confidence, or hating my body, so when I see a young woman believing lies about herself, it breaks my heart. Why haven't I ever struggled with what is so common among my generation (and all generations)? I don't know. It's a way God has protected me, I suppose. First of all, God has given me a beautiful body, as He has everyone on this earth. From a young age, it was drilled into me (that probably sounds bad, but it's good) that I AM a child of God. I'm His daughter, and He made me perfect. I've rarely been criticized for my looks. I do, however, remember one time when I was at a sleepover, around age 9 that shaped what I believed, and even what I believe now. What happened that day was both encouraging and discouraging. We were piling into my friend's suburban to go to church, and I was wearing what I deemed cute: a cream and purple plaid skirt, with a matching shirt. It was one of my favorite outfits. Then from the backseat, I heard, "Why doesn't Emily....." (the last part was inaudible) and another replied, "It's because she knows what's important- your insides and not your clothes." I was, of course, offended at first, because this was my favorite outfit at the time and I thought it was very in-style. However, after a few silent minutes, I was proud. My efforts, years if you can say that, of dressing modest and trying to be cute at the same time, were noticed, and I was, in a way, praised for it. I knew what was important. How I longed to hear that! I look back and wonder, "Am I the same person today? Do I still know what's important, or have I succumbed to this world?" That's what I strive for.
        So why do I share all of this? Well, it's a story that goes along with my point. Personal stories are powerful, or that's what they say. Today I want to talk about beauty, and how all women are beautiful. So first, why is this idea rejected? I think we all know why- the world tells us that in order to be attractive, have friends, or be successful, we need to wear make up, show our skin, or change our bodies. Everyone just wants to be loved and accepted, so in hopes of achieving such things, we do what the world tells us to. That's mistake #1. In today's world we pretty much need to do the exact opposite of what it is telling us to do. People don't get attention by going with the flow, but by standing out, like me sitting in that suburban, wearing what was *apparently* not cute (I still believe it was).
       Let me go off on a little rabbit trail for a minute: make up. It is so controversial, whether or not Christian girls should wear it. Perhaps the heat has died down a bit, but it is still a popular topic of conversation (along with boy friends and *sigh* yoga pants) For the purpose of this post, I googled, "Should Christian girls wear makeup?" The first result talked about how it's really what's on the inside that matters, but the outside still matters too. Basically, make inner beauty your top priority. The second result taught about makeup in moderation. Sounds good to me, because I just wear concealer and mascara (it has something to do with the fact that I'm pretty much the opposite of a make up artist). The third result (the last one that I'll share with y'all) was from Lies Young Women Believe, the website. Ooh! I like that book! (really, y'all, go check it out) The post was thoughts from boys about make up. The jist of it was that boys are okay with it, but not too much. So that's what the internet says about Christian girls wearing make up. I agree with it. I love what the Duggar girls say in their book, or rather what their pastor says about makeup- any old barn looks better with some paint on it! Cracks. Me. Up. I personally like make up that enhances my beauty: mascara to lengthen my eye lashes, or some concealer to restore the skin I had at birth. So that's my little tidbit about make up... It's great in moderation.
        So moving right along, why do we need to believe that we are beautiful? Good question. Why not just learn to live with the fact that we're ugly? Two reasons: 1) It affects the way you see God and 2) Why not just learn to live with the fact that you're beautiful? So first, how does it affect the way we see God? When we see that we're ugly and that's how God created us, we start believing that He makes mistakes, He doesn't make everything beautiful, and even that He's ugly. We were, after all, made in His image, and is His image ugly? Nope. Although we may not realize it, what we believe about ourselves does affect our lives, how we see God, and how we see the world. That just happens whether we like it or not. And secondly, why not just learn to live with the fact that we're beautiful? I think some women are afraid to believe this, fearing that we might be seen as vain. Let me tell you girl, that if you believe that you are beautiful for the right reasons, you won't come off as vain, nor will you care what others think about you. It's a win-win!
      What does the Bible say about your beauty? Psalm 139:14- I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Song of Solomon 4:7- You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.
      To wrap this up, how do we believe that we are beautiful? It's a process. First, it helps to focus on the inner, not the outer. Also, write out verses about beauty (like the ones listed above) on index cards and place them where you'll see them, on your desk, mirror, or kitchen sink. Daily encouragement of verses spoken by MY Creator helps me to combat the lies of this world.

Thank you so much for reading! What do you do to understand that you're beautiful?
-Emily

Where He's Leading Me

        I've been hinting about this post for awhile. Hopefully all of that suspense will be worth it... Anyways, God is calling me to crazy places. Back story: about a year and a half ago, friends of ours moved to South America to be missionaries. I longed to go visit them sometime, for the adventure, for Jesus. Well, over Christmas they came back announcing a mission trip! I immediately talked to my parents (it wasn't a surprise to them) and they said it was a go. Early February I started fundraising by sending out letters asking for prayers and money. Fifty three of them, to be precise. I was overwhelmed! Not only did that alone cover the cost of the trip, it covered more than that! So, yes, I even had to turn away a few donations. That was the first confirmation from God that this was where He wanted me to be. Now, that all probably sounds sunshine and rainbows, but it hasn't been. More than a few people doubted that it would work. I had one person tell me that they would wait to give until closer to the deadline, in case it didn't work out. They ended up forgetting the deadline, so by the time they sent a donation in, the trip was fully funded. Luckily (well, not luck but God's work), they wrote it in my name (not my churches' name) so I'm using it for extra expenses. But other people have questioned me, and I have just been reminding myself of 1 Timothy 4:12.  And also, a big thing for me is that it's a twelve hour plan ride to where I'm going. I haven't flown since I was a baby. And to fly with just two other people from my church, neither of which are my parents, I'm almost scared. But not really. It's just crazy. I'm not sure if it's hit me yet. It might not until I board the plan. Nonetheless, I am so excited (as I wrote in my journal, "estoy muy muy muy muy muy muy entusiasmada) to see God work. This summer is going to be great, because along with going to South America, God has provided for me to go to not one but two overnight church camps- one as a student and one a as junior counselor. Last summer I did very little- VBS, leading a day camp, and some ballet. This summer? A mission trip and two summer camps! (Along with day camp and ballet, but unfortunately not VBS because it's during my South America trip) My friends, sacrifice is worth it.

-Emily

Is it Okay to Question God?

          I normally go on mission trips to Mexico twice a year, but because I went three times last year, I wasn't able to go on two this year, and so I didn't go this month. The trip is over, it went on without me, and I'm still sorting out my feelings. I questioned God a bit, asking "Why? Why don't you want me as a part of this?" Good question, Emily. The thing about Christianity is that the harvest is many, but the workers are few. (Matthew 9:37) So when something (time, money, resources) keeps us from serving abroad, what are we supposed to do? First of all, when it comes to questioning God, you have to trust. Trust that He knows, because He does. He has His reasons. Try to see it from all views, not just the selfish human one we are so prone to. Ask friends to pray for you and study the Bible harder than ever. But, back to the original question, "Is it okay to question God?" Short answer, yes. Rick Warren talks about it in his book The Purpose Driven Life.  (I really like that book if you can't tell) Warren explains that God likes it when we doubt, question, or argue with Him. Crazy right? He likes it because it requires communication, drawing us nearer to Him. After every exchange with God, I feel closer to Him and filled, even if I'm asking Him "Why?" In conclusion, questioning God is simply a part of being a Christian, and God even created it so that when we do, it draws us closer to Him. The best thing is to remember that no communication will not help or draw you closer to Him, so communication is key. Push through in the hard times. You have to go down in order to go up.

-Emily

Baptism: Why

       In my testimony I talked about how I had been mislead in my beliefs about baptism. I don't think there was a problem with my church, just that there was too much emphasis on the fact that baptism doesn't get you your salvation. This is true, however it is something that all the believers in the New Testament did. It's no secret that I love the book The Purpose Driven Life. Rick Warren talks about baptism in one section. No, it doesn't change the way your name is written in the Book of Life, but it is the first step to a life lived out loud. It's the profession of your faith, saying publicly "Yes! I am a Christian!" Being a Christian doesn't do much good if you're too embarrassed to say it, especially when Jesus commands us to "Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) Also, isn't it interesting that that verse says to not only proclaim Christ to them, but to baptize them? Accepting Him and baptism go hand in hand, often in the same day in the New Testament, points out Warren. Baptism is not how you get your salvation, but it is the very best way of showing everyone what happened on the inside and it is a great symbol of new life.

-Emily

Friday Night Thoughts

     Sometimes I get overwhelmed. We see pictures of starving children in Africa, dying babies in India, and orphans in China. We think, "Oh, I wish I could just rush into that picture and scoop up that precious child of God and never let go." That's what we think. That's wishful thinking. We, as Americans, tend to wish too much. We have our wishes. When we wish, we tend to wish for things that probably won't happen: marrying Ryan Gosling, living in the White House, or being famous. And then we have our want lists: the latest iPhone, that college, that nice purse you want. Honestly, as Americans, we can get that iPhone, go to that college, or buy that purse. Can we marry Ryan Gosling, live in the White House, or be famous? Not everyone can. So when we say, "Oh I wish I could go on that mission trip to orphanages in Haiti..." we assume it won't happen. Wishes don't always come true. But wants? A lot of my wants, from that cute shirt at Target to even a little sister, have been given to me. We need to change our thinking from "wishing to feed the starving children" to "wanting to feed the starving children, raising the money to feed the starving the children, feeding the starving children." We don't work towards our wishes, we just hope they come true. We work towards our wants, saving money for *that thing* When God called me to Paraguay, the call of blessing people with the word of the Lord wasn't what I heard. I heard adventure with Jesus, wherever He would call me. At church, we often sing a song that goes, "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than me feet would ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my Savior." People sing that thinking "Yes! Call me God!" But when a mission trip or service opportunity is presented, they don't go. "Oh, God isn't calling me to Africa. I want to go to Asia when I'm older." What about now? God is calling you everywhere. Jesus didn't tell us to find one nation that we like and tell those people about Jesus, He told us to go to all nations. I'm not saying you have to go on every mission trip, but if you keep on saying "next year" it's never going to come. Live in the now, viewing each day as your last. What if the upcoming mission trip was your last opportunity to serve? It only takes one trip before you get addicted. You have to start somewhere. Wherever you go, it will be because God wants you to be there and He will work there.

-Emily

What God Has Been Teaching Me (James 4:8)

       God has been teaching me a lot lately. I haven't ever felt so spiritually alive as I have now. Why? Two reasons: 1) I'm spending much more time with Him and 2) I said yes to Him (more on that later). How much time? An hour a day, sometimes more. It's amazing. I recently finished reading through the entire Bible for the third time. This time it took me seven months. Not too shabby. (What am I saying? I'm really proud of myself!) Also, I've read my Bible and journaled everyday since December 13th. Consistency and time combined with reading The Purpose Driven Life has caused me to grow leaps and bounds spiritually. What specifically? Several times the past month or so He has lead me to James 4:8. I love the book of James. At one point in my short life, I had the first chapter memorized. I want to memorize the second chapter, as well as refresh the first one. Some day... Anyways, James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." This verse shows that you have to act in order to be changed, you can't just wait for Him to do something. Part of His nature is that He doesn't force Himself on us (as evidenced by the fact that He doesn't force us to love Him). In order to accomplish real spiritual growth, we first must draw near to Him by changing our thinking, as The Purpose Driven Life states. How? Behind every action we need to think, "Is this bringing glory to God? How can I make it bring glory to God?" Whether it be simply listening to more Christian music or saying "yes" to a mission trip, changing our thinking will change the way we live. Watch your thoughts. They become words. Watch your words. They become deeds. Watch your deeds. They become habits. Watch your habits. They become character. Character is everything. -Qi. 

What has He been pressing on your heart lately?
-Emily

My Testimony

        Awhile ago I did a post about testimonies, promising mine soon. Soon has come! This is my testimony. It may not look super powerful on the outside, but I think a lot of people can relate and be encouraged.

        I was born and raised in a Christian home, along with two older brothers. I saw them accept Christ, get baptized, and go on their way. They didn't seem that different to me, and I wondered about all of this stuff. After seeing a friend of mine get baptized when I was about seven, I myself decided to ask Jesus into my heart. Things felt the same. My parents tried to talk me into baptism, but I was very shy and didn't see it as a necessary thing, because I had been told that it doesn't change your heart, salvation, or the fact that you're going to heaven. Boy was I wrong! I finally got baptized when I was ten, and around age eleven I started reading my Bible more consistently. There hasn't, however, been one place in my life where it really clicked or things turned around. That's the wonderful thing about Christianity: God is infinite and so is your journey with Him. Between the ages of eleven and thirteen, things really started moving along. I read the entire Bible (twice), journaled A LOT, studied the Bible, and discipled with my friends. Also, when I was twelve, God called me to missions. Now I have been to Mexico seven times, and I have one more trip planned this year. I am such a small part of the work God is doing in Mexico, but I am a part of it. I love that God allows us humans to be a part of His greater scheme. Now I'm fourteen and my spiritual walk is flourishing. God has protected me from a lot, and I hope He will continue to. Through being consistent and following Him, I have fallen completely in love with Him. He is leading me to crazy places (see upcoming post) and I love it. I honestly can not express how I feel about God. I love Him. He's good, crazy (a little known aspect of His character), loving, and my best friend. I could go on and on! But instead, I want to hear YOUR story. Are you following Him? Curious about this Jesus thing? What's your story?

-Emily