Blogging Challenge -- Days 28-31

I did it! This is my last installment of the blogging challenge, which means I have successfully completed it! It's always nice to finish something you start :) Here are the answers to the last few questions of the challenge. I've enjoyed writing more often and getting the wheels in my head turning again. I have a few blog posts already written that I will be slowly publishing over the next few weeks and I am excited to share them with you all. This challenge has given me new ideas for my blog and I'm thankful for that!

28.What's your guilty pleasure? The first guilty pleasure that comes to mind is reality t.v. and corny television shows. I enjoy reality television and shows/movies that are light hearted and fun. I view watching t.v. as a way to relax and I don't want to have to think while relaxing. The things I watch may not be challenging for my brain, but they put me in a good mood! (Teen Mom, Four Weddings, Hart of Dixie, Gilmore Girls, and The Fosters all make the list.)

29. What's your favorite time of year and why? Summer. Yep, I said it. Almost everyone I know would say fall is their favorite season and while I do enjoy changing leaves, scarves, and boots, I am a summer girl at heart. I absolutely hate the cold weather (except this year since my son was born in January!) and I am a huge fan of the sun. Being a red head, my skin doesn't do well in the heat, but I still love summer nonetheless. Shorts, long days, swimming, windows down, summer nights, and the beach are my favorites. Plus, I am a complete wimp when it comes to the cold!

30. What's your favorite flavor of ice cream? This is a tough one! Ice cream is my favorite dessert, so I am not at all picky. My favorites are birthday cake and Moose Tracks. Yum!

31. Explain what you liked most about this challenge. I basically answered this question in the introduction, but I enjoyed this challenge because certain questions really made me think and pushed me to write about things that weren't always in my comfort zone. It was fun to try something different to help get my creative juices flowing again!

My Favorite Summer Make-Up & Skin Care Products

I can't believe that summer is on its way to an end...time is flying! Although school is starting, the weather is still hot and we have a good 6 weeks before fall officially sets in. With that in mind, I wanted to share my favorite summer make-up and skin care products with ya'll. These have been my go-to products for the summer and with 6 weeks of summer left to spare, I wanted to let you guys know the products that worked best for me in case you wanted to give any of them a try!

 

1. Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream -- Medium Sheer Tint

 

I decided to try this specific BB cream out after hearing a lot of good things about BB creams in general and knowing I was soon headed to Costa Rica where I would have little time to apply make-up. Pregnancy has caused my skin to breakout, so I knew I needed something to give me some coverage, but also light on my skin and easy to apply. This product has served as exactly that and more. BB cream has so many hidden benefits including:

• Clears acne
• Conceals Imperfections
• Minimizes look of pores
• Reduces appearance of redness
• Adjusts to skin tone
• Hydrates and smoothes
• Enhances and clarifies skin
• Oil-free, with a lightweight feel

This particular BB cream also contains 2% salicylic acid which helps your skin fight acne, yet it is gentle enough for you to use on a daily basis without drying out your skin. I love this product and use it each day. It can be used as a tinted moisturizer or a base for your regular foundation. But for my skin, it serves as a good foundation. I prefer a lighter foundation in the summer and don't want anything caked on my skin. This stuff doesn't leave that nasty orange residue on your skin like some liquid foundations do and it also stays put despite the heat. I think it does a good job at covering up blemishes when paired with a powder finish. It's easy and quick to apply and within 1 minute my foundation is complete. If you are looking for something low maintenance and light on your skin for summer, I would highly recommend this product! Also, it's only $8.99 and a little goes a long way!

2. L'Oreal's Color Rich Lip Balm -- Tender Mauve

This lip product was one I happened to see at the drug store one day. I liked the concept (lip balm with a hint of color), so I picked it up. I was surprised at how much I liked this balm! It stays true to the concept of being a lip balm and a lipstick all in one. Because of my job and on-the-go lifestyle, I don't always want a heavy lip color. I need something more simple and natural looking on a day-to-day basis. That is why I love this product. It gives you the hydration of a lip balm with a pop of color like a lipstick. Perfect for my busy, low maintenance lifestyle! I have loved the Tender Mauve shade, but there are 7 other shades to choose from. It's nice to have a good selection! You can find this lip product at your local drug store or Ulta for about $7.99! It doesn't melt off in the summer heat, keeps your lips moisturized and gives you a fun pop of color...perfect for summer!

3. Murad Skin Care Products

A few months ago, my husband was sweet enough to go to a spa and get me a gift card for a massage. While he was there, the employees gave him a bunch of free samples of different products from the Murad Skin Care line. I had never heard of this skin care line, but I was open to trying anything to clear my hormonal breakouts. My skin has reacted really well to these products and has cleared up a lot after I started using them. My skin is not perfectly clear (probably because there is no stopping pregnancy acne), but it is more clear and the acne is much more contained than it once was. This product is sold at Ulta, Sephora, and Massage Envy Spas. If you are looking for a good skin care line, I believe you should give Murad a try!

 

The first product sample I was given is the Murad Essential-C Cleanser. This is just a face wash that I use in the shower, but I have really liked how it feels on my skin. It smells like oranges, hence the Essential-C (vitamin C) reference. It has helped clear up my skin and is very refreshing. The cleanser is hydrating and does not dry your skin out. This formula is full of antioxidants and sunscreen protectants for your skin. It's a great summer cleanser!



 

The next product is the Murad Acne Spot Treatment. My skin has been a really big pain lately, like I said the hormonal acne has been rampant, and this product really works on my skin. It helps treat current spots and helps prevent new ones. Each time I use the Spot Treatment, I wake up the next day with clearer skin than I had the night before. It works effectively and quickly! It has not fully prevented my skin from breaking out, but it does a good job at quickly clearing away the acne that I do have. The Spot Treatment contains Benzoyl Peroxide which is a big ingredient in most expensive topical acne medications. This cream retails for $16 which isn't too bad for a good, non-prescription acne cream. If you are looking for a good quality and fast-acting acne cream, I would highly recommend this product.

 

 

Lastly, Murad Acne Clearing Solution is used as more of an allover acne prevention cream. The formula is not as intense, but does a good job of clearing and preventing acne. The Clearing Solution treats breakouts, reduces redness and restores skin clarity. If you need a mild cream for breakouts, this is a great choice!

So there you have it, my favorite summer make-up and skin care products! I will probably continue using most of these products in the fall because I really enjoy them and think they are very effective. I think they give you the most bang for your buck! And isn't that what we are all looking for anyways, cost-effective quality? What have your favorite summer products been? Any suggestions?

Happy Tuesday! :)

 

 

Lately

Lately, I have been enjoying summer. I have had many lazy days.

Lately, my life has slowed down and I love it. I've been able to breathe and take everything in.

Lately, there has been a lot of talk of the future. My fear of change is once again revealed.

Lately, I've been praying a lot. I've really been relying on God, realizing I can only do so much and the rest is in His control.

Lately, God have given me peace. He has given me joy. He is guiding me through the tunnel where I can't quite see what's ahead, step-by-step He's getting me through it. I'm learning to trust.

Lately, I've come to the conclusion that if you really want something, you will make it happen or at least die trying. All excuses will fall and true determination will come through...if you really want it. If you really want it, nothing will keep you from it. If something is keeping you from it, maybe you don't really want it.

Lately, I've been able to spend time with friends. I'm so thankful for so many of my friendships. I leave feeling encouraged and always have a blast. Laughing with them is so good for my soul.

Lately, I've let go of control. Like it was actually mine to begin with...

Lately, I've accepted the fact that I can only give so much to different relationships and the rest is on that person. I'm content knowing I'm giving my best and the ball is in their court. I realize that not all good things last forever.

Lately, I've taken a lot of walks. I've spent a lot of time outside, with my family. Those are the moments I cherish.

Lately, I'm reminded that everything in life isn't perfect. And that's okay.

Lately, I'm embracing what's ahead of me and letting go of what's behind me, whether that be people, places, or stages of life. I realize new doesn't always have to be bad.

Lately, I look forward to the future. And I'm excited. Although it's the unknown, I do know that the best is yet to come.

Mission Trips Part 4 -- Brunswick for the Summer!

Happy Wednesday, everyone! With the countdown until our Costa Rica mission trip dwindling, I thought I would share another mission trip experience with you as the days until my departure for Alajuela draw near (16 days!!). My third mission trip was spent in Brunswick, GA during the summer of 2010. It was such a great experience for me and really helped shape my faith due to the amount of time I was there. Let me tell you about it :)

The summer after my junior year of college, I decided to participate in the summer missions program again like I had the previous summer when I went to Mississippi. NAMB (North American Mission Board) is the organization that helped sponsor my trip. This summer, I felt God calling me to something bigger and challenging me to go for it. I decided to sign up for a summer-long mission trip! I signed up for a few different places and Brunswick (which was my first choice) was the winner! I was so excited to spend my summer "at the beach" right next to St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. The trip itself was more challenging than I ever expected, but it was also more amazing than I ever expected.

I moved down to the Golden Isles for the summer at the end of May. My mom and my brother accompanied me and that definitely eased my nerves. Although this trip was much different than my previous two, I really wasn't that nervous. I was so excited and ready for whatever the summer away from home brought. Of course I missed my family and friends, but Brunswick and my team soon became a comfort and a home for me.

Only half of the team was there for the first few weeks of training and we started off by going to missionary summer training in Toccoa Falls, GA. It was a long drive up to North Georgia (where I had just come from the week before), but we made it a fun drive filled with car games and good conversation. Our training went well and the time allowed us to get to know each other more as a team.

 

When we got back from the training, we visited Savannah for the day. I have always loved Savannah and really enjoyed getting to see the town. We needed to become more familiar with the city because we were going to be visiting it many times over the summer.

 

 

The rest of our team finally arrived (there were 6 of us in all) and it was time for the groups to start coming beginning in early June. Our purpose for this summer (I probably should have mentioned this earlier) was to have teams of churches come and visit each week and we would aid them in ministry. Each week over the summer, we would have new teams come in and we would each be assigned to a team. In the mornings, we would take our teams to different neighborhoods/apartment complexes around the community and host a VBS for the kids. We would break for lunch and resume ministry in the afternoon. During the afternoons, each team would do a different outreach activity around the area. One team would go to the nursing home and play bingo or sing for the elderly. One team would go to the St. Simons pier and make balloon animals, as well as, do face painting for the kids walking by. Another team would go and do beach ministry which included anything from playing beach games with the tourists to passing out water bottles to families on the beach. Each Sunday while our teams left for the week, we would go to local churches and share what our ministry was doing, as well as, introduce ourselves and our leader to the congregation.

 

 

 

Our job as the summer missionary helpers was to assist with anything and everything. We went everywhere with our team each week and really bonded with them. We helped and guided each activity and also participated in each ministry ourselves. We built great relationships with all the local kids we met during VBS each week. That was the benefit of us being there all summer; we were able to build long-lasting relationships. The schedule above is what a traditional week looked like for us, but there was so much more that happened "off-schedule".

 

 

We helped a local church who majorly lacked VBS volunteers one week and ended up helping run the VBS each night after a full day of ministry. Super tiring, but so fun! We hosted a summer revival for middle school and high school students where I got to share my testimony. I had never written my testimony before and this was the first time I had taken the time to capture my story on paper. I was beyond nervous, but so glad I had the opportunity to share my story with these young students. Our team helped out with World Changers, as well as, SuperWow on Jekyll Island. One week a church was short volunteers to take their youth group to Fuge camp, so myself and another team member spent the week with the youth group at camp which was awesome!

 

 

I had an amazing summer in Brunswick. I had a blast with my team and we became really close. It was hard to leave them when everything came to an end. We had so much fun together and I can say it was one of the most fun summers I've ever had. I am always the responsible one and the one who rarely lets loose, but that summer, I did! I was silly, goofy, and even loud and obnoxious. It was really good for me to let loose and have some fun for once while doing ministry, who knew?! I learned more than I could even write down from that summer and grew in my faith so much. I studied a lot of scripture and built friendships that I still have today. As I am writing this, my mind is filling up with so many memories from that summer. With every mission trip especially the long ones, there are always challenges and struggles, but they only made me stronger throughout the trip. (One of them being living in a house without air-conditioning during a scorching South Georgia summer...can you say melting?)  Before we left for the summer, we got to go on a weekend trip to Disney World and that was the icing on the cake for me! It was a blast and a perfect end to a summer where I let God have control...and He turned it into something wonderful.

 



Just Say No

I don't know about you, but my life is pretty hectic...all the time. I'm always busy. I always have stuff going on. It's hard to get a spare moment to just catch my breath. The thing is...I bring most of this on myself. I am one of those people-pleasers. I can't ever say "no". I want to be involved in everything. I want to help everyone out. I almost feel like I am disappointing people by choosing to opt out of an activity, so I rarely do it. I don't take enough time for myself because I consistently say "yes" to everything and anything. I need to learn to take a step back and just say "no".

It's so hard to be selfish sometimes, with that people-pleaser instinct constantly lurking within me. I really don't like letting other people down, but I have come to the realization that I truly don't do enough for myself. I pile on the activities and it all becomes too much. Even good activities can become overwhelming if there are too many. I need to simplify my life and start taking the time for me. In our world today, I feel like we are all constantly running, always on the move. It's "normal" to have a full schedule and almost seems lazy to sit at home for the evening and just do nothing (at least for me). I feel like we have an added pressure to be busy and with the plethora of functions/clubs/Bible studies/church activities/get-togethers...it's easy to succumb to that pressure. It's easy to get bogged down with a busy schedule and suddenly realize you are running yourself ragged. It's easy to become drained from the race I feel like I am running.

I need renewal. I am burnt-out. I'm taking this as my summer challenge: to just say no. I have a lot of spring activities that are wrapping up soon and I believe the summer will be a perfect time period for me to just rest. I want to relax and give myself the chance to breathe. I want to cut out the clutter from my life that sometimes causes more stress than benefit. It's time for me to do something for me. It's a necessary selfishness that must take place. I need a new focus, on the things that truly matter. I don't know if any of this resonates with you, but if it does, I challenge you to do the same. Take a step back and learn to say "no" sometimes. If we really want to be the best people that we can be, this time of renewal and rest and even selfishness is necessary. I'm learning to start saying "no" to others and "yes" to myself.