Life IS GOING FULL SPEED.

OH WOW! It has been I don't know 3 months since I've even had a mere second to think about my blog. Let's recap real quick.

June 25- I got ENGAGED to the man of my dreams. Like to the T on paper and all he is the one.

July 2-8- We both got to go to Minnesota and he got to meet my extended fam and friends and we got to celebrate the Fourth up there on the beautiful lake and eat good food!!

 LIFE is just going and going and GOING. Between wedding planning, school, working, trying to have a social life, working out, making good food I literally wake up one day and the whole summer is gone. GOOD news is I GRADUATE in 2 weeks from cosmetology school!!

I've just been really seizing up every second this life has to offer. It has made me realize how fast it goes when in the past year I've already completed a dream of mine to attend cosmetology school and I'll be married in 6 months and have a new career and we'll be moving into a new home together and all kinds of excitements! I used to just let the days kind of go by and sort of have benchmarks of what I was looking forward to but nowadays I'm just trying to live for the moment and appreciate everything the Lord places in front of me.

I've learned more than anything in the past few months how broken so many women are and I look at GOD and say THANK YOU for giving me such an amazing oppurtunity of working daily with multiple women to make them feel more beautiful. All women want to feel beautiful and that is why I am so excited to graduate and be able to spend many hours with women who I can share just a little piece of my heart with. Men's hair is great too (but that's not the point).

Feels good to write again and can't wait to finally have time to do so in a few weeks after graduation!!

Weekend and Wedding

Lastnight we went to a beautiful wedding not too far from home.  It was 100 degrees but super windy so that made it okay to be in for 60+ minutes. It was one of the bf's friends from highschool. It's weird because I think we've been to 6 or 7 weddings in the past 10 months but now I think our next one isn't until January or March. What to do?! Haha I think I forget that I'll be graduating in twelve weeks and starting a new career, moving, traveling, trying to find time to live, etc. 

It was super beautiful! 

My #1 guy and I. Haha caught him off guard.

    Hope anyone and everyone is having a blessed week and enjoying the nice, cool weather!!

Can't Stop, Won't Stop.

Ooofda! What a busy but great week. It frightens me how scary fast times goes. I used to cry over it but now I just realize that I'm doing what I have always wanted to do and to just suck every second dry for what it's worth. Even when I'm not exactly where I want to be I know that God has me exactly where I oughta be.  I'm finally not worrying about failure but instead using my God-given talents and abilities and owning my work. I did this absolute best highlight of my life this week and it is because I told myself I was going to trust my gut and not allow any instructor or doubt determine my results.

I need to get to sleep as I am not feeling 100% and have wedding escapades to attend this weekend. Life is too short to not savor every last minute. God is Good.

Skim

Yep the week flew by and I have but a few brief moments before I've got to go to sleep! Went to a wedding on Monday, school and taking clients Tuesday-Thursday, the boyfriends family is in for the weekend, ate with them last night and spent the day at the resort they're residing.

Not taken by me as mine showed up too small but same place.

 Following the day poolside we went to persian food, which was my first time and I really enjoyed it! It was nice to just relax today, we both agreed it felt like we were on vacation just taking a few hours away from everything. Sometimes it's just taking a few hours that makes a world of difference in our lives! I'm looking forward to another laid back day tomorrow with church, house stuff and errands and of course laying by the pool.

   Lately I've just been really resting in peace that God has fully equipped me for whatever circumstance, person or sin I encounter. I sometimes think that I've gotten myself in too deep and I have to get out on my own or that I will never overcome certain repetitive sins. This week I was really feeling depleted and as if I had no way out but God reminded me that he has given me everything I need to follow him and rid my life of the junk. Praying about my situation and for strength in that area this week has given me a refreshed and renewed spirit that only Christ could give.

Weekend = Mental Recharge.

     Holy Goodness am I ever thankful for the weekend! It was one of those weeks where I know I have to go to school and work but felt like a robot going through the motions. Sometimes I forget to give myself alone time. It's only after I feel insane and as if I'm not living in reality do I realize that I need to take a step back and just erase my slate for a few minutes. Major factors in my mental health are; lack of sleep, lack of running, disorganization, not giving God my anxieties and praying to him about them.

     On a bright note I did pretty well with retail this week and was pretty busy! I learned that confidence=sales.

 After a grad party last night, a grad party today, Starbucks, Mediterranean food, Gelato, a movie and laundry I'm ready for some shut-eye so I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed for church/R & R tomorrow! Here's a quick photo of a sweet friend I've gained this year from school. This is after our thermal straightening project.

Never a dull moment with us!

 'In this life it doesnt matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumsised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.' - Colossians 3:11

What Matters

 Hello! Today was the first day back to school of the week. I found out I'm right on track to graduate and did Quota's all day on the salon floor and of course ended my day with the gym. I think I'd be an insane person if I didn't go for a run and pump some iron. It's my alone time.

Lately I've been learning how so many great things will throw themselves at you and the natural inclination is to freely go for it. "I mean of course I have to take this oppurtunity, it's a once in a lifetime chance, it's something I've always wanted to do"... It's funny to even think of taking a second thought when someone gives me an oppurtunity that most people would laugh at ever passing up but then my heart tells me that I don't live by the standards of others but by what matters in the end and that is God's plan for my life.

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. ³ In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. -Colossians 2:2-3

Some visual aids

 Good Evening! So I am 6 minutes past bedtime ladies and gents but HAD to share a few photos!

Damien Carney with Sara on the left and me on right!

Okay she had REALLY long hair! It was fun!

Well I can't wait to write more tomorrow and put up more pictures. I'm enjoying being back at it blogging.
    Today I was just really hit with a realization that gave me peace.   

I'm just a small town girl. I still have my same humble roots, values and live for the simple pleasures like going outside and running through the woods or getting muddy. I'm just living out life with new people and pursueing my BIG dreams. God is still GOOD and that'll never change.

Doings and Happenings

WOW! I made it through the day. Sometimes I wonder how I do it. It's like I somehow manage to step by step, word by word make it through the day.  I'll be honest and admit every morning I lay in my bed and pray "God give me the energy you need me to have today to accomplish your plans." I didn't start praying this until the past 8 months. It's exactly what I wanted my life to be but 70 hour weeks can take a toll on anyone. Today, Sunday is usually my one day off but I was given the oppurtunity to assist Damien Carney, who is a top cutter for Joico, which is the color line we use at our school and the salon where the event is taking place, Dre's Salon. Holy Moly I have never met a more warm, welcoming, talented individual in my life. I learned SO much and really got to see what it is to be in this industry working hard. He was very friendly and so was Dre, the owner of the salon. I learned so much from both of them and will never forget the experience. I'm ready to take on this path ahead of me!

This weekend we went to the Art Museum, a mongolian grill and lastnight to a locally owned, Mexican restaurant and made dinner tonight.

I'm really learning to just let go of what I expect and instead take what I've been given. God obviously knows what I need and so when I feel let down by my circumstances it is because I've set up my own expectations.

Fear

Welp it's been a few days but I have been learning a lot and of course blogging takes last priority in life and since time is very scarce these days I just gotta do what I can. I have 7 mintues to blog everything I want and here she goes.

Lately I've noticed a common trend; FEAR. People fearing their performance in their job (i.e. a clients hair), on the road, being late, body issues and the list goes on and on. I am the last one to be exempt from this. I, many times a day have to tell myself that "EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY, GOD IS IN CONTROL" and even for those who don't believe in Jesus Christ, I imagine they believe their is some greater force holding it all together? So no one really has the okay to worry. There's yet to be an instance where worry has created a beautiful picture. I for instance turn into an a Queen Bee when I stress. I read a verse that I needed more than anything the other night it read ' ⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. -Phillipians 4:6. It's what the heck have I been doing lately? Defnitely NOT praying to God, the very person who can help me most. I just want to grab all these worried souls and give them a huge hug telling them "It's going to be OKAY." Fear not. God will NEVER EVER let YOU down.


Hair news. Tomorrow I am assisting Damien Carney with another girl from my school at a local salon!

today

Well i have 3 minutes so it's going to be snappy. Today I learned how to do a 'faux Bob' by Bumble and Bumble. Found out i'm graduating august 26. WOOHOO. I also learned how down I get when I don't have clients all day. I'm just kind of going through this phase where I'm not really sure how I'm getting to where I'm going but I know I'm where I'm supposed to be. My main word lately is: FOCUS. It's so easy to get caught up in what lies ahead instead of enjoying each and every moment what it has to bring, along with the trials we are currently enduring- they are making us grow into more beautiful vessels and I know God's plan will never fail my hopes. He always blows me away.

Good night world.  Love to you all.

HOLY COW

WOW this week has been chalk full of blessings! Not only did I find out I will be assisting Damien Carney, "one of the most accomplished hairstylsits of the last 20 years" according to Ukhairdressers.com, on May 8 near my school for a show. I also was able to help sell Retail (dermalogica mostly) all day and learned so much more about how to sell products and jump out of my comfort zone! It was a phenonemal experience and I feel much more confident in my experience of product sales!

This morning Congressman, Ben Quayle came and spoke at our school and talk to us about issues that directly affect us, our education, potential small business owners and the defeceit we are going through as a country. It was wonderful to hear someone who is able to make a change speak about what he is doing to protect us as aspiring professionals.

Following that we watched a documentary called 'I'm Not Just a Hairdresser' produced by Vivienne MacKinder. It was about woman who are in the hair industry and have made it BIG. They talked about how it is harder for women to make it in the industry because women prefer Men hairdressers. My personal opinion is because women are so catty and hard to trust often and that makes me want to be more warm and welcoming to every women who sits in my chair.

I was brought lunch my the bf and followed that with a dear friend getting highlights and bringing me Starbucks too! At the end of the school evening and last night of zone 4 out of 6, I found out I won the retail prize which contains our awesome new 'Shine On! Spray! Needless to say I'm pretty pumped and have found this week to pretty great. I adore what I do and some times we just need little reminders why we are doing what we are. Today was one of those days!

OH and just found I am a Honorable Mention at the PBA'S Beacon Student conference in August.

Now off to the gym for some strength training before heading home to crash on my pillow.

I will post pictures this weekend too!

4/26-27 Learned this

 So lastnight since I was wiped when I went to sleep after a full day at school and talking things over with the roomie about a spat we got into the week before and going to the gym thereafter... I didn't get a chance to post but learned a lot.

4/26 At school I learned how to do fingerwaves and that they are extremely difficult, thermal straightening which is very tedious yet effective and I also got a 100 on my Anatomy and physiology exam which is the last exam of my cosmetology career before we start reviewing for state boards, I also got a review on our past Salon Building presentation and my teacher told me my presentation skills were outstanding and I really "took charge" which was a huge compliment being I could not public speak even a year ago and now I'm starting to enjoy it.  After school my roommate (lets call her Jan)  and I talked and really got to work to the bottom of everything that was hinder our friendship and relationship of living together. I wrote everything down prior to this confrontational meeting and found it really kept things from getting irrational and emotional but kept us focused on efficient with our time. I've been really convicted of how I use my time lately and setting time limits on EVERYTHING in including conversations, coffee dates, ect; have proved to be very successful and allowed me to keep my priorities straight.  I will be honest in saying in this confrontation with Jan it took me a week to get to the point of being able to talk it out. After I forgave her a few days ago I was finally able to find the worth in the situation and how we could each grow from it. I realized living with another person is like getting microdermabrasion and bringing all the junk to the surface... the good and the bad stuff. Everything in the past, the way one was brought up and how they handle everyday situations is evident in the home. I realized I tend to kind of mentally analyze when I come home instead of discuss my day in vivid detail. I went to sleep this night very invigorated and ready to tackle today.

4/27: Today I went for a run only find out how miserable my runs are becoming.. not sure why but could be due to my strength training/sleep/ not much time to run anymore. My first client was a sweet woman who had celiac disease and many health conditions, as well as going through a divorce, having her house foreclosed and starting a new job... it was at that moment I was reminded how absolutely blessed I am to have even a part of these people's lives while they are in my chair. It is not about me but about them and how I can serve them.

later we took a client for a single color who was a school teacher and we helped price all the retail. I finished the night talking with the bf and now I'm here far past the bed time I had intended but once again that's life and we start school an hour earlier.

I'm realizing after writing my daily doings my life is a lot more full of God's little surprises than I would of imagined. Life is too beautiful to oversee the small things.

Easter Weekend RECAP

    Real real real quick recap (as I'm trying to get to bed by 11:30pm every night this week so I'm well-rested) on life these past few days. Friday night we went to the best place ever, Pita Jungle for Good Friday dinner, Saturday after work I went for a run which was very hot and following that we went to Target and Barnes and Noble so I could study then went to dinner at BJ's which is another one of our fav's, following that we hung out with some of our favorite pals. Sunday we went to the 9am service and celebrate our risen King, Jesus and ate a DELICIOUS breakfast at Cracker Barrel for my first time and this was our spread; (super blurry as it is a phone pic but you get the idea)

and following all this delicous food we went to the lake:

Well it's 4 minutes past my bedtime and I have to get up in less than 7 hours for another week of school. It's my last week of zone 4!

4/21

Today we heard DeeDee Crossett, the president and founder of San Francisco school of Esthetics and Cosmetology. She gave us a lot of vauluable information and taught us things for both the business and technical side. I learned that"Millenials" or my generation are about 30% single children which explains why so many people need there alone time, 75% grew up with working mothers which is why so many women expect to work and also that we like to be on our phones and have freedom of expression.

I also learned how to texture long hair in multiple ways! I did a full highlight, tone, cut and style so am exhausted.

Good night.

4/20 Learnings

Last night I learned that when my mama said "pick and choose your battles" it was subjective and means someone else may choose a battle that I don't think is a battle.
Today I learned from a few clients that age is a natural process and it's better not to fight it.
I re-learned that I was never promised the good life but a life that God perfectly designed for me knowing only I could carry it out.
I learned how to cut hair around the ears.
I learned that not everyone will like me and that is okay.
I learned that as much as I try and resist what I know is right- God will always reveal it to me, it's a matter of how much I'm going to fight it before he does.
I learned that life is full of trials and we have one of two options 1. accept it, learn from it and move on or have a self-pity party.

Unfolding

Okay here it goes... this is going to be (for me) a very emotional post. As you (if anyone even reads this) may have noticed by blogging has nearly ceased and that is for a myriad of reasons but daily I'm reminded of one particular reason. I have learned more in the past 6 months than EVER in my life. I just sit down and think about it and literally begin to weep. Weep because of how long I fought the will of God for my own selfish reasons, waiting for four years before I finally gave up my own justifications of why beauty school would need to take a back seat and  how making money in a successful mainstream career would be the best for me though now that I've started beauty school I know it's where I'm supposed to be. I've learned that to love isn't convienent and always the first thing I want to do but it's what ultimately brings me the most joy and God the most Glory. I've learned that I can't control everything or really anything and it ends up sucking me dry of any life and personality rather than giving it to God first thing. I've learned that some struggles never go away and will ALWAYS be prevalent and they will drag you down so far that you don't even see what reality is. I learned it's NOT SEXY to be bony even if you feel sexy.  I've learned I'm a woman with curves and not a girl anymore. I've learned it's okay to have some problem areas if you are doing what you love and living PASSIONATELY because at the end of the day when I know I made an impact on someone's life I could care less if I got in the best workout for the day. Some things CAN WAIT.  I've learned that life ain't always easy and some days I would love to relax and have a few moments to myself but this is the life I've been given so to complain about it is making it a whole lot harder. I've learned even the people who have it all from the outside, have just as many battles if not more as everyone else. I've learned that the people with the most money seem to be the most unhappy. I've learned that how a woman was brought up my her father affects her body image, self-worth, trust with a man, ability to accept love and every facet of her life. I've learned that it will ALL WORK OUT for the best and to just accept that. Most importantly I've learned that this life goes REALLY fast and I want to do what MATTERS most not what feels right or seems cool. To cease every second I've been given, LAUGH, cry and not to let fear conquer me but PROPEL me.

I've learned life ain't so bad with a boyfriend like so.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. -Romans 12:1 NLT

small world

It's far too often the times I think "we just don't get it''. As people across our own globe are praising God for living another day, we worry and stress about how we can get the next latest gadget and about the test we have this week. WHO FREAKIN CARES? Like honestly it's going to be fine. Work hard, do what you're supposed to and quit dwelling on it. There are issues for everyone, everywhere. Lets get off our pedestal and focus on the big picture.  Reality check; IT IS NOT ABOUT US. It is about sacrificially living and being willing to do what it takes to LOVE. Yea it hurts and yes you will have haters who can't accept that you go above and beyond what this world requires because you care more about how you appear and how you look to others.

    People will frazzle you and do what they can do de-rail you but the focus will remain the same whether we see it always or not. There will always be one purpose we are made to fulfill and how we get there is not the highlight of our life. We're going to end our lives at the same spot as if we stress about small, petty garbage or if we enjoy the journey and pick out what is important. It is SO UGLY when people lose their personality to their circumstances and I know this because I do it and look at myself asking "who am I? are my circumstances really dictating my life right now?" It'll be fine. There are people who have a lot of horrific things happening to them and they still seem to make it and even some with an outstanding attitude.

  I don't want my world to become so small all I see are things that I will never remember.
I want it to be so BIG even my largest problem is still tiny compared to most of the worlds.
I believe when we let go of our own worries and anxieties we are left with one emotion, JOY!

Like or Love.

Hi! Whoa it's been far longer than anticipated and every single day I hope I have but a minute to spare and blog quick and though tonight/today/multiple days looks better than any other- I had to give in. I've missed this whole shananigans but it has been really great to have a break, think and just do a life but I have definitely been itching to get back at this whole blog thing and read and write what's going on in everyone's lives!

     In the past year I have grown and learned more than I could ever of imagined and can only attribute that to the same God that gets me through every single day. He has molded me into a woman with a lot of work left to do but a woman that he has created do a divine purpose. I've learned to walk away from those things that seem most alluring yet keep me from prospering, I've learned to let go and let God, I've been broken and rebuilt time and time again until all I could was literally cry out to the Lord on my knees, I ran a 1/2 marathon,  I began cosmetology school, I began dating my fabulous boyfriend/ best friend, I've learned it's not okay in any circumstance to condemn or look down upon another person but most of all I've learned in the past month more than ever, to love.

     I always believed love just happens or if it's meant to be it'll all just fall into place and everything will be alright. Family, future husband, friends... whoever, I was a firm believer that "whatever is meant to be, will be" and love would just happen as it was supposed. Well I was wrong and after hearing countless times "Do you love him?" I began pondering and searching for a meaning of this word we hear numerous times daily that is used in the same sentence as the latest OPI nail polish (the rapid dry is great) or I-phone.

    Naturally the greatest act of love ever performed, God giving up and watching his son, Jesus Christ to be slaughtered to death on the cross and tortured for days was my go to. This was an act of pure sacrifice for both the father and son for us sinners who are made clean by this. He loves all of us, no matter how ungrateful we are today, tomorrow or yesterday. I began to realize how unconditional this love is. There are times when I downright walked away from his hand that was feeding me and wanted nothing to do with it but was still lavished in love. Which leads me to the eternity of his love. He doesn't just love me during a season of prosperity or growth but ALL THE TIME, FOREVER.  Overall it has been incredibly freeing and joyful in knowing that the one love we need we will always have and that literally there is nothing more perfect of an example for love than Jesus.

Lately

I've returned from a Christmas here...

Name that city... yep Seattle

with Him...

Poulsbo Island, Washington.

Returned back to my beautiful home...

These sunsets never get old

And continue to do what makes me happy...

Cutting his hair.

"Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins."

-1 peter 4:8