What I'm Loving!

I recently bought this new product, Blow Dry Addict, from Sally Beauty Supply and wanted to share it with all of you because I think it's great! If you straighten and/or blow dry your hair often, this will be your  new best friend! It also volumizes your hair.

I am also loving the Harajuku Lovers fragrances. Do you ever check the sale section near the makeup at Target? Sometimes you can find the best deals. I found two Harajuku Lovers perfumes, each for about $7!!! They are normally around $30 each. I love both of these scents, they're beautiful and great for spring! The bottles are so cute too.

"Yes to Carrots" ... or Cucumbers!

Over the last several years I've been testing out lots of organic skin care products. I like to make sure that anything I put on my skin (besides makeup) is organic, because whatever you put on your skin you are "ingesting" in a way. There are so many harsh and unhealthy chemicals found in most of the lotions we love. So anytime I find a great organic product, I get excited and want to share it with everyone I can!
Something I am absolutely loving right now are the Yes to Cucumbers Natural Glow Facial Towlettes. They are so refreshing - your skin feels amazing and awakened - after every use. They are an exfoliator, detoxifyer and rejuvinator all in one! You don't need to wet them, and it's such a quick and easy way to remove makeup. I get mine at Walgreens and I've also seen them at Target. If you've tried any of the "Yes to Carrots, Cucumbers or Blueberry" products let me know! I'd love to know what you think of them and hear reviews.

Heaven in a Cup...at Caribou Coffee

For those of you who have a Caribou Coffee nearby, I highly recommend that you try out their brand new Macadamia Coconut Mocha.
Taking one sip of this warm, sugary drink will melt all of your cares and worries away for a moment. So delicious! They don't call it a "vacation in a cup" for nothing!

LOVE It! OPI Black Shatter Nailpolish

I haven't done an "outer" beauty  post for a while...so it's time! And more coming!  Spring is a time of shedding the old, winter layers of clothing and style and to step into something new! I'm so inspired by all of the new spring fashions...flowers are big this season. But, something that I have found and absolutely love and adore is OPI's Black Shatter Nailpolish! It can go over pretty much any color of nailpolish and look beautiful - totally transforming your nails! It looks like you just got your nails done at the spa. I highly recommend this!

Fighting Fear with Faith!

Many today are fighting major battles against anxiety and overwhelming fears. Here are some powerful verses that you can meditate on and speak to yourself every day! God gives us all of the answers we need in His word. I pray that you will be encouraged, uplifted and have a new level of confidence in what God can do in and through you!

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Jesus said “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. ~ Psalm 34:4

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. ~ Joshua 1:9

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. ~ Isaiah 41:13

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18  (Reminding ourselves of the love God has for us, our purpose and place in Him, that he counts us special and blessed will cast out fear)

Do not worry about tomorrow ~ Matthew 6:34 (God holds your tomorrow in His hands)

The Lord is my light and salvation so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. Even if they attack me, I remain confident.  ~Psalm 27:1-3

The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust him with all my heart. Psalm 28:7

Proverbs 29:25- Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust the Lord means safety.

I cast all of my anxieties on God because He cares for me – 1 Peter 5:7

Dealing with Bullies

The Treasure Within You ~

If you are being bullied, my heart goes out to you. My childhood and teen years were nearly destroyed by bullies in my life, so I feel your pain. Thankfully God has healed my heart from all of the damage that was done early on, and He gave me the strength to press forward and live when all I wanted to do was just quit and give up. I believed all of the cruel, negative things that people said, but then, one day God opened my eyes and made me realize that none of those things were true, and He allowed me to discover who I really was, in HIM! The righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, fearfully and wonderfully made, the apple of His eye, a poem written by Him… The Bible is filled with love notes from HIM to you and me! He cares so deeply about each and every one of us. This radically changed my life and heart and I pray you will allow Him to come in and do the same for you if you haven’t already.

God is here for you. He watches over you, loves you and plans the best for you. Don’t let those who attack or harass you take you down. There is greatness inside of you – If you are filled with the Holy Spirit you are holding a beautiful, priceless treasure! The enemy wants to attack that and steal the treasure within you, but don’t let him!

People who are hurting, often hurt other people. If “Dan” has problems at home with his parents, he might be taking it out on you. Maybe they see something beautiful in you and are jealous and try to bring you down… Whatever it is, know that it is because they feel so small, that they try to build themselves up by bringing you pain and making you small. This is to cover up their own insecurities. Don’t listen to them! Dust those comments off!

I pray that if you are being bullied and feel ugly, unwanted and bad about yourself that you will realize the true God given beauty and treasure within you! I pray that God will empower you with the strength to rise above the nasty comments that they aim at you like arrows to your heart, and that you will stand confidently in Him. Remember that these people won't always be around, it's just a moment in time and this will all fade away. After I graduated High School I never saw my bullies again. You can get through this, just keep pressing on. If you need to be encouraged or want some support I am here for you. Email me!

Abusive Relationships

Girls, if you are in an abusive relationship there is only one option – get out! Walk away from him. Abuse often progresses as the relationship does, and it gets deeper, and more dangerous, as you get closer. The faster you can get out, the better, before more emotional strings form and your heart gets more attached.

You may want to prove to yourself or others that this CAN work! After all, all things are possible with God, right? But don’t fool yourself. And don’t let this man fool you.

You may have heard it a million times, but it’s true, YOU cannot change him. Unless he realizes he needs help and seeks it and you see changes, you need to step away, if you want the best for yourself and your life.

Getting into an abusive relationship is like a trap, or a spider web. You don’t realize the danger at first, and before you know it you’re entangled. But the harder you stay and struggle, the more “caught”, or stuck you become. So, JUST SAY NO! Don’t allow manipulation, lies and empty promises woo you or lure you into one more day with him.

I know what it is like to be in an abusive relationship, and to feel so deep in that you don’t want to get out, though you know you should. And abuse isn’t just physical – there are many types of abuse including verbal and mental.  But there is a way out, and that is the best way.

I pray that if you are in an abusive relationship or situation in any way, shape or form that you will make the choice and walk away from it today.  Not two days from now, not next week, but TODAY!  God will restore all of the things this man took away from you and He will give you a new hope, joy and life. Trust God. He is your Provider, Healer and Restorer. I pray He will do a new thing in your life and bring a godly man into your life at just the right time, that treats you like the princess you are!  God bless you all! Goodnight!

2nd Blog

Hello! Just so that you all know, I am starting a 2nd blog with the sole purpose of covering topics and issues that I get questioned about often. Throughout my involvment in ministry and different things I have come across so many young girls wanting answers, desperate for answers, confused and searching for the TRUTH. In this blog, I plan to bring them a fresh, new hope and outlook. I get my answers from the Bible and from what God has taught me and spoken to my heart.

If you are interested, please check it out!
I don't want to put an age or gender on this blog, though it originated with teens/young women in mind!

You can visit it here...  http://speakup7.blogspot.com !!!!!!

HOPE

Tonight was jail ministry. Every week volunteers go into area jails and prisons to share the hope of Jesus  and shine light into the darkest of hearts. These girls are precious, and I see something special in each and every one of them!
Every time I go thinking that I am going to teach them something, they end up teaching me and God teaches me. I leave more joyful than I came.
Tonight's topic was hope...and I needed it just as much as they did. God truly is the only one who will never fail us. We read over some beautiful scriptures that I want to share with all of you who are feeling down and out... Don't lose your hope!

Jeremiah 29:11 (New Living Translation)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 40:30-31 (New Living Translation)

³⁰ Even youths will become weak and tired,
      and young men will fall in exhaustion.
 ³¹ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
      They will soar high on wings like eagles.
   They will run and not grow weary.
      They will walk and not faint.

Ephesians 1:18
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Matthew 12:21
And his name will be the hope of all the world.”


I pray that you won't merely exist, just barely getting by...but truly LIVE!

Loving Where You're At and Saying Goodbye

Girls, I can truly say the grass isn’t always greener on the other side!  There are so many single girls who want a boyfriend now; yet so many girls in relationships at this moment that are the most un-happy they’ve ever been. Being in a relationship doesn't equal happiness. Some couples just learn to "exist" with one another. Others constantly fight...

It is so refreshing to say goodbye to a guy who isn’t treating you right, didn’t ever treat you right, and never will treat you right! Yes, it can be excruciatingly painful to let go of him at the beginning… but when something in your gut is telling you he’s not good and you listen to that – you are on your way to better days! If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you. God whispers in the silence of your heart what is and isn’t right, if you will listen.

I encourage you today, if you are in a stale relationship, falling into compromise, being de-valued or just don’t feel right about this guy to let him go. Let him fly! The sooner you do it, the easier it will be.  The longer we stay in relationships, the more entangled we become, no matter how unhealthy they are.

I’ve recently come out of one of the worst relationships in my entire my life. It wasn’t easy, but it is so worth it in the end! When you look back a month later, two months later, three... you will wonder what in the world you were thinking!

I pray that you all will realize your beauty, worth, and true identity in Jesus Christ and how amazing that is! God promises a HOPE and FUTURE for you. He will give you the desires of your heart, when you make him the number one desire of your heart. Let Him be your first true love and Believe!

Love you all!

Beautiful

How beautiful you are, more beautiful than a sky full of stars                     

You are, and you shine forever

Your brightness ushers away darkness

Your light brings peace to my spirit

You’ve shined your light in my heart

And now I never want to be apart from You

Cause Jesus you are the one I’ve been searching for all of my life

And Jesus you are my dream come true and today I’m giving my life to you

It’s yours always and I want to praise and tell of how great you are

Your majesty shines so far

You’ve reached out to me, and you’ve touched my heart

More beautiful with each day, your love it never fades

And that’s why I’m glad to say, that I’m your child

I thank you for wiping all my sin and sorrows away

Now I can walk unashamed

Eternal rivers, everlasting streams, I need you to usher in Your peace in my life

Like nothing ever before, when I’m in your presence I begin to soar

~Copyright 2008, Katie Sobiech

Don't Ever Give Up!

Don't EVER give up, because you never know when God is going to show up!!!!
I love hearing people's testimonies of the transformations God has made in their lives. He's done it for me, and changed my life forever, and He can do it for you if you invite Him, the ultimate Healer, into your heart and life.
 I recently saw this interview with Pattie Mallette (Yes..Justin Bieber's mom for all of his fans) and was so inspired. She is such a beautiful woman of God!  For those of you who have been through such troubling times that you don't feel you can make it through one more day and don't think anything will ever change, I encourage you to watch this testimony and
be inspired! This woman was in a seemingly hopeless situation..it was so dark and desperate that she tried to take her own life. Then look what happened.
                      


Part Two
                      

Make sure to watch parts 3 and 4 as well!

Jesus

There is a Light that you should know

He is the Healer, of every soul

There is a life, much greater than this

There is a God who exists

There is a Savior who has come to rescue your soul

Who has come to rescue your soul

Life can get dark, life can get deep

Sometimes you feel you’re going to get swallowed up in the seas

Drifting away into the breeze

But he will save you from the storms of life,

From your prison you will be released

And you will find peace

You will find peace

There is a God who’s come to save

And to be with you each and every day

To guide you along your way

He will guide you along the way

There is no need to be afraid

He is reaching out His hand, can you feel him now?

He wants to rescue you child

And replace your tears with smiles

Replace tears with smiles

Wont you walk with him a while?

There is a God who you can trust

He will lift you from the dust

He will lift you from the dust

His name is Jesus

Copyright 2006: Katie Sobiech

Just the Way You Are...

You’re Beautiful…Just the Way you Are!

One of the greatest gems of wisdom and advice I’ve ever received in life is…just BE YOU! Stop trying to be like somebody else, or everybody else. There is authentic, unique, true beauty in who You are.  God made us all different individuals for a reason. We aren’t created to go along with the crowd.

It saddens me when girls try to change themselves, inside and/or out, for a guy. They become a chameleon, blending into the picture of “perfection” for who they think he wants them to be. I am guilty of doing this myself. Sometimes when you like a person soo much, you will do just about anything to win their affections. Girls, it’s important to remember this though, if they don’t like you for the real you – then they don’t really like you. Instead, they have fallen in love, or like, with some fake, imaginary character who not even you know is. This leads to you making decisions based on this faulty personality, or persona.

When you don’t really know who you are, you might try just about anything to figure it out. Confusion over self-identity occurs over time, as you continue to neglect the real you. You begin to lose track of and not even know who you are anymore. You’ve built your life around what you think “he” would like you to be. Then, when the guy leaves and the relationship ends, you will feel “lost “in a sense and have somewhat of an identity crisis.  It happens every day. This is what makes some feel as though they can’t even go on after a breakup, because their whole identity was wrapped up in a guy.

It is so important to really grow into the person God has created YOU to be, and figure out your likes and dislikes, your calling and purpose. Make it a point to really spend time reading God’s word and spending time with Him in prayer to find your true identity, and who you are in Him, and all of the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place. He will establish you and build you up into the beautiful person you are, and bring the right guy alongside of you who will see and fall in love with the real you!

Lead Me to the Cross

I could listen to this song forever!  ~ Hillsong's "Lead Me to the Cross"..

Also, exciting news! I'm featured in this week's "Team Priceless"!!! If you aren't on their mailing list, join at www.kellycrewsministries.com! It's full of encouragement and wisdom. Love you all! Have a blessed night!

Letting Go!

Spring is just around the corner! To me, Spring symbolizes a fresh start and new beginnings. The dead things of the winter, and past, are gone and it's time for a new season! God is getting ready to do a NEW thing! Are you ready to do some Spring cleaning? Not just cleaning out your bedroom, apartment, house or wherever you live...but your life? I know I am...I'm ready for a fresh new beginning and I hope you are to.
This is a great message that I just heard on letting go and I wanted to share it with you all as we continue to let go of the past and press into the future and new things God has for us! Blessings!

Part Two!

Be YOU!

Be true to who you are. Let who you are shine from the inside out! It doesn't matter what other people say, what their opinions about you are...Let people start knowing and loving you - for the REAL you!

Covering Celebrities in Prayer…

I went to see the Justin Bieber movie the other night: Never Say Never, with my younger sister and I have to say…it was amazing! Bieber fan or not, there is a powerful message there for all of us. I left feeling inspired, really. To see this young boy grow up without a father and start pouring himself into music at such a young age was truly inspiring. He wasn’t playing video games all day or out causing trouble…he was playing drums and singing Christian music on street corners! I read an article once and it talked about the hardships that his mother had to endure. She hasn’t had an easy life. But she prayed for her son and had faith and look what happened…

With God, all things are possible.

This leads me onto my next thought. During the movie I was touched by what he’s done at such a young age, where he’s come from and how far he’s made it, but towards the end I couldn’t help but be concerned for him. I don’t want Hollywood to swallow him up.  I saw how influences can slowly, slyly creep in and he has such a platform – so many young girls’ eyes are watching him – I don’t want him to stop being a good example. I really felt led to pray for him and all of the other major teen celebrities right now. Miley Cyrus and all of those that our younger generation has an eye on and look up to, because they are this generations role models and “set the stage” in many ways. Kids don’t always want to hear what their mom and dad are saying, but they definitely turn on the TV and flip through magazines to read and hear what Miley and Justin are saying and doing.

People often complain about what awful role models we have…Miley recently smoking a bong of salvia, and Justin flicking off paparazzi…But what does complaining accomplish? Nothing! 
I have an idea.
What if we prayed for them? What if we seriously started to pray for these celebrities once a day...? It could be while you're driving in your car, cooking dinner...anywhere, anytime. And it’s not just wishful thinking on a star, hoping that they will make a powerful, positive impact on the world – When we pray in Jesus name, God gets involved! His angels are sent out to start working on those prayers! You have started spiritual warfare against the enemy and his plots and plans!
 These teens are in a war, and the enemy is after them, if anyone, because they are in the spotlight and have such mass influence. Can you imagine if we had prayers shooting up to God from believers all across the U.S. or world for these teens? They don’t see the battle, they don’t know what’s going on, it’s easy for them to get caught up in the whirlwind of fame but we know…and we can stand in the gap for them.

Justin accepted Jesus into his heart at a young age I know. I read it in an interview with his mom. Miley is a believer too, and she talks about it in her book “Miles to Go”.. Lets not let these seeds of faith die.. Someone needs to stand in the gap and battle for them. If you think the devil is attacking you today…just think of Miley Cyrus. He’s got a priority list, and those in power and the spotlight are at the top of that list.

Music touches hearts in a way nothing else can…I believe God uses music. But the enemy does too. He tries to take all that God created for good and tries to twist it into perverted things.

Let’s not let the enemy win. We have great power in prayer. Let's make it a point as believers to pray for those with a large platform, and power, including our President, world leaders, governors, all of those in authority and the public eye. Don’t forget about them!


God bless you all today! I hope you have a wonderful day!!!

Great Worship!

Have you ever heard of JESUS CULTURE? It's amazing worship and really touched me! I can't stop listening to it so I thought I'd share it with you all if you haven't already heard of them.... Enjoy!