Overthinking is my Enemy

               If you're anything like me than you probably overthink way too much. Seriously it's awful being this way. I will be lying in bed unable to sleep because I'm thinking about something awkward I did or said seven years ago. I honestly think text messages are one of the worst things ever to be invented.  Seriously, how are you supposed to tell how someone is saying something or their tone of voice through text!?!?!(And don't even get me started on phone calls)I started to let this take over my life. I was always thinking that everyone hated me and that was one of my worst fears because I want everyone to like me. I once had this awful teacher who for some reason hated me and it really tore me up inside. Everyday I would try to think of some reason that this teacher might have for hating me because I just had to fix it. I tore myself to pieces trying to fix this trying to get her to like me. One day I just had enough and had to be switched out of that class. It broke my heart that someone didn't like me. My Mom would have to ( and still does ) remind me that everyone is not going to like you. If we've ever had a conversation odds are that I've replayed that conversation over in my head 50 times making sure I didn't sound stupid.
          Usually when I go out to a public place like for example a restaurant I think to myself  "Are people staring at me? Are they talking about what I'm wearing?" And if someone compliments me it's hard for me to take that compliment without thinking things like: "Were they being sarcastic? Were they making fun of me?" I started to see a common theme with all these things, I was trying to change myself for other people. I was so caught up in worrying if people liked me and what they thought of me that I ended up losing myself along the way. I let it keep me from doing certain things and from being myself. I'm not saying that you should just go around doing anything you want without keeping others in my mind but I am saying don't let others hold you back and from living your life for the Lord. I still struggle with overthinking but I've came a long way and here's a couple of things I have learned:

 #1 Not everyone that you come across in your life is going to like you and that's just life. I know at times that this can be very hard to deal with and accept but it's something we all have to come across at least once in our lives.

#2 Who are really trying to please? At the end of the day does it really matter if little Bobby down the road likes you or if you are pleasing the Lord and doing his work? We are not living this life for other people, we're not even living this life for ourselves but we're living to glorify him to bring him honor and to praise him everyday.

         When I meet new people it's the worst because I beat myself up trying to get them to like me. First impressions tend to stick and it usually terrifies me that I made a bad one. I just recently went on a small trip over the weekend to meet some people I've never met in person before. I literally almost made myself sick worrying over if they were going to like me or not.  Just trying to say the right words and not to embarrass myself. Now, thinking back at that it seems kind of silly but it's honestly how I felt. I don't have many talents but one that strongly stands out is the ability for my face to turn red at nothing in a matter of seconds. Honestly you could probably ask me what I had for lunch last week and my face would turn red. The thought of attention makes me want to crawl under a table. I can feel when my face turns red and there is always that one delightful person who has to point out that it's turning red thus making your face turn even more red.  I have to remind myself that " Doesn't everyone have their awkward and embarrassing moments? Just maybe some of us more than others *Cough Cough* Cydney ( The girl who once fell out of a booth a Texas Road House ).
            If you go through some of these same things than here are a few Great scriptures to help you:

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." -Joshua 1:9

33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." - Matthew 6:33-34 

I just want to remind you that you are not alone and you never will be! Trust me I've had more than my share of times where I felt completely alone, but we're not! We are Princessess or (Princes) of the One True King! I pray whom ever reads this gets a little something out of this or knows someone that will! Love you guys so Much! 

Everything A Christian Girl Should Be

     1. Every Christian Girl should have a humble and kind spirit
We all have our bad days trust me I know, and that's understandable. But being humble and kind is so much more than holding the door open for someone or helping them carry a heavy package.Being humble and kind is remembering our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ died for us willingly and he had us on his mind the whole time! That never ceases to amaze me that while he was hanging on the rugged cross he was thinking about me, I am nothing and he is everything! We must remember that we're all equal at the foot of the cross. We need to treat others with kindness and have compassion towards others, be WILLING to serve. Be zealous for Christ and show others that there is a cause worth fighting for, show them that they are loved not only by you but by Christ. When you pass people in the store or at school sometimes you can just tell by their faces that there is an emptiness in their life, pray for thar person-Love that person.

2. Stand Strong in Your Faith
It's a tough world out there and I know it's hard and people can be cruel.  As a young lady getting ready to enter college I know how harsh it is out there.  I am nothing without my faith, it's one of the reasons I've made it through school.  I used to just say a quick prayer before I went to sleep and read my Bible every once and a while.  What really helped me was taking the time to actually sit down to read and study my Bible.  Using a journal to help me study the Bible and to take notes helped me tremendously. I realized that my prayer life was no where it needed to be. I would just say a little prayer before I went to sleep and I thought that was alright. I started to get down beside my bed and pray and I prayed for things like my family and school to things like my future husband. I love being able to sit down and talk to God, it's my safe place and my happy place. I know how hard it is to stand strong for your faith especially at school when now a days everything is so wretched, trust me as a young person going into college soon I know the feeling way too well. All I can tell you is to pray to God to give you the strength and the courage to take a stand and lead others to Christ.

This was a short post but it's something that's been on my mind lately. I pray that it helps you in some way.  I love being able to talk about God and just being a small fraction of faith that someone sees.

My Anxiety Story

    I've struggled with anxiety for a long time. It's not something I talk about a lot, and I try to hide it the best that I can. I can remember the first time I had a panic attack like it was yesterday. I was laying in my bed getting ready to go to sleep. I had been having trouble falling asleep. as I was trying to go to sleep, and all of a sudden this panic feeling washed over me. I honestly felt like I was dying, and I didn't know what to do.

     It was the middle of the night but I ran into my mom's room crying and shaking. She woke up asking what was wrong. I told her what had happened and that I felt like I needed to go to the emergency room. She wrapped me in her arms and I asked her to pray for me. I had never been so scared in my life. She prayed for me and explained to me that I was having a panic attack.For the next couple of months I had more panic attacks, and constantly felt anxious. I didn't want anyone to know because I thought they would think I was insane, which is honestly how I felt.

     Sometimes I would have panic attacks because of certain situations. But sometimes I would get them for no reason, like I would be walking in Walmart and suddenly have a panic attack. I would feel like I couldn't breathe and my chest would hurt. This feeling of panic set in and I would just have to stop. I would pray and sing a gospel song and that would usually help it go away.

      Even though I knew my mom struggled with anxiety along with other friends and family I still felt alone. I felt helpless like nothing was in my control anymore. I constantly worried about being alone and having a panic attack. I hated feeling helpless, I couldn't sleep and constantly felt anxious.This took a toll on me. I just wanted to feel normal again.

     One day I was at church and someone prayed for me. God just gave me this indescribable peace. he reminded me that He is bigger than everything, and that He has never left me and never will. I finally felt normal and better again! I was so happy and joyous I will never forget the feeling of peace knowing he is with me and that I AM NOT ALONE.

      I still have panic attacks occasionally and still feel anxious at times. But God has helped me overcome this so much! Even though I still have anxiety I know that I am not alone and that HE IS BIGGER!

     I wouldn't wish the feeling of anxiety on anyone. I just really felt lead to write this and have wanted to for a while now. I am so glad that I have finally got to post about it! If you struggle with anxiety or panic attacks I just want you to know that you're not alone! There is hope and peace, I pray  that my story has helped you. Even if one person reads this and it helps them in some way, my prayers have been answered and it was worth it!

    I love you all so much and if you take the time to read my posts, it means more to me than you will ever know!

         Here are some scriptures to help with Anxiety:
   1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].

1  Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now The Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all.

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

I interviewed one of my closest friends Jessica, and I first asked her this question: What do you see when you look in the mirror? This was her response:

I usually judge myself too hard because I tend to compare myself to other girls that I know who are gorgeous, which I know is not right at all. I have to constantly remind myself that Jesus made me look like me and that I should be thankful for that. I could be the most gorgeous girl on the outside but I would much rather be beautiful on the inside;it will show on the outside. Looks aren't everything and I tend to worry about them way too much. I am praying for Jesus to help me with that and He is each day.

I asked myself the same question:
I've honestly had days where I didn't even want to look in the mirror because I would just stand there  picking out ever little thing that I thought was wrong with myself. I didn't even want to take pictures with anyone, because I would just look back at those pictures and wanting to cry. Comparing myself to other girls and making myself depressed. I really had to pray hard to realize that by comparing myself to others I was just letting the devil get to me, and letting him feed my insecurities. If you truly are a beautiful person inside, your inner beauty will shine bright and show through. Psalms 139:14 says I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvelous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right. This is one of my favorite scriptures because it reminds me that God made me for a reason. That I am beautiful, one of a kind and created by the most magnificent artists of them all.

I hope I helped at least one person, by sharing our own personal stories and for you to know you're not alone. There is a God above greater than any insecurities or fears that you may have.

Your Light

           I think what really scared me most about modesty was standing out.  Being modest today you're definitely going to stand out. Now I am the kind of person who will go to any length not to draw too much attention to myself. Just walking to the front of a room to get a tissue makes me feel like I'm having a heart attack because I know someone will glance up at me. The thing about being modest though is there is this unspoken respect that you get, people may not agree with you but they will respect your decisions. Now in your life there is going to be a person who sees your modesty and will have some nice comments about it, but to me that just tells me that they noticed that you were different not only in dress but in spirit. You know that song we all used to sing as a kid; "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!" You can be that light to others in this terrible wicked world. Modesty can lead to you being a witness to others without saying a word. 
John 8:12-20

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All about the Tulle

I think that every Girl should have at least one tulle skirt in her closet! Find a tulle skirt that you love! Whether it be a full tulle skirt that makes you feel like a princess, or a poofy one that makes you feel like a ballerina! 

Honestly if you asked me what my favorite thing to wear is, I would probably say tulle or lace. 💗

You really just need to know what to pair with tulle skirts because it really can be tricky.

I love this tulle skirt because it has the silky part underneath with the tulle overlay.

I paired with this sheer off white tulle skirt with a black long sleeve blouse with gold veining from Kohl's.

When wearing tulle try to find a top that's not going to take away from it, small delicate patterns are the best way to go or a solid dressy blouse.

I wore these laced up black, pointed flats with this and I think it pulls together nicely with the top!

Proverbs 31:30

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fear the the LORD, she shall be praised.

Always remember that on your worst day you're still beautiful and worthy in God's eyes.

You are his Princess, you are the daughter of a king! 

When virtue and modesty enlighten her charms, the luster of a beautiful woman is brighter than the stars of heaven, and the influence of her power it is in vain to resist. 

Do you think Esther was Modest?

         
           


      One of my favorite stories in the bible has to be the story of Esther.  She had one of the greatest missions to see her people, and that took courage and faith. Such an inspiring story which is one of the reasons I love it so much. When you really get to think about it she was a true living princess! Now when I think of Esther I see a beautiful young woman who stands tall and is confident in her mission. It all started when the king saw her in a crowd and she stood out to him.
What do you think made Esther stand out from all of the other beautiful girls? I would like to think it was her modest dress and how she presented herself that made her even more beautiful to the king. Do you think the king would have taken her seriously when she came to him if she was immodestly dressed? I want you to close your eyes and imagine what Esther would have looked like.  In my mind I see a tall, strong young woman clothed in a royal blue dress with a fitting crown.  She was separated from the crowd as we should from the world.  This is another great reason that we dress the way that we do, in modesty. We should aspire to be like Queen Esther! Next time that you go shopping  think to yourself "Would Queen Esther wear this?"

Image from http://members.cogwa.org/images/made/d4fb3f67ff9bcc21/learning-from-esther_1200_1347.J 

I am absolutely in love with this outfit! I think that it's a very nice combination of modern and vintage!
I am a sucker for anything lace, it just says classy and dainty to me.
I paired this lovely lace skirt from https://goldenlemonboutique.com in the style: Always A Bridesmaid,
with a mustard yellow fit and flare top from Belk.
I wanted the shoes to be simple because I wanted the main focus of the outfit to be the skirt so I chose this beautiful
Pair of nude pumps! And the cherry on top of this outfit has to be the golden headpiece that I wore from Francesca's