BeautifulYou – Yah's Girl

Sharing The Amazing Things God Has Done In My Life!!

June 26, 20224 Comments

As of the moment of posting this, I have 69 drafts, some of them barely worthy of sitting down to write a full-length post about! But right now, it seems so much more important to share with you all some of the amazing things that God has been teaching me in my life!

Lesson #1 – Give Him the glory; it always works!

Recently I had all the end-of-year activities – piano and voice recitals, a piano exam, last lessons, and, of course, many performance opportunities in my faith community! Sometimes our focus is entirely on ourselves because we’re so worried about making a mistake or missing a line, and yet, I long to have my performances reflect God’s grace in my talents and not just my own strength. I noticed a cockiness in my first performance this year that hindered my ability to fully give God the glory for the performance, and I want to continue to seek His help.

You know what the best part about not focusing too much on ourselves? When we focus on making ourselves look good, we all know the precariousness of that position! What with the nerves and butterflies, its a 50/50 chance whether we’ll even look decent! BUT, when we seek to make known God’s name and fame, He always ends up looking good!

Lesson #2 – He is SO faithful.

I have been going through the process of applying to go to a certain (amazing) camp this year! I just love the community there and the way the people are so real and so on fire for their faith! Through a lot of dialogue and connection with staff, friends, and prayer support from my faith community, God has shown himself so faithful in orchestrating it all in the most wonderful way, better than I could ever have imagined! Through the decisions of others, and my at-times blindfolded commitment to my convictions, and in spite of incredible odds, I have been given this amazing opportunity to serve as a cabin leader this summer!

This process was not without its moments of doubt, stress, stretching, and uncertainty, but in the end, I would gladly do it all over again for the triumph and gratefulness of seeing God’s ability to give me a beautiful gift in what will be such a joy to me this summer!

I had to take certain really tough steps, pray some really tough prayers, and give up some really tough feelings, but God worked through everything. EVERYTHING.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good^, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28, ESV

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Lesson #3 – There is meaning in all parts of the Word of God.

Has anyone ever read the book of Obadiah? Its a short book, one chapter long, and directed towards the judgement of the Edomites. Not a very uplifting message – but yet, after reading it as part of my Bible reading, I still felt as though I had done something meaningful; like just picking up and reading the Bible, no matter how melancholy the message, has a purpose.

So many people and situations have recently convicted and reminded me of the importance of spending time in God’s Word. Especially the below verse from Amos, which really pierced my heart to think of just how desirable the Word of God is, and how much we as modern youth take it for granted.

““Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it.”
Amos 8:11-12, ESV

The next verse says that beautiful young women and strong young men will faint from thirst; the thirst for the Living Water of God’s Word. If only we always held the Word in such high regard that our time spent within its pages was such a treasure and a priority to us! Thank God that He is patient with us in our seasons of ability and that His faithfulness is far more steadfast than our own.

I challenge you all to delve into the freely given water of God’s word for your sustenance; to take advantage of the wonderful gift we’ve been given by having the Bible at only a flip of the page away, or a click of the mouse. How blessed we are to be given the privilege of feasting at His banquet on this earth!

I hope y’all found something to treasure in this post! I am so grateful for all God’s been doing and teaching me, and I want to hear about your lives – what is something that is so amazing you just have to share it? How Has God been working? Tell me all about in the comments, or shoot me an email through my contact page!

Have an amazing day, friends!

Seasons – Winter And Spring, Both Of Them Beautiful!

May 6, 20223 Comments

Can you all hardly believe its spring!? I AM SO EXCITED!!! And now that its May, its pretty much a given that the snowfalls are over and the flowers will be coming out soon. What a beautiful and joyful time of year!

I wanted to present some thoughts I had on winter and spring, that I’ve only begun thinking about this year. I hope y’all enjoy my musings!

(Note: none of the quotes or pictures are my own. All credit goes to the original creators. 🙂

I’d like to give y’all a second perspective on springtime, and have a discussion on what it means for us, literally and philosophically. By this, I mean to spark a question in your heads as to why we see spring as the hero to save us from the icy world of winter.

Because, the majority of people see winter as terrible. They see it as the worst part of the year. They don’t try to do better because they feel unmotivated, and they do even worse without motivation! All of a sudden, when the seasons change, people seem to wake up, stretch their sedentary mind-muscles, and commence to enthusiastically perform every task they absolutely refused to do in wintertime.

I’m sad to see people bashing winter (although I’m certainly not always it’s passionate defender!) I have lived just under half my life under the lock and key of winter’s grasp, and I have had such a beautiful life, made beautiful not only by the weather and the warmth, but because of the opportunities and people that God has put in my life.

Yes, spring gives me hope for a fresh start (and I will certainly be feeling more productive and ready to tackle my tasks!) But I have no excuse to keep from doing what I know I should do simply because I’m not in a “spring mood” yet. The way I feel isn’t a good excuse to be unproductive, and neither is a lingering winter. I am completely responsible for myself, and my actions do not hinge on the whether the weather outside is frightful or delightful. What’s inside me is what ought to drive me.

Winter is cold. Winter can be unfriendly. Winter is hard. But hard times makes us stronger.

Let’s not decry the winter and its winds. Let’s not dismiss our spiritual and motivational winters as “a stage” to escape as soon as possible. Let’s accept the inevitable as “seasons”; something to savor and enjoy, even if its hard; to learn from and do the best we can, even while we’re in it. I admit I dislike those hard times as much as the next person, but I’ve been finding strength in seeing my failings as seasons of growth. Someday, the spring will arrive in the midst of the winter of my soul.

I want to draw this all to a close with a recapitulation of the main things I really wanted to say.

You do it. Not the weather having a miraculous effect on you, or the temperature rising by degrees – its you. Don’t let your motivation die with the grass. Your motivation needs to come from inside you. “What do I really want out of life?” “Why do I do ____?” “What’s the most important thing I could do today?” Ask yourself questions to stimulate the conversation in your head, and find out where your motivation is really coming from.
The enemy is not winter; its the way we perceive winter. I love the allegory of a wintry, hard season of life making us stronger in spite of its bite. Please don’t feel lost or disillusioned in the winter. Live in the winter of your life. Enjoy the life you’ve been given. Take time to enjoy and savor slowly, even the hard things. Don’t be afraid. If the season you’re in is currently winter, don’t worry; the spring will come. Even if you’re in despair, wondering why in the world you keep making so many mistakes or why so many disappointments and hurts are coming your way, I pray that you would find hope in knowing that it is not forever. There is a reason for every season, and I truly believe peace can be found in seeking God.

Bloom, my friends! Have you ever seen crocuses poking up through the snow? I once saw those beautiful purple flowers in person. They bloom early, unafraid of the lingering chill in the air. Don’t wait til the winter is over to bloom with what drives you inside. And please enjoy the gifts God has given you even if you have a little snow and ice on the way!

What are your thoughts? Do you agree? Have you thought about these ideas before? What’s your favorite quote pic? Isn’t winter just as meaningful as spring? Comment below #fellowseasonlover if you agree! 😉

Have a lovely day, everyone! Thank God for the winter we had, then get out and enjoy that spring! 🤗🤣

What Are You Taking In? (Part Two: Role Models)

February 8, 2022February 8, 20226 Comments

Hello all! Welcome back to the “What Are You Taking In?” series! Today, we’re covering role models, and their affect on our lives. (To see the previous post in the series, see What Are You Taking In? (Part One: Music))

The other day, I randomly decided to write down the women in my life that I see as role models. I wrote the first two on my mind; the first one has consistently inspired me on a daily basis, because she’s literally Superwoman and can do ANYTHING! The second woman had just recently inspired me, and I realized that although she never flaunts her abilities or skills, she has always been one of the most godly and capable women I know. So, I wrote down these two women.

But almost before I realized it, I was writing down the names of every other woman in my mom’s regular hangout group, shocked to realize that ALL these beautiful women have amazing qualities, godly characters, and are models of how I’d like to grow up and become!

Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com

And the reason that I was so shocked, was because I have taken these women for granted. But I have been so SO blessed to have these women in my life – I can hardly believe that they are in MY little world, going about THEIR business in the LORD’S way, shining THEIR example onto my life and demonstrating what its like to be a woman of God …

I am so completely overwhelmed by the blessing of the example of these women, and their generous, encouraging relationship with me.

Who is a role model?

“[A role model is …] a person whose behavior in a particular role is imitated by others.”
– Merriam Webster Dictionary Online, (definition of role model).

Its fascinating to see how a person’s character stems from their influences of others. When someone admires another person and spends time thinking about or interacting with that person, often they will come to imitate this “model”, by taking on their personality traits, opinions, or ways of thinking.

Role models can be highly motivating. Seeing the success or accomplishments of someone else helps us to think “I can do that too!” These days, its easier than ever to know about the successful people whose career paths and life decisions we’d like to model. However, sometimes the financially successful could be morally or spiritually corrupt, and I’m afraid that my experience with other teens is what has inspired this particular post …

For an example from my own life … I have a love for the people of God. I love getting together with them for some good worship and bible study sessions. And within that group of people are several who are so inspiring in the way they’ve decided to live for God, and set apart their lives for His purposes. Sometimes, I catch myself imitating the personality traits of the people I respect: not because I’m trying to laugh like he does or speak like she does, but because I’ve spent time and thought on their example.

Unfortunately, it seems that not every role model is a good one. (Shocker, right?)

What makes someone a “good” role model?

Their areas of specialty align with the same basic points of your personal convictions.
They speak with care, wisdom, knowledge, and confidence.
They act in a way that lines up with what they say.

Many singers and businesspeople and politicians and authors, all those with a huge influence on the world, are not only spreading their financial or business-related assistance to the world, but are also affecting the personal thoughts and convictions of young people (and old people too, for that matter!) that they’ve never even met.

I don’t think the average teen even realizes this. They’re certainly not thinking, when they get interested in, say, listening to secular pop, “Well, after about a year of listening to this music, keeping up the news about the best singers, and imitating their fashion and personality, I’ll be almost ready to take on their spiritual beliefs as well.” No: imitation, although it may be the sincerest form of flattery, doesn’t happen overnight, and it sneaks up on you.

Now, its not necessarily the presence of something secular in your life, that can cause you to become weak in your faith; in my opinion, it will tend to happen when there is an absence of the elements that grow your faith. Let me give an example …

Without water, a (normal) tree will shrivel and die. You can throw confetti, wind, and minor hail at the tree, but as long as its getting its water and sunshine and soil nutrients, it will do just fine. However, if that’s taken away, its easier for the tree to succumb to the pressure of all the other elements, the affect of which has grown immensely since the nourishment is gone. It shows just how important that spiritual nourishment really is.

So, just as the effects of listening to music which does not align with your personal beliefs, (as mentioned in the previous post in this series), so can you be affected by learning about, “interacting” with, and unconsciously being influenced by people whose lives evidence no knowledge of or desire for the truth. This is so dangerous, because something we don’t often realize, is that we change very easily, based on where we are and who we allow to influence us. If we’re strong enough to stand up to peer pressure, we may escape the secular school environment unscathed, but its hard to be different. If we’re independent enough, we won’t need to strive to be friends with those who will slowly break down our convictions, but its hard to be alone.

Its also hard to be “sheltered” and seen as “the naïve one” … but I can tell you, it sure beats knowing what the other girls giggle and whisper about on their cell phones!

We need to really dig deep down and think “Is this role model a godly example?”

We need to really stop and consider, “Are my actions reflecting secular morals?”

We need to really study the Word so we know the answer when we ask, “Is my faith getting weaker as a result of this influence, or is it being encouraged and nourished?”

We don’t have to be influenced by people we wouldn’t want to become.

I think its so important not only to look for and recognize role models in the popular media, but also the ones that we’re so close to that we almost miss; the believers at Bible study, the friends at school or sports, the pen-pal-ers and emailers that genuinely care about us, our siblings and parents and grandparents; these people have character and have learned so much in their own life. We have a lot to learn from people like them, and we don’t have to look to the magazines to find an inspiring figure to emulate.

So, in closing, I want to mention these woman who have inspired me so much. Thank you, to all of you who I consider role models for treating me like one of your own friends, encouraging and loving me, and for spreading your virtuous example to me and other young ladies. I love you all so much and am so blessed to have you in my life.

P.S. Thank you all for reading, and tell me; who do you think young people revere, that we ought not to revere? Which kind of people are your role models, and which people can no longer be? Let me know your thoughts!

What Is An Inspiration Board …. Truly?

January 9, 202212 Comments

Hey everyone! I hope you’re all doing amazingly! Let me know what’s new with you all, down in the comments! 🤗

Before we get into this post, I just want to give a shoutout to my friend Rachel, at Joyful Creations! She just began an awesome podcast and has several episodes up already! I highly recommend Rachel’s podcast; she’s well-spoken and insightful, and passionate to share about her faith and the way she lives out her faith. I’m excited to see her future episodes! (Find Rachel’s launch post on her blog here!)

Now, let’s proceed with the post! 🤗

Earlier in 2021, I found myself on a quest to design the perfect inspiration board. I did a bit of research, scattered craft paper and magazine clippings across my bedroom floor, and proceeded to make the most cluttered, mishmash poster conceivable! It was so much fun, but I soon decided to go for something a little simpler!

Why are we so attracted to the “Vision Board” or “Inspiration Board” idea? We like to think that we can be inspired to do great things, just by looking at a picture. Its quick. Its easy. And, for aesthetic purposes, we like to think that it can be beautiful too. These are the assumptions, for those looking on Pinterest or at other’s vision board projects; that we too, can be productive with our vision board.

But how many times does this strategy fail? I would suggest that it fails more often than it succeeds. With the pretty pictures, pretty handwriting, cute little list of goals, and other little notes on the infamous wall-mounted rectangle, we can slowly become used to and disillusioned with what used to be our favorite project.

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com

How can we create an inspiring vision board with quotes, goals, and beauty? The answer is, most of the time, we can’t.

We could, if quotes, goals, and beauty were the essence of our lives. But they’re not.

Our lives are not always raindrops and bokeh and waterfalls. We’re not always smiling, hair perfectly pinned up, fashionable scarf positioned just right. We don’t always feel like writing assignments, working out, or cooking supper. And forget about always being inspired to do chores!

We get uninspired. We get sad. We get disappointed when we don’t see progress, and consider giving up on our goals. We get tired. We fall down. And sometimes, it feels like too much work to get back up again.

That’s why our inspiration boards have to be more powerful than our own desires. That’s why we can’t rely solely on our inspiration boards to give us inspiration when we don’t feel like pushing the pedal to the floor.

Our inspiration has to be so powerful that it makes us do what we don’t want to, when we don’t want to, knowing that its for the best. Knowing that afterward, we will feel energized and motivated and pushed to accomplish what we predetermined to do, because it is good.

So, for the believer in inspiration, how can we craft a meaningful, truly inspiring vision board? (Which also fulfills the “beautiful” criteria?) It has a lot to do with how we see the vision board.

If we see the vision board as a crutch to help us up when we fall down, it isn’t going to be a very dependable crutch! But if, when we look at it, seeking motivation, if we remember what it signifies, perhaps we will do better.

An inspiration board signifies hope, hard work, and happiness. It signifies power, perseverance, and perfection. It signifies faith, fitness, and firm foundations. And while we may never fully embody some of these traits, they certainly form a worthy goal, and at the very root of it all lies one truth;

“An inspiration board does not inspire you to be something you’re not. It reminds you to stay true to who you are.”

So who are you? Who do you want to be?

Are you a hard worker? Are you a committed believer? Do you call yourself a child of God?

Then stay true to that. Stay true to what matters.

And then, when you fall, you will be more motivated than a simple glance at a pretty collage could accomplish. You will recognize that regardless of your feelings in the present moment, you must stay true to who you are and what you love, and the God who gave you strength to fight for the Truth.

(I hope you all enjoyed this post and found some gems to take home! Let me know what you think! Also, stay tuned for the next post; How To Craft And Design A Vision Board!)

What Are You Taking In? (Part One: Music)

December 10, 202117 Comments

Today, music is a HUGE part of our culture, especially for teens and young people, whose opinions and styles are shaped by our perception of the world around us. We listen to music all the time; in the car, while studying and writing, while doing chores, in the checkout line, while working out, in worship services, and simply because we want to. Some of the most famous celebrities, the most publicly beautiful, efficient, successful, and adored people in the world, are singers, songwriters, musicians. We are bombarded with music all the time – if not listening to it, reading about it; if not reading about it, talking about it; if not talking about it, thinking about it; and no matter what people say, no matter how much your Christian friends will tell you “well, it’s just because it has a cool tune!” … we ARE taking in the messages behind the music.

It’s a war on our ears, a war for our hearts, and a war for our minds. So many don’t realize that the music they listen to is tearing down their morals. The secular music that is most popular today is popular for a reason; that secular people like listening to it. It represents secular morals. Why should it have any place in a believer’s life?

Photo by Sebastian Voortman on Pexels.com

As a singer, I sympathize with those who sing all sorts of songs to improve their voice. I plan on taking voice lessons someday, and may be advised to sing certain songs written with a secular outlook. And I am not saying that every secular, not-specifically-christian song is off-limits.

But why must my so-called “Christian” teenage contemporaries sing music with seductive, hate-filled, or irresponsible lyrics? When their only defence is “Well, the tune is cool”, you can clearly see; teenagers of today have traded their respect of morality and purity, in exchange for the pleasure of the ears.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
1 John 2:15-17, NKJV

John’s wisdom is strikingly applicable.

Teens think, “I can give up music whenever I want.” I agree. But I want to ask them, “When will you give it up? When will you ‘want’ to purify your tastes?”

What did John say just before this exhortation?

“I write to you, little children,
Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
¹³I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father.
¹⁴I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one.
1 John 2: 12-14

As young men and women who seek to become like little children, my readers, we know that our sins are forgiven, we can know the Father, and we can overcome the wicked one. We are strong in the Word when we stay in the Word, both the written Word and the Word made flesh.

So why do we grow comfortable in sitting on the couch of Complacency beside the Wicked One, playing the Stereo of Fleshly Lusts, and shutting our ears to the Word of God?

Because we have not been challenged, and we have not challenged ourselves, to seek anything else but complacency, compliance, and conformity to the world.

We, you, me, as believers, cannot profess faith and the desire to grow nearer to the Father when we daily absorb ourselves in messages and words that directly contradict the lessons He longs to teach us. It’s nearly impossible for Him to teach us those vital life lessons, because we’re drowning Him out with earthly clatter.

But did I mention that the impossible is God’s favorite situation for salvation? He can use others to reach through the noise drowning Him out and tug you into a quieter part of the room. Those who listen to the whispers of the Spirit can leave the Impurity Party to get conscious about their lives.

So please don’t leave this post thinking, “Well, I should make sure that the music I listen to is godly and uplifting.” I want to challenge you all to search your hearts and deep-clean your lives, not just your musical palate. Living a godly life is so much more than the face value influences we have – its also important in habits, education, and so much else! It’s so much more than just music; but big life changes begin with little life changes, and dealing with the little weeds first is easier than trying to pull out the massive hulking plants.

And please don’t leave this post dismayed that by embracing God-honoring lyrics and artists you’ll end up deprived of talent and variety. Music within the Christ-like culture is very diverse, and it is wonderful in its diversity! There are all kinds of music with positive and uplifting messages, and some that can even aid our spiritual growth. Music is beautiful and powerful – but let’s seek to take in good, and not evil; purity instead of conformity to the world.

Please Note: This post is not targeted. I began writing it with an acquaintance in mind, but not any of you here on the WordPress community, promise! 🤗

Autumn Musings; Followed by Music, Life, & New Goals!

October 14, 202112 Comments

Hello everyone! I hope you’re all doing well! What are your future plans; special days, special get-togethers with others, and activities you’re stoked to try? Let me know below, friends!

The end of summer has filled the beginning of autumn with a flurry of preparations! For some reason, our family has been super busy this autumn, so school had to take to the back burner for a couple weeks; although, for a couple days, I managed to get done quite a bit before the busy part of fall!

Autumn is such a gorgeous season; especially in the Pinterest photos! 😉 I only wish that my backyard could always contain the idyllic autumn-themed black iron-wrought lamp-posts, red brick walls, orange and yellow and red and burnished umber leaves, and pumpkin arrangements among the burlap and twinkling fairy lights! Out in nature, the autumn is majestic – the bright colors speak for themselves without a pruner or gardener to maintain during its short-lived flight towards winter’s approach.

Autumn may be able to share its glory with us without much effort – the season does the work for us! But what about when the transformation requires a bit more dirty work?

Take home improvement and upkeep, for example. Washing windows, scraping off peeling paint, and making repairs are all part of maintaining a house in condition to weather the approaching seasons. When finished, the work is beautiful. It’s noticeably so much better than before.

What about ourselves? Are you feeling confident in your ability to “get back into the swing” again? Or has school and academic pressure overwhelmed you like a sudden tsunami? Maybe you’re disappointed in yourself for how much you seem to have “lost touch” with your school routine, or feel sad to be “behind” in school, even if nobody else cares.

But don’t be discouraged. Yes, we’ve fallen, slipping as we attempt to scramble up the slope of our own expectations. Yes, we’ve failed, though it may be ever so minute, or seem so to others from the outside looking in. Yes, although nobody really knows how you feel or how much you’ve beat yourself up over your apparent shortcomings; there is hope.

A little bit of trimming here, a splash of paint and a dab of water to wipe clean the little stains, a whole lot of good honest effort; and you’ll get it again. Your habits and abilities will come back. You can do it.

We can “autumn clean” for the school year, pick up these responsibilities, and honor God through it all. Don’t give up; it should be an honor to work hard for the King.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
~ Colossians 3:23-24, NKJV

In this beautiful and fresh season of autumn, I want to encourage you all to take a deep breath. Exhale. Close your eyes. Take a sip of water. Glorify God with the breaths you take of the Breath He gave you. And don’t sweat the pressure, because that’s exactly where your enemies want you. Take care of yourself, friend! Enjoy the opportunities, even if they’re stressful. Instead of falling into temptations or time-wasters, find an accountability partner *ahem .. parent* to keep you steady and on track with your school, especially if you’re homeschooled and self-taught. And instead of worrying about your grades or that tough assignment, laugh in the face of those who think you can’t do it. Eat tough assignments for breakfast. In the colloquial sense, of course. 🤣

I just want to encourage you that no matter how behind, how inadequate, how dumb or busy you feel, YOU. CAN. DO. IT!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
~ Philippians 4:13, NKJV

Because my life is so interesting (bows to my fans), I’ve put together a list of some of my recent favorites in a short attempt at reconciliation for being gone from the blog for so long! I hope you all enjoy the following thoughts and short bursts of hilarity from my recent life!

Moments:

Getting told I’m a blonde, getting asked if I’ve ever heard of blonde jokes, and then getting laughed at when I said I’d never understood them. XD
Stealing a friend’s whistle on a backpacking trip, and leaving clues around our campsite for him to find!
My mom and I talking about how tired we both were, then her telling me the only difference between her and I was that I stunk! (Background: I had just returned from the said backpacking trip in the previous bullet point. So yes; stinky teenager. XD)
Some great conversations and personal realizations. Tough times make for tough people. 💪
Making coconut flour cookies, a recipe of my own design, and getting the shock of my life when my Dad, the pickiest culinary expert in our house, told me they were good!

Music

My friend Laurel Jean at laurel-jean.com just made a music swap post that was so fun I thought I’d share my many recent favorites in a post of my own! I hope you all enjoy listening to my recommendations – they’re all perfectly clean and family friendly! (I haven’t listened to all recently, but they’re all dearly beloved by yours truly!) Please forgive the repetitiveness of the artists … I know, I’m stuck in the genre of Christian pop! 🤣 If you have a favorite song that gets you really bubbly and energetic, let me know! 😉

“Dead Man Walking”, Jeremy Camp
“Control”, For King and Country (Somehow, this one always makes it onto my list of favorites! XD)
“Healing”, Riley Clemmons
“Until Grace”, Tauren Wells
“Defender”, Jeremy Camp (SOOOO GOOOOD!!!)
“This Could Change Everything”, Francesca Battistelli
“Known”, Tauren Wells
“Godsend”, Riley Clemmons
“God’s Not Done With You”, Tauren Wells

Favorite posts:

Honey Frosting!! (From ‘Me, Myself, and Lambie’)
Music Swap (From laurel-jean.com)
Fall outfit ideas (from the stripedplaid.com)
Two homemade spice recipes: Apple and Pumpkin, both from one of my favorite baking blogs, LittleSweetBaker.com
Such great advice in a life update post, by Amber from ‘Dancing For The Holy One’
Beautiful autumn aesthetic in yet another post by Amber!

Goals for Autumn (and the new school year!)

Go hiking
Bake a pie
Begin school – which I’ve already done!!!! (Come on! I know it IS stressful, but surely I’m not the only one who’s excited!! 🤣)
Watch some OLD movies as school assignments … should be fun!
Spend as much time outside as I can!
Listen to great music while driving (The best combo ever! 👏)

Well, guys, I’m swamped with such amazing blog post ideas but not enough time to write them! About seven pretty cool drafts sit unfinished and unedited in my drafts box, waiting for a time when I and my proofreader are a little less busy! 😅 I’ve received some great encouragement that’s helped me to feel wanted on the blogosphere, by some sweet friends! I hope y’all will forgive me, and thank you to all who have chatted with me during my absence!

I hope you are all doing well, and, as I said at the beginning of the post, please feel free to let me know what you’re up to! And what – tell me, do – what is your favorite fall baking recipe? (By the way, my proofreader *ahem, AKA my mom* wants to know what y’all’s favorite pumpkin recipe is! 🤣) Have a great week!

Motivation To Help You Stay Strong Through The Rest Of The School Year!

May 3, 202116 Comments

“Hail, the end of the school year! All salute!!”

I am so excited for spring and summer! As the snow melts into the ground, I am inwardly bouncing around just thinking about wind in the trees, sun on my back … yep, this is the good life!

One thing is a little difficult … coming back to earth to think about school, and finishing up the grade! Most of us are going to take a summer break, and for those of us who are, it can seem like that break is sure a long time in coming! But there are a few things that we young people can keep in mind when eagerly anticipating the end of the school year.

It’s not just about finishing up school. There is a lot more to it than that. Just think about it … why are pretty much all of us are getting a little demotivated with school or feeling overwhelmed with the amount of end-term work we have?

Because the issue is not only external – what we are struggling with is PERSEVERANCE.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”
Hebrews 12:1

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Romans 5:3-4

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
James 1:2-4

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
2 Peter 1:5-7

So, although you might have thought that this whole motivation thing was only about school, it’s not. Its also about perseverance – finishing what we’ve started – running the race set before us – building character – and “faithing it” throughout life.

So, let’s have perseverance.

Let’s remember to live FULLY.

We’ve committed to this school year – let’s finish it strong!

Our parents are counting on us – let’s make them proud!

Some of us are graduating this year – make this a month that YOU are proud of!

And most of all, let’s make God proud!! Let’s show Him how grateful we are for the blessing of education, by making the most of every moment we have (even if it is a difficult subject or topic!) Let’s not drag simply because our stagnant natures want to slack. Let’s motivate ourselves! We can do this!

And finally, as one of my friends says …

“You can do it! You can do it! You can do it! You can do it!” (By the way, you CAN! 😉)

(Disclaimer: None of these pictures are mine. All credit to creators and owners.😊)

I hope these quotes and my words inspired you to keep going strong throughout the next month or two of school! What are all of y’all doing for summer break?

I Have Finished! And Yet, I’ve Only Just Begun …

April 7, 202114 Comments

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

I thought it would take me forever, but I have finished.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

9 months have passed, and hours and hours, but finally, I have finished.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Thanks be to God for His Word, the water of life!

“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

I began reading the Bible in fuzzy story-book form in my toddler years, but last summer I began to read the Bible all the way through, from beginning to end. My parents encouraged me to, and my brother and friends inspired me along the way, and just today I read the last words of the book of Revelations and thought about how far I’ve come.

I’ve surrendered my future, my desires, my life.
I’ve grown to love reading and studying the Bible.
I’ve come to understand my own faith, on so many different levels.
I’ve been able to share my faith, as a result of increased confidence.
I’ve grown in character, which has always been my heartfelt desire.

As I traveled through the beginning of the Bible, I relished learning all the back story, the history, the “frame” for my faith. The Old Testament is considered boring by some people, but for me its rich and meaningful, always giving shadowy glimpses of the future in Christ. When I reached the four gospels, I was beyond excited to read about Jesus and see all the amazing parallels I had read about in the beginning of the Bible.

It all fits together, like a puzzle, and I have finished the puzzle for the first time. You know how you sit there in awe, after finishing a 5’000 piece puzzle, wondering at the hugeness and the complexity of it? You know that puzzle like the back of your hand. You’ve studied every piece. But all together, its beautiful.

It’s breathtaking.

But as soon as you finish it, it’s time to take it apart. But then after taking it apart, why not build it again? And again? Now that I’ve finished the Bible, I know I HAVE to read it again. And again. And again. To keep on building that 5’000 piece puzzle, until the edges are scuffed and the colors have faded. But the puzzle will still fit together.

It’s perfect.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

The sword of the Word of God has pierced my soul. Nothing can pull it out. Nothing will ever release the hold it has on my heart. It’s changed me and my preconceived indoctrination of what I thought life was, and I know that it will continue to change me.

Can I say something?

I want you to study the Word with all your heart. I want you to begin at the beginning. I want you to discover truth. I want this for you.

But it will be hard.

And YOU have to want it. YOU have to make the choice.

So I’ll just tell you that if you decide to read the Bible, it will change you. Because the Word of God is living and active, sharper than a sword, convicting you.

Maybe you don’t want to change.

But what if that change gives you more happiness, fulfillment, and real life than you’ve ever experienced?

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

Womanhood (Part One)

April 3, 2021April 7, 20214 Comments

(Hey everyone! Here’s a post I originally published on my other blog, Wake up, Girls!. (View the original post here.) I wanted to post it here for my “Yah’s Girl” followers too, so I hope you enjoy!)

As a young teenager, I struggled with the concept of womanhood. When our Bible study group decided to study this topic, I was excited because I wanted to learn more about what I was supposed to become, how I was supposed to act, as a woman in Christ.

But after the meetings, I was so confused because of all the information coming from the people in the group. The verses we talked about were on submission, teaching, head coverings. Yes, I know it’s a sensitive topic and it’s good to know where you stand, but I think it was a lot for me to take in, as an inexperienced and a tiny-bit-immature-15-year-old.

What made it harder was that most of the people presenting their ideas were … the men. I didn’t see any women saying things about how they’d learned to take their identity from the Bible. I didn’t see any women sharing their wisdom with the others.

If you know me, you can see that this topic would be hard for me.

I love debate and freedom. I love the idea of living alone and being independent. I want to do dangerous and risky things, like walking fenceposts, kayaking down crazy rivers, and going on backpacking trips. I’ve even wanted to be a secret agent at one point!

I’ve had the image of the strong, independent woman in my head for my whole life. I wanted to be that kind of person.

But I wanted it for MYSELF. Not for the glory of God. For the glory, courage, and fame of MYSELF.

See? When you start with the heart of the matter you see what’s wrong. The defenses fall away. And you can see the truth.

See, what I realized was that men and women have different purposes. The purpose of the godly man is to be responsible for his family, wife, and children. To protect them. To love them. To lead them where God leads him. He can’t do that if his wife or daughter is constantly second-guessing his decisions or pulling at his hand to move him elsewhere.

And the purpose of women? I’ve learned that it is multifold – but I think the root of it all is to help. To help their parents, instead of tearing them down and making trouble. To comfort and encourage their friends with their troubles. Cook when Mom’s sick. Do the chores when Dad’s away. Babysit for a couple on a date. To help their husbands lead them in a godly way.

Instead of thinking of the men’s responsibility as an encumberment to our independence, why don’t we think of it as a blessing from God? Instead of thinking of our purpose to be helpmeets as a burden, why don’t we rejoice that we have the power to change and to move people? We woman can help people be the best they can be! We can encourage the men in our life instead of scoffing at their leadership!

Something that was really important for me to learn was this: That my Dad has my best interests at heart. In fact, at one point I didn’t believe this. I thought he was out to wreck my fun – maybe he wouldn’t ever let me move out. Maybe he’d never let me date the guy I liked. Maybe he’d never let me leave the province without him or Mom. I thought, “This sucks. Why does he have to be in charge of me for my entire life? Can I never make my own decisions?”

But stop a minute, old Makayla. I know my Dad. He loves God. He loves me. He wouldn’t want to hurt me. He wouldn’t do anything he didn’t truly believe in. He’s not out to wreck my fun. He’s out to protect me – to fulfill his God-given responsibility to take care of me, his baby girl.

When you think about it THAT way … it takes away all the skepticism and all I feel is gratefulness and love.

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So now we know what it DOESN’T mean to be a Godly Woman … what DOES it mean?

There are SO many facets to what it means to be a godly woman that I can’t fit all the concepts in this post! This will be part one of a series on Biblical Womanhood, and I’ll be incorporating the stories of Biblical women in the posts, to illustrate the qualities we can show in our lives today. I hope you’ll follow my blog or continue checking it out so we can journey through this womanhood series together!

“Yahweh, I pray that you would work through this series. Help all the women and teenage girls to know what your special purpose is for them, and to accept the purposes which you have given to men. Thank you for your principles of Biblical manhood and womanhood that we can follow. They are beautiful and desirable, not a burden or an encumberment. Help me as well, to know what to write, and continue to fill us with your words through Your Word. Please renew us all. In the name of your son Yeshua, Amen.”

I hope you all have an amazing day!

Makayla

(By the way, the Womanhood series will be continued on the other blog, Wake up, Girls! Head over and click the follow button to receive notifications for future posts!)