Same Vision New Path

Almost 19 years ago I was searching for something. Desperate to find myself and my purpose. What was I going to do with my life? When would I become more than I was? Waiting tables, working in bars, in and out of college classes. There had to be more. And then I found it! I enrolled in cosmetology school. Hoping that this would be the one thing I would stick with, the one thing I would actually complete. Within my first few hours of my very first day, I knew I had made the right decision! And less than a year later, I was a licensed cosmetologist! FINALLY! Something to be proud of! A certificate and a license with my name and picture on the wall! This was HUGE to me and my family! For the 4 years prior, my life was up and down. Where was I going? What was I doing? And yes I had made the choices that put me in that position, but I just hadn't found my niche. Until that day in 1997! 

Fast forward 18 years, I  can honestly say doing hair has truly been my passion. I have been able to not only help clients feel better about how they look, but have also shared special moments and  memories with them.  They have become friends and several like family! I remember years ago telling Jason "I love my job!" Because not once has it ever felt like a "job". I have been an independent hair stylist for 14 of those 18 years. Able to set my own schedule for my family and with the ability to work around my clients needs as well. Sharing those "first" moments; banquet hair for young teenagers, prom, weddings, and even helping to figure out their new style as they crossed over into that new world and title of Mommy. Those are moments I will ALWAYS treasure and cherish. 

Tuesday December 29th will be my last day. Early retirement if you will. It has definitely been a bittersweet decision. Jason and I have actually been praying and debating on this for a year now. Finally a few months ago, God made it clear what I was to do.  While a piece of my heart will always be with cosmetology, right now our family has been given an amazing opportunity in health and wellness these last 2 years to help others. We have been beyond blessed to get to see so many friends and family members begin to feel better physically and emotionally. While we are also feeling the best we have felt in years! Not only do we physically feel amazing, but now we also have the time freedom to travel with our boys across the nation as they race motocross! We are having so much fun as a family! We have replaced our income, are financially debt free and both of us are now "rewired".   I love and adore my clients so much, some of them have been with me since 1998! Remember how I said some are like family? ;) 

This blog post today is to let those special people know how much I love and appreciate each of them. Also to let others know that sometimes God changes your path to use you for more.  And when He does, that's ok! Be bendable, be flexible, be open, and most of all, be grateful! I never dreamed I could be passionate about something else, something different. I am no longer desperate or searching, and God is using us as a tool to help others. 

Beautiful

Let me first state that this post is in no way written to gain sympathy or compliments. But to celebrate in the freedom I have gained in Christ!!!

I have never considered myself pretty, NEVER. This is probably a result of mean kids in my past constantly telling me how ugly I was, and I know that this happens alot (not just to me). However, I bought the lie! I allowed Satan to have bondage over me in so many ways, and this was one of them!

There are 2 times in my life that I remember feeling pretty. The first was when I was 10 years old, and my mom had registered me in a Mini Miss Pageant. The second was on my wedding day. The first time was crushed when I was told I didn't win because I was so ugly, and there was no way I could ever be picked for anything like that. My wedding day however, still remains one of those times! :) I believed Satan's whispers anytime I tried out for a modeling something or other and didn't get it (you are just too ugly-you will never get picked for anything like this). Or when guys wouldn't stay with me (nobody wants you-so and so is so pretty-and look at you). I have shared my testimony on here before, and God just keeps adding to it!

Recently, my friend Kim with All About Pictures took some pictures of me (some for fun, and some for business purposes). When I first saw the pictures, I was shocked! I told her that her editing was amazing, because I didn't look like that in my mirror! Later that week however, I felt God whispering to me..."You are beautiful, you do look like this, you are my daughter, and I created you." WOW! Later, I had posted some of the pics on FB, and I was completely overwhelmed at the amount of unexpected comments! And again, I heard God whispering..."This is you, you are beautiful, everyday." Again WOW!

Tears were flowing this time, as I truly felt another huge brick of bondage lifted off of my chest! I cannot believe that I bought the lie! I didn't even realize that I had believed it for so long, but I really did. Every time I looked in the mirror, I just saw me-plain, ordinary, not pretty by any means. And, while I am so very sad that I allowed Satan to hold this over me for so very long, I am so excited now that not only do I know the truth, but that I truly believe it! I am beautiful! Inside and out! I can look in a mirror and say "I am pretty"!

I felt compelled to post this for others that may feel or have felt the same as I did. God loves you! He created you in His image! And he wants you to know Him! How amazingly awesome is that???!!!! I am so grateful everyday for what Christ did for me on the cross, and also for God continuously reminding me that He is here for me, that He loves me, and will NEVER leave me! I have always loved Psalm 139, but now I cling to it, as I encourage you to do the same! :)

So, thank you to Kim, for being a tool from God to help me crush one more lie! And thank you to my friend Tabitha for sharing words with me during this time that could only come from Him! I am blessed with amazing friends! Below are a couple of the pics: