Looking Through the Glass.....to beautiful SKIN!

Creamy White Roses

Obagi Products ~ Life Changer.......

Wouldn't we all love to have skin as beautiful and as smooth as the creamy roses above? Beauty, Health, and Wellness continue in this post because as we age, we hope to head off early signs of aging.  My previous post about the attention to skin~care that the beautiful Esther was given to enhance her physical appearance took place over months and years. Exposure to the sun depends upon where we live in the world.  Looking back in my life, I think I would have stayed out of the sun more and especially listened to the advice of dermatologist and heeded the advice regarding sunscreen to prevent damaging sun rays to my skin.  I did not go to a dermatologist back then because specialist were only for those who had the privlege to afford such a physician.  I would see the solar lentigines ~or age spots~ on my grandmothers and aunts but I thought those were for old people.  Fast forward a few years and I now understand that they begin forming early in our lives if we over expose our skin to the sun without protection.  Today, I slather on sunscreen daily in hope of preventing more spots. 

Two years ago, I arrived at a point in my life where skin care became important to me.  I wanted my skin to be healthy.  I was not concerned as much about the type of make-up or the shade of blush or the color of the foundation.  Those products can only go so far......underneath is the important part.  I discovered a lovely lady who had a beautiful French accent (wouldn't you know I would like this)  who specialized in helping women, men, and young adults understand the importance of healthy skin~care.  With her intense knowledge, she educated me on Obagi Products and I was hooked.  The wonderful part is that you only use a small dot of the product each day and the results are almost immediate.  Although I do not have perfect skin, I am grateful that my skin has improved and I have learned to protect and encourage others to do the same!

There are many products available for purchase, so select what works best for your budget.  I would say, less make up is better.  Drink water....lots of it!  If you can afford a facial, even if you feel it is a luxury afforded only to the rich, think again.  I see it as an investment in my overall health.  Perhaps you could do it once a season!

You could easily spend lots of bucks trying drug and department store creams until you find success but I am convinced that the investment in a good facial jumpstarts the process!

Like the previous post on Queen Esther......real beauty comes from within....no matter how hard we try, we can only cover up so much, then the real person comes through.  I don't know about you, but I want to be a real person.  Someone who sees the best in others, someone who cares about the lives of others, someone who desires to share in the happiness and joy of those around us. The Sacred Scriptures speak clearly in Romans 12:2, encouraging us "not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Today is a good day to get started!

Travel Size is a perfect way to begin!

HOME.....What is behind the door?

"A home is our intimate space where things are not necessarily seen by others or perfect but it is where we create our art, we go inward, we build our nest and family values, refresh our souls and spirits."

~Rachel Ashwell~

Beautiful Women.....

Three Beauties.......

There is nothing quite like the essence of a woman who is truly beautiful!  As someone interested in interior design, the room decorated with balance and beauty give a similar sense.  Today's designers in fashion and beauty follow in the foot steps of other noted designers who changed the world by their desire to make the world a more beautiful place.

Most women desire to be as lovely and as beautiful as possible.  Poise, grace, goodness, and modesty in dress and style keep a woman looking beautiful and elegant, even when no one else is looking. It seems what we place inside and outside (covering our body) is truly important.  Fashion changes daily or so it seems to me!  The hour glass figure does not last forever (no matter how hard we try) but the beautiful feminine nature is God-given and it is meant to last the entire duration of ones life.  God, by design, made woman a beautiful creature!

Over the past few days, my readings have taken me to the life of a beautiful woman, Esther.  Esther was an orphaned Jewess who became the Queen of the Persian King, Ahasuerus.  Her life was not always full of joy and honor but she was used by God to preserve His people from ruin.  Yes, God used Esther to save her people, the Jews.  Her story is found in the Old Testamant and during this period in history, palaces and courtyards were used for lavish entertaining.  The references speak of "white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turoquise, and white and black marble."  Esther 1:6  Any designer would enjoy this description of beauty.  It was just at this palace where Esther first found favor in the sight of all who saw her.

  "The young woman was lovely and beautiful."  Esther 2:7

God opened her destiny for a purpose, perhaps she did not fully understand but her spiritual commitment and her sense of perspective reflected the heart of true inward and outward beauty.  I find it interesting that she was also given beauty preparations and personal care. (We think of cosmetics of something as a current product line)  She was attended by a woman who was the custodian of women. (you know the counter expert at your favorite line of cosmetics :)  Perhaps this person attended her lovingly like a mother would in caring for a daughter.

I like to think that investments in our daughters and even our grandaughters contribute to their inward beauty.....this my friend is what makes a beautiful woman. Outside products can only go so far and then......... the fragance of a beautiful woman fills the room LONG AFTER SHE IS GONE.

There is a purpose for each life, your life!  A beautiful strong and lasting purpose will hopefully touch the ones who come behind you.....something to think about beautiful one!

"Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this."

Esther 4:14

Giving & Provision.....

 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you...."

James 4:8

The fall season reminds us of seedtime and harvest!  I love the fall colors and the rich hues of orange and brown in flowers and of course, the pumpkins in the fields!  The beauty of this season remind us that nothing in life remains the same.  Our lives change, circumstances change, our surroundings may change.....but we are reminded that God does not....Praise His Holy Name that He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow! 

It doesn't matter what our circumstances are, we can freely draw near to God and invite Him to work in our lives by His unlimited power within our limited circumstances and resources.  First, scripture teaches us to give something out of our need.  This is the kind of giving that involves faith.  When we give, this giving activates the miracle of the supply of God flowing back into our life.  Our giving causes something to happen according to God's eternal principals of seedtime and harvest.  As the season of fall continues to remind us of harvest, you and I can trust that God has something to multiply in all our lives....we first have to draw near and listen for His voice! 

 There is a beautiful true story in the Bible of a widow who lived in Zarephath, (on the Mediterranean coast in Phoenica) and gathered sticks for either cooking or warmth (we don't know).  But what we do know, is that the prophet Elijah on a journey, traveled there and asked her for a little water in a cup and some bread.  She told him she did not have bread only a little flour in a bin and a little oil in a jar that she had planned to use for herself and her son.  He listened to her and continued to ask her to prepare some bread for herself, her son, and him and shared with her a promise that the Lord God of Israel would not let her jar of oil run dry or the bin of flour would not be used up. For many days, she and her household ate from what was left after she shared.  She gave and God multipied an unfailing provision. 

I Kings 17:8~16

May love and joy and provision fill your home this beautiful season!

Decorating Talents.....of Shelly

Shelly's New York Apartment

Shelly's Savannah Apartment

Home is where the heart is.....or so they say!  Whenever I get the opportunity, anyone who knows me, knows that in a moments notice I can pack my bag and head to one of our adult children's homes!  I wish it were possible for me to do this more often but as their jobs and lives have led them to far away places, it now takes a little more notice and effort and planning.  It is still worth it though and of course, I am always ready to GO! I am hopeful it is a season and one day we will all live closer.....but for now, I am keeping that bag handy!

One of the many qualities I admire about my daughter, Shelly, is her ability to take what appears as "junk" and make something artistic and interesting from it!  I could listen to her for hours, even though she is a girl of few words, to her stories of finding something trashed on the curb in New York or Savannah or now Los Angeles and making it a "new" work of art! 

I could not resist sharing two photos above of two different apartments she has artistically decorated as her own homes.  They are truly jewels in which a pretty room has become even more beautiful as each piece of art or furniture is well placed like a "bouquet of flowers"!

Shelly has definite ideas about how to display pieces of furniture, photos, books and art.  She can even incorporate plants and nature and can always be counted upon to make grand impressions with anything green!

Influenced by her education in art throughout her life, she takes the most simple piece of furniture and places it in the most tasetful way! 

OCTOBER 2012 COVER

This month's issue of ELLE DECOR just arrived in my mailbox and the cover brought me back to Shelly's New York apartment, above....the color of the walls especially!  In fashion, in style, in decor......she is always ahead of the curve.  She was wearing vintage finds long before it became chic'......that is our Shelly!  So special and so loved!!!!

As a parent, we should always invest in creative outlets.  Personally, that is to me what sets a person apart in life....education can only take us so far and then the real soul of a person is drawn out from their life's experiences.  She is the child who saved her own money, traveled abroad with three changes of clothes and a few maps and brought back experiences which continue to shape her career and her life.  May I encourage you to think about your own creativity!  The dividends are remarkable always!  It is never to late to begin something new and creative unless you are not breathing!!!  Thank you, Shelly, for always sharing your life, your servants heart, and your educational pursuits with us!  Life is so fun because of you!

~Celebrating her LIFE on Montana Avenue~

~Jeremy and Shelly~

Happy Birthday.....Steven and Kacie

 Kacie Elizabeth

 The love and respect our kids have for one another fills me with awe!

Kara, Kacie, Dad, Shelly, Kristen, and Steven!

So much fun and laughter when they are all together!

 September is always a special month in our family because we have the joy of celebrating the birth's of two of our five children!  Steven's birthday is September 1 and Kacie was born on September 9th!  The joy these two have brought me personally and to our family is amazing!  Both of them are kind, beautiful, creative, musical, generous, funny, and bright!  They continue to amaze me with their lives and their contributions to the lives of their family and friends! 

I celebrate them both and pray that their lives continue to be blessed with good health in body, mind, and spirit!  Happy Birthday Kacie Elizabeth and Steven Konrad!  You are loved with an everlasting love!

Steven....his love for music and his talents continue to inspire me!

A Mother's Legacy.....

 A Mom has many treasured moments but nothing more special than the day of a child's wedding day!  Rarely do I put photos up of myself, but the joy I felt on this day is one  to pass along to you!  What a joy to encourage our children to be united through the covenant of marriage, passing on a legacy of faith in Christ!

Yes, I am enjoying these years too.....my husband is still my best friend....one of our blessings is praying for our children, grandchildren, and other family and friends we are blessed to know.

I still feel very young!  Perhaps it is because nutrition and fitness are a good part of my life and I still enjoy a routine that involves health in body, mind, and spirit.  Lately, my thoughts have been about how the "years" go by so quickly in our lives! For me, these are positive thoughts because so much is continually going on in my life.  I stay very busy with our family and our exteneded families of Steve's Mom and my parents and others who we love lending a hand to, when called upon in need.  When we're young (in age), our lives are filled with the physical needs of life.  Our pursuits such as education, jobs, church and social activities, travel take up much of our time.  If we've been blessed to fall in love and find happiness in creating a home, then many times our next focus most often becomes the children recieved as gifts in our home.  Even a single Mom or Dad, experiences the same desires.  Life isn't the same for each person but WHO we trust with our lives is the same, if our lives are centered in the Lord.

The legacy I hope to leave my children involves many dimensions.  I want to give physical things that have been sentimental to me, such as antiques, jewelry, and items passed on to me by my grandmothers and others in our family.  These are treasures for sure, but the greatest treasure that I have to pass on is my faith in Christ. I am praying each day, my children, now all adults, my grandchildren  and other believing men and women I know who are cheerfully impacting their own children will be encouraged and blessed for their service to their families each and every day!!!  What a joy to be a mother or father passing on the legacy of faith through serving the family.  

Our choices greatly influence those who follow us. When our babies are born, it is a chance for renewal as we thank God for the beautiful child He has given.  We pray for wisdom to know how to take care of him or her and we also ask for wisdom to help honor God as we raise them.  The daily choices, as I said, that we make for the rest of our lives are going to affect our children.  Work is a part of life and that is a good thing to be industrious and fulfilled, but our spiritual mothering at all stages of life can continue to be a major focus of time, energy and life!  Passing on our trust and love for our Heavenly Father can always be available to others.

Below are some passages that have blessed me and my husband throughout our parenting years!  I hope they will bless you too as we wind down our summer and begin to look into a new season......fall!  Enjoy each day my friend....what gift!

Cherish Your Children

Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.  ~  Psalm 127:3~5

Bless Your Children, and Envision Their Future

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.  And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.  Amen.  ~  Luke 24:50~53

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them.  He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him.

Genesis 49:28

Guiding Your Children

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in your heart:  And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.  And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.  And you write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:6~8