Wild, Curly Hair.

I have been on a hair growth journey. The picture above was taken around Christmastime; it's quite a bit longer now! My hair has always been short. 

In the past, I have attempted to grow it out, but all in vain. Not this time. :) 

My family is already telling me that it might be a good idea to get it thinned out...My Dad has made the comment, "It must be hot under there!" But I have decided that it's all a part of the journey. 

Growing my hair out has been a bit uncomfortable at times, for sure. You see, my hair is really thick and really curly. It responds to humidity by frizzing up, especially if I touch it a lot or if I haven't put enough product in it. 

I have only had the ends snipped once when they were beginning to split, and I had my Mom perform the procedure. :) 

Without any other hair cut taking place for the past few (or at least two) years, you can bet that my hair is sometimes shaped a little weird. If I were to pull on the end of a strand of hair, it would reach to about mid back; however, it bounces up to be about a 2-3 inches below my shoulders if I let the strand go. 

Lately, I have been trying this new hair routine. Steps:

1. I've been shampooing during every other shower, and conditioning during every shower.
2. I condition first and then put my hair into a bun. I then allow my hair to soak in the conditioner until I'm almost done showering. 
3. Before I finish up, I de-bun my hair and comb it with a wide-tooth comb. 
4. Next, I squeeze my hair to eliminate some of the water. I don't dry my hair with a towel. 
5. I apply Paul Mitchell's Sculpting Foam, Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioner, sometimes a curl cream, and lastly Ogx Argan Oil of Morocco Extra Penetrating Oil. 
6. I pin over my bangs which are growing out. (Yay!) 
7. I let it air dry. 
8. I then pineapple it and sleep on it. By the morning, I let my hair down, and it looks somewhat normal. :D
9. Side note: I also take a daily multivitamin and fish oil pills (when I remember to take them). 
10. Side note the second: I also try to get enough protein in my diet. I've read on some sites that eating enough protein will help your hair grow faster. 

Just a word of encouragement: Growing out hair will be a somewhat painful process! Just try to give yourself some grace, give it some time, and try your best to learn some stylish hairdos for each phase. I have been getting some great advice from the Hair Romance website here: http://www.hairromance.com. Whenever you feel like you want to have your hair cut, just remember why you first started growing it out and think of how amazing it will feel when it has finally grown to the length you want it to be! :) I really hope this helped my fellow thick-curly-haired peeps!

One of the Saddest Days of My Life.

Yesterday was one of the saddest days of my life because the U.S. Supreme Court proved to the world just how far away we, as a nation, have walked from God.

If you skip to about 6:12 of this song, you will hear exactly how I'm feeling about my country right now. Even though the song was written for England, it applies to the current situation.

The Magazine That Returned.

I really appreciate In Touch Ministries with Dr. Charles Stanley. I have learned much from him. I am also really loving the format of the new In Touch magazines. They are very "clean" in appearance and have been encouraging. I went to Kentucky with my parents a while back, and my Mom took the latest In Touch with her. This happened to be the first one we received in the new format.

When we came back from Kentucky, neither she nor I could find that magazine! It had vanished without a trace, and we both were very disappointed. I ended up emailing In Touch, explaining that we had lost our copy and that I would so appreciate it if they could send us another one. And someone from the office emailed me back saying that they would send it. Yay! 

A few days later, an envelope from In Touch came in the mail. Mom said, "Is this yours?" 

And I replied, "Yes, it's the new copy of In Touch!" 

Then she said, "Oh, it's empty! The magazine must have fallen out of the envelope!" 

And I sighed and was like, "For some reason, God does not want us to have this magazine!!" 

This all happened about a week or two ago. 

Last night, I was sitting in our library, working on some homework for my online class, when I happen to look over at my Dad's book and magazine stash. Now realize, this "stash" consists of a brown woven basket, a few folders of Bible study materials from past studies my Dad participated in, books and magazines (as I said before), and a little guitar that sits on top of this stuff. So I look over at this stash, and I see just the top portion of the cover of the magazine, hiding behind some books. 

You can imagine my excitement! :) 

I couldn't just not tease my Dad about this. This morning, I explained this whole story to him; and suffice it to say, he was very quiet. :) 

The end. Happy Friday!

Breathless Freedom.

Freedom: A state of exemption from the power or control of another; liberty (Webster, 1812)

Freedom is breathless. Freedom is knowing my worth in Jesus Christ. Freedom is saying what I mean and meaning what I say. Freedom is the ability to be spontaneous. Freedom is the ability to be flexible. Freedom is enjoying the moment despite what is coming and what has already come. Freedom is holding myself to a standard of grace and not of perfection. Freedom is throwing off the constraints with which I am born--the constraints of my sin and the sin all around me--and being at liberty to love Jesus Christ and knowing that He, indeed, loves me in return.

Freedom is only found in the Truth.

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free." (Galatians 5:1)

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free." (Romans 8:2)

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32)

"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

"...and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:32)

I love this quote from Charles R. Swindoll: "I've observed that the majority of believers need to be freed, not restrained." He also said, "I know of nothing more valuable, when it comes to the all-important virtue of authenticity, than simply being who you are."

I also love what Brennan Manning wrote: "There is a beautiful transparency to honest disciples who never wear false face and do not pretend to be anything but who they are."

In this life, with all of its ups and downs, I am resolved to be a free spirit, for Christ has made me free.