To Be Determined- By God

It took roughly 18 hours to start this new journey. [Nothing against Arkansas, but driving through that state was serious torture!] I am five days into it and am already feeling inpatient. Patience will always be something I struggle with, let's just be real about that!. I have been seeking and praying for some serious purpose while doing my best to remain patient in the journey. I know my purpose is in Fort Worth, doors have already started opening for me here! With constant reminders and encouragement from my best friends back home in Michigan to chill out and enjoy the excitement of this adventure, I have been doing just that. Exploring the area. Connecting with family and friends that I met last year. Figuring out the freeways and becoming serious best friends with my gps. Attending services at Gateway and Tree of Life and making new connections. Planting myself at some of my favorite coffee shops and job searching. Running along the river. And most of all getting used to the heat! 

In moments of loneliness I realize I am the only one who can fix the feeling of being alone. God will connect me with the right people but I have to be willing to put myself in the middle of people for that to happen. Being the new person is never something I have been great at. The work God has done in these past 9 months with my confidence and overall boldness allowed me to walk myself into Gateway's North Fort Worth campus last night and attend their young adult service. I jumped right in and started to connect myself with the amazing young adults there! When asked what brought me to Texas I just shortened my answer to, "God called me down here!" I was encouraged by each person I met and had an amazing night of worship on top of making new friends. I even met someone who was from Michigan, and yes he held up his hand to show me where he was from! Classic Michigander! I am finding comfort in each moment I am able to connect with someone and share a little piece of my story with them. It's making Texas seem a bit more like home. 

Faith over Fear

Last Thursday God spoke very clearly through an act of obedience from a powerhouse worshipper leader and one of my close friends.
"Fear. Fear is being broken."
That word was for me and I took it and ran with it. I was full of fear, which is hilariously ironic because I just tattooed 'faith over fear' on my body two weeks before that moment. Stop fooling yourself B and read your arm! I was fearful of finding a new job. No doors have been opening for me and the struggle was real during what I kept calling the 'job stretch.' I was fearful of leaving my family. I had plans to move out across town as soon as that job came. Moving and leaving the comfort of home was a fear. I was fearful of leaving friendships that had been built up on such real and vulnerable connections. All of this fear was clouding my vision and the true vision that God gave me last August that I eventually shared on this blog last year in December.
Somewhere between fear and emotions I lost track of the real call that God had for me. Doors weren't opening for me in Michigan because I am not supposed to be in Michigan right now. I went back to the beginning before the fear and emotions crept in and re-visited what God had first said to me. I love the grace of God and how sensitive He is to allowing us to see clearly that call He has for us. He allowed me to cloud my vision for only a short time and work it all out while watching and guarding me from a distance. Then right when I was willing to hear, God busted through those clouds and softened my heart. My softened heart allowed me to hear some clear words from some amazing people in my life.
Now more than ever I know the direction for my life and that direction will require a 16 hour road trip to Fort Worth, Texas. There are doors down there that God is ready to open for me but He can't open them if I am not obedient and go!
With all that being said, I am ready to get out of my own way and to fully obey. My bags are currently being packed. Get ready Fort Worth, B is invading the city... FRIDAY!

FAITH OVER FEAR! 

| Life Lately: Rooted [phone photos] |

Almost two months have gone by without a peep from me on this blog. A LOT has changed and happened within those two months. My life has been going a mile a minute and just now I am finding a pace that I can maintain. You can't go your whole life sprinting, your legs would look amazing but you are going to be completely exhausted! Life is about to change very soon and it has me filled with an anxious excitement!
In my last post I shared about my decision to remain in Michigan and not re-locate to Texas. God telling me to "get rooted" has been the phrase that has carried me through this faith testing journey during April and May. When you feel your faith start to shake, get rooted. Establish yourself & grow deeply!
That's what the past two months have consisted of, growing and rooting. Being intentional with friendships, securing family relationships, and gaining a confidence in ministry.
"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

March Favorites | 2015

Can you believe it's April already? I have no words to describe how great March was for me. Well ok, let me try. Amazing. Incredible. Life changing. Between my brother turing 24, getting planted at my church even more, seeing a friend perform her music and poetry, nights out downtown with my bff, and weekends spent with friends. March was the best! 

Also, something happened in March that I didn't expect. I decide that I am no longer going to move to Texas. God continues to say, "root yourself" to me over and over. It has been confirmed by an overwhelming sense of peace and by that word "root" showing up everywhere. I am so excited for God to keep moving in my life! It just goes to show that the more faith you put in Him, the more He can move in you [without actually having to move you]. With all of that being said, here's what I loved in March! 

Maybelline Master Conceal [30 light/medium]: I have been using this more as a brightener under my eyes and I like the effect it gives. I do notice that I do have to blend quite a bit to avoid any creasing though.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless: I have a love/hate relationship with this foundation. Sometimes I find that it dries me out and is too matte. Other times I get super oily. The reason it's in my favorites is because of the coverage, it gives amazing coverage! 

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads: Adding these to my skincare routine has added an extra boost of daily exfoliation and toning. They are very gentle and help to remove the excess makeup and dirt from the day. Using this in combination with the serum has helped my skin so much!

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Serum: This serum has been a game changer for my skin. I have been using it for over a month now and have notice my skin getting brighter and scars fading. It's on the pricey side but it's worth it! I have used 2 drops on my face each night for more than a month and have about 1/4 of the bottle still left! A little goes a long way! 

Gap So Pink: One of my go-to Spring scents. I love the floral and citrus notes, it's subtle and not overwhelming. 

Milani Baked Blush [Rose D'Oro]: This color is so gorgeous! I always find myself picking up a new milani baked blush when the seasons change. This is a perfect coral/pink that can be your everyday Spring shade. 

Essie Maximillian Strasse Her: I am aware that this was in my January favorites but it's just too good and I wore it a lot in March. I had to mention it again. This is a must have polish for any Essie fanatic out there! It is the perfect combination of a cool green and grey. Although sometimes on my skin it looks more blue. Whenever I have this on I always get people asking about the color!

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner [Eastend Snob]: This is a great lip liner that is a 'your lips but way way better' shade. For $4.99, you need this in your purse!

Sunday night movie nights are becoming a tradition! It might take us 4 best friends 30 minutes or more to decide what to watch but that is a part of the fun! 

What were some of your March favorites?