Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful women

It has taken me a really long time to post this last Project 31 post because I have been deciding what to say and share. When I think of my dreams and goals as a beautiful women I have a hard time deciding what they honestly are. Most of my dreams and goals I keep tucked away in the secret places of my heart and take them out to look at them when I'm feeling blue. Sometimes I catalog them in my mind and forget that they are even there. These dreams that haven't seen the light of day are my forgotten treasures.

My grandmother always told me to have a 5 year plan. I always wondered to myself "how can I even plan for 5 years from now?" Now I know the "planning" bit isn't what's important, what's important is to have goals that you want to accomplish. Goals that you keep constantly fresh in your mind to motivate your choices and decisions in a way that will propel you into your dreams. I so often find myself so swept up in the moment and so easily forget what I really need to be working for. I feel like this is a constant test, one I know I will experience all through life. I will fall flat on my face, I will make mistakes, but I will learn again and again to refocus on the goals and dreams God has placed in my heart. Through this refocusing I will learn to work hard daily to accomplish the will of the Father

I wrote this 5 year list of goals (which I need to add to) last December. It's exciting to look at it and realize I am already accomplishing some of my goals. These are just a snippet of the short term goals God has placed in my heart for this new season in my life.

There, Project 31 is over for me!
I can't believe I worked through this entire list!

THE LIST:

Day 1. What does beauty mean to you?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?
Day 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Jaded beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 7. Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.
Day 16. Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what beauty means.
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. Describe your personality.
Day 19. Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write a letter to your husband to encourage him (or if you are single- your future husband.)
Day 22. What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 23. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
Day 24. What is Jesus teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Write about "a day in the life of me." (Pics are great!)
Day 30. Who is your role model as a woman?
Day 31. Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!

I want to end this post by saying how grateful I am for Project 31! Thank you Mandy for creating this inspiring project! This blogging journey has been so wonderful! I have learned a lot about myself and been so encouraged by the online community of faith based women! Thanks to each and everyone of you who has left a kind comment on my blog! Your words of encouragement have meant the world to me!

P.S. My lovely friend Alyssa has offered to host a giveaway on my blog when I get to 50 followers!

Who is your role model as a women?

Mother Teresa

She did things no one thought she should do, or could do.
Peoples' opinions of her never stopped her from accomplishing the tasks God called her to.
She gave up everything to serve the poorest of the poor in response to the calling of the Lord.
She never gave up.
She is the ultimate servant leader.

I didn't know to much about Mother Teresa until I watched this movie which reenacts her years of ministry. Watch it! It's amazing! This inspirational film lead me to read many books about this beautiful women. As I learned more about her I realized that Mother Teresa zoned out any hint of a worldly mindset and chose to see the world in black and white. She made things simple by realizing Jesus is all that is worth living for. She sought to teach people that loving others in the name of Jesus is what we are all called to do as followers of the living God. There are no exceptions. Her persistence and faith are a beautiful testimony of the relationship between God and a women, and the amazing things He can accomplish through those who are faithfully sold out for Him.

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world."
~ Mother Teresa

Write about "a day in the life of me."

My day normally starts out with waking up to a sweet text or message from my boy and making myself a healthy morning drink.

I then spend a portion of the morning blogging and sometimes going on a run with my sister.
After I work on some random projects and have lunch I jump in my car and head to work.

The rest of my afternoon and early evening is spent being the nanny for two little munchkins. We play, we color, we have fun and they say the cutest things.




After feeding and bathing those sweet kiddos I head home.


I spend time with my family, sometimes watch a movie and wind down from my day by talking and praying with my boy. Then I say goodnight to the world and rest up to do it all again the next day!

Write about you insecurities as a women

I have so very many insecurities as a women.
I think the greatest of these being the fact that sometimes I don't feel like I look perfect enough in this artificial world. For years I was told by my peers, my surroundings and even the adults in my life that I had to look perfect, wear the right clothes, have the right bust size and the right hair or eye color to have worth.

I at first I was so angry at everyone for making me feel like that. For degrading me. But then I realized that what each individual person thought of me didn't matter. What I thought of myself affected me, but in the end didn't matter. What mattered was what God thought of me. His is the only opinion and view of me is eternal everything else will pass away. The truth is He created me, He loves me and He will always want the best for me. His is the only opinion that will ever really matter, today, tomorrow and forever. When I realized this, I realized all my insecurities were merely crippling me from living fully to accomplish the will of the Father.

Bye bye insecurities. Hello Jesus Christ.

This is not to say that I don't still have a butt load of insecurities, but merely to say that Jesus is the answer to overcoming them. When I am focused on His goodness and serving Him wholeheartedly there is no room left for me to feel insecure.
Praise the Lord!

Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!

To My Dearest Mum,

You are the strongest woman I know. You love your children like crazy. You are always putting us first and trying to make our lives better. You are an amazing cook and a fantastic hostess. Thanks for always keeping it together and staying on top of our activities.

You have taught me to be realistic. You have taught me to be strong. you have created an environment for me in which I have been able to grow and flourish. Thanks for never hesitating to buy me art supplies or encouraging me with big projects (coughpromdresscough). Thanks for telling me hard stuff even though I hate hearing it and for keeping me accountable. You know even when I sulk I am taking in your wisdom. I really can't escape it. Thanks for making me wonderful handmade gifts. Thank you for homeschooling me even though I was a pain the the booty. Thanks for nurturing my very free spirited personality.

All those dreams you have of living off the land and being a full time artist, well those are the best. Don't think you can't have them cause you CAN. I am 100% sure one day God is going to give you all of the desires of your heart! I see you work so hard everyday to make your family happy. Don't ever give up Mum! I love you so much and I think you are the greatest!

I love you!
I am your biggest fan!
And when I live in California you can always crash at my place!

xoxo your baby girl

What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?

I hope one day my grandchildren will be able to say,
that I loved Jesus,
that I worked hard in life,
that I put others first,
that I forgave quickly,
that I loved well,
that I was never harsh but always spoke in a gentle voice,
that I remembered their birthdays and got them magical gifts,
that I took them out and treated them to wonderful food,
that I shared what I learned in life with them,
that I always believed in their dreams.

I want to inspire my grandchildren.
I want to encourage them and help them grow.
I want to empower them to accomplish their goals.
I want to be a consistent part of their lives.
I want them to know that they can come and talk to me about anything.
I want to hear their stories and tell them mine.
I want to mentor them.
I want to make plans with them and make sure they happen.
I want to hold them when they're babies and go on adventures with them as they grow older.
I want to make them beautiful gifts.
I want to cook them their favorite foods.
I want to love them always no matter what.

Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes

I would say I have lived in these comfy clothes 90% of the time in the last couple of months. The first picture was taken right after I showered off from a run. The second one was taken when I clearly had a lack of sleep, hence the major bags under my eyes (or do I always have those?). These days I have mostly been spending time at home in long black leggings and over sized shirts.

Outfit Details:

Picture 1
V-neck: Hanes
Capris: Zen Chi

Picture 2
Black long sleeved shirt: Old Navy
Lime green hoodie: Old Navy
Sweat pants: Express

What is Jesus teaching you presently?

In the last few months God has been teaching me to believe in Him and trust in Him like a child again. I have been thinking, "I can do this on my own. God has better things to do then look out for me." These thoughts are so self destructive. Even though all the right things were coming out of my mouth I really didn't believe them. I kept shoving aside my desire to believe that God has everything under control, that He cares enough to give me what I need.

Now sitting here after months of growing pains in my relationship with Him I see He just wants to love me, to surprise me, to woo me. He loves nothing more than for me to discover something He has done for me and be completely captivated and in awe of His goodness. He desires for me to delight in Him. This concept is totally mind blowing to me. Now daily I wake up and think of all of the ways He has provided for me down to the smallest details, and cannot help but praise the Lord.

When I pray and make requests of the Lord I no longer hear this nagging voice inside of me saying, "He doesn't really want to do that for you." No, instead it has been replaced by a peaceful calm that reassures me God is always for me. Nothing is too great for Him. His Spirit resides in me and His deepest desire is to teach me to be desperate for Him, to be a lover of the Lord, to know Him, to believe in His almighty power.

Matthew 11:25-30

25) At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;
26) yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
27) All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28) Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

How do I even begin to sum up my strengths and weaknesses?

I think my biggest source of strength lies in my ability to trust God. Through that simple act God is able to empower me to live out of the strengths He has placed inside of me.

Here are some things I consider my strengths:
(My strengths are really all things I could not have apart from Christ's grace in my life.)
1) I have a great desire to empower people with truth and honesty.
2) I am organized.
3) I love children.
4) I love beauty and seek to create beautiful things.
5) I tend to throw all of who I am into a project or a relationship (this can be a very good thing or a very bad thing).
6) I am a dreamer and a romantic.
7) I love to create things with my hands.
8) I have a deep desire to press forward into becoming the best possible version of myself through Christ.

Here are some things I consider my weaknesses:
(These things stem out my lack of faith, when I allow my emotions to control me.)
1) I am highly driven by fear. Sadly this had held me back from accomplishing many things.
2) I am a natural people pleaser and have been hurt and used countless times. I have had to learn that I have not been put on earth to please people but rather to honor my Creator.
3) I am prideful and dogmatic.
4) I forget to be compassionate and tend to have a "suck it up!" attitude.
5) I am lazy. I lack a natural sense of self motivation.
6) I am self-absorbed.
7) I am quick to anger and frustration.
8) I allow my emotions and failures to consume me.

Boy, that list of weaknesses seams so daunting especially since I know that's not even a fraction of them. The good thing is, I know on this earth I am always going to have weakness because I am not God. And you know what? I am okay with that because Christ said I would have to fight against all of these human weaknesses. And in His goodness He promises me that I don't need to fight alone. If I allow Him to be my rock and my salvation I have nothing to fear because perfect love casts out fear.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear where love exists. Rather, perfect love banishes fear, for fear involves punishment, and the person who lives in fear has not been perfected in love.

When I step into the the center of His will I find strength like I have never known. When I am in His presence I feel Him breathe life into my dying bones. I feel his love overwhelm me and I know that I will never have to fight my battles alone as long as I place myself in the hands of God and allow Him to be my strength.

What are some needs that need to be met in your community?

Last Friday I went to a JJ Heller benefit concert. JJ and her husband Dave are amazing. Their music is so beautiful and inspirational. Ree Boado opened for them and she is wonderful too! I haven't felt so inspired in a long time. I walked away from their concert feeling like I had just had coffee with a good friend, one who encouraged me and challenged my faith. I cannot even describe the exhilaration I felt after this concert.

All this to say, this was a benefit concert to raise money for a ministry called Streetlight Phoenix a ministry working to eradicate child sex slavery.

Here are some facts on child sex slavery:

On the Streetlight Phoenix website they have numerous ways to get involved. From committing to donate monthly, volunteering, or hosting a screening of there documentary film Branded Streetlight Phoenix is empowering us to raise awareness in our community.

This is a need I see in my community.
By simply donating $13 a month you can be a modern abolitionist. Sex trafficking isn't just happening in Phoenix it's happening all over the country. Don't be afraid to get involved with ministry in your city. You might think that you're just one person and you can't really help anyone but God wants to use you in mighty ways. Make yourself available. Don't let your fears hold you back!

Write a letter to your future husband to encourage him

To the man who will one day be my world,

You are everything God created you to be and you are perfect for me. I am so in love with your heart for God and your heart for people. I want to serve the Lord by your side faithfully all of my days. When you feel like everything you're giving just isn't enough remember God desires to be your source of strength. When you are weak He is strong. You have been given everything you need to accomplish the challenges set before you. God is going to use you to change the world.

When you are sad, remember it's okay to be sad, it's okay to cry. One day there will be no more tears. So cry now and hope for the future. I am here to share in your sadness and grief as well as your joy and success.

When you are lonely remember I am your biggest fan. I will always be for you. I will support you no matter what because that is what God has called me to do. When God made you He didn't make any mistakes. He made you with a purpose and a destiny, and He made you to be my husband. Your love is such a strong manifestation of Christ's love. It's irresistible.

Thank you for loving God.
Thank you for serving others.
Thank you for taking care of me.
Thank you for being strong for both of us.
Thank you for being humble.
Thank you for trusting that God's plan is better than ours.
Thank you for learning and growing.
Thank you for laying down your desires to honor the Lord.
Thank you for dying to yourself that Christ might live through you.
Thank you for speaking truth.

You are the love of my life and I will stand by your side during the battles we will encounter. I will bind up your wounds. I will take care of you when you're sick. I will hold your hand when you are scared. I will cry when you are hurting. I will pray for you always.

I want to love you with all I have in me until my dying day.

Love your girl, MiaHelen

Write about your job and why you love it or hate it

I have always had a passion for working with children. My dream job when I was younger was to be a camp counselor or a nanny. Last summer I was a Childcare Camp Counselor at Mount Hermon and I am just now beginning to venture into being a nanny.

I love my job because I get to work with kids everyday.
I get to hear their little voices tell me stories.
I get to watch their little hands create things.
I get to help them play "make believe" and I get to be their confidant.
I love being able to empower kids to find their hidden talents and learn new skills. It's the best feeling in the world to be loved so unconditionally by a child. Children are so bright and wonderful. They are full of life and new ideas. Their enthusiasm for living seems to rub off on everyone they come in contact with.
In a word, I am addicted to spending time with little ones and I have been so blessed to call that my job!

Write about your favorite comfort food

The Definition of Comfort Food:
Food that is simply prepared and gives a sense of well being; typically food with a high sugar or carbohydrate content that is associated with childhood or with home cooking. Food that one eats to feel comfort or alleviate stress rather than to receive nutrition

Any kind of Asian food fits the "comfort food" bill for me. My mother is Chinese and whenever we spend time with family over the holidays we live off of Asian food. Home cooked, take out, or restaurant dining, Asian food always seems to set things right in my world.

Describe your personality.

I really lost some momentum this week with this post. It stumped me. It's so hard to write about your own personality especially when the term "personality" is such a fluid and subjective one. So I asked my mum if she could write up a little something about me since, well, she has known me longer and more fully than anyone else.
Here's what she wrote:

Mia is a remarkable person.

She is wise and her thoughts run deep. She is creative and able to think out of the box. She learns from past mistakes. She laughs at herself and maintains a mature and healthy sense of both identity and humility. She is incredibly good at learning what she is gifted in. She is naturally good at dance and cutting hair. She has spunk and determination, but is able to flex and give way for the greater good. She is an amazing cleaner-upper. I like to call her the white tornado. She can come into a room and make it clean and clutter free in a matter of minutes. She is able to save money and manage time. She has impeccable fashion sense. She is definitely artsy and listens to music that is simple, real and deeply felt. She is a hopeless romantic and rather earthy and down to earth at the same time. She is a loving friend and a great listener. She helps others with a caring heart and loves others just for who they are. She has persevered through some very hard times and has come out the other side holding the hand of Jesus. Her character has been built through adversity. She knows the way she needs to go and is wise enough to wait on God to help her make it happen. But she doesn’t sit around twiddling her thumbs, she is active in seeking and doing what God shows her to do. When she sets her mind to do something, she can make it happen. She is delightful to be with.

Thanks mum!

I also asked my boy to write up a little something.
If you want to read it hop on over here.

Write about 3 things that make you happy.

1) David Jolly
Yep. This boy loves Jesus, he is extremely thoughtful, and way handsome to boot!!!
He makes my cheeks hurt from smiling everyday!!!

2) The Ocean!
Oh how I miss you, California coast!

3) Good food!
I love food! Thank you Jesus for amazing food!
This is all food I have eaten in the last 6 months! I am so blessed!
And yes, I have an obsession with taking pictures of my food.

Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life.

To my girls,

Remember that being cool is not about wearing the right clothes, knowing the right songs, saying the right things, or having the right friends.
Being cool is being comfortable and confidant in your own skin.
There is nothing you can do to rush this process. It simply takes time to grow, learn and mature. But don't be worried or anxious because we all grow a little more comfortable with ourselves each and everyday. It just takes a lot of time and growing up. It is a fact universally known that everyone can admire someone who is comfortable in their own skin.

There are going to be some people you meet in life that you are not going to feel a connection with. You may not even like them at all. That's okay.
You're not going to end up being "best friends" with everyone.
Find people who you really connect with, who really inspire you and vice versa and stick to them like glue! There is nothing so wonderful as finding a kindred spirit to adventure through life with!

Never be afraid to do what you love.
I used to think that because my mother was an artist I never would be. Then one day God opened my eyes to the fact that I had a gift for creating things and I found so much healing and assurance through that.

You have been fully equipped with exactly what you need to succeed.
God knows who you are better than you do. He knows the desires of your heart and what your strengths and weaknesses are. You need never try to be someone else. NEVER! God knows best and He will provide for you in EVERY area of your life!

Matthew 6:25-34

Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.

This is my lovely friend Erin.

She is beautiful, talented and full of life.
I remember when I first met her, I knew nothing about her, yet I found myself drawn to her quiet, brilliant spirit.
Erin is extremely artistic and original.
I love bouncing ideas off of her and learning from her vast knowledge of living creatively.
Her insight is always spot on.
Erin acts, sings, dances, writes and is an amazing photographer, but what has always stood out to me about Erin is that her life is her art form.
The way she lives just exudes intricate thought and intentional creative living!
Everything about her inspires me.
Her inner strength, her drive to perfect her art, and her desire to live a full and vibrant life for her Creator.

Thank you for constantly inspiring me Erin.
You are a gem!

Post an outfit pic!

I am so bad about outfit posts. For this one I just searched through my iPhoto till I found something that fit the bill. These pictures are from last April when my family and I went to the Wild Life World Zoo over spring break.

Outfit Details:
Hat: Hand me down
V-neck tee: Old Navy
Flannel: Thrifted
Belt: Gap, Thrifted
Capris: Thrifted
Keds: Ross

What would you like to change about yourself for the better?

I am a procrastinator.
I've been one since I was young. I always put things off until the last possible minute, literally.
So my motto this year is, "Just do it!" I know that's Nike's marketing campaign but that doesn't stop me from using it as my constant go to motto. Whenever I am dreading something, in my head I think "Just do it!" and before I know it, it's done. I spend so much of my time dreading things that I never get around to actually doing them until I absolutely have to. This is a major problem, one that I am just beginning to face head on. I cannot let this stop me from moving forward any longer. I need to face my fears and dreads like a warrior and fight with a passion everyday to do the will of the Father. I don't want to plop down in bed at night feeling like "What did I do today?" I want to slump into my bed exhausted from the fight! I realize now if I were to weigh my time on a scale of what really mattered, the "wasted time" side would be heaping full. Yuck! It is time to stop this now. Procrastination must be squashed and eliminated from my life!

Also read this!
It pretty much sums up how I feel quite often about being the ideal version of myself.

Write about what wears you out as a woman

This is my constant prayer when I am burdened by this world,

Oh Father, lift this burden from me. Make me desperate for you. I know I have prayed this prayer before. The words roll off my tongue in such a familiar way. I need to be broken. Remove my idols. Reveal what I need to see, to OVERCOME, to BREAK THROUGH. I need a passion. I need a fire burning in my chest. I need none of me and all of you. Why is this so hard? Why can’t I seem to get this? I HATE this world. I HATE what it has to offer!!!!!! Remove the high places from within me. Cleanse my scum covered being. Beat me till I am broken! I would rather be broken completely at the foot of the cross than living a lie, than living in a way that torments me, dishonors You and helps no one. Teach me to wield the sword of truth. Teach me to be a warrior for You. I am not satisfied with this honky dory life. I want to live a reckless life that finds me fighting fiercely until the end. I don’t want a moment of comfort anymore, until I reach heavens gates. I want to be faithfully exhausted for you all of my days. NEVER LET ME GO!!! Grab me daily and shake the fear of Yourself into me. Exhaust me for you. Never let me get weighed down by the everyday. Help me stand and fight NO MATTER WHAT!!!!! Let my mind no longer think ordinary thoughts but ALWAYS be turned towards you!!!

Ephesians 6:12-20

¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

¹³Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

¹⁴Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

¹⁵and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

¹⁶in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

¹⁹and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.