True Beauty

Girls!

I was listening to Family Life Today yesterday and today and guess what the programs were on? True Beauty. These episodes are worth the time: http://www.familylife.com/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dnJHKLNnFoG&b=3789887&ct=7323137

Enjoy!
Active Singer

Inside and Out!

I have not written in over week...how time has flown! I hope someone else out there is doing this new system with me, so I'm not the only one! I have much to talk about, but first I'd like to explain why I have not written earlier. The first is that school began and was quite stressful the first week. Isn't school fun, though? I so enjoy learning, though at times school does drag.

The second reason for my not writing earlier was an e-mail I received last week from a very good friend of mine. She raised questions and concerns about my blog and its message that made me stop and think about what I wanted you all to take away from this little corner. In my last posting, I told about my walk with Sean in Annapolis and how I commented on all the thin women in that section of town. He replied, "They're disgusting." Let me clarify: he, nor I, ever have believed that thin-ness is "disgusting." Sean was speaking of the whole situation which started with my comments (quite admiring comments) of the thin-ness. He is disgusted by the culture that slames "thin-ness is the only happy way" and "only thin-ness is beauty" in our faces. I do recognize that many in the media realize this and its consequences and are changing their campaigns and such. For those women, though, that have been raised in this culture, a sudden turn of the head is not easy. However, I truly believe it is quite possible. The Lord made us in His own image and never desired that His daughters dislike, be ashamed of, or even despise their bodies.

I hope I have not implied that outward appearance isn't important. All women have a natural desire to feel beautiful, I certainly have one. We women have been made this way. Remember, though, that your body is absolutely going to die. There is not one of our bodies that will live forever. Therefore, strengthen and exercise Your spirit, for it is of the utmost importance. Eat spiritual food that will make you grow.

We have been made with a desire to be beautiful, inside and out. The Lord has given us a spirit and a body and desires that we feed, exercise, and take care of both. If I felt that outward appearance was not imporant, I wouldn't be writing on this blog and I wouldn't be taking this challenge. To be honest, girls, I believe that spiritual and bodily exercise and diet are intertwined. I have much to say on this and will write it next time.

I have been tempted by donuts (which I never eat anyway), muffins, granola cereal, pineapple upside down cake, craisins...and have been able to hold back. My desire for these sugars has decreased. There is a bag of unopened craisins downstairs that I'm still amazed I've been to keep my hands off of! :) The true test will come when my long performance weeks hit with late-night rehearsals and performances. Some of my friends at school are able to take in high-sugars late at night and encourage others to do the same. But I cannot, cannot give in. And you can't either!

I have definitely been feeling more energetic lately during the late afternoons. I believe this is the combination of daily exercise, low sugar, and lots of prayer. My foot is just about ready to run on again...perhaps a week away!

If there's anyone reading this: I have a question for you. Please comment. Do you think there is a link between the spirit and body, their exercise and diet? Perhaps when one's heart is not in place, the person begins not caring about the body? How so?

Please comment.

I will write sooner rather than later.

Active Singer