This and That

OK. I'm taking the not-so-subtle hint of a good friend and finally updating. ;-)

I'm almost at a loss for where to begin... I guess I'll just start with what's on my mind at the moment:

For the last month I have been on a make-up fast. Nothing too hard, right? After all, I've never been someone who *had* to wear make-up in order to feel "put together" (or so I thought). But it was harder than I first supposed it would be. The main reason, or at least the surface reason, comes from the fact that I had two wisdom teeth taken out during the month of August. For those of you who have had your wisdom teeth out, you know that it can cause major bruising. And it certainly did in my case. And for the two weeks after my surgery, as my cheek seemed to change from one lovely color of the rainbow to another, it was very tempting to at least put on some foundation before heading out in public. But I didn't, and I learned something in the process, and I'm very thankful for both of those facts.

I learned during the course of the last month just how dependant I truly have become on make-up. I have become, very subtly, one of those people who *needs* it in order to feel happy with her appearance. And it put my heart's focus in the wrong place. But at least I realize that now. More than that, God has been changing my heart. He is opening my eyes to see how He sees me, and to realize that He is the One who made me exactly the way I am and that I should rejoice in that fact.

Honestly, I no longer feel like I *need* to wear make-up every time I have to been seen in public - I don't even think about most days. And there is freedom in that that I have not known for some time. I just hope that I continue to grow in this area, because - let me tell you - I have a long way to go. ;-) Moving on now...

My senior year of school began last Monday. *sigh* It is a time of mixed emotions for me. On the one hand, I'm a bit overwhelmed with all that I still have to do before I graduate. On the other hand, I realize that I am going to graduating this next year - and it is a bittersweet realization. I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it is beautiful, let me tell you; it speaks of new and exciting things (I hope) to me. And, yet - for as stressed out as I have been over it at times - I believe that I'll miss school. Anyway, it is going to be a long year, that's for certain: I have seven courses I'll be working on every week for the next 36 weeks - plus the SAT that I'll be taking this winter, and need to spend quite a bit of time studying for.

Starting tomorrow (September 1st), I will begin two sorts of fasts. One is a fast from TV and movies. The other is from sweets and refined foods. Basically, my diet will be restricted to meats, vegetables, whole grains, oils, and teas. Not exactly fun, but I think that it's necessary in order to kill the Candida.

I'm hoping to, in addition to school, also do some part-time work from home this winter and coming spring. It's going to be a challenge, but I'm keeping my eyes open for a good opportunity and praying about it.

I should be getting my learner's permit in a week in a half. :-) I'm so excited!!

Well, I think that was quite the update... don't you? *lol* It was the shortest version I could reasonably write and yet maintain the content I wanted to present, so please forgive the length.