skin.

So since I could remember, I've always had pretty bad skin. I've always been insecure about it too. It seems to be genetic, unfortunately. My dad had it bad and my mom had it bad, while they were growing up. 
When it came to treatments, I tried it all. Once it was so bad that I had to see a dermatologist. Which I would recommend, if you are able to go to one, then do it! 
But anyway, as I got older, I've noticed that most natural and organic remedies work best. 

Coconut oil:
I've been using coconut oil for my face for a year now. AND ITS AWESOME. While I was at bible college, I would apply coconut oil on my face and go into the hot springs and allow for it to just sit there as the steam kind of soothed and relaxed my face. Then I would wash it off with the hot spring water, which was warm and had natural minerals. (Note: I would do this at night.) My face would feel so SOFT and any swollen pimples were just.. not swollen again and smaller in size. It was great! 
But the days that I didn't go into the hot springs, I would apply coconut oil on my face, right before bed. I would rub it in like a lotion, so I wouldn't apply much. Then as soon as I was done applying it on, I covered that with a THIN layer over it and left it there. Yup, that's right. I went to bed with it on. Then the next morning, I would just rinse it off with water. Sometimes I would washed it off with Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser (sold at Target.) Either or. :) But before going to bed with it on, I would place a clean towel over my pillow so that I wouldn't get oil on the pillow case, but on the towel. Get what I mean?
And sometimes I even apply it 10 minutes before I shower (and I put it in my hair too), and wash it off my face once I get in the shower with a tea tree oil soap bar.
There are other techniques I used with it; if you want to know, just ask! :)
Coconut oil is so amazing in so many ways. I suggest buying it at Trader Joe's, their's is thee best.

Tea tree oil:
Now this, I started using when I started my first semester at bible college when I roomed with this awesome lady. She was the definition of a hippie. I miss her tons!
But yes. We drove to Trader Joe's and I picked up tea tree oil in a little glass container and tea tree oil facial cleansing pads. Those, my friend, are magical.
Not only does tea tree oil remove acne, but it controls the oil in your face, reduces inflammation, and it just feels tingly and nice.
I would dab it on a cotton ball and dilute it with water. (It's extremely strong. The smell is super strong when it isn't diluted. And it numbs. Yikes!) Then apply it on the pimples that needed it. Then shortly after, it would dry them out and they would disappear. 
With the cleansing pads, I would dab it on my nose (that's the oiliest part on my face) and wash it off with water. I would use it through out the day if I needed it. So you can use that whenever! I would also use it to remove make up whenever I ran out of facial wipes. And (again) wash it off with water. Highly recommended!
I also use a tea tree oil soap bar (that I have in the shower) for when I decide to apply coconut oil on my face. I just wash it right off with my tea tree oil soap bar. My face feels so clean right after!
Tea tree oil is awesome.

So part of the whole reason for this post was to lead up to the point that I have discovered a new face wash! All my life, I've used brands like Clearasil, Neutrogena, etc. They have all SUCKED and didn't do much of a good job, and left my skin so dry. SO DRY. Like it was FLAKING. I was so over having to hide it and having to pick at the skin that was flaking off. I was fed up and decided to go organic. BEST choice I've made for my face. I started using the brand Burt's Bees, and that is the only brand that does the job and DOESN'T dry out my face. 
So the new face wash I got is called Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile (sold at Target.) It removes dirt, excess oil, and make up. It softens skin and helps with acne problems. You can even FEEL it working in your skin as you use it. It smells great and FEELS amazing. It leaves you happy, with a soft face, and a great tingling feeling. It leaves you satisfied knowing it did the job. 
Here's more about it, if you want to look into it and read reviews:
http://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/face-care-facial-cleansers/soap-bark-chamomile-deep-cleansing-cream.html

Hope this post helped you in any way. Remember that drinking water is also important for having clearer skin as well. Leave comments, questions, concerns, anything! :) 
Love you all.

Oh! And here's a picture of it:

p & p

I'm rereading Passion & Purity, by Elisabeth Elliot, this summer. I haven't got much to do, it seems, these last few weeks while in my hometown. So I decided to devour some good books while I have the time. P & P is definitely a great read, and I highly recommend it. EVEN if you're a guy. ;)
This is what the back cover says, if any of you are interested in picking it up:

In Passion & Purity, Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the need to commit daily to Christ all matters of the heart and to wait upon Him. She teaches this often painful, yet rewarding discipline by candidly tracing her love story with Jim Elliot as evidence that she has been there.
Through letters, dairy entries, and memories, she shares the temptations, difficulties, victories, and sacrifices of two young people whose commitment to Christ took priority over their love for each other. These revealing personal glimpses, combined with relevant biblical teaching, will remind you that only by putting your human passion and desire through His fire can God purify your love. 

It's a super awesome read and I'm enjoying it as if it were the first time I've ever picked it up. I love that Elisabeth is willing to share all of what went on. 
Being 20 years old (almost 21) and single was so difficult, at times. Especially being from Bible College, where everyone gets married and has a "ring by spring." It definitely is humbling, but I'm grateful to say that the Lord has opened my eyes to the gift of being single. Praise Him. I can constantly bash on satan when I feel lonely because, truth is, I'm NOT lonely. The Holy Spirit dwells inside me. That is all I need to have to be joyful.
And because I'm single, I have 100% focus on serving Him. And I love it this way.
And if He brings someone else along side me, who is supposed to be there by the Holy Spirit's discernment, then I know for a fact that it's because of His timing.

I've been reading chapters 1-5 today and as I closed in on chapter 5, something really stuck out to me. 

One morning I was reading the story of Jesus' feeding of the five thousand. The disciples could find only five loaves of bread and two fishes. "Let Me have them," said Jesus. He asked for all. He took them, said the blessing, and broke them before He gave them out. I remembered what a chapel speaker, Ruth Stull of Peru, had said: "If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad."

Man, Jesus asks for all.
He gives all.
He asks for all. 
Let that happen and you WILL BE BLESSED. Dad knows what He's doing. :)

I'll try to remember to continue to post more things about this book. But till then, goodnight. <3

Please leave me comments if you read this!!! Or contact me in any form; I want to know what your thoughts and opinions are on this. Let's get a conversation going. :) 
Or even if you need prayer, I'll pray for you.

my Saturday.

My Saturday has been quite beautiful.

It consisted of God's love, iced chais, watermelon, sunflowers, mason jars, grocery shopping, and my friend sending me a cover of the Adventure Time theme song he did. And tons of other things! Right now, I'm just resting in bed and listening to the Jonas Brothers. (Which is great.) 

I just felt like posting a blog because I just felt like I should, haha. :) I'm in a really good mood, surrounded by God's love. in case you didn't know, i really enjoy my summer. here are some pictures i took today! 

the best iced chai i've ever made. wish you could taste how amazing it was. 

God was probably like, these would put a huge smile on
my daughter's face. cause they really do. thanks for making
them, Dad. they're my absolute favorite flower. <3

i was able to take them home with me. :)

just an outfit of the day photo of what i wore today (duh.) my hair is getting so long!

ccry summer service '13

Here are just a few pictures I took at this year's summer service in doing homeless outreaches.

awesome ocean breeze on the san diego harbor.

Laying in the middle of the street
with awesome people & watching
planes land in the San Diego
airport. God loves me a lot.

going up the elevator.

sweet mornings with Jesus & family.

my rad brothers serving thee great God. 

karen came back with gifts. 

Beyond blessed by this year's
summer service team. My church
family that The Lord has given
me is so awesome! 

walking downtown, serving God's people.

just one of my gnarly bruises from the trip.

best chai my taste buds have ever had. 

kohee would always come up to me
and give me this toy car because he
knew it was my favorite. he named it Monster Car. 

Kohee building a barrier of toy cars to protect the girls' room.

last night of summer service with my family.
So bummed its coming to and end, but so stoked
about what God has done these last couple of days.
Unity is amazing. Praise Him! 

at Ocean Beach BBQ outreach

Sean broke the news to the Reynolds kids about
the death of Flick, the pet grasshopper we
brought up from the Imperial Valley
to San Diego. They mourned for like 2 minutes. Haha!

words cannot express how awesome this picture is.

How beautiful are the feet of those who
preach the good news! Romans 10:15 

our youth pastor is talented. nbd.

coraly and sky.

walking to the Y in downtown.

7/10/13

God is so big and so wise.
He knows what we go through.
He knows what we should and shouldn't do.
He doesn't give is guidelines to burden us, but to bless us.
Wait on Him and you WILL be blessed!

-

hi family.

i have one small request.
i'm going through a lot and i'm in need of prayer.
so if you could please pray for me, that would be so great.
i need some of that being ministered to.
thank you.
Lord bless you.

july 2, 2013 - morning devotional

"If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, 

I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." 

This was the last sentence in my daily devotional book, Daily Light. It made me realize that allowing Christ is beneficial to us. Not only does He knock AND come in if we let Him, but He DINES with us. He sits and DINES with us. That is something so beautiful and so incredible to me. That the Creator of the heavens and earth wants to sit with us and dine with us. This is so real and so lovely. He cares about us. It's, like, He feeds us AND He keeps us company. He gives us the Word for food and is always by our side, the Holy Spirit. And I'm not saying that I only came to Christ because it was beneficial to me, me, me. Nor am I saying that you too should come to Christ because it would benefit you, you, you. So you can get rich and prosper in this life, or whatever. But what I'm saying is that it benefits our soul. It satisfies our soul when we make that choice. He comes in and fills that deep, deep void in you that can't be satisfied by drugs, smoking, alcohol, your friends, your addictions, money, music, your boyfriend, your girlfriend, sex, and anything else that you seem to grab hold to. Let Him come into your life and clothe you with righteousness, that is only from His Son, Jesus Christ. Let Him provide for you. He WANTS to dine with you. You just have to let Him come in.