Tragic Beauty...A Good One Gone

There is something so tragic, yet so beautiful, about watching a loved one pass away.

Tragic in that I am selfish and want to keep my family around forever. Tragic in that my Nana lost a child, my Dad, uncles and aunt lost a brother and my cousins lost a dad and grandpa. Tragic in that he hurt for so long and was never really fully able to take care of himself how he needed to. 

But oh so beautiful. To know that a prayer of repentance was prayed. To know that he is no longer suffering. To be privileged enough to be there when he took his last breath. 

I will forever cherish the memories of every crazy, funny, embarrassing thing he ever said to me. All of the 5 am phone calls to my dad while I was growing up, I'd gladly wake up to them again. And not even gripe. I would go visit more, and stay longer. I would tell him "I love you. Mean it!". 

Today my heart is broken for my baby cousins who will not have their Papa there when they graduate high school. I hurt for the rest of us, that just want another day with him. 

Today I rejoice, because I serve a gracious God and now I know Ricky is basking in his presence as I type this.

Ricky Lynn McCurrie, thank you for being you. Thank you for loving us in your own way. Thank you for all of the good times. Thank you for allowing me to witness you take your last breath on this earth and your first glance at Heaven. I am beyond honored. Love you, mean it.

Rest in peace, Uncle. 

11-16-63 - 9-29-15

good deeds...food for thought

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Wednesday afternoon I had to run in to the Dollar Tree to grab a couple of things for our Wednesday night craft at church. As I was leaving, this sweet little lady, she had to be at least 80, was trying her hardest to pick her buggy up to get it back on the sidewalk so she could take it back inside. I saw her struggling so I ran over to her and took the buggy from her.

She said, "thank you", I said, "you're welcome".

No big deal.

I had to walk back by her car on my way from the store back to my car. As I was walking by she thanks me again and says, "You've done your good deed for the day!"

My immediate response was, "I try to do more than one, but if I don't get to anymore today at least I've done my one!"

We laughed and I walked away. I got to my car and our exchange immediately made my heart hurt.

Are we so desensitized to what others are going through that we think by doing one good thing a day that we are really showing ourselves as good people? Sure, I helped that lady in the moment, but what about the next person that needs my help that I walk right past because I'm simply too lazy to go back.

I know "your good deed for the day" is just a saying and maybe I'm putting too much thought in to it, but it really makes me feel like I haven't been doing all I can. As a Christian people should see the good in me all the time (I know, Christians make mistakes too, but in general I should try to be a positive, caring and helpful person.).

I'm not saying that anyone is perfect and can completely put the needs of themselves and their families aside, but I am saying that we need to make a conscious effort to help those in need more often. Me included!

And if you are one of those awesome people that puts others before yourself constantly, then go you! I think that is awesome and I know so many selfless people that I desire to be more like every day! More Jesus, less me!

Here is what the Bible says about helping others:

Helping others and sacrificing of ourselves pleases God! Simple as that!

Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

If I have something that you need and I don't give it to you/let you borrow it/help you get your own, what kind of witness am I?

1 John 3:17 (NIV)

17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?

I haven't been commanded to worry about myself, but rather my neighbors. It doesn't matter if I have all of the riches in the world if my neighbor doesn't have a pot to pee in! Take care of others and God will cover you!

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

When you do for others you do for the Lord. Plain and simple.

Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV)

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Just a little food for thought...be blessed!

to every thing there is a season...

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grief

ɡrēf/

noun

deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone's death.

"she was overcome with grief"

synonyms: sorrow, misery, sadness, anguish, pain, distress, heartache, heartbreak, agony, torment, affliction, suffering, woe, desolation, dejection, despair

Grief is a funny thing. Especially when you don't really know what you are dealing with.

I'm writing this post from the "family room" of the Hospice House where my uncle is currently being cared for.

For weeks now his "health status" has been up and down. You think his time is almost finished and then you come back a couple of hours later and he is sitting up having his chocolate milk (also known as Ensure). This whole process has just shown me yet again that we are here not on our time but on Gods and we don't leave here until he is done with us.

Most of our family has been holding vigil at my uncles bedside for a majority of the last of week. Upset at the diagnosis and the cause of the diagnosis but cherishing the good moments we have all had in the past and all of the funny stories he is telling us now, even though he has no clue what he is saying for the most part.

In just over a week of being here we have seen several families come and go as they lose their loved ones so I can't help but be thankful as I sit here tonight knowing he is resting peacefully in his room, even if only for a short time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1King James Version (KJV)

3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven

I say all of this just to say, love your family and let them know you love them. Don't wait until they are bed ridden and have basically been given a death sentence to come around. I know I am just as guilty of this as the next person, we get so caught up in just trying to get by that we forget the important things. I'm learning all too quickly that the important things will one day be gone and all you'll have are memories.

Make those memories. Make a lot of them.

bh cosmetics rave!

If you know me at all you know that I am fairly frugal (cheap, downright cheap) when it comes to makeup. Because I don't have sensitive skin at all, I have tried every kind of affordable makeup out there. I've had some great experiences and I've tried some makeup that was just plain crusty (My 13 year old schooled me on the term crusty this morning).

That being said, bhcosmetics is LEGIT! I found their website by accident but saw some cute things so I decided to check out the reviews and WOW! Everyone loves their stuff! And the prices were unbelievable! I ordered just a couple of things to see how I liked it and to say I loved it was an understatement. Literally the day my first shipment came in I ordered more and I've placed two more orders since then!

So here is a rundown of all of my new products!

Ok, so I'll start with the fabulous new brush set. This is the 10 pc Pop Art Brush Set and is a whole $12! It includes a powder brush, angled blush brush, foundation brush, complexion blending brush, flat complexion brush, tapered eyeshadow brush, fluffy angled eyeshadow brush, angled liner/brow brush, lip brush, and a spooley brush. Not to mention the super cute case they come in!
I'll be honest, I was a bit skeptical with the price being so great, but these brushes are amazing!!! I have been using them for about a month now and have experienced little to no shedding and they are SO soft! I would absolutely recommend this product!

If you know me at all you know I am all about a nice summer glow so bronzer is definitely my best friend in the makeup world. These bronzers were buy one get one free so I decided to try the Diva and Starlet bronzers. These are a whopping $4 each so even if they are not having a sale they are totally affordable and absolutely worth the money!

The Diva bronzer has a nice matte finish that blends beautifully!

The Starlet bronzer has just the right amount of shimmer and is made of a highlighter, beige, peach and a nice tan color. I am in love with this product.

So I have super patchy eyebrows so I was so very excited about this brow defining kit! My hair is a medium-dark brown so I got the medium trio kit and it is perfect! The wax does a great job keeping my eyebrows in place and the powder blends flawlessly (hence the name). The best part! This is a whole $5.50!

I was unsure about the colors in this foundation and concealer palette but it ended up being a great match! There are 10 colors that can be mixed to match pretty much any complexion (there is also a palette with warmer shades). I love using the lighter shades to highlight and the darkest shade is great for contouring! I paid $10 for this palette but it is now $12, but still totally worth it!

This Forever Nude palette I got for free with the purchase of another palette. This palette is like the super palette of all palettes. This palette has two blushes, one of which works as a bronzer, a highlighter, six eyeshadows and two lipglosses. These eyeshadow colors are beautiful, not as pigmented as I prefer but with a little patience you can get the perfect color. The glosses are absolutely beautiful and the blushes and highlighter work wonders! On the days I am in a hurry and don't want to have to put much thought in to my makeup I grab this and throw it on for a quick, natural look! This palette can be purchased for $8.

This next palette is called the Essential Eyes - 28 Color Eyeshadow Palette. It has beautiful matte colors as well as colors with the perfect amount of shimmer. These colors range from a light nude to a deep black and each and every color is SO pigmented it makes me do a happy dance! This palette is listed at $20 now but is currently sold out. :( (It is expected to be available again on 9/15/15! Set a reminder on your phone so you can get yours!!)

Here is a list of all of the new products I haven't photographed just yet. I am still beyond happy with my purchases!

-Neutral Eyes - 28 Color Eyeshadow Palette $8 (Very similar to the other eyeshadow palette, these are just more neutral. I actually bought this palette for my almost 14 year old foster kiddo. She is so in to makeup but I just don't feel comfortable letting her rock the bright colors just yet!)
-Studio Pro Beauty Sponge $5 (I've seen tons of YouTubers use these beauty blenders and just rave about it, but I'll be honest, I don't love it. It serves its purpose but I'm just not impressed. I don't think there is anything wrong with it, maybe I don't know how to properly use it or maybe its just not my thing.)
-bh Liquid Eyeliner $2 (This is a felt tip pen and it is AMAZING! I literally hate eyeliner but this stuff is so so easy to use and lasts forever!)
-Forever Nude Sculpt and Glow Contouring Kit $12.50 (The yellow highlighter is so good for covering my redness and I love using the darkest contouring shade to actually contour, the medium shade for bronzer and the lightest shade makes a beautiful blush!)
-Waterproof Jumbo Concealer Pencil $3 (I got this in "fair" and I use it as a highlighter. LOVE! I ordered it with my second order and when I received it the pencil was damaged. I emailed bhcosmetics and told them of the damage and I simply had to email them back a picture of the damaged product and a picture of the invoice and they had a new one in my mailbox in 3 days! You don't even have to worry about sending in the damaged product! Great prices, products and customer service! Can't beat it!)
-bh Liquid Foundation in Light Olive $4 (I also got this for my foster kiddo. The colors are darker than they appear online, thank God I read the reviews. I got two shades lighter than she would typically wear but it is perfect for her!)
-Creme Luxe Lipstick $4 (I got a lipstick for myself and one for my kiddo. They are super pigmented and beautiful!)
-Sculpt and Blend 10 pc Brush Set $20 (This set is perfect for all things "complexion"! I use these for contouring, highlighting, applying foundation, concealer, etc. They are amazing!)